Chapter 155

There are several major implications to having obtained the Yeoijoo.

First and foremost, it has made Azure Dragon a complete ally.

Now, as promised, it will fulfill its responsibilities by Cheong Joohwa’s side. This was an undeniably reassuring development.

‘Moreover, if Cheong Joohwa grows, Azure Dragon can also regain power close to its prime through the Yeoijoo.’

While it couldn’t be used immediately, it was fair to say I had gained a powerful card that would provide direct assistance in the future.

And second, in the Exorcism Academy Series, no one has officially obtained a treasure called the Yeoijoo.

Until now, it was only a subject of rampant speculation with no tangible existence, and even in the latest VR version, an item called the Yeoijoo did not exist.

In other words, officially, I am the first human to have obtained this.

Of course, that alone wasn’t particularly beneficial, but the important part starts now.

‘Couldn’t I gain something through this?’

Judging by how things were unfolding, this was clearly an item destined to fall into a player’s hands someday.

If so, there must naturally be some kind of reward for obtaining the Yeoijoo.

I speculated that reward would be a new Trait.

‘That’s the most likely possibility.’

There is a special Trait obtainable through this Yeoijoo. I formed that hypothesis and repeatedly conducted experiments for a while.

‘What triggers it?’

For example, Taniwa, which had been swallowing the Yeoijoo, was gradually influenced by its power and obtained the A+-Rank Trait, Dragon Scale.

Although it became a Trait worse than useless due to the ambush during its molting, it was originally one of the Traits with considerable overpowered qualities.

If I could newly obtain a Trait of that caliber, it was definitely worth investing time to research.

‘Just possessing it doesn’t seem to have any meaning.’

It had already been a week since obtaining the Yeoijoo. I had kept it attached to my body without letting it fall off, but there were no significant results.

If this was an item meant to be given to a player, the reward would likely be in a somewhat immediate form.

In other words, it was consistent with the idea that beyond simply possessing it, some condition needed to be fulfilled.

‘I have a rough estimate.’

The method was probably simple.

Directly absorbing the energy of Azure Dragon contained within the Yeoijoo into my body.

However, such an act inevitably carried risk.

‘Would it be okay for a human to take a dragon’s energy?’

What if the protagonist appearing in the future could accept it due to a special constitution?

It meant I might end up getting hurt by meddling unnecessarily.

After pondering for about a day, I eventually realized there was no other way and holed up in my dormitory, taking out the Yeoijoo.

‘After all, my Phantom Body Trait is also in perfect condition.’

Even if an accident occurred, it was clear I could summon the 2nd Phase and recover.

‘…Let’s do it.’

One might think taking its energy is like stealing from Azure Dragon, but the Yeoijoo itself is originally a type of power engine that gathers Natural Qi and transforms it into dragon energy.

Even if I took a little of that vast power, it would surely be fully replenished in less than a week.

Slowly stirring Spiritual Power throughout my body, I began to stimulate the energy of Azure Dragon contained within the Yeoijoo.

Whoosh.

Rustle.

Zzzing!

‘…It’s certainly impressive.’

Given that Azure Dragon boasted a Level of 70 in its prime, the power contained within the Yeoijoo was truly incomparable.

Even taking just a part of that power would likely cause my current fragile body to burst.

First, I cautiously avoided stimulating that massive energy recklessly and tried moving and taking only a very small amount, as if pulling out a thread.

Then, something quite surprising happened.

Just like when I consumed the Spiritual Elixir before, even that small amount was completely absorbed by the Taoist Master’s shadow of the Phantom Body Trait.

‘…It really has no filter.’

Immediately after the absorption ended, I briefly checked my physical condition. There didn’t seem to be any particular problems.

So, I became a bit bolder, stirred my Spiritual Power, and began drawing more power from the Yeoijoo.

Slither.

Whoooosh!

This time, the vast power flowed into me like bundled threads, and it was all swallowed into the shadow.

How much time passed like that?

Instinctively feeling that more would be dangerous, I stopped absorbing the energy, detached the Yeoijoo from my body, and checked my status.

And I found the expected result.

【Han Kangyoon】

▶Level 44

▶Stats

【Stamina : C+】

【Spiritual Power : B】

【Art Formula : B-】

【Mental Strength : A-】

▶Traits (9/10)

【Phantom Body (S)】

【Witch’s Resonance (A+)】

【Dragon Body (Dragon Body) (A+)】

【Soul Combustion (A)】

【Challenger (B+)】

【Intracranial Spell Repository (B)】

【Life Returner (B-)】

【Emergency Evasion (B-)】

【Hawk’s Eye (C+)】

The newly acquired A+-Rank Trait, Dragon Body. Its effect was to provide a bonus to physical strength and defense.

‘…That’s pretty good?’

Not only was it simply excellent, but it was also actually the type of Trait I needed most in my current situation.

After all, I soon had to face the S-Rank Specter, Cat-Head Serpent, alongside the Jeokhwadan.

With this level of defense, at least I wouldn’t be taken out in one hit.

That night, while sleeping, I suffered terrible, excruciating pain and stayed up all night.

And when morning came the next day, an invisible change had occurred in my body.

