Flame Manifestation
A brilliant flash!
Woo-gang's eyes snapped open, and he bolted upright.
His trembling gaze slowly scanned the surroundings.
Everything was quiet.
Nearby, Si-woo sat cross-legged, deep in meditation.
What happened?
He couldn't remember anything after the last stone he'd deflected underwater.
He had no idea what had happened to him or what events had unfolded.
Woo-gang examined his arms and body carefully.
Looks like nothing major.
He didn't even realize he'd lost consciousness underwater.
Maybe that was for the best.
He still had to keep diving in for training—knowing about it might breed fear.
Woo-gang twisted his body while seated.
No major injuries, but sharp stabs of pain accompanied every movement.
His body screamed for rest, but Woo-gang had no intention of giving in.
As if this were his one and only path to survival, his mind was consumed with thoughts of training.
"Awake, are you?"
Si-woo, finishing his meditation, spoke softly.
For the first time in ages, warmth filled the eyes he turned on Woo-gang.
Just like when he'd first taken the boy as his grandson.
Si-woo unfolded his legs and sat down beside him.
"Feels hopeless, doesn't it?"
"Honestly, yeah—a lot."
Si-woo stroked Woo-gang's head at the frank reply.
"Must be frustrating, no clear guidance from me. Maybe even resentment."
"No resentment."
Si-woo chuckled softly at the response.
"To keep from shaking, you need a solid center. Martial arts are no different. What is the center of martial arts?"
Hyeoncheon Yeolhwa Singong."
"Right. The heart method is that center. Don't focus only on the movements. You've drilled them enough—the forms are perfect by now."
Woo-gang listened intently to Si-woo's words.
Since training began, Si-woo had never once offered direct instruction. This was a rare moment.
"The answer lies in the heart method. Enlightenment might come during normal practice or underwater. Just keep Hyeoncheon Yeolhwa Singong at the center of your mind."
"Yes."
Woo-gang's tone brightened a little.
Not a crystal-clear solution.
But narrowing his focus like this already eased his mind.
Woo-gang rose quietly.
He could rest, but right now, he couldn't hold back from training.
He plunged back into the water.
The murky pressure and raging currents greeted him immediately.
Stones rode the whirlpool, flying freely as if waiting for him.
Woo-gang channeled his qi and sank to the bottom.
His feet stuck firmly to the pool floor; he twisted them to bury into the sand.
With both feet anchored, the shaking lessened.
Shuuuuk! Shuuuuk!
Stones flew in from all directions.
Woo-gang focused more on his qi flow, swinging his staff desperately.
Thung! Thung! Thung!
He deflected them one after another.
Sometimes, a stone he struck collided with another incoming one, averting crisis.
Woo-gang heightened his concentration to the max.
Stones came from everywhere—not just ahead—so he couldn't lose focus on his rear.
Chwaaak!
He pivoted on one leg.
Thung!
He smacked a stone from behind, then twisted again.
Shuuuuk!
A stone whistled past where his head had been.
It could've grazed his cheek perfectly, but Woo-gang showed no panic.
He flowed seamlessly into the next motion, swinging again.
But his response lagged slightly; the stone slipped past the staff toward him.
Chwaaaak!
He reversed the swing.
The staff's lower end, aimed downward, flipped up and knocked the stone away just before his face.
Thung! Thud!
The deflected stone slammed into the pool wall.
Woo-gang grimaced, having averted the threat.
In the haste, another stone had grazed his side.
A hefty one that could've caused serious injury if it hit square.
The pain choked his breath momentarily, but he swung again.
Thung! Thung! Thung!
His staff repelled stones in succession.
The whirlpool's stones, unwilling to yield, surged fiercer toward him.
Hup!
Just then, as their assault intensified, his breath faltered.
Tension crept into his body; staff swings lost precision.
Paak! Paak!
More stones struck true.
Woo-gang hurriedly directed qi to his lungs.
He could surface, but he refused.
He wanted to endure, to conquer this.
Qi bolstering his lungs eased breath-holding.
But concentrating it there slowed his swings and sapped power.
Thung! Paak!
Deflect, strike, repeat.
The makeshift fix for breathing soon hit its limit.
Cornered in extremity, Woo-gang's focus sharpened further.
Short breath narrowed his vision.
Yet astonishingly, concentration deepened; deflections grew precise.
Mind fading, body moving on instinct.
Finally, Woo-gang reached his limit.
The thread of consciousness fraying.
