Chapter 153
Chapter 153
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 152
Chapter Title: Raging Mana
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Raging mana swirled through my body, a vital flow connecting me to the outside world.
“What in the world.”
That’s right.
My world had changed dramatically.
“Heh heh. Looks like it went well.”
Flower smiled at my stunned expression. Turning my head, I saw a torrent more intense than everything around me combined right before my eyes.
*Amazing.*
Mana broader and deeper than the ocean was visible. Palpable.
Even just perched on the edge of the bed, a massive current forcibly commanded all the mana of nature.
*Is this what it means to be a dragon?*
And not just any dragon. Though only one-fifth, she was a Chromatic Dragon, archetype of the colored dragons.
“Oh…… Are you looking at me? Your spirit sense just awakened, and you’re already this impressive.”
Flower smiled warmly and stirred her mana.
A majestic aura enveloped my entire body. Though unclear, it seemed she was checking my condition.
“The surgery…… Did it go well?”
“It wrapped up successfully. With four archmages on the job, failure would’ve been inexcusable to the game master.”
Flower patted my head. I flinched at the sudden touch but, in this awkward situation, stayed calm and listened.
“It’s a broad term, but mana aptitude disorders come in quite a variety. From Spirit Vein Constriction, where narrow veins cause physical impairments during mana control, to Repulsion Body, where clashing attributes born in the body collide. Even Mana Hypertrophy, where excess mana crushes inspiration…… But your case, Jaeyeon, was especially unique.”
Flower placed her hand on my chest. My heart pounded at the touch through the thin hospital gown.
Not from sexual excitement toward her. My heart was reacting to her immense mana.
“There’s nothing wrong with your body, Jaeyeon. Your spirit veins are sturdy, and your heart and dantian are prodigy-level—no, near-genius. The problem was your soul.”
“……”
I’d suspected as much. The Ardania residing in my [Inner World] defied all established soul arts. The ever-expanding Infinite Sphere layers that activated with each focal point conquest proved Ardania itself was the foundation of my soul.
“Heh heh. We really went through hell. It felt like crafting a permanent warp gate. Your soul operates on a channel detached from the physical world, so awakening your inspiration required a connection transcending dimensions. A rare case, even for me.”
I was shocked by Flower’s words.
“There are others like me?”
“Not among humans. It’s a trait common to chaos beasts swimming the dimensional rifts or outer gods.”
“……”
I gaped in bewilderment.
*Wait, aren’t you mid holy dragon cosplay?*
How could a newly ascended holy dragon speak of chaos beasts surpassing average transcendents or outer gods equaling upper transcendents as if she’d seen them?
But regardless of my bafflement, Flower calmly finished her explanation.
“Your heart…… the Dimensional Awl Heart connects your soul and body with every beat. You’re a chakra practitioner, right?”
“Yes.”
At my response, Flower lightly brushed my chest.
“So firm…… You’ve awakened the physical element.”
“Ah, uh, yes.”
*Did she check by touching it?*
Nodding awkwardly, she continued.
“Then you should be able to control your heart by awakening control-related elements or similar. If hit by mental spells or curses, just stop the heart briefly to shake them off.”
“Oh……”
I’d resigned myself somewhat on mental immunity for mana sensing, but now it was covered too.
“Mm……”
Then Flower brought her face to my nape and deeply inhaled. I stiffened in alarm.
*Uh…… Is this……? Feels a bit teasing……*
But undeterred, she continued in her calm voice.
“Anyway, that’s enough on the surgery. I’ll give you my contact. Reach out if issues arise.”
“Ah, thank you. Sorry for the trouble.”
“No trouble. You’re super cute, and…… our platform’s rising star, right?”
“……Pardon?”
I questioned the first part, but she seemed to think it was the latter. Beaming, she snapped her fingers.
“Meow!”
Chida meowed, signaling a new message. At Flower’s nod, I tapped its nose.
[Hello, author!^^ This is Green Dragon Publishing.]
“Ah.”
The familiar phrasing startled me.
“No way, O-Ryong Net?”
“I’m the ‘no way.’ You really didn’t know? It’s in the name.”
“Oh……”
“Of course, the other four have no interest in literature, so I run it solo.”
Flower beamed again.
“I’ve been interested in your works for a while. They’re unique in many ways. The sponsorships too.”
“Ah! Then those sponsors……”
“Can’t discuss sponsors’ identities.”
