episode_0042

Carelessly ingesting natural medicine leads to great harm.

Natural medicine, imbued with the energy of nature for a long time, is a massive cluster of magic in itself.

Simply consuming it recklessly will result in one’s body unable to withstand the surge of that energy, ultimately shattering into pieces.

Ordinary individuals who cannot handle magic are at even greater risk, often turning into fools or worse.

Therefore, natural medicine demands an extremely meticulous method of consumption. Even if one follows the instructions, a skilled individual stands by during ingestion to prepare for any unforeseen circumstances.

The dangers of natural medicine can be prevented through special processing techniques.

Rather than turning non-medicine into medicine, it involves making dangerous medicine safe.

It’s about handling superior ingredients rather than inferior ones; the latter requires a higher level of skill compared to the former.

The reason natural medicine is dangerous is due to its highly potent effects. By processing natural medicine, one can eliminate the risks while retaining its effectiveness.

It’s a crude analogy, but it’s akin to removing thorns from a fish before eating it.

Before consumption,

I scanned my surroundings with spatial awareness. Finding no elements of danger, I settled in my dorm room, which I use alone, closed the door, and drew the curtains.

There seemed to be nothing threatening nearby. Satisfied with this assessment, I sat down, calmed my magic, then took out the medicine to ingest.

Upon opening it, the medicine exuded an aura so saturated with magic that it tainted the surroundings.

Wasn’t it made from fairywood roots? It truly embodies the essence of nature. That’s probably why it possesses such rich magic.

I cautiously consumed the medicine. There was no taste upon contact with my tongue. Whether it was naturally tasteless or if I couldn’t perceive it, I couldn’t tell.

Soon, the medicine began to dissolve. As it melted like sticky mucus, it started to flow down my throat on its own accord.

My mouth filled with magic. As I swallowed the medicine, magic spread throughout my body. When the medicine reached the core near my heart, magic exploded through my entire being.

– Thump! Thump! Thump!

My heart beat roughly. In sync with each beat, the core surged. Like a flood or cascading waves of magic, it circulated through my entire system.

From head to fingertips and toes, magic reached every corner of my body, not ceasing even when it reached the extremities. The magic hitting the body’s ends rebounded, causing a ripple effect throughout my entire being.

My body surged. As magic surged through me, another wave of magic followed, cooling me down.

‘Oh…’

Internally sensing my body’s state in real-time, I marveled silently.

The contradictory sensation of heat and coolness. With each surge of magic through my body, pure magic accumulated in the core, strengthening the circuit where magic flowed.

Natural medicine. Originally described in the game as merely increasing stats and providing temporary buffs, its effects were far beyond what I could have imagined.

Of course, it must be the perfect time for consumption. Currently, I am right in the middle of my growth period. In other words, now is the ideal time for ingestion.

Lost in excitement, I happily observed the changes in my body.

Suddenly, a sense of unease crept in. Something began to rise within me.

‘Huh?’

A sensation similar to the nausea from before, yet different. While I could suppress it previously, now it was unbearable.

Finally, something reached my mouth and jutted out through the corner.

It was blood, closer to black than red.

Huh.

Huh…

Huh?

‘What the hell?’

A momentary pause was followed by a rush of thoughts.

Blood. Few people go through life without seeing blood. Even a small cut on the body can make blood visible.

Blood coming out of the mouth. It’s usually hard to see, but I’ve experienced it. If you receive a powerful kick to the stomach, blood mixed with coughing comes out in batches of five rooms each.

– Gasp…

In a situation like this where blood is flowing from the mouth… when a sword pierces the abdomen, it comes out. I had vague memories of how I managed to survive until now.

No, that’s not the issue.

Why is blood seeping from my mouth now? I didn’t get kicked in the stomach or stabbed with a sword.

If the cause in this situation is… the elixir?

“Why?”

A natural elixir. If taken recklessly, it could make your body explode. Therefore, the elixir given to Hongyeonhwa has been processed to reduce such risks.

Of course, even though the risks have been minimized, there is still danger for ordinary people, so it is based on the assumption that it is consumed by superhumans.

I am already a superhuman who has awakened magical powers. A superhuman who accepts and manipulates magic. But why is blood flowing from my mouth incessantly? Moreover, the amount of blood is increasing.

A small puddle of black blood is already sticking to the ground. I struggled to calm my confused mind.

Was it poisoned? I can’t tell with spatial perception.

The thought that Hongyeonhwa would kill me? Not at all.

