9:45 PM. Min-woo and Ji-eun arrived at the meeting place in the back alley of the bookstore. The bookstore with a small sign reading 'Ancient Book Garden' looked like an ordinary neighborhood bookshop. However, they could sense faint defensive formations installed near the back door.
"Is this the right place?" Ji-eun asked, looking around.
"This matches the address Chul-su senior gave us." Min-woo checked the paper again. "We still have time until 10 o'clock, so let's look around the area a bit more."
The two carefully walked around the alley, assessing the surrounding situation. Fortunately, no suspicious people were visible. But Min-woo's system kept sending warning signals.
[Danger Detection Radar Operating]
Current Risk Level: Medium
Suspicious Elements: Intermittent energy detected from 3 directions
Recommended Action: Act with maximum caution, prepare for immediate evacuation
'Something's strange. It seems too quiet...'
Just as Min-woo was feeling uneasy, Ji-eun suddenly grabbed his arm.
"Min-woo, look over there."
Looking in the direction Ji-eun pointed, people in black clothes were slowly appearing at the alley entrance. These weren't ordinary people. Even their walking style belonged to trained martial artists.
[Multiple Enemies Detected!]
Confirmed Enemies: 12 people
Average Martial Art Level: Mid to high-level Energy Accumulation
Special Equipment: Sound blocking talismans, tracking prohibition talismans
Formation: Encirclement formation (purpose: blocking escape routes)
"Damn..." Min-woo muttered quietly. "We're completely surrounded."
Similar-dressed people appeared at the other entrance of the alley as well. They were gradually tightening the encirclement around Min-woo and Ji-eun.
"To the back door!" Min-woo shouted.
The two ran toward the bookstore's back door, but three special forces members were already waiting there. It was a perfect encirclement.
"Kang Min-woo." One of the special forces members spoke in a calm voice. "This is the Martial Purification Alliance Special Operations Team. Don't resist and come with us quietly."
Min-woo looked around. A total of 15 enemies were blocking all directions. It was the most desperate situation he had ever experienced.
"Ji-eun, get behind me." Min-woo said, protecting Ji-eun.
"Min-woo... what should we do?" Ji-eun's voice was trembling.
Just then, intense battle sounds came from inside the bookstore.
CRASH! BOOM!
"There must be other people inside!" Ji-eun shouted.
But the battle sounds soon subsided. And the bookstore door opened, with Chul-su, So-ra, and Seong-min being dragged out. All three were injured and held captive by special forces members.
[Checking Comrades' Status]
Chul-su: Serious injury (left shoulder wound, energy depletion from Golden Body Technique overuse)
So-ra: Minor injury (multiple bruises, conscious)
Seong-min: Serious injury (2 sword wounds, bleeding continues)
"Seniors!" Min-woo cried out desperately.
Chul-su raised his head to look at Min-woo. Blood was flowing from his mouth.
"Sorry... Min-woo. It was a trap... They used us as bait... to lure you in."
The special forces commander stepped forward. This time he was equipped with more advanced gear than before, and his martial art level also seemed a grade higher.
[Highest Risk Target Analysis]
Commander-level Individual
Martial Art Level: Mid-level Innate
Special Equipment: Enhanced energy sword, multiple defensive talismans
Risk Level: Extreme
Victory Rate with Current Power: Less than 3%
"Kang Min-woo, this time there's nowhere to run." The commander said coldly. "If you surrender quietly, we won't harm your comrades."
"Lies!" Ji-eun shouted. "You said the same thing last night!"
The commander gestured, and a subordinate pressed harder on Seong-min's wound area. Seong-min groaned in pain.
"Ah!" Min-woo clenched his fists.
"Next time I'll press somewhere more painful." The commander threatened. "Choose. Do you want all your comrades to die because of one person's resistance?"
Anger surged in Min-woo's heart. Helplessness, despair, and anger at himself for not being able to protect his comrades mixed together.
'This won't work. I have to do something!'
Min-woo touched the Splitting Sword Technique fragment in his pocket. He recalled that terrifying power he had felt at dawn. At the same time, he remembered The Infinite One's cold voice.
