A Regressor’s Tale of Cultivation

Chapter 817

Side Story - Naming Family Method.

The main estate of the Makli Clan.

In the Makli Clan, they install formations in all the family members' rooms at the main estate, making it convenient for spiritual energy to gather there.

And Makli Hyun-ah's room is no different.

Woo-woooong!

After receiving the method books from the library, when Makli Hyun-ah activates the formation just as he heard from Makli Hweol, pure white spiritual energy flows along the formation from the center of the room.

"Oooh...so this is that spiritual energy...?"

It is a mysterious power.

And after he looks at that spiritual energy for a while, he starts reading what is written in the method book.

'First...it said the difference between the Immortal Family and the Naming Family appears right from the way they absorb spiritual energy, right?'

The existing Immortal Family Methods focus on 'breathing' to absorb Heaven and Earth spiritual energy.

However, methods of the Naming Family, the Confucian Family, and the Shaman Family do not follow the absorption of Heaven and Earth spiritual energy through breathing.

"The way to cultivate the Naming Family Method is not breathing, but the weakening of the name of emptiness (虚) and substance (實)."

Makli Hyun-ah prepares paper, brush, and ink, sets up a small table and places them on it, then, following the cultivation method written in the Naming Dao Conferring Gods Canon, he strongly recites the formula of the Naming Dao Conferring Gods Canon inwardly and, while making a mental chant (念), he calmly begins to write characters on the paper.

'They say the most important thing is the name... Fate dwells in the name, and thus power also dwells in it...'

The character Makli Hyun-ah writes is 'wood (木)'.

Because it is a very simple character, he finishes it fairly quickly.

As a member of a semi-chaebol family, when he was young, Makli Hyun-ah went to various academies.

Among them there was also a calligraphy academy, so Makli Hyun-ah's handwriting is not bad.

And the moment the character for wood is completed, the spiritual energy in the room gathers into the character.

Only wood-attribute spiritual energy clings to the paper Makli Hyun-ah writes on, and the paper itself starts to take on a faint blue-green light.

"Oho...it really does have an effect."

By assigning the spiritual energy that belongs to emptiness (虚) to the [name (名)] that belongs to substance (實), you seal the spiritual energy in one place.

"Next, I take this and stick it onto my body..."

Makli Hyun-ah takes off his top.

After he wets the paper with a bit of saliva, he sticks the paper directly onto his chest.

With the paper bearing the wood character stuck to his body, Makli Hyun-ah soon begins to recite the formula of the Naming Dao Conferring Gods Canon and continues his inner chanting.

Soon, Makli Hyun-ah notices that the blue-green light dwelling in the paper has disappeared and that the wood character written on the paper has grown faint.

"Oho..."

Feeling a kind of ticklish sensation, he peels off the paper, and on Makli Hyun-ah's chest, the wood (木) character is engraved, radiating blue-green light.

At the same time, Makli Hyun-ah can feel something faint from deep inside his body.

'Is this...spiritual energy...? The spiritual power that has entered my body...?'

After sealing spiritual energy into a name, you increase your cultivation by absorbing the [name] itself that holds the spiritual energy.

That is the cultivation method of the Naming Family Method.

"I didn't really want a tattoo...but well, they say that once you reach a certain realm, you can make it invisible, so..."

Looking at the blue-green wood character on his chest that gives off a faint light, Makli Hyun-ah lets out a thin sigh.

According to what Makli Hweol said, one with a Heavenly Spiritual Root cultivates quickly, and seeing that he has absorbed the [name] in one go, it doesn't seem to be wrong. He does seem to have some talent.

'To think I also have a field I'm talented in besides games...!'

Amazed at how he advances quickly in the Naming Family Method, Makli Hyun-ah thus begins to continue cultivating Naming Dao Conferring Gods Canon.

***

Two months pass.

Makli Hyun-ah continues his cultivation in the Makli Clan, and by exchanging various bits of common knowledge with Makli Hweol, he is now completely familiar with the common sense and structure of this world as well.

