"Oh, you've figured it out. What a pity."
Albedo laughed softly, his lime-green eyes reflecting a hint of melancholy as he looked at Jin. His hand brushed lightly across his lips, and his scarlet hair hovered in the cold mountain wind.
The sight was so mesmerizing that Jin froze for a moment.
"You look lonely. That's why I thought this might make you feel better,"
"Wh-What makes you think I'm... lonely ?"
Albedo's gaze softened.
"Oh, I apologize. But you see, I don't only see the future—I see the past as well."
Jin's expression hardened, though Albedo's words had clearly struck a nerve.
"So, what did you see?" he asked.
Albedo turned away, beginning to ascend toward the mountain's peak.
"It's alright now. You may not realize it yet, but you too have a home you can always return to."
'Home... That's just an empty word. A weakness for those who need it.'
They walked toward the cave, nestled high up on the mountain's peak, as if guarded by the clouds themselves. The trail before them pulsed softly, glowing with an ethereal, spiritual energy that bathed the surroundings in a faint, otherworldly light. Each step seemed to draw them deeper into a realm untouched by time, the path winding through tall, ancient trees whose leaves shimmered like polished emeralds.
Jin took in the scene with a quiet reverence. The last time he had climbed this mountain, he'd been in a Deep Sleep state, his mind clouded, unable to truly feel the spiritual energy surrounding him. Back then, he had only been able to sense energy through intent, a faint echo of awareness guiding him upward. Yet, even in that dulled state, he'd felt the mountain's incredible power, an immense, hidden force thrumming through the air and stones like a heartbeat.
Now, fully awakened, the experience was something else entirely. The energy around him was alive, flowing like a river through every tree, every rock, even the very air he breathed. Jin could feel it on his skin, in his bones—a sensation both comforting and humbling, as if the mountain itself were sharing its spiritual energy with everything.
"It's like... this mountain is alive,"
Jin murmured, glancing around at the pulsing energy that seemed to breathe with the earth itself.
"Maybe that's because, in a way, it is alive,"
Albedo replied with a knowing smile.
Jin paused, considering Albedo's words.
"You're probably right. When something remains connected to spiritual energy for long enough, it starts to develop an Ego of its own."
"Exactly, That's precisely why Spirit Blades exist."
"Spirit Blades? You mean swords that possess an Ego, right?"
"Yes, it's said that a Spirit Blade is a blacksmith's final work—a blade forged with their very soul, given life and named by a swordsman the Blacksmith deemed worthy. Such blades are rare, and are often considered the greatest of all weapons, bound to the will of both the maker and the wielder."
'So… a sword, I walk the Path of the Sword. Perhaps that's the role I'm meant to take on in this life.'
He glanced down at Cube beside him, where his various attributes were listed.
"So, you're planning to alter your spiritual vein's pathway. I hope you realize the risk involved."
Albedo remarked, casting a glance over his shoulder at Jin, who was walking slightly behind him.
Jin hesitated, then asked.
"Did you see that in the future?"
Albedo gave a soft laugh.
"No, I don't see the future all the time. That would make life far too predictable. But I can tell—you're holding back the flow of your spiritual energy."
Jin smirked slightly.
"I have to. My spiritual energy reserve is only at 48. That's barely enough to perform even lesser-tier Arts."
"I see, But you still possess the Undying Soul. In a way, that gives you a bottomless reservoir of spiritual energy."
Jin's eyes narrowed, surprised by Albedo's insight.
'How does he know so much about my abilities?'
He considered his options.
'I really need to find a Skill that can conceal my abilities. It wouldn't work on Albedo, who see all future. But of course, but it would help me stay under the radar from other—a valuable strategy.'
"Even so, my spiritual energy output will always be limited to 48. That's nowhere near enough."
Albedo gave a slight nod, as though understanding Jin's frustration.
"True. But by harnessing Negative Flow Spiritual Energy, you could achieve a higher power in your Arts then those of higher output than you."
Jin's gaze turned serious.
'I have to reverse the flow of my spiritual energy.'
He thought to himself, staring up at the misty, ancient mountain.
'If I don't, I may not survive in the battles to come.'
Before long, they reached the entrance of the cave. Unlike last time, there was no golden-brown substance glistening at the threshold.
They moved deeper into the cave, reaching the core where, once, a pool of rich spiritual water had shimmered with potent energy. Now, the lake bed lay empty, the vibrant energy it once held entirely absorbed by Jin during his previous visit.
'Wait... am I the reason for this?'
Jin casted a guilty glance at Albedo. His eyes held a hint of innocence, hoping Albedo wouldn't be upset.
Albedo noticed Jin's expression and chuckled.
"Don't worry. I'll refill it soon enough."
He reassured him, his usual serene smile intact.
'Refill a spirit river?'
Jin was in awe. Thinking Just how vast are his spiritual energy reserves?
"Go ahead, And don't be afraid. I'll heal your spiritual veins throughout the process and suppress the pain as much as I can."
Albedo encouraged, gesturing toward the stone in the lake's center.
"No, Please don't suppress the pain. I need it to awaken a skill."
