Chapter 21
Chapter 21
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 21
Chapter Title: Plundered the Demon God's Warehouse
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Boundary-Breaking Heart Art.
True to its name as a demonic art, it allowed the accumulation of internal energy faster than any other heart art.
However, the risks were equally higher than any other.
Nine out of ten—no, ninety-nine out of a hundred—couldn't withstand its mysteries and fell into qi deviation.
For a mage, it was akin to mana backlash. The body's meridians twisted, leaving one unable to ever use internal energy again.
But Boundary-Breaking Heart Art went further: the moment qi deviation struck, the meridians burst, ending one's life.
The reason Se-woon chose such a dangerous heart art was simple.
'Three Essences Art should make it possible.'
It was thanks to the Three Essences Art, which had solidly tempered his dantian.
Slower than any other heart art, it built an unshakeable foundation. Paired with it, he calculated he could endure even the Boundary-Breaking Heart Art's mysteries.
Thump, thump!
The pounding of his heart rang clear in his ears.
If accumulating energy through Three Essences Art was like a gentle stream, the energy flooding in via Boundary-Breaking Heart Art crashed like waves.
Ignoring the dantian's strength or size, it surged in wildly.
Naturally, the meridians blocking its path burst open one by one.
Gush—
Black blood poured from Se-woon's mouth. It was dead blood expelled as his meridians were forcibly cleared.
Hummm!
The dantian, tempered solidly by Three Essences Art, blocked the raging waves of energy.
As Se-woon predicted, Three Essences Art stood like a breakwater, splendidly holding back the waves.
But there was one unforeseen issue.
'The energy's too strong.'
To use Boundary-Breaking Heart Art, one needed enough ambient energy to create waves.
Moreover, to absorb all the cavern's energy before the final wave began, an extremely efficient heart art was required.
That's why he'd chosen Boundary-Breaking Heart Art as the best fit—but the ambient energy exceeded expectations.
The influx into his dantian wasn't mere waves; it was a tsunami. Even the Three Essences Art breakwater began to shake under the onslaught.
'At this rate, it won't work.'
The instant qi deviation hit, it was over.
Even if he survived, a body unable to use internal energy or mana couldn't climb the tower.
In that moment, a flash of inspiration crossed Se-woon's mind.
'Wait, what about mana!'
His thoughts were deliberate; his actions swift.
Even as he endured the energy tsunami, he urgently activated the Authority of Greed and selected the treasure he'd prepared.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ The Treasure Vault of Greed has been opened. [Dark Mana Circle] The training method for the Dark Mana Circle, said to be passed only to direct disciples from the Black Tower, homeland of black mages branded enemies of the empire. The Black Tower's training method.
The only difference from internal energy was mana itself. The principles were strikingly similar to Boundary-Breaking Heart Art—both extreme methods pursuing raw power over stability.
Like Three Essences Art, the Blue Tower method he'd used to form his first circle prioritized stability.
The timing was premature, but he had no choice now.
Humm!
Hummm!
Dantian and mana circle.
Both cores, holding mana, activated simultaneously.
Normally, this alone would trigger qi deviation and mana backlash, straight to crippledom.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ Three Essences Art, pursuing infinite harmony in attunement to heaven and earth, suppresses the effects of qi deviation. The Blue Tower method, embracing nature's flow with ocean-like capacity, suppresses the effects of mana backlash. Se-woon's prediction held true.
Qi deviation and mana backlash teetered at their thresholds as the energy split, absorbed into dantian and circle alike.
Once the tsunami divided into two streams, it seeped rapidly into the foundation he'd so carefully built.
"Hoo..."
They say humans are creatures of adaptation.
Moments ago, he'd been vomiting dead blood in agony; now, with his breathing stabilizing, reason returned bit by bit.
Boundary-Breaking Heart Art and the Black Tower method.
Both became as natural as breathing, freeing his mind for other thoughts.
Maintaining his breath, Se-woon calmly reviewed the many messages floating before him.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [Tutorial First Act – Adaptation] You have successfully passed the sixth wave. 100 points awarded to all wave participants. ⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [Tutorial First Act – Adaptation] You have successfully passed the seventh wave. 200 points awarded to all wave participants. ⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [Tutorial First Act – Adaptation] You have successfully passed the eighth wave. 200 points awarded to all wave participants. 'Has so much time already passed?'
Before using Boundary-Breaking Heart Art, the sixth wave hadn't even started. But struggling to absorb the tsunami-like energy made time fly by unnoticed.