And before he knows it, in the Naming Family Method, Makli Hyun-ah has reached a realm corresponding to the third star of the Qi Refining stage in the existing Immortal Family Methods.

Chiiiiii!

"Uuuught...! I got over the hump... Are you watching, Mr. Jegal Mikhail?"

Makli Hyun-ah lightly taps the skull head he has placed in his room and smiles.

"According to Daoist Makli Hweol, that bear that speaks human words but doesn't take on human form is probably at the Core Formation stage. Since I've already reached a realm corresponding to the third star of the Qi Refining stage, the day I turn that damn bear into bear soup isn't far off now! Just wait a little longer, I'll definitely avenge you!"

Normally, he should bury him, but...

In this situation where he was suddenly dropped in a faraway foreign land, Jegal Mikhail's skull gives Makli Hyun-ah an oddly strong sense of mental stability, so he decided to carry it around at his side.

To Makli Hyun-ah, when he keeps Jegal Mikhail's skull beside him, it feels as if Jegal Mikhail is alive and gently comforting him, so it makes him feel secure.

'You must definitely be watching from the heavens, Mr. Jegal Mikhail?'

—Of course, Makli-ppitppi.

Feeling as if Jegal Mikhail is answering from within his heart, Makli Hyun-ah feels reassured and lets out a hoho.

'What is Makli-ppitppi supposed to be now. Call me by my name, please.'

—OK, Makli Hyun-jok.

[TL/N: Italics means it's English in the raws.]

"...Well, anyway...then let's work hard and continue cultivating!"

He has reached a realm corresponding to the third star of the Qi Refining stage.

From now on, instead of enshrining spiritual energy into paper, brush, and ink and then absorbing it, he can grow his cultivation by directly writing [names] with spiritual energy inside his own body.

"Sorry, but I can't allow that, Daoist Makli Hyun-ah."

However, at that moment, Makli Hweol speaks to him from outside the room, chuckling with a hoho.

"Elder Makli Hye-seo said that by now you would probably have reached the third star of the Qi Refining stage...and she is indeed accurate. Since you have reached the third star of the Qi Refining stage, starting today you must come to the clan's internal academy where the family members of the Lianshan Makli Line learn."

"...Eh? What is that?"

Letting Makli Hweol into the room, Makli Hyun-ah asks.

"It is simple. Daoist Makli Hyun-ah has at least heard of things like village schools or Confucian schools, academies and the like, yes?"

"Yes. Don't tell me..."

"That 'don't tell me' is exactly right. Any young family member who has reached a certain realm must accumulate basic spells and various basic knowledge of the cultivation world at the internal academy."

"Uuugh..."

At those words, cold sweat runs down Makli Hyun-ah as he desperately tries to think up some excuse to skip the academy classes.

As a shut-in who, for over five years after becoming an adult, only holed up in his room playing games, going to a place full of people is something Makli Hyun-ah simply cannot endure easily.

'The only reason I even went to the guild offline meeting was to see the Guild Master's face. I forced myself to go just for that...'

"Actually, my stomach hurts..."

"Oh dear, if you go to the academy you can receive treatment. Elder Makli Hye-seo, the Cultivation Elder who is also in charge of the academy, is proficient in many fields."

"..."

In the end, Makli Hyun-ah has no choice but to be grabbed by the hand and dragged off to the academy by Makli Hweol.

***

Makli Hyun-ah feels as if he is going to suffocate.

He entered the academy and managed to make it through the suffocating self-introduction time.

Since Makli Hweol told him not to mention that he possesses the Extreme Ghost Path Body or that he is the adopted son of Makli Cheon-sa, he only briefly stated his name and age and what he likes and dislikes, then quickly went to his seat and sat down.

Sitting at his seat with a blank expression, he stuffs into his head the knowledge about basic spell arts that Makli Hye-seo is explaining.

'Why did I even do a self-introduction? I feel like I'm going to throw up. Did I introduce myself weirdly? Everyone is sneaking strange looks at me, they are definitely thinking I am a trash human who can't even do a proper self-introduction.'