'But... there's no other way.'
"Final warning." The commander drew his energy sword. "If you don't decide within 5 seconds, one of your comrades dies."
"5..."
Chul-su shook his head and said, "Min-woo... don't... run away..."
"4..."
So-ra cried out with tears, "Min-woo! We're okay! You have to survive!"
"3..."
Seong-min spat blood and muttered, "Sorry... Min-woo... we're... weak..."
"2..."
Ji-eun held Min-woo's hand. "Min-woo... what are you trying to do? Don't do anything dangerous..."
"1..."
Min-woo made his decision. To save his comrades, he would risk any danger.
"Wait!" Min-woo shouted. "I understand... but I have conditions."
The commander stopped his energy sword. "Conditions?"
"In exchange for me coming with you, release all my comrades. And..." Min-woo took out the Splitting Sword Technique fragment. "Take this with you too."
The special forces members began murmuring. They had sensed the powerful energy emanating from the Splitting Sword Technique fragment.
The commander's eyes gleamed with greed. "Is that... an Eternal Cycle Scripture fragment?"
"That's right. But release my comrades first."
"Min-woo, no!" Ji-eun cried out desperately.
But Min-woo had already made up his mind. He grasped the Splitting Sword Technique fragment with both hands. The hot energy he had felt at dawn began flowing out again.
[Emergency Situation Detected!]
Splitting Sword Technique Forced Combination Mode Activated
⚠️ Warning: No mental stabilization device
⚠️ Risk Level: Extreme
⚠️ Expected Side Effects: Mental dissociation, personality changes, consciousness interference
⚠️ Infinite One consciousness awakening probability: 89%
⚠️ Continue? [Y/N]
Min-woo ignored the system warnings. Right now, there was no choice.
'Y'
The moment Min-woo's answer echoed in his mind, the Splitting Sword Technique fragment began emitting intense light. And from Min-woo's dantian, tremendous power unlike anything he had ever felt surged up.
[Infinite Bloodline Forced Awakening!]
Awakening Rate: 15% → 67% → 89%
Status: Consciousness interference beginning
Expected Duration: 5-10 minutes
Warning: Severe aftereffects expected after original personality returns
Min-woo's pupils slowly began changing to a cold golden color.
The moment Min-woo's pupils completely turned golden, the air around him rapidly grew cold. The energy emanating from the Splitting Sword Technique fragment enveloped Min-woo's entire body, and his hair began swaying despite the absence of wind.
[Splitting Sword Technique Complete Combination Success!]
New Ability Unlocked: Sword Energy Splitting Technique - Maximum 5 independent entities
Each Split Entity Power: 80% of original
Duration: 10 minutes
Side Effect: Complete Infinite One consciousness awakening
But the most chilling change was Min-woo's expression. All emotion disappeared from his usually warm and worried face, replaced by a cold and arrogant smile.
"Hmph..." Min-woo opened his mouth. But his voice was completely different from usual. Low, cold, and with a tone that looked down on everything. "To think I'd struggle this much against such weak opponents."
The special forces members began to panic. The aura emanating from Min-woo had completely changed. It was as if he had become a different person.
"Wh-what is that?" one member muttered.
Min-woo slowly raised his right hand. At that moment, a translucent sword appeared in the air. It was the first sword energy of the Splitting Sword Technique.
"One." Min-woo said with a cold smile.
When he raised his left hand, a second sword energy appeared.
"Two."
As he brought both hands together, the third, fourth, and fifth sword energies appeared one after another in the air. Each sword energy looked as sharp as a real sword and moved independently according to Min-woo's will.
"Five." Min-woo looked at the commander and said, "That should be enough to kill you all."
The commander fully activated his energy sword. "Something's strange, but... what can a mere kid do!"
"A mere kid?" Min-woo sneered. "I who have lived for 300 years... a mere kid?"
WHOOSH!
The moment Min-woo flicked his finger, the first sword energy flew toward the commander like lightning. The commander tried to block it with his energy sword, but the split sword energy curved in an unexpected trajectory and grazed his side.
