4 AM. In the dimly lit underground training room of the cafe, Min-woo sat alone. The excitement from last night's battle had subsided, but anxiety still lingered in one corner of his heart. The reality that a full-scale confrontation with the Martial Purification Alliance had begun weighed heavily on him.
'I've reached level 3, but... stronger enemies will appear from now on.'
Min-woo carefully took out the Splitting Sword Technique fragment. This piece of the Eternal Cycle Scripture that So-ra had brought last night looked the most powerful among those he had seen so far. Befitting its Heaven-tier Supreme grade, subtle energy was flowing from the fragment itself.
[Splitting Sword Technique Fragment Re-analysis]
Grade: Heaven-tier Supreme
Restoration Rate: 25%
Current State: Stable (well-preserved storage condition)
Special Notes: Possibility of resonance reaction with specific bloodlines detected
Combination Possibility: 95% compatibility with existing martial arts
'Resonance reaction with specific bloodlines?'
Min-woo read the system message again. It was new information that hadn't appeared before. Could it be related to him? Driven by curiosity, Min-woo placed the fragment on his palm and began observing it closely.
The fragment was warmer than expected. It was vibrating minutely as if alive, and the vibration grew stronger when it touched Min-woo's hand.
[Warning: Abnormal Reaction Detected]
Splitting Sword Technique fragment responding to Kang Min-woo's bloodline
Resonance Intensity: 47% (continuously rising)
Expected Effect: Automatic martial art activation, consciousness interference possibility
Recommended Action: Immediately cease contact
But before the warning message could fully appear, strange things began to happen.
Sudden hot energy surged from Min-woo's dantian. Even though he hadn't attempted any combination yet, the Iron Wall Phantom Step began activating on its own.
"What?!"
Two faint afterimages appeared around Min-woo. A martial art that normally required conscious activation was operating automatically due to the influence of the Splitting Sword Technique fragment.
What was even more surprising was that the afterimages were much clearer than usual. It seemed as if the energy from the Splitting Sword Technique was enhancing the Phantom Step.
WHOOM!
Suddenly, a strange sound echoed in Min-woo's head. It was like an old bell ringing, or perhaps someone whispering from far away.
'What... is this?'
Min-woo tried to drop the fragment in panic, but his hand wouldn't let go. The fragment felt as if it had stuck to his palm.
[Infinite Bloodline Awakening Reaction Detected]
Awakening Progress: 12% → 23% → 31%
Side Effects: Foreign consciousness interference, personality changes, memory fragment influx
Target Consciousness: The Infinite One - Original owner of Eternal Cycle Scripture 300 years ago
And right then, an unfamiliar voice spoke in Min-woo's head.
"Weak..."
The voice was cold and arrogant. It wasn't Min-woo's own voice. It had a more mature tone, as if looking down on everything.
"Trying to handle my martial arts with such a frail body... Has the bloodline weakened this much over 300 years?"
Min-woo broke out in cold sweat and dropped the fragment to the floor. The moment the fragment hit the ground, all the strange phenomena stopped. The afterimages disappeared, and the heat in his dantian subsided.
[Contact Terminated]
Infinite Bloodline Awakening Progress: 31% → 15% (gradually decreasing)
Status: Temporarily stabilized
Warning: Stronger reaction expected upon next contact
"Hah... hah..." Min-woo panted heavily. Cold sweat was running down his back, and his heart was beating frantically.
'What was that voice just now? The Infinite One? 300 years ago?'
Min-woo cautiously looked at the Splitting Sword Technique fragment on the floor. It looked ordinary now, but thinking about what had just happened gave him chills.
'Could I... be related to The Infinite One? He mentioned bloodline...'
Just then, the training room door opened carefully. Ji-eun entered in her pajamas. Her hair was disheveled as if she had just woken up, but her expression was full of worry.
"Min-woo? Are you okay? I heard strange sounds earlier..." Ji-eun was surprised to see Min-woo's pale face. "Huh? Why do you look so unwell?"
