NOVEL NEXT WORLD Chapter 50 - Universal Rune (3)
Chapter 50 Universal Rune (3)
“What?”
“Explosive Dragon Flame?”
“What now, the Universal Flame Theory?”
“Is everything solved with ‘flame’ these days?”
“The Tower of Trials did it, and now you’re saying it can even cure illnesses…”
– My Lord, it’s not just about curing the illness. There’s a chance we might gain an even greater fortuitous encounter.
“What? A fortuitous encounter?”
– I don’t know why, but the knowledge about numerous S-grade summons related to this illness is coming to mind.
“Really?”
– Yes, from Hua Tuo to the Heavenly Demon and Dharma… even Zhang Sanfeng. I did recall them back when I was teaching Aso, but now the memories are deeper and clearer.
“…Oh.”
The Heavenly Demon, Dharma, and Zhang Sanfeng.
All of them were figures who held the position of founding masters in famous martial sects.
Although he had never summoned them directly, Baek Jin-woo had naturally come to learn about them in the past while raising Aso.
‘Aso was… a martial genius bestowed by the heavens.’
A once-in-a-lifetime prodigy capable of mastering all their martial arts.
– First of all, this illness, known as Nine Yin Absolute Pulse, is incredibly rare—something that might only appear once in a thousand years. The young girl’s body contains such an intense yin energy that it could freeze an entire nation.”
“Ugh… Hhhhuuuk.”
The chilling air that flowed out from the girl’s lips made the surrounding space grow cold.
Is this what a human air conditioner looks like?
Cough.
Time to stop thinking strange thoughts.
“So how does the Explosive Dragon Flame lead to a fortuitous encounter?”
– Ahem.
After clearing his throat, Hun-gyo began to explain.
First, the Explosive Dragon Wave needed to be charged to the maximum for five hours to create yang energy equal to the yin energy.
Afterward, the two energies would need to be combined and neutralized…
However, there was one major problem.
When the two energies merged, they would generate an immense amount of energy!
If this energy couldn’t be controlled, a catastrophe greater than a nuclear explosion could engulf the city.
– To prevent that, one would need an extraordinary martial technique capable of handling both yin and yang energies simultaneously. Techniques like the Heavenly Demon Divine Art (天魔神功), Dharma’s Supreme Capability (無上大能力), or Zhang Sanfeng’s Pure Yang Infinite Art.”
However.
Hun-gyo was not Aso.
He couldn’t even learn those techniques, and even if he could, they would be meaningless unless perfected.
Because of this, Hun-gyo sought another method.
At that moment, one specific forbidden technique came to mind.
‘Empty Resonance Demonic Art .’
A peculiar demonic art that allowed one to freely control any energy in exchange for their life.
It was a forbidden martial art kept by the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult once ruled by the Heavenly Demon.
Moreover, its learning difficulty was relatively low.
“Wait, don’t tell me…”
Baek Jin-woo snapped his fingers as he caught on.
Hun-gyo nodded with a smile.
– That’s right, My Lord. I am a summoned creature. Even if I die, I’ll just be reverse-summoned. This martial art is perfect for me.”
“Then… you plan to absorb that energy?”
– May I give it a try?”
Fascinating.
This was an area never attempted even in 「Battle of Summoners」.
“What’s the success rate?”
– I can’t say for certain, but I’m confident that at the very least, I’ll be able to cure the girl.”
Ho, is that so?
“Alright.”
“Let’s give it a shot!”
—
“Is it… really true?”
After finishing the diagnosis, Ja-sim clutched Baek Jin-woo’s hand tightly.
His trembling hand conveyed just how excited he was.
“Can you really cure my daughter? Truly…?”
“Yes. It won’t be an easy process and will take some time, but… it’s not impossible.”
“Hahhhh!”
Ja-sim couldn’t believe it.
How much time and money had he already spent?
He had brought in the world’s most renowned doctors and even famous rankers.
But each time, they shook their heads and left.
Even when they used mana-filled healing spells.
Even when they infused her with blessings brimming with divine power.
No method could lift the harsh curse.
And yet.
The diagnosis was Nine Yin Absolute Pulse?
That a powerful cold energy, enough to freeze an entire city, was clogging his daughter’s meridians?
Ja-sim instinctively felt it.
The player standing before him was telling the truth.
“Please, I beg you, save my daughter! I will reward you generously!”
“No, the reward I need is just the five Universal Runes we agreed on.”
Baek Jin-woo cut him off firmly.
