Chapter 15
Chapter 15
Mad Black Mage's Tower Strategy
Chapter 15
Suddenly, a strange girl's voice rang in Seo-jin's ears.
Seo-jin stopped his mana circulation and frowned.
'What the hell, is some ghost possessing me?'
When using black magic, it was common for ghosts to be attracted by the rebellious mana.
It was a frequent occurrence.
Seo-jin nonchalantly waved his hand in the air, but the voice by his ear didn't stop.
[You'll die if you keep doing that! Listen to this lady!]
"……."
Why are you unluckily rambling about dying?
At the continuously annoying voice, Seo-jin slowly opened his eyes.
Then he saw a girl wearing white robes floating in the air right in front of him.
A beautiful appearance with jet-black straight hair and sculpted features.
However, she was only about the size of a palm, so rather than pretty, she was closer to cute.
Seo-jin briefly looked at the translucent maiden ghost before closing his eyes again.
'The side effects of black magic have gotten worse than I thought.'
To think I'd see ghosts now.
Hearing ghosts' voices was common, but seeing their forms this clearly was rare.
'This is a side effect I only saw a few months before dying in my previous life.'
The invasion of madness seems faster than expected.
I need to quickly make and take medicine and learn Primordial Unity Technique to reduce the side effects, he thought urgently.
As Seo-jin shut his eyes tight as if he had seen something he shouldn't have, the noisy voice came again.
[Don't treat me like an evil spirit, you bastard! Open your eyes!]
When Seo-jin didn't react despite her shouting several times, the maiden ghost went even further and started shouting even louder while spinning around Seo-jin as if dancing.
[Stop it, stop it~]
[If you don't stop, you'll die~]
At the continued frantic shouting and singing, Seo-jin slowly lifted only one eyelid and asked.
"You're not an evil spirit?"
[Of course not!]
The maiden ghost raised her eyebrows angrily and brought her face right up to Seo-jin's nose.
"Hmm."
Seo-jin stroked his chin and fell into thought for a moment.
'Well, even if I've been pushing myself recently, it's not to the point where I'd see ghosts.'
Then the being before his eyes wasn't an ordinary wandering ghost but some entity borrowing the form of a spirit.
Since this being only started appearing after opening the secret skill book to learn Primordial Unity Technique, it must be related to this martial art.
Seo-jin asked the maiden ghost in front of him.
"Are you perhaps a soul attached to the book?"
[Hmph. Speaking of this lady-]
The maiden ghost who was confidently about to introduce herself seemed about to say something, then trailed off with a deflated voice.
[Actually, I don't know well. I don't remember anything before being trapped in this book.]
"Hmm."
A ghost who doesn't remember her past. Very suspicious.
As suspicion crept into Seo-jin's eyes, the maiden ghost hurriedly continued.
[But one thing is certain! This lady is deeply connected to this supreme martial art, and I can safely and quickly teach it to you!]
"You're deeply connected to this skill?"
Seo-jin looked at the secret skill book spread on the bed.
'Hwangseokgong definitely spoke with nuance, suggesting I should take it quickly.'
He had also added that it might become a bit troublesome going forward.
This ghost before me is probably the 'troublesome thing' the old man mentioned.
'Well, it doesn't really matter anyway.'
If she says she can help with learning the skill, just chattering beside me is nothing.
"You seem to have a complicated past, so I won't pry further. Anyway, you can help me learn this skill?"
[That's right. But not right now. Look at your body's condition! What martial art are you going to learn in that state! Only after resting for several days and straightening out your disturbed energy will you be able to attempt entering Primordial Unity Technique.]
SWOOSH-.
The ghost moved to Seo-jin's opposite side and examined his body from various angles.
[Moreover, looking at your muscles and bones, you haven't properly practiced martial arts, let alone exercise. You do carry strange energy in your body, but you've probably never properly done energy circulation training. Attempting to enter Primordial Unity Technique in this state is suicidal. Even a clueless kid climbing a cliff would be safer than this. That's why this lady stopped you.]
'She stopped me from learning the skill to save my life.'
