I Alone Am an EX-Class Summoner

Chapter 51: Universal Rune (4)

Hun-gyo finally realized why the Empty Resonance Demonic Art was called “Demonic Art.”

‘This is an overwhelming amount of pain.’

It was originally a process that forced something impossible to happen, using one’s innate energy and life force as collateral.

Naturally, pain was inevitable.

– Kkhhhh!

The full set of All-purpose Runes equipped on Poryong collided with the firepower built up over four hours and the cold energy of the Nine Yin Absolute Pulse, shattering and exploding Hun-gyo’s body.

If it had been normal, he would have been immediately reversed summoned.

But the subtlety of Empty Resonance Demonic Art held his body in place, forcibly converting the two immense powers into pure energy.

‘Focus!’

Hun-gyo gritted his teeth.

Of course, he wanted to save that girl and help his lord…

But he had a stronger desire.

‘I… want to be strong too.’

Like Poryong, like Aso.

Right now, he stood at the front, but he knew he would be pushed back one day.

He was a training instructor.

By definition, he was specialized in training others.

‘But…’

What if he absorbed that vast energy?

He could also become the main!

Not just teaching someone, but being able to fight alongside his lord with physical power!

He could even reach the 100th floor of the Tower of Trials together!

‘Just kill me.’

Kwagagagaga!

Hun-gyo loosened the reins.

He opened both passages and drew in the energy.

The Yin-Yang energy rampaged inside his body like a wild bull.

Pwah!

His veins burst, and his entire body turned a deep bluish color.

But that wasn’t the end.

Blood poured out from every orifice—his eyes, nose, mouth, and even his pores.

– W-Will he be okay?

Poryong panted heavily, her face full of concern.

“….”

Baek Jin-woo watched Hun-gyo’s painful expression silently, feeling sorry but saying nothing.

It wasn’t forced—this was his own choice.

It had to be respected.

‘Still…’

A quick glance.

The girl, who had intermittently moaned, now looked much more relaxed.

“Haa… Haa…”

The fact that the Yin energy was leaving meant that Hun-gyo’s treatment was working!

Originally, the girl would have had to endure the pain, but now, Hun-gyo was taking it on her behalf.

How much time had passed?

At some point, Hun-gyo closed his eyes and sealed his mouth.

– Kkrrkkk.

Even in pain, he endured without screaming.

– Jin-woo Nim, I’m done.

Took!

When the staff was removed, Hun-gyo’s arm fell limply.

Srrrk!

He also let go of the girl’s arm, which he had been holding tightly.

– All of the fire energy has gone to that side.

That meant.

The girl should be the same.

Her continuous groans had disappeared, and her complexion had improved.

The Yin energy of the Nine Yin Absolute Pulse had completely vanished, and as a result, the frozen blood vessels had thawed and started working again!

‘The treatment is completely finished.’

The problem was Hun-gyo.

– …….

Thud!

Hun-gyo collapsed, eyes closed.

He hadn’t been reversed summoned, so he wasn’t dead yet.

But he knew.

He would die soon.

This process was to absorb as much internal energy as possible into his dantian before that happened.

‘You’ve really been through a lot.’

What a truly grateful summon.

Honestly, what would be gained by getting stronger himself?

‘The one who benefits is me.’

The summon’s combat power would increase accordingly.

In other words, Hun-gyo was enduring this pain solely for Baek Jin-woo.

“Thanks, buddy.”

Baek Jin-woo whispered quietly.

Perhaps, did Hun-gyo hear that in his pain?

The corner of his mouth faintly rose.

Fwaat!

Eventually, Hun-gyo was reversed summoned.

The message “HP 0” appeared.

What happened to him, it was unclear, but…

He would have to wait 5 hours to summon him again.

Baek Jin-woo reset the summon times for Lamba, Poryong, and Dol-dol.

He would build up the stack again.

Afterward.

Clunk!

He opened the door and left.

As he exited the room, which had been filled with heat due to Hun-gyo, a cool breeze wrapped around his body.

In front of the door, Ja-sim was waiting, looking worried.

“Is it, is it over?”

How much had he worried?

The expression on his face showed traces of holding back the urge to open the door after hearing the sounds from inside for five hours.