The love of a father for his daughter was touching.
And above all, if Hun-gyo’s claims were true, the rewards from this treatment would be beyond imagination.
‘This could be a chance to create a dual-carry setup with Aso and Hun-gyo.’
Hun-gyo was currently EX-grade, but he was originally just E-grade.
In other words, his base stats were quite low.
No matter how great the runes given to him were, it was hard to maximize their effects.
But if he absorbed that enormous energy and underwent some kind of transformation?
The situation could change entirely.
“For now, please prepare a place for us to stay temporarily. A space suitable for training, like an open field, would be ideal.”
“Of course! I’ll prepare it immediately!”
Having finally grasped the thread of hope, Ja-sim moved quickly and efficiently.
***
“Explosive Dragon.”
– Yes, Jin-woo Nim.”
“I don’t want to pressure you, but your role here is quite significant.”
– It’s a bit challenging, but I’m giving it my all!”
Fwoosh!
Sitting in place and circulating her mana, flames roared around her body.
As for flames, Hun-gyo had nothing to teach her.
She was simply reviewing her past memories and turning them into skills.
While it would’ve been beneficial to head to a regular dungeon nearby, they opted to train in the open field.
Hun-gyo wasn’t idle either.
Even though Empty Resonance Demonic Art was said to be easy to learn, it was still a demonic art!
Sitting in meditation, he focused on sensing and guiding his energy.
‘Hun-gyo excels at teaching, but he’s not particularly adept at learning himself.’
He’d likely have to put in several times the effort compared to other summons.
Baek Jin-woo decided to stay in Dubai until everything was resolved.
The national team summons were postponed, and the Weekly Dungeon farming was handled in Dubai’s Player Zone with Ja-sim’s cooperation.
Yoo Ji-ah stayed with him for two days before returning home.
After all, as the representative of 「YooBaek」, she couldn’t stay away from her company for long.
Two weeks passed like this.
***
– Jin-woo Niiiim!”
After finishing his dungeon grinding routine, Baek Jin-woo returned to find Explosive Dragon rushing toward him with wide-open arms.
– Jin-woo Nim! I’ve learned it! The Flame technique!”
“Really?”
But wait—Explosive Dragon.
Was she always this… lively?
She had never been the type to freely throw herself at someone.
“Alright, calm down first.”
– Ah! Sorry, Jin-woo Nim!”
“It’s fine. Let’s check the details first, shall we?”
He gently pushed Explosive Dragon away and brought up her information screen.
***
[Summon: Explosive Dragon Sage]
[Race: Human]
[Grade: EX (Isolated Classification)]
– Isolated due to balance-breaking elements detected in specific circumstances.
[Level: 45]
[Stats]
Strength: 20, Intelligence: 88, Stamina: 20, Agility: 20
HP: 22,000, MP: 500
Critical Hit Chance: 55%
Critical Hit Damage: 185%
[Skills]
– Explosive Dragon Wave: Unleashes a dragon-shaped flame forward.
– Explosive Dragon Art ‘Chain’: Allows accumulation of Explosive Dragon Wave energy.
– Explosive Dragon Art ‘Change’: Allows modification of Explosive Dragon Wave.
– Explosive Dragon Art ‘Flame’: Allows a single, concentrated release of Explosive Dragon Wave.
***
“Whoa, it’s real!”
She had mastered three out of the four ultimate techniques of the Explosive Dragon Art, leaving only Destruction.
At this point, she had practically returned to her glory days from the time of 「Battle of Summoners」.
‘Though she hasn’t yet unlocked her latent Devour ability.’
“Hun-gyo.”
– Yes, my Lord.
It seemed Hun-gyo had already been aware of this development, as he approached with a resolute expression.
– I am ready as well. We can begin immediately.
Finally!
After two long weeks, would they now be able to conquer the Nine Yin Absolute Pulse?
Let’s find out—let’s go!
***
“Is… is it finally starting?
Ja-sim’s voice trembled with both excitement and nervousness.
“Yes. Can I ask you to step out once more?”
“Of course!”
“It might take some time, and you may hear loud noises. Also… some of the furniture might end up getting damaged.”
Although Hun-gyo had learned Empty Resonance Demonic Art, this was his first time using it.
All of this was based on Hun-gyo’s speculative reasoning.
No one could predict how it would actually unfold.
“As long as my daughter can be saved, I don’t care if the entire house collapses.”
“Good mindset.”
“Well then… I leave her in your hands.”
