Return of the Shattered Constellation

Chapter 46: Star, The Training (9)

Chang-Sun and Baek Gyeo-Ul had not only been chasing after the Jigwi for the past four days.

“It seems to have given birth or something,” Chang-Sun observed.

“Birth… Sir?” Gyeo-Ul repeated, tilting his head.

“Yeah. The only way it makes sense that the Jigwi suddenly left its nest and abruptly started using so much more fire energy is if it’s trying to feed its offspring,” Chang-Sun explained.

“Ah,” Gyeo-Ul replied with a nod.

“It seems we can use this to our advantage if we plan well… Besides, even a ranker can’t easily kill a mythical creature—no, a demonic creature like a Jigwi, so we have to prepare,” Chang-Sun said, looking back at Gyeo-Ul.

“Do you have any good plans?” Gyeo-Ul asked.

“What about you?” Chang-Sun replied, gesturing at Gyeo-Ul with his chin.

“I’ve come up with several plans, but I’m not sure whether they’re good,” Gyeo-Ul replied with a shrug.

“Then let’s use my plan, but incorporate some of yours,” Chang-Sun suggested.

“Yes, sir. What should we do first?” Gyeo-Ul asked.

“If my theory that the Jigwi has given birth to offspring is true, it’ll try to seek out nutritious food no matter what, making it easier for us to predict its route. So, we need to identify where it will go ahead of time and install traps in advance,” Chang-Sun explained. He was certain that the traps he had installed in the Jigwi’s nest would work on the Jigwi because he had already won several times in a combat simulation with Second Elder.

Fortunately, it would not be difficult to predict the Jigwi’s route. Just as Gyeo-Ul said, the Jigwi had been consuming an abnormal amount of food, which meant Chang-Sun only had to locate the habitats of high-Class monsters.

…

‘The fact that it swallows its prey’s souls was very helpful,’ Chang-Sun thought as he stared coldly at the Jigwi, which was struggling to stand up despite its half-frozen body.

[The Authority ‘Soul Exploitation’ gnaws at the spirits that make up the Jigwi!]

[The spirits have been caught in the Purgatory Brazier’s fire, which spreads to the other connected spirits.]

[The fire spreads all over the Jigwi.]

...

[The Jigwi has entered the ‘Burned’ state!]

...

[The Jigwi has entered the ‘Frostbite’ state!]

[The Jigwi has entered the ‘Paralyzed’ state!]

...

[The Purgatory Brazier’s fire is growing stronger.]

[You have begun absorbing the ashes!]

The traps installed by Chang-Sun and Gyeo-Ul were simple. They had killed any demonic creatures that could be food for the Jigwi before it could hunt them, using their corpses as bait. Although Gyeo-Ul was unsure how such traps could kill the Jigwi, Chang-Sun was confident that they could.

‘The Jigwi has started eating everything in sight. It has to eat a lot due to extreme hunger, not because it’s hunting for fun. So, it’ll love monsters that have already been killed,’ Chang-Sun thought.

As he had no need to exhaust all his stamina at once, Chang-Sun was able to apply a large amount of Ice Toxin and Paralysis Toxin to the monster corpses over time in order to slow down the Jigwi.

Fortunately, the plan worked. That was why the Jigwi had been unable to fly away when Chang-Sun and Gyeo-Ul ambushed it. On top of that, Chang-Sun had put in place another plan, one he had not told Gyeo-Ul: He had deliberately refrained from burning the spirits of the monsters they had killed.

Jigwis created the fire of death using the bodies and spirits of the prey they consumed. That meant Chang-Sun could affect the Jigwi by activating [Soul Exploitation] only after it ate the monsters’ spirits, which would then be considered part of it.

Just as planned, Chang-Sun had used [Soul Exploitation] on the Jigwi as it escaped into the air. The Purgatory Brazier’s fire had ignited the spirits of its prey, then spread to other spirits like a wildfire. As the Jigwi itself was a cluster of spirits, there was no way for it to escape. Inevitably, it lost all its ability to fly and plummeted to the ground.

Just like that, the Jigwi’s ashes were absorbed into Chang-Sun, along with the unique fire that symbolized the ‘Firebird of Death’.

Considering the attributes he had, Chang-Sun could be considered a natural enemy or antithesis—no, an absolute predator—to the Jigwi.

[The ‘Fire of the Eight Trigrams Brazier’ has begun absorbing endless quantities of the Jigwi’s fire. The destruction attribute is gradually being infused into the brazier on top of its existing regeneration attribute.]

[Your Strength has increased by 1.]

[Your Agility has increased by 2.]

...

[Your Magic has increased by 4.]

[Your Magic has Increased by 5.]

...

[Your Magic is increasing rapidly.]

[Warning! Uncontrollable growth may poison your body. Please refrain from overusing the Authority.]

[Warning! The Jigwi’s fire is being absorbed more quickly. The Fire of the Eight Trigrams Brazier’s properties are changing. The brazier is going out of control.]

