Chapter 9
Chapter 9
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 9
Chapter Title: Chp9
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The next day.
About an hour remained until the third monster wave.
"Is everyone ready?"
"What about us...?"
"Could you gather some stones from the forest that we can throw? Even just harassing them from the back would help a ton."
"Ah, got it!"
"I've stored the remaining food so it won't spoil! It's not smoked, but it should last a day or two no problem!"
"I hadn't even thought of that. Thanks for the hard work!"
"Hehe, leave the food to me!"
Compared to the first day, everyone's demeanor had done a complete one-eighty.
Not only were they preparing for the monster wave, but they were also fetching water, gathering various materials—each person finding their role.
Of course, there were still those who hadn't pulled themselves together.
'It's definitely different from before.'
Before his regression.
Ahead of the third monster wave back then, there had been not just casualties but plenty of injuries, leaving the camp full of people trembling in fear.
Some had moved with grim expressions for the sake of survival, but it hadn't felt this lively.
'It's thanks to Yoo Seo-ah.'
At the center of the bustling activity stood Yoo Seo-ah.
Was it because of yesterday's events and her talk with Se-woon? She'd completely shed her passive attitude and was now boldly directing everyone.
The others followed her lead well, marking the moment the camp's leader was implicitly decided.
'Perfect.'
Se-woon had been willing to lead the camp but had no desire to be the leader himself.
Above all, except during monster waves, he needed to roam outside, hunting down various hidden pieces.
In that sense, having Yoo Seo-ah—not someone else—take the role was more than welcome for him.
With everyone handling their tasks, Se-woon could relax and enjoy some personal time.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ - Opened the Treasure Vault of Greed. [Blue Mana Circle] - A secret training method passed down only to mages with exceptionally high mana affinity from the Blue Tower, one of the empire's Seven Great Magic Towers. Mana circles.
The most fundamental element a mage needs to cast spells.
To wield powers like the 'Flame of Cass' he'd used last night, he needed to train a mana circle as quickly as possible.
And the one Se-woon had chosen was known for high stability but the lowest efficiency in gathering mana among the Seven Great Towers.
Why had he picked it anyway?
'There are plenty of training methods out there.'
Thanks to the vault's mountain of treasures—and his confidence in absorbing them all.
First, build a solid foundation with the Blue Tower method, then erect a pillar atop it with superior techniques.
The walls and roof around it? He'd stack mana using the best methods he'd devised.
'Can't neglect the dantian either.'
A mana circle gathered mana, but it was just for spellcasting.
It didn't suit converting mana to internal energy for swift movement or martial arts. So, as time allowed, he'd refine both the mana circle and his dantian.
"Hoo..."
Smooth as a flowing river. Mulling over the Blue Tower's mysteries unlocked via Mammon's treasure, he regulated his breath.
Eyes closed, seated comfortably, he exhaled lightly.
Filling his emptied lungs. His belly and chest swelled noticeably, and he held his breath briefly.
Wooong—
He felt it.
Mana—the formless energy also called internal energy—lingering in his body via breath.
For ordinary people, sensing it took weeks at best, years at worst.
Se-woon sensed it in one go.
Not specialized in combat, but as the last survivor who'd reached floor 92 of the tower before regression, handling mana was as natural as breathing.
Even in this unfamiliar body, sensing it was effortless.
'The real challenge starts now.'
Gently coaxing the energy trapped in his lungs, he beckoned it.
Why not stay here?
Join me?
A tiny wisp nodded, swayed by his persuasion.
"Hoo..."
Success. He exhaled long again.
Expelling the rejecting energy, guiding the accepting wisp toward his heart.
A minuscule amount of mana began orbiting his heart under his lead.
⚔ STATUS ⚔ - Successfully created your first Mana Circle via the Blue Tower training method. - You can now gather mana and cast spells with the circle. - The circle's level determines your spells' power, speed, etc. - Outstanding achievement accomplished. - Gained 1,000 points as reward. It hadn't even taken a day.
Not an hour. Under thirty minutes to form a mana circle and accept mana.
Even with prior knowledge and the Blue Tower method's aid, any mage would gape in shock.
Even geniuses needed days minimum to sense and accept mana.