Albedo gave a small, resigned shake of his head, respecting Jin's determination.
Jin stepped carefully across the dried lake bed toward the stone at its center, which had once floated atop the spiritual waters. Taking a seat on the cold stone, he closed his eyes, settling into a steady rhythm of deep breaths.
With one final breath, Jin focused, and with a decisive mental command, unbound his spiritual energy from his soul.
Spiritual energy is generated from the soul, flowing into the physical body through a network known as spiritual veins. These veins act as channels, allowing spiritual energy to pass from the soul into the material world. Normally, this flow moves in a clockwise direction, causing the energy to take on a calm blue hue.
However, in rare cases, the flow may reverse, circulating counterclockwise and manifesting as a deep red. This phenomenon, known as Negative Flow, only occurs under specific conditions—typically when spiritual veins become obstructed. The blockage forces the flow to reverse, creating a unique and potent form of energy. But in most cases it cause death.
This red, negative spiritual energy is said to be twice as powerful as the normal flow, amplifying strength, but at a cost. Achieving it is both risky and painful, only attempted by those desperate enough to endure the process.
For Jin, it was a necessary gamble. With his severely limited spiritual energy output, this path was the only one that could unlock the power he needed.
'Damn it. I hope nothing goes wrong.'
Spiritual energy surged from his soul, flowing into reality through his spiritual veins like a powerful river. But this time, Jin had blocked all veins in the usual clockwise direction, preventing the energy from following its natural path.
With nowhere to go, the spiritual energy began to build up within his veins, struggling against the barriers he'd set. His body trembled, and he screamed as waves of agony tore through him, his skin beginning to crack from the pressure.
'The spiritual veins don't exist in the same plane as the physical body, but they're deeply connected. If the spiritual energy keeps jamming up, the veins will rupture… and his physical body along with them.'
Albedo's hands twitched as he bit his nails, tense with anticipation.
Jin, still wracked with pain, forced himself to take deep, steady breaths, willing his focus back. Gradually, he began opening his spiritual veins in the opposite direction, channeling the energy to flow counterclockwise. But he knew the risk: spiritual veins weren't designed to handle a reverse flow. The pressure alone could easily rupture them.
Still, he had no choice. He concentrated fiercely, his veins straining as the energy began its red, reverse course, each second a delicate balancing act between strength and collapse.
But Jin still had tricks up his sleeve.
[Trait: Adaptation]
[Trait: Null All]
His Adaptation trait kicked in, gradually adjusting his spiritual veins to the reversed flow of energy, reinforcing them to withstand the intense pressure. Meanwhile, Null All began to resist the negative effects, shielding him from the worst of the damage.
'It's still not enough, A trait's strength is limited by the user's level, and at level 1, they're not strong enough to block everything.'
Pain surged through him, and he coughed up a mouthful of blood. His body was breaking apart, blood seeping from countless cracks across his skin.
"No... not yet!" he shouted, his voice raw.
His crimson eyes flashed with a fierce glow.
"You've unlocked the Skill,"
Albedo noted, moving quickly to Jin's side. He placed a steadying hand on Jin's shoulder, using his own aura to help regulate the flow and reduce the agony.
After an hour of grueling pain, the process finally ended. Jin collapsed, his bloodied form slumping to the ground as Albedo began to heal him.
"Are you alright, Jin?"
Albedo asked, concern flickering in his gaze.
"Yeah... I think... I'll live," Jin managed with a weak smile.
"Of course you will."
[Skill: Life Manipulation (IX)]
Jin's body healed in an instant, every trace of injury vanishing without a scar.
"You should rest for a while," Albedo advised.
"I'll be fine," Jin replied, his voice steadier now.
Jin summoned Cube and commanded it to display his status.
The first thing he noticed was that his Skill slot was no longer empty—there was finally a skill listed.
Innate Ability: None
Unique Skill: Seer of the Unseen, Equal
Skill: Pain Resistance (I)
'Show me the skill description.'
Skill: Pain Resistance - Lv.1 – This skill reduces any pain inflicted on the body.
A faint smile played on his lips.
"I got what I needed."
"Indeed,"
Albedo remarked, standing behind Jin with a stern look.
"You were lucky. If you hadn't acquired that skill when you did, you might have been dead by now."
"But I have Adaptation, It makes acquiring new skills easier. Besides, you would've come to save me anyway."
"Oh, and why are you so certain?"
Albedo asked, raising an eyebrow.
"You made a deal with the future me, didn't you?"
Albedo's expression softened.
"I did. And yes, you're right—I would've stepped in."
Jin studied Albedo for a moment.
"May I ask… what was that deal?"
With a sigh, Albedo glanced away, a flicker of something unreadable in his eyes.
"I don't know the full details. But he said you'd be my reason for reaching Enlightenment."
'Enlightenment…'
Jin's gaze shifting to his own hand. Slowly, he channeled his newly reversed spiritual energy. The flow moved from his soul to his body in an anti-clockwise direction, manifesting in his hand as a faint, ominous red glow.
A look of satisfaction crossed his face.
"I suppose I succeeded this time."