The Cost of Power
Bukjin exited the App Store and stared at his home screen. Right next to the Basic Swordsmanship: Close-body Triple Link icon, a new app had appeared: Intermediate Mystic Qi Condensation Technique.
He wasted no time and tapped the newly downloaded app. Just like with the swordsmanship app, an ink-wash silhouette appeared, sitting cross-legged in the middle of a grassy plain. As Bukjin expected, the silhouette’s physique was an exact match for his own.
Bright lines of light coiled around the silhouette’s body like glowing serpents. These streaks followed a fixed, rhythmic path. They flowed out from the dantian, traveled up toward the chest, branched out into the four limbs, and then looped back to the dantian in a continuous cycle.
Is this...?
Bukjin’s eyes widened as realization struck him. The display was showing the exact pathways for circulating Mystic Energy within the body. The primary function of this app was Mystic Energy cultivation.
The moment the app finished loading, Bukjin felt a faint but warm current of Mystic Energy stir within him. Even without him taking any conscious action, the energy began to circulate through his meridians on its own.
"Whoa..."
A small gasp escaped his lips. The sensation was incredibly soothing. The comfort brought by the flow of Mystic Energy was a feeling beyond words.
And so, his cultivation via the smartphone app began. Bukjin closed his eyes, assuming a meditative posture to maintain appearances, but in reality, he was marveling at the app’s miraculous functions. In the martial theories of this world, it was said that an invisible, colorless cosmic force existed between heaven and earth. This cosmic power sustained all things, much like the air people breathed. It was the law of the Great Dao.
Because this power was so profound and mysterious, it was called Mystic Energy, or Hyeongi.
Every living being in this world could accumulate Mystic Energy through cultivation. They could use it as nourishment for the physical body to grow stronger or exert explosive force. It was the fuel for martial arts, the foundation for Mystic Inscriptions in arrays, and even the catalyst for refining potent medicines. It was no exaggeration to say that everything in this world was built upon the foundation of Mystic Energy.
Bukjin was now experiencing its immense benefits firsthand. It felt like a warm embrace. As it flowed from the crown of his head to the tips of his toes, every ounce of lethargy, mental anguish, and fatigue vanished. The effect was far superior to legendary medicines like the Tenfold Great Restoration Pill, the Azure Serenity Pill, or the Indestructible Vajra Pill.
An hour passed in the blink of an eye. Gradually, the intense heat of the energy circulating through his body began to fade, though the feeling of refreshment remained. Bukjin surmised that his body had simply adapted to the flow, making the sensation feel less jarring than at the start.
Opening his eyes, he checked the smartphone screen again. His expression immediately soured.
The battery had dropped again. He was down to a measly 6%.
Anxiety weighed on him like a mountain. Gods of heaven and earth! How the hell am I supposed to charge this damn phone?!
He was certain this bizarre device couldn't be charged by normal means. I just haven't discovered the method yet.
After some deliberation, he closed the Basic Swordsmanship: Close-body Triple Link app. By running only the Intermediate Mystic Qi Condensation Technique, he hoped to minimize power consumption. His greatest weakness right now was his low level of Mystic Energy. If he could just reach the 3rd Grade, he could harmonize his energy with his sword techniques and breeze through the upcoming competition.
Bukjin was facing two major hurdles. First, while cultivation via the app was going smoothly, he didn't know if 6% battery was enough to get him to the 3rd Grade. Second, he needed to find a way to charge the phone as soon as possible.
"The situation is dire, but I have to find a way," he muttered, rubbing his face in thought.
Just then, a wave of hunger hit him. His stomach let out a loud growl. He hadn't eaten a single thing since the previous night, and his body was starting to protest.
He put the phone away and leaned forward on his desk, hoping to catch a quick nap to forget the hunger. But then...
Ding!
A familiar notification sound rang in his head.
Huh?
He frowned. He wasn't downloading anything, so why was it making noise? He quickly pulled the phone back out and turned on the screen.
