Grabbing the Tail (3)
As soon as he reached level 30, a notification message appeared before Kim Jehyun's eyes.
Mental Strength stat has been created. Mental Strength +50.
Dragon Horn has achieved significant growth.
Special Reward - Jindo's Treasure Chest+5 has been granted.
Along with the messages, an enormous surge of mana began erupting from Kim Jehyun's Mana Core.
Ku-ku-ku-kuwa!
His ears filled with the sound of mana overflowing like a torrent.
'Not a hallucination.'
Kim Jehyun could actually feel the massive mana racing through his entire Mana Road.
Kwa-dududuk!
The fierce flow of magical power forcibly widened the paths of his Mana Road, causing unbearable agony.
'Kuhk.'
But Kim Jehyun swallowed his groan, refusing to open his mouth. He instinctively knew that even a slight parting of his lips might cause some of the mana surging through his Mana Road to dissipate.
'I can't waste a single drop of this power. I'll absorb it all... completely.'
A steely resolve gleamed in Kim Jehyun's eyes. He endured the excruciating pain without so much as a whimper.
—Hoh, what remarkable mental fortitude. Alkasha, who had been watching, let out an exclamation of astonishment.
Was it the effect of the newly created Mental Strength stat? He had withstood torment that would have knocked out an ordinary person multiple times over.
Ju-rureuk.
Impurities began seeping from Kim Jehyun's body. A foul stench assaulted the air from his clothes in an instant—they had absorbed the waste.
How much time passed like that? His Mana Core swelled massively, then drew in every last bit of mana swirling around his body.
Paaaat!
Kim Jehyun's body was bathed in golden light for a moment.
Flash!
His closed eyes snapped open, both gleaming with a golden radiance.
"Huu."
He exhaled the breath he'd been holding, then drew in and released it several more times. A refreshing sensation washed over him, accompanied by a vastly greater scale of magical power roiling through his body than before. With it came the certainty that he had broken through a wall and grown once more.
—Congratulations. You've crossed the wall.
"Thanks."
Kim Jehyun flashed a bright smile in response to Alkasha's praise.
Just like the Circles, the path to Mana Core Stage 4 was blocked by a massive wall. Astonishingly, Kim Jehyun had shattered it in one go. Even more impressively, despite the inevitable loss of power when reining it in after the breakthrough, he had absorbed every ounce of it intact. A stunning achievement.
"The horn's grown a ton too."
Kim Jehyun confirmed that his Dragon Horn, which had previously been just a small finger-sized nub, had now extended over a handspan. Seeing the growth with his own eyes filled him with pride. It finally looked like a proper horn. Of course, it was still nothing compared to Arkanios's colossal ones.
"Special reward is Jindo's Treasure Chest+5."
He recalled getting the Primitive Goblin ticket from one last time. No hesitation needed. Kim Jehyun immediately opened the Jindo's Treasure Chest+5.
Flash.
A whirlwind of white light swirled from the chest, and a ticket floated out. It shimmered with a subtle indigo hue.
Congratulations. You have obtained the Polluted Spirit Forest Entry Ticket (A) from Jindo's Treasure Chest.
"Polluted Spirit Forest?"
Kim Jehyun tilted his head. He'd never heard of such a place. Sure enough, the entry tickets from Jindo's Treasure Chest seemed to lead to unfamiliar locations not found on Earth.
"A-rank... that's too much for now."
A-rank corresponded to 6th Circle. He smacked his lips, unable to use it right away. He stored the ticket in his inventory and stood up.
"The commotion at the Magic Tower should have died down by now... I can take the Ascension Tower exam right away."
The internal events at the Magic Tower had halted all schedules, including the Ascension Tower exams. One reason Kim Jehyun was eager to reach Stage 4 as quickly as possible was to immediately challenge the 4th floor exam. To complete the Ascension Tower trial and claim the fourth dragon legacy without delay.
'Wonder what I'll get this time.'
Having tasted the immense power of the Dragon Horn, Kim Jehyun felt anticipation building for the next dragon legacy.
Heading back to the Magic Tower, Kim Jehyun exited the dungeon's safe zone—and ran into an unexpected figure.
"Ignis... Faction?"
The man wore a uniform emblazoned with the Ignis Faction's insignia. Kim Jehyun didn't recognize him, but the dangerous aura he exuded set off alarms.
—Be careful. He's harboring killing intent.
Kim Jehyun nodded inwardly at Alkasha's warning.
"First time seeing you in the flesh."
The man spoke, but Kim Jehyun ignored him casually and activated Dragon Eye to scan him.
'...!'
Kim Jehyun's eyes widened in shock upon reading the man's info. A 6th Circle mage? Faction leaders were typically 7th Circle Experts, and vice-leaders 6th Circle Experts. This man matched that elite level.
And moreover... just like with Yang Jaejin, garbled text appeared.
'He's one of them too.'
Kim Jehyun's gaze hardened. Tension surged. This was no friendly approach.
"You... wield some strange power, don't you?"