Thinking that he really should have brought Jegal Mikhail's skull that he left in his room, Makli Hyun-ah's hands tremble.

'From next time on I need to carry Mister Jegal Mikhail's skull around. I can't calm down like this. Jegal Mikhail, give me strength!'

—Don't worry, Makli Hyun-jok! Straighten your chest, and...

'Straighten the chest, and!'

—...

'Why did you stop halfway!?'

Protesting to the inner Jegal Giga Chad who echoes inside his head, Makli Hyun-ah grits his teeth and listens to Makli Hye-seo's class.

Some time later, when the academy class ends, several promising younger talents of the Makli Clan swarm around Makli Hyun-ah.

Among them, one young man who looks like he is very full of himself comes over and sits next to Makli Hyun-ah and speaks.

"I have heard much about you, young lady. I hear you have newly received the Makli surname? But since you have not truly received the blood of the Makli Clan...if you truly wish to become one body with the Makli Clan, then—"

"W-Wait a moment... I am a man. I am not a young lady!"

"..."

Understanding what the young man is misunderstanding, Makli Hyun-ah frantically waves his hands.

Since this always happened whenever a new school year started from when he was young, it is nothing surprising.

However, back on Earth, if he said something like this at school things only become a little awkward and then people just found it funny, nothing more happened beyond that.

However, the Makli Clan is different.

Hearing Makli Hyun-ah's words, the young man's face turns bright red, and his body trembles.

"Wh-What...? Are you daring to insult me? Why on earth would a man, without even growing a beard and with his hair long, look at me with those eyes during self-introduction!? You dare to deliberately make fun of me!?"

"...??"

'But I was just randomly looking?'

"I, Makli Nobi, promising younger talent of the Makli Clan, cannot endure such an insult! Follow me! I shall thoroughly teach you a lesson!"

Looking with panicked eyes at Makli Nobi, who is saying, 'Follow me to the rooftop', Makli Hyun-ah then looks toward Makli Hweol, who is here in the academy as an assistant instructor under Makli Hye-seo, and sends him a voice transmission he has recently learned from him.

[Daoist Makli Hweol! What did I do wrong!? And also, that Extreme Ghost Path Body...aren't I supposed to be an important talent? Why are these guys acting like they don't know anything??]

[Well...Daoist's position is a sort of secret in the Makli Clan. Right now, aside from someone like me, the top of the younger generation in the Makli Clan, and the elders, there are few who know your identity.]

[Uh...then please save me.]

[Hmm...the Makli Clan is currently preparing for a match with the main house, the Seogyeong Makli Line...so they view very favorably this trend of practicing real combat even like this. It's even something that is encouraged, so...I have no grounds to stop it.]

[Kuaaaagh! Th-Then, preparation time! Give me some time to prepare! If it goes like this, I'll just get dragged off and beaten up!]

Makli Hyun-ah pleads with Makli Hweol, and Makli Hweol, letting out a sigh, walks over to Makli Nobi and speaks.

"Look here, Junior Brother Makli Nobi."

"Ah, Makli Hweol Hyung-nim, is there some problem?"

"No, I just have something I am curious about. You are a beast taming cultivator who handles demon bests, yet are you thinking of sparring with Daoist Makli Hyun-ah with just your bare body?"

"Hmph, judging by his realm, he seems to be only around the third star of the Qi Refining stage. Someone like who is at the seventh star of the Qi Refining stage can easily handle him even without my main method."

Watching that scene, Makli Hyun-ah's eyes shine.

'So he's going to lecture him that it's shameful to trample me with a realm difference! As expected of Daoist Makli Hweol!'

However, Makli Hyun-ah's eyes grow round at the words that then come out of Makli Hweol's mouth.

"Calm yourself, Junior Brother Makli Nobi. What do you think is the reason that people like myself or Daoist Makli Hyun-ah, who are not of the bloodline, receive the Makli surname?