She cut off my question lightly, as if anticipated.
“But a hint: they’re not human.”
“Figured as much.”
Clearly not individuals—multiple per work, but one sponsorship each. Dumping massive sums after reading in 1-2 seconds? Abnormal by any measure.
*Literature-related immortals or Untouchables? Or dragons?*
Various hypotheses arose, but I couldn’t dwell. Flower pressed her head to my chest and inhaled deeply again.
“Fuu……”
Her sweet breath tickled my chest. Her ample bosom pleasantly pressed my arm.
*What’s this? Seducing me?*
But her eyes were innocently pure, making my thoughts feel foolish.
Long green hair. Voluminous figure and serene features evoked a big sister, yet her expressions and demeanor were childlike.
Performing an undeniably misleading act with zero awareness.
*Is this it? Dragons sometimes see humans as pets……*
Some stroke cute animals met on the street without a second thought. Not just smart pets as objects, but live companions too—hugging, petting their heads!
She called me “cute,” not “cool,” so this skinship seemed a species difference.
Sure enough, Flower pulled back and smiled.
“Ah, that felt good! I’ve said everything, so I’ll head out! One more time: contact me if heart issues. Ya!”
“Meow!”
Chida meowed at her gesture. Her number was saved.
“Thanks for everything.”
“No biggie. I’m paid. Oh! Any new works planned? You write fast.”
I nodded.
“Quite a few.”
Roughly hundreds.
“Good. O-Ryong Net’s hosting a contest next month. 10 billion total prize. Join if interested.”
“10 billion……”
Flower giggled at my tempted look.
“Total prize. Total. Spread among many authors, so not a huge windfall.”
Vrrr!
Mana gathered around the stepping-back Flower. Once oblivious, now I sensed the massive flow linking far away to here.
“See you next time!”
Pop!
She vanished with a farewell.
“Strange one in every way……”
Muttering, I rose. Peak condition and intense inspiration exhilarated me.
“A contest, huh.”
Perfect timing. I was running one myself.
“Chida.”
Logging into Revenge, I dumped 3.5 billion, my balance plummeting to 3 million.
*This month’s packages are gone.*
Bought all in diamonds. Just boosting charging power anyway—no issue.
“Log in.”
Time to run the contest.
* * *
[Upgrading Perfect Fortress City (Heroic) to Flame Temple (Legendary)!]
[Flame Temple (Legendary) ascends to mythic realm!]
[Lord’s selection in progress.]
Choose theme.
*World Tree Castle as arboretum for crops? Nah. Food rots.*
My choice was obvious.
[Steel and Giant's Castle!]
[Gigas Land (Mythic) appears!]
Excluding the Earth Castle claimed from the Landworm, I mythic-upgraded six castles and installed defense batteries and siege objects.
No Gigas factories or experience halls. Short on funds with one castle skipped—obvious. Build later with surplus.
Thud thud thud!
Five horses appeared along the sloped road through the floor.
All spirited warhorses, but huge carts trailed behind.
“Contest entries!”
“Long trip—good work. How many?”
“112 total!”
Funds tight, Earth Castle stayed high-grade, no migrants. But as emperor’s seat, ~100 imperial guards stationed.
Unlike solo, supplies needed, but no issues.
Landworm’s underground rails, tens of thousands of mount pets supplied, players’ inventories on them.
Thud!
A stack of unbound manuscripts hit the office desk.
I grabbed the top one.
Title: [Golden Mage Tower Myth]
Author: [Seeker of Truth]
I required nickname submissions. Officially for pure work evaluation.
“But this screams who wrote it.”
I chuckled dryly but had no intent to scold. Nicknames were just to avoid separate IDs.
“Let’s see……”
I opened the manuscript and formed simple seals.
Transcription. Acceleration. Connection. Opening.
Storm Penmanship.
Other chakra users would foam at this lavish ritual. I turned to waiting Flower.
“Thanks. Send follow-ups as they arrive.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Flower set steaming tea before me and left.
“Flower.”
A Green Dragon of the same name’s words surfaced.
“Total prize. Total. Spread among many authors, so not a huge windfall.”
Meaning not winner-takes-all. Not 1st getting half of 10 billion, but ~500 million to 1st, spread to “many authors.”
Don’t expect too much.
*Doesn’t matter.*
That’s right. Irrelevant.
Because.
I was those “many authors.”