Seo-jin nodded.
"You're definitely not an evil spirit."
[Didn't I clearly say I wasn't earlier! With all this suspicion, really.]
Seo-jin looked at the maiden ghost who turned her head away as if sulking and muttered quietly.
"Unfortunately, I'm not in a situation where I can trust just anyone."
Seo-jin had lost his life being betrayed by those he trusted.
He couldn't know or trust who was ally or enemy.
If there was a clear enemy, it was only Ju Won-jae who had personally cut his throat. He'd have to figure out the rest gradually.
When Seo-jin closed his eyes without a word, the girl who read the atmosphere quietly shut her mouth.
[…….]
Seo-jin, who had been lost in sentiment for a moment, opened his mouth again.
"You don't need to read my mood. First, teach me the basic breathing method."
Though he was learning an internal energy cultivation method that was completely foreign to a mage's body, the essence of this was also circulating mana within the body.
For Seo-jin, who had been handling black magic by making mana flow in reverse, this was familiar work.
'Being able to make mana flow in reverse means I can also control it to flow in the right direction.'
Once he grasped the basics, he should be able to enter quickly.
However, there was one thing to be careful about.
'While mages operate mana with the Mana Heart in the middle dantian, martial artists and swordsmen circulate mana centered on the lower dantian.'
Handling these two dantians simultaneously was extremely difficult, so people with mixed professions like magic swordsmen were very rare.
Therefore, this 'Primordial Unity Technique' would also be a high-difficulty mental cultivation method that ordinary talent couldn't even attempt to learn.
But
'That only applies to ordinary people.'
Seo-jin had no doubt about himself.
No doubt that he couldn't learn Primordial Unity Technique.
Meanwhile, the maiden ghost who examined Seo-jin's body condition once more carefully said.
[Looking at you, it seems you've learned sorcery rather than martial arts. How strange that your upper dantian is developed like monks or demons. Moreover, you seem to have continued the crazy practice of circulating energy in reverse. It must be because of your middle dantian's ailment, right?]
The maiden ghost who saw through Seo-jin's body condition at once. Seo-jin asked her.
"Ghost, in your view, can I rebuild my lower dantian and harmonize it with my existing mana in my current state?"
[I'm not a ghost. And to answer your question, what you want aligns with Primordial Unity Technique's original intent. Of course it's possible!]
"Really?"
[That's right. I can straighten out your blood and energy twisted by energy reversal and control the darkness in your upper dantian. Ultimately, I should be able to alleviate your middle dantian's ailment too.]
"Indeed."
[But that's only theory. A beginner like you can't even attempt it. Moreover, you seem naturally unable to feel natural energy. Well, if you steadily build up strength following this lady's instructions, it might be possible in the distant future, but Primordial Unity Technique is originally a mental cultivation method that only supreme geniuses can enter.]
"That's fine. I'm a genius too."
[What?]
"Never mind, just explain it."
The girl sighed deeply and began explaining step by step.
[SIGH, fine. Then I'll teach you thoroughly from the basics. First, energy cultivation refers to a series of systems that smooth the flow of energy through the body. The human body is a microcosm, part of the primordial whole…….]
The girl explained the overview of energy circulation training, the location of each meridian point, and circulation methods in order.
[……When you simultaneously open the Janggang and Baekhe acupoints, you can be considered to have reached the true realm of a master. But that's no different from ordinary mental cultivation methods. Primordial Unity Technique's true goal lies in harmoniously fusing and simultaneously operating different energies within the body, and its ultimate goal is connecting the three dantians as one. That's why even its entry is an extremely difficult mental cultivation method.]
After understanding the maiden ghost's explanation while flipping through the book for a while, Seo-jin nodded.
'I roughly understand what it means.'
That Primordial Unity Technique was a secret skill mixing magic and martial arts was Choi Gang-hyeon's generous interpretation.
This mental cultivation method's original purpose was to save martial artists suffering from learning different internal energy cultivation methods simultaneously.