The closer Chang-Sun got to the Jigwi, the more quickly he absorbed its fire. By the time he moved away, he was surrounded by a gigantic, whirling vortex of black and red fire that was slowly absorbed into his body. His skin turned red, and his magic circuit swelled until it seemed as if it would explode at any moment.

In an instant, his mana was multiplied several times over, saturating all his energy paths and meridians. Like a flooding river, Chang-Sun’s mana had begun flowing at a speed that was difficult to handle. If he had not strengthened his magic circuit in advance by cleansing his body with the Purification Fire, it would have overloaded, unable to handle the extraordinary amount of mana going berserk all throughout his body.

Although it should have been impossible for the current Chang-Sun to control the mana coursing through his body, he was able to manage it without any difficulty. Even as more of it blazed through his body with greater momentum, he took it in easily. In order to slow down the wildfire of mana, he increased his own magic circuit’s capacity by expanding it with more branches.

[Your magic circuit is growing!]

[Your magic circuit is growing!]

...

[Your magic circuit has exceeded its maximum capacity!]

[You have reached the limit of expanding your magic circuit.]

[You have reached the limit of reinforcing your magic circuit.]

...

[A new shunt has been installed.]

[The shunt has reached its limit.]

[A new shunt has been installed.]

[The shunt has reached its limit.]

...

[You have reached the limit of creating more cells.]

[Your magic circuit has determined that it cannot contain all the incoming mana in its current state, so it is attempting to transform!]

[Achievement unlocked!]

“The Sun Swallower.”

Reward: Intelligence +20, Willpower +20, Magic +??, Installation of ‘Integrated Magic Circuit’.

Chang-Sun’s ever-increasing number of magic circuit passages had rapidly grown out of control. Having reached the limit of expansion, they had begun to integrate with each other. Shunts, which made up the various cells of his magic circuit, connected to each other in a way that transformed the entire circuit. As a result, the efficiency of his magic cells increased significantly.

After the process of rebuilding Chang-Sun’s entire magic organ was complete, making it dozens of times more efficient than before, the magic pathways in his body began to resemble an integrated circuit.

Just then, the speed at which Chang-Sun absorbed the Jigwi’s fire increased once again. The capacity of his magic organ had expanded sufficiently to allow him to swallow the Jigwi whole.

Kieeehh!

[The Authority ‘Soul Exploitation’ has leveled up!]

[The speed of soul exploitation has increased.]

[The Jigwi is trying to resist!]

Just as the Authority leveled up, something Chang-Sun could never have anticipated would happen at his current level, the Jigwi forced itself to its feet in order to resist. It was determined to kill Chang-Sun by any means necessary, as it would die if it did nothing.

Thump! Thump! Thump!

Dragging its frozen wing across the ground, the Jigwi lunged toward Chang-Sun. As Chang-Sun had absorbed a great deal of its fire, it had shrunk to the height of a six-story apartment; however, it was still enormous, making the ground collapse every time it moved.

“U-Uh…!”

“What should we do…?!”

No matter how much the two instructors wanted to interfere, it would be impossible for them to do so. A powerful firestorm had begun raging between Chang-Sun and the Jigwi; jumping into the fray would simply be a death wish.

Paying no mind to the two perplexed instructors, Chang-Sun drew the [Yuchang Sword] from behind him, gripping it in his right hand. He thought, ‘I might be able to unseal it now.’

[The destruction attribute has been completely added to the Fire of the Eight Trigrams Brazier!]

[Its properties are changing.]

[The Eon Fire is being ignited little by little.]

When the message that informed Chang-Sun he could ignite the Eon Fire appeared, his eyes shone. The moment he was waiting for had finally arrived.

After exiting the Tutorial Dungeon, Chang-Sun had not merely spent the previous month on Earth idly killing time. He had been planning how to kill the Jigwi, and part of that plan involved putting in a great deal of effort to awaken the sealed [Yuchang Sword].

Just then, the moment he had been desperately waiting for arrived!

[The Eon Fire has been ignited, entering the ‘Yuchang Sword’!]

Whoosh―!

Glug, glug, glug!

Eon Fire, which had the same properties and traits as the Jigwi’s fire, ignited on Chang-Sun’s fingertips and promptly entered the [Yuchang Sword]. The weapon resembled a bronze fire poker, making it look as if it would melt at any moment. However, it instead drank in all the fire, trembling incessantly as if it were urging Chang-Sun to give it more fire.

Oooo, ooo―!

The blade began to glow bright red from the heat. Cracks began spreading audibly from the handle to the tip of the blade. Meanwhile, Eon Fire, mixed with blood from Chang-Sun’s palm, continued to be absorbed into the sword.

In truth, fire and blood were the keys needed to awaken the [Yuchang Sword], which had been sleeping for over a thousand years.

<Fire>…

The [Yuchang Sword] was forged by Ou Yezi the Divine Blacksmith, and had remained close to his furnace while being passed down to his heirs. Thus, it was only natural for <Fire> to settle within the sword, as it had been handled by many generations of Ou Yezis.

