Chapter 466: The Lord's Request
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 466: The Lord's Request
Qi Guidance (眞氣導引) is performed for two main purposes.
First, to help a young disciple quickly awaken their sense of qi (氣感) by intentionally infusing internal energy into their body.
The second is for initiating them into an internal art.
Every internal art differs based on what kind of true qi is circulated through the meridians and how.
Therefore, a master who has practiced the same art can shorten the initiation process by injecting their internal energy into the disciple’s meridians according to the art’s oral formula. This is the second purpose of Qi Guidance.
“Haa, haa, haa...”
Yoo Ah-rin was collapsed on the floor, panting heavily.
The Qi Guidance, which had lasted for nearly an hour, had ended successfully. As a result, she had safely reached the first stage of the Great Mind-Spirit Art.
However, the process of expelling the impure energy from her body had taken longer than expected.
I wiped the sweat from my chin and stood up.
“The next class is at 6 AM, so don’t be late.”
“Haa, haa... Thank you for your hard work...”
“And this is your homework.”
Thud.
I took a wooden box from my Storage Bag and placed it in front of Yoo Ah-rin.
“What’s this...?”
“Open it and see for yourself.”
Yoo Ah-rin glanced at me before dragging her sweat-drenched body into a sitting position on the training ground floor.
Click.
As the old wooden box opened, a refreshing fragrance spread out in all directions.
Inside was none other than an elixir.
「Clear Heart Sea Dragon Pill (淸心海龍丹)
Classification: Consumable Item
Rank: C+
A spirit pill imbued with the breath of a sea dragon.
Upon consumption, you can gain 15 years’ worth of internal energy.」
I had gotten lucky at the 5th Floor's night market.
It was a bit pricey, but I didn't mind, considering it an investment in Yoo Ah-rin.
“Take the elixir and assimilate its energy by tomorrow. That’s your homework for today.”
“But I’ve never taken an elixir before...”
“It doesn’t matter. It’s okay if you fail, so just relax and do it.”
“...”
Yoo Ah-rin’s eyes trembled slightly.
Seeing her like that, I gave a small smile.
If I helped her directly, she would be able to absorb the full 15 years’ worth of internal energy. The reason I gave it as homework was simple.
Just as the old saying goes, ‘Only those who have tasted meat know how to eat it best.’ She needed a dry run now so that when she obtained a better elixir in the future, she could absorb it without issue.
“But don’t overdo it. Remember the first line in the Great Mind-Spirit Art manuscript? Sometimes, it’s important to let go of greed.”
“...Thank you.”
Though a hint of anxiety remained, an undeniable sense of anticipation flickered in Yoo Ah-rin’s eyes.
Even as I was leaving the training ground, her gaze was fixed solely on the elixir.
It was a natural reaction.
A martial artist’s obsession and desire for elixirs were much like a mage’s curiosity for unknown knowledge.
*
Slap, slap!!
“Haaang, ah, aaht...!!♡”
In a dark room, a man and a woman were tangled together on a bed.
Pinned beneath Kang Hyun-woo, Lee Serin was lost to the world, letting out sweet moans.
It was a lewd sight, hard to believe this was the same Lee Serin who was once called the first love of all Korean men and had enjoyed explosive popularity.
But regardless of that, she wore the expression of a female drenched in pleasure as she hugged Kang Hyun-woo tightly.
“Hnngh...?!!♡”
Pshooo- Pshuuuuuut-!!
Soon, Lee Serin’s body trembled as she reached her climax.
The fountain that erupted from her pussy soaked Kang Hyun-woo's lower abdomen.
As if in return, Kang Hyun-woo also unleashed his own load. Thick ropes of semen gushed out, painting her womb white.
“Mmph, oop, slurp, smooch...♡”
Lee Serin caressed Kang Hyun-woo’s face and eagerly pressed her lips against his.
Just two days ago, she had been a virgin who had never even masturbated, but now she was a magnificent female.
After spending some time wrapped in each other’s arms, the two sat up on the edge of the bed and shared a bottle of water.
Kang Hyun-woo massaged Lee Serin’s shoulders as he spoke.
“Noona, are you okay?”
“Hm? Ah, yes! Of course. I’m still perfectly fine.”
Lee Serin smiled bashfully and leaned against Kang Hyun-woo’s shoulder.
She had covered herself with a blanket, but it couldn’t hide the red marks on her nape, collarbone, and chest.
Lee Serin quite liked those marks.
It felt like Kang Hyun-woo was showing his possessiveness over her, and a silly smile kept escaping her lips.
“By the way, how is it? Do you feel like you’re getting the hang of it?”
“...About that.”
Lee Serin fidgeted with her fingers and avoided his gaze.
Then, as if testing the waters, she struggled to speak.
“I feel like I almost get it, but I’m still not sure... I’m sorry...”
Seeing her dejected look, Kang Hyun-woo patted her head as if it were no big deal.
“Don’t worry about it. This is something that takes others years to do.”
“Okay...”
Two days had already passed since his first time with Lee Serin.
Quite a lot had happened in that time.
Yoo Ah-rin had managed to completely absorb the elixir I gave her for homework on her own, gaining 15 years of internal energy. Wi Ryeong-ah had locked herself in her room for a full day and successfully assimilated her enlightenment.
And most importantly, he had made up with Lucifer.
Kang Hyun-woo had no doubt that their night of heartfelt sex had helped convey his true feelings.
Other than that, Lee Serin had begun to perceive and absorb mana in just three days, and his meeting with the Astrein family, the lords of Arcana, was the next day.
‘It’s probably about the Black Roar incident.’
Although they had collapsed so futilely at his hands, Black Roar was undeniably one of the Under Clans that had ruled Arcana’s underworld.
