Immortal Breath of Sun and Moon

"Ding! = [Skill Name] Ding! [Skill Name] Daily Immortal Decree, Monthly Lunar Chant [Level] 1 Lv [Attribute] Composite [Type] Passive [Details] Exhaling strengthens physical abilities for a short time. (All stats except Charm +2 for 5 seconds) It also expels turbid energy from the body. This effect is amplified 1.5 times when the sun is up. Inhaling absorbs the natural energy of the world. It also sharpens the five senses. This effect is amplified 1.5 times when the moon is up. [Cooldown] ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠-

I read through the skill description carefully. And I reached one clear conclusion.

"…Is this effect even possible?"

"It's a breathing technique used by immortals, so of course it's powerful. Immortals may be half-gods, but gods are gods! …This skill is a rare one that can't be unlocked no matter what world you complete, you know?"

A breathing technique used by gods... It had utterly ridiculous performance.

All stats increase by 3 when the sun is up. Since you could finish one breath within 5 seconds most of the time, it was practically a permanent effect. Considering the hardship I'd gone through to raise even a single stat, this was unbelievable.

The 'qi' naturally present in the world clearly meant mana. I'd have to wait to know exactly how effective it was, but judging from the first effect, it was definitely top-tier.

The most exciting part was that this was just a level 1 skill. With so much room for growth, my expectations soared without limit.

"Satisfied?"

"…More than I could ever ask for."

"Hehe! I recommended this one! It was buried under other options, but the turbid energy expulsion effect seemed like it'd help you a ton, Chanyoung!"

"Turbid energy? My body has… turbid energy?"

"A ton of it! From a stimulating diet of only salty, spicy, greasy junk, irregular sleep flipping day and night, and a lazy lifestyle without breaking a sweat—20 years' worth piled up in that flesh!"

"In my defense, I didn't actually do any of that."

That dogshit Baek Hamin bastard. He'd left a massive pile of crap behind. That prick must be thrilled to get my clean, well-maintained body for free. I hoped he literally died of joy.

"I know that, obviously! But rooting out that turbid energy the normal way would take at least 40 years—double the 20. That's why I rolled up my sleeves and recommended it!"

"40 years… Damn, that's long. Yeah, it's exactly what I need."

"Oh! By the way, this skill was the reward you got after saying, 'I know I can interfere with the system, and my memory will be wiped soon. This is my first and last chance for systemic help, so I won't miss it. Give me a skill with both utility and rarity as compensation.' I handled the rest of the recommendations!"

"What? What did you just say? I didn't get that…?"

"Hmm… Yeah, too out there, huh… Anyway! Just take it!"

The system window vanished, and strength settled into my body. It was daytime with the sun high in the sky. I didn't need to check my status window to feel vitality coursing through me.

My vision and hearing feel sharper too…

My already good eyesight sharpened even more with the skill's power, making everything crystal clear. No joke—if my senses got just a bit stronger at night, I could pinpoint people's positions by sound alone with my eyes closed. Though it'd only work at close range.

"So… what happens if too much turbid energy builds up?"

"Hmm… On the surface, skin issues right away… but you get prone to minor illnesses, baldness hits, and… cough cough! S-sexual function can fail too… It's really bad!"

Anzelli blushed at saying 'sexual function,' her ears turning red as she fake-coughed. Normally, I'd savor that cute sight, but right now… it didn't register.

What the hell? Baldness? Did she just say baldness?

This is insane. Without this skill, I'd have crossed the point of no return.

Fantasy worlds probably had baldness cures somewhere, but I didn't want to spend my life hunting a needle in a desert. My life was too short for anything but enjoying fine women and a debauched existence. And impotence? I'd rather kill myself. Life without sex isn't life.

"I'm good now that I have the skill, right? Right?!"

"Uh? Y-yeah… You'll probably live far from baldness and… …Anyway! Yeah!"

Thank God. I was insanely grateful to Anzelli for recommending this.

"And finally, the third reward…"

"I've been expecting one thing, and since it hasn't come up yet, I'm guessing that's it?"

"Ooh! Really? What do you think? Guess!"

"—— — - — — —. Right?"

"Whoa! Amazing! You got it! How?!"

"Even before my memory wipe, this was bugging me."

This was why I'd suffered needlessly entering the Terraforming novel. No way I wanted to go through that twice, so it was a natural demand.

