While I was still reeling from the shocking realization that Hwa-eun was trying to develop ntal-realm video calls...
The kids and Hwa-eun surrounded the Blood Cult woman and began pressing her for the incantation and specifics of the Soul-Snaring Technique.
“Co on, just explain it already.”
“I-I, well...”
—Tssrt! Hurry up and talk!
—Grrr. If you don’t do what Hwa-eun says, things won’t be fun for you!
“Shiaa! I’d suggest cooperating. We’re all pretty upset that you tried to hurt So-ryong.”
Martial arts techniques are supposed to be protected even at the cost of one’s life. But as soon as the kids growled at her, the Blood Cult woman began spilling the details of the technique without resistance.
“H-Hiiieek! S-So... the Soul-Snaring Technique works by using strong ntal power to suppress the target’s soul. You use the mysteries of illusion to enter their ntal world in the form they like most, and then...”
‘Wait a sec, aren’t martial techniques supposed to be guarded with your life?’
I had assud she’d say sothing like “I’d rather die than reveal it,” because that’s what my grandfather Mandok Shingun had drilled into .
He used to say:
“Revealing a martial technique is the sa as condemning everyone who practices it. What if soone creates a counter for it? You must protect it with your life. And if you can’t, then you must end yourself.”
As I recalled his words, I couldn’t help but mutter:
“Even the Soul-Snaring Technique is a martial art... I thought you'd at least guard it with your life...”
That’s when Hwa-eun kindly explained why the woman was being so loose-lipped.
“It’s a forbidden technique in the martial world. You can’t openly learn or trade it. But that doesn’t an it’s that valuable. It’s not rare or precious.
There are plenty of similar techniques out there, and if you go through a dirty enough channel and pay enough money, you can get it.
Of course, there’s always the condition that if you get caught, you never reveal who sold it to you.”
“It’s forbidden?”
That was it!
If it was forbidden in the martial world, then Hwa-eun shouldn’t be learning it either.
This might be my final chance to stop her from inventing a 4D mind-call system.
I quickly turned to her.
“W-Wait, then you shouldn’t learn it either, right?”
A tiny spark of hope flared up inside —but Hwa-eun just smiled and wagged her finger.
“Don’t worry, So-ryong. I’m not planning to learn it.
Sister Seol and I just want to figure out which part of the technique allows people to enter your ntal world.
If we can isolate that, maybe we can find a way to et you like this more easily.”
“...I-I see... b-but still, isn’t that kind of risky...”
“It’s just between us. There’s no danger. It’s not like you’re going to report to the Martial Alliance, right, So-ryong?”
“O-Of course not! Report you? Never!”
She claid it was purely for research purposes. And I couldn’t say anything to that. I an, even in my previous life, people were allowed to keep venomous snakes for research.
Also, what kind of lunatic rats out his girlfriend? What is this, a surveillance state?
‘Wait... is developing ntal-realm video chat just the next step in civilization?’
As the group chat system of the mind solidified and ti passed, I began to wonder if I just had to accept this as technological progress.
Hwa-eun resud her questioning of the Blood Cult woman.
“So basically, you enter soone’s ntal realm and suppress their soul with overwhelming ntal power. Is that it?”
“Yes, miss.”
“What if you jump in, but their ntal strength is stronger? Does sothing like this happen then?”
“You wouldn’t even be able to enter. The stronger soone’s martial cultivation, the harder it is to affect them with the Soul-Snaring Technique. The higher their level, the more they’ve refined their mind through ditation or introspection. That’s why it doesn’t work on most martial masters—and why it’s seen as a cheap and dirty art.”
Was this a lecture? No, this was a forced lecture—maybe forcture?
It looked like the Blood Cult woman’s lesson on the incantations, strengths, and weaknesses of the Soul-Snaring Technique was going to take a while.
anwhile, the kids—all except Cheongwol, who was still holding the woman—gathered around and clung to .
—Tssrr. Daddy.
—Tsst. Daddy.
—Piii. Daaaddy.
Cho, Hyang, and Bini clung to my arms and chest. Hwayang clung to my back.
“Uh, r-right. I guess I’ll have to wait until Mom finishes her conversation... Wow, you girls have... really grown. You’re taller than now...”
It was a bit awkward to deal with them in human form.
Not just because of their appearances.
They were still my little girls—but now they looked like fully grown young won. It felt strange having them snuggled up to like this.
Last ti, in the ntal realm, they looked like high schoolers.
‘Why did they grow up so much in here?’
Even though it was awkward for , the girls didn’t seem to mind at all—they just clung to with the sa instinct as always.
