novelraw Chapter 113 : Chapter 113
Chapter 113 : Chapter 113
Chapter 113 - Reunion (1)
The Spring of Elixir.
Though called a spring, in a corner of this massive lake, there was a section where the fog was particularly thick.
This was the place where I secretly met with Heo Gyeong-woo every day.
It was a bit troublesome to get to since it was so secluded, but at Heo Gyeong-woo's request, I had set this as our fixed meeting spot.
Besides, the effort of coming here was nothing compared to how Heo Gyeong-woo's assistance increased the efficiency of the treatment, so I didn't particularly complain.
I was grateful to Heo Gyeong-woo every single day.
“Shall we begin then?”
“Yes. Let’s.”
Today, too, I began the operation of the Mana Breathing Technique with anticipation.
Just how much would my body improve this time? My mood was greatly elevated by my improving physical condition day by day.
The mana, stretching in my dantian, began its circulation within my body, setting off faint fireworks like a display.
This was the characteristic of the Mana Breathing Technique that the Raven Family prided itself on.
Heo Gyeong-woo evened out his breathing, and a moment later, placed his hand on my back.
When fusing the mana of two people like this, the initial part was always the most difficult.
Heo Gyeong-woo began a fierce race to catch up with the flow of mana swirling inside my body.
If he failed to deploy his mana operation with utmost precision, this method would instead become a poison.
My body would soon regard Heo Gyeong-woo's mana as a foreign substance.
“Uuuuhm!”
Heo Gyeong-woo occasionally let out strange groans.
No matter how much of a Sword Master he was, matching the pace of my Mana Breathing Technique was by no means an easy task. For my part, I had no choice but to do my job and wait.
“Aaaaaah!”
Another strange groan.
Strangely, it wasn't entirely meaningless.
He was finally starting to find his focus.
“Hoooo.”
I slowly took a deep breath.
Our two mana streams fused into one, gradually becoming a giant vortex.
Although the mana originated from different breathing techniques, there was no longer any sense of disharmony.
Once we passed this initial hurdle, the rest of the process would go smoothly.
Both I and Heo Gyeong-woo were people who had reached a state of mastery in this regard.
“Uuuuuhm!”
Still, I wished he would refrain from making such sounds.
Of course, my wish was just a wish.
Heo Gyeong-woo let out dozens more groans before stopping the mana operation.
“Let's rest for a moment before continuing.”
It must be an incredibly arduous task for him.
I nodded my head.
“I feel this every time, but your Mana Breathing Technique is truly unique. To the point where it's difficult for me to follow its flow, shall I say?”
“To be honest, I'm the one who's more surprised. That you were able to follow it almost perfectly……”
“Thanks to that, I'm exhausted like this every time.”
It couldn't be helped.
If he were to break away from the highly focused state of awakening for even a moment, he would lose the flow of my Mana Breathing Technique.
“I never even imagined that such a Mana Breathing Technique could exist. Could it be from the Haewon Sword Family?”
“Didn't you promise? Not to ask about such things.”
“But how am I supposed to endure my curiosity! You don't have to answer, but I'll ask as I please!”
“As you wish.”
I just had to not react.
Heo Gyeong-woo took a short break, then suggested another treatment session.
“The sensation from just before is still there, so it should be easier to adapt the second time. Shall we start right away?”
With that, Heo Gyeong-woo placed his hand on my back again.
I too focused intensely, heightening all my senses.
When I was with Heo Gyeong-woo, my efficiency was several times greater, so I needed to get the most out of it.
If I could proceed like this every day, I would be able to heal my body much faster than planned.
“Heeeeuugh!”
And so, we once again had a conversation of bodies.
***
“You’ve worked hard.”
“This may sound funny, but I’ve learned a lot.”
I immediately understood what Heo Gyeong-woo's words meant.
“To be honest, I was hoping you wouldn't learn. This Mana Breathing Technique is something I have no intention of passing on to anyone.”
“When you say it like that, it makes me feel as if I've stolen something of yours. But, you don't have to worry yet. Even though I said I learned, there isn't a single part I've properly understood.”
I knew that as well.
If it could be properly understood and mastered just by breathing mana together a few times, it wouldn't be the breathing technique of the Johan Raven Family.
However, I also had to admit that Heo Gyeong-woo was a genius.
“If the time we spend together becomes longer, who knows what might happen.”
“I promise. Even if the day comes when I fully understand your breathing technique, I will not speak of it to anyone.”
I nodded my head.
“Above all, we must finish all the treatment before such a day comes.”
“Then it would be a good thing for both of us.”
Heo Gyeong-woo smiled meaningfully and continued speaking.
“It may sound funny, but when I look at you, an unknown sense of competitiveness is triggered. I feel something boiling up inside me.”
It was a natural emotion.
When one encounters a level higher than their own, it was only natural to want to experience that power firsthand.
“If you're thinking of having a Bimu with me, you should put that thought aside. It's impossible until my treatment is complete.”
At my words, Heo Gyeong-woo burst into a disbelieving laugh.
Of course, this too was a natural reaction.
“Does that mean that once your treatment is finished, you'll be at a level to have a Bimu with me?”