Why block stuff like this from the start…? Well, that's why the angels deemed it fair.

It wasn't helpful for growth right now, but it'd make the next novel way easier. Worth it.

*

Suuuup—

"Hoo—"

A leader's shoulders are always heavy. Too many people to be responsible for.

The crown weighs heavier in crisis. So it couldn't be helped.

The middle-aged man known as the Shelter leader—and affectionately 'Doctor'—couldn't quit smoking despite being responsible for every modern human dropped into this monster-ridden otherworld.

Suuuup—

Acrid smoke filled the Shelter leader's lungs, then exhaled in a deep breath.

"Hooo—"

Why do countless men keep sucking on cigarettes, knowing it ruins their bodies and costs a fortune?

The Shelter leader knew bone-deep.

Suuuuup——

"Haaaa——"

Those bearing burdens shouldn't sigh. A leader's anxiety spreads like contagion.

Those who carry must stand firm. That's why most family heads ban sighs.

"Mm…"

But with a cigarette in hand, it's different. For the short time until the ember falls… men are permitted sighs. They're not sighing—they're smoking.

Hundreds of millions worldwide hid this from wives, kids, followers. A truth the Shelter leader never knew five years ago… now etched in his soul.

Suuup—

"Cough! Cough cough cough!"

The long-forbidden smoke choked him. Yet his eyes never left the document stack amid endless coughing.

He flipped through past records rapidly.

Flip! Flip flip!

"Last month, 100. Month before, 100. Last year, 100. 100. 100 100…"

Thud! Back to the start.

"This month…… 101."

Suuuup——

"Hoooow…"

What was the cause? What did this mean?

Knock knock knock!

The knock shattered the room's silence. The Shelter leader stubbed out his cigarette, tugged his lips into a smile with both hands. His ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠tension couldn't spread. A leader must endure steadfastly for those below.

Deep breath, cleared throat, soft voice.

"Come in."

Creeeak…

"Good morning, Shelter leader."

"Call me Doctor."

"Ah, Doctor."

"Haha. No pressure. Whatever's comfortable."

He greeted the visitor with a gentle smile. One of his trusted secretaries. Thankfully genuine—the secretary smiled back.

"You asked me to check something yesterday?"

"Mm… Results? Nothing, as expected?"

"No, ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠there was one. Just once."

What?

His soft smile wavered in shock. Sorry, but he'd assigned it without real hope. Possibility too low—a mere formality.

His eyes widened automatically at the unexpected clue.

"Wh-where? Hand it over."

He stepped forward eagerly, snatched the document, scanned intently…

Flip!

"Seven years ago… 101…"

Seven years prior. A record of 101 transfers from Earth, just like this month.

*

"47 seconds. 48 seconds."

Only a day had passed, but his face felt like ages. Not welcome at all.

"53 seconds. 54 seconds."

Full rest on Earth, thorough prep stretches—body tensed. Hellish training awaited upon entry, obviously.

"59 seconds. Rest over! Oh? You look better."

"…Optical illusion?"

Damn sharp-eyed baldy. How many days now? Day one two three four… Fourth? Not many left.

First major chapter of Terraforming. To prepare… needed more karma, even a little.

"Rest's over, I said! What're you doing? Get up!"

"Yes sir!"

"Good! Next event…"

*

Yes! Not seeing things!

I closed my eyes for meditation—lotus position, rhythmic breaths.

"Huuuup! Hoooow…"

Deep inhales, exhales. Thirty minutes straight.

Snoooore…

"Huuuup!"

ring!

Finally!

Somehow lotus on my fat thighs. But legs going numb, so the message was a relief.

"Status window."

ring! =

Nice!

Eyes closed, I focused on the inner 'mana.' Easy to find now it was mine. Tiny as a sugar grain, light… but the most fun toy ever.

Gather enough, and magic like in games/movies. Plus, full day training bumped Vitality too. Two points today by Terraforming time. Saved 200 karma.

Training's not bad at this rate?

Visible growth fueled motivation. Status window's true value.

And… 5000 karma tomorrow for sure. Shortfall under 1000.

Snoooore…

Tomorrow couldn't come soon enough. I lay away from snoring Brack, closed eyes—sleep rushed in.

…

"Huh…"

"Mana increases on inhale… even during sleep?"

What kind of broken skill is this? No complaints, obviously.