Applied to Seo-jin, this meant he could use Primordial Unity Technique to neutralize the reverse mana invading his entire body with mana from a newly formed lower dantian.
However, for this, he needed to create a new lower dantian within his body.
And he had to manage this new energy to harmonize with his upper dantian and neutralize black magic's side effects.
'It won't be easy.'
It wasn't for nothing that only supreme geniuses learned this.
Perhaps even that guy Choi Gang-hyeon honestly didn't lack need for this, but lacked confidence to learn it.
"Whew."
Seo-jin who sighed closed his eyes.
Then he operated the energy within his body according to the girl's explanation.
'The basics of energy breathing is accepting natural energy.'
In his previous life, Seo-jin couldn't even pass that basic stage due to cardiac vessel occlusion preventing him from sensing external mana.
But now it was different.
GURGLE-.
The Eye of Insight that popped out of Seo-jin's inventory and blinked its eyelids.
At that hideous appearance, the maiden ghost recoiled in horror.
[Wh-what is this ominous thing? Is it a monster's eyeball? And what are you doing now?]
"Entering Primordial Unity Technique."
As Seo-jin began energy circulation, the maiden ghost tried to stop him once again.
[Hey, you crazy bastard! Do you really want to die!]
"Go inside for a moment."
THUMP-.
When Seo-jin closed the book, the maiden ghost who had been shouting disappeared instantly.
'Now it's finally quiet.'
Her chattering was cute enough to tolerate, but too frantic.
From now on, Seo-jin needed to concentrate too.
"Whew-."
Having driven away the nuisance, Seo-jin sat comfortably in a lotus position as seen in the book and began mana operation.
'If I can't feel it, I'll see it with my eyes.'
Seo-jin opened the [Eye of Insight] and began operating his lower dantian while observing the flow of mana spread around him.
In his previous life, he had no martial talent and even had cardiac vessel occlusion, so he couldn't dare attempt developing his dantian.
But this time he had the Eye of Insight, so it should be possible.
SSSSS-.
Seo-jin who activated the Eye of Insight naturally breathed while observing inside his own body.
The movement of internal mana that he naturally learned while mastering black magic.
Having abused his body using himself as a test subject, Seo-jin was more sensitive to internal mana movement than anyone.
Unable to sense natural mana, he had instead become expert in internal mana flow.
'Is it here?'
Though the location where energy concentrated was slightly different from the mana circuits he usually used, once he started looking, it wasn't too difficult.
After all, blood vessels were just another name for mana circuits.
Seo-jin matched the tiny amount of mana he had absorbed through breathing with the meridian flow the maiden ghost had taught him earlier.
SSSSSS-
Energy flowing weakly through the blood vessels according to Seo-jin's will.
'Huieum (Perineum), Miryeo (Tailbone), Myeongmun (Life Gate), Hyeopchae (Spine), Okchim (Jade Pillow)-'
Seo-jin circulated this according to Primordial Unity Technique's energy circulation method.
Minute righteous energy began flowing through several blood vessels twisted due to cardiac vessel occlusion and reverse mana.
"Whew."
When he successfully completed one small heavenly circulation without losing the precarious energy that seemed ready to break at any moment, natural energy finally settled in Seo-jin's lower abdomen.
Warm energy spread from the lower dantian.
But there was energy interfering with this energy settling smoothly.
SIZZLE-.
The reverse mana remaining in Seo-jin's body suddenly began attacking the energy newly formed in his lower dantian.
"Ugh."
Energy arbitrarily traveling through blood vessels toward the lower dantian.
It was that reverse mana that had turned Seo-jin's arm black.
'Indeed.'
Containing two opposing energies in one body was difficult.
From now on could be considered the true entry into Primordial Unity Technique.
Seo-jin focused all his nerves and concentrated every sense on reading the energy within his body.
While protecting the lower dantian's energy as precarious as a candle flame, he continued adding strength to this energy through small heavenly circulation.
Simultaneously, he gradually brought this into contact with the fiercely rampaging reverse mana to neutralize each other.
SIZZLE-.
When each energy met and neutralized each other, achieving balance.
