Do You Feel the Difference in Power?
Just in time, as I'd been feeling the need for lightness skills. Of course, even if I got the Parachao Flying Plaque, I still planned to learn them.
Kim Hansu extended a hand to Nam Bi. "Oh, you give those to friends too? Let's be friends then."
Nam Bi scanned Kim Hansu up and down, then frowned. "You're shady and unpleasant. I don't wanna be friends with you."
"......Kuku, kukuku."
"Hmph."
I'd thought anyone could easily become Nam Bi's friend, but she had her own standards after all.
Anyway, I was already excited about getting the flying plaque, but right now, I was more curious about this inner courtyard of Parachao Pavilion. When I asked Nam Bi why it was called that, she said it had no special meaning—it was just the courtyard inside the house.
"Come in."
Kiiiek.
Nam Bi opened the front door, and Kim Hansu and I followed her into Parachao Pavilion. Contrary to my expectations, the inside was just an ordinary tiled-roof house. Of course, it was far nicer than the villagers' homes in Fairy Village.
I quickly scanned the interior and asked Nam Bi, "I don't see any courtyard?"
Nam Bi fluttered her iron wires as she replied, "Of course I made it so not just anyone can enter. This way."
She led us to the door at the far left end among the several rooms inside Parachao Pavilion and opened it. It was a plain room with the same structure as the others, empty as if used for storage. Not even a speck of dust, so she must keep it well-organized.
"Watch closely."
Nam Bi closed the door again, touched the end of her iron wire to it, and chanted some spell. After about three or four seconds...
"Open Gate!"
Shwoong.
A blue light flashed, and the door began to open on its own. At that moment, I sensed something like the formation array from the dark barrier. This seemed to be a type of formation too.
Kiiiek.
Once the door fully opened, the so-called inner courtyard was revealed. A spacious garden spread out around a fountain carved from a central rock.
"Come in."
"Whoa......"
"Damn."
Kim Hansu and I let out exclamations of admiration the moment we stepped inside. My senses expanded dramatically, and I could feel the energy in my body circulating rapidly. It felt like I needed to sit cross-legged and meditate right then and there!
As if reading my mind, Nam Bi grinned widely and asked, "How is it? With this much abundant spiritual energy, don't you think your sorcery will grow quickly?"
I nodded. "I'm itching to test it out right now."
"Then go ahead and train. I'll make some food. I'm getting hungry."
"Sounds good."
"Oh! A meal prepared by our future fairy. Can't wait."
I agreed with Kim Hansu. With an appetite like that, she must make incredibly tasty food, right?
Nam Bi soon trotted out of the inner courtyard. I looked at Kim Hansu and said, "What are you gonna do?"
"Nap till food's ready."
"Do that."
Does he have narcolepsy or something?
Whatever. I drew my Sealed Sword and, just as I'd shown Gwak Do-cheol, infused it with internal energy.
Fwoosh!
"Nice."
The sword flames burned even denser and fiercer than before. How great would it be to train here for a thousand or even ten thousand years?
"Time to train."
I shook off stray thoughts and began meditating. Between Blood Cycle and Thunder Cloud Heart Knot, I chose the latter. Since this place was designed for sorcery cultivation, I'd build up my magical power.
Pajijik.
Recently, Thunder Cloud Heart Knot had reached 2-star. My goal was to maintain the electricity I generated for as long as possible.
How long?...
"Mmmyah......"
Yeah, until Kim Hansu woke up.
Pajijik, pajik...
I closed my eyes and immersed myself in training when suddenly something poked my back.
"Hey, food's ready. Eat up."
It was Nam Bi.
"What? Already?"
"Yeah."
It felt like I'd just closed my eyes moments ago. Nam Bi grinned as if she'd expected my reaction. "Impressive, right? This is the power of the formation made by the Iron Wire Fairy."
I nodded vigorously. "Can I come back tomorrow?"
"Of course. You're always welcome—you're my friend. Train until evening today."
"Got it."
At this rate, I could push Thunder Cloud Heart Knot to 4-star before taking down the Rakshasa King.
I woke Kim Hansu, and we followed Nam Bi. I wondered just how delicious the food of a prospective fairy would be.
"Sit here and eat."
"......"
I was speechless at the sight of the meal. Kim Hansu snickered. "Ku... kukuku. Who'd have thought our prospective fairy was a vegetarian."
"No choice. Not eating meat is a requirement."
I asked Nam Bi, "You can't eat it at all?"
"Yeah. Otherwise, all the sorcery I've built up would crumble."
"I see."
It wasn't even as greasy as the recent company slop. I didn't mind and started eating.
For someone like me, who'd eaten gritty rice porridge for twenty years in my first life, this was fine.
Chomp chomp.
But Nam Bi devoured it like her stomach was at least five times my size. How did all that fit into her tiny body? Her eyes bulged watching her.
With mealtime dragging on, I decided to ask what was on my mind. "By the way, Nam Bi."
"Yeah?"
"Why do you hate the Rakshasa King so much? You even set up the formation to keep Rakshasas out, right?"
"Yeah. He's super ugly. And his temper's violent. I hate him. I'd rather bite my tongue and die than become his wife."
That made sense.
"How strong is the guy?"
"Too much for me alone, but with your help, we can kill him."
No need to worry then.
"Can we get the Pure Wind Pill right away?"
"Tell me when the time comes. I'll go to the divine spirit."
I formed a plan. Raise Thunder Cloud Heart Knot to 4-star in the inner courtyard first. Then find a way to Fire Mountain and grab the Pure Wind Pill.
