The Chain's Insatiable Hunger
"What the—?!"
Adel startled, shouting as the Mukhon Chain suddenly coiled around his wrist.
Hwuaaaak…!
In that instant, the ring-like loop at the chain's end, resting over his wrist, began glowing red-hot, like molten iron.
Chiiik—!
"Kuk!"
Adel grimaced, exhaling sharply at the pain, as if his flesh were being seared with a branding iron.
Chwaruruk…!
Chilkeok…!
The chain slithered up his arm from his wrist like a living serpent, tightening around his limb as if intent on devouring his entire body, even reaching for his throat.
Wooong…!
At that moment, Adel summoned his divine power.
"This thing…!"
He gritted his teeth, pushing back against the chain. But it resisted his divine power, squeezing his wrist even tighter. Clenching his jaw harder, he poured in more divine force. As it surged through his two divine bloodlines, the mana connected via his Spirit Axis began to react.
Chijik…!
Chijijik…!
Surprisingly, Adel's mana raced through his veins and touched the chain. The rampaging Mukhon unraveled from his arm with a chwaruruk! sound, recoiling back to loop only around his wrist.
"Hoo, hoo…."
Having held his breath through the sudden assault, Adel finally exhaled.
"…Damn it, what kind of artifact is this?"
Kalderet lifted a front paw toward the chain wrapped around Adel's wrist.
Teurik…!
Shak!
The chain shot out like an arrow, spiraling as if to seize his paw.
Pang—!
Kalderet swatted the chain's end away. It clattered to the ground with a resounding clang, but the part around Adel's wrist remained firmly bound.
He pinned the fallen end under his paw, and it writhed wildly.
Chiiiik…!
Emitting scorching heat, it struggled to escape his grip. Kalderet pressed down harder, as if incredulous.
"…It won't come off."
Adel tried severing the chain, but it clung to him like an extension of his own body.
"If it attacked because it reacted to my divine power, why won't it let go?"
"Hm."
At Kalderet's words, Adel infused mana instead of divine power. The Mukhon Chain slipped free from Kalderet's paw and snugly wrapped around his arm, as if nothing had happened.
"…What a troublesome thing to latch onto."
Adel stared at the chain encircling his arm, looking perplexed.
"Artifacts that grow?"
"Hmm…."
"Now that's intriguing."
Chwaruruk…!
Adel flicked his wrist lightly, and the Mukhon slid into his robe sleeve.
"Everything."
"I had my suspicions, but it seems the Mukhon has indeed accepted you as its master."
"Not sure if it's seeing me as master or prey… but for now, we're stuck together."
Adel pulled back his robe sleeve to reveal his wrist as he spoke to Krishan Samakal.
"What about the others?"
"Still browsing, it seems."
"The North Sea Repository holds only treasures of immense value. Choosing won't be easy."
Krishan smiled faintly at Adel's words.
"Thanks to that, I get to spend time with you. Follow me."
"Pardon?"
"I'll share the essence I've comprehended with you."
Adel had thought it mere politeness at first, but realizing her sincerity, he couldn't hide his surprise.
"But I haven't even learned Bi-Gung swordsmanship yet…."
"My insights have nothing to do with that sword art specifically. As you may have heard, the essence of Bi-Gung swordsmanship is known to all in the Ice Palace."
She stated it proudly.
"It doesn't matter if North Sea swordsmanship spreads elsewhere. Without grasping its depths, it's inferior to the Sword Assembly's Continental Swordsmanship."
With such confidence, Bi-Gung swordsmanship must truly be profound.
Her words only piqued Adel's interest further.
"My insights are but one path. Even if I tell you, they mean nothing without your own realization."
Adel nodded at her words.
"But are you sure? I heard you've been poisoned by the snow mountain's demonic qi…."
"Even without a god's blessing, I'm not so weak as to crumble to this much demonic qi."
"Of course. Once Kiransha descends, you'll achieve even greater heights."
"Karin, Daran. You come too."
"Us as well?"
"You two practice the same Bi-Gung swordsmanship, yet interpret it differently—as if wielding distinct arts. Your insights will differ accordingly."
Daran's eyes trembled at her words.
"Mother. I'm not sure I qualify. I failed to embrace Bi-Gung's fluidity and relied on chain sword… I doubt I can comprehend the essence…."
"Then abandon the chain sword. Or swordsmanship altogether."
"…!!!"
Daran's eyes widened in shock.
"Bi-Gung was a world for women alone. The path you chose as a child was survival. I've always felt sorry toward you for that."
"Mother…."
Daran bowed his head.
"I'll wait here."
"Why?"
"My body hasn't fully recovered from the Abyssal contract. And… as you said, if I abandon chain sword, I'll learn the blade on my own, beyond Bi-Gung's teachings."
"So you've been waiting for me to say that. Firming your resolve the moment I speak."
"My apologies."