A metallic substance capable of charging power has been detected on the host's person. Would you like to execute energy conversion to charge the smartphone?
Wh-what? Ch-ch-charge?!
Shock gave way to pure, unadulterated joy. His heart hammered against his ribs the moment he saw the word "charge." Without a second thought, he tapped [YES].
A battery icon appeared in the center of the screen, showing the charging status.
6%... 7%... 8%...
The power was climbing. But before he could even celebrate, the charging stopped at 8%.
Charging Complete.
Th-that's it? It's over already?
He had only gained a measly 2%. Bukjin felt a headache coming on. This was far too little. He needed to keep the apps running for days to reach his goal, and 2% was practically nothing.
Stay calm. Breathe. Use that brilliant brain of yours to analyze this. I need to figure out the principle behind how it just charged.
He closed his eyes and focused. The notification said it detected a "metallic substance" on my person. What could that be? The only metal I have is my sword... no, wait. There's one more thing. Ah! Of course!
A lightbulb went off in his head, clearing the fog of confusion.
Money! The "metallic substance" the phone mentioned must be the twenty silver coins I got from Bing-ryun!
He scrambled to check his pockets. Sure enough, they were empty. The twenty silver coins he had tucked away had vanished without a trace.
It said it was "converting" them into energy. My money literally turned into battery life. This damn smartphone! It's a total pay-to-win product! That weird god who gave me this... he's not a divine being, he's a corrupt telecom employee! You want a charge? Pay up! Is that it?!
Bukjin felt like his chest was going to explode from frustration. Wait... something's weird.
He thought back to the four days since he'd arrived in this world. Before his family's total collapse, he had been carrying around huge amounts of silver every day. Back then, the phone had never given him a charging notification.
Does it only count money I've earned myself?
He was almost certain that was the catch. Once he understood the mechanic, he felt a wave of absurdity wash over him. He never imagined he’d have to worry about money in this world too.
Twenty silver coins for 2% power. That meant 1% cost ten silver coins. To get a full 100% charge from his current state, he would need 920 silver coins. In gold, that was nearly ten gold coins.
It was a staggering amount—roughly equivalent to the annual income of a middle-class family in Unmong City. In the currency of his old world, it was about thirty thousand dollars. A single copper coin here was worth about three dollars; a hundred coppers made one silver coin, and a hundred silver coins made one gold coin.
Back when he first arrived, ten gold coins would have been pocket change. But now that his family was ruined and he was essentially a beggar, money was the hardest problem to solve.
So, I have to get my hands on cash by any means necessary?
Resting his chin on his hand, he began to brainstorm ways to make money. His mind flooded with modern knowledge from Earth. Glassmaking, soap, underwear, gunpowder... but he quickly dismissed them. In his past life, he was just a student who stayed home playing games. Even if he knew the theory, he didn't have the time or resources.
Is there no other way? Manufacturing something from scratch will take too long.
He cycled through thousands of ideas, but none were realistic. Finally, only one option remained.
I'll have to "borrow" it.
He figured that as long as he "acquired" the money through his own efforts—even if it was a loan—the phone would accept it. The problem was who would lend it to him. If he had a good reputation or a solid excuse, it would be easy. But who would trust a penniless loser like him? Given his notorious reputation as a shameless brat, no student would willingly hand over their lunch money, let alone a loan.
Should I use my looks and work at a host club?
With his current handsome features, he’d probably be a top earner in the entertainment industry. But he couldn't even leave the academy grounds right now.
Ding-dong-dang!
The bell signaling the end of class rang, cutting through his spiraling thoughts. It was lunchtime.
Jeong Sam-seok, who had been observing Bukjin throughout the entire period, felt a surge of disappointment and anger. To his eyes, Bukjin was still the same distracted, unmotivated brat who refused to pay attention to the lesson.
Shaking his head, Jeong Sam-seok let out a long sigh and turned to leave the classroom.
I must have been mistaken... There's no way that damn brat is a genius.