Choi Hyun-seok doubted his ears.

“Abandon magical power and demonic energy? Did I hear that correctly?”

“Precisely. To fill a vessel with new power, mustn’t you first empty it?”

Sara Dunphy said with an expression that suggested this was obvious.

“Of course, it’s impossible to completely reduce magical power and demonic energy to nothing. A very faint energy will inevitably remain.”

The body is like a sponge.

It’s nearly impossible to completely squeeze out magical power, and even if successful, the body immediately absorbs magical power from the atmosphere.

In the end, no matter how depleted magical power becomes, trace amounts must remain in the body.

“That’s when the opportunity comes. You must transform all remaining magical power and demonic energy in your body into purple energy.”

“Hmm… How long do I need to do this?”

“Until your vessel is filled with purple energy. I believe your body will transform accordingly.”

To put it simply:

Fill the entire body with purple energy.

Reach a state where no more magical power and demonic energy can enter.

After that, Choi Hyun-seok’s body will naturally adapt and change to match the new power.

Park Hyun-a, who had been listening nearby, interrupted.

“Hey, do you understand what you’re saying?”

“Is there some problem?”

“There are tons!”

Park Hyun-a got down from the rock she was sitting on.

“Emptying out magical power and demonic energy. That part’s fine. Though it takes heavy mental toll, he could probably do it. But…”

Her brow furrowed deeply as she spoke.

“Synthesizing magical power and demonic energy in that state? Impossible.”

“It’s not synthesis, but discarding their properties.”

“Anyway! The important thing is that creating that purple energy consumes enormous mental energy.”

Park Hyun-a cannot handle purple energy.

However, from her time with Choi Hyun-seok, she knows how much mental energy it consumes.

“The act of emptying magical power and demonic energy comes with severe fatigue. In that state, you’re saying to continue something that’s difficult even briefly until both magical power and demonic energy recover, for several hours? It’s not something a human can do.”

Park Hyun-a glanced at Choi Hyun-seok and continued.

“I know he’s exceptional, but this isn’t feasible.”

“Do you not believe in your companion?”

“This isn’t about belief, it’s about common sense.”

Park Hyun-a moved close to Sara Dunphy as she spoke.

Being similar in height, they ended up facing each other at eye level.

“Just because the chances of success are low, you won’t even try? I believe that hero will succeed.”

“Oh, sure.”

Park Hyun-a swallowed a bitter laugh and continued.

“You need to think about the risks too. If he fails, isn’t there a chance something could go wrong with Choi Hyun-seok?”

“Of course, there is. It might end with simply losing consciousness, but there’s also a possibility of fatal injury.”

“So you’re saying to do something with extremely low chances of success, where we don’t know what will happen if it fails? Why don’t you just tell him to jump into a fire pit?”

“I merely provided the solution that was asked for. You’ve done nothing but talk without offering any solutions yourself.”

Sparks flew between Park Hyun-a and Sara Dunphy.

Neither backed down an inch in their confrontation.

That’s when Choi Hyun-seok stepped forward.

“Older sister. It’s fine.”

“Fine? Don’t tell me you’re going to try it!?”

“Yes.”

Choi Hyun-seok seemed intent on following Sara Dunphy’s words.

Park Hyun-a let out a deep sigh.

“You know better than me. The chances of success are less than 5% even being generous.”

“I know.”

“What if something goes wrong and you die?”

“How could I die with you and Ms. Abelson here?”

“Haa… Fuck.”

Park Hyun-a irritably scratched the back of her head and turned away.

“Whatever, do what you want. Idiot. Die if you want.”

Watching Park Hyun-a’s retreating back, Sara Dunphy smiled faintly.

“What a shy companion.”

“Well, that’s how she is.”

Choi Hyun-seok also grinned and nodded.

“So. Are you really going to try?”

“Yes.”

“This will be your battle alone. No one can help you. They shouldn’t help.”

“I’ve already decided.”

Choi Hyun-seok said with a calm expression.

Sara Dunphy nodded as she faced him.

“Good eyes.”

Based on her centuries of experience, Sara Dunphy was certain.

Those with eyes like his always succeed.

***

Choi Hyun-seok began preparations immediately.

All residents of Inessimot gathered to prevent any possible accidents.

