After a light greeting, Namgoong Serin reported various matters to Namgoong Cheon.
“The Hwanhon Ghost summoned Madunachal? It must be the work of the Four Fairies.”
“Indeed, Master.”
“But struggling against Madunachal…”
Suddenly, Namgoong Cheon’s aura sharpened.
“Even in the depths of the Labyrinth, you should be ashamed. Was that how I taught you?”
“…I apologize.”
The gloomy Namgoong Serin hung her head.
Wait, is this right?
Her child nearly died, and she’s being blamed? Such thoughts bubbled up, but in a clan like this, parenting must be exceptional. It can’t be helped since they’re martial artists.
While I quaked for a moment, Namgoong Cheon looked at me and said.
“You saved my daughter. Thank you very much.”
“It was a situation where I had to stake everything to survive, and it just worked out.”
“How humble. I must reward you.”
A reward, huh!
“Bring it out.”
— creak —
Immediately, a person who looked like a servant brought a long box. The moment I saw it, I could tell. Is that a box containing a sword?
Before I could think twice, Namgoong Cheon opened the box and pulled out the sword inside.
It was a striking sword with a blue handle and a blue sheath, definitely high-class at first glance. Are you really giving that to me? It looks incredibly awesome, no doubt about it!
“This is the Heavenly Thunder Sword. I hope you use it well.”
“Wow! Thank you!”
I accepted the Heavenly Thunder Sword with both hands and bowed!
This thing is on an entirely different level than my shabby sword!
I should sell this junk on a marketplace!
“Is the Heavenly Thunder Sword really incredible and durable?!”
“Hehe, of course. It’s sturdy enough not to easily get damaged. You should be able to use it for a long time without special maintenance.”
“I will take care of it like a family heirloom and use it well for a long time!”
With this sword, there’s nothing to be afraid of!
I joyfully stroked the sword while getting into the elevator with Namgoong Serin.
But somehow, Namgoong Serin’s mood felt down. Was she looking gloomy?
Ah.
Being perceptive, I immediately caught on to Namgoong Serin’s state. Was she hurt by what her father said just now?
“Ms. Namgoong Serin, are you feeling unwell? You don’t look too happy.”
“…No, I’m fine.”
Even if she said no, it was clear.
“The Master must have been worried about you.”
“Yes…?”
“It’s just that it’s hard for him to express that worry outward, isn’t it?”
“…”
At my words, Namgoong Serin looked into my eyes for a moment.
Then she exhaled and lowered her head.
“Ah, if that were the case, that would be nice.”
My guess was right.
“It must be. If your child is in danger, who wouldn’t worry? Deep down, he cares for you, his daughter. But, well, that’s what fathers are like. It’s hard for them to express their true feelings to their children.”
Namgoong Serin is a martial artist.
Achieving a peak in her youth and earning the title of Jade Flower Sword, she must seriously train in martial arts and certainly respect her formidable father.
It’s natural that she would want to be praised by such a father.
“Perhaps he also wanted to praise you for defeating Madunachal.”
“Is that really the case…?”
Namgoong Serin asked back as if enchanted by my words.
“Yes. That’s how a father’s heart works, you know.”
“Ah… I see. Hearing that makes me feel a bit better.”
Namgoong Serin’s expression brightened.
“It seems that Geunhyeop has a way with words. I was actually worried that perhaps the Master might be disappointed in me hearing that I was pathetic.”
“Such a thing can be shown in greater fashion next time.”
That’s how fathers are, right?
“Is that so? Then perhaps I had no reason to worry.”
Her voice sounded relieved.
“Hehehe, that’s right! Ah, how delightful. Seeing Ms. Namgoong Serin’s mood lift makes me happy too—almost like it’s my own joy.”
“…”
At my words, Namgoong Serin looked at me directly.
What’s up?
“You have a very good nature, Geunhyeop. Being happy for someone else’s matter is something special.”
“I guess I’ve got a pretty good nature to begin with. There’s even a saying back home calling me a paragon.”
“Hoho, that’s quite a great title. Then, it wouldn’t be bad to befriend a paragon.”
“Excuse me?”
“It seems it would be okay to become friends with you, Geunhyeop.”
“Oh!”
Friends!
“From now on, feel free to drop the formalities. You can just call me Serin.”
“Is… that really okay?!”
“Yes. No one has been able to call me Serin before. Consider it an honor.”
“Such an honor!”
What an honor this is!
“Okay, Serin! From today, we’re friends!”
“You really don’t have any shyness at all.”
Saying that, Serin smiled softly. While her stoic demeanor is nice, people are best when they smile.
Thus, I arrived at the guest house with Serin.
“Rest as much as you want. Geunhyeop.”