Kim Man-seok frowned. He'd felt energy gathering in Kim Jehyun's eyes, piercing straight to his core.
"Doesn't matter. This spot will be your grave today."
Killing intent filled Kim Man-seok's eyes.
"I was gonna make it quiet since we're in the Magic Tower's territory... but leaving you alive would keep me up at night. The once-in-a-generation genius, huh? Even the Tower Master has high hopes. The thought of crushing that bud myself is getting me excited."
Guooooo!
With those words, mana roiled fiercely around Kim Man-seok's body.
—Go all out from the start!
At Alkasha's words, Kim Jehyun drew on his full power. 6th Circle was the realm beyond the second wall—no room for holding back.
'Good thing I just hit Stage 4 in the nick of time.'
Had he not reached level 30 by a hair's breadth, this encounter would have been far deadlier. It still was, of course.
Pu-hwaaak!
Explosive energy erupted from Kim Jehyun's body. Golden mana gathered at his forehead, forming a handspan-sized horn.
"A horn?"
Kim Man-seok's voice held surprise. His 6th Circle senses could almost make out the horn's shape—and gauge its extraordinary power.
"Hahaha. This is insane."
The power Kim Jehyun revealed exceeded expectations. No wonder Yang Jaejin had fallen. At first, he'd dismissed the report as nonsense—a 3rd Circle beating a 4th Circle with a purple orb ability? Impossible.
'Thought it was some Association trick...'
Kukukuk.
Laughter bubbled up. And purple. Now Kim Jehyun had surpassed 3rd Circle. He could feel the 4th Circle attainment in his skin. If he'd broken through that wall in such a short time, he had to be eliminated here and now.
'But... Jaejin withered away from the backlash of his power draining out.'
He couldn't fathom that agony. Kill him, yes—but not easily. He'd make it slow.
"I'll make you feel the same pain... no, worse. Suffer as you wither away bit by bit."
Kim Man-seok spread his arms toward Kim Jehyun and shouted. Madness gleamed in his eyes. A sinister purple aura began leaking from his body.
—Now, the opening!
'Got it.'
Kim Man-seok's failure to attack immediately gave Kim Jehyun the chance for a preemptive strike. He manifested spells in both hands without delay.
'3rd Circle magic won't cut it.'
Obvious. Even basic magical resistance from a 6th Circle would shrug off 3rd Circle spells.
Alkasha (EX) ability activated. Loading Stage 4 Magic (C) knowledge.
As the notification appeared, knowledge of 4th Circle magic flooded Kim Jehyun's mind. This was one of Alkasha (EX)'s signature abilities—the ultimate repository of all magical knowledge. Despite just reaching Stage 4, Kim Jehyun could now cast a 4th Circle spell: Fire Storm.
'Fire Storm.'
Hwaruruk!
Explosive vortices of flame manifested in his hands, launching straight at Kim Man-seok.
Pu-hwaaak!
The golden inferno seemed to devour heaven and earth, greedily consuming everything around Kim Man-seok.
But Kim Jehyun's expression remained grim.
'Not enough, as expected.'
Through Dragon Eye, he pierced the mana flows and saw the truth: Kim Man-seok had taken zero damage. A surge of purple aura from his body had shielded him from the Fire Storm.
"Double casting? What? Am I seeing things?"
Kim Man-seok was less shocked by the attack than by Kim Jehyun's double casting. It required surpassing the second wall—something even he couldn't do. His face twisted in disbelief.
Kim Man-seok's stunned hesitation became Kim Jehyun's next opening.
'Stay calm. I can do this.'
Despite the overwhelming disadvantage, Kim Jehyun refused to yield. He desperately sought any path to victory.
'I need a concentrated strike to pierce his defense.'
To break Kim Man-seok's guard, he needed focused power. In that moment, an idea flashed in Kim Jehyun's mind.
'Kasa Summon.'
Responding to his will, a kasa appeared in midair. Mana gathered in his right hand.
'Flame Sword.'
The 4th Circle spell Flame Sword took form. Kim Jehyun immediately began fusing them.
Ku-gu-gu-gu!
His hands trembled as if afflicted with palsy. A bead of sweat trailed down his cheek.
'It has to work.'
This was his first attempt at fusion magic here, but success was non-negotiable. Failure meant no second chance.
Jiiing!
Vibrations emanated from the Dragon Horn, resonating with the fusing mana. Thanks to the horn?
Flash!
Kasa and Flame Sword merged perfectly, flames surging skyward with piercing momentum. They coalesced into a single form.
A sword. A colossal blade of fire.
Spirit Magic comprehension has greatly increased!
Spirit Magic (S) has reached Lv.5. Fusion success grades will now be displayed.
Spirit Magic: Blazing Sword (A) has been added to Spirit Magic (S).
'Yes!'
Ecstasy filled Kim Jehyun's eyes. Dramatic success against the odds. And certainty: this could cleave Kim Man-seok's shield.
Toward the stunned Kim Man-seok...
Hoo-hwaaaak!
The fiery sword descended.