Reverse Flow? (1)
A reward appeared.
[I Got a Reward.]
I obtained the [Magic Textbook - Reverse Flow [A]].
I acquired the [Item - Erio's Staff].
This time the reward was another textbook and item, both related to magic.
Last time I got the teleportation skill, which was B-rank. Even just looking at the rank, the textbook itself was clearly far superior.
Yet the magic label itself felt strange.
'What exactly is magic?'
It wasn't magic and was labeled as such, so I took a closer look. Sure enough, my omnipotent analysis provided the explanation.
I used Analysis on Magic.
[Magic]
▶ "Magic is a type of primal magic from before the development of magic, and can be classified as such."
▶ "If you look at it that way, it can be said to be even more demanding than high-level magic, and current analysis shows it has greater utility than skills of the same rank."
▶ "However, it is difficult to master, and only extremely rare talents can handle it."
▶ "The number of talents that can be used is rarer than those of a grand mage."
The analysis was so kind that Do-hyeon understood it immediately.
It was a type of primal magic, yet more demanding than high-level magic and possessing greater utility than skills of the same rank. Do-hyeon's eyes sparkled with possibility.
This is crazy.
Do-hyeon muttered the word without meaning to. It was the first time he had reacted like this, so Hanarin and Ji Yu-chan looked puzzled.
Before they could say anything, the reward confirmation caused the surroundings to shimmer, and they were able to exit through the dungeon door.
As they stepped out, the door automatically vanished. The party returned to the labyrinth and instinctively began a rapid perimeter scan, but no presence was felt, so the guard lowered immediately.
After everyone in the party had relaxed a little, Hanarin and Ji Yu-chan approached curiously.
Looking at the textbook and staff in Do-hyeon's hands, Hanarin's eyes lit up.
The textbook would require reading, but the staff—anyone could tell it belonged to Hanarin.
She couldn't say it outright, yet her inner expectation was clear. She obediently waited, perhaps planning to wait until Do-hyeon examined it first.
Ji Yu-chan already possessed a dwarf-made staff, so he had no interest in another one, but his eyes sparkled as he looked at the textbook.
If only it was a textbook he could master, he thought while waiting. Do-hyeon examined the two in front of him and quickly opened the textbook first.
'Since the staff can be analyzed instantly...'
The first priority was what power the magic contained in the textbook, so Do-hyeon pretended to flip it open and read. Naturally, the analysis message appeared.
I succeeded in analyzing the textbook.
1,000 AP obtained.
With AP secured, the description window for Reverse Flow materialized before Do-hyeon.
[Reverse Flow [A]]
▶ "One of the techniques of magic, a type of primal magic."
▶ "It reverses the mana flow the opponent is using, stopping the mana itself or, conversely, reversing it to change direction."
▶ "Because it reverses or stops the mana flow—not merely reflection—it requires an excellent eye for precisely reading the opponent's mana and outstanding control over that mana to master it."
'A skill with a proper name.'
After hearing the description, Do-hyeon realized it was truly overpowered.
Do-hyeon pretended to read the textbook to the end. Then a message appeared before him.
[Do you want to acquire the magic - Reverse Flow [A]?]
[3000 AP]
▶ [1,500 AP to acquire the magic - Reverse Flow [A]?]
With the textbook, it was a half-price event. Although AP had been reduced to 4,000 during the last Golden Sword and Will Magic lessons, he had gained another 1,000 AP this time. Even leaving 10,000 points in reserve, there was no shortage.
'When have I ever hesitated over this kind of thing, Analysis?'
Smiling faintly, Do-hyeon decided to acquire it, and the message promptly appeared so he could obtain Reverse Flow.
I acquired the magic - Reverse Flow [A].
This is a skill above your current stats.
It cannot be used at its original power.
Unfortunately, it couldn't be used at its original power, but unlocking it naturally became easier as the rank increased, so he didn't mind.
Do-hyeon mastered Reverse Flow and the concept and principle flowed clearly through his mind.
Watching Do-hyeon acquire it, Hanarin and Ji Yu-chan's eyes sparkled at the same time.
Do-hyeon could master both magic and techniques, so it seemed to be what he had just acquired. With expectant expressions on their faces, Do-hyeon smiled faintly at them.
Hmm, this is magic-related for now.
Whoa!
Tsk.
Hanarin was delighted, while Ji Yu-chan looked regretful.
Well, there was nothing to be done about it.
It was Ji Yu-chan who had performed the dungeon mission exceptionally well this time. Hanarin at least had something to take home.
Thinking this, Do-hyeon examined the staff as the other reward.
Since it was an item, it could be identified immediately, so he examined it without delay. A better description appeared than expected.
[Erio's Staff]
▶ "A staff used by the past mage Erio."
▶ "Mana recovery power increases and magic casting time decreases."
▶ "When mana already used is reused, power increases."
'Oh, this is interesting?'
It was similar to Hanarin's tricks in a way.
