I Have Contracted Too Many Constellations

Chapter 12: The Lightning-Struck Jujube Wood (1)

From ancient times, jujube trees were believed to be filled with yang energy, possessing miraculous effects.

Hence, they were often used in prayer beads worn by monks or in common seals.

Many items believed to repel ghosts were also made from jujube wood.

And when lightning, which was considered to have even stronger yang energy, struck such a jujube tree,

it was regarded as having the highest level of yang energy, and it was called “Lightning-Struck Jujube Wood.”

‘This might work.’

The efficacy of “Lightning-Struck Jujube Wood” was certain.

It was mentioned several times in the original story.

Its demon-repelling energy had an immense effect even on epic-level demon species.

Though the “Lightning-Struck Jujube Wood” had just recently been struck by lightning, its energy was still potent.

I could create “Lightning-Struck Jujube Wood” right now.

“Jin Juha, how long will it take for you to reach maximum output?”

“Maximum output? …About 3 minutes.”

Because there was a contractor here who had a nearly top-level affinity with lightning.

In the original story, she had also created “Lightning-Struck Jujube Wood.”

The problem was, she wasn’t that strong yet.

It would take quite a while for her to summon lightning powerful enough to create “Lightning-Struck Jujube Wood.”

‘Three minutes… can I manage?’

Honestly, I wasn’t very confident.

The overwhelming power of the demon species I knew from the original story.

The imposing presence it had shown earlier, and more than anything, the brutally killed body of my fellow student.

To me, that creature was the embodiment of fear.

‘But I have to do it.’

If I didn’t, I would die.

My body moved with only one thought.

Pure survival instinct—that was the only thing moving my body.

There was no other way.

“Then after you finish charging, strike that jujube tree branch over there.”

“The jujube tree? …But how are you going to last for 3 minutes! I can’t help you while I’m preparing.”

“I’ll have to manage somehow. If I don’t, I’ll die.”

I drew my sword and aimed it at the demon species.

Its appearance, drenched in blood and advancing towards us, was… quite intimidating.

At the same time, Jin Juha started charging.

“Hoo…”

I put the smoking pipe in my mouth.

[Using the Handmade Smoking Pipe has slightly calmed your mind and body.]

[The effects of the herbs ‘Flame Herb’ and ‘Training Elixir’ inside the Handmade Smoking Pipe are activated.]

My wildly beating heart calmed down a bit.

And the effects of the herbs.

I had bought these herbs before coming to this forest.

I hadn’t planned to use them here, but…

‘Adding flame attribute and temporarily enhancing strength and stamina.’

The ability of the Flame Herb was to add a slight flame attribute to my attacks.

And the Training Elixir had the effect of enhancing strength and stamina.

Neither was particularly powerful.

But this was the best preparation I could make right now.

‘Come on.’

I didn’t need to rush in first.

All I needed to do was buy time.

Crack-!!

At that moment, countless wooden spikes shot towards me.

These were no ordinary wooden spikes.

Each one exuded a dark, sinister energy.

It was undoubtedly a demonic aura that only a demon species could use.

‘I can do this.’

I erased the thought of whether I could do it.

I could do it.

I filled my mind with confidence.

With that determination alone, I twisted my sword upward.

[Activating skill, ‘Incomplete Nine Heavens Sword.’]

I didn’t hold back my magical power.

That was something I could only afford to do if I had the luxury.

I had to give my all for these 3 minutes.

“Hoo…!!”

Focus.

Focus.

With the mindset of deflecting every single spike flying in from all directions.

I swung my sword.

Clang-!!

From the skill activated through the ‘Incomplete Nine Heavens Sword,’ a blue energy swirled like clouds, leaving afterimages.

[The skill ‘Incomplete Nine Heavens Sword’ is activated at full power!]

Like clouds, like mist.

Those phantom-like swords deflected all the incoming spikes.

The blue flames emanating from the sword’s tip burned the wooden spikes.

Was it because the attacks were dispersed?

Each one wasn’t that powerful.

“….Ugh!”

Of course, I couldn’t block all of them.

The small spikes that pierced through my sword dance.

They scratched or embedded themselves in my body, and

blood trickled down from those wounds.

The damage wasn’t just from that.

[The demonic aura from the ‘Chaos Tree’ is contaminating your body.]

[Severe bleeding occurs.]

The demonic aura seeping from the spikes contaminated my body.

Did it hurt?

I couldn’t really feel it right now.

My body was filled with the excitement and the thought that I had to focus on this enemy.

“Crack…?”

If it looked like a human, couldn’t it speak?

The creature made a sound like trees crashing together as it stared at me.

‘I’m already struggling.’

I didn’t have enough skills.

Having fewer skills meant fewer options and countermeasures at my disposal.