"GASP-."
Seo-jin blocked energy inflow from outside. Then he guided each energy to circulate through blood vessels together while protecting them from being neutralized.
Extremely delicate work at the level of making fire and ice coexist within the body without fusing with each other.
As two different energies flowed through blood vessels, his body alternately became cold and hot.
But Seo-jin gritted his teeth, held onto his consciousness, and continued circulating the energy.
Not letting the two energies neutralize and disappear, but harmoniously mixing and circulating them.
How much time had passed?
"PANT. PANT."
Bright dawn light was already shining through the window.
Seo-jin's body was completely soaked in sweat. His clothes were covered in sticky waste matter.
There was no more energy conflict or internal struggle.
Tranquility like a calm lake.
Seo-jin felt this pleasant quietude and took a deep breath.
SSSSS-
Air entering through his nose. And mana contained within it.
"Whew."
Ending with exhaling his last breath, Seo-jin slowly opened his eyes and spread the hands he had gathered at his lower dantian.
TING-.
Simultaneously, a notification window appeared before Seo-jin.
[You have successfully learned Primordial Unity Technique.]
[Secret Skill: Primordial Unity Technique LV.1]
[Purifiable mana amount: 12]
[Learning Primordial Palm is now possible.]
[Learning Primordial Step is now possible.]
[You have achieved the 'All Streams Return to Source' achievement.]
[You have gained Achievement Points.]
Seo-jin had succeeded in entering Primordial Unity Technique.
"Whew."
Seo-jin opened his eyes while taking a deep breath.
Clear spiritual light was flowing from his eyes.
Whether due to Primordial Unity Technique's effects, he felt his head had become clearer and his body lighter.
The load on the mana circuits that had turned Seo-jin's right arm black had also subsided, returning to its original healthy color.
'Good.'
Seo-jin smiled and clenched his fist.
How long had it been since he felt this refreshing feeling?
It was as if the dark clouds filling his mind had cleared and a ray of light was shining through.
After stabilizing his breathing, Seo-jin opened the skill book again.
Then the maiden ghost who had been frozen in the same state when covered suddenly popped out.
[Stop it…… huh?]
The maiden ghost who was about to stop him as before seeing the book opened her mouth wide upon seeing Seo-jin's condition.
The fierce reverse energy that had been swirling in his body had subsided, and gentle, pure energy had settled in his lower dantian, achieving harmonious balance.
[Wh-what is this?]
To the maiden ghost's question, Seo-jin answered calmly.
"What do you mean? I succeeded. Entering Primordial Unity Technique."
[Th-this crazy… What if your blood vessels had burst and you died!]
"I succeeded, so that's what matters. You're noisy."
Seo-jin asked the maiden ghost who continued nagging beside him.
"Anyway, thank you. Though you weren't much help."
[Gah, that's because you closed the book-]
Seo-jin interrupted the maiden ghost's words and asked quietly.
"I'm Lee Seo-jin. What should I call you from now on? I can't keep calling you a ghost, can I?"
Like it or not, they had formed a connection, so he couldn't keep treating her like baggage.
They should at least exchange names.
The maiden ghost was about to get angry at being called a ghost but gave up and said in a small voice.
[……Hyeon-wol (Dark Moon). Call me Hyeon-wol from now on.]
Seo-jin quietly recited the girl's name.
"Hyeon-wol, Dark Moon. A name that perfectly suits black magic."
After hearing the girl's name, Seo-jin closed the book again to rest.
He wanted to be alone for a while.
"I'll call you later. Go in and rest."
THUMP-.
However,
Even though he closed the Primordial Unity Technique skill book, the maiden ghost in front of him didn't disappear.
"What? Why aren't you disappearing?"
When Seo-jin tilted his head puzzled, Hyeon-wol shrugged and smiled.
[Why are you so surprised? The primordial energy settled in your dantian has become a terminal, so now I don't need to manifest through the book as a medium. Hehe.]
Hyeon-wol put her hands on her hips and puffed out her chest.
"Hey, this……."
[Please take care of me, Seo-jin.]