Chapter 473
Chapter 473
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 473
Chapter Title: Chakra (2)
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Like how a plant draws nutrients from the soil through its roots, it pulled in the inner ideal through the connection extended into the mental image.
That was the power of the derivative skill 「Roots of the Ideal」 that Hoon had awakened within his chakra.
Thanks to it, he could now borrow the inner landscapes of his other avatars whenever he wanted and use them as nourishment for his chakra.
It was like swapping out external hard drives loaded with data—he could now freely change the mental image that formed the foundation of his small universe.
This gave him a level of versatility comparable to other multi-chakra users.
And unlike them, who had to split their potential across multiple paths, he could fully utilize all of them, putting him at an incomparable advantage in terms of growth limits.
"...At least in theory."
A few hours after passing out from the aftermath of awakening his new ability.
Hoon stroked his chin with an ambiguous expression as he immediately checked his powers upon regaining consciousness.
Paah—
He looked down at his body, from which a faint silvery glow was emanating.
It was a pseudo-divine power recreated by borrowing the image of 'faith'—Saint Heinrich's inner mental image.
Thanks to it, his condition was improving rapidly, but...
"The output on this is seriously lacking."
The power was so feeble it couldn't even compare to what Heinrich wielded directly.
'Well, it's still better than nothing.'
Still, it fell short of his expectations—that much was clear.
This had nothing to do with Heinrich being the incarnation of fanaticism.
If anything, the issue lay with Hoon himself, the one operating the chakra.
'I've got plenty of resources, but I can't draw them out fully because my pulling power is too weak.'
In simple terms, it was due to his insufficient proficiency in his main chakra line, 'Communication'.
And that wasn't the only thing he needed to address.
"There's also significant loss during the dual manifestation of chakra. I'll need to figure out how to minimize that too."
He drew in another mental image using the communication manifested as chakra, then manifested chakra again using that image.
The more complex the intermediate process, the more efficiency dropped—it was only natural.
"...For the time being, directly slamming mental corruption into their heads like before might still be the most efficient. Good thing Communication has boosted my mental contact abilities just in time."
Of course, this was just a matter of time.
After all, Hoon had only just sprouted his chakra.
With bonuses like the Potion of Growth and others, any shortcomings would improve quickly enough.
His mental power—the most crucial factor for handling chakra—was already more than sufficient.
After that, Hoon continued demonstrating his chakra.
Blood droplets seeped from between his nails, painting the air; firefly-like specks of light danced around; thick darkness took the shape of a sword before vanishing with the wind.
"Alright, this should be good enough..."
Once he felt he'd grown somewhat accustomed to handling chakra,
Hoon stood before a certain door and took a small breath.
It was the room where Ramyu lay, still unconscious since crossing over to Sabacheon.
'Let's have a talk, Ramyu.'
When it came to maintaining a smooth relationship with a child, nothing was more important than communication.
Hoon, whose very purpose was that of a nanny,
now evolved one step further with his Communication chakra, stepped confidently into the room.
***
To cut to the chase,
His attempt to contact Ramyu's sleeping mind ended in failure.
'Still, I'd say at least half... no, a quarter of it was a success.'
He hadn't managed a direct conversation, but he'd pinpointed the root cause of the problem.
And as he'd half-expected, it wasn't something he could fix.
'A clash between her existing abilities and the newly granted ones. Untangling the messed-up energy flow and resetting the authorities...'
The Akasha System's awakening targets were limited to Earthlings.
It was tailored for those born on a mystery-less Earth, starting with near-blank slates.
Forcing it onto a native of this world via a loophole was bound to cause some issues.
'...I should've verified the risks more thoroughly before trying it. I got too hasty—my vision narrowed because I was desperate.'
The silver lining was that her condition wasn't severe.
He wasn't sure if it was natural or because Ramyu was special, but he could clearly feel it steadily improving over time.
'At this rate, she'll wake up in about a week.'
Including the time waited so far, that made roughly half a month.
With him here now, it wasn't an issue, but if she'd been alone, it would've been a terrifyingly long stretch.
'Still, better than it could have been... Waking up with a profit is a win, no doubt.'
A new unique skill, system-enhanced stats, growth bonuses for faster strengthening.
There had been a minor crisis, but long-term, it was all upsides.
The half-month spent here was less than two days on Earth—negligible time loss.
And Hoon hadn't wasted even that.
"My god... You're incredible. I heard your chakra awakening was unusually fast, but how long has it been since then? And you're already past the beginner stage."
A few days of daily chakra training.
Mac Morris, a Canadian youth Hoon encountered at the lodging prepared for Earthlings, clicked his tongue in amazement.
With his brown hair and burly build, he was a seventh-year awakener in Sabacheon, having stayed with the Yun family for two years.
"Tell me about it. I was proud of opening my chakra in two months... Guess this is real talent. Makes me feel inadequate."
Su Miyat Mun, a fifth-year from Myanmar standing beside him, chimed in.
These two were among the dozen or so Earthlings affiliated as guests with the Yun family.
"...If even Ms. Miyat, who's at the upper tiers nearing the deep layers, says that, what does that make me, still stuck in the lower tiers...?"
"Come on, Mr. Morris, you're a unique skill-based ability user, right? Aptitudes vary by person, so you can't judge solely by chakra realm. I hear your pure combat prowess rivals upper-tier attendants."
"Haha, you're too kind."
There were over ten Earthlings indebted to the Yun family, but only a few stayed at this lodging.
Even Hoon, who'd been here a while, had only met these two plus a couple others.
