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Chapter 152

The sharp metallic sensation crawled over my skin. Na Yang-ho was slicing the lizard Stigmata with the scalpel she held. It wasn’t an injury, but this act was merely for a simple test.

“I never thought I’d actually get to try this.”

“Is this your first time? Why are you doing this to me?”

Isn’t this just a human experiment? Na Yang-ho chuckled at Yeon-woo’s shocked expression.

“It’s not that dangerous, you know? I just learned it’s the most primitive method to understand the properties by utilizing the characteristics of the Stigmata.”

After all, there’s no reason to use it. Na Yang-ho laughed. That’s obvious; people usually hear about the powers of Stigmata from the gods, and it’s rare for a believer to find out for themselves.

“Do you know which part of the body the Stigmata’s ability reveals the most?”

“I think I’ll just say I don’t know.”

Mentioning that while cutting into the Stigmata implies it’s in that very spot, doesn’t it?

But here, it’s better to shut up and listen, as that’s the demeanor of a perceptive student.

“Right. As you might have guessed, it’s exactly that part. Do you know why?”

“Because it produces divinity?”

“Ten points for Gryffindor!”

“Wow!”

I just randomly guessed, and it turns out I was right. Of course, just because Gryffindor got ten points doesn’t mean it reflects in Yeon-woo’s grades.

“Exactly. Divine power is the closest force to the gods, so the characteristics of that god strongly reflect in it. It’s perfectly natural for the Stigmata, which produces divinity and connects with the gods, to be under that influence.”

“Oh, I see. So what happens to this crescent Stigmata at night?”

“It doesn’t get pierced even by a needle. While it might not be steel, it becomes tough enough that even when a sharp object is placed against it, it doesn’t cut at all.”

So, this crescent Stigmata has been studied to some extent since its owner changed frequently.

“With this lizard Stigmata, it feels similar to Solaris’s. It’s likely to be divine power from the sun system. Regardless of the world, the highest-ranking sun god invariably possesses various properties, but in the case of this lizard pattern…”

As if the lizard’s tail was growing, the thinly sliced Stigmata began to slowly reattach. What emerged was a weak yet warm energy. Just as Na Yang-ho said, it resembled the energy from Solaris’s Divine Art.

“Regeneration. It’s not called a lizard-like Stigmata for nothing. It’s a rare ability.”

“Oh wow….”

Indeed, the way a ‘god’ fights gives off an impression as if the regenerative powers of flesh are in a frenzy.

Even though it’s not inherently a combative ability, to exert that level of power signifies that the ‘god’ must be of an exceptionally high rank.

Moreover, regeneration is a simple yet powerful ability. While it might currently only allow for rapid healing from injuries without danger, if a ‘god’ were to awaken, the situation would change dramatically.

It is also known that the powers of the Stigmata vary depending on the strength of the god bestowed upon it. There’s no reason a massive religion wouldn’t flourish.

“And judging by that look, it seems you can’t use the Divine Art just yet.”

“Wow, I can send and receive divine power, but trying to formulate it into Divine Art got confusing with magic, so it was tough.”

“Since you’re in this situation, I’ll teach you how to practice. It’s a useful method for getting the hang of things, and I believe it might be even more effective for you, Yeon-woo.”

*

Even if my left arm is wrecked, the training doesn’t stop when the match begins. Daily consistent training is crucial because it loses meaning if interrupted.

Of course, I can’t swing a sword with a crushed left arm, but I can still engage in self-reflection and understand what I can do, which is a form of training.

It’s only recently I’ve come to realize that Yeon-woo has too many external factors for her to utilize. From the very start, magic power was one thing, and when it comes to contracts, she has already reached four.

[Do you want me to sort things out if you’re feeling uncomfortable?]

“That’s a pretty colloquial expression. But is that possible?”

[It is possible. In the end, they’re all magical contracts.]

Thinking that if it was a magical contract, it couldn’t be done? But if Shar says it’s possible, there must be a method. However, I’d prefer to check first since any complications in usage would be troublesome.

“There’s no problem arising from that, right?”

[Even with sorting, there shouldn’t be any noticeable changes according to Dad’s experience. Since every contract is with a superior existence, the burden on the body will only be minimized. It’s like organizing computer cables.]

“What? I had a burden on me? I didn’t feel anything at all.”

[Like a tax burden.]

A tax burden!? Are you telling me I’ve had that dreadful burden on me all this time!

With Shar’s crystal clear explanation, it totally made sense. Shar truly was a genius without a doubt.

“Then, I’ll leave it to you. Is there anything that will take a long time or precautions I should keep in mind?”

[As long as you do what you want without using magic power, you should be good.]

After saying that, Shar began concentrating. Of course, the only thing Yeon-woo could do with her limited mobility was meditate.

‘If I can’t move my body, I’ll at least draw a sword with my mind.’

Always envisioning the path her sword would take in her head, and nurturing its completed form, that’s how one could claim to be a swordsman, as Yuri emphasized time and again.

This was the essence of nurturing a sword in one’s heart, the study of swordsman spirit. Even without a sword, one should carry a sword within and draw it anytime, anywhere.