"It is because we all possess something outstanding that we are specially granted the surname. I always say this: a tiger uses all its strength even when catching a hare. Do not underestimate Daoist Makli Hyun-ah. No matter how much of a realm gap there is, I advise you to only face him after you have made ample preparations."

"Uuum...!"

"...???"

As if greatly impressed, Makli Nobi looks at Makli Hweol with eyes full of respect, while Makli Hyun-ah looks at Makli Hweol with eyes full of shock.

'Even though there is already a realm gap, you're advising him to use his main method?'

"Since Junior Brother Makli Nobi's main technique is the Beast Taming Method, I recommend that you properly rent a dueling arena and then summon your controlled demon beasts and spar. I will ask the Elder to arrange the rental of the dueling arena. At the latest, permission should come in two or three days."

"Thank you, Great Brother Makli Hweol! Just as you say, I will bring along a pair of my contracted beasts, the Blue-Eyes Sea Dragons, and firmly secure my victory. Consider yourself lucky, you brat! To face a pair of my Blue-Eyes Sea Dragons is an enormous honor! Ahahaha!"

"..."

As he watches the back of Makli Nobi leaving with a loud laugh, Makli Hyun-ah looks at Makli Hweol with a blank face.

"D-Daoist...Makli Hweol...just why...?"

"Hoho, do not worry too much."

"D-Do you have some method?"

"In the friendly dueling arena, the Healing Elder is always on standby, so if you are injured, they will immediately fix you up through healing spells. There is absolutely no chance of dying."

"Kuaaaagh! What about a way for me to win or not get hurt?"

"...? Wait, then, while only being at around the third star of Qi Refining, you were thinking of winning against someone at the seventh star? Hoho, that is an amusing thought."

Makli Hyun-ah stares at Makli Hweol with dumbfounded eyes, and to such a Makli Hyun-ah, Makli Hweol gives advice with a serious expression.

"The cultivation world is ruthless. You must not think you can just sit inside the clan and only cultivate. Daoist Makli Hyun-ah has now become a proper cultivator. And yet, you still do not know at all the ruthlessness of the cultivation world. That is extremely dangerous. With your head still full of flowers, being kidnapped in the cultivation world and turned into a slave or material happens more often than one can count. Therefore, I deliberately created a situation for you to face Sea Dragons, hoping that through this matter you will truly come to have a heart that fears the strong and that it will become motivation for Daoist to devote yourself even more to cultivation."

"...Such..."

"Pain is of course not the best teacher, but it is an excellent one. In the two days that remain, do your utmost to find a way to deal with the Blue-Eyes Sea Dragon. If not that, then at least learn some spell that lets you not feel pain while you are being chewed by the Blue-Eyes Sea Dragon. If not even that, then even now, go to the strong one, Junior Brother Makli Nobi, and beg him earnestly. Even if you feel you have done nothing wrong, go and ask for forgiveness. Whatever it is, Daoist will be able to learn something you need in order to live on in the cultivation world."

At Makli Hweol's serious yet ruthless advice, Makli Hyun-ah lowers his head.

'That, that's...right. In the end, this place is a barbaric world.'

Because of a bit of peace, he has briefly mistaken it.

'Let's go and beg and say I was wrong... No matter how much he insults me, that's better than being chewed to pieces by that monster called the Sea Dragon, right?'

Makli Hyun-ah returns to his room with a gloomy face.

He takes out the spirit stones, pills, and talismans that the Elders and Grand Elders had given him as gifts on the first day he had come to the Makli Clan, and he thinks about whether he should bring something as a gift.

'No matter how I think about it, that crazy bastard tried to hit on me, then because he got my gender wrong, he got embarrassed and took it out on me... But fuck, what can I do when I have no strength...? This still-pathetically-weak me has to beg...'

And it is when Makli Hyun-ah is about to take the Fire Bullet Talisman that contains Fire Bullet Spell to give as a gift.

—Are you really fine with that, Makli Hyun-jok?

Makli Hyun-ah looks at Jegal Mikhail's skull.