“Hehehe, I’ll rest a bit and leave after reading the atmosphere. Oh, I can’t wait to play with the sword!”
“Hmph… Even so, it’s still inferior to my sword.”
“What did you say?!”
Saying that, Serin showed her sword.
“This is the Heavenly Thunder Martial Sword. It’s even better than the Heavenly Thunder Sword.”
“Stop deceiving me…!”
“Deceiving? That’s an interesting one. Ah, did the physician arrive?”
While conversing with Serin, a servant brought the physician.
“Great! I can finally get a proper examination!”
Serin stood up and opened the door to greet the physician. The physician was an elderly man with a striking white beard and an upright posture that made him appear strong.
The physician bowed to Serin and looked at me.
“Hello, Physician! I’m Kim Geunhyeop!”
“I’m Majun. I hear you consumed the Yodan and still walked away fine… If that’s true, it’s astonishing.”
“Of course I did. Can you please examine me?”
“I was already planning to do that without you saying. Remove your top and lie down here.”
I immediately grabbed the bottom of my garment.
But… can I really undress with Serin watching? I hesitated for a moment, but Serin was watching me without any concern.
What does it matter?
— swish —
I undressed and lay down.
“Let’s see what kind of constitution allows you to eat the Yodan and remain fine.”
“I’m quite curious too. What secret is in Geunhyeop’s body that he could process the Yodan and still be fine?”
Now the secret will be revealed.
— stroke —
The physician placed his hand on my back.
About five minutes passed, maybe?
“Hmm… What exactly happened here?”
“That is…”
I explained how I managed to obtain Inner Core after eating a Goblin chief’s “Yodan.”
“And thus, my Internal Energy awakened.”
“Hah, what a tale!”
He’s laughing?
“Is this truly the body of someone who consumed the Yodan? I feel no residual energy whatsoever, nor do I sense any impurity in your Internal Energy.”
So I really am fine?
“You consumed Yodan and not only remain unscathed but even gained Internal Energy… I’ve never seen anything like it.”
“Is it true?”
“It’s generally accepted that Yodan is something humans shouldn’t consume. Upon examination, you appear perfectly fine.”
“Wow!”
Looks like there’s no problem!
“Then, Physician! Am I born with some sort of amazing constitution? Something like the Celestial Invulnerability?”
“Even the blessed are rare, so hush. Constitution, yes… Constitution…”
The physician seemed to be deep in thought.
“I don’t know… I really don’t know…”
“Huh?”
“This case is unprecedented for me, so I’m at a loss for words. This is a peculiar constitution, even an unheard-of one. Perhaps you are the first of your kind.”
“First…!”
Am I truly the world’s first Yodan-Constitution person?
“No, Physician. Was there truly not a single person who maintained their health after consuming the Yodan?”
“As far as I know, no.”
“Really?”
“Historically, many martial artists have attempted to use the Yodan. They must have tried various methods, but seeing no record of it indicates that they ultimately failed. I’ve heard rumors that the Ma and Blood Sect still collects Yodan for research… but that’s where my knowledge ends.”
I listened intently to the physician’s words.
“The Ma and Blood Sect… Quite fearsome indeed.”
“There are rumors that they conducted terrifying experiments with Yodan. There’s also a saying that if you fall into the state of spirit deviation or the heart state and recover, you might become Yodan-constituted.”
Wait.
“Um, you see, I did have a nightmare after eating the Yodan, and then I woke up. Might that be the heart state?”
“If someone of your level were to fall into the heart state, you’d be dead. It was just a nightmare.”
“…”
“For now, there are no abnormalities. You appear perfectly fine.”
Ultimately, it was concluded that I was fine.
So, I made a decision.
“Alright then! Physician! I’ll try consuming the Yodan from Madunachal right here!”
While the physician is present, I should experiment a bit!
I’ll eat it right here!
“Oh, really?!”
The moment I said I’d eat Yodan, the physician’s eyes sparkled like a child’s.
Seeing that expression, I was honestly convinced he was a mad doctor.
Are you perhaps from the Sicheondangmun?
“Geunhyeop. It’s dangerous. Although it’s the Goblin chief, Madunachal is at least on the level of a Central Plains demon. Consuming it immediately is risky, you know?”
Serin tried to stop me, but I was already suffering from an irresistible impulse.
“I’ll just take a little bite. Just a taste. It’ll be less risky while the physician is present. Physician, you’re known for being highly reputable, right?”
“They call me Seonui Majun. Even if things go awry, I can treat you, so consume it quickly.”
The Seonui held my hand firmly. His confidence made him resemble a cult leader.
“So have faith in me and eat…!”
It seemed like he was genuinely excited to see me eat Yodan.
“Quickly…!”
No one could stop his curiosity.
Of course, nor could they stop mine!
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