Inner Core (3)
I've realized something over the course of my life. The most miserable time in the world is when you're sick. After my parents passed away, I spent a few days groaning in bed. I cried so much back then. If even one of them had been around, they would've taken care of me. The combo of loneliness and fever is perfect for breaking a person down.
My mood right now is just like that. I finally had a big meal after so long, and bam—fever hits and I'm down.
"Kyuuu."
At least I have cute little Wonmo to keep me company. Without her, my heart would've hurt even more.
Ppareumbo must have some sense, 'cause it hopped off my back the moment I started feeling sick.
"……."
"……You can just go."
But its naturally intimidating face made for zero comfort. The relaxed expression was nice, but right now it just looked like it was mocking me.
Probably not.
I felt bad for snapping at innocent Ppareumbo. The sudden fever was messing with my judgment.
I panted, my whole body burning up. Every breath sent hot air rushing out of my mouth. At this rate, I'd end up breathing fire like a dragon.
What's causing this?
A fever from eating one fish? Ridiculous. Parasites? Nah, I cooked it thoroughly just in case. Poison was the only thing that came to mind. Like pufferfish or something?
I took the pill right away, but...
I'd swallowed the pill Olfather gave me as a precaution. Normally I'd jump straight into the Internal Power Method, but in this state? Tough. I'd wait till the fever broke a bit.
First, check the Gallery. I'd posted right before the fever spiked, so there should be replies by now.
Aw. Shit, fever's hitting hard?
YasaengGrill (Photo of the fish, spines and all picked clean)
Ate this and boom, fever. Why? Poison maybe?
└Is there poison that causes fever?
└Not none. Heard of stuff that kills with a fever.
└Olfather Did you take the pill I gave you?
└YasaengGrill Yeah, just in case.
└Olfather If it was poison, you'd be better by now. Weird. Probably not poison.
└Cheonma Best to regulate your internal power right now. You ate a spirit beast, so your insides are overflowing with qi.
└YasaengGrill Didn't eat an inner core though?
└Cheonma Spirit beasts aren't called that for nothing. Not as much as an inner core, but plenty of qi in there.
└SwordTasteStar Nothing beats the Mana Circulation Method when you're sick. Even better with a sip of elixir first.
└Cheonma Not Mana Circulation Method—Internal Power Method.
└SwordTasteStar Same difference lol. Till you share the incantation, it's all the same, right?
└Cheonma How I wish I could rip out that wicked tongue.
└SwordTasteStar Go ahead and try ㅋ
└Cheonma Pathetic, rotting in your room with nothing but your mouth flapping. All that age, lounging around doing jack shit.
└SwordTasteStar What'd you say?
└Cheonma Hm. This lady must get moving soon. Don't want to end up as ugly as you.
└Cheonma This bitch suddenly coming at us why?
└Area taunt shit lolololol
└Suddenly wanna help SwordTasteStar now.
Oh yeah, the elixir. The fever had blindsided me so bad I forgot about it.
I fought the rising heat and crawled to the box, grabbing an elixir. Golden liquid shimmering brilliantly. Colors varied by grade, but I was in too much pain to care.
Just one sip first...
Even uncorking it was a struggle. Maybe buy some fever meds at auction.
I finally popped the cork and took a swig. Bitter yet refreshingly cool sliding down my throat.
Now for the breathing technique. But first, more replies.
I knew Cheonma and SwordTasteStar had started bickering right before I closed the Gallery.
└Cheonma No matter how you squirm, your Internal Power Method comes from this lady. Scram and rot.
└SwordTasteStar What if Grills can't get the incantation?
└Cheonma Won't happen. This lady will teach every detail.
└SwordTasteStar Sorry, but that's impossible practically. Not like you're there in person—hard to catch up on Mana Circulation Method know-how from text alone.
└Cheonma Same for you, no? If they get it from writing alone, you're a genius already.
└SwordTasteStar Read my posts first? See how good my writing is
└Her writing slaps. Continent's average combat level up thanks to her
└Basics to advanced, works for newbies and pros
└Cheonma just shits out crap posts lol
└Fr lol
SwordTasteStar's stuff really is good. Even a total noob like me got the basics down thanks to her.
That's why most sided with her over Cheonma. Her my-pace vibe kept her replying to the end—anyone else would've cracked.
Time to stop this. The elixir helped; dizziness fading a bit.
└YasaengGrill SwordTasteStar, that's enough. Your posts help a ton, true, but I don't wanna break my promise to Cheonma.
