Memorize

The Hwajung traveling down my esophagus was hot. And the moment it touched the magic power flowing gently inside my body, it reacted for the first time.

'Whoosh! Whoosh!'

The Hwajung, reacting with the magic power, quickly transformed into a fierce blaze and began to expand uncontrollably. The power of the stone was both pure and strong enough to distinctly feel the latent smell of flame within the bead.

'Boom…!'

That was the feeble first reaction. Nevertheless, my body swelled and erupted, spewing forth flames. This was evidence that my body couldn't contain the sudden surge of energy and was emitting it outward. With every twitch, sparks flew in all directions, and my body intermittently convulsed.

Perhaps seeing me in this state, I faintly heard Seraph's incantation. I managed to raise my hand toward her, signaling not to interfere.

There was nothing wrong with Seraph's words. Forcing my power to *control* Hwajung's energy was an impossible task with my current abilities. Of course, if I were to use the ancient Priestess's tattoo, I might somehow succeed. However, I had no intention of relying on the tattoo just yet. In fact, it would be more accurate to say that I never intended to use it to suppress the Hwajung in the first place. The ancient Priestess's tattoo was meant to provide a place for the Hwajung's energy, which would become my companion in the future. Nothing more, nothing less.

What I wanted was neither suppression nor control. After all, what human could possibly handle a power comparable to the flames of hell?

But if I changed my approach to simply borrowing the power, the situation might be different.

When I briefly opened my eyes, I could faintly see Seraph. She was stamping her feet anxiously. It was rather refreshing to see an angel like that, but I immediately grimaced. I knew very well that this was only the beginning, and that what was to come was much more intense.

Comparing the explosion caused by the Hwajung to a typical explosion is difficult. It was not a physical explosion but an explosion of pure energy. This entailed an unimaginable level of power and pain. And now, the Hwajung has finally begun its full-scale action from within.

'Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!'

"Crack. Crunch."

The ensuing explosions made me involuntarily roll my eyes back. The pain from the full-scale explosions was beyond imagination. Despite having endured countless injuries and suffering over ten years of activity on the Hall Plain, it felt trivial compared to what I was experiencing now. The thought of even more intense pain to come sent shivers down my spine, but I clenched my teeth even harder.

I repeated to myself over and over. I am Kim Su-Hyeon, the player who has seen the end of the Hall Plain. During that time, I had to endure and struggle endlessly. The pride of having obtained the Zero Code that no one else could achieve in those ten years was definitely not something easily obtained through mere superficial efforts.

The surrounding noise was chaotic, whether it was the sound of the explosions or Seraph speaking. I couldn't even hear it clearly. Meanwhile, Hwajung was steadily building up its energy with every passing moment. As another explosion was about to occur, I poured all my magical power into boosting Hwajung's energy.

As my immense magical power, nearing 90, reinforced Hwajung's energy, it briefly halted the imminent explosion. Though it lasted only a moment, I was able to manage a faint smile. My magical power seamlessly merged with Hwajung's energy.

A pure collection of fire. An eternal flame. Hwajung is an energy with will. It is similar to ego equipment that possesses self-awareness and chooses its master but differs in the will aspect. It can exert its power according to its own will or choose not to. It lacks self-awareness but retains emotions. And now, through the fusion of magical power, I was harmonizing with the energy of fire.

The emotion I sensed from Hwajung was one of disbelief. Typically, when engaging in internal destructive activities, it is common to control the energy. However, instead, I was making Hwajung's actions more comfortable. I was extending my hand, not to subjugate it, but to request its power as an equal. I was fervently crying out in my heart.

'I need you desperately. So go ahead and wield your power as you wish. Judge for yourself whether I am a suitable partner to borrow your strength, and show me the result.'

At last, I was granted a brief moment to catch my breath. I exhaled hot breaths through my nostrils. Flames spewed from my nose.

'Alright. I understand.'

And with that, I had finally obtained Hwajung's consent.

After briefly stabilizing the internal situation, I guided Hwajung to a space where it could freely play. The first targets were the right and left arms. Quickly, I distributed the energy and sent it forcefully in both directions. By directing the pathways through the circuits and blood vessels, the immense energy began to surge like a powerful wave. Hwajung, without even having time to recognize it, swiftly occupied even the tiny acupoints at the tips of both fingers.

'Bubble! Bubble!'

'Tap! Tap! Tap! Tap!'

Inside my body, I felt a pleasant pain like something popping. It was the sound of blocked blood vessels being cleared. Even though it was forced, the effect was incredible. The energy was piercing through even the fine acupoints at the fingertips that were hard to reach with my past physical mastery.

At the same time, yellowish pus and dark liquid bubbled up from the skin on my arms, eventually evaporating into the air due to the heat. The waste and impurities hidden in my body were struck by this sudden clearing. Normally, I'd clap and be happy about it, but I didn't have the luxury right now.

Even though it was just pushed into my arms, it was a dizzying feeling, but I gently redirected the energy back to the center. Fortunately, the energy that had already been conquered seemed to comply with my will. As soon as all the energy in my arms was gone, they went limp. I had lost all sensation from the overwhelming shock and pain.