“If it seems impossible, stop right away. Don’t push yourself unnecessarily.”

Park Hyun-a said with an indifferent expression.

“Mr. Choi Hyun-seok can do it!”

“That’s right! Our hero might look clumsy, but he has good luck with these things!”

Abelson and Rachel cheered with raised fists.

“Heff! Heff!”

Even Bobo stuck out his tongue and panted, seemingly in anticipation.

“Then I’ll begin.”

Choi Hyun-seok declared.

The group watched him silently.

Woong…!

The magical power and demonic energy inside his body began to slowly release.

He didn’t release too much at once.

This could put a strain on his body if he’s not careful.

Even if it takes longer, he lets it flow as naturally and slowly as possible.

‘Just let it flow…’

Time continues to pass.

Though it was tedious work, Choi Hyun-seok maintained his concentration.

“Has it been about two hours?”

“Yes. About half remains now.”

In two hours, he had released half of his magical power and demonic energy.

Choi Hyun-seok continued working with his eyes closed.

“Hey, you mutt! I told you not to lick me because it tickles!”

“Heff! Heff!”

Time keeps flowing.

Rachel and Bobo, unable to endure the boredom, rolled around and played nearby.

Choi Hyun-seok continued releasing magical power and demonic energy, still with his eyes closed.

“Now’s the time.”

Sara Dunphy stepped forward then.

“Discard the properties of magical power and demonic energy and bind them together.”

Not even 0.01% of magical power and demonic energy remained in his body.

Releasing more would be meaningless.

Because minute amounts would continue to recover and remain in the body.

So now was the perfect time to move on to the next step.

‘This is where the real work begins.’

Choi Hyun-seok steeled himself and slowly gathered the magical power and demonic energy in one place.

‘Physically, I’m still okay.’

Though he had been releasing magical power and demonic energy for nearly five hours, his condition wasn’t as bad as expected.

This was thanks to minimizing physical strain during the release.

While mentally somewhat fatigued, he had enough energy left to perform the next task.

‘Hmm…’

Choi Hyun-seok’s brow twitched.

‘This is a complete battlefield.’

The actual process of condensing magical power and demonic energy into purple energy went smoothly enough.

The problem came next.

The magical power and demonic energy flowing in from outside rejected the purple energy.

The rejection reaction from demonic energy in particular was so violent that it caused extreme pain.

It felt like using Plomot.

“Ungh…”

Another hour passed.

Choi Hyun-seok still sat in the same position, but his expression was twisted in pain.

His clothes had long since become damp with flowing sweat.

“Should I cool him down with magic?”

As Rachel started to step forward, Sara Dunphy stopped her.

“Using magic will change the flow of magical power and demonic energy in the atmosphere.”

“Then…”

“Leave him be. Now is the time to watch.”

They couldn’t risk dispersing Choi Hyun-seok’s concentration even slightly.

“Isn’t this too slow? He hasn’t even filled 10% yet.”

Park Hyun-a muttered in a small voice.

Sara Dunphy nodded in agreement.

“The pace is certainly slow.”

At this rate, who knew how many hours it would take to replenish with magical power and demonic energy?

He might need to stay like that for another 10 hours.

More than 6 hours had already passed, and Choi Hyun-seok was concentrating in place.

Worry set in as the remaining journey would be even longer and more treacherous than what had come before.

“If something goes wrong, be prepared… I’ll strip off all your skin…”

Park Hyun-a growled in a whisper near Sara Dunphy’s ear.

Sara Dunphy just watched Choi Hyun-seok with a faint smile.

“Don’t underestimate hero Choi Hyun-seok’s mental strength. This is just the beginning.”

“You’ve only known him for a few days but you sure talk big… Someone might think you’re his lifelong nanny…”

“With age comes certain insights.”

Sara Dunphy raised her hand to block Park Hyun-a.

“Why don’t you calm your excitement first? Your magical power is leaking out.”

“Tch.”

Park Hyun-a clicked her tongue and backed away.

As Sara Dunphy said, they couldn’t affect the magical power in the atmosphere.

All they could do now was watch.

***

Choi Hyun-seok fell into a trance-like state.

Accepting magical power and demonic energy.

Simultaneously converting it to purple energy and maintaining it.

