Using Special Privileges 3
The essence flowing down the esophagus burned intensely. As it made contact with the magic coursing through my body, the essence, for the first time, reacted.
Crackle! Crackle!
Upon interacting with the magic, the essence transformed into a fierce flame, rapidly swelling beyond control. The pure and potent energy of the essence made the scent of fire unmistakable.
Boom…!
Even with the first, mild reaction, my body convulsed, spewing out flames. The sudden surge was evidence that my body couldn't contain the explosive energy, causing sparks to fly and my body to twitch intermittently.
Seeing me in such a state, Seraph's incantation could be faintly heard. I weakly raised my hand towards the unseen figure, signaling her not to intervene.
Seraph wasn't wrong. Trying to forcibly control the essence with my powers was futile. Although using the tattoos of the ancient priestess might succeed, I had no intention of using their power. The tattoos were meant to serve as a vessel for the essence's energy, nothing more. My goal wasn't suppression or control. Who among humans could possibly contain a force akin to the flames of hell?
However, if the situation was framed as merely borrowing the power, it could change the dynamic.
When I opened my eyes briefly, I saw Seraph looking anxious. The sight of an angel fretting was quite refreshing, but I quickly grimaced, knowing that what had happened so far was just a prelude, and the real ordeal was just beginning.
Comparing the explosion caused by the essence to a typical explosion was impossible. It was not a physical explosion but a pure energy explosion, accompanied by indescribable energy and pain. The essence finally began its true activity from within.
Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!
"Gah... Grrk."
I involuntarily rolled my eyes from the successive explosions. The pain from the fully initiated explosion was unimaginable. Despite enduring countless wounds and pains during a decade in Hall Plain, they seemed trivial compared to now. Though the anticipation of even more intense pain gave me chills, I gritted my teeth.
I repeated to myself countless times. I am Kim Su-hyun, who has seen the end of Hall Plain. Throughout that period, I had to endure and persevere. The pride of holding the Zero Code, something no one else had obtained, was not achieved through mere luck.
The surroundings were chaotic, whether due to the sound of explosions or Seraph speaking. It was hard to hear anything clearly. Meanwhile, the essence steadily grew its energy with each passing moment. As it was about to trigger another explosion, I mustered all my magic to amplify the essence's energy.
With a vast amount of magic nearing ninety units, the essence's imminent explosion momentarily halted. Though brief, I managed a faint smile, realizing my magic had seamlessly integrated with the essence's energy.
The essence, a pure conglomeration of fire, represented an eternally burning flame. It was an energy with its will, similar to but distinct from ego equipment that chose its master. The difference lay in its willpower; it could exert its power at its discretion. While it lacked a self-consciousness, it had emotions. Through the harmony of our energies, I was now communicating with the essence.
The current emotion of the essence was bewilderment. Typically, when internal destruction occurs, one would try to control the energy. However, I was making the essence's activity easier. I extended a hand, signaling that I sought to borrow its power as an equal, not to subdue it. I conveyed my earnest desire, asking it to judge if I was fit to be its companion and to show me the result.
Then, I was able to catch a breath. Hot breaths escaped my nostrils, and flames flickered out.
"Alright, I understand."
Finally, I gained the essence's approval.
After briefly composing myself, I directed the essence to a space where it could freely roam. The first targets were my right and left arms. I swiftly guided the energy along the pathways, sending it powerfully in both directions. As the energy flowed through the circuits and meridians, it rushed in like a wave. Before I realized it, the essence had occupied even the tiniest meridians at the tips of my fingers.
Bubbling! Bubbling!
Pop! Pop! Pop! Pop!
The sensation of something popping along the pathways within my body felt like a pleasant pain, akin to a blocked blood vessel being cleared. Even though it was a forced process, the effect was significant, unblocking meridians that were difficult to clear even with my previously mastered body.
Simultaneously, yellow stain and black liquid oozed from my arms, quickly evaporating due to the heat. The impurities and waste, which had been hiding deep within my body, were essentially being expelled by the essence. Normally, this would be a cause for celebration, but I had no time to rejoice.
Despite feeling dizzy from channeling the energy into my arms, I gently redirected the energy to the center. Fortunately, the essence, perhaps content with its conquest, complied with my intent. As the energy filled my arms, I let them drop, their sensation entirely lost due to the shock.
