Talks (2) Blushing at the Summit
Talks (2)
Manifesting the Calamity Flame itself wasn't a big problem.
That an outsider manifested a bloodline-inheritance unique ability was an issue, but in the end, it was merely an internal matter for the Calamity Flame family.
And it didn't veer off in a bad direction either.
I was an outsider, but I was obedient, and I was on good terms with Yeon-hwa. The Calamity Flame had changed in unusual ways, but those changes were positive as well.
If things had stopped there, it would have ended as a great celebration for the Calamity Flame family.
"It has been reported that after manifesting the Calamity Flame for the first time, Superhuman Lee Ha-yul subsequently manifested the Azure Sea and Taesan in succession."
[Yes, that's correct]
The issue was the multiple manifestation aspect. And it was an unprecedented situation where the unique abilities of all three Great Families had entered a single body.
Kim Yu-yeon finished speaking in a gentle tone.
"Could we request a demonstration?"
[Yes]
When I extended my hand forward, every gaze converged upon it.
I calmly awakened my innate talents.
The mana that rose from my core passed through my innate talents and was released at my fingertips.
Now, the process of assimilation was no longer necessary. The three unique abilities had fully settled in, having become the innate talents that constituted me.
Three attributes simultaneously bloomed at my fingertips.
"Huh..."
Calamity Flame, Azure Sea, and Taesan.
Sighs of astonishment and admiration, tinged with shock, escaped from all around. Baek Wol-seon's eyes, directly before me, wavered.
"They truly manifest simultaneously..."
"Is there any risk of repulsion?"
[Yes, there's no particular issue with repulsion either]
At Hong Jin-seon's question, I drew upon my innate talents further.
Over my outstretched hand, armor condensed from earth energy covered it. On my shoulder, the Calamity Flame flickered, and on my other hand, the water energy and cold energy of Azure Sea coiled around it.
"Crazy..."
Someone quietly let out a curse at the sight.
It was the man standing behind Lee Ji-ah — Lee Sang-gun, the Pure Life Pillar of the Taesan family.
The 'Pure Life' of the Taesan family was a unit that specialized in earth manipulation and vitality energy.
'I suppose that's understandable.'
It was a rather extreme reaction, but I could understand it.
The unique abilities of the Three Great Families involved both mutual promotion and repulsion.
A mutually complementary relationship — they could rouse each other through mutual promotion, and if they rampaged excessively, they could be calmed through repulsion.
In other words, clinging together like this was impossible. Because contact would inevitably trigger a reaction.
So if those were to enter a single body? Mutual promotion and repulsion would occur at every moment, and it would be normal for it to eventually explode.
'In reality, the 3rd Iteration carried that risk at every moment.'
The 3rd Iteration had, after all, forcibly crammed them in through expedient methods.
They couldn't even fully settle in, and even that was only a half-measure. The temperament was as foul as the original, and it wouldn't listen at all.
But the current me was different.
If I didn't draw upon my innate talents, they slept quietly, so there was no burden normally.
The unique abilities were fundamentally gentle and docile to begin with, so they listened well. This meant that, barring intent on my part, there was no concern of rampage.
'If it were now, even the Threefold...'
Previously, there had been instability because the Azure Sea hadn't settled in, but now I could regulate it. Even without attempting it, I felt certain.
"Even seeing it with my own two eyes, I can't believe it. Coexisting together without mutual promotion or repulsion... just what principle makes this possible?"
Baek Wol-seon, who had been scrutinizing the energies blooming from me, shut his eyes tightly as if his head ached.
The others had similar reactions.
While maintaining my innate talents, I casually addressed them.
[Since the innate talents are clustered around me, controlling them is easier... that is my understanding]
"I understand that, but I still find myself curious about the process by which you achieved multiple manifestation."
[As for that part, other than the fact that my case is special...]
Imitation through assimilation. It was a method of becoming familiar through repeated imitation, and ultimately making them fully settle in.
"You state the obvious. In that case, perhaps those 'traits' are also something that occurred because Superhuman Lee Ha-yul is special."
Baek Wol-seon, who let out a small laugh, fixed his gaze upon the Azure Sea coiled around my left arm.
"...Vines and thorns. What an antique appearance."
[Ahaha...]
I let out an awkward smile as I subtly observed my left arm. The water energy and cold energy of Azure Sea coiled around my left arm. A portion of it was entwined around my arm like vines.
"The Taesan also has distinct external characteristics. The engraved patterns appear diverse in variety — are all of these unintentional changes?"
[Yes, yes, this is the form they manifest in on their own]
The Taesan was the same case.
Whether I formed it by gathering earth energy or dominating external earth energy — once it fell under my control, engraved patterns were always carved into it.
"As for external changes, isn't the Calamity Flame the most distinct?"
"Certainly. It looks nothing like the name 'Calamity Fire.' This is the first time in my life I've seen flames so beautiful."
And the Calamity Flame.
Unlike ordinary blazing-red Calamity Flame, my Calamity Flame was closer to an orange hue. Moreover, from its color to its flickering, it was far gentler and softer.