“Yes, it’s over.”

Baek Jin-woo smiled as he looked at Ja-sim.

Ah.

Was this how a doctor feels after a successful surgery?

Even though it was Hun-gyo who suffered, Baek Jin-woo felt something swelling inside his chest.

“The treatment was successful, and your daughter is safe.”

“Kuh… kuh-huh!”

Thud!

Ja-sim finally collapsed to his knees.

At the same time, he reached out both hands and tightly grasped Baek Jin-woo’s.

No words were necessary.

Ja-sim was certain.

This moment, right now, was the happiest moment he had ever had since he was born.

“Really, really? Thank you. Uhh-huh!”

“You shouldn’t be doing this here. Go inside and check.”

“Ah, I understand!”

Ja-sim hurriedly headed for the room, as if he had wanted to do this sooner.

Snore, snore.

The sleeping girl slowly opened her eyes.

“…Dad?”

It was the first time.

For the first time, the words from his daughter’s mouth came out without a moan.

And that wasn’t all.

There was no coldness emanating from her either.

Her face wasn’t pale, but full of vitality.

“Our daughter! Are you really okay?”

“Dad, I… I’m not in pain anymore. I’m not cold at all.”

“Kuhh, kuh-huh-huh!”

Ja-sim hugged his daughter tightly and burst into tears.

Baek Jin-woo silently watched the scene and turned away.

He wanted to give them space for their touching reunion.

A little later.

“There’s no feast, but please eat.”

In front of Baek Jin-woo was a never-before-seen lavish spread.

“No, what is all this?”

“You and my daughter are our benefactors. I don’t know how to repay this grace. First, here are the five top-tier All-purpose Runes I promised.”

Ja-sim offered a trade and presented the Runes.

There was no doubt—these were definitely top-tier All-purpose Runes.

“Thank you.”

Baek Jin-woo smiled and pressed accept.

Finally, the 18 Universal Runes were gathered.

“And please accept this as well.”

The new trade window showed a strange summon.

Translator Sparrow (B-grade).

It was a limited edition summon, only obtainable as a reward from the Tower of Trials.

When the creature perched on one’s shoulder, all of humanity within range could communicate with each other.

“I hope you won’t refuse this. You said five Universal Runes were enough, but that’s not how I feel. I don’t want you to think I’m burdening you with the wish of one person who simply wants to do something for you.”

“…Then this is the end of it.”

As he had said before, he had no intention of taking advantage of a father’s love for his daughter to gain anything.

But?

He wasn’t so devoid of material desires that he would refuse a gift given to him.

Especially since that little creature…

It seemed somewhat useful.

“Hahaha, thank you! Then, you must be hungry. Shall we have a meal first?”

“No, I appreciate the thought, but… I think I overdid it, and right now, I’d prefer to rest.”

“Ah, I see?”

In truth, he was hungry, but had no appetite.

Until he confirmed Hun-gyo’s situation, food wouldn’t go down his throat.

‘…Such a frugal person.’

Ja-sim felt moved as he looked at Baek Jin-woo.

How many swindlers had come looking for him?

There had been cultists claiming that his daughter was cursed and demanding vast amounts of wealth as payment for a cure.

There had also been people asking for absurd sums of money in exchange for treatment.

‘Spending money for someone like him isn’t a waste.’

Ja-sim?

All he had was money.

The oil produced and sold worldwide every year only increased his wealth, no matter how much he spent.

‘He’s YooBaek from South Korea.’

Ja-sim made up his mind.

Every year.

He would find rare items that would benefit players, and send them anonymously to YooBaek.

***

South Korea, Player Zone.

“Uaaaah!”

A ranked player clenched both fists and screamed.

“Hey, you crazy bastard! What are you doing outside? Can’t you stay quiet?”

“I’m thirsty! I’m thirsty! I’m dying of thirst!”

People whispered as they watched the two ranked players talking loudly between buildings.

“…Those guys…”

“Carpe Diem?”

“Isn’t that Ki Jae-hyuk and Kang Ji-ho?”

The famous high school-ranked players.

Now selected as national representatives, their stock had soared to unprecedented heights.

