NOVEL NEXT Chapter 68
I washed the acquired Yodan clean. Its color was a deep green. It was similar to the Goblin’s Yodan but this one was darker. As I touched it, I could feel some kind of energy radiating from it.
Is it a bad energy?
No, green is a good color. Just look at our Green Bean General. If I eat this, my inner power will become even stronger.
I put the Yodan in my pocket and headed towards the cave when, coincidentally, two people walked out.
Dragging a corpse.
“It hasn’t been long since they died. They might have killed them after hearing we were coming.”
“…”
“It looks like they have been through some rough times for quite a while. Truly horrifying.”
The woman we intended to rescue was already dead.
Realizing this made me bow my head in silence.
“I’ll give her a proper burial. Just wait a moment.”
“I’ll help.”
“I will assist.”
“…Let’s do that.”
We quickly dealt with the corpse and began the funeral rites. Since the priestess Hayoung was with us, it wasn’t difficult. After giving an unnamed woman her farewell, we set up a gravestone.
“The aftertaste is bitter. I wish we could have saved her.”
It was good that we had wiped out the Hadongs and secured the Yodan, but the ending wasn’t pleasant.
“It’s something we couldn’t avoid. It wasn’t possible to prevent it.”
“Yeah. I suppose it is what it is.”
Still, I couldn’t shake off the uncomfortable feeling in my heart.
“Why the long face? If you dwell on every single thing like this, you won’t last long. Come on! Show me the Yodan you collected!”
Hayoung spoke loudly, trying to lighten the mood.
The dead are dead, and the living are living.
Let’s focus on what we must do.
“This is it.”
I pulled out the Yodan.
“Wow… No matter how many times I see it, it’s amazing. If I were to eat this, I would immediately vomit blood and lose control. But Geunhyeop can handle it.”
“I can eat it.”
I can eat this.
“Let me see it.”
Hayoung picked up the Yodan with her thumb and index finger and began to observe it closely.
“Yodan is indeed Yodan. So, are you going to eat it right away?”
“Of course.”
“But isn’t this place a bit unsuitable? We’ve wrapped things up, so we can take our time somewhere safer.”
That wasn’t a wrong suggestion.
“I don’t mind either way. Then let’s tidy up and head down. We should gather some loot.”
“Ah, are you thinking of taking the byproducts of the demons?”
“Of course! You seem to be an expert in this field, Hayoung. Do these guys’ shells sell for anything?”
“You’re so meticulous. Beaks, webbed feet, shells. These can be collected. They sell.”
“Oh!”
We immediately searched through the Hadongs’ corpses.
However, they were mostly burned and chopped up, so their conditions weren’t great. Nevertheless, I found a few that looked acceptable and gathered the beaks, webbed feet, and shells.
“Wow.”
I discovered a relatively small Hadong corpse.
The shell was just the right size to cover an arm. I wonder if I can turn this into some kind of shield for my forearm?
This should be given to Jaemi Son. Since he uses a spear-like weapon, a forearm shield would suit him perfectly.
After gathering everything worthwhile, I quickly made a makeshift carrying frame.
“Let’s go!”
We had wiped out all the Hadongs that occupied the stream. For a while, they shouldn’t show up again. Thinking we had achieved something grand made my heart swell with pride.
However, over time, they would eventually recover. Hadongs would show up again, and women would likely be kidnapped again.
As long as demons exist, this tragedy will continue.
I will cut off that tragedy with my sword.
—
* * *
We arrived at the cave where we first set up.
Here, we can rest and consume the Yodan. After clearing away the corpse of the Hadong we killed earlier, we started a fire and had a simple meal.
“I’ve exhausted my energy, so please perform your breathing exercises first. Elixirs are best absorbed when the mind and body are stable.”
“Yes, Master.”
Following Serin’s instructions, I executed the breathing technique.
—Hooou.
Using the Cold Mind Technique, I replenished the energy I had drained. My inner power began to recover bit by bit.
Even though my energy was nearly depleted after using the Spirit Strike, as I used the breathing exercises, I felt like I was in better condition than before. My energy consumption seemed to have improved a little. Perhaps more than one-tenth of it remained.
Could it be that it grows the more I use it…?
If that’s the case, it might become possible to use the Spirit Strike twice in a row someday!
“Hah.”
I finished the breathing exercises and opened my eyes.