Min-woo quickly put the Splitting Sword Technique fragment in his pocket. It was still too confusing to tell Ji-eun about it.
"Oh, I just... got a little startled while analyzing a new martial art fragment. It's nothing serious."
But Ji-eun wasn't easily fooled. She approached Min-woo and placed her hand on his forehead.
"You have cold sweat on your forehead. Are you really okay? The martial art fragment isn't dangerous, is it?"
Min-woo felt his heart calm down a little at Ji-eun's warm touch. But at the same time, he became anxious remembering that cold voice he had heard earlier.
'If that consciousness appears again... I might harm Ji-eun.'
"I'm really fine. I just got flustered because it's the first time seeing such a high-grade martial art." Min-woo forced a smile. "Why did you wake up so early too?"
"Well, I had an uneasy feeling... And I actually felt strange energy waves." Ji-eun looked around. "Really nothing happened?"
Min-woo nodded, but complex thoughts were swirling in his mind.
'The Infinite One... Whoever he is, it's clear that his consciousness is inside me. And if I use the Splitting Sword Technique...'
Min-woo got chills just from imagining it. The voice he had briefly heard had no warmth whatsoever. There was only cold rationality and arrogance.
'But someday I'll have to use it. What should I do then?'
Outside the window, the dawn sky was gradually brightening. But Min-woo's heart felt as if dark clouds had settled over it.
[5:30 AM]
Infinite Bloodline Awakening Rate: 15% (maintaining stability)
Next Awakening Expected Conditions: Re-contact with Splitting Sword Technique fragment or extreme emotional stimulation
Warning: Risk of consciousness interference increases rapidly if awakening rate exceeds 50%
9 AM, Basic Internal Energy practical classroom. Min-woo was sitting in his usual back seat, but it was difficult to concentrate due to what had happened at dawn. That cold voice kept echoing in his head.
'The Infinite One... Could he really be related to my ancestors?'
Professor Kim Se-jin was explaining the basic principles of energy circulation at the front, but it wasn't registering in Min-woo's ears. Instead, a system window quietly appeared in one corner of his vision.
[Daily Surveillance Mode Activated]
Purpose: Detect risk factors related to Martial Purification Alliance
Range: All personnel within classroom
Alert Level: Medium
It was a function he normally wouldn't pay much attention to, but after last night's events, everything seemed suspicious. Min-woo habitually looked around the classroom.
Jae-sung was still diligently taking notes in his front seat, and other classmates looked no different than usual. But a student sitting by the window caught Min-woo's attention.
[Analyzing New Individual...]
Target: Lee Do-hyeon (transfer student)
Registration Date: 3 days ago
Special Notes: Low class concentration, specific target observation behavior detected
Suspicion Level: 67% (additional observation required)
'Do-hyeon? I haven't seen him before...'
Min-woo began observing that student closely. On the surface, he looked like an ordinary 19-year-old college student. Average height, unremarkable face with ordinary features. But something was off.
When the professor was explaining energy circulation, all other students were looking forward and concentrating. But Do-hyeon kept glancing toward Min-woo.
'Could it be...'
As Min-woo began to harbor suspicions, Ji-eun from the adjacent seat handed him a small note.
"Did you see that new student by the window? Something's strange."
Ji-eun had felt the same thing. Min-woo nodded and observed Do-hyeon again. This time he observed purely with his eyes, without the system's help.
Do-hyeon pretended to take notes on the surface, but was actually closely observing Min-woo's actions. Every time Min-woo wrote something in his notebook, he would turn his head to try to check, and when Min-woo stood up to go to the bathroom, he showed signs of tension.
After class ended, Min-woo and Ji-eun exchanged glances. They both had the same thought.
In the hallway, Ji-eun whispered to Min-woo. "He's really strange. He doesn't listen to class at all and just keeps staring at you."
"I felt it too. Could it be..." Min-woo hesitated.
