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Artificial Elixir.

Fox Sphere.

[In Korea, it’s commonly referred to as the ‘Fox Sphere Project,’ while in Chinese characters, it’s written as ‘妖狐寶珠超人育成崛起’ (Yao Hu Bao Zhu Chao Ren Yu Cheng Jue Qi).]

‘So many different names…’

Fox Sphere Project.

Yao Hu Bao Zhu Chao Ren Yu Cheng Jue Qi.

Although the term “Fox Sphere” was the same, the rest of the writing method felt quite different.

‘They could have used a simpler Chinese character for “project,” but why go through the trouble of using such complicated characters?’

Iserin naturally couldn’t help but question this writing style.

And to Iserin’s wonder, Grimoire kindly answered.

[That’s right. This is a joint project between Korea and China, after all.]

That’s the reason why the writing method had to be different.

[There’s a very interesting secret hidden here. To elaborate a bit, it’s a long story… To put it simply, the Korean side wanted a simpler name because they thought ‘if the name is too flashy, it looks rather tacky.’ Meanwhile, the Chinese side argued that ‘since this is an important plan noted by the Party, it wouldn’t do justice to have a weak name for a project that could go down in history.’]

But this was just the surface.

In reality, it reflected the psychology of subordinates wanting to flatter their superiors and the cunning of scientists wanting to safely secure their budget.

The Korean side included a name that had important keywords to ‘safely’ secure the budget while still being subtly inconspicuous to reduce the possibility of getting caught on the radar, and the Chinese side gave it a grand name to instill vanity in the power holders involved, encouraging them to invest heavily.

They even used the newly trendy term ‘崛起’ (Rise).

And this judgment was just spot on, leading to the smooth continuation of the research so far… that was the truth.

[What they are researching is this ‘Fox Sphere.’ Well… if we were to express it in the way old warriors did, it could be described as ‘Yao Hu Wan’ (妖狐丸).]

And this research bore fruit.

The resultant ‘Fox Sphere’ has reached a certain level of completion.

Of course, being a prototype, it still has many shortcomings and risks involved.

‘It’s about dissolving various energies into an energy-friendly liquid for storage, then mixing them in a way that minimizes loss and processing them into a consumable level, compressing them to take the form of a pill… such an intriguing idea…’

[An intriguing idea, and at the same time, it’s a method that has been somewhat verified. The elixirs that the old warriors loved so much have a pill form quite similar to this.]

‘Like Dae Hwan Dan…?’

[Exactly. While those have a method of mixing elixirs… if we look closely, it involves gathering components that have special effects on the human body and specific energies, and when consumed, a chemical reaction occurs inside the body, allowing the consumption of energy. So in that sense, you could say that this ‘Fox Sphere’ is somewhat analogous.]

‘So, that’s why they brought China in…’

[Exactly. The warrior side was not severely affected by the flames of the Cultural Revolution. Naturally, they have preserved methods such as making pills, and some of these methods have even been acquired by the Chinese government for research… Therefore, it’s correct to think they have more know-how than Korea.]

However, this raised a strange point.

The scale was quite underwhelming for a joint project initiated by governments.

Of course, it was a secretive place, and it certainly looked grand…

But if this were a space created by the cooperation of two countries, it looked puzzling at best.

‘This, does the government not know?’

Thus, Iserin naturally came to a conclusion.

This was not something led by the government.

[Correct answer!]

Grimoire smiled at Iserin’s conclusion.

[Not only the Korean government but also the Chinese government is unaware of this secret facility. Remarkably so.]

‘Is that really possible? Isn’t there a secret police or something…?’

[Yes. Recently, our adorable contractor discovered several secret police stations set up by the Chinese Public Security in the city. He reported it to the National Intelligence Service. Considering that, you might find it hard to understand how this place hasn’t been discovered… but… ]

Grimoire tapped the ground with her hoof.

[Contractor, where do you think this place is?]

‘Ah.’

Iserin understood with that brief question.

This was Seoul Specialization High School for Ability Users.

A place boasting security stronger than most military bases.

Stepping in would follow with state-level repercussions, and at times, could lead to international friction.

Internationally, there’s even an unspoken agreement of ‘let’s not touch the seedlings.’

It was an area where Chinese secret police could not infiltrate, no doubt.

Advanced equipment?

The security here is always state-of-the-art.

Whenever the state develops any new security technology, this is the first place it gets implemented.

Breaking through such a location… would not be easy.

And should they get caught trying, it would certainly be a big deal.

Thus, secret police would hardly want to pry into this place.

Well… honestly, there probably isn’t anything amazing to gain from it anyway.

The value lies in the talented individuals attending the Specialization High School for Ability Users, not in the materials used in their educational curriculum.

That’s how this secret facility managed to remain undetected.

[Aside from these materials… yes. Open that drawer.]

Creeeak.

‘Hmm… our school foundation… some companies, the Chinese Shichentai Drug Company… Shichentai also operates Dangga Pharmaceuticals… Chinese Huashan Sect…’

The drawer Grimoire pointed to contained the names of those involved in the project.