"The functional changes are what matter most, but that part goes without saying."
Because the output and stability that my unique abilities possessed were already known.
Those who had confirmed the simple demonstration fell silent.
Everyone wore expressions deep in thought, as if they had much to ponder.
'I wish this would pass quickly...'
I felt like I might get indigestion, to be honest. Though practically nothing but liquid would come out, my stomach did feel queasy.
I let out a deep sigh and focused on observation.
The side where the Taesan members sat. Lee Ji-ah, sitting still as if she had become a boulder herself.
I delved deeper, deeper into her inner state to measure it.
This had been the reason my stomach felt unsettled throughout the entire conference.
Baek A-rin, of course, but now having discovered that even Lee Ji-ah was a nuclear bomb... frankly, it was difficult to focus on the conference.
- My king, are you perhaps feeling unwell?
- Yeah... my stomach just feels a bit unsettled. It's not to the point where I need help, so don't worry.
Meanwhile, Terramor, who stood behind me, sent a worried thought through our link.
Though I appeared perfectly fine on the outside, it seemed my discomfort was felt by the spirit connected to me through our contract.
As I was soothing Terramor's concern, the conference soon resumed.
Kim Yu-rim, who had flipped through the documents, cast her gaze around the room.
"...The next discussion concerns the affiliation of Superhuman Lee Ha-yul, however."
"Is multiple manifestation not unprecedented? Let us table this for now, and hold a separate discussion at a later..."
The discussion concerning affiliation. At those words, Baek Wol-seon shook his head, and several other figures nodded in agreement.
On the other hand, Hong Jin-seon did not nod.
"Son-in-law... I mean, Superhuman Lee Ha-yul has already had his name entered into the Calamity Flame family registry."
"?"
"?"
That was when a different kind of bomb dropped.
* * *
"What nonsense is that?"
Baek Wol-seon blinked. His formal tone for the official occasion had slipped due to his bewilderment, but Hong Jin-seon answered without minding it.
"It is exactly as I said. Superhuman Lee Ha-yul was already registered into a branch line of the Calamity Flame family last year. This means he is a person of the Calamity Flame family."
"No, I mean. Who doesn't know that's just you covering your eyes and pretending not to see?"
"What are you talking about, when there is the clear evidence of the Calamity Flame?"
"Oh-ho?"
Baek Wol-seon let out a hollow laugh.
The logic itself was not wrong. Since he had manifested the unique ability of a bloodline inheritance, the inference that the blood was connected was the correct answer.
The problem was that it wasn't just the Calamity Flame — the Azure Sea and Taesan were in there too.
Blushing at the Summit
If the logic was that manifesting Calamity Flame meant the blood of the Calamity Flame family had been inherited, the same logic could apply to Azure Sea and Taesan.
"I wouldn't know about that. But what can be done now that we've already marked it on the opponent?"
I don't know about that. You called dibs, so what are they gonna do.
"Mm-hmm."
On either side of Hong Jin-seon, Choi Ji-yeon didn't say anything, but she didn't look like she was going to stop it either, and Hong Yeon-hwa kept nodding her head, a satisfied expression on her face.
"Heh, heheh..."
The corner of Baek Wol-seon's mouth twitched.
'These bastards. They're bragging because they got to him first.'
Baek Wol-seon, who had swallowed the profanity he couldn't bring himself to utter, cast his gaze straight ahead for a moment.
Lee Ha-yul, sweating profusely even as he manifested Azure Sea.
The Azure Sea he manifested was special even at a glance.
Vines tangled around his arm, and thorns that occasionally sprouted from them.
It was likely a change that occurred as his mental image seeped out. And of course, the exterior wasn't all that was archaic.
According to Baek Yu-rim's report, its functionality was equally absurd.
The conversion between Water Energy and Cold Energy was as fast as a ray of light, and the Water Energy's healing was of astonishing performance.
The ice was absurdly solid.
The thorns seemed to function as an automatic counterattack, and it was said that once pricked, even the carefully constructed magic of a mage would freeze instantly.
If that's what happened to magic, there was no need to even hear what would happen to a person who got pricked.
'Traits, huh...'
Baek Wol-seon's expression became grave.
Azure Sea was a unique ability of bloodline inheritance.
It hadn't remained static throughout that process.
Below the progenitor, the innate talent called Azure Sea manifested, expansion abilities were created, and that altered Azure Sea was passed on again.
Refinement across generations.
Though it couldn't be precisely divided into progression and regression, it was clear that changes were passed down to subsequent generations.
'Then.'
Lee Ha-yul's Azure Sea was special.
He himself had said that because he was special, Calamity Flame, Azure Sea, and Taesan manifested simultaneously, and traits appeared.
'What about the next generation?'
Precisely, descendants who inherited Lee Ha-yul's blood. Would they also inherit the innate talent that Lee Ha-yul possessed?
Baek Wol-seon predicted, 'It will be passed on.'
Then, could it manifest 'duplicately' like Lee Ha-yul?
He wasn't sure about that.
Or, would traits that had never existed before, like Lee Ha-yul's, manifest?
