A-Class Promotion Exam (4): The Beast's Mana Heart
“Putting your hand in your pocket? You're fucking begging to die!!!”
Hwangbo Han's eyes glowed red. An intensely feral aura emanated from his entire body, carrying a dangerous scent. A low growl rumbled from the corners of his mouth. A blue resonance rippled across his muscle-packed frame.
A blue heart formed inside Hwangbo Han's body, pulsing with powerful vibrations. Like a pump, it surged strength and vitality through his veins and mana circuits. The heart expanded, growing to the size of a human head.
...A Mana Heart, huh.
Just as cars need fuel to run, abilities required energy—in this case, mana. Of course, it wasn't always the same. It could be something like Yurika's “holy power,” or the “demonic energy” used by demonkin.
The key point is that everything needs some kind of driving force to function.
And battles between Awakeners were usually decided by how efficiently that force was used. Some had meager reserves, while others brimmed with excess. Naturally, some abilities were fuel-efficient, while others guzzled it.
That was why the superhumans called Awakeners since ancient times had always pondered the same questions: Can't I use even stronger techniques? Can't I reduce the burden? Can't I handle energy more efficiently?
One answer that emerged was the “Mana Heart” technique Hwangbo Han was using now—a completely different “circulation method” from simply gathering mana in the dantian or dissolving it into the body. It manifested an organ inside to optimize mana storage.
You've probably heard of it. It's a staple in those pulp webnovels.
But in this world, it was a bit different.
It's basically a time bomb.
In most novels, a “Mana Heart” is stable or comes with some control method. Not here. It was a brute-force approach to wielding the unprecedented energy called mana—remorselessly modding the body for maximum firepower, heedless of the user's safety or life.
That was a Mana Heart.
That's why it drew massive attention at first but quickly faded into obscurity. What good was power if a single mistake meant boom—you're dead? Even power-mad maniacs weren't lining up to strap an uncontrollable bomb to their own bodies.
But the Fist King isn't an idiot. He wouldn't pass it to his son without a plan.
Put differently, a Mana Heart was an excellent circulation method—if you could eliminate the risk of it randomly exploding.
And the guy in front of me covered that with two “talents.”
I focused my mind on Hwangbo Han. What stood out was the real heart right next to the Mana Heart. Etched atop it was a special “pattern” that calmed the raging mana torrent, forcing it to flow at his command.
That was one function of Beast's Heart—dominating the imperfect energy coursing through the body and bending it to the user's will.
Any martial artist would be drooling over that. In theory, perfect mastery meant no risk of qi deviation.
Also, flames like burning embers flickered around his head. Soul of the Martial Artist—a talent that strengthened physical flow and expanded the soul's vessel in exchange for restrictions. Those two talents covered the bomb-like engine called the Mana Heart.
I couldn't help but let out a sigh of admiration. This was only possible with flawless design and training from the start. Mess up the order of any one element, and it all falls apart. Yet he'd taught it to his son with absolute confidence.
Hwangbo Muhon... A man worthy of the title Fist King. I saluted his foresight in design and the relentless drive to push forward.
...If he hadn't died back then, he'd have been a huge help in the future.
“What the hell are you thinking about?!”
A thunderous roar exploded from Hwangbo Han's mouth. The overheated Mana Heart revved like a massive engine, belching exhaust.
I figured one solid hit would drop him, but...
As expected of A-Class. The B-Class kids were sharp, but those slotted straight into A had qualitatively superior talents.
I pivoted my body half a turn, using my leg as an axis. Glinting claws whistled past my eyes. Still keeping my hand in my pocket, I casually asked,
“What rank are you in your class?”
“You cocky little shit! Don't you dare open that mouth of yours!”
“Come on, just tell me your rank, and I'll fight you seriously.”
“...Third.”
“Thanks. Give it your all.”
“You fucking bastard!!!”
What a good kid. Answers everything I ask. His hulking build couldn't hide that he was a well-raised young master.
Third place, though? That's a bit surprising...
If memory served, Hwangbo Han graduated Prunel Academy as an S-Classer—top 30, no less. I'd assumed he was number one. But two people above him?
Those must be S-Class material already.
▶Explanation. Master always judges based on peak strength. The Hwangbo Han before you hasn't fully awakened all his abilities yet. Maybe in the future, but right now, there are probably stronger ones.
Hmm, yeah...
I chatted with Kay while deftly dodging attacks.