He feels something well up from inside.

—Makli Hyun-jok, stop thinking for a moment... Shall we take a little walk first?

"Haah..."

Holding Jegal Mikhail's skull, Makli Hyun-ah takes a walk around the surroundings of Makli Clan.

"I'm definitely going to get beaten up, right? I hope that crazy guy doesn't do anything too extreme."

—Makli Hyun-jok. That is only an assumption for when you lose to them. Believe in yourself.

"But I only correspond to the Qi Refining third star, so how am I supposed to beat the Qi Refining seventh star? This is impossible!"

—Makli Hyun-jok, you yourself speak of the breakthrough. Your Naming Family Method only 'corresponds' to the third star of Qi Refining. It is not actually the third star of Qi Refining!

"How is that any different?"

—It's very different. Your power is not simply at the Qi Refining third star, it could be more than that!

"It's all just assumptions. I'm definitely going to be bawling my eyes out, crawling on all fours like a dog in front of that guy."

—You idiot! Even that is just an assumption! You keep piling assumption on assumption, turning yourself into the weakest ant and that guy, inside you, into the strongest monster of all. Like that, you won't even be able to beat a punk weaker than you!

"But..."

—Shut up! Stop spouting shit-ass nonsense and look back at your own power, Makli Hyun-jok! First calmly think through what you can do!

"...What I can do...?"

While stroking Jegal Mikhail's skull as he walks, Makli Hyun-ah arrives at the Beast Stable.

In the Makli Clan's Beast Stable, countless demon beasts live comfortably under the supervision of the Beast Taming Elders.

"Naming Dao Conferring Gods Canon is...not a Beast Taming method, so even if I look around here, it's probably meaningless."

The Naming Dao Conferring Gods Canon that Makli Hyun-ah has learned, if one insists on classifying it, is a Talisman Dao Method (附道功法).

For that method, which can inscribe and wield [names], boasts optimal efficiency for producing and handling talismans.

'As expected, it really is best if I just offer a gift and beg...'

While Makli Hyun-ah is taking out the Fire Bullet Talisman that he plans to present to Makli Nobi as a gift, he accidentally breathes spiritual energy into the talisman.

Huaruruk!

Naturally, the talisman that has eaten spiritual energy activates, and Makli Hyun-ah is shocked and stares at the flames.

"Utututut! Th-This, what do I do? Uaagh, the sparks are flying! I still don't know how to handle fire-attribute talismans... Kuaaaagh! N-No!"

Seeing the flames jump toward the haystack prepared near the Beast Stable for the herbivorous demon beasts, Makli Hyun-ah screams.

Hwarurururu!!!!

It happens in an instant.

In an instant, the flames move over to the haystack.

Startled by the flames, the demon beasts scream, and Makli Hyun-ah's mind goes blank.

'N-No, no! If it goes like this, it's not just Makli Nobi that's the problem...I'll get beaten up by the Beast Taming Elders too...!'

—Get a hold of yourself, Makli Hyun-jok! You can fix this!

'H-How can I...ah...!'

Even in his panic, Makli Hyun-ah snaps to his senses and immediately tears his own clothes.

Afterwards, he sits down on the spot and gathers at his fingertips the spiritual energy he has accumulated until now.

Wo-woong!

At Makli Hyun-ah's fingertips, blue-green spiritual energy gathers, and through that energy, Makli Hyun-ah engraves a name into the torn piece of clothing.

The Name of Fire.

That [Name] he writes while strongly reciting the formula of the Naming Dao Conferring Gods Canon!

The name of substance pulls in the flames of emptiness.

And soon, all the flames of the haystack are dragged toward the name, and in an instant the flames are absorbed into the inside of the name that Makli Hyun-ah has written.

"Heheok...heok..."

Looking at the haystack whose upper part has turned to ash, Makli Hyun-ah breaks out in a cold sweat.

"I-I'm saved..."

The flames were quite large.

If he had left it as it is, the entire Beast Stable would probably have gone up in flames.