Krishan patted Daran's shoulder lightly, as if it were fine.
"Very well."
Adel and Karin followed behind her.
"It's been forty years since I began practicing Bi-Gung swordsmanship. All that time, I believed I'd pierced the essence handed down by my predecessors."
Charreung—
Krishan Samakal drew her sword. Thinner and more translucent than Karin's, it seemed bladeless without the light's gleam. It was one of the North Sea's three great treasures, the Serrated Thorn.
Paat—!
In that instant, the air shifted.
Indeed… It feels like I'm gazing at the sword itself. This is the sword aura of Bi-Gungju, rivaling the Sword Assembly's leader and one of the Eight Armies, the True Dragon.
Gulp.
Adel swallowed dryly without realizing.
Of course, in terms of raw strength, Adel—with Kalderet's blessing and without Kiransha—wouldn't easily yield to her. Yet her power, unyielding to high god contractors without any blessing of her own, was essential strength.
Without Kalderet's power, could I overpower her with my own might alone?
Feeling the shifted atmosphere, Adel was certain it wouldn't be easy.
"Karin, come forward."
At Krishan's command, Karin stepped to the training ground's edge, her face tense.
Mother intends to teach him through me.
Karin instantly grasped her intent.
But I can't go down easy.
This wasn't mere demonstration; she too sought insights here. Tense, she drew her sword.
Hwuaaaak…!
Pure white ice formed around her blade. The thin sword thickened gradually, her tiara turning snow-white. A faint silhouette of Muenel loomed behind her.
She's going all out.
Adel nodded. With the vast gap in skill, dragging it out would only hurt Karin.
Chaeng!
Chaaang!
Chajajang—!
Karin charged at Bi-Gungju first. Swords clashed thunderously, her assault seemingly cornering Krishan.
Hwiik…!
But against Karin's fierce barrage, Krishan's arm flowed fluidly, deflecting every strike.
Chaeng! Chaeng!
Tadaang!
Kakakaang—!
Their blades met ceaselessly, hundreds of sparks erupting from the icy edges.
"Excellent. You've made progress, focusing on beast hunts."
"You're too kind. Even with snow mountain demonic qi lingering, you're holding back against me, Mother."
They praised each other, but anyone could see Bi-Gungju's dominance. Karin's area was scarred with footprints, while Krishan's stood pristine.
She hasn't moved a single step. Even using Muenel's power, this is impressive. Fitting of Bi-Gungju.
"Hoo…."
Karin gritted her teeth. Muenel's aura surged fiercer; Adel recognized it as her ultimate technique.
Not quite perfected yet.
It differed slightly from his memories, but her presence was formidable.
"Kraaa—!"
Karin lunged forward.
Kang!
But her sword was blocked. She twisted, aiming for a blind spot.
Kang!
Blocked again.
"Watch closely."
Then it happened. With a low murmur, Bi-Gungju counterattacked for the first time.
Hoowooong—!
Despite its slender form, her swing unleashed a roar like a massive tree trunk whipping through the air.
"Kuk?!"
Karin twisted away hastily.
…Hm?
Adel sensed something off in that moment. Even if her ultimate wasn't complete, the Karin he remembered never halted a thrust midway.
Her body staggered, rolling across the ground after the sudden pivot.
Chwaaaak…!
A normal swordsman would have face-planted, but Karin jammed her scabbard into the dirt, using it as a pivot to slide and redirect.
Kagagang!
Karin thrust with all her might.
Tuk—
It happened in a flash. Karin had attacked, yet as the dust settled, her sword lay discarded far away. Bi-Gungju's blade hovered at her throat.
"…Thank you for the lesson."
"Was it helpful?"
But Karin couldn't answer easily.
Fair enough. She doesn't even know how she lost yet. But reviewing this bout later, she'll realize.
Adel watched her, lost in thought.
This is a golden opportunity. Unlike his previous life, Bi-Gungju lives, so Karin gains new growth. She'll advance another step soon.
Adel patted her heaving shoulders and handed her a water bottle.
"Good work."
Karin gave a wry smile, shrugging at his comfort.
"Haien has keen eyes. That's why he gathers talented children."
Krishan regarded Adel as he approached.
"But the White Ghost I know isn't one to kindly instruct his offspring."
"True. I never received proper guidance from Father."
"Without formal training, gaining insights from another won't be easy."
Adel nodded.
"Thank you for your consideration, Bi-Gungju. Rather than teaching me directly, you used the young palace lord to impart realization."
"Sharp as ever."
She replied with satisfaction.
"You've learned everything on your own thus far, so grasping the essence this way suits you. But don't rush. It takes ages."
"In that vein, may I request a bout?"
Surprise flickered across Krishan's face at Adel's words.
"…What?"
"Watching your duel sparked something, just as you said."
From seeing it once…?
Krishan let out an incredulous chuckle.