Iserin recognized some of these famous organizations at least once.

Korean companies she had seen at parties.

Shichentai, which researches martial arts related to poison and has entered the pharmaceutical industry.

And the Huashan Sect, known for their flashy martial arts, popular among women…

And…

‘Huh… Hongik Patriotic Group?’

…a very familiar name.

Hongik Patriotic Group.

The name of an organization that shares the Republic of Korea with the Korean National Defense Council.

And it had ties to Lee Yang-hoon.

‘Wait, does this mean… our family is involved…?’

Seeing that word, Iserin glanced anxiously at Grimoire.

And Grimoire looked back at her with a tender gaze, as if to express how cute she found Iserin, who seemed worried as if she was thinking, ‘Aren’t we stealing the results from a facility invested by our family?’ However, soon after noticing the anxiety growing on her face, she shook her head.

[It’s not what you think.]

To be precise, it was correct to say he couldn’t be involved.

[This project was classified as significant within the Hongik Patriotic Group, and thus, joining this plan required passing through a rigorous filter. And one of those filters is credibility… Unfortunately, Lee Yang-hoon was caught in that.]

He didn’t build his wealth steadily over a long time, but accumulated immense wealth abruptly through his abilities.

Thus, the Hongik Patriotic Group would naturally have doubts regarding his credibility.

He had not built a long-term relationship but suddenly amassed wealth. Naturally, they would doubt whether his sudden success was just luck, leading them to question his abilities.

So, it’s only natural that Lee Yang-hoon had to be excluded.

Of course, he wasn’t the only one excluded, as many companies and organizations also failed to pass this filter, so there weren’t many participants within the Patriotic Group.

Thus, it wasn’t that they were specifically discriminating against Lee Yang-hoon…

‘Well then, I can take it without feeling guilty.’

[That’s exactly it.]

However, that doesn’t mean he was ostracized either!

Thus, Iserin decided to take the Fox Sphere.

With a ready heart.

[The effectiveness of this Fox Sphere is threefold: Heaven Connection (天通), Earth Connection (地通), and Human Connection (人通).]

According to the story of the Fox Sphere, if one consumes the sphere and gazes at the sky, they will comprehend astronomy; if they look at the earth, they will understand its principles; and if they look at people, they will master medicine.

Like its name, the Fox Sphere possesses three abilities, heaven, earth, and human.

Heaven Connection (天通).

It assists in opening the Ren Meridian (任脈) among the channels that must be pierced to be called a master, contributing to the formation of the upper dantian.

Earth Connection (地通).

It converts the energy it carries into a practitioner’s internal force, filling the mid and lower dantians with energy.

Human Connection (人通).

It cleanses the meridians with pure energy, helping to eliminate some impurities and facilitating the acquisition of abilities.

‘Wow… for an artificial elixir, that’s pretty impressive, right…?’

[It’s more useful than most elixirs. And at this stage, it’s the most helpful elixir for the current contractor.]

Right now, Iserin, with Grimoire’s arrangements, had acquired all kinds of abilities.

In martial arts, she had mastered the unique skill called Moonlight Heart Technique (取月心功), which is a kind of fantastical skill, and also learned martial arts that could lead to chaos if a classified document were to escape.

In magic, she learned the Energy Vessel Core, a magical power storage method created by a recluse.

In alchemy, she acquired the Æther Manipulation method, which vanished after being rejected as heresy in medieval Europe.

She was even stimulating her brain to safely awaken her psychic powers using data taken from a bioweapons research center from World War II.

That was all she had mastered so far.

In the future, the number of such abilities would surely increase.

In that light, this Fox Sphere would be a fitting elixir for Iserin.

Unlike other elixirs that have fixed directions, it comes with no predetermined direction, which means it can harmonize with any ability. It also supports opening the Ren Meridian, allowing her to take her first steps toward becoming a master, and maintaining health while aiding in achieving her abilities.

Moreover, since Grimoire is by her side, any precautions about consuming the Fox Sphere can be thoroughly informed, minimizing any risks.

And since its effects wouldn’t collide with the abilities she was acquiring, its danger was lowered even further.

You could say it was an elixir born just for Iserin.

‘Well then…’

Iserin gazed longingly at the glass vial.

Then, raising her powers, she covered her arm, using all of her abilities to temporarily turn her arm into an immaterial state and smoothly inserted it into the vial.

The arm existing yet not existing passed through the glass without any resistance.

Then, she turned her hand back into a material state and gripped the Fox Sphere, and while holding it, changed back into an immaterial state.

She effortlessly passed through the barrier of the vial, pulling out the Fox Sphere.

It was like she had performed magic.

[Now let’s go. It seems there’s nothing more to see here.]

Having obtained the Fox Sphere, Iserin turned her back.

It was as if there was nothing more for her to do here.

* * *

The insect heard.

It definitely heard.

So it whispered that information to its master.

“In China, the Hongik Patriotic Group, huh…?”

The owner of the insect, Park Jinseong, learned of a secret he hadn’t known before.

 

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