By his rough estimate, a day and a half had passed since leaving camp.
'Good thing they held the line.'
Like how the fourth wave escalated from Brown Wolves to Gray Wolves, the seventh shifted from Gray Wolves to Red Wolves.
And the eighth would pit them against Red Boar packs too—camp's losses might be worse than expected.
'I got this far worry-free and snagged the hidden piece thanks to them. Guess I'll stick around camp a while and earn my keep.'
Even if they failed to repel monster waves, climbing the tower was still possible. But failing meant exclusion from personal contribution rankings.
This was one reason Se-woon cared about camp.
'Plus, the tenth wave's coming up soon.'
Tutorial First Act: Adaptation.
Its finale was the tenth wave.
True to form, its monsters far surpassed prior levels.
They'd held so far, but the tenth would be tough without him.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ Through Boundary-Breaking Heart Art, you have accumulated a Ban-gak-ja's worth of internal energy in your dantian. Even without using martial arts, internal energy circulates through your meridians, enhancing basic physical abilities. All martial arts efficiency increases based on your elevated internal energy level. The destructive power of martial arts used in accordance with Boundary-Breaking Heart Art's mysteries rises further. You have achieved a remarkable feat. 5,000 points acquired as reward. Ban-gak-ja.
The internal energy a player mastering a heart art could accumulate over thirty years.
Of course, advancing heart art efficiency shortened that time considerably.
Yet Se-woon amassed a Ban-gak-ja's worth in under two days, right there on the spot.
If Mammon weren't blocking constellation communications, various ones would be freaking out and vying for his attention again.
No, for such a feat, they'd likely offer kinship under their banners.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ Through the Black Tower training method, you have successfully formed your second mana circle. 2-circle magic is now usable due to the new circle. Magic level, power, and speed rise with mana circle level. The destructive power of magic cast in accordance with the Black Tower method's mysteries rises further. You have achieved a remarkable feat. 5,000 points acquired as reward. The mana circle was the same.
Even geniuses needed two or three years of training for a second circle—yet he'd reached it in a flash.
It wasn't just doubling his first circle's capacity.
For example, he could now cast his old Fire Ball four or five times over.
New spells were possible too, with Black Tower enhancement boosting their power immensely.
In under two days, Se-woon's combat prowess had surged astonishingly.
Above all.
⚔ ITEM ⚔ 📍 Name: Durandal, Rock-Splitting Sword (Sealed) 🔗 Classification: Longsword ⭐ Grade: B 📜 Description: Legendary sword wielded by heroes of legend. Its potential is heavily sealed, as it has yet to fully acknowledge its master's power. ⚡ Abilities: 1. Hero's Sword – Cutting power +50%. 2. Hero's Qualification – Attack power vs. monsters +30%. 3. Rock-Splitting Sword – Blade never dulls or chips, no matter the situation. 4. (Sealed) 5. (Sealed) 'To think this lay dormant in the Tutorial's first act.'
Durandal.
The sword of Troy's hero Hector, later bestowed upon Roland, leader of Charlemagne's Paladins—a famed blade.
Its power was said to cleave anything it touched.
Even before regression, it was one of the tower's undiscovered masterpieces. He'd never imagined finding it here.
⭐ CONSTELLATION ⚙ Constellation 'Raven with Bowed Head' lets out an exclamation of admiration at the true brilliance of Durandal. So it was natural for the Greed Demon God Mammon to marvel.
The treasures in his pre-regression vault retained genuine power, yet were mere replicas.
Slash!
A light swing of Durandal sliced the air sharply.
It felt sheathed in sword aura.
With his improved skill adding true sword aura, few players could block it—even armored, their bodies would split.
'And this is with its abilities sealed.'
Even this was but a fraction of Durandal's power.
Evidently, the energy he'd infused before drawing it wasn't enough to fully unseal it.
Still, its might was.
Clang!!
Impressive enough to split rock.
Non-mana users couldn't withstand his strikes with this alone.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [Tutorial First Act – Adaptation] Time until ninth monster wave: 24 minutes. Sheathing Durandal—its edge unscathed despite cleaving rock—Se-woon smiled.
He'd planned to slay the boss monster and return before the seventh wave, but his delay exceeded expectations.
He didn't know camp's status, but losses might be graver than he'd thought.
Humm!
Savoring the fulfillment of a brimming dantian, Se-woon moved toward the dungeon's exit.