1. Name: Kim Su-hyun (Year 3)

[Strength 96(+2)] [Endurance 94(+2)] [Agility 98] [Stamina 100(+2)] [Magic 96] [Luck 90(+2)]

(Remaining ability points: 0 points.)

Finally, I achieved 100 points in stamina. Considering the difference between 100 and 101, I’m still far from mastering Hwajeong, but compared to when I was operating at 70 points, it’s a significant improvement.

…To be honest, there was a slight sense of emptiness. With 10 points, I could have reached 101 or 102. Having briefly experienced that power before, I knew what it felt like.

But since it was already done, I decided to think positively. Most importantly, conquering the Iron Mountain guarantees 1 point. Then, I can achieve the third awakening and fully control Hwajeong.

I already consider Hwajeong’s power superior to a 102 ability score, so I have no regrets about this decision.

So, is the second awakening all that’s left now?

“Hwajeong? Hwajeong!”

I called out to Hwajeong immediately. As expected, there was no response. Just as I was about to worry, I realized there was no need. A familiar, yet slightly different message appeared in the air.

“The second stage of Hwajeong’s awakening, Flame Eye - ‘The Eternal Flame,’ begins.”

The first stage was the declaration of territory, the command of the ancient.

The second stage is the Flame Eye, the eternal flame.

Suddenly, a strange sense of déjà vu washed over me. It felt like I had experienced this before, as if the whole world had come to a halt.

Thump, thump! Thump, thump!

And then, I heard the fierce beating of my heart.

But just like before, the world, time, hadn’t stopped. The surroundings remained unchanged, with the occasional breeze rustling the grass. However, everything seemed to move in slow motion, as if rewinding at a slow pace.

And then, it happened.

Fwoosh, fwoosh!

My vision began to blaze red. Or had the world turned red?

I couldn’t tell. But one thing was certain: my vision had suddenly turned entirely red. The garden’s colorful scenery now appeared all in red.

Then it happened.

Fwoosh!

In an instant, a flash seemed to burst before my eyes, and a burning sensation enveloped my eyes.

“Ugh!”

I let out an involuntary cry. I thought I was immune to most pain, but this was on a different level.

“Aaagh! Aaaagh!”

Would it feel like this if molten metal were poured directly onto my eyes? It felt as if my eyeballs were melting, a sensation beyond imagination.

Fwoosh, fwoosh!

As I writhed in pain, feeling as if my eyes were being pierced, I sensed the flames erupting again. The surroundings began to heat up rapidly.

I still didn’t know what was happening. I had no time to look around. I could only barely grasp the situation through the sensations around me, repeatedly squinting and opening my eyes.

“Ughhhhh!”

Unable to endure the ever-increasing pain, I collapsed onto the ground. At the same time, I felt a twinge of regret. I had thought it wouldn’t be much different from the first awakening, but the pain was far worse than expected. Just like when I first accepted Hwajeong, I couldn’t stop the tears from flowing.

Fwoosh, boom!

Fwoosh, boom!

As a loud explosion echoed in my ears, I felt all my senses cut off, and my vision turned white. Not just my vision, but my mind as well.

It was a phenomenon I was all too familiar with.

So, I’m going to pass out soon.

As if confirming my thoughts, darkness slowly descended over my vision like a shutter. The only silver lining was that, with all my senses cut off, I no longer felt any pain.

And after a while.

Through my barely open eyes, the last thing I saw was the still-red world and the flames dancing in the air. Then, suddenly, a long flame reached out and covered my eyes.

It felt as if it was urging me to close my eyes, so I gently shut them.

“Brother! Are you okay? Brother, brother!”

How much time had passed?

I heard a voice calling me, and I cautiously opened my eyes. I saw An Sol’s worried face in front of me, and around me, clan members with similar expressions.

The world was still red.

I seemed to be in a dining hall. Glancing at the window, I saw the dark, red night outside. It meant I hadn’t been unconscious for long. A sense of relief washed over me for no reason.

“Ugh.”

I slowly sat up. An Sol exclaimed as she looked at me.

“Brother! Are you okay?”

“Hmm?”

“Your eyes, your eyes are strange! They’re glowing red…!”

