I’m Here to End This Fight

Chapter 16 Third Attempt, Second Selection (1)

Spiritual Hole.

It was an unknown realm.

Although the Masters had opened the Spiritual Hole and achieved the state of Avatar, even they did not fully understand everything about the Spiritual Hole.

The concepts of the Spiritual Hole and Avatar had only been properly established for about a hundred years at most.

There was still more to be explored than what had already been developed about the Spiritual Hole and Avatar.

Furthermore, opening a Spiritual Hole was a matter of talent.

Just because the theory was taught, not everyone could open a Spiritual Hole, and it also belonged to the study of ascension, making it inherently secretive.

Therefore, Johan was confident.

The knowledge about the Spiritual Hole, hidden like pocket money by most Masters, was something he knew more about than anyone, except for the Sword Master.

For decades, he had spent time traveling and meeting numerous Masters to create a new martial theory and Magic Body Technique, discussing the Spiritual Hole with them.

Having dedicated many years to research, Johan found Yuri’s condition even more puzzling.

‘A core in the Spiritual Hole? It sounds absurd, but I can clearly feel a core-like presence in this guy’s Spiritual Hole.’

Although he couldn’t completely confirm it since he couldn’t inspect another’s Spiritual Hole, the intense force and flow that drew in mana undoubtedly resembled a core.

‘Creating a core in the Spiritual Hole? How is that even possible?’

When he had interacted with various Masters, they all said the same thing.

[The Spiritual Hole is a mirror, and the Avatar is like the self reflected in that mirror.]

The comparison to a mirror was not only due to the role of reflecting the self to draw out the Avatar but also because it was as fragile as a mirror.

How many people had become idiots or lunatics by trying to open the Spiritual Hole incorrectly or forcibly?

The notion that a mana core, belonging to the material realm, could be created in the illusory domain beyond the Spiritual Hole was beyond Johan’s comprehension.

Hearing Johan’s explanation, Yuri scratched his ear.

“Uh… What are you talking about now?”

As expected, Johan let out a deep sigh at Yuri’s reaction, indicating he was hearing this for the first time.

“Hah… If you don’t know about your own body, then what are you supposed to do? No, do you even know anything at all at this point?”

“In the past, I wouldn’t have tolerated such nonsense… but now, I really don’t know.”

Yuri had only recently learned about the concept of the Spiritual Hole. How could he have known there was a core inside it?

‘When did this start happening anyway?’

Since getting involved with Johan, Yuri had realized that his body was quite peculiar in various ways.

Nodding to himself, he flinched and took a step back.

Johan’s eyes narrowed at this sight.

“What are you doing?”

Yuri wrapped his arms around himself, trying to look as fragile and scared as possible.

“No, I can’t let you dissect me! Spare me!”

Yuri had realized what Johan meant when he muttered, ‘Should I dissect this kid…?’

‘Well, with a body like this, I’d want to dissect it too.’

If his own body was fascinating, how much more intriguing would it be to others?

Realizing Johan’s statement about dissecting him was genuine, Yuri took another step back with a frightened expression.

Johan’s face twisted in frustration at Yuri’s antics.

“Stop it before I really split your head open.”

“Okay.”

At Johan’s warning, Yuri quickly dropped his scared expression and approached him.

He hesitated before speaking up.

“But, Old Man…”

“What?”

“Then how do I make a core? I can make one, right?”

A core was an organ that strongly condensed mana.

If there was already one core, creating a new one was nearly impossible.

Still, Yuri asked with hope.

“There’s a Magic Body Technique that allows multiple cores, right? Can I do that too?”

“Your current state is a bit different from the typical multi-core situation.”

There were Magic Body Techniques that allowed for more than one core, but they were designed from the start to create multiple cores during the formation process.

Yuri, who had to create a completely new core apart from the existing one, was not applicable.

Hearing only more bad news, Yuri’s face hardened.

Seeing this, Johan sighed softly and waved his hand dismissively.

“Don’t worry. There is a way.”

“Really?”

Yuri’s face immediately brightened.

Johan crossed his arms and nodded.

“Yes, it might even be fortunate that your core is in the Spiritual Hole.”

If the core had been pre-existing in the body, it would have required the extremely dangerous task of breaking the existing core.

‘If I use Yuri’s current situation well… he could possess two cores with entirely different properties in one body.’

This could be a groundbreaking record for humanity.

Johan’s eyes glinted with excitement.

“You should consider meeting me as a stroke of luck. Without me, you wouldn’t even have been able to attempt this.”

Johan’s shoulders were raised high.

Yuri, having somewhat understood Johan’s nature, responded tactfully.

“Of course! How much effort must it have taken for Master Johan to make someone like me a decent human being?”

“Hmph! Have you just now realized that? Foolish boy!”

“Yes, this foolish boy just realized it now! If you can make someone like me a proper person, I’ll engrave your greatness into my bones!”

“Yes, yes! One must recognize grace to be considered human. Absolutely!”

“Long live the great Master Johan!”

“Hmph!”

Johan puffed up with pride while Yuri, like a sycophant, continued to cheer.