“Agh... yeah, I’d better sit down.”
Still, no matter how they looked, they were my daughters.
As I sat down, I reminded myself:
‘This is avatar chat. AVATAR. That’s all.’
Their true forms were still spirit beasts. These were just ntal projections.
Even Hwa-eun didn’t look exactly like herself here—she had a giant rose tucked behind her ear, after all.
As I sat, the girls snuggled up against my arms and lay their heads on my lap.
Then Cheong-yu, who had been hesitating nearby, approached and sat down politely.
—Shiaa? So-ryong, are you feeling alright?
From the voice, I realized this was Cheong-yu Sojeo, not the Blood Talon Eagle Claw version.
She normally would’ve been joking around with the other kids, so her calm deanor and proper posture told who she was.
“Yes, Sojeo. I’m alright.”
—Shiaa. I’m glad. I asked Blood Talon Eagle Cheong-yu to let take over when I saw you.
Last ti, the two personalities had existed separately in my ntal realm, but now it seed they could share a body and swap control.
“I see...”
“....”
When I gave only a short reply, the atmosphere grew a bit awkward.
I felt like I should say more, but nothing ca to mind.
Even though I kept telling myself this was just “avatar chat,” it was hard to ignore that the girls looked human, Hwa-eun was nearby, and Cheong-yu Sojeo was sitting right next to .
The kids, though, were relaxed and content—snuggled up with their eyes closed like spirit beasts.
‘What do I say now?’
As if to ease the tension, Cheong-yu Sojeo spoke again.
—Shiaa? Ah, right. So-ryong, is your cultivation stable now?
“Yes, it’s stabilizing well. I’ve gotten used to my inner energy, and the ntal realm is steady.”
My cultivation had definitely stabilized.
After registering Cheong-yu, I had advanced to the Four-Venom Realm, and now, with the fourth beast registered, my Beast-Heart Martial Art realm had grown even stronger.
I was sure that soon, I’d be able to register Seol, Bing, and Dong as well.
Anyway, that question reminded of sothing I had forgotten to ask.
“By the way, Sojeo... are you really not going to tell ?”
—Shii? Tell you what?
She tilted her head innocently.
“What happens if you link every venomous creature in the Five Poisons Returning to the Origin Art with a spirit beast?”
—Shii... Ah...
Still avoiding the question, just like before.
But this ti, I was determined to get an answer.
And when she nodded softly with a smile, she replied:
—Shiaa? Do you really want to know?
“Yes.”
‘Well, of course I’m curious.’
It all started with just being able to talk with the registered beasts. Then I beca able to accept their venom and make it usable. And now, there’s a full-on group chat room.
How could I not be curious about what kind of abilities might co next?
At my response, Cheong-yu Sojeo smiled with a look of amusent.
—Shiaa. Then promise sothing.
“Promise?”
—Shii. That if I tell you, you won’t resent later.
“Resent you?”
—Shiu! Shiaa, yes! Once you awaken the ability, I think you’ll really love it. But if I tell you now, it’ll ruin the joy of discovering it yourself later.
So promise you won’t hold it against if I tell you.
‘Wait, I’d resent her?’
I was thrown into inner turmoil by Cheong-yu Sojeo’s words.
I’m the type who saves the tastiest part of the food for last. But what she’s saying feels like eating the best part before it’s fully cooked.
‘Ugh, what do I do?’
Just as I was about to lose my mind over the decision, Cheong-yu Sojeo spoke again.
—Shiaa. Promise? Then I’ll tell you.
“W-Wait!”
Wow, Cheong-yu Sojeo really knew how to drive soone crazy.
Who the hell would say “tell ” after being baited like that?
‘Gyaaaaagh!’
This translation is the intellectual property of Novelight.
As I writhed internally, about to explode from frustration, I heard Hwa-eun’s voice calling out to us, signaling her side of the business was finished.
“So-ryong, co over here. You kids, too.”
“Did you finish talking?”
“Yes. I got all the information—how the Soul-Snaring Technique works, its pros and cons, and everything about the Blood Cult mbers hiding in nearby villages.”
Of course she had wrung out every last detail.
“If we take too long, the elders might start to worry. And Hongdan, Seol, Bing, and Dong might be concerned too. We should head back.”
It seed like it was ti to undo the Soul-Snaring Technique and return. Once everyone had gathered, Hwa-eun blushed slightly and hugged before whispering softly.
[It’s not your fault this ti, but it could’ve been really bad. Please be careful, okay?]