Though worried about losing my arms, I had no intention of turning back. As I calmed the essence, urging it to follow the pathway towards my legs, it eagerly rushed down like a wave.
Bubbling! Bubbling!
Pop! Pop! Pop! Pop!
The process was the same as with my arms. As the essence withdrew, my legs, too, lost sensation, collapsing under the strain. My current durability, stamina, and magical power could barely maintain my body's integrity under such extreme conditions.
Regardless, the essence continued to explode within me, reveling like a fish in water. On the verge of madness from the pain, I wanted to faint, but sheer willpower kept me conscious.
Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!
With each explosion, my heart pounded, and my blood felt like it was boiling. The essence, asking if there was nowhere else to explore, prompted me to gather my resolve and ask it to gather more energy. The next destination was the ultimate challenge: my head.
For the first time, fear gripped me as I faced the task of channeling the essence into my head. It wasn't a manageable kind of fear but a true dread. Even if I succeeded or failed, the pain was unimaginable. Just then,
"If you don't want to, we can stop. There's no need to take it to your head, is there? What we've achieved is already enough."
It was as if the essence was whispering softly in my ear. I almost nodded in agreement, but I quickly shook my head. While my mind urged me to stop, my instincts drove me to guide the energy toward my head.
"Fool. You might die, you know?"
"This is nothing."
Preparations to channel the energy were complete.
Don't do it. Don't do it. Don't do it.
My head screamed at me to stop, but I followed my instincts. With one final shout, I sent the essence into the pathway.
"Don't underestimate me!"
I unknowingly shouted, but my determination was clear. At that moment, the central energy began to spin vigorously. After gathering energy, it descended to the area below my navel, where it paused.
I then used all my strength to surge the energy upwards. As the essence exploded towards my head, I felt a sudden, intense pressure.
"Gah!"
Blood spurted from my nose, mouth, ears, and eyes. My instincts screamed that this was the brink of death.
Crackle! Crackle!
Blocked at my throat, the essence's energy raged. If it exploded here, the consequences would be catastrophic. A dizzy spell washed over me, as if I was plummeting into an abyss.
I knew this was the end. In a haze, I gathered the energy swirling around my neck and directed it back down to my abdomen. Thankfully, the energy followed my intent.
'It must be broken through.'
Once... twice... three times... after gathering the rampaging energy ten times, I pushed it upward with all my might, thinking this was the end. The impending pain was no longer a concern.
Bang!
A rough impact shook my body. As the blockage in my throat cleared and the pathway to my head opened, the essence swiftly engulfed my entire head.
My vision disappeared entirely. Everything went white. I felt nothing, as if my memory had been severed and stitched back together.
Crackle! Crackle! Crackle! Crackle!
I finally grasped the situation. The essence, sulking at my resistance, roamed wildly through my head. It felt like my brain was melting.
Pain? Initially, breaking through felt like a refreshing release. But as my vision slowly returned and my senses came back, I felt a pain unlike any I had ever experienced.
'Ahhhhhhhhhhhhh!'
Had I been able to scream, I would have shouted with all my might. The pain was beyond what any human could endure. It felt like dipping my head into a molten furnace. Even though I had survived countless battles, this moment made me wish for death.
The immense energy explosion that engulfed my entire body was visible even from the outside. This explosion was different from any before. Starting from my head, the eternally burning flames claimed me, piece by piece. Although the sensation of boiling cells was present, it felt more warm than painful.
After some time, my vision slowly returned. I still couldn't move. When I finally lifted my heavy eyelids, I saw Seraph staring down at me with a pale face.
'Am I still alive...?'
Experiencing such excruciating pain again would make me prefer death.
The final step, compared to the excruciating pain I had endured, was relatively straightforward. I gently gathered the essence's energy, now spread throughout my body, and guided it towards my heart. Whether it approved of me or not, the essence followed my intentions willingly. As the energy settled in my heart, I felt the ancient priestess's inscription magic activate. The essence, seemingly satisfied with its rampage, entered my heart and calmly settled there.
The moment I felt it find a place, the world around me started to fade.
"Su-hyun! Su-hyun!"
Seraph's voice called out, but before I could fully register it, I lost consciousness, succumbing to the overwhelming relief and exhaustion.