So far, that hadn’t been an issue…

But in this situation, that weakness had caught up with me.

At that moment,

[The Constellation, ‘Nine Heavens Mysterious Girl’ has bestowed a trial upon the contractor.]

[Due to the imbalance in compensation, ‘Nine Heavens Mysterious Girl’ will bear part of the cost.]

The Mysterious Girl had given me a trial.

“…A trial?”

Although it was a sudden situation, I immediately checked the contents of the trial.

[Name]: Disciple of the Wise Sword

[Difficulty]: Fairy Tale

[Contents]

– Perform the techniques of the ‘Nine Heavens Sword’ from start to finish.

[Reward]

– Skill: Purifying Wind (Fairy Tale)

The trial’s contents were simple.

The complete manifestation of the ‘Nine Heavens Sword.’

And the reward for that was a skill called Purifying Wind.

“Grrooaaar!!”

However, I couldn’t tell what the effect of that skill was.

In this situation, I didn’t have the luxury to be leisurely, as my opponent was relentless.

‘I believe.’

There was no way the Constellation would send me something useless in this situation.

With that belief, I began to perform my sword dance with the ‘One Thousand Swords.’

It seemed that the opponent realized the spikes from earlier were insufficient, as even larger wooden spikes approached.

‘One, two, three, four…’

I performed the seven forms of the ‘Nine Heavens Sword.’

In its ‘Peak’ state, the Nine Heavens Sword flowed seamlessly, each form enhancing the power of the next.

Wooooom-!!

A denser blue phantom swirled around, enveloping the surroundings.

One by one, I deflected them.

With the sword I wielded, I struck them down.

There was no need to rush, nor was there a need to slow down. I naturally performed the sword techniques that flowed from my body.

When only the last form remained,

a massive wooden spike, incomparable to the previous ones, flew towards me.

It was shaped like a dragon carved from wood.

“You! Move away quickly!! You’ll die if you stay there!”

‘I can do it.’

I heard a voice from behind, but I was already in a state of deep concentration and couldn’t hear it.

I can do it.

I repeated that thought.

I can do it. I can do it.

The seventh form of the ‘Nine Heavens Sword.’

Heavenly Dragon Sword.

From the ‘One Thousand Swords,’ a small blue dragon coiled and shot forth.

No, it was more like a serpent, too modest to be called a dragon.

But that was enough.

[The item ‘One Thousand Swords’ and the skill ‘Nine Heavens Sword’ resonate.]

Skill resonance.

A phenomenon where a skill and item deeply connected to a specific Constellation resonate, amplifying their effects.

The serpent, transformed into a dragon, collided with the wooden dragon.

Boom-!!

Naturally, it couldn’t win against the enormous wooden dragon.

The difference in pure power, capability, and mastery.

“…Ugh, ughh!!”

I was knocked to the ground by the wooden dragon that pierced through the blue dragon.

An immense shock resonated throughout my body.

An overwhelming pain that made it hard to breathe enveloped me.

But I didn’t die.

Thanks to the last form I performed. Without it, I would have been obliterated.

‘It’s done.’

And with that excruciating pain, another message arrived.

[Trial, ‘Disciple of the Wise Sword,’ has been cleared.]

[You have obtained the reward ‘Purifying Wind (Fairy Tale).’]

Obtaining the skill.

With the completion of the form, I acquired the skill.

As soon as I got the skill, I immediately activated ‘Purifying Wind.’

[Skill, ‘Purifying Wind (Fairy Tale)’ has been activated.]

[Purifying the demonic aura.]

[The wind imbues your sword.]

[The wind surrounds your body.]

As soon as I activated the skill, the demonic aura that had subtly accumulated in my body was cleansed, and vitality returned to me.

Along with the blue energy, the wind’s aura enveloped my sword.

The effect of the skill was evident.

And at the same time,

Boom!!!

A tremendous bolt of lightning struck from behind.

A massive thunderbolt that shook the heavens and the earth.

With the lightning, a stick flew toward me.

“I’ve made it!”

“Cough…! That was pretty fast.”

“…Before that. Are you okay?”

“I’m fine, for now. I have to be until I kill that bastard.”

The stick had a scorched appearance, its surroundings blackened.

But the sensation in my hand felt dense and solid.

The inside of the jujube wood, already hardened by the lightning, was compressed by the intense heat.

“I’ve used up all my magical power, so I can’t help anymore.”

“This is enough.”

Jin Juha, who originally didn’t have much magic power left, seemed to have exhausted it all in the previous attack.

But it was okay.

What she had done was enough.

[You have obtained the item ‘Lightning-Struck Jujube Wood.’]

I didn’t check its effects.

I already knew what I needed to do.

It was time to counterattack.

“Now it’s my turn, you bastard.”

Just wait.

It’s my turn now, you demon.