Both of the women seemed to have been resting, and as I stood up, they both rose as well.
“Geunhyeop. Are you feeling better?”
“Yeah. Other than my energy being drained, I’m perfectly fine. My stamina is all restored.”
“That’s a relief.”
“Shall I test it out?”
I rose from my seat and grabbed my sword.
“Go ahead.”
Hayoung said.
“Okay.”
I focused my stance and released my energy.
—Sshhhh.
A purple aura enveloped the sword. It was a perfect success. Now, I can release this energy whenever I want.
My achievement has deepened this much.
“Oh.”
“Impressive.”
Serin and Hayoung nodded their heads.
“I can definitely feel it. This feels a bit different from the Yodan energy.”
“Different?”
“Yeah, but it doesn’t feel like the inner power of a martial artist. So, for the sake of distinction, shall we call it the Spirit Energy?”
“Spirit Energy!”
Cool, right!
“Sounds great! Let’s stick with that! It’s definitely distinct from Yodan and inner power!”
“Hmmm… But doesn’t it sound ominous with ‘Spirit’ in it?”
Serin complained slightly, but it has style!
“But calling it Spirit Energy sounds cool.”
“That’s quite devilish of you, Geunhyeop. Wouldn’t a different name be better?”
“Devilish, huh? That’s a fair point, but I don’t really care about it. The important thing is that I’ll use this power correctly.”
“Ah.”
Serin opened her mouth upon hearing my words.
“I made a mistake. You’re right. The name isn’t what matters. What’s important is the righteousness and trust that resides in Geunhyeop’s heart.”
“Haha, exactly. That’s it, Serin.”
I placed my hand on Serin’s head as a sign of praise.
“Well then, let’s say Spirit Energy is settled; shall we begin?”
“Let’s start slowly.”
I picked up the Yodan.
“You’re very special. You are born with a constitution unknown to the Martial Arts World. You’ll absorb the energy from the Yodan, build pure inner power, and release it as Spirit Energy.”
“Right.”
“Now, what do you think will happen if you eat the Hadong’s Yodan in that state? If there’s any change, we should explore that possibility.”
“That’s up to you, Hayoung. I’m counting on you.”
“Got it! Trust the priestess!”
I sat down.
“Geunhyeop. Please keep your mind relaxed. You need to stabilize your thoughts while absorbing the elixir.”
Serin advised.
“I’ll be focusing so well that no need to worry thinking about your face.”
“Wouldn’t you end up being nervous over that?”
“Maybe so!”
Then let’s eat the Yodan!
“Ugh!”
Slowly.
I placed the Yodan in my mouth and rolled it on my tongue to dissolve it. Just like before, the Yodan melted away as if it were a lie, sending its energy down my throat.
Feeling the energy traveling down my esophagus, I carefully began the process of opening my lower dantian to receive the new energy.
—Hooou.
As I operated the Cold Mind Technique, the inner energy began to circulate throughout my body. In that state, I gingerly accepted the energy from the Yodan that had settled down at the dantian.
—Ssssss.
New inner energy began to accumulate in my lower dantian. The process was extremely stable. Honestly, it should be. It’s just that someone who’s eaten the Yodan before would know how to eat it properly; it wouldn’t be strange to have weird things happen here.
I completely absorbed the Yodan.
Still…
—Splat.
While meditating and absorbing the Yodan, I felt a somewhat blurry mental image. What I saw was… something blue spread out. Was it water? Could it be the Hadong Yodan showing a stream or river?
In my mental image, I was swimming and moving in that stream.
What should I say, it was a meaning I couldn’t grasp. However, I instinctively sensed that for a martial artist, a mental image is something very important and connected to enlightenment.
I imagined myself holding a sword and recalled the Hadong’s characteristics. If I can absorb energy from the Yodan, could I also absorb the power of the demons contained within it?
My consciousness began to slowly settle.
—
* * *
When I opened my eyes, the entire world was flesh-colored.
Moreover, my body felt warm.
“Huh?”
I noticed that Serin was holding me, embracing me like a protective cocoon.
“Oh, you’re awake?”
“No, Serin! What is this?!”
As I suddenly got up, Serin also slowly rose.
“I thought the temperature had dropped, so I held you close. You slept really well. Was it warm?”
Serin spoke with a mischievous smile, teasing me. Being looked at like that made me feel incredibly embarrassed.