'The full support and hospitality for Earthlings isn't free.'
It didn't concern Hoon yet, but once they grew strong enough to fend for themselves, they were dispatched worldwide to assist the family per an implicit agreement.
It wasn't a bad deal for the Earthlings either.
To return home or grow stronger, they needed karma—and that required achievements of some kind.
Better to have a prestigious family's backing than head out blindly; mutual benefit.
"...By the way, Mr. Hoon, be careful. Anton's been acting off lately."
"Sigh, what does he think he's doing? Instead of uniting with fellow unfortunates, he's blinded by a woman."
"Well, I get it. He's been chasing Ms. Yun for years now."
Hoon hadn't run into them by chance.
They'd sought him out specifically to warn him.
"...I have no feelings for Ms. Yun Soso."
"That's beside the point. If anything, that might make him angrier. Getting all the attention he's chased for years in one go, after he got nothing..."
"And right after climbing to the upper tiers on a mission, strutting back proudly? Must've stung."
It all started with Yun Soso openly flirting with Hoon.
Anton, an Earthling who'd just finished a mission and come to see her, witnessed it.
The guy who'd trailed her devotedly for years.
'Ugh, no wonder he seemed prickly. After all that iron wall, this happens.'
Hoon couldn't help feeling wronged.
He'd been so careful not to give any openings, yet here he was, catching flak.
'These two won't stick their necks out either.'
Their ties were too shallow for that.
No point getting dragged into someone else's love spat and earning an upper-tier attendant's grudge.
Even coming to warn him was their version of goodwill.
'Maybe rumors of my growth speed too.'
But fast growth or not, he was just a lower-tier attendant now.
The world was full of ex-prodigies who ended up average; shunning someone who'd reached upper tiers over potential wasn't smart.
'Ah, not enough training time as is. Unnecessary friction is just a hassle...'
They judged him without knowing his flashy feats—like crippling several upper-tier attendants while rescuing kidnapped Yun Soso.
Had they known that secret incident (kept under wraps for the family's reputation), they'd have sided with him to curry favor.
But mere guests wouldn't be privy.
'Eh, no way. A guest won't cause real trouble within Yun family grounds.'
Yet as the ancient sages warned,
The unexpected was what got people.
"Hey, you."
The day after their warning,
The feared incident erupted in just one day.
"You, Hoon? Name's as obnoxious as your face. Makes me wanna crush your limbs right now."
Anton, the Belarusian giant nearing two meters, tattooed all over,
blocked Hoon's path after training, glaring with naked hostility, teeth bared.
"...Haa."
A sigh escaped involuntarily.
Honestly... he'd half-expected it.
No one lived purely rationally.
'Had a sliver of hope, though. Such a cliché pattern.'
Hoon eyed the hulking figure blocking him.
He'd been ranting nonstop, but Hoon tuned it out.
It was just provocation anyway.
"Ignoring me now?!"
Sensing it, Anton's face twisted as he bellowed.
He hated Hoon's nonchalant lack of fear despite all this.
But to Hoon, it was just annoying, whatever he said.
'...Actually, this could be an opportunity.'
A thought struck Hoon; he eyed Anton oddly.
He'd just reached upper tiers, but still—he was upper-tier.
Now that Hoon had chakra, sparring might yield insights unlike before.
'Could accelerate my chakra growth.'
No matter his rapid progress, entry-level lower-tier chakra couldn't beat him yet.
But Hoon didn't care.
If it went south, other means existed.
"...Pfft. Fine by me. Time to teach you a lesson properly."
Anton's lips twitched; his aura shifted.
The air's texture changed, gradually pressing down heavily from all sides.
Hoon narrowed his eyes at the force restricting his movements.
Gravity? Weight?
Countermeasures first, analysis later.
Faint haze rose from Hoon's body.
The 'Martial' borrowed from Heavenly Dragon Sword Hero Ha Seung-hoon extended through his limbs, resisting the crushing weight.
"Oh? Not bad for lower-tier. Then how about th—"
"What do you think you're doing here?!"
The building tension shattered at the sudden interjection.
They turned to see a frowning boy striding toward them.
A familiar face to Hoon.
And one Anton had seen several times during his long stay at Yun family.
"Tch!"
A displeased click from the boy.
The oppressive weight dissipated.
No matter how reckless, a guest couldn't manhandle the Yun family heir.
Especially with his fearsome sister who doted on the boy.
"Lucky you. We'll stop here. Know your place next time, or die quietly. If you don't wanna."
Anton spat that and vanished without waiting.
No point lingering now the mood was ruined.
"Y-You...! Hoo! You alright?"
Yun Soso, about to berate him, sighed shortly and eyed Hoon worriedly.
She knew his skills well, but they were based on aggressive mental waves, right?
Using that on a fellow affiliate was problematic, and hesitating might let him get hurt first.
"Me? Fine. More importantly, what's up? Thought you were busy training."
Hoon shrugged nonchalantly.
He didn't mind missing the rare live combat chance.
He could make more anytime.
"...Truth be told, I have a shameless request."
"Request?"
"The elders say wait longer, but... after you got dragged into that incident once, I can't just sit anxious. No one else to ask..."
"Hmm, tell me the details first."
At his casual demeanor, Yun Soso hesitated before answering.
"Sigh. Not long ago, Sister Lusette left for Hong Mountain Kingdom on a mission..."
"Hm."
"...went missing."
"What?"
The blunt core dumped mid-sentence.
It was the ripple that would shake decades of peace.