Chapter 6

'As expected, it was inner energy!'

When his speculation about the unknown energy was proven true, a satisfied smile appeared on Yushinyun's face.

He tried to calm his excited heart and decided to confirm things more accurately.

"Status window."

A semi-transparent system window appeared before his eyes.

[Player: Kang Taeha / Yushinyun]

Level: 10

Traits: Spirit Summoning (D), Boneless Body 'Human Form' (E)

Mana: 220

Inner Energy: 30 (about 30 days)

Strength: 34 Agility: 35 Vitality: 36 Magic: 36

'Oh ho!'

He exclaimed in delight.

In the status window that appeared, a new value, 'Inner Energy,' was displayed.

He pressed the inner energy section with his finger.

[Inner Energy]

Currently, there is a total of '1' type of energy stored in the 'Second Mana Library.'

1. Yuyun Heart Method: 30 (about 30 days)

As he read the description, a glint of interest appeared in Yushinyun's eyes.

'There is only one type of energy stored currently.'

He focused on this part.

In other words,

'Is it possible to store multiple energies simultaneously?'

This inference was possible because the basic system of the Mana Library, which stores divided negative mana, seemed to have been newly transformed upon encountering inner energy.

'Hmm, it seems like a good thing...'

Suddenly, a worry popped into his mind.

'Generally, mixing multiple inner energies can lead to adverse effects on the body...'

He recalled that in the few novels he had read in his previous life, most martial artists only mastered two or three inner energy cultivation methods at most.

Currently, there was only one type of energy, so there seemed to be no adverse effects on his body, but he couldn't be sure.

'This can only be confirmed through direct experience.'

However, since there was no immediate way to verify it, he moved on to the next step.

He skimmed through the information of the absorbed Yuyun Heart Method.

[Yuyun Heart Method]

Rank: Second-Class

Attribute: Taoist / Pure Energy

The most basic inner energy cultivation method taught to lay disciples of the Yellow Mountain Sect. It is known for its pure energy, one of the top choices among second-class martial arts.

However, the speed of accumulation is very slow, making it difficult to achieve great success.

The Yuyun Heart Method was ranked as second-class. Although he didn't know the exact ranking system, he could tell it wasn't very high.

While it might be disappointing, Yushinyun was focusing on another aspect.

'Taoist and pure energy...'

The energy that was like a lake was named pure energy.

He turned his head to look at the two remaining blue glows he hadn't touched yet.

'Should I check them now?'

He was curious about the identity of these two inner energies but shook his head.

'No. I should only attempt to extract spirit energy from the deceased with pure energy until I fully understand it.'

Even with the most gentle energy, a disaster almost occurred.

In this situation, absorbing energy of a different attribute would be reckless, not adventurous.

After concluding his thoughts,

'Let's start then!'

He began the experiment with a gleam in his eyes.

"Raise Skeleton Warrior."

Whoosh!

Snap!

He first used only negative mana to raise a blue-rank deceased into a skeleton.

'Huh?'

He tilted his head.

He had been worried about any side effects from creating the Second Mana Library, but there was no difference from usual.

'This is actually...'

No, the sensitivity of control seemed to have improved.

Although he couldn't understand why, it was a good thing, so he smiled in satisfaction.

"Hmm."

Now came the most important part.

It was time to use inner energy.

Whoosh!

He slowly drew up the inner energy of the Yuyun Heart Method stored in the Second Mana Library.

The inner energy began to race through the mana circuits.

Sizzle!

His whole body began to feel hot and tingly.

Just then,

'Oh no!'

Something was making Yushinyun flustered.

The reason was simple.

The negative mana in his heart began to move on its own, even though he hadn't intended it.

Would there be another conflict?

Cold sweat trickled down his back.

Whoosh!

'...?'

The situation unfolded unexpectedly.

The negative mana began to envelop the inner energy of the Yuyun Heart Method.

It seemed to step back, recognizing that the weaker inner energy was not a threat.

The cold of the negative mana and the heat of the inner energy mixed, making his body feel more comfortable.

Rumble! Rumble!

This resonance was different from the last time, giving a good feeling.

"Raise Skeleton Warrior."

He whispered the command to the blue-rank deceased.

Then,

Whoosh!

A circular magic circle appeared on the ground as if by magic.

He inwardly rejoiced.

'It worked! I can use inner energy together with negative mana!'

It was the moment of perfect success.

Snap! Snap!

The Skeleton Warrior, now revealed, knelt before him in respect.

As Yushinyun looked at the creature with pride, a look of surprise appeared in his eyes.

'Wait, something's different...'

Indeed, the Skeleton Warrior summoned using inner energy was completely different from the others.

First, the bones that made up its body were at least twice as thick and large.

The bones had a faint blue glow, giving a metallic feel.

The creature was emitting a blood-red light from its hollow eyes, which was so eerie that even Yushinyun felt a chill.

'It can't just be a change in appearance, right?'

Yushinyun thought and brought up the status window of his minions to check.

Then,

"..."

He was once again stunned.

[Skeleton Warrior]

Level: 7

Traits: Bone Swordsman (E), Physical Attack Immunity (D)

Strength: 18 Agility: 16 Vitality: 16 Magic: 5

[Skeleton Warrior, 'Third-Class Swordsman']

Level: 7

Traits: Third-Class Martial Artist (D), Bushido (D)

Skills: Yuyun Thirteen Sword Techniques (D/3-star), Three Treasures (D/3-star)

Inner Energy: 365 (about 1 year)

Strength: 50 Agility: 31 Vitality: 32 Magic: 0

- The summoning and maintenance of this minion require the summoner's inner energy.