Thung! Thung! Thung!
His staff repelled stones relentlessly.
Thud! Thud! Thud!
Deflected stones embedded in the walls.
No respite; swings flawless.
Woo-gang swung in a trance.
Like the thrust, qi extended through his body, racing along waist and arms to converge on the staff.
Booom!
Shwaaaaa!
Suddenly, an explosion rocked the pool—a massive waterspout erupted.
Platter-platter-platter!
Water that had struck the high cave ceiling rained down like a storm.
Stones flung skyward pelted back like hail.
Thak! Thak! Thak!
Some splashed back into the pool; Woo-gang deflected them.
Swoosh.
Si-woo had approached the pool's edge unnoticed.
His expression unchanged, he peered down.
The water had drained almost entirely, lapping at Woo-gang's knees.
Woo-gang stood frozen in his final swing.
Half-dazed.
The same sensation as the thrust breakthrough.
No—stronger, permeating his whole body.
Something greater stirred; vibrant, potent energy rampaged within.
He relaxed the form and looked up at Si-woo.
Si-woo knelt, extending a hand.
Woo-gang grabbed it and climbed out.
He slowly scanned around.
Nothing had changed.
Yet everything felt different.
His vision seemed broader; the cave far narrower than before.
Having crossed one wall, he now sensed a wider range, more keenly.
Senses evolved to encompass more at once.
Woo-gang moved away from the pool to open space.
Then swung his staff as underwater.
Whoosh! Whoosh!
Powerful echoes filled the chamber.
Form impeccable; power and speed flawless.
He himself felt the change vividly.
No words from Si-woo needed—he knew he'd mastered the swing.
"Hoo…."
Woo-gang halted.
Si-woo approached.
"Congratulations. You've entered the Yeom-yeon stage of Hyeoncheon Yeolhwa Singong."
He skipped the swing; Woo-gang's face said he already knew.
"Is it over now?"
"Yes. Swing training is complete."
A faint smile crossed Woo-gang's lips at Si-woo's words.
It had been grueling, but reaching this point filled his heart.
He suppressed the swell and eyed the third pool.
One left.
Half excitement, half dread for what trials awaited.
"Not yet. Training here is done."
Woo-gang looked at him quizzically.
"The third pool's secret will reveal itself in time. Don't dwell on it now."
"Yes."
His gaze lingered briefly on the third pool anyway.
"We'll leave in a few days. Recover fully by then."
"Yes. I will."
Woo-gang replied briskly.
The cave's harsh training was finally over.
Three years since arrival.
For days, Woo-gang focused on recovery.
He soaked in the first pool, experiencing his evolved qi volume and effects firsthand through meditation.
Entering Seonul had been wondrous.
Now, it was awe-inspiring.
Strength surged through him; senses awakened fully.
Vision, hearing, even smell sharpened.
Muscle power, agility—key to martial arts—all elevated a level.
Woo-gang marveled at the incredibility of martial arts, stepping into a new world.
Departure day dawned.
Si-woo ventured out early, returning with food.
Woo-gang's eyes lit up—three years sustained on wall-grain pills alone.
How long since he'd smelled real food?
His gaze locked on Si-woo's hands until the meal hit the ground.
"Eat. Reward for your hardships."
"Thank you. I'll dig in."
Woo-gang shoveled it in.
The flavors exploding in his mouth brought a rare radiant smile to his inexpressive face.
Si-woo watched impassively, occasionally pouring tea to prevent overstuffing.
Woo-gang devoured relentlessly.
Despite the generous portion, it vanished quickly.
"No one's stealing it—slow down."
"It just happens."
Si-woo couldn't help but chuckle.
Enough for two, gone in one meal's time by Woo-gang alone.
Finished, Woo-gang stared blankly upward.
Thinking back, he had no memory of savoring food since childhood.
Even now, gulped after gulp, but worlds better than before.
First time eating not just to survive.
"Done? Prepare now. Get dressed. It's cold outside. Winter's closing in."
"Ah…."
Woo-gang hurried into clothes.
Three years naked in the cave; no outings, no sense of seasons.
Clothes felt awkward after so long.
Soon, he emerged with Si-woo.
Cool, crisp wind buffeted his face.
Qi buffered the chill.
"Let's go. Places to visit—must hurry. Remember this place well. We'll return someday."
"Yes."
Woo-gang intuited it tied to the third pool.
He turned, memorizing the entrance.
Whenever the return, he'd never forget.