SLASH!
"Ah!" The commander screamed and staggered backward. Blood was flowing from his side.
"First one." Min-woo muttered in an emotionless voice.
This time, two sword energies moved simultaneously. One from the front, one from behind, executing a pincer attack on the commander. The commander desperately swung his energy sword, but it was difficult to block two directions at once.
CLANG! SLASH!
The rear sword energy sliced his shoulder.
"Second one." Min-woo's smile became even more cruel.
"This monster-like...!" The commander panicked and shouted to his subordinates. "Everyone attack together!"
Twelve special forces members charged at Min-woo all at once. But Min-woo stood still without moving.
"Can insects become eagles just by swarming together?" Min-woo sneered.
WHOOSH! WHOOSH! WHOOSH!
The remaining three sword energies spun in the air and flew toward different enemies. Each sword energy predicted and tracked the enemies' movements as if alive.
The first member lost balance trying to dodge the sword energy, and not missing that moment, the sword energy sliced his leg.
SLASH! "Ahhh!"
The second member tried to block the sword energy, but the sword energy suddenly split into two, attacking simultaneously from both sides.
CLANG! SLASH! "Urgh!"
The third member tried to flee, but the sword energy pursued him like a guided missile and sliced his back.
SLASH! "Grahh!"
In just 30 seconds, half of the 12 members had fallen. The rest were all wounded.
"Weak." Min-woo said with boredom. "Truly weak."
Ji-eun stared at Min-woo in terror. "Min-woo... stop... that's enough..."
Min-woo turned his head toward Ji-eun. At that moment, Ji-eun saw that all warmth had completely disappeared from Min-woo's eyes. It was as if he had become a completely different person.
"Quiet." Min-woo said coldly. "Weak things should keep their mouths shut."
Chul-su tried to stand up while bleeding. "Min-woo... get a grip... this isn't you..."
"Get a grip?" Min-woo walked toward Chul-su. "Now is when I'm most clear-headed."
When Min-woo raised his hand, a sword energy appeared near Chul-su's neck. Chul-su couldn't move.
"To think I considered such trash as comrades all this time... how pathetic." Min-woo sneered. "Do you inferior beings think you have the right to command me?"
So-ra cried out with tears, "Min-woo! This is a side effect of the Splitting Sword Technique! The Infinite One's consciousness is influencing you!"
"The Infinite One?" Min-woo's expression changed briefly. He seemed to be searching his memories. "Yes... that name... doesn't sound unfamiliar."
An even colder light appeared in Min-woo's eyes. "The name of a true strong one. One who ruled this world 300 years ago..."
Suddenly, memory fragments of The Infinite One poured into Min-woo's head. Memories of the era when he dominated the martial world, memories of destroying and rebuilding everything...
"That's right... I am The Infinite One." Min-woo muttered. "All of this should become mine."
Now the surviving special forces members backed away in terror. Even the commander was trembling with fear.
"This monster..." the commander muttered.
"Monster?" Min-woo slowly approached the commander. "I am a god. And you are..."
When Min-woo raised his hand, all five sword energies surrounded the commander.
"Insects."
WHOOSH! WHOOSH! WHOOSH! WHOOSH! WHOOSH!
Five sword energies flew toward the commander simultaneously. The commander desperately swung his energy sword, but couldn't block attacks coming from five directions.
CLANG! CLANG! SLASH! SLASH! SLASH!
The commander collapsed against the wall. He was still alive but couldn't move due to severe wounds.
Min-woo approached the fallen commander and began kicking him.
THUD! THUD! THUD!
"How... dare... you... tell me... to surrender?" Min-woo said in a cold voice with each kick.
"Min-woo, stop!" Ji-eun wailed. "Please!"
But Min-woo didn't listen. Instead, he turned toward Ji-eun and spoke threateningly.
"Don't come near." A new sword energy appeared in Min-woo's hand. "The current me... shows mercy to no one."
The sword energy slowly approached Ji-eun. Ji-eun trembled with fear and backed away.