“People are recognizing you. Can you keep it down?”

“Haaaah, sorry, hyung.”

The younger Kang Ji-ho shook his head.

In truth,

They were simply waiting for their national team summons.

It was the only day in the week they could receive Baek Jin-woo’s teachings.

‘But?’

Due to Baek Jin-woo’s personal circumstances, their scheduled session was canceled.

Unable to hold back his frustration, he had shouted out.

As desperate as they were, they had spent hours sighing around the Battle Hall.

At that moment,

“Hmm? What are you two doing?”

Someone greeted them.

“Oh, noona!”

Ki Jae-hyuk immediately recognized her.

In fact, he couldn’t possibly not recognize her.

Hong Ah-ri, ranked 3rd in the country, and the master of the Arirang Guild.

She was a player even more famous than the president.

“So, you missed Jin-woo hyung too?”

“Wh-what do you mean?”

“Then why are you hanging around the Battle Hall?”

“…”

Hong Ah-ri flinched, as if her words had hit the mark.

In truth, the last ten hours of training had been a revelation.

Afterward, she revamped the Arirang Guild’s internal training system from scratch.

And now, waiting for the national team summons, the sudden cancellation had driven her to instinctively show up at the Battle Hall.

“Then why are you two here?”

“We’ve already said it honestly. We miss Jin-woo hyung.”

“Ha, right, of course! But… suddenly canceling the schedule? If you’re going to do that, why take the 1 trillion won?”

In the end, Hong Ah-ri admitted and grumbled.

“Noona.”

Ki Jae-hyuk’s eyes lit up at that moment.

“Yeah?”

“In fact, we’ve been thinking about something.”

“What?”

“What if we just went to YooBaek’s place directly?”

“Huh?”

Hong Ah-ri furrowed her brows.

What kind of nuisance was that?

Going directly when he wasn’t showing up?

She, who normally despised obsessive fans, felt even more repulsed.

“Isn’t that crossing the line?”

Though she said that, her true feelings were that she also wanted to go.

She wanted to ask why the schedule was canceled.

She also wanted to ask about the things that had been left unsaid for a week.

“No, didn’t you feel it? When hyung teaches us… he doesn’t teach properly.”

“Huh? What do you mean? He’s been incredibly helpful.”

“No, it’s 100%. He just teaches half-heartedly. The only reason we feel helped is that our level is way too low compared to hyung’s.”

Ki Jae-hyuk had felt it.

Baek Jin-woo’s gaze had been like that of someone looking at kindergarten kids.

Not teaching a gifted class, but teaching players below standard.

“Honestly, think about it. Why would someone who gets a trillion from the country bother to teach sincerely?”

“…But he’s getting 1 trillion?”

“One trillion is one thing. Teaching someone from another guild like a real disciple is a whole different story.”

“So what are you trying to say?”

“I told you earlier. I want to go visit YooBaek.”

“Visit and…?”

“Ask him to teach us properly. We’ll do whatever it takes. Didn’t hyung say that those who are thirsty dig wells?”

“…”

Hong Ah-ri read sincerity in Ki Jae-hyuk’s eyes.

‘Well…’

He wasn’t wrong.

Baek Jin-woo’s ability was world-class, even to an outsider’s eye.

Compared to that?

We’re just ranked players in Korea.

Korean players, who are often considered low-tier globally.

In simpler terms, frogs in a well.

‘Becoming Baek Jin-woo’s disciple and aiming for global rank?’

Hong Ah-ri clenched her fist.

There was no reason not to go, right?

In fact, she had become more impatient.

If Baek Jin-woo truly allowed those kids to be trained properly,

Even her hard-earned 3rd place ranking would be snatched away.

“…When are we going?”

“Since we’re already talking about it, why not go now? It’ll be a good chance to see the famous YooBaek headquarters too.”

“Can… Sun-young unni come with us?”

Oh Rang (Five Wolves), Oh Sun-young.

She had become a strong fan of Baek Jin-woo after her last defeat.

Ki Jae-hyuk chuckled at Hong Ah-ri’s question.

“Why do you need our permission? If you want to go, go.”

Even if they were turned away at the door, or hated for it,

That was their own problem.