Chapter 12

‘Appraisal.’

Ding.

【Cheong Soha】

▶Level 67

▶Stats

【Stamina: A+】

【Spiritual Power: A+】

【Art Formula: A】

【Mental Power: A-】

▶Traits (8/10)

【Cheonghwa (Azure Flame) (S)】

【Eyes of Truth (A+)】

【Combat Instinct (A-)】

【Swift Blade Through Chaos (A-)】

【Growth Acceleration (B)】

【Spiritual Power Amplification (B)】

【Sword Demon (B-)】

【Sensory Expansion (C+)】

‘Huh.’

I knew it, but seeing it for real, it was on a level that defied reason.

A difference in strength so vast that someone like me now could be killed with a single wave of her hand.

In truth, it was correct to say that from this moment, Cheong Soha held the power of life and death over me.

Thud.

Cheong Soha, leaning against a tree with the Azure-White Sword—a treasure passed down in the Cheong Family—still sheathed in one hand, spoke to me.

“From now on, each time you tell a lie, one of your limbs will fall off.”

“…….”

“Do you know about the Ancestor?”

“Yes.”

The man Cheong Soha was currently desperately searching for.

Using the name of the so-called ‘Ancestor,’ I had summoned her here.

As I answered calmly, Cheong Soha’s eyes glinted sharply as she stared at me. She was using her ‘Eyes of Truth’ trait to discern truth from falsehood.

“…It’s the truth.”

The murderous intent Cheong Soha had been radiating, ready to sever my limbs right then, subsided slightly.

It seemed she had regained some composure, as this was an opportunity to obtain information about the Ancestor she had so desperately longed for.

“Then, do you know his whereabouts?”

“I do know.”

“Tell me now.”

“I cannot tell you.”

“Huh?”

Click.

At my negative answer, Cheong Soha slightly moved the sword sheath.

Swish!

Crunch!

Even with just that, the two trees standing behind me were completely sliced in half. It was truly a terrifying power.

Growing frantic, I quickly continued.

“He does not wish it.”

Of course, naturally, he would not want his whereabouts known. If it was ‘him’ who had deceived Cheong Soha and planted a deep-seated suggestion in her mind since childhood.

“…So it’s the truth, you say.”

Having confirmed there was no falsehood in my words, Cheong Soha looked utterly dejected.

“Then, you were sent as a proxy, I suppose.”

“Yes.”

“…He must have some thoughts in mind. So, what does he want from me?”

This was where it became crucial.

I had to skillfully twist the point of the conversation to avoid triggering the Eyes of Truth trait.

“Do you know Cheong Joohwa, the daughter of Cheong Sawoon?”

“Cheong Joohwa……. You must mean that noisy incident from before. I know of her.”

“He is concerned about that child.”

The fact that he was actually concerned was also true.

He had tried to plant a suggestion in the young Cheong Joohwa as well, but due to the backlash of that failure, he was currently unable to reveal himself.

“Is that so. What is her current situation?”

“She is enrolled at Cheonghwa Academy. Due to the influence of Cheong Haram, who is one year above her, her standing is not good.”

“Ha, that worthless brat from Cheong Doyool’s faction.”

Cheong Soha sneered and then let out a sigh.

“I understand. I’ll resolve that part immediately. Anything else?”

Got it.

I somehow succeeded in deceiving her.

“No.”

“Is that all…….”

Cheong Soha seemed disappointed, but showed no particular sign of suspicion.

‘It went more smoothly than I thought.’

If it were the usual Cheong Soha, it would have been impossible, but when it came to matters related to the ‘Ancestor,’ Cheong Soha’s reason and judgment failed to function properly.

It was because she had grown up influenced by deep, profound suggestions since childhood.

“Just in case, let me ask. What is the reason he wishes for that child’s growth?”

Cheong Soha, who had been silently pondering, asked. Of course, the answer I would spit out was simple.

“That is something I cannot know.”

Why does ‘he’ wish for Cheong Joohwa’s growth?

The question itself was wrong from the start. ‘He’ does not wish for Cheong Joohwa’s growth. Rather, he is likely pondering how to remove an unexpected obstacle that has interfered with his plans.

“…….”

While the meaning was different, at least it wasn’t a lie.

With that, the conversation was over. I stood in place, silently waiting for Cheong Soha to leave.

But for some reason, Cheong Soha did not leave. Instead, she was just looking at me with a strange expression.

“When did you first meet the Ancestor?”

“…It wasn’t that long ago.”

“I see.”

Cheong Soha showed a face lost in sentiment, as if recalling a precious memory.

And she began to mutter to me.

“In this era, the Cheong Family has forgotten its original stance.”

“…Is that so?”

“Not just the Cheong Family. Other places are likely not much different. In this time of increasing chaos, everyone is only filled with thoughts of looking out for their own interests. Isn’t it foolish and despicable?”

“Isn’t that just how groups inherently are?”

“That’s not a wrong statement.”