It likely would've been a complete mess, and Makli Hyun-ah might have taken a severe beating.

But before that happened, thanks to his quick judgment, he was able to live by sealing the power of the flames inside the [name] he has written.

'What I can do...is nothing more than seal power into names and make talismans...'

Looking at the piece-of-clothing talisman he has made, Makli Hyun-ah sighs.

Since he has sealed the name of fire into this piece of clothing, it has probably become a talisman more useful than an ordinary Fire Bullet Spell.

But that is all.

'I mean, I can't very well go around setting the mountains on fire and sealing them just to deal with one Makli Nobi... What should I do...?'

"..."

While blankly staring at the piece-of-clothing talisman he has made, Makli Hyun-ah looks at the demon beasts of the Beast Stable.

"...Seal power...into names...?"

In the Beast Stable all of the demon beasts glare at Makli Hyun-ah with sharp eyes, growling as if they know he has burned their hay.

Among them, the Blue-Eyes Sea Dragon demon beast that is going to chew up Makli Hyun-ah in a few days is looking down on him with eyes that coldly mock him.

Seeing those demon beasts with their fierce gazes, with heart thinking 'No way,' Makli Hyun-ah goes to his room and brings back brush, paper, and ink.

***

Three days pass.

In the friendly dueling arena prepared for the Makli Clan's promising juniors, two people walk in.

"Uoooooo! Makli Nobi Hyung-nim! Show that freak who one can't even tell whether he's a woman or a man what's what!"

"For a mere newcomer, he sure is going to have a flashy initiation, hahaha!"

"Lucky bastard of an outsider who got to receive the Makli surname! For someone who is not even like Makli Hweol Orabeoni, that surname is wasted on you!"

Around the friendly dueling arena, the children of Makli Clan have come out to watch the spar-cum-initiation of the new family member, Makli Hyun-ah, and are cheering for Makli Nobi.

Receiving the cheers and shouts of the family members, Makli Nobi stands in front of Makli Hyun-ah.

Makli Yu-chi, the Healing Elder who serves as referee and is there to heal any injured in case something happens during the friendly duel, speaks from between the two.

"Now then, are you really going to proceed with today's friendly duel? If anyone wishes to forfeit, step down."

At those words, Makli Nobi speaks to Makli Hyun-ah.

"Forfeit and quietly step down. The reason I put you in this spot today is, yes, because you made fun of me with that face of yours, but...this is also a kind of initiation for a new family member. Just as Makli Hweol Hyung-nim said, I did my best to prepare, but when I think about it carefully, bringing the Sea Dragon into an initiation and drawing blood is a bit much, isn't it."

"..."

"If you give up the friendly duel, go down below the arena, and bow naked before me, I'll end your initiation after bullying you a few times. How about it? You don't want to experience your whole body being crushed in the teeth of the Blue-Eyes Sea Dragon either, do you?"

"...I..."

"Hurry up and answer! Do I need to help you make up your mind?"

Looking down at Makli Hyun-ah, Makli Nobi takes out his beast belt and shouts.

"Come out, Blue-Eyes Sea Dragons!"

Kugugugugu!

At Makli Nobi's shout, from his beast belt two enormous sea dragons with blue eyes appear.

Those Sea Dragons, a male and female pair, possess an incomparably dignified bearing.

From outside the arena, exclamations burst out.

"Unbelievable, as expected of Makli Nobi Hyung-nim. To perfectly control those ferocious Sea Dragons..."

"Normally, those Sea Dragons would even bare killing intent at Makli Nobi Hyung-nim and writhe to break free of control...but today there isn't even that...!"

"Makli Nobi Orabeoni's Beast Taming method has reached an even deeper realm!"

In contrast to the family members' exclamations, Makli Nobi notices that the state of the Blue-Eyes Sea Dragons is a bit strange.

'...I already felt it when I brought them from the Beast Stable...but why do they look so drained? On top of that, it feels like they're strangely trembling... Do Sea Dragons also get body aches too? Damn it, I really have to persuade him to give up with words as much as possible, and if this bastard doesn't know his place and insists on the spar, I have to finish it as quickly as possible.'