Though it was repetitive work, it required intense concentration.

To make matters worse, the growing purple energy tried to escape from inside his body, causing double the mental drain as he struggled to hold it in.

The urge to give up and quit everything right now dominated his body.

Like someone who hadn’t slept for days, an unbearable drowsiness swept over him.

Choi Hyun-seok bit his lip hard.

‘Just a little… Just a little more…’

The metallic taste of blood helped bring him back to his senses somewhat.

By now, 90% of his body was filled with purple energy.

The more it increased, the more concentration it took to control.

Choi Hyun-seok continued working in a half-conscious state.

‘Almost there…’

The magical power and demonic energy entering his body began to decrease rapidly.

The inside was already so full there was no more empty space.

‘Did it…!’

Finally, the flow of magical power and demonic energy was cut off.

His entire body was filled with purple energy.

‘Now I just need to keep this from escaping…’

At that moment, excruciating pain swept over him.

Choi Hyun-seok coughed up blood.

“Kuh, kuhak…!”

Everything went wild.

The energy filling his body.

The flesh containing it.

Everything mixed chaotically as his body began to break down.

“… Insane…!”

“Stop! Stay right…!”

“Hero! Wake up… Hero!”

“I’ll kill…!”

The voices of his companions reached him faintly.

Choi Hyun-seok desperately tried to hold onto consciousness, but now he was at his limit.

‘Ah, I’m going.’

Along with his fading mind, the thread of consciousness snapped.

***

Choi Hyun-seok lifted his heavy eyelids with a groan.

“Mmm…”

“Are you alright?”

What he saw was the silver-haired beauty, Abelson Mariette.

She was looking down at him with a face full of worry.

“Are you perhaps an angel…?”

Choi Hyun-seok said with a faint smile.

Even at his joke, Abelson’s expression didn’t relax.

‘It was like this when we first met too, wasn’t it?’

The day he first met Abelson was just like now.

Choi Hyun-seok had lost consciousness and woken up.

Seeing the dazzling beauty before his eyes as soon as he opened them, he mistook her for an angel.

‘Ah… Shit. Come to think of it, I asked for a kiss then.’

He had asked for a kiss as a final gift, saying it would be unfair to die without having dated twice.

What he got in return was a look like she was watching an insect.

It’s still an embarrassing memory to think about.

Just then, Abelson’s lips parted slightly.

“Now…. Will….”

“Pardon?”

As Choi Hyun-seok, who couldn’t hear properly because it was so quiet, was about to ask again.

“Hero! You’re awake!?”

“Hey. You conscious?”

“Heff! Heff!”

His companions burst in.

Choi Hyun-seok ignored them and grabbed Abelson.

“What did you just say?”

“I didn’t say anything?”

“No, surely…”

Park Hyun-a came closer and examined Choi Hyun-seok.

“This bastard just woke up and isn’t in his right mind yet.”

She held up her middle finger.

“How many fingers is this?”

“Fuck! I’m fine!”

“Hmm, definitely not in his right mind.”

Park Hyun-a nodded and stepped back.

“Rest for now. Tell me if you want anything to eat. You’ve been lying down for over a week so you must be hungry.”

“What? A week?”

Choi Hyun-seok was shocked at the mention of a week.

“Yeah. That Lich woman wouldn’t let us lay a finger on you so we just had to watch.”

The moment Choi Hyun-seok’s body was filled with purple energy, his body collapsed, trembling like liquid.

Park Hyun-a and Abelson rushed to use healing magic but Sara Dunphy stopped them.

“Stop, it’s dangerous.”

“Dangerous? DANGEROUS!? Are you really crazy enough to let him die!?”

“We must wait for natural healing. If external magical power interferes, we’ll get a half-baked result or failure.”

“The kid looks like he’s dying and you’re worried about failure!?”

Loud voices were exchanged between the two, but they couldn’t even use magic for fear it might affect Choi Hyun-seok.

In the end, stopped by Sara Dunphy, the group could only watch over Choi Hyun-seok.

As time passed like that.

Gradually stabilizing his form, Choi Hyun-seok finally opened his eyes after a week.

“Then is it all done?”

“How would I know? Try opening your status window.”

“Hmm, alright.”

His eyes widened as he checked his status window.

“This is…”

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