Perhaps that’s what a perfect swordsman looks like to Yuri. At the same time, it would be a way to guide her toward the level Yuri has reached.

In fact, what Yeon-woo sought wasn’t the same as a perfect swordsman. With a mentor present, she chose a sword as a means of adapting to her aura and eventually preferred to change weapons according to the situation.

It could be said to be a habit from before her regression, but sticking to just one weapon wouldn’t allow her to rise high as a hunter, which was her belief. Thus, it stemmed from the difference in pursuit, leading to such distinctions.

Yet, wasn’t there a saying about deriving benefits from every part? The teachings on the sword that Yeon-woo received from Yuri were things she could fully apply to other weapons as well.

‘That’s why I must regard my mentor with utmost respect.’

With that in mind, Yeon-woo kept drawing a beautiful full moon in her mind.

……

A few hours later, while Yeon-woo was practicing how to recognize and handle the divine power she learned from Na Yang-ho, Tae-oh, who had been absent, rushed back.

[Dad, I found it!!]

*

While Yuri, Yeon-woo, and Hyuk Mu-ryeon gathered for a meeting to catch the Gloomy Monster, the Gloomy Monster himself, Christopher, leisurely got up in a corner of an abandoned building that the Dark Guild had vacated.

“Yawn, I’m really late.”

– Unlike you, I have various constraints, damn it.

The voice spitting out curses belonged to a small being, about the size of a teddy bear, contrasting its serious tone. The doll-like figure was clad in dark ragged cloth.

As it tiredly pulled down its hood, only a pristine white skull remained visible on its head.

“Hello, Undead.”

– Long time no see, you insignificant creature. While I admit I owe you one, I never thought you’d call me out to this place.

“Fulfill the contract, Undead.”

– I never said I wouldn’t, you pathetic little thing. So, what do you desire? Do you wish to cover this city in dead?

The skull doll arrogantly declared, stretching its arms wide. Looking blankly at that display, Christopher spoke up.

“I need to kill a student… so cause a little chaos.”

Just like that, Christopher began to walk out of the building. The Undead, staring in disbelief at his back, ignited a curse at the tip of its finger.

– I don’t get why that guy lives like that, despite having abilities.

*

As the Academy was enjoying a break while preparing for the next match, chaos stirred the premises. The reason was the continuous broadcasts blaring out.

– Due to a monster wave occurring in Harmony City, we are temporarily halting the countermeasures. Students, please move under the guidance of your supervising teachers….

Students at the Academy only held temporary hunter qualifications, so they couldn’t demand absolute cooperation like formal hunters.

Of course, most students headed toward cooperation. Only those with significant environmental constraints or who had been injured chose to abstain.

Fortunately, the absence of any major uproar was due to the prior warning conveyed through Kim Hyun-soo, reinforcing an agreement established beforehand.

Following Yoo Ha-yeon’s leadership, the students from Harmony began exiting the stadium. Among them, some students were heading out with another teacher to cooperate in stopping the wave.

Yeon-woo decided to opt for a non-cooperative route this time.

No matter how large the scale of the wave might be, Harmony wouldn’t crumble simply because Yeon-woo was absent. Here, it was more crucial for Yeon-woo to focus on capturing the Gloomy Monster.

‘A wave at this timing… Tae-oh, can you check on the situation?’

[I’m watching right now. Outside the city, it seems there are undead, and inside, zombies are appearing. It feels similar to the gate In-hwa noona and I visited.]

‘What? Why is Saturday suddenly showing up here?’

[Um… it might not be, but it’s giving off that curse-like feeling from back then….]

Was Tae-oh’s flinching a misinterpretation of annoyance due to Yeon-woo’s surprised inquiry?

As she soothed him, Baek In-hwa, who had been watching from a distance, approached.

“…You know what’s going on right now.”

“I heard undead are appearing. I don’t know what suddenly triggered it, but Tae-oh said it feels familiar to that curse.”

“…Is it Saturday?”

Even though Yeon-woo didn’t clearly affirm, Baek In-hwa joined the support team as if it didn’t matter.

Yeon-woo understood her motivation. Thinking back, facing the front lines might be safer than being near Yeon-woo. While the objective of the Gloomy Monster wasn’t fully known, the chances of it targeting Yeon-woo were indeed high based on the situation.

How the Gloomy Monster would act was a mystery akin to a box of surprises, but nonetheless, it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say Yeon-woo held a favorable position.

After all, doesn’t it say that the attacking side requires three times the forces compared to the defending side?

In this wartime scenario, Harmony City was a true fortress. Excellent current and former hunters darted throughout the city, and other hunters moved according to the safety training they had received previously.

Given the sturdy walls, unless this monster wave was exceptionally powerful, it’s almost a fact that evil creatures wouldn’t set foot inside Harmony City… but.

‘The fact that zombies are emerging inside the city means there are practitioners lurking within.’

Whatever method the Gloomy Monster used to pull in Saturday’s underlings is still uncertain, but this situation could hardly be deemed normal. Tension shouldn’t be relaxed, regardless.

Walking under Yoo Ha-yeon’s lead, Yeon-woo swallowed dryly.

(To be continued)

 

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