Even though she knew I wasn’t at fault, she was asking sincerely to be cautious.
After that, the others also gave hugs one by one.
—K-Krrt. I-It’s just a goodbye gesture.
—Shiaa? too?
“It’d be weird if you’re the only one who doesn’t.”
Cheongwol looked extrely embarrassed, and Cheong-yu seed flustered at the idea of hugging too.
Their cheeks flushed red after the brief embrace.
When all the farewells were done, Hwa-eun turned to the Blood Cult woman.
“Now, release the Soul-Snaring Technique. And just like you said, you’ll wake up before So-ryong. But if you try anything stupid after waking up—don’t expect rcy. Got it?”
“O-Of course!”
Since she was the one who cast it, her Soul-Snaring Technique would naturally release faster than mine. Upon hearing that, Cheong-yu and Cheongwol spoke in worried tones.
—Shiaa? She’ll wake up first? Isn’t that kind of dangerous?
—Grrng. I’ve been thinking that too. This doesn’t feel safe.
They were clearly worried she might try sothing before I regained consciousness.
“I an, Hyang is there too, and so are Hongdan, Seol, Bing, and Dong, so we should be fine...”
Hwa-eun tried to reassure us, but even she didn’t sound entirely convinced.
—Tssrrt! I’ll be there, so don’t worry, everyone!
With that, Hyang thumped her chest and declared herself on guard duty. Seeing that, Cheong-yu and Cheongwol exchanged glances and nodded reluctantly.
There wasn’t much else they could do. Normally, the others woke up before when exiting the ntal world anyway, so they decided to trust Hyang.
“Alright, then go ahead and release the Soul-Snaring Technique.”
It was finally ti to leave.
As soon as Hwa-eun gave the order, the woman spoke in a sheepish voice.
“W-Well... I’ve been trying to release it since we ca in, but... it’s not working...”
“What did you say?”
Apparently, she had been looking for a way out this whole ti, but the technique wasn’t unraveling.
Everyone’s expressions turned serious.
It seed we might not be able to get out at all.
“What should we do?”
As Hwa-eun and I started to worry, Cheong-yu’s voice broke in.
—Shiaa. Ah! What if we don’t think of it as Soul-Snaring but as a ntal world?
“A ntal world?”
—Yes. What if we think of this as So-ryong’s ntal world?
“Ah! That’s right. This isn’t a typical Soul-Snaring state, is it? Then how did we usually exit the ntal world?”
It was a completely different situation from a standard Soul-Snaring, so her suggestion was to treat it like a normal ntal world and try the usual exit thod.
As Hwa-eun asked the question, I felt a soft sensation on my cheek.
—Smooch.
Turning my head, I saw Hwayang kissing on the cheek.
Usually, to leave, I’d either kiss soone or be kissed.
She was probably trying to demonstrate that.
‘She’s surprisingly smart, huh? Hwayang?’
So one by one, everyone kissed my cheek in turn—but we still couldn’t get out of the ntal realm.
“Why isn’t it working?”
Then Cheong-yu’s eyes snapped open.
With a horrified tone, she said:
—Shiaaaa!? S-Since she cast the technique... don’t tell SHE has to do it!?
Since it was the Blood Cult woman who initiated the Soul-Snaring, she might be the one who needs to kiss to release it.
“Wait, so then I...”
As she started approaching —
Seven hands shot out in unison.
The air grew cold. The «N.o.v.e.l.i.g.h.t» seven exchanged silent, deadly glances.
—Grrng. That woman could end up registered. We need to think carefully.
—Shiaa. She’s right.
“I agree with that too.”
—Tssrrt. How dare her filthy lips co near Dad...
—Piii! Daaaddyy!
Their ssage was clear: absolutely not happening.
Then Cheongwol clenched her fist and said:
—Krrt. There’s no need to debate. There’s only one solution.
“One?”
As Hwa-eun, the other kids, and I tilted our heads, Cheongwol stepped up to the woman.
And then—her tightly clenched fist slamd down like a hamr on the woman’s head.
—Whack!
“Guhhk.”
The woman collapsed to the ground, dazed and nearly unconscious. Then Cheongwol muttered:
—Grrrng. That bitch said if she takes damage in the ntal world, she could turn into a vegetable, right? Then maybe if we knock her out cold, the Soul-Snaring Technique will unravel?
Then she won’t wake up before So-ryong.
She killed a human child. This punishnt is the least she deserves.
My vision began to blur, and I felt the Soul-Snaring Technique start to dissolve.
Turns out, when all else fails—just smack the damn machine.
It really was the best fix for bad reception.
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