“Red, huh.”

I checked my body condition first. When I exerted my strength, I found I could get up more easily than I expected. Not only that, but I felt incredibly refreshed all over.

Indeed. Is this the effect of having 100 stamina? Then what was the process I went through during the awakening?

Only one person would know the answer.

“Hwajeong?”

• …Yes.

Fortunately, Hwajeong responded. But I couldn’t shake the feeling that she seemed a bit drained.

“What’s happened to me? Can you tell me?”

• …The second awakening is complete. And your eyes… it’s just a side effect of the first awakening. They’ll return to normal in a day or two. Just hang in there until then…

“Are you… okay?”

• Not really. It’s been a while since I manifested, so I’m exhausted… Come to think of it, it’s all your fault, giving me a gift for no reason…

“A gift?”

• …Let’s talk later. I’m really sleepy now. Anyway, nothing’s wrong, so don’t worry… If anything happens, I’ll take responsibility.

“Responsibility? What responsibility? Hwajeong? Hwajeong!”

Hwajeong’s words were sudden and confusing. I called out to her several times, but she didn’t respond. Her voice had sounded quite tired, so she must have fallen asleep.

“Brother…”

Then, An Sol’s quiet voice reached my ears.

I snapped back to reality. An awkward silence filled the dining hall, and the clan members were looking at me with anxious faces. Judging by the bottles each of them held, it seemed I had unintentionally ruined the festival. Moreover, my silence must have made them even more uneasy. I felt a twinge of guilt.

I’ll look into the second awakening in detail tomorrow. For now, I should focus on the present.

“I’m really sorry. It seems I’ve ruined the festive mood.”

“That’s not the issue right now…”

“If you’re worried about my condition, I’m fine. There’s nothing wrong. It was just a minor mishap.”

”…”

I tried to explain, but it didn’t seem to convince them. Their gazes remained fixed on me, especially on my eyes. Do they look that strange? It’s not like users with different-colored eyes are unheard of.

Thinking it might be best to change the subject, I glanced around. Soon, I found a perfect topic. In one corner of the dining hall, Vivian was kneeling with her hands raised.

Come to think of it, I originally went out to find Vivian.

With a nod of his chin, someone stepped forward. It was Heo Jun-young.

“I brought him back. After you left and didn’t return for a while, I went out and found him collapsed in the garden. So…”

”…You didn’t think Vivian was responsible, did you?”

“I thought the chances were zero, but the situation left little room for doubt. Besides, I figured I might as well retrieve what was taken.”

“No, no! I did take the results, but I had nothing to do with Kim Soo-hyun!”

Vivian protested, her face a picture of injustice, as Heo Jun-young shrugged. I let out a sigh.

“Yeah, Vivian didn’t do it. It was my mistake.”

“R-really?”

“But.”

“Eek!”

”…You do know what you did wrong, right?”

“Well, um… I’m sorry… I was just so captivated at first sight… I didn’t mean to… I’m really sorry…”

Vivian hung her head, clearly aware of her wrongdoing. Still, taking the results without a word was something I couldn’t just let slide. It was important not to set a precedent. I frowned and took a step forward. Just then—

“Here.”

Clang, clang!

Thud!

Something black flew through the air and landed in front of the kneeling Vivian. Her eyes widened in shock. I blinked, then turned to Heo Jun-young in surprise. He had returned the results Vivian had taken.

“What are you doing?”

Heo Jun-young looked at Vivian with a bored expression, then shrugged.

“I’m not just giving it back. As an alchemist, I’ll get something out of it eventually. And…”

”…And?”

I waited for him to continue. Heo Jun-young grimaced, recalling something unpleasant.

“I appraised it with ‘Goose Appraisal’ and understood why. It was enchanted with a charm spell. Especially one that no woman could resist…”

“A charm spell?”

“Yeah. And it’s not something I want anyway. It’s better if she takes it.”

”…Even so.”

I glanced over, but Vivian had already tucked the results into her arms, her face beaming with relief. She looked at Heo Jun-young with genuine gratitude, while I ground my teeth. Sensing my frustration, Heo Jun-young tapped my shoulder.