Cheong Soha nodded. However, she then continued with a serious expression.

“But now, we must not be like that.”

“Why?”

“I can vaguely sense it. That something is shifting. It is certain that great chaos will come before long.”

At those words, I maintained my expression while inwardly marveling. That statement was certainly correct.

The world to come would undoubtedly be an era of chaos.

“When that time comes, the only one to trust is the Ancestor. He would be able to lead everyone forward.”

At those words, I subtly stiffened my expression. However, Cheong Soha, not noticing it, smiled faintly and left me with a final request.

“So, make sure to convey this clearly to the Ancestor. That I will fulfill any responsibility he commands. Please, do not forget the Cheong Family.”

“…Understood.”

Cheong Soha left after saying only that. I let out a sigh with a complicated heart.

“The truth is, that guy is no ancestor or anything.”

Cheong Soha believed he would be responsible for the Cheong Family’s future, but the reality was the opposite.

And rightly so, because in the original story, the Cheong Family would split and crumble precisely because of that ‘Ancestor.’

The more she trusted him, the greater the shock and sense of betrayal Cheong Soha would receive.

‘But since I know that fact in advance, it’s all about how I use it.’

First, I will freely borrow his name for a while to secure Cheong Soha’s cooperation.

Of course, the moment the self-proclaimed Ancestor reveals himself to the world, all truths will be exposed, but since the story is progressing, I am bound to clash with him someday anyway.

‘And at that time…….’

He too should be on edge.

The remnant of a bygone era who impersonated the Cheong Family’s ancestor, Jinmyeong (True Darkness). I knew every single one of his secrets, things no one in the present era could possibly know.

‘Anyway, I achieved my goal.’

With this, Cheong Haram will no longer be able to leverage the Cheong Family’s influence within the Academy. Satisfied with the immediate gain, I returned to the Academy dormitory.

And then, exactly one week later.

“Hey, suddenly a whole bunch of stuff came for me……. What is all this?”

“…A small bit of extra support?”

“This isn’t something that can be explained with words like that……”

I had to exclaim in shock while looking at the numerous Spiritual Elixirs, Cursed Tools, and all sorts of materials Cheong Soha had sent.

The next evening.

Having finished all my classes, I sat in the dormitory with a serious expression.

‘Sigh.’

As mentioned before, in the Exorcism Academy Series, the stats that can be raised through effort and growth are up to B-minus rank.

But this is a game world, so of course there exist a few methods to raise stats beyond that limit.

One of them is this. Spiritual Elixirs.

‘Appraisal.’

Ding.

【Azure Mystic Pill】

▶ A high-grade Spiritual Elixir produced by the Cheong Family. Shows excellent effects in enhancing Stamina and Spiritual Power.

【Water Dragon Herb】

▶ Seaweed brimming with the energy of water. Shows excellent effects in enhancing Spiritual Power and affinity for water-element attributes.

【Cloud Carved Water】

▶ Water containing the energy of the sky. Possesses an excellent Growth Promotion Effect.

Spiritual Elixirs that are clearly high-grade at a glance. Even the Azure Mystic Pill, which could only be obtained by clearing Cheong Family-related events in the original, there are as many as four of them.

‘Things an ordinary Exorcist could never obtain even one of in a lifetime.’

It was a moment that truly made me feel the status Cheong Soha holds within the Cheong Family.

‘However, the maximum that can be raised with Spiritual Elixirs is up to A-minus rank.’

Moreover, even reaching that A-minus rank requires pouring in truckloads of Spiritual Elixirs.

Therefore, it holds little meaning for Cheong Joohwa, whose stats other than Stamina have already reached their upper limits.

Cheong Joohwa, knowing this as well, handed over the remaining four Azure Mystic Pills and all the other Spiritual Elixirs to me, keeping only one for herself.

‘Now is the important part.’

After storing all the Spiritual Elixirs in a container, leaving only one Azure Mystic Pill, I opened my Status Window while gazing at it intently.

Ding.

【Han Kangyoon】

▶Level 26

▶Stats

【Stamina: C-】

【Spiritual Power: D】

【Art Formula: C】

【Mental Power: C】

▶Traits (2/10)

【Phantom Body (S)】

【Intracranial Spell Repository (B)】

A Level that has risen by two stages compared to the beginning.

And stats that remain the same.

‘Is it really possible to raise them with Spiritual Elixirs?’

The answer is unknown. The lock on stats varies greatly case by case, and even if a Spiritual Elixir is of a level that could break through that restriction, it might have no effect if the compatibility isn’t right.

One thing is certain: if even the Azure Mystic Pill, called the treasure trove of the Cheong Family’s knowledge, is insufficient, then raising stats through Spiritual Elixir consumption would be nearly impossible.

‘…….’

No more deliberation was needed.

Generally, with things like this, you can know the result by trying it yourself.

Gulp!

‘Ugh.’

Inside my stomach, which had swallowed the elixir, flames slowly began to boil.