Late into the night, after training in the inner courtyard, I returned to Fairy Village. Stella the chief asked where I'd been wandering, but when I said I was investigating, she let it slide.
"By the way, what happened to the people I rescued? Why were they like that?"
"They were under an aphrodisiac. I made an antidote and gave it to them, so they'll recover by tomorrow."
Now that she mentioned it, more employees than yesterday were outside the lodge. Mostly men, who couldn't exactly sleep in a room with naked women while drugged.
I scratched my head. "Couldn't get clothes?"
"The villagers all wear ragged hand-me-downs. No spares."
They could give up outer coats, but not pants.
"Guess we'll have to request suits from the liaison officer."
"That's best."
"Let's head inside first."
"Pardon? There are still patients in there..."
"The ones we took out yesterday were just a fraction. Plenty more."
Stella's face paled in shock. "What...? Okay, questions later. Patients first."
With the lodge so cramped, we'd need to manage numbers until the earlier patients recovered. I pulled out a few more people, then told Stella the chief, "There's a beauty with a mole under her left eye named Jin Hwa-wol. Let me know when she wakes."
"Will do."
This meant no sleep in the lodge tonight either. Better to ask Nam Bi tomorrow and stay at Parachao Pavilion.
"Two nights without sleep won't kill me."
I spent the approaching dawn honing Blood Cycle and Black Moon Tyrant Sword.
The next morning, Section Chief Lee Jun-yeol came looking for me early. "Sunbae."
"What's up?"
"Combat data analysis is complete. Want to hear it?"
"Sure."
Lee Jun-yeol organized his thoughts and spoke. "That Black Moon Tyrant Sword seems like a martial art that puts maximum power into a single strike."
"Correct."
"Usually, such arts have flaws: they're vulnerable to speed that twists the qi, or against multiple foes."
"Hm......"
I let out a groan. It was something I'd noticed through repeated real combats. And he'd figured it out just from watching.
Especially the speed issue—I hadn't encountered it yet, but it rang true.
"What should I do then?"
"I'll show you. Never learned sword arts, but... I can mimic it."
"Great. Show me."
Lee Jun-yeol held a sword he'd borrowed from another employee. "Feels awkward practicing in front of a chrysalis like this. Forgive any clumsiness."
"Of course."
Soon, he began demonstrating an improved Black Moon Tyrant Sword based on nanomachine analysis. I watched skeptically.
During my three duels with Lee Gun, I'd deliberately shown multiple forms. Now I realized that was a smart move.
"Diagonal here... better not twist the waist too much... add a defensive form in between for multiples..."
"Mm!"
It was just a demonstration, so slow and rough. He wasn't a swordsman, after all. Still, I instantly grasped how efficient his path was.
"Section Chief Lee Jun-yeol. Can you do it once more?"
"Sure."
I had him repeat Black Moon Tyrant Sword countless times after that, memorizing the motions. Sometimes imitating them myself.
I kept going until I fully internalized them, and he showed no fatigue or complaint.
I gripped my sword hilt tightly. "Perfect. This'll do."
Showing it to Gwak Do-cheol and refining further would bring major progress to Black Moon Tyrant Sword. No doubt.
How long had I been repeating the improved forms when Stella the chief called me?
"Section Chief Kim Jeongha. That woman you mentioned yesterday is awake."
"Yeah? What'd she say?"
"She wants to meet you."
"Then let's go."
"But on condition I stay with you. I'll watch closely for anything suspicious."
"Fine even if there's just a door between us."
"It was her request. She insisted on seeing her savior's face."
"In that case."
If she had to, better with Stella the chief along. Jin Hwa-wol would ask about Jin Jang-ho, and Stella could corroborate my words.
Explaining artifacts to a civilian was a hassle anyway.
"Wait here."
Stella dismissed the employees and brought Jin Hwa-wol to the back yard. No clothes, so where to look? She didn't cover herself, making it awkward to avert my eyes.
"Ahem."
"Look at me, young master. That only embarrasses me more."
"No choice."
She really had no choice. I'd thought her shameless for wanting to meet me, but her face was noticeably red. She told me to look yet couldn't meet my eyes herself.
"This is unseemly. To show such a disgrace to my lifesaver—I'm the ashamed one."
I nodded. "Greetings later. You're here because you're worried about Jin Jang-ho's survival, right?"
Jin Hwa-wol's eyes shook violently. "M-my brother... how is he? Young master, please..."
The siblings were close. Must be a harmonious family.
"He's safe. I left him somewhere secure for now. As you see, space here is tight."
"Ahh......"
Overwhelmed, she teared up and hugged me. "Thank you. Thank you, young master......"
"Mm......"
She buried her face in my chest, sobbing. I had no idea what to do. If not for Stella glaring daggers, I'd pat her back.
Finally, Jin Hwa-wol lifted her head and asked as if remembering something. "W-what about Song-i... and Young-i? Are they safe too?"
"Who are Song-i and Young-i?"
"My attendants. I overheard the yokai in the prison. They wouldn't touch me since I was to be offered to the king... but those girls... sob sob."
"Calm down. They're probably with the others. I just don't know the names."
"Young master, please avenge us. Our family will reward you greatly."
Same as Jin Jang-ho. Definitely rich.
"Wasn't for money."
But artifacts or treasures would be nice. I subtly hinted at it.
Jin Hwa-wol seemed even more moved. "You're a true hero... Then we'll prepare something befitting a hero. Please don't refuse."
"If you insist so earnestly, I have no choice. I accept."
Really, no choice. If she's offering...