"Martial Purification Alliance?"
"There's a high possibility."
The two decided to carefully observe Do-hyeon. Min-woo deliberately headed to the library, and Ji-eun followed from behind, watching Do-hyeon's actions.
As expected, Do-hyeon followed Min-woo toward the library. But he didn't follow directly; instead, he lingered near the library entrance, trying to figure out Min-woo's movement patterns.
[Target Behavior Analysis Complete]
Do-hyeon's Behavior Patterns:
Attempting to grasp Min-woo's daily routines Avoiding direct contact while maintaining long-distance observation Information gathering appears to be primary objective Martial Art Level: Mid-level Energy Accumulation (trying to conceal)
Conclusion: 95% possibility of being a Martial Purification Alliance scout
Min-woo spent about 30 minutes in the library before coming out. Do-hyeon was still waiting nearby. Now he could be certain.
Meeting up with Ji-eun, Min-woo said urgently, "You're right. He's definitely a Purification Alliance spy."
"How can you be sure?"
"His movements aren't those of an ordinary student. And..." Min-woo thought about the system analysis results. "It seems like he's hiding some martial arts."
Ji-eun's expression became serious. "Then our identities have been exposed?"
"Not yet. If they knew for certain, they would have attacked already. It seems like they're still in the confirmation stage."
The two hurried toward the research society room. But instead of using the main entrance as usual, they took a detour using the back door of Building 3.
"Min-woo," Ji-eun said worriedly. "The fact that spies have infiltrated even the school... the situation has become really serious."
Min-woo had the same thought. Last night's battle at the safe house was just the beginning. The Martial Purification Alliance was now starting to infiltrate and monitor even their daily lives.
Upon arriving at the research society room, the two quickly reported the situation to Chul-su. Chul-su listened with a serious expression.
"I knew they would come out like this." Chul-su sighed. "This means the school is no longer safe either."
"What should we do?" Min-woo asked.
"For now, we have to continue normal school life. If we suddenly change our behavior, we'll become more suspicious." Chul-su fell into thought. "But we'll have to suspend research society activities for the time being."
Just then, So-ra rushed in. Her face was full of tension.
"We're in big trouble!" So-ra said, catching her breath. "I just got a call from Seong-min, and suspicious people keep loitering around the cafe."
Chul-su's face hardened. "Don't tell me..."
"Yeah. There's a high possibility our safe house has been discovered."
Min-woo felt a chill run down his spine. Spies at school, surveillance networks around the safe house... The Martial Purification Alliance's encirclement was gradually tightening.
"Then where should we go?" Ji-eun asked anxiously.
Chul-su stood up. "We'll have to execute the emergency plan. Min-woo, Ji-eun, you two move to a different safe house starting tonight."
"Where to?"
"A small bookstore in the city center. That's also one of our bases." Chul-su wrote down an address on paper. "Come here at 10 PM tonight. Enter through the back door."
Min-woo took the paper and asked, "What will you seniors do?"
"We have a more dangerous mission." Chul-su smiled meaningfully. "We're thinking of reverse-tracking that Do-hyeon fellow."
"Won't that be dangerous?"
"Don't worry. We have experience in these matters too." So-ra said confidently.
But Min-woo was still anxious. The Infinite One's consciousness he had felt at dawn, the spy who had infiltrated the school, and the exposed safe house... everything was becoming complicated all at once.
'In this situation, if I have to use the Splitting Sword Technique...'
Min-woo got chills just thinking about it. But at the same time, one thing was certain. If it was to protect his comrades, the time would come when he would have to risk that danger.
[School Risk Level Rapidly Rising]
Spy Activity: Continuous surveillance ongoing
Safe House Exposure: 90% probability
Recommended Action: Immediate relocation, change daily patterns
Warning: High possibility of full-scale battle upon next contact
Outside the window, the peaceful university campus was visible, but Min-woo's heart was filled with tension like the calm before a storm.