"Weak things must submit to the strong." Min-woo said coldly. "That is the law of this world."
"All imperfect things must be eliminated, and a new order must be created." Min-woo looked around. "This filthy world must be cleanly purified."
Chul-su squeezed out his last strength to activate the Golden Body Technique. "Min-woo... please... get a grip..."
"Resisting again?" Min-woo looked at Chul-su with boredom. "Then I'll deal with you first..."
[Splitting Sword Technique Energy Rapidly Decreasing]
Time Until Duration End: 1 minute 30 seconds
Infinite One Consciousness Stability: Unstable (preparing for original consciousness return)
Warning: Severe side effects expected after energy depletion
Just as Min-woo was about to launch sword energy at Chul-su, his body suddenly swayed. As the energy of the Splitting Sword Technique was rapidly consumed, The Infinite One's consciousness began to destabilize.
"What... what?" Min-woo panicked. "Why is this body..."
Three of the five sword energies suddenly disappeared. The remaining two were also becoming faint.
"No... it's not over yet..." Min-woo struggled.
But his pupils slowly began returning from golden to their original brown color.
The moment the energy of the Splitting Sword Technique was completely depleted, the intense aura around Min-woo rapidly disappeared. Like a dying candle flame, the cold aura that had enveloped him scattered away.
[Martial Art Duration Ended]
Splitting Sword Technique Deactivated
Infinite One Consciousness Entering Forced Sleep State
Original Personality Returning...
Expected Aftereffects: Severe psychological shock, memory confusion, guilt
Min-woo's pupils slowly returned from golden to brown. But the process looked painful. It was as if two different consciousnesses were competing within one body.
"Uh... huh?" Min-woo muttered in confusion.
When he came to his senses and looked around, a gasp of horror escaped his mouth.
Throughout the alley, fallen special forces members were scattered everywhere. Some were unconscious, others were groaning with injuries. Especially the commander was sitting against the wall, his entire body covered in wounds.
"What... is this?" Min-woo said in a trembling voice.
What was even more shocking was the sight of his comrades. Chul-su, So-ra, and Seong-min were all looking at Min-woo with terror-stricken expressions. As if Min-woo were some terrifying monster.
Especially Ji-eun's appearance pierced Min-woo's heart. She was standing with her back against the alley wall, tear stains on her face and eyes full of fear.
"Ji-eun?" Min-woo tried to approach her.
But Ji-eun flinched and stepped back. That small movement shattered Min-woo's heart into pieces.
"Why... why are you doing that?" Min-woo asked in panic. "What did I do?"
Chul-su wiped blood and opened his mouth with difficulty. "Min-woo... you... don't remember?"
"Remember? What?" Min-woo was confused. "The last thing I remember is deciding to use the Splitting Sword Technique. After that..."
Min-woo stopped speaking. Vague memories began surfacing in his mind. Memories of calling his comrades "trash" in a cold voice, memories of excessively attacking enemies, memories of pointing sword energy at Ji-eun...
"No... no..." Min-woo's face turned pale as he muttered. "I couldn't have..."
[Memory Restoration in Progress...]
Infinite One Consciousness Activity Period: 7 minutes 23 seconds
Major Action Records:
Inflicted moderate to severe damage on 12 of 15 enemies Used excessive violence (attacks beyond necessity) Verbal/physical threats against comrades Threatened Ji-eun with sword energy Excessive assault on commander
Seeing the records shown by the system, Min-woo despaired. He couldn't believe that he had really committed such terrible acts.
"Did I... really do that?" Min-woo asked in a trembling voice.
So-ra carefully answered, "Min-woo... that wasn't you. The Infinite One's consciousness controlled you."
"But with my body... with my mouth..." Min-woo looked at his hands. The thought that he had threatened his comrades with these hands made him nauseous.
Seong-min said while injured, "Min-woo, it's okay. We understand..."
"Understand?" Min-woo laughed self-deprecatingly. "I called you all 'inferior beings'? I pointed a sword at Ji-eun?"
Min-woo looked at Ji-eun. She was still watching him from a distance. That sense of distance felt like a thousand miles to Min-woo.
