AECS 50

Chapter 50

Universal Rune (3)

“What?”

Draconic Flame Technique, Flame (炎)?

Now it’s… some kind of universal Flame (炎) theory?

Is it really just Flame (炎) and that’s enough?

Just like in the Tower of Trials, is it going to even cure diseases…?

“Master. It’s not just about curing her. We might even gain a greater opportunity from this.”

“What? A greater opportunity?”

“I don’t know why, but information about countless S-rank summons related to this disease is surfacing in my mind.”

“Really?”

“Yes. From Hua Tuo to Cheonma, Dalma… and even Zhang Sanfeng. It used to come to me when I taught Aso, but now it’s coming deeper and more clearly.”

“…Oh.”

Cheonma, Dalma, Zhang Sanfeng.

They were all heads of famous martial sects.

I never summoned them directly, but I naturally became familiar with them while training Aso in the past.

‘Aso… is truly a heavenly-born martial genius.’

A prodigy capable of mastering all their martial arts.

“First, this disease called Guum Jeolmaek itself is extremely rare—maybe appearing only once every thousand years. That little girl’s body contains Yin energy strong enough to freeze an entire country.”

“Ugh… Hhh…”

A chilling cold flowed from the girl’s lips, filling the room.

Is that… a human air conditioner?

Anyway, strange thoughts aside.

“So, how exactly are you going to gain this ‘opportunity’ using Draconic Flame Flame (炎)?”

“Ahem.”

Hun-gyo cleared his throat before explaining.

First, the Draconic Energy must be accumulated for five hours to match the quantity of Yin energy.

After that, the two energies must be merged and neutralized…

Here lies the problem.

When the two energies merge, an enormous amount of energy will be released!

If uncontrolled, it could unleash a disaster larger than a nuclear explosion over this city.

“To prevent that, one would normally need an extraordinary skill capable of controlling both Yin and Yang energies simultaneously. Skills like Cheonma’s Cheonma Divine Skill (天魔神功), Dalma’s Supreme Ability (無上大能力), or Zhang Sanfeng’s Pure Yang Infinite Skill (純陽無極功).”

However…

Hun-gyo is not Aso.

He cannot master such skills, and even if he did, without extreme proficiency it would be meaningless.

So Hun-gyo searched for another method.

Then he remembered a particular martial art.

‘Gongmyeong Magic Skill (貢命魔功).’

A unique cultivation technique that allows one to control any energy by sacrificing their own life.

A forbidden martial skill kept by the Cheonma sect that Cheonma himself had once mastered.

And its acquisition difficulty was relatively low.

“Wait… you’re not seriously—”

Baek Jin-woo snapped his fingers as he realized.

Hun-gyo smiled and nodded.

“That’s correct, Master. I am a summon. Even if I die, I will simply be re-summoned. This technique is perfect for me.”

“So… you’re going to absorb that energy yourself?”

“May I proceed?”

Ingenious.

This is a realm even the Battle of Summoners game never attempted.

“What’s the chance of success?”

“I cannot say for sure, but the girl will definitely be cured.”

Ah, so that’s it.

“Okay. Let’s proceed.”

“Are you sure about this?”

After the diagnosis, Jasim tightly held Baek Jin-woo’s hand.

His trembling hand revealed just how excited he was.

“Are you really going to cure my daughter? Truly…?!”

“Yes. The process isn’t simple and will take some time, but it’s definitely possible.”

“Whoa!”

He could hardly believe it.

How much time and money had been spent already?

They had consulted the world’s top doctors, brought in famous rankers…

And yet, each time they were turned away.

Even healing filled with mana, even blessings full of divine power—none could lift this merciless curse.

But now…

The disease is called Guum Jeolmaek?

A freezing curse strong enough to block her veins and chill an entire city?

Jasim instinctively knew…

The player in front of him was telling the truth.

“Please, please save my daughter! I will reward you abundantly!”

“No, Master. The five universal runes I promised will be enough.”

Baek Jin-woo said firmly.

The father’s love moved him, but more importantly, if Hun-gyo’s words were true, the potential gains from this cure could exceed imagination.

‘Maybe this is the chance for an Aso-Hun-gyo dual carry.’

Even though Hun-gyo is now EX-class, he was originally only E-rank.

His stats are very low.

So even with the best runes, their effects wouldn’t be maximized.

But if he absorbs this immense energy and triggers some transformation…

Then things could be very different.

“First, give us a room to work in. An open space for training would be even better.”

“Of course! I’ll prepare it immediately!”

Finally holding onto a thread of hope, Jasim moved swiftly.

“Draconic.”

“Yes, Jin-woo-nim.”

“I don’t want to burden you, but your role is very important.”

“It’s a bit tight, but I’ll do my best!”

A fiery aura surged around her as she focused her mana.

Hun-gyo had nothing to teach about Flame (炎).

He only needed to recall past experiences and convert them into skill.