Hundreds of players had left Arcana, unable to bear their tyranny, and they were a powerful force with numerous subordinate organizations.
In fact, over the past two days, the Clan House had seen a constant stream of nightly visitors. There was some random riffraff, but most were remnants of Black Roar or assassins sent from their affiliated groups.
Of course, their goal wasn’t revenge.
They were after the ledgers related to the city's vested interests that Black Roar had managed, their illegal funds, and the remnants of their power.
However, Kang Hyun-woo had not even the slightest intention of letting intruders who set foot in his home without permission leave alive.
After reading their memories with Tam, he decided to make an example of them. In just two days, he annihilated three of the Under Clans that ruled the underworld and decapitated their leaders, putting their heads on display.
His Evil Karma had risen because of it, but it had been necessary.
Indeed, after that, the nightly visitors stopped coming to the clan.
“Should I go with you?”
“Hm?”
Kang Hyun-woo turned his head to look at Lee Serin.
Seeing her worried expression, he let out a faint laugh.
“It’s fine. Nothing’s going to happen anyway.”
“But...”
“If you’re that worried, how about you comfort me in a different way?”
“A different way?”
Instantly, Lee Serin’s head naturally tilted down.
Her gaze stopped on his dick, standing as hard as an iron rod.
“You said you were perfectly fine, right?”
Flop.
Kang Hyun-woo pushed Lee Serin down onto the bed and covered her with his body.
She didn’t resist, wrapping her arms around him as if she couldn't help it.
Squelch.
“Aahng!!♡”
*
The next morning.
A carriage stopped in front of the Clan House.
People who saw the lion emblem painted on the carriage sucked in a sharp breath and hastily made themselves scarce.
It was the symbol of the Astrein family, a family it was no exaggeration to say ruled not only Arcana but the entire 1st Floor.
Kang Hyun-woo wore a dubious expression as he looked at the old gentleman bowing respectfully to him.
“I didn’t expect you to send a carriage for a mere player.”
“Whether you are a resident or a player is not important. What is important is the fact that you, Sir Kang Hyun-woo, are a guest of the Lord.”
Creeak.
The old gentleman opened the carriage door himself.
His respectful demeanor made it hard to believe he was the same person who had arrogantly handed over the invitation just a few days ago.
Feeling a strange sense of cognitive dissonance at the sight, Kang Hyun-woo boarded the carriage.
The carriage then traveled along the road, soon passing through a massive castle gate and entering the castle grounds.
‘...This place seems even bigger than the royal castle of the Nivia Kingdom.’
Putting aside a comment that would have made Elisabeth glare daggers at him, Kang Hyun-woo stepped out of the carriage and followed the old butler.
He had hoped to be guided by a pretty maid, so it wasn't a situation he was particularly fond of.
Not that he let it show.
A short while later, after crossing a beautiful garden, they arrived at a pure white pavilion that looked like it had jumped straight out of a painting.
There, a middle-aged man was having a staring contest with a pile of documents, his pen moving without rest.
Scratch, scratch.
“My Lord, I have brought Player Kang Hyun-woo.”
The moment the old gentleman spoke, the man’s hand stopped dead.
Thud!
He then set down his pen, took off his glasses, and pinched the bridge of his nose.
“Good work.”
“It is my honor.”
“You all, clear away these documents and bring tea and refreshments.”
The moment the man finished speaking, the servants standing nearby began to move busily.
“It’s a bit of a mess, but please, have a seat.”
“Thank you for your consideration, my Lord.”
Kang Hyun-woo replied in a dry, emotionless tone and sat down.
A moment later, a maid placed a teacup in front of him.
“Black tea.”
“Thank you, I’ll enjoy it.”
Kang Hyun-woo smiled at the maid, whose green hair suited her well.
If Lucifer had seen this, she would have undoubtedly cursed him out for being a crazy Casanova bastard who flirts as naturally as he breathes.
“You are Kang Hyun-woo?”
“Yes, my Lord.”
“I am Edmon Laurentz Astrein.”
After the brief, almost laughable introduction, the Lord tilted his teacup and watched Kang Hyun-woo as if observing an opponent.
Soon, a subtle change appeared on his face.
If one had to put a name to the emotion, it would be a mix of bewilderment and surprise.
“...I heard it hasn’t even been a week since you entered the Tower, but this is beyond imagination.”
“You flatter me.”
“Why do you think I invited you here?”
“Isn’t it because of Black Roar?”
“Correct.”
Snap.
The Lord snapped his fingers, and a man standing beside him spread a map on the desk as if he had been waiting.
It was a map of Arcana.
“Arcana is one of the largest cities on the lower floors. That means it has its fair share of parasites. The Black Roar you annihilated and the Under Clans you’ve eliminated over the past two days are prime examples.”
“Are you planning to give me a model citizen award?”
“Do you want one?”
“I must respectfully decline.”
Like large clans sponsored by Constellations, most clans received support from a specific faction.
If Kang Hyun-woo were to accept a medal, the clan he would establish in the future would likely be misunderstood as being under the patronage of the Astrein family.
And that meant he could be targeted by the Astrein family’s rivals.
‘Trying to get something for nothing, just like a noble.’
“A pity.”
“My apologies.”
The expressions of the two men remained unchanged as they spoke.
“To be honest, at first, it was simple curiosity. A player who had just entered the Tower single-handedly annihilated Black Roar and brazenly took over their clan house. How could one not be curious?”
“I take it that’s changed now.”
“More or less.”
The Lord set down his teacup, took an envelope from his coat, and offered it to Kang Hyun-woo.
The moment he saw the emblem on the sealing wax, Kang Hyun-woo frowned.
It was the emblem of the Twilight Holy Society.
“I would like to entrust you with a request.”