'What is this?'

Although they were both Skeleton Warriors, the difference in stats was incomparable.

The regular Skeleton Warrior had no stats over 20, while the one summoned with inner energy had all stats over 30, except for magic.

Moreover,

'Even some stats are higher than mine?'

The strength stat was a whopping 50, higher than his own.

The difference in stats directly translated to a difference in power.

Despite being the same level, there was a significant gap between the two summoned creatures.

There was another aspect that hit Yushinyun hard.

"Being able to use martial arts from life...?"

Indeed, the so-called 'Third-Class Swordsman Skeleton' had martial arts listed in its skill section.

Moreover, both seemed to be combat-related.

The destructive power of these skills was in a different league.

To already have two attack skills was a significant achievement.

His growth was much faster than in his previous life.

He felt silly for being disappointed earlier when he only got support skills.

'The only thing to be cautious about is this one point.'

Yushinyun noticed a cautionary note at the bottom of the Third-Class Swordsman Skeleton's description.

- The summoning and maintenance of this minion require the summoner's inner energy.

The Skeleton summoned with inner energy required Yushinyun's inner energy.

It was impossible to summon with only negative mana.

This could be seen as a significant or minor drawback.

After a brief analysis,

'Let's see how it performs.'

Yushinyun called the Skeleton that was on guard closer to him.

Snap.

...Snap.

Then, the two Skeletons stood facing each other, maintaining a distance.

The Skeleton Warrior, wielding a large axe as big as its torso, and the Third-Class Swordsman Skeleton, holding a blue blade, glared at each other.

Then,

Snap!

Yushinyun snapped his fingers lightly.

Clang! Clang!

The two Skeletons charged at each other fiercely, starting a practice battle.

Of course, Yushinyun did not directly control them.

He let them fight based solely on their own combat abilities.

Clang! Clang!

The Skeleton Warrior took the initiative, fully utilizing the advantage of its heavier and bulkier weapon.

The axe sliced through the air, and a single hit could shatter the Third-Class Swordsman Skeleton into pieces.

However,

'Oh.'

Swish! Swish!

His worries turned out to be unfounded.

The Third-Class Swordsman Skeleton dodged the axe's fierce attacks with incredibly light movements.

Thud! Thud!

The axe only dug into the ground.

'Is that a movement technique?'

Yushinyun's eyes sparkled.

Contrary to his worries, the performance of the Three Treasures technique was not bad.

In fact, it was very excellent.

Perhaps because the bones were extremely light and had no flesh, the movement technique seemed to be fully effective.

...Snap, Snap.

Skeletons also have vitality. The Skeleton Warrior, which had been on the offensive, showed clear signs of fatigue.

Its speed had noticeably decreased.

Then,

Swoosh! Swoosh!

The moment the Third-Class Swordsman Skeleton confirmed this, a fierce counterattack began.

The Third-Class Swordsman Skeleton, which had been dodging, started to strike at the exposed weaknesses with sharp precision.

The sword seemed to be like a venomous snake targeting its prey.

The flustered Skeleton Warrior tried to block the attacks, but it couldn't block everything.

Wounds of various sizes began to appear on its bones.

A highly intelligent fighting style, using the opponent's strength to evade and waiting for the right moment to counterattack.

Moreover, its powerful offensive capabilities were formidable even in a direct confrontation.

'At this level!'

It would be no different from him controlling it directly. In some aspects, it might even be better.

'If I form an army with such Skeletons like in my previous life...'

Who could stop him?

A surge of excitement filled Yushinyun's chest.

Boom! Boom!

At that moment, the Skeleton Warrior fell to the ground with a loud noise.

The axe flew out of its hand and stuck into the ground far away.

The Third-Class Swordsman Skeleton placed its sharp sword at the creature's neck.

"That's enough."

Swoosh!

As Yushinyun finished speaking, the Third-Class Swordsman Skeleton sheathed its sword and knelt again.

Whoosh!

After dismissing all the summoned creatures,

Yushinyun summoned the status window again to check the changes in inner energy.

[Player: Kang Taeha / Yushinyun]

Mana: 110/220

Inner Energy: 20 (about 20 days)

The inner energy had decreased from 30 to 20.

Despite a long practice battle, the consumption of inner energy was only 10, which was very efficient compared to negative mana.

Moreover, there was an unexpected advantage.

'Using inner energy and mana together significantly reduced the consumption of mana.'

Despite the fierce battle, the negative mana was still about half remaining.

If he had used only negative mana, it would have been depleted long ago.

The efficiency of negative mana had greatly increased when combined with inner energy.

This was excellent news in a situation where absorbing negative mana was not easy.

The only drawback of inner energy was one.

'Hmm, it doesn't naturally recover even if I wait.'

The inner energy absorbed through spirit extraction was a one-time use.

While negative mana would slowly recover if he formed a circle with mana hearts, the Yuyun Heart Method did not replenish at all.

He already had a solution to this drawback in mind.

There were two solutions.

One was to continue extracting spirit energy from blue-rank deceased who practiced pure energy, as he had been doing.

The other was...

'I need to learn martial arts.'

Learning martial arts directly.

Yushinyun's lips curled up into a smile.

Martial World, Former Top Ranker