They could have gone to a nearby regular dungeon, but they chose to train in the open space instead.

Hun-gyo wasn’t idle either.

Even if Gongmyeong Magic Skill was easy to learn, martial skills are still martial skills!

Sitting cross-legged, he focused on sensing the energy.

‘Hun-gyo may be a great teacher, but he’s not necessarily a fast learner.’

He would probably work several times harder than any other summon.

Baek Jin-woo decided to stay in Dubai while this proceeded.

The national representative summon was postponed, and the daily dungeon grind continued with Jasim’s cooperation.

Yujia stayed for two days before returning.

As CEO of YuBaek, she couldn’t leave her company for long.

Two weeks later…

“Jin-woo-niiiiim!”

Draconic ran toward Baek Jin-woo as he returned from his dungeon grind.

“Hmm?”

“I did it! Flame (炎)!”

“Really?”

Draconic had become unusually lively.

He wasn’t usually that affectionate.

“First, calm down.”

“Ah, sorry, Jin-woo-nim!”

“It’s fine. First, let’s check the information.”

Baek Jin-woo detached Draconic and looked at her status.

[Summon: Draconic Flame Mage]
[Species: Human]
[Rank: EX (Quarantine)]

Quarantined due to balance-breaking abilities in certain situations.
[Level: 45]

[Stats]
Strength: 20, Intelligence: 88, Stamina: 20, Agility: 20
HP: 22,000, MP: 500
Critical Chance: 55%, Critical Damage: 185%

[Skills]

Draconic Wave: Releases a dragon-shaped flame forward.
Draconic Technique ‘Union (聯)’: Allows accumulation of Draconic Waves.
Draconic Technique ‘Transform (變)’: Allows modification of Draconic Waves.
Draconic Technique ‘Flame (炎)’: Explodes accumulated Draconic Waves at once.

“Ha… it’s true!”

Draconic had mastered all techniques except Annihilation (滅).

Now, it was like back in the old Battle of Summoners days.

‘Still haven’t unlocked latent ability consumption…’

“Hun-gyo.”

“Yes, Master.”

He approached with a grave expression, as if he already knew.

“I’m ready. We can start immediately.”

Finally!

After two weeks, could Guum Jeolmaek be defeated?

Let’s go!

“Is… is it really starting?”

Jasim was shaking.

“Yes. Could you leave the room?”

“Of course!”

“It may take some time, and loud noises may occur. Some objects in the room might even get damaged.”

Even though Hun-gyo had learned Gongmyeong Magic Skill, this was his first time using it.

Everything was theoretical.

“If my daughter is saved, I don’t care if the house collapses.”

“Good mindset.”

“Then… please.”

Jasim left, and the setup was complete.

“Hun-gyo. Draconic.”

“Yes, Master.”
“Yes, Jin-woo-nim!”

“Let’s begin.”

“First, remove my rune and attach it to Draconic.”

“Okay.”

This was to maximize Draconic’s Yang energy.

A rare universal rune is much stronger than mid-high ranked miscellaneous runes.

Baek Jin-woo quickly swapped the rune.

Draconic had already been summoned and prepared for 5 hours of accumulation.

“Now… accumulate Draconic Waves as much as possible.”
“I’ll try.”

Flames surged from Draconic’s staff.

The universal rune reduced cooldowns and increased MP recovery.

As Draconic gathered energy…

Hun-gyo gently held the girl’s wrist.

He needed to locate the blocked veins and Yin energy flow.

‘The pathway is narrow.’

The narrower it is, the more dangerous.

Extracting Yin energy and inserting Yang energy was risky.

But it was fine.

Hun-gyo planned to bear all risks himself.

Normally, even the Martial God would not be able to handle this.

But using the nature of summons that cannot permanently die?

‘This is doable.’

Of course, he must not die immediately.

Death must be delayed as long as possible.

Otherwise, re-summoning would take another five hours.

Time passed.

The cold-filled room became scorching hot.

Inside Draconic, overlapping dragons writhed.

“I’m getting exhausted. How much more should I accumulate?”

Even Draconic was gasping for breath.

A single lapse could scatter all the accumulated waves.

“Not yet. Not even halfway. Two more hours.”
“Hgh!”
“Can you endure?”
“I’ll try my best!”

Draconic gritted his teeth.

Baek Jin-woo could only stomp impatiently.

All he could do was cheer his summons.

“Master, I have identified the pathway.”

“Good.”

“Once the Yang energy matches the Yin energy, I will become the conduit. Through Gongmyeong Magic Skill, I will try to absorb it as my own energy. The girl will be safe. Only I will bear the risk.”

“A conduit?”

“Connecting Draconic and the girl?”

“Correct. Then an enormous energy clash will occur in my body. I’ll try to absorb it. Since the energy merges inside me first… the girl should be fine. Only I am at risk.”

“Are you sure you can handle it?”

A fascinating martial skill.

Sacrificing one’s life to control energy…

‘I can’t guess why it was made.’