Labyrinth Exploration 101 - L.E Chapter 16 (Part 1): Let’s Fight (3)

The next morning.

I’ve been pushing through my mana circuits since dawn.

I’ve finished with my right arm, left arm, and chest area, but my abdomen, lower back, and upper body are still left. As for my lower body, that’s still a long way off.

“Haah…”

The arms, which humans move consciously and are aware of in daily life, are easy. However, the abdomen, back, and lower body—areas with dense muscles—are much harder.

So, I extend the circuits outward from my already-opened right and left arms. It’s the concept of stretching the existing circuits longer, pulling them further down, bit by bit…

*Krrrk!* A sound came from within. It felt like someone had taken a rolling pin to all my muscles, crushing them. Pain like my guts were twisting into knots.

I clutched my stomach.

“Ugh…”

It was excruciating, almost like dying, but a new circuit glowed faintly between my abdominal muscles.

“……”

Seeing it brings a smile to my face. It was an addictive sense of accomplishment. No wonder people become mages.

“I’m gonna die…”

I let out a sigh as the pain subsided.

My routine isn’t over yet.

Mana breathing—taught by Tae-yul, no, Mentor Yu-yul.

While the others were lightly managing their condition in preparation for upcoming tasks, I didn’t even have that luxury.

The 96th rank MUST grow.

I’ll make up for my lack of stamina with mental strength.

—

[Seol Ha-woon has embraced a new knowledge.]

[Magic grade has increased.]

■ D+ → C-

—

* * *

6:30 AM.

Leaning on my cane, I climbed the mountain. In the past, I used to traverse Seoraksan Mountain like it was the hill behind my neighborhood, but now even this small hill felt like a challenge.

“…There it is.”

I spotted the large rock where Mentor Yu-yul had been sitting. For some reason, I felt a strange sense of relief. Limping over, I plopped down on the grass beside it.

Mana breathing—ready.

First, I gathered mana in my airways.

“Huuup!”

I took a deep breath.

As the air flowed into my lungs, the mana condensed in my airways seized the atmospheric mana. At that moment, a burning sensation rose in my throat. I didn’t know why. She didn’t explain that part.

But it was painful. Agonizing. Hard to endure.

Still, it gets easier with practice.

I believe in myself.

Or rather, I believe in the [Tech] I’ve acquired.

—

[Low-Grade Magic Memory]

—

[Magic Memory]. Thanks to this Tech, any action related to magic becomes easier with repetition. Beyond just getting easier, it becomes ingrained in my body like a habit.

After repeating the mana breathing about twenty times…

“…Ptoo.”

I spat, and dark red blood came out.

“Damn it.”

My throat had gone hoarse. I staggered and sat down on the rock.

Now, it was time to rest and ponder. Where should I invest the Tech Points I earned from leveling up my recognition?

Actually, it’s simple.

Right now, the 8th Tech is tempting.

—

8. Low-Grade Magic Amplification
■ Amplifies your mana for a short period.

—

Magic Amplification. The final Tech, unlocked when your magic stat reaches ‘10’ or higher.

Honestly, this is my first time seeing the 8th Tech for a mage. In [MoMo], mages weren’t exactly profitable.

A money sink, in other words.

So, I’ve never seen a mage’s 8th Tech before.

But since the first broadcast is coming up, I’ll need some impact.

—

[Low-Grade Magic Amplification has been acquired.]

—

Next, the energy pill.

I took out the energy pill I received from Yu-yul. I’d been debating it until last night, but if Yu-yul is really Tae-yul, then I shouldn’t feel any guilt.

I shoved the pill into my mouth and chewed it thoroughly. At the same time, I warmed up my mana circuits. Using a method similar to mana breathing, I gathered mana in all the circuits I’d opened, determined to absorb every bit of the pill’s nutrients.

—

[You’ve consumed a top-grade energy pill!]

■ Your body feels healthier. Stamina has increased by 0.3.
■ Your muscles feel energized. Strength has increased by 0.2.
■ You feel quicker. Agility has increased by 0.2.
■ You feel tougher. Durability has increased by 0.3.

—

[Excellent Digestion]

■ Your body absorbs the energy pill. Mental Strength has increased by 0.5.

—

…Why did my Mental Strength suddenly increase?

I was puzzled, but…

—

[Discovery! Character ‘Seol Ha-woon’ has acquired a low-grade trait!]

[Trait: Body Receptive to Medicine]

■ The efficacy of medications increases by 25%, but side effects decrease by 5%.

—

This was a good thing.

Dangun

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