Left flank... then a downward chop at the head...
Couldn't just take obvious hits...
If your dad laid that foundation, step it up, Huang Peng.
A full minute ticked by like that. Finally losing patience with his wild swings, Hwangbo Han threw his head back and let out a massive roar toward the sky.
[Hwangbo Han uses Bear Deification (A).]
All physical abilities surge dramatically.
Strength, Agility, and Stamina stats rise preferentially.
'Fluffy Fur (C-)' automatically activates.
Feral nature maximizes due to rage!
Red sparks swirled around him. With a guttural, phlegm-choked roar, Hwangbo Han fully transformed into a beast. Fur covered his body, his muscles bulged like a wild animal's. His golden pupils and razor fangs left no trace of humanity—aside from walking upright.
[Bear Deification] was an excellent unique ability that beastified into a bear-like form, boosting physical strength and attack power.
“D-Don't expect mercy from me!”
Oh, that was him going easy? News to me.
The air ripped with a slashing sound. A few severed hairs drifted down; I glanced at Hwangbo Han's arms. Beastly claws had sprouted from them.
“Hmph...”
“Let's see how long that smugness lasts!”
Hwangbo Han closed the gap in an instant. His beastly leg strength elevated his already fast speed to another level. He slashed wildly even mid-charge.
I evaded and parried with minimal movement. I pinned the claw aiming for my right shoulder with my toes. I flung back the one rising to gut me.
As time passed, his breaths grew ragged, gaps appearing.
Slicing with a sword would be too easy...
But kicking him away felt lame...
Yeah, he's a solid sparring partner. Time to run those mental image drills I couldn't before.
I clenched my fist. Rock crawled up my arm, multiplying.
Stone Skin (Lv. 2) activated.
I thrust my fist at him. He smirked mockingly.
“You think I'll take that slow-ass punch?!”
“You will.”
“What kinda idi—?!”
Hwangbo Han cut off mid-sentence. Searing pain hit, then something gripped his ankle.
He looked down: an arm of pure flame spewing heat.
“Where the hell did that come from!?”
His panicked eyes caught my knee. No doubt—the fiery arm had spawned from there.
“Using an ability from some bullshit spot like that?”
“Block it.”
“!!!”
BAM! A thunderous crash, and Hwangbo Han's face caved in. I hadn't even put much force into it, but the weight did the work. The rocky arm slammed his head into the ground.
His massive frame crumpled pathetically. Shame, really.
Hwangbo Han shuddered from the impact, propping up his torso.
“Guh...! What the—?!”
“Block instead of talking.”
“!!!”
He frantically crossed his arms in an X. My fist crashed again.
I watched him fly back, glad I'd waited. Good reflexes.
I felt it clearly: the [Bear Deification] muscles absorbing impact like slime.
“Gaaack!”
He flew far, vomiting blood as he crashed. The tree he hit splintered and toppled.
Stone Skin proficiency has increased.
A message after just a few uses? Virtual training couldn't match real combat for EXP multipliers.
Is this really all he's got...?
No matter how bloodline-obsessed the Association was, they weren't blind.
...They know Hwangbo Han can't do shit to me.
That Skillra bitch or whatever was nowhere in sight either...
I was yawning from boredom when a furious scream pierced the sky.
“Kuh... KUAAAAAHH!”
Hwangbo Han knelt, slamming both hands into the ground. His shoulders trembled in disbelief.
“Why, WHY!! Why won't it work?! It should've— should've been a cowardly trick, a cowardly—!”
He stopped. Stared up blankly. His eyes swirled with confusion, rage, and dawning realization that his assumptions were wrong.
But only for a moment. Shaking his head, he gritted his teeth and placed a hand on his heart.
A massive mana surge roiled, distorting my vision.
Finally using it.
That telltale throbbing sensation. Like Song Junho's Black Child, Spear Flame or Cheolwangguk's Marcher's Axe—the air quivered, mana flows warping fiercely.
Ultimate Skill.
I smirked in anticipation—
FWIP! A sharp whoosh hurtled toward me at high speed.
That’s... an arrow?
It reached my face; I snatched it midair. Noting its odd shape—
▶Master!
“...!”
The arrow in my hand glowed red-hot. Its tip split, blooming like a cornelian cherry fruit into a red orb.
BOOM!
A massive explosion engulfed the area in hellfire. Black smoke billowed across the plaza, throwing everything into chaos.