Their farce continued aboard the ship that had just resumed its voyage.

Three days passed.

* * *

Booo-ooo-oo.

The sound of a large horn announcing the arrival of the ship woke Yuri from his mana training.

“Ah…”

He exhaled softly, gently rubbing near his navel.

Thump- thump-.

A strange sensation he hadn’t known a few days ago.

It felt like a small heart had formed in his belly, giving a peculiar sensation, but it wasn’t unpleasant.

No, in fact, his heart seemed to throb pleasantly in response to the pulsation in his abdomen.

The more he focused, the clearer the presence of the mana core became, heightening his emotions.

‘This is the mana core…’

Three days ago, with Johan’s help, Yuri had successfully created a mana core.

And once again, he realized how foolish he had been to rely solely on the Avatar.

‘Even though it’s only the size of a thumbnail, everything feels so different.’

Over the past three days, the mana core Yuri had nurtured was only the size of a pinky nail.

Yet, his senses were significantly heightened, and his whole body was brimming with energy.

It felt as if he had been reborn.

Booo-ooo-oo.

“Ugh!”

The horn announcing the arrival sounded again, and Yuri stood up, stretching.

He looked remarkably refreshed and cheerful.

However, Johan, in contrast, looked utterly exhausted.

In just a few days, Johan’s face had become quite gaunt.

He glanced at Yuri with displeasure.

“…Are you happy?”

“Yes, I’m extremely happy. Why?”

“…”

Look at that face, like a cat basking in the sun.

He looked so blissful that Johan had an overwhelming desire to slap the back of his head.

But.

‘I don’t even have the strength for that right now, ugh…’

Johan’s shoulders drooped as he trembled with fatigue.

Today, the sky seemed particularly close and warm.

Was it an illusion?

As if it was beckoning him to come up quickly.

As if there was no pain here, tempting Johan.

‘Forget about groundbreaking achievements for humanity… I’m going to die first at this rate.’

Johan tapped his aching joints and glared at Yuri.

‘That damned kid! I thought one time would be enough!’

The reason he was groaning in pain and cursing was all because of Yuri.

The method he used to create a core for Yuri three days ago.

It involved sealing Yuri’s Spiritual Hole with his own power.

Then, redirecting the mana that was leaking from the Spiritual Hole back into the body to form the core.

It was a simple method in theory, but in practice, it was anything but easy.

If done wrong, it could damage Yuri’s Spiritual Hole, turning him into an idiot at a young age.

Thus, it required an immense amount of concentration and exertion.

Yet Johan attempted it, believing one time would be enough.

If successful, the core formed in the body would have enough cohesion to allow Yuri to accumulate mana on his own without further help.

He was sure of it.

But…

‘I dug my own grave.’

After great effort, Yuri successfully created a core.

However, contrary to expectations, the core in Yuri’s body failed to condense mana.

No matter how much he circulated the mana road, the core in the Spiritual Hole sucked up all the mana.

‘Damn it! How strong is the cohesion of the core in the Spiritual Hole!’

This meant the core in the Spiritual Hole had stronger cohesion than the core in the body.

In other words, as long as the Spiritual Hole was open, Yuri couldn’t accumulate mana in his body.

‘And since the newly formed core is unstable, it needs a constant supply of mana to properly settle in the body…’

Given the situation, what else could he do?

Every time Yuri circulated his mana road, Johan had to seal his Spiritual Hole.

The tremendous mental energy consumed by this task naturally took a toll on Johan’s old bones.

But the bigger problem was from now on.

‘How long am I supposed to do this?’

For Yuri to accumulate mana without his help, the core in his body had to have stronger cohesion than the core in the Spiritual Hole.

Either that or Yuri had to reach a level where he could open and close the Spiritual Hole at will.

But how easy was that?

‘Ultimately, this means I have to be by Yuri’s side every time he accumulates mana…’

After just three days of this, Johan had felt like he’d seen his deceased parents. If he had to keep this up, it wouldn’t just be a matter of seeing them; he’d be joining them in the afterlife.

‘A drastic measure is needed!’

A way to seal Yuri’s Spiritual Hole without Johan’s help!

Fortunately, Johan had an idea.

‘I’ll have to go find that guy.’

Coincidentally, the Niger Administrative District was where that person was located.

As Johan was mapping out his future plans in his head.

“Old Man, they said to disembark! Pack your things!”

Yuri, looking excited, urged Johan.

Seeing that, Johan felt a surge of irritation.

‘Damn brat, only he’s happy!’

Johan quickly erased the wicked glint in his eyes and put on a sly smile.

“You go ahead.”

“Huh? What about you, Old Man?”

“I have some things to pack. Let’s meet by the city gate.”

“Really? Okay, then.”

Yuri nodded nonchalantly at Johan’s words.

And he didn’t know.

He shouldn’t have taken this moment so lightly.

It didn’t take him long to realize that.

Thirty minutes later.

In front of the city gate, bustling with people coming and going.

Yuri stood there with a stiff face, staring at something.

Finally, unable to hold back, he asked.

“…Old Man, what the hell is this?”