<Blood>…

The [Yuchang Sword] was the blade that had seen the most bloodshed among the Nine Fine Swords forged by Ou Yezi the Divine Blacksmith, and had gained a reputation as a demonic, murderous sword. Passing from one assassin to another, it was at times a blade of judgment used to kill corrupt officials, and at other times an instrument of torture used to slaughter innocent civilians. Thus, the <Blood> that seeped into the sword could never be washed clean.

The [Yuchang Sword] swallowed Chang-Sun’s <Fire> and drank Chang-Sun’s <Blood>. As it continued to feed incessantly, Chang-Sun likewise integrated his <Fire> and imprinted his <Blood> into the sword.

[The sword’s ‘Fire’ has awoken.]

[The sword’s ‘Blood’ has awoken.]

[You have successfully fulfilled the hidden conditions needed to unlock the relic.]

At that moment, the [Yuchang Sword] glowed completely red from the heat, covered in so many cracks that it seemed as if it would break apart.

“Cry,” Chang-Sun shouted, intoning the word like a magical incantation.

Roar―!

The [Yuchang Sword] let out a violent cry.

[The new owner’s mark has been imprinted on the ‘Yuchang Sword’!]

Boom!

The surface of the blade exploded. The layer of verdigris that had covered it disintegrated in an instant, and pieces of bronze scattered across the ground, revealing the true blade of the [Yuchang Sword]. Strange, indecipherable letters lined the new, longer blade; they shone with a red light that made it seem almost alive, emanating heat and smoke.

All throughout the process, Chang-Sun experienced the memory fragments contained within [Yuchang Sword]. Each and every one was the memory of one of the sword’s former owners, contained in fragments of their souls.

―Let me.

―Let me go.

―Hold me.

―Me.

―No, me…!

―No, pick me over him!

There were so many fragments that an ordinary person would have fainted, swept away in a flood of memories. The souls contained in the [Yuchang Sword] could even enter the body of its wielder. Naturally, however, the memories did not affect Chang-Sun one bit.

Although the souls within the [Yuchang Sword] were once famous assassins, heroes, and even demons, not one of them had accumulated as much karma as Chang-Sun. Thus, one word was enough to make them fall silent.

―Silence.

Just like that, the memory fragments ceased to make any noise. That was not all, however. With his willpower alone, Chang-Sun intended to overwhelm all the fragments, burning them all away using the Eon Fire and leaving only his thoughts and will. The process of eliminating the remaining marks would reset the [Yuchang Sword], allowing him to imprint it with his presence alone.

The fragments attempted to resist, but their efforts to avoid being swept away by the Eon Fire were futile. Chang-Sun’s presence filled the newly empty sword, making him feel as if he had become one with the [Yuchang Sword.]

[Congratulations! You have become the new owner of the ‘Yuchang Sword’.]

[You have successfully achieved ‘Sword-Body Union’!]

That was all Chang-Sun needed. The smoke emanating from the sword’s inscriptions swirled around him, slowly forming a large tornado that surrounded his body.

Whoosh, swish, whoosh!

From left to right, Chang-Sun slashed a line in the air with the [Yuchang Sword]. The tornado that had formed around him exploded, ignited by the Eon Fire imbued into the sword. Turning into a vast stream of fire that resembled Dragon Breath, it struck the Jigwi near-instantly.

Kiieehh!

[Critical Hit!]

[The Jigwi has received a Critical Hit!]

The frozen half of the Jigwi’s body shattered to pieces, broken apart by a mix of [Tiger Disaster] and [Tiger Kill]. It tried to flee, but Chang-Sun chased after it, swinging the [Yuchang Sword] multiple times.

Swish, swish, swish!

[‘Tiger Teeth’ has exploded!]

[‘Tiger Teeth’ has exploded!]

...

Every time the [Yuchang Sword] moved, it cut away part of the Jigwi’s body. Just like that, the monster went from being the size of a six-story apartment to a five-story apartment, and then to four… Soon, it was no more than three meters tall.

Each time part of the fire that made up the Jigwi’s body was torn away, Chang-Sun consumed it all, not leaving behind a single spark.

[The Skill ‘Black Mountain King’s First Claw’ has been activated!]

Swoosh!

Slashing one last time with the [Yuchang Sword], Chang-Sun unleashed a final burst of black wind and Eon Fire that carved what remained of the Jigwi apart diagonally from top to bottom.

Kieeeh…

As it died, the Jigwi could only muster the faintest trace of a shriek. Its plaintive wail sounded almost as if it were speaking in protest, or expressing lingering resentment, but the claw had already torn it apart.

Clang!

Thud―!

In the end, the Jigwi disappeared. The two Nameless Short Spears fell quietly to the ground along with a red Jewel Eye.

[Acquired ‘Jigwi’s Right Jewel Eye × 1’!]

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