Chapter 14 (1/2)

Awakening (3)

[Mana Drain (Rank: SSS, Semi-active)]

Skill Effect: Can absorb stored active mana and potential mana by coming into contact with the mana core.

Restrictions:

1) Active mana can absorb up to 100% of the amount stored in the attached core and can absorb more than the user’s original active mana limit. On the other hand, active mana absorbed above the limit isn’t recovered after being consumed.

2) Potential mana can only be absorbed up to 10% of the amount stored in the attached core, and the rest is evaporated during absorption. The absorbed potential mana is added to the user’s original potential mana.

Thump, thump.

My heart was beating like crazy. Was this the unique skill of Seo Jin-wook that was unknown in the future? Mana Core, which changed the entire Earth industry, could only be used by going through a delicate process. The applications were nearly endless, from potions that filled up depleted active mana to energy sources that replaced traditional fuels.

However, I had never heard of a hunter that absorbed them to make it their own. Indeed, the Celestial Dragon Guild must have been sure to keep its secret tightly. It was a skill that could be used as much as possible without being noticed, and if rumors had spread, they would’ve received worldwide attention.

Gulp.

I swallowed dryly upon the realization. Once again, I checked the system message, and I wasn’t mistaken. What was commonly referred to as the hunter’s mana capacity was the active mana — the amount of mana that the hunter could control according to their will. And as the hunter made desperate efforts, the potential mana changed to active mana, and the absolute amount of mana the hunter could use expanded. It was the proper growth of a hunter.

However, it was known that effort alone couldn’t increase its limited amount. That was the potential mana. Originally, the limit of the potential Mana capacity given to Seo Jin-wook was 72,000 when assuming that all potential mana had been activated through the process of his growth. Rare items must be used to increase it more than that, but it was almost impossible to secure it with the knowledge of the present era.

However, Seo Jin-wook in his lifetime wouldn’t have been constrained by such limitations. It would have been possible to increase by simply absorbing the mana cores that could be obtained from the dungeon.

I mumbled to myself.

‘If Seo Jin-wook didn’t die young!’

Instead of dying after a year of Awakening, if he survived to absorb mana cores and continued to expand his potential mana, and if he kept activating them…indeed, history may have been completely different from what I remembered.

“Theoretically, the growth would be limitless!”

A hunter without limits; it was like a dream.

“Well…well, the Awakening is definitely complete.”

After breaking the silence in the reception room, the official spoke to me. The Awakening stone on the table turned gray and then vanished without a trace, clear evidence of Awakening.

“Hunter registration must be done by visiting the management department. For a detailed explanation of the future procedures…”

He looked at Seo Gyu-cheol and spoke.

“Well, you will find it unnecessary.”

The face of the government official, which had been heavily stiff, was now relaxed. I could almost feel a little relief. He approached Seo Gyu-Cheol. I began to find the Constitutional Officer’s attitude peculiar, almost even suspicious, considering he was here to observe an Awakening.

“Guild Master, I’m sorry, but we need to speak to you for a moment…”

“Hmm?”

Seo Gyu-cheol seemed desperate to talk to me, but he followed the two out of the room. And after a while, Seo Gyu-cheol’s face, as he returned with the officials, seemed very discouraged, unlike a moment ago. Ragged breathing, anger flashing around his eyes. What the hell was that about?

He contorted his face, but upon feeling our gaze, he calmed his emotions.

“Secretary Kim, you’ve done well. Leave us for a while.”

“Yes, sir.”

Then, only Seo Gyu-cheol, Han-seol, and I remained in the room. Seo Gyu-cheol looked at me with eyes full of anticipation. Next to him, Han-Seol was smiling but still seemed a bit conflicted. The two people gave their congratulations one after another.

“Congratulations on your Awakening.”

“Congratulations, Jin-wook.”

“Thank you.”

Seo Gyu-cheol leaned forward as if he couldn’t wait any longer.

“How much was the potential Mana measured?”

Direct to the point. I was reluctant to have Han-seol together with us in this place. Seo Jin-wook, in his previous life, would’ve opened up about everything here. As I know what he didn’t know, I hesitated. However, considering their relationship before, suddenly asking Han-seol to leave would cause suspicion. After a short moment of thought, I decided to answer honestly about the potential mana. Anyway, it would expand more than the current level.

“It’s a little over 70,000.”

A moment of silence wrapped around the room. I once again told exactly what it was to its last digit. Then, Seo Gyu-cheol’s face, which was shocked and lost for words, soon turned into joy.

“Hahaha, hahahahaha! Good. Very good!”

His laughter filled the entire room.

“Oh, my days… I’ve guessed that it could be over 30,000 basing on the tumult you’ve been making, but I didn’t expect you to go beyond that!”

The minimum qualification for a hunter to be promoted to the SS class was 30,000 active mana. Should I have lowered it a bit? Seo Gyu-cheol asked another question as he could not hold back his laughter.

“What is your unique skill?”