I worried I might lose my arms, but I didn't want to turn back. I calmed the impatient energy, urging it to lead to my legs. As we neared, I gently pushed my back, and, perhaps eagerly, it started to flow down like rough waves.

'Bubble! Bubble!'

'Tap! Tap! Tap! Tap!'

There was no difference in the process compared to the arms. The result was the same. Once the energy in my legs was cleared, they too lost sensation. They went weak and slumped down. With my current resistance, physical strength, and magic power, maintaining my form without breaking apart was all I could manage.

'Whether it wants to or not.' The energy, like a fish in water, was leaping around joyfully, continuously exploding inside my body. It was on the verge of driving me insane. I wanted to faint from the pain pounding through my entire body, but my superhuman resistance was barely holding my sanity together.

'Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!'

Every time an explosion was heard, my heart would race and my blood would heat up. Seeing the energy signaling, "Is there no more fun to be had?" I gathered my resolve and asked it to focus more energy. The next step would be to guide it to the final challenge: my head.

Facing the head, I felt fear for the first time. It was a fear that could not be controlled. Whether or not I could clear it, the pain I imagined experiencing was unbearable. That was when it happened.

"If you don't want to, we can stop. There's no need to go all the way to the head. It's enough just as it is."

It was as if the energy was whispering these words gently in my ear. For a moment, I was about to nod in agreement, but I immediately shook my head. Rationality was screaming to stop, but instinctively, I gathered the energy and guided it to the passage leading to my head.

"How foolish. You might die!"

I was ready to proceed.

'Don't do it. Don't do it. Don't do it.'

My head protested, but I ignored it and followed my instincts. I shouted desperately as I sent the energy through the passage.

"Don't underestimate me!"

Though it was an involuntary outburst, my determination seemed to be conveyed clearly. At the same time, the central energy began to spin vigorously. It gathered and flowed down to the lower abdomen, then stopped.

In that moment, I drew on every last bit of strength I had to propel the energy upward. As it made a dramatic explosion, the energy was about to rush through my throat.

"Gah!"

'Boom!'

Blood burst from every opening in my body—nose, mouth, ears, eyes. My instincts were screaming a warning. It felt like facing death itself.

'Whirl! Whirl!'

The blocked energy in my throat was causing a great turmoil. If it exploded here, it would be a nightmare of unimaginable reality. Dizziness overwhelmed me, as if I were falling into an abyss.

I knew this was the final moment. Even in my dazed state, I gathered the energy roaming around my throat and pulled it back down to below the abdomen. Fortunately, the energy followed my intention.

"I have to do it no matter what."

Once... twice... three times... After spinning and rampaging ten times in total, I gathered all my remaining strength and surged upward towards my head with the thought that this would be the last. The pain that would follow was already out of my mind.

Bang!

The harsh impact shook my whole body. As the neck was smoothly pierced and a passageway towards the head was cleared, the energy of Hwajung quickly covered my entire head just like before.

I literally couldn't see in front of me. That was all. The momentary flicker of vision left the world as nothing but white. A state where nothing could be felt. It was as if a cut was made in the middle of my memory and the severed ends were just patched together.

I finally came to terms with the situation. The energy of Hwajung swirled around in my head as if complaining about why I resisted. I truly felt as though my brain was melting.

Pain? Honestly, when I first pierced through, it felt like a refreshing sensation of something incredible. But as my vision slowly recovered and my body's sensory perception gradually returned, I could feel it. The kind of pain I never want to experience again in my lifetime.

'Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh!'

If I could have screamed, I would have shouted with all my might. The pain I felt was far beyond what an ordinary human could endure, a different dimension of stimulation that enveloped my body. Would it feel like this if I submerged my head in a blazing furnace? Would it be similar if I dipped straw sandals in oil and jumped into a fireball? Even though I had experienced all kinds of battles, from mountainous to aerial to urban warfare, at this moment, I genuinely wanted to die.

A colossal burst of energy, so massive it could be seen from outside, engulfed my entire body. It was a different kind of explosion from any I had experienced before. The eternal flames, starting from my head, slowly occupied my insides as if declaring, "You belong to me now." The areas touched by the energy of the Hwajung felt each cell sizzling and boiling, but it wasn't painful—rather, it even felt somewhat warm.

After some time had passed, my vision, though still blurry, began to return. My body remained immobile. When I lifted my incredibly heavy eyelids, I saw Seraph looking down at me with a pale face, staring blankly.

'Am I still alive…?'

If I had to endure such excruciating pain again, I would rather just die.

The finishing process was relatively easier compared to opening up the head. I slowly gathered the energy of Hwajung that had spread throughout my body and gently directed it towards my heart. Whether I was pleased or not, Hwajung moved according to my intentions.

It was then that the ancient priestess's imprint magic began to activate. Satisfied with having wreaked havoc, Hwajung obediently entered my heart. And then, I felt it calmly settling into place.

"Su-Hyeon! Su-Hyeon!"

I lost consciousness before I could even fully experience the relief.

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