└SwordTasteStar Sorry. Got carried away.
└Cheonma Ignore words from those who try to shatter oaths with wicked tongues.
└YasaengGrill SwordTasteStar was just trying to help. No biggie.
Good, it wrapped up. If I hadn't stepped in, my post would've been nothing but their flame war. Plus, SwordTasteStar started it. Cheonma just got pissed.
Time to sit...
Elixir helped but didn't kill the fever completely. Pain dulled, though.
I forced my scorching body up and crossed my legs.
Before breathing, I pinged Cheonma.
└YasaengGrill About to train. Can you share the incantation or whatever?
└Cheonma I can, but just the first one for safety. Risk of qi deviation otherwise.
└YasaengGrill Got it. Secret reply please.
└Cheonma The heavens are the supreme that all things revere. Reach out and grasp it within. Look not up, but down. That is the heavens'…
Thought it'd be straightforward advice, but nope—sudden poetry. Archaic, martial arts novel vibes. Totally incomprehensible.
No wonder SwordTasteStar ragged on it as poetry, not know-how.
How's this supposed to help?
And it wasn't just one line—pretty long. Cheonma's secret replies kept coming.
Hesitation aside, I memorized it all. Fever-fogged brain, but not that bad.
"Huuu…."
I started breathing, focusing on gathering the hot energy. Recited the incantation in my head too.
Picture the imagery, I guess. More feeling than literal sense.
Better than that godawful Guandong Byeolgok.
Much better than that nightmare poem.
I cultivated the Internal Power Method, imagining Cheonma's incantation. The hot energy scattered through my body started pooling in my lower abdomen.
The heavens that all things revere...
Reciting it over and over...
"Kraaah…."
I passed out without realizing.
*****
I had the weirdest dream. Floating high in the endless sky. Beyond floating—I swam through it freely.
Never even been on a plane, so I soared around for ages.
But freedom didn't last. My body started pulling downward.
I wanted to savor the sensation. I resisted as long as I could.
Useless. I was plummeting.
Startled, I looked down. Dense forest everywhere.
Splat!
"Gahk!"
The falling sensation jolted me awake. Like dozing in class and jerking up. But several times worse.
Mind cleared instantly.
"……."
I blinked. What was that dream? Flying free in the sky, sure—but after? Vague. Like soul leaving body or something.
Still, felt great. True freedom for once.
"Kyuuu…."
A sad cry snapped me out of my daze. Turned to see a fluffy furball staring at me.
Baby owlbear—Wonmo. Big sad eyes locked on me.
Gurgle—
Stomach growled too. I'm hungry. Feed me. Hungry = sad. Something like that.
Feeling awkward, I checked the time. No need, really. Cave entrance told the story.
...Already night?
Pure darkness outside. Ate the fish around lunch. Slept at least six hours solid.
Explains Wonmo's sad face.
"Wonmo, sorry. Food coming right up."
"Kyuu!"
"Wonmo's one thing, but where's Ppareumbo…."
Whipped around—there it was. Staring with its usual face. Chewing motion meant it snacked on Wall Valley Pills while I slept.
...Not too many, I hope?
Checked the count. Relief—barely touched.
Feed Wonmo first, then. Logged into Gallery.
Always buzzing, but priority was Wonmo's dinner.
"Here ya go."
"Kyuuuuwuuu!"
Bought a hunk of meat; eyes sparkled, pure joy. Pet her head— even happier. How could you not love that? Heartwarming just looking.
Fever's down, no aches—feelin' good.
Sleeping it off is king for fevers. Body damp with sweat, though. Unavoidable.
Getting late—quick rinse. Iron pot had fish, so no bath.
"Hm?"
Stepped out after stripping—something off. Night vision sharper than usual. Not daytime clear, but good enough to move easy.
What the?
Shook it off, kept stripping to wash. No need for fire—could see fine. Might for sleep, though. Still felt the cold.
Crunch—
Brushed my skin pre-wash—odd sound. Looked down: skin peeling off.
Not like sunburn—inner skin soft, glossy even.
I grimaced. Meant one thing.
Dead skin buildup? Gross.
Thought I was clean-ish. Gotta be more thorough. Quick wash tonight, full bath tomorrow. Soak in warm water to loosen it.
Bonus: fish for breakfast.
Won't spike fever again, right?
Next morning, prepping fish:
"Here we go again."
Another inner core popped out of the guts.