He couldn't be sure of that either.
But.
'If it does happen.'
If Lee Ha-yul's descendants inherited his innate talent and manifested traits like Lee Ha-yul.
That would be a clear positive evolution.
Therefore, regardless of personal views, his course of action as the head of Changhae was decided.
- Ttuk-ttuk!
Something poked his side.
When he turned his head slightly, Baek A-rin, who had been prodding his side with her elbow, sent him a look.
It was a silent gaze with no telepathic message, but he knew what his daughter was asking for.
- Ttuk-ttuk...
Then his wife, Kim Yu-yeon, seated in her capacity as Chief Administrator, also poked his other side.
'Kk.'
Both as the head of Changhae and as a husband and parent, his actions were being railroaded.
Baek Wol-seon, who had squeezed his eyes shut and opened them again, glared at Hong Jin-seon.
"Isn't that something that was decided when it was solely a problem for the Calamity Flame family? Now that all Three Great Families are entangled, it's a matter that needs to be discussed anew."
"The superhuman Lee Ha-yul is my daughter's son-in-law. Even if you dispute the decision to place him in a branch line, the outcome will still be the same."
"Th, that...! The same goes for our side."
"Mm-hmm."
Baek Wol-seon spoke through gritted teeth. Baek A-rin, seated next to him, nodded her head.
"Hm."
Even Hong Jin-seon, who had maintained a stoic expression, twitched an eyebrow at that, and Hong Yeon-hwa's brow furrowed.
"Then shouldn't we just decide by order of priority?"
"What nonsense. Since it's a matter to be discussed anew, the previous decision should naturally be nullified."
"Let's not drag this out over trivial matters."
"Just who is making this into a trivial issue?"
A war of words erupted between the heads of Calamity Flame and Azure Sea.
It happened not even an hour after they had spoken of a venue for exchange and harmony.
"Tsk, what does the head of Taesan think?"
The dispute was tight. No, honestly, the Changhae family was at a bit of a disadvantage. It was true that the Calamity Flame family had called dibs first.
So Baek Wol-seon, clicking his tongue, drew in Taesan. Lee Ji-ah of Taesan was merciless, but she cared for fairness and balance and would not side with the Calamity Flame family.
At Baek Wol-seon's remark, the eyes of everyone focused on the head of the Taesan family, Lee Ji-ah.
"Hmm."
Lee Ji-ah blinked once at the attention directed her way, then shifted her gaze to Lee Ji-yeon, who was sitting beside her.
"What does the acting clan head think about this matter?"
"Yes?"
The attention naturally shifted sideways following Lee Ji-ah's deflection.
Even under those gazes, Lee Ji-yeon did not shrink her shoulders, but instead, her green eyes rolled around and around.
Meeting the gazes directed at her, then scanning over the precious artworks... until they landed on Lee Ha-yul, who occupied one side of the round table.
A cute and pretty junior.
The hero who had saved her when she was on the brink of death at the hands of the Twin-Headed Venomous Dragon, and who had willingly sacrificed himself to knock Lee Ji-yeon away from the Twin-Headed Venomous Dragon they encountered again.
A person who possessed both such an upright heart and a pure, fragile nature.
Amidst Lee Ha-yul's bewildered expression, his faintly opened gray eyes flickered.
Lee Ji-yeon was not reflected in those eyes. Only the bright red color... Only Hong Yeon-hwa was perceived by him. The same went for his voice.
That felt terribly disappointing.
Someday, she wished for her own image to be held in those dreamlike eyes, and for that voice to reach her.
"Ah."
Lee Ji-yeon, who had been lost in thought for a moment, blinked.
In the meantime, the gazes gathered on her had changed in a very strange way.
"...Ehem."
Lee Ji-yeon, her cheeks flushed, let out a dry cough and turned her head slightly as if avoiding the eyes.
Confronted with that reaction, Baek Wol-seon opened his mouth.
"...No way..."
He'd had his suspicions, but could it really be that even the successor of Taesan was entangled?
And not just any members, but the successors themselves.
Those who would lead the future of the families were fixated on a single person...
"Huh oh..."
Baek Wol-seon wore a distant expression. The expressions of the others were similar.
Soon, the attention converged on the person responsible for the commotion.
Lee Ha-yul, who had been sweating coldly on his forehead, flinched and cautiously pointed toward the exit.
[Sh, shall we move on to the friendly sparring now?]
"In this atmosphere?"
[...Tha—]
[They're all just my Giants anyway]
[—well, we can't just keep sitting here...]
[?]
"?"
"?"
"?"
Silence fell over the conference hall for a moment.
Realizing the situation a bit late, Lee Ha-yul broke out in a cold sweat.
Baek Wol-seon, doubting his own ears, tilted his head.
"...Didn't I just hear something extra mixed in there?"
[N, no...?]
[Lie— Silence]
[Silence]
Lee Ha-yul, gripping the Confession Necklace tightly, shook his head vigorously.
* * *
[Artifact 「Confession Necklace」 expresses its discontent]
[But feelings must be conveyed truthfully so there are no misunderstandings...]