Honestly, it would be difficult right away.
Even after finishing the treatment, I would need time to seriously accumulate mana.
Of course, the speed of my training would pick up then, so it was also clear that that time would not be far off.
“If you wish, elder, let's coordinate a date for a Bimu then, after the treatment is finished.”
“Of course I wish! This is truly unbelievable, but I have a feeling that sparring with you will be the Bimu of my life!”
He wasn't joking.
He too was a Sword Master in his own right. His intuition was very sharp.
“Then for now, I ask that you put your utmost effort into my treatment.”
“I understand. I'll pay more attention!”
Heo Gyeong-woo looked extremely happy.
A full smile bloomed on his lips.
He had caught a glimpse, however faint, of my true nature.
Thwack!
And at that moment, Heo Gyeong-woo struck the spring water with his palm.
A sudden, unexpected action.
The stream of water that rose from the water's surface shot up into the air.
‘Hoo.’
The water stream, split into four, shot upwards, each maintaining a distinct shape and stable power.
The reason for this sudden action was immediately clear.
Heo Gyeong-woo's targets were, absurdly, a swarm of four flies hovering around the spring.
The mana-infused water streams soon became sharp blades.
And then they slaughtered these tiny creatures. It was an amazing display of skill.
Though what he caught were merely flies, what he demonstrated in the process was a skill bordering on the divine.
“We were having such a pleasant conversation. And then some bugs flew by.”
“But this doesn't seem to fit someone who has cultivated the Way in the Abyss for 40 years. I thought you wouldn't even kill a tiny creature, no matter how small.”
“Hahaha! Do I really look like I've cultivated the Way! To be honest, it's more surprising that I didn't become a mental patient! Just imagine living for 40 years looking at nothing but those skeletons.”
At that moment, another fly flew in again.
Since Heo Gyeong-woo had shown me something interesting, I thought it was only right for me to repay him.
I scooped a handful of water from the Spring of Elixir with my right hand.
Then, with my finger, tok!
A single drop of water flew into the air.
Its shape was a perfect sphere.
This stable shape was maintained until it neared the target.
Of course, I had no intention of killing it like Heo Gyeong-woo did.
Swoop!
The flying water drop simply trapped the fly.
Of course, not a speck of harm was done in the process.
“Heo!”
Heo Gyeong-woo's gasp of admiration.
I immediately added a tiny amount of mana to the water drop.
The water drop, having received propulsion, continued to fly towards the sky.
The fly, without knowing why, started a forced flight aboard the water drop.
Until it disappeared from our sight.
“Amazing!”
“It’s nothing much. It was just a nature-friendly method.”
By now, the little fellow would have escaped the water drop and be flying freely.
***
Today was the second day I had Choi Ho-joong lie in wait at Baskin 41.
Yesterday, the first day, was a bust.
Choi Ho-joong had called several times, but from his explanations, it was a stretch to consider any of them Rosie.
Today, he had already called four times, but still no success.
And a little while ago, the fifth ringtone sounded.
Commander. This time, it’s a woman eating mint chocolate chip flavor by herself again!
Any peculiarities?
At first, she ordered a single size and finished it, then she ordered a double size!
And?
Don't be surprised. After finishing the double, she's ordering a family size! She doesn't seem to be some kind of mukbanger, isn't that really strange?
There were all sorts of people in the world, but among the calls Ho-joong had made so far, this was one of the most peculiar cases.
But the most important verification process remained.
Everyone had been eliminated at this stage.
The sound of footsteps. Did you hear them clearly?
This was a mission I had ordered Ho-joong to carry out to identify a dragon.
Yes. When she was making her third order, I pricked up my ears and listened.
And how was it?
Strangely, I couldn't hear any footsteps.
If Ho-joong had heard correctly, it was certainly a case that could be suspected as Rosie.
Since he was currently undergoing sensory training with the Stupeo, the possibility of him being wrong was not high.
Ho-joong. Take out a coin.
Yes. I've taken one out.
Gently toss it at the back of her head.
What?
Choi Ho-joong asked back, startled.
It was a natural reaction since he had no idea what this mission was about.
I said, toss it.
Commander! You're joking, right? This woman just likes mint chocolate chip, you're telling me to throw a coin at an innocent citizen.
I'm not joking, so hurry up and do it.
I don't know if I'm going to get arrested for this!
Choi Ho-joong was on the verge of tears, his voice distressed.
I'll take responsibility. So just aim for the back of her head and throw it accurately.
If the woman currently in Baskin 41 was Rosie, she would have recognized Choi Ho-joong.
Even if she was polymorphed into a different appearance, she would be somewhat on guard.
No matter how absorbed she was in eating mint chocolate chip.
I'm really going to throw it!
I'm not saying it again. Throw it.
And a moment later, Choi Ho-joong's frantic voice came through.
Co-Commander! What on earth is that woman's identity!
While eating mint chocolate chip with one hand, she must have caught the coin flying towards the back of her head with the other.
It was an obvious story, even without seeing it.
Then it was now clear that it was Rosie.
Put her on the phone. I need to talk to that woman.
I had expected to find Rosie within a three-day cut-off, and my prediction was not wrong.