"Ji-eun... I'm sorry. Really sorry." Min-woo knelt down and said. "I... I threatened you. How could I have done such a thing?"
Ji-eun carefully opened her mouth. "Min-woo... I saw your eyes then. You were a completely different person. Cold and... scary."
Those words left a deep wound in Min-woo's heart. The fact that Ji-eun was afraid of him was the most unbearable thing.
"I... I'm a monster." Min-woo said, holding his head. "I gained power but... lost myself."
Chul-su approached Min-woo. "Min-woo, don't blame yourself. This is a side effect of the Splitting Sword Technique. It's not your fault."
"Not my fault?" Min-woo raised his head. "I chose this. I used the martial art knowing the risks."
Min-woo stood up and looked at the fallen special forces members. Some of them were seriously injured. Probably enough to require hospitalization.
"These people too... I did this to them." Min-woo said, overwhelmed with guilt.
[Mental State Analysis]
Current State: Severe guilt, self-hatred, despair
Risk Level: High (possibility of self-harm)
Recommended Action: Continuous attention and support from comrades needed
Long-term Impact: PTSD, martial art usage phobia possible
Just then, sirens could be heard in the distance. Someone seemed to have reported the incident.
"Let's get out of here first." Chul-su said. "We can talk slowly later."
But Min-woo didn't move. "I'm not going."
"What?"
"I no longer have the right to be with you all." Min-woo hung his head. "Who knows when something like this might happen again."
Ji-eun took a step closer. "Min-woo..."
"Don't come near!" Min-woo shouted. "You never know. I might harm you again..."
"Don't say such things." Chul-su said firmly. "We're a team. We'll solve this problem together."
"Solve?" Min-woo smiled bitterly. "How can this be solved? There's a 300-year-old tyrant's consciousness inside me. It could appear anytime."
[Infinite One Consciousness Status Check]
Current State: Sleep (temporary)
Re-awakening Conditions: Extreme situations, strong emotional stimulation, Splitting Sword Technique reuse
Re-awakening Probability: 78% (upon next use)
Risk Level: Possibility of becoming stronger with each awakening
Seeing the information the system showed, Min-woo despaired even more. A 78% re-awakening probability, and the warning that it gets stronger each time...
"Every time I use this power... I become more dangerous." Min-woo muttered. "Someday I might completely become The Infinite One."
The siren sounds were getting closer. They couldn't stay here any longer.
"Min-woo, let's go for now. We can't talk here." So-ra urged.
Min-woo looked at Ji-eun one last time. She was still standing far away, but there was worry mixed in her eyes.
"Ji-eun... I'm sorry. Really." Min-woo said quietly.
And he began walking in a different direction. The opposite direction from his comrades.
"Min-woo! Where are you going?" Chul-su shouted.
"I need time alone." Min-woo said without looking back. "I don't want you all to become more dangerous because of me."
"Min-woo!" Ji-eun called out loudly for the first time.
Min-woo's steps paused briefly, but he soon walked away again. His figure disappearing into the darkness looked too lonely.
[New Status Abnormality: Ego Dissociation]
Symptoms: Blurred boundary between self and Infinite One consciousness
Effects: Identity confusion, self-distrust, social isolation
Treatment: Recovering trustworthy relationships, finding mental stability
Warning: If left untreated, may develop into more serious psychological problems
Left in the alley were only the fallen enemies, injured comrades, and eyes worried about Min-woo.
Dawn was approaching outside the window, but Min-woo's heart was darker than midnight.
Major Achievements:
First successful use of Splitting Sword Technique (confirmed powerful combat ability) Infinite One consciousness awakening and partial revelation of malevolent personality Deep rift in relationships with comrades Min-woo's identity crisis and ego dissociation state entry Overwhelming victory in battle against Martial Purification Alliance but psychological defeat
Preview:
Min-woo, now alone, sets out to find a way to control The Infinite One's consciousness.
But greater dangers lurk around him...
Can Min-woo tame the monster within himself?
And can his relationships with his comrades be restored?