Whoosh.

Crackle.

As I drew upon my Spiritual Power, translucent blue scales began covering my entire body.

Their color was so faint you wouldn’t notice unless you looked closely, but I immediately realized where they came from.

‘…So that’s how it is.’

Now only one Trait slot remained, and there were merely three weeks left until June, when my appointment with the Jeokhwadan was set.

The time of the decisive battle was slowly approaching me.

Since there was no need to delay any further, I filled the remaining one Trait slot with a straightforward enhancement-type Trait.

Namely, the C–Rank Strong Body.

‘It won’t be much help, but it’s better than nothing.’

Honestly, I would have liked to be fully armed with slightly better Traits, but this was the limit for now.

It was me who was abnormal in the first place; originally, Traits weren’t something you could obtain this easily.

Thus, the remaining time was two weeks.

As I went around visiting the protagonist’s party, including Yoo Haon and Baek Eunseo, whom I hadn’t seen in a while, time passed quickly.

And so, on the weekend with just one week left until the promised date, I filled out the sign-out log, left the Academy, and quickly walked somewhere.

The person waiting for me at the destination I soon arrived at was Arietta, who had recently come of age and graduated from the Academy.

“You’ve come.”

“…Yeah. Good to see you. You seem quite busy.”

“I suppose so.”

Actually, because I had to give her blood, we did meet periodically. But perhaps because there was so much to deal with lately, it seemed noticeable on the surface.

Whoosh.

Gulp.

Gulp.

After using the Blood of Unfurled Peace Art Formula to give Arietta blood, I continued speaking to her as she licked her lips.

“Do you remember what we discussed last time?”

“Yeah. Of course.”

I planned to take Arietta with me to the Jeokhwadan’s recruitment trial in June. I had already obtained permission from the Unit Leader, Shin Noeul.

‘Since she was last year’s Academy valedictorian, there’s no reason to refuse.’

She’s probably thrilled right now, thinking she’s landed a big fish?

As sorry as I felt for her, I obviously wasn’t taking Arietta to put her in the Jeokhwadan.

I just felt it keenly.

The fact that no matter how much I borrowed the Jeokhwadan’s power, facing Cat-Head Serpent alone would be difficult.

I needed at least one skilled person to act as my hands and feet and move with me.

“…I can use almost everything you taught me now.”

“Splendid. How does it feel using them in actual combat?”

“High utility value. I can get stronger as I get used to it.”

Arietta, who had agreed to become my Collaborator after the last incident, had quickly improved her skills by going out into the field and gaining real combat experience.

And in the process, she also learned various applications of the True Noble Blood Trait.

Mainly the methods used by the Blood-Drinking Princess, Beatrice, in the original work.

Since those were techniques once widely used in PVP as well, I was also quite familiar with them.

“…How do you, junior, know all of this?”

Well, from her perspective, it must be full of questions.

She merely obtained a peculiar constitution through the Undeath’s Forbidden Curse and getting entangled with Myeongyool and Shindoyool, yet somehow I knew all the ways to utilize it.

No matter how you think about it, it doesn’t make sense.

However, Arietta didn’t press me much about it. It meant she intended to trust me completely, as she said in our last conversation.

“…So, a really serious crisis is going to happen?”

“Yes. Something will definitely happen. Perhaps we may even encounter an S-Rank Specter.”

Although I gave her various excuses, I couldn’t describe the future too accurately. No matter what, that would be too unnatural.

But whether that alone was sufficient explanation, Arietta frowned subtly and showed a tense attitude.

Well, she knew the prime-era strength of Myeongyool, a former Special-Rank Exorcist.

An ultra-high-level Specter that even Myeongyool couldn’t guarantee victory against. Naturally, worry would come first.

“…Honestly, I’m not sure if I’ll be of much help. I can’t even promise I can protect you, junior.”

“It’s fine. I will desperately take care of myself. Just assisting me from the side is enough.”

At those words, Arietta nodded.

Once we’re in the same boat, there’s no room to back out.

I sent a friendly gaze her way and used the Appraisal function to check her information.

Ding!*

【Arietta Morgan】

▶Level 53

▶Stats

【Stamina : B-】

【Spiritual Power : S-】

【Art Formula : S-】

【Mental Strength : B】

▶Traits (7/10)

【True Noble Blood (True Noble Blood) (S)】

Crane Among Chickens (A crane among chickens) (S)

【Combat Instinct (A-)】

【Iron Heart (B+)】

【Rampage (B)】

【Growth Acceleration (B)】

【Output Enhancement (B-)】

Her Level was already 53. Honestly, whether judged by skill or specs, she was on par with a 1st-Rank Exorcist.

At the very least, among the cards I could fully utilize now, she was the most powerful one.

‘In the Jeokhwadan, Shin Noeul is borderline Special-Rank, and there are two 1st-Rank members.’

There were other members too, but I recall they weren’t at such an incredible level.

Having run several simulations step by step, I soon nodded and uttered a voice filled with conviction.

“Then, as promised, I’ll see you again then.”

All the necessary forces had been gathered.

No matter how powerful a Specter Cat-Head Serpent is, it doesn’t matter.

This match, we can win.