Worried about his Blue-Eyes Sea Dragons, who for some reason have no energy today, Makli Nobi speaks to Makli Hyun-ah.

"Decide. Even after seeing these fearsome Sea Dragons behind me, do you really feel any desire to oppose me? Today is only an initiation spar, and you are merely at the Qi Refining third star, while I am at the Qi Refining seventh star, so no one will say you are a coward."

"...I...will take part in the spar."

Though he is trembling, Makli Hyun-ah answers Makli Nobi with determined eyes.

Makli Nobi furrows his brows, paying more attention to his Sea Dragons that seem to have come down with something than to Makli Hyun-ah.

'It'll be a problem if my babies get worn out... This brat keeps trying to bother my babies even when I give him a chance.'

"Fine. Then since you seem confident, let's make a bet. If you can endure my Sea Dragons' attacks for even just three seconds, I will give you anything you want among what I possess. But if you lose to me...for three months, you will be my slave. During that time, no matter what I do to you, you cannot ask the Elder for help, nor can you stand on the same level as the family members. How about it, even so do you really still want to spar with me?"

At those words, Makli Hyun-ah looks with frightened eyes at Healing Elder Makli Yu-chi, but Makli Yu-chi only nods.

"To know the weight of victory and defeat, it is good to stake a heavy price. If you dislike that, then knowing how to bow your head to the strong is also good training. A spar like this, which lets you understand the workings of the cultivation world, is also something we encourage, so there is no problem. You have the expectations of many Elders and the Clan Head on your shoulders, but precisely because of that, it is important that you learn early how the cultivation world works.”

Makli Yu-chi simply says things similar to Makli Hweol and does not particularly rebuke Makli Nobi.

'To become Makli Nobi's slave, how horrible. But...'

With a hardened face, Makli Hyun-ah takes out Jegal Mikhail's skull from the storage scroll and strokes it.

At the sight of Makli Hyun-ah suddenly taking out a skull and fiddling with it, Makli Nobi flinches in surprise, but does not show it.

'Mr. Jegal Mikhail, you will watch over me, right?'

—Of course, Makli Hyun-jok.

With resolute eyes, Makli Hyun-ah decides to trust what he has prepared.

'If I want to save noona and avenge Mr. Jegal Mikhail, I can't stop here... Please watch from the heavens, Mr. Jegal Mikhail!!'

"...I accept."

"...Good. I've given you every chance I can. From now on, you are I, Makli Nobi's, slave!"

With an angry expression, Makli Nobi starts preparing his attack, and Makli Hyun-ah also starts taking out what he has prepared from the storage scroll with a hardened expression.

"Now then. We begin the friendly spar between Makli Hyun-ah and Makli Nobi!"

With Makli Yu-chi's declaration, Makli Nobi mounts his flying sword magic artifact, rises into the air, and gives orders to his demon beasts.

"Can you block my Sea Dragons' attacks three times? Now...let's finish this qui—"

And then, in Makli Nobi's eyes, he sees Makli Hyun-ah fitting something onto his arm.

It is something he has never seen before.

It is like a board that goes around the arm, and on that board several talismans are laid out.

On the upper side of the board fitted to his arm, among the talismans piled there, Makli Hyun-ah picks up a few and begins to breathe spiritual power into them.

The talismans into which Makli Hyun-ah has sealed power in the form of names while going in and out of the Beast Stable over the past two days, spit out light.

'Naming Dao Conferring Gods Canon...I should have realized from the name...!'

The Naming Dao (名道) Confers (封/Seals) God (神/Spirit).

What can be sealed into a name is not just wood-attribute spiritual energy or simple phenomena like flames.

"Come out, Blue-Eyes Sea Dragons!"

Kugugugu!

The three talismans that Makli Hyun-ah throws shine, and inside the arena, three large illusions of Blue-Eyes Sea Dragons appear.