One of Hanarin's advantages was the technique of reusing used mana to cast attack magic again. This staff increased power when used, so it was obviously hers.
Of course, the substantial effects of increased mana recovery and faster casting time were also useful.
While Do-hyeon analyzed the item, Hanarin watched with expectant eyes. After finishing the analysis, Do-hyeon told Hanarin.
Mana recovery power increases and the time to cast magic decreases.
Eh, that's really great?
And when used mana is reused from nature, the power of magic increases.
!!!
Hanarin covered her mouth in disbelief, overjoyed.
It was an effect so perfectly tailored that even if it were a dedicated item, she was delighted. Ji Yu-chan had no choice but to acknowledge it.
Congratulations, Hanarin.
I'm really excited. Thank you.
Normally, when a party member obtains something usable, it's the party's turn to receive it.
Do-hyeon spoke, and Hanarin accepted the item with a light heart.
Overjoyed, she examined the staff here and there. The design was quite to her liking.
The tip was pointed like a spear, and the head section featured a sapphire-like gem carved into a fist-sized orb. The staff wrapped around the gem with a pointed, spear-like tip.
Even a quick glance showed it was a handsome staff, so Hanarin hugged it tightly, very pleased.
Since she liked it, it looked good to Do-hyeon. He nodded and, feeling something amusing, asked with a grin while looking at Hanarin and Ji Yu-chan.
Aren't you curious about the textbook?
I'm curious! I'm not curious!
Hanarin and Ji Yu-chan answered at the same time. Do-hyeon nodded with a smile, as if he would tell them where to find out. Both glanced at his smile and felt a twinge of anxiety, but since they were truly curious, they looked at him.
Do-hyeon looked at the two and said.
Both of you attack me at the same time.
Normally, even if the party member asked to attack, he would hesitate a moment or ask for a reason, but Ji Yu-chan and Hanarin pointed their weapons at him without any such thing and immediately launched the attack.
Hanarin aimed the pointed tip of the staff at Do-hyeon and fired the intermediate elemental magic [Eye Storm] she had used in the previous spar, in one direction.
The range was narrowed compared to before, becoming a pure white and blue ray that flew toward Do-hyeon. Ji Yu-chan wrapped his glittering golden sword qi and struck like lightning, drawing his sword as he charged.
A solar-like sword slash, sharpened to a blade edge, swung toward Do-hyeon. Do-hyeon felt a sudden chill run down his spine upon seeing the two attacks.
'They're really fast.'
At the same time he thought this, Do-hyeon used Reverse Flow toward the sword and ray flying at him.
Thud——
And for an instant, the world seemed to stop as the ray and sword froze.
It was a flash that couldn't move because the flow itself was blocked. Do-hyeon immediately escaped from the spot where they had stopped, and the moment he moved, the ray and sword qi shot out, piercing and slicing the spot where Do-hyeon had been.
Whoosh——
Screech——
Hearing the short but truly temporary stop, Hanarin and Ji Yu-chan's eyes widened wide like lamps.
The mana flow had been briefly stopped and unable to move.
It was only about 0.1 seconds, less than 1 second, but that time was enough for Do-hyeon to dodge like this, so many things that couldn't have been done otherwise. It was impossible not to realize the greatness of Reverse Flow.
B-But what was that just now...?
Did it stop us?
Hanarin and Ji Yu-chan were stunned by the incomprehensible phenomenon. Do-hyeon grinned and nodded.
And explained the principle roughly.
I read the opponent's mana flow and reversed it to temporarily stop it.
Huh. Although I can't detect mana as well as you two, it's at a decent level, yet it wasn't felt at all. I only vaguely sensed that it had stopped.
I did feel that it had stopped, but the time was so short that it felt like a misjudgment. I saw that the mana flow had stopped, but it seemed like a slight buffering, so I wondered if it was a misjudgment.
Listening to the vivid testimonies of Ji Yu-chan and Hanarin, Do-hyeon couldn't help but smile.
If those two geniuses couldn't feel anything more than this level, most people probably wouldn't even realize that it had stopped.
A technique that forcibly creates a 0.1-second gap during combat. It was simply terrifying.
Do-hyeon then told Hanarin.
This is a type of primal magic. If only the conditions are met, Narin can learn it too, right? It would be good to learn it together with teleportation?
I'll try my hardest...
...I'm jealous.
Hanarin, who received the overpowered magic, Ji Yu-chan stuck out his tongue in genuine envy. Do-hyeon pretended not to notice.
He couldn't tell her why she was upset anyway.
Besides, he hadn't given her the Golden Sword.
'Thinking about it, the Golden Sword is a step above Will Magic.'
In a way, this was perhaps a balance between Hanarin and himself?
Thinking this, Do-hyeon smiled faintly. After all, he was tired from the dungeon.
Shall we return to the lodging?
Good.
Let's go and rest a bit. It's too dizzy.
Everyone agreed, so they returned to the lodging.