“Come on… No matter what, I’m a grown man. Having a girl like you hold me is tough.”
“Huh? What’s so tough about it? Is it because of the Yang energy?”
“I don’t know!”
“Hmm, it’s fine, isn’t it?”
But where is Hayoung?
Oh.
She’s sleeping behind me.
So we all three fell asleep next to each other? There’s nothing more luxurious than this. Sleeping with two martial arts beauties on either side.
“Mmm… What’s going on? Are you awake? I put you to sleep while you were meditating.”
“Thanks. You even made space for me after I fell asleep.”
—Tap tap.
Even though it was nighttime, the campfire was burning brightly in front, so it wasn’t too cold. Plus, since we were inside a cave, it was a little less chilly. The ground was covered with bedding, and there were blankets, so it felt more like camping than a rough night out.
“It’s the least I could do.”
Hayoung began to tidy up the blankets.
“Hmmm. Now that Geunhyeop is awake, while it’s a bit late, shall we check the results of the Yodan consumption?”
“Well, okay. I have to conduct experiments anyway. You, come sit down.”
“Sure.”
Is it testing time now?
I quickly sat cross-legged.
“Do you feel anything new?”
“I’ll check.”
As I performed the breathing exercises, I tried to feel it out.
“Oh. The amount of inner power has increased.”
“Any other feelings?”
“For now, I’m not sure.”
“Think carefully. Didn’t you say the Yodan from Madunachal made your Yang energy stronger? Since you ate Hadong’s as well, there could be some effects from that too.”
Indeed.
It was very clear that my Yang energy had strengthened after consuming Madunachal’s Yodan.
Of course, the Hadong leader wouldn’t be stronger than Madunachal, and in reality, they couldn’t really be compared. But at least he should be stronger than I am. Therefore, it’s likely that some change would be expected.
Speaking of…
“I saw a mental image…”
“You saw a mental image? Please elaborate.”
At the mention of the mental image, Serin, being a martial artist, immediately responded.
“Um. It was a mental image of swimming in a vast river. I sensed it as I absorbed the Hadong’s Yodan.”
“Swimming, huh… Ah, could it be?”
“Hmm?”
“Perhaps Geunhyeop may swim even better now.”
Swimming, you say?
“Isn’t that so? The Hadongs are water demons, and they’re quite good at swimming. You mentioned you felt a mental image of swimming, so there might be a chance for that effect as well.”
“Exactly!”
That’s it!
“Sounds convincing! Then I want to swim!”
“Night swimming is prohibited. Let’s try it in the morning.”
“Ah, that makes sense.”
But I suddenly felt an overwhelming desire.
Could it be that I’ve gained confidence in swimming?
I can do this.
“Wait a second. Didn’t the Hadong have elongated limbs? Could it be that I’ll become stretched as well!”
—Pshhh!
Filled with a slight expectation, I threw a punch, but as expected, my arms didn’t stretch.
“Hahaha! What are you even punching for? Did you truly think you would stretch your limbs!”
“Geez… Guess it doesn’t work.”
“Of course it doesn’t! There’s no way your limbs would stretch!”
Hayoung laughed heartily and then spoke.
“Hey! If the Hadong’s characteristics are manifesting, wouldn’t it be more related to that aspect instead?”
“That aspect? What else could there be?”
“Are you pretending to be clueless? Do you remember what filthy things the Hadongs said earlier? Those guys are just perverts.”
What does that have to do with their characteristics?
—Wham!
Suddenly, Hayoung approached me and whispered in my ear.
“Don’t you feel any lewd urges, like wanting to open a woman’s… you know, hole? Just like the Hadongs mentioned?”
“Of course not! What kind of nonsense is that!”
“What exactly are you saying, you Fiery Lotus!”
Both I and Serin cried out in shock!
“Cough, I’m just saying. Since I became stronger due to Madunachal, you’ve been standing erect all the time, right? So it might be possible, no?”
“There’s no way that’s true, you ruffian!”
I shouted in embarrassment.
“…”
Serin’s reaction seemed strange.
She was avoiding my gaze as if she had realized something, biting her lip, and her face was turning red.
This is troubling.
“Se, Serin? No way… You’re not having such weird thoughts, are you?”
“Geunhyeop.”
Serin looked at me.
“Do you really… feel those urges? Like wanting to open a woman’s… you know… hole?”
No way!