After Ja-sim left, the stage was set.
“Hun-gyo. Explosive Dragon.”
– Yes, my Lord.
– Yes, Jin-woo Nim!
“Let’s begin.”
– First, please remove my rune and equip it on Explosive Dragon.
“Got it.”
This was to maximize Explosive Dragon’s yang energy.
The high-level rare Universal Rune was far more powerful than intermediate-grade junk runes.
Baek Jin-woo quickly swapped the runes.
Explosive Dragon was then re-summoned with a five-hour cooldown reset.
– Now… we need to accumulate as much Explosive Dragon Wave as possible.”
– I’ll give it a shot.”
Fwoosh!
The energy of the Explosive Dragon began to swirl around her staff.
Thanks to the Universal Rune, the cooldown of Explosive Dragon Wave was reduced, and her MP recovery rate had significantly improved.
While Explosive Dragon focused on accumulating Explosive Dragon Wave…
Swish.
Hun-gyo grabbed the girl’s wrist again.
As he felt her pulse, he carefully pinpointed the exact location of her blocked meridians.
‘The pathways are narrow.’
The narrower they were, the more dangerous the process would be.
Whether it was extracting the yin energy or injecting yang energy, the risk was considerable.
But it didn’t matter.
Hun-gyo intended to bear all that danger himself.
If this were the original martial world setting, even the Divine Doctor of the Martial World wouldn’t have been able to attempt this.
However.
What if one utilized the unique trait of summons—being reverse-summoned without actually dying?
‘It’s worth trying.’
Of course, he couldn’t afford to die instantly.
He had to endure as long as possible before succumbing.
If he died in the middle of the general zone, it would take another five hours to revive.
Time passed.
The room, once filled with chilling cold, was now saturated with scorching heat.
Within Explosive Dragon’s body, the layers of dragon energy seemed to writhe and twist.
– It’s getting harder to breathe. How much more do I need to gather?
Explosive Dragon, seemingly reaching her limit, panted heavily.
The yang energy she had condensed was so intense that even the slightest lapse in concentration could cause it to disperse chaotically.
– Not even halfway yet. We need at least two more hours.
– Hnnngh!
– Can you hold on?
– I’ll do my best!
Explosive Dragon gritted her teeth.
Baek Jin-woo could only watch, anxiously pacing back and forth.
The only thing he could do for them was…
Cheer on his summons!
– My Lord, I’ve completed identifying the pathways.
“Good.”
– As soon as the yang energy matches the amount of yin energy, I will act as the conduit.
“A conduit?”
– Yes. I’ll become the link connecting Explosive Dragon and the girl. The enormous energies will clash within my body, but through Empty Resonance Demonic Art, I’ll attempt to absorb it into my own energy. Since the merging will occur within my body… there will be no harm to the girl. The risk is entirely mine.”
“Are you sure you’ll be alright?”
What a fascinating demonic art.
To use one’s life to control energy.
‘I can’t figure out what the creator’s intentions were.’
– I’ll do my best, my Lord.”
Two more hours passed.
– I… I can’t hold on much longer.
Explosive Dragon, drenched in cold sweat, cried out.
– That’s enough. You can stop accumulating now.
– Hah… Please… hurry… let me release it!
– My Lord.”
“Yes?”
– Can you re-summon me once more?
“Sure, give me a moment.”
Hun-gyo hadn’t died yet.
As long as he hadn’t died, dismissing and re-summoning him wouldn’t incur a cooldown.
It seemed like he wanted to reset the reverse-summoning timer.
Ssssh!
Hun-gyo appeared again, immediately grasping the girl’s arm tightly with his right hand.
“Ughh…”
A pained groan escaped the girl’s lips.
– Explosive Dragon! Bring your staff over here!”
– Ah, understood!”
With his left hand, Hun-gyo grabbed the tip of Explosive Dragon’s staff.
– Everything is ready. Now, channel all the power you’ve gathered through ‘Change’ and direct it toward me!
– Here I go!”
At Explosive Dragon’s urgent shout…
Fwoosh!
***
Explosive Dragon Art.
Secret Technique.
Flame.
***
All the accumulated Explosive Dragon Wave surged toward Hun-gyo’s meridians.
Roar!
– Grrr… Aaaaaargh!
As unbearable pain tore through his left arm, Hun-gyo activated Empty Resonance Demonic Art.
Simultaneously…
Rumble!
A torrent of overwhelming yin energy began to flow from the girl’s right arm.