“Kim Soo-hyun, can’t we just let it go here? I don’t want to cause a scene because of me.”

“And if I can’t?”

“I’m not saying don’t address it, just not here. Like with Ahn Hyun recently… I don’t want to ruin a good gathering.”

”…Tsk.”

Heo Jun-young cautiously mentioned Ahn Hyun, and I clicked my tongue. Vivian watched me with a nervous expression, sensing my internal struggle.

But with Heo Jun-young making such a request, I couldn’t ignore it. I had a sense of what he was thinking.

In the end, I nodded. But I didn’t forget to add a word.

“Vivian, we need to talk later.”

“Y-yeah. I’m really sorry. I wasn’t in my right mind.”

With Vivian’s quiet nod, the incident was temporarily resolved, at least for now, as per Heo Jun-young’s request.

In the ensuing silence, I turned my attention back to the table. Seven results remained.

I clapped my hands a couple of times to regain everyone’s focus and spoke calmly.

“As you all know, the results from Pandora’s Box belong solely to the user, Heo Jun-young. I’m sure you’re all aware of the rules. If you want something, you’ll have to negotiate with the owner.”

In other words, they needed to trade.

It was a given, and the clan members nodded in agreement, soon filling the room with a buzz of conversation.

Though the atmosphere wasn’t as heated as before, I was relieved to have shifted the focus. If we could steer the mood towards celebrating Heo Jun-young, the festivities could continue.

With that in mind, I stretched and spoke up.

“Anyway, congratulations, Heo Jun-young. I saw earlier that you got some good stuff.”

“Yeah, it seems so. Is there anything you want? I’m willing to share a bit with you and An Sol.”

Heo Jun-young sipped his drink quietly. I chuckled.

“It’d be a lie to say no. But I haven’t seen everything yet…”

“Anima Oratio?”

The voice stopped me in my tracks as I was about to head to the table. I turned back to Heo Jun-young.

Anima Oratio. He hit the nail on the head.

“If you want it… I could give it to you.”

Heo Jun-young glanced at me, and I felt a strange heaviness settle in. There was an odd yearning in his eyes.

”…Seems like you have something in mind. Go ahead, tell me.”

Heo Jun-young didn’t answer immediately. He savored his drink, his throat moving slowly.

Then, he calmly set down his glass and spoke.

“An ability. I want to learn one of the abilities you use.”

As time passed, the night deepened, and darkness enveloped the garden. The first floor of the building, which reached up to the eighth floor, was still brightly lit, and lively sounds spilled out. In contrast, a corner of the garden was utterly silent. The surroundings were pitch black, with only the moon casting its radiant glow.

Yet, the garden’s corner didn’t seem lonely compared to the building. It wasn’t desolate. Instead, a warm aura, different from the building’s energy, filled the area. It was the kind of warmth one might feel when a mother cradles her child.

The source of this warmth was a white figure nestled among the grass. Covered in silvery-white fur, with a horn that had grown noticeably, it was the young unicorn, Yumi. No longer a baby, Yumi had grown over the past three years and was now more of a foal.

Yumi lay quietly under the moonlight, her posture slightly uncomfortable. Unlike before, when she would sleep sprawled out, she now curled up as if cradling something.

Those somethings were long, oval shapes, very much like eggs. And there were two of them. One was a spotless white, and the other a deep yellow. In other words, Yumi was sleeping with two eggs nestled against her.

While Yumi slept soundly, the eggs were restless. Unaware of Yumi’s efforts to shield them from the night’s chill, they occasionally wobbled or shifted, causing quite a commotion.

Kyu-ru-ru…

Perhaps sensing something amiss, Yumi slowly lifted her head and licked the trembling eggs with her tongue. It seemed more like an instinctive action than a conscious one. As the eggs gradually settled, Yumi pulled them close and buried her head again.

Had Yumi opened her eyes, even just a little, she might have noticed the change.

The eggs’ surfaces were now glowing with a soft light.

And fine cracks had begun to form on their shells.

---------------------------= Author’s Note ---------------------------=

This is strange. The updates are there, but the page won’t load. Is it just me? For reference, I’m on a desktop.