Then was it deliberately done by the creator? I don’t know. But at least from my perspective, it doesn’t seem like that.

The elixir was clearly functioning normally.

…Is the problem with my body?

“Ugh…”

At that moment, consciousness faded away. It felt like being swept away by an irresistible current.

“Oh, this.”

If I lose consciousness, what will happen…?

Before I could finish worrying about that, consciousness eventually faded away.

The forest was full of life.

In the black canvas-like night sky, countless stars were densely scattered, illuminating the earth.

The starlight reflected in the clear river made it seem as if the stars were spread evenly across the land and the sky.

Straight trees were densely planted around the lake. The thick trunks gave the impression that they would not collapse even in front of a storm, and the vigorously spreading branches and leaves looked full of life.

Even the various grasses on the ground seemed vibrant. They were filled with a green energy, proving that they were still alive.

It was a dreamy forest. If one were to imagine the most beautiful forest in a dream, it might look like this.

– Friend?

– New friend?

– I don’t know! A friend I’ve never seen before!

Suddenly, an abundance of light clusters flew in. Green, yellow, blue, lime…

Under the tree roots, behind a large rock, the starlit lake, and the backs of countless leaves.

Light clusters of various colors popped out from everywhere, wandering around the surroundings as if welcoming a new character.

– Friend…? No.

– Not a friend.

– Huh. Then what is it?

The bewildered light clusters floated around as if confused. Amidst this, one light cluster suddenly flashed.

– Family! They are not friends, they are family!

– Family? Is that so?

– Yes! They are family!

The exclamation of one light cluster led the others to initially be puzzled but gradually acquiesce. They swirled around in all directions as if celebrating, much like a fireworks display.

– Family! They are new family members!

The light clusters cheered excitedly. In response, the surrounding branches of the trees rustled. The leaves danced as if in celebration, and a refreshing breeze blew.

The blowing wind made the grass lie down and rise, dancing. In between, the light clusters hitched a ride on the wind and danced along.

It was a beautiful and dreamy sight. It seemed as though they were celebrating, welcoming new family members.

– Let’s play!

A green light cluster approached and said?

– Oh, that hill looks very nice!

Said a yellow light cluster.

– And let’s go there too! The twinkling starlight looks amazing!

Said a blue light cluster.

– Don’t just go there! Let’s all go to the forest together…!

The words of the various light clusters echoed in the ears. However, it was not noisy at all; rather, it was a soothing sound that calmed the mind like a lullaby.

– New family! Let’s all go over there together!

A red light cluster… went…

Red. Red. Red… Fire, flames…

Fear, crimson flowers, evening sunset, warm embrace, elixir, black blood…

“Huh.”

A hazy consciousness gripped him. His mind became taut.

“Where am I?”

As that question arose, his consciousness sank. The figures of light faded beyond.

Within the receding lights, something small appeared.

Thin, delicate wings reminiscent of flower petals fluttered softly. Each flutter dispersed a beautiful array of light.

.

.

.

“……”

Somewhere, a sticky cheek felt grimy. No, his whole body felt grimy. His mind was foggy.

He found himself lying somewhere.

Without flinching, he opened his spatial perception enough to encompass only his surroundings.

It was his room right before he passed out. The only difference was the bloodied floor and him sprawled on top of it.

He cautiously touched the ground. A strange sensation filled his palm. He couldn’t smell it, but there was an unsettling feeling in the air.

With effort in his arms, he gingerly raised his upper body.

– Tzutzek

Clotted black blood clung firmly to his fallen face.

“…What the hell.”

As he tried to clear his groggy mind, his smartwatch vibrated. Curious, he checked and saw a stack of unread messages.

He manipulated the hologram.

▶ Hongyeonhwa: Did you settle in? (Yesterday 19:41)

▶ Hongyeonhwa: Hayul? (Yesterday 19:55)

▶ Hongyeonhwa: Sleeping, huh… (Yesterday 20:23)

▶ Hongyeonhwa: Have sweet dreams! (Yesterday 20:23)

.

▶ Hongyeonhwa: Do you remember the explanation I gave you yesterday? (Today 10:51)

▶ Hongyeonhwa: Even if it’s processed, you need time to adapt, so if you took it yesterday and today, don’t do anything and rest well (Today 10:51)

“Yesterday?”

He checked the current time. It was Saturday afternoon at 3 o’clock. He had taken the elixir around 7 p.m. on Friday.

…Had he slept almost a whole day? On a pool of blood?

Grimacing, he forced himself upright.