Proving it, new messages appeared before him.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ - Constellation ‘Three Sisters Back-to-Back’ widens their eyes in surprise as they gaze at you. - Constellation ‘Heavenly Madonna’ lets out a gasp of admiration toward you. - Constellation ‘[Name Omitted]’… Many gods tied to magic or related powers showed interest in Se-woon.
From the goddess of witchcraft, Hecate, to Isis and others.
Some constellation epithets he knew, others were new.
However.
'Doesn't concern me anyway.'
Se-woon already had the Greed Demon God ‘Mammon’ and Gluttony Demon God ‘Beelzebub’ watching.
Not exactly their apostle, but those two outclassed the newcomers by far.
Proving it.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ - Constellation ‘Hungry Prince’ makes a sulky face, noting more rivals for your attention. - Constellation ‘Raven with Bowed Head’ scowls and pulls out a treasure from the vault. - Constellation ‘Fierce White-Haired Elder’… Snap.
The flood of constellation messages cut off like a lie.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ - Constellation ‘Raven with Bowed Head’ has blocked communications from all lower-ranked constellations. 'Crazy...'
Blocking communications?
Possible, sure—but first time seeing it with his own eyes.
Even high-ranking beings consumed massive power to interfere with the system like this.
Whatever 'treasure' Mammon used, it had to be insanely potent.
'Gonna be chaos out there.'
Good or evil gods aside, blatantly blocking comms like this was beyond rude—it was outright insolent.
By now, the blocked constellations were probably fuming.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ - Constellation ‘Hungry Prince’ feels relieved, staring at the vanished rivals. - Constellation ‘Raven with Bowed Head’ quietly watches you. The two demon gods, of course, couldn't care less about the others' thoughts.
After the commotion, Se-woon resumed rotating his mana circle, carefully inhaling.
True to the Blue Tower method, efficiency was low, but he clearly felt the circle solidifying like packed earth.
As focus deepened, Yoo Seo-ah's voice and footsteps faded completely.
Only one thing registered.
The single thread of mana seeping into his deliberate breaths.
Lost in rotating the circle, oblivious to time, an oblivious voice shattered his trance.
"...Hyung-nim! Gonna catch some Z's? Dude's sleeping sitting up."
[Tutorial First Chapter – Adaptation] - Time remaining until third monster wave: 12 minutes. Thinking the wave had started, he looked up—but time remained.
Few in camp dared approach him so boldly.
Turning, a short-haired man stood before him.
'Why's this guy here?'
Fierce looks, big and small scars. Snake tattoo writhing on his rolled-up sleeve.
Se-woon didn't remember most non-rankers well, but this one? Crystal clear.
In the worst way.
"Oh, you're up! Sat here an hour without moving—I thought you were dead. Ha!"
"What do you want?"
"Whoa, so cold. We're all in the same boat—can't we get along?"
Park Jeong-pil.
This bastard.
Before regression, the one who'd tormented Se-woon.
Showing off power amid chaos, shoving the weak forward, pushing elders out with 'young gotta survive' excuses, stealing food.
'Circumstances changed?'
First raid, no chance to act. Second too, no issues.
Recalling his nature, Se-woon realized why he'd come.
'Typical of him.'
Before, he'd hid behind Kang Han-cheol to throw his weight around.
No leader then, and Kang focused on himself, so free rein.
Soft to chew, hard to spit out.
Classic bully type: tough on weak, soft on strong.
Kang was strongest then, but now Se-woon held that title—hence the visit.
"Just wanna get friendly. Looks like you got no buddies yet. Helping each other out would be great, right?"
Memories of his torment burned fresh.
Forced bare-handed against monsters, shoved into forest for 'scouting'.
Thanks to that, he'd unlocked 'Journey's Compass' power—but result doesn't justify means.
Tempted to boot him, but couldn't say 'you bullied me before regression!'
Then.
'Well, he came to me first anyway.'
Sneer.
A wicked smile crossed Se-woon's face.
Park Jeong-pil instinctively sensed danger, stepping back.
"You... got quick legs?"
"Legs? What outta nowhere?"
Legs.
Right before a wave—what meaning?
Pondering, Park paled as realization hit.
"Sl-slow! Infamous back home for slow legs. Ever hear of Dasa-dong's turtle? Haha!"
Desperate excuse, but too late.
"You... be bait."