Chapter 6: Hong Seolhwa (1)

“Public healing oil… Ten Thousand Year Stone Mushroom? Oh my God!”

A scream escaped my lips involuntarily.

Public healing oil and Ten Thousand Year Mushroom were elixirs even I, a former non-superhuman, knew about.

These were legendary elixirs said to bring about a complete transformation of one’s body and drastically boost level growth if consumed correctly.

“This is Public healing oil?”

Wow.

No wonder.

I had felt a chilling aura, so cold it stung, whenever I got close to it.

That’s why I hadn’t dared to touch it.

“Oh. So that’s why Lunadria was special too?”

Lunadria.

An elixir derived from the moonflower.

It contains more yin energy than yang and thrives better in areas rich with yin energy.

“But I heard Public healing oil is supposed to have a milky hue.”

For things I don’t know, I turn to 「SuperNet」.

I immediately searched.

Keyword: Transparent Public healing oil.

“No search results found.”

Huh. Nothing.

I tried changing the search keywords, but the results were the same.

……….

-Isn’t it true that the milkier the Public healing oil, the more yin energy it contains?

ㄴ Yeah, I think so.

ㄴ That’s what I know too.

……….

Other posts also said that for Public healing oil to have strong yin energy, it needs to be a rich milky color.

But the Public healing oil in my water bottle?

It’s just transparent. Completely transparent.

“No way, Is It just a public offering in name only and not really a good thing”

Could it be… just a lookalike with little yin energy?

<Public Healing Oil, Lv ???>

I checked again, and it’s definitely Public healing oil.

Its level is marked as ???.

Just like Lunadria, it’s likely a high-level item.

‘Then this must be a special case too.’

Perhaps transparent Public healing oil contains even more yin energy than the usual milky kind.

<Ten Thousand Year Mushroom, LV ???>

The same goes for the Ten Thousand Year Mushroom.

I’ve heard it’s supposed to have a blue hue.

But the one in front of me?

‘It’s a deep, dark blue, as if it awakened from the abyss.’

Its surface glimmers with a subtle, dark blue sheen.

No wonder I didn’t recognize it as a Ten Thousand Year Mushroom at first.

“Anyway, I probably shouldn’t just eat it.”

I dipped my finger into the water bottle.

When I lightly touched it—

Zing!

“Ow!”

I blinked, staring at my tingling finger.

In that brief moment, my skin had turned red.

Its extreme yin energy was so intense that just touching it caused a burn.

“How am I supposed to consume this?”

When in doubt? Search 「SuperNet」.

I searched 「SuperNet」again.

……….

Post Title: How to Properly Consume Elixirs (5)

Content: The elixirs I’ll introduce today are Public healing oil and Ten Thousand Year Mushroom. You can consider them a set since they’re usually found in the same place.

If you happen to find both? Then gather all the strength in your core and shout, “Jackpot!” as loud as you can.

They’re that rare to find, but if you do, it’s a massive win!

They’re not among the top-tier elixirs for body transformation for nothing.

Now, let’s get to the main point: how to consume them… (omitted) … You’ll need at least an A-rank mana cultivation technique that can control yin energy or an extreme yang elixir to neutralize the yin.

Take this seriously. It’s best to have both, but you absolutely need at least one. Elixirs can be a great opportunity if consumed correctly, but if taken improperly, they can become a deadly poison!

-Wow, great summary. Upvoted for the info.

-If you blindly consume Public healing oil, you’re done for.

-I just wish I could find one.

ㄴ Same ~~~

ㄴ Me too !!

……….

A mana cultivation technique to control yin energy.

Or an extreme yang elixir.

‘The first one’s out of the question.’

“Why, you ask?”

If I sell a few more Lunadrias, I could obtain something above A-rank, not just a basic mana cultivation method, but a main cultivation method.

However.

There’s a prerequisite for that method.

“You need to possess a certain amount of mana.”

To control yin energy, not only do you need a mana circulation technique, but your innate mana must also be sufficient to match it.

But me?

“I’m only at level 4.”

With an SSS-rank mana cultivation method, it might be different, but trying to control the energy of celestial oil and millennial fungi with just an A- rank mana cultivation method is a surefire way to get myself killed.

Moreover, to even learn a main mana cultivation method instead of a basic one, you need to be above level 15.

“So.”

The method I’ll choose.

Naturally, it’s the latter.

“Find an elixir with yang energy.”

If I neutralize the two energies and consume them,

I might achieve a complete transformation?

[Kahh.]

A sudden thought struck me.

“Couldn’t our little lucky charm eat it too?”

My eyes sparkled.

Maybe it could even speed up the hatching process of my lucky charm!

***

Bangbaedong Gourmet.

Real name: Ahn Jaeseong.

The reason he spent a whopping 55,555 coins to buy the posted by Seojoon.

“Because I’m a chef.”

Indeed.

He was a superhuman, a gourmet, and a Michelin three-star (★★★) chef.

“How could I resist when I saw such an ingredient?”

The moment he laid eyes on the arm-sized <Lunadria>.

He wanted to taste it.

And he wanted to cook with it.

He was already a high-level superhuman who had surpassed the 70th level of the demonic realm.

At his level, raising magical power through elixirs had already reached its limit.

But.

When he nibbled on a few petals of the purchased <Lunadria> from the Archmage, his magical power slightly increased.

An elixir potent enough to rival at least a summoning-tier item.

It was astonishing.

“If I didn’t have a dish I wanted to make with it, I would’ve eaten it all right then and there.”

He barely held himself back.

Because he had a dish he wanted to create.

And today.

“Chef Ahn Jaeseong’s course meal is ready!”

At a gathering of the heads of Korea’s eight major clans.

Today, Ahn Jaeseong was the main chef in charge of the evening’s meal.

“Today’s course will center around <Lunadria>.”

Under his command, the assistant chefs moved in perfect harmony.

“Lunadria is a mystical flower that holds the dew of the night. We must preserve its delicate fragrance and the petals that shimmer like soft moonlight. Even when handling it, be mindful of the temperature of your fingertips.”

“This Lunadria is special. The sweet flavor that emanates from its core is key. Lightly blanch it to bring out its subtle fragrance, and let that aroma infuse into the broth, as if capturing the scent of a spring night blooming under the moonlight.”

“Keep the heat low and simmer gently. Everyone, focus. Lunadria is sensitive to heat, so to preserve its mystical fragrance, we need to take our time. Like a moonlit night where time flows slowly.”

Under his meticulous direction, the dish was completed.

He presented the finished dish at the gathering of the eight clan masters.

“This dish is called <Garden of The Moon>.”

Ahn Jaeseong met the gazes directed at him with a faint smile.

A smile that seemed to hold the glow of moonlight.

“I wanted to convey the emotion evoked by each petal. These petals bloom only under the moonlight.”

“It holds tranquillity. Through this dish, I wanted to convey that tranquillity and mystery.”

As An Jaeseong finished speaking,

The masters of the eight major clans began to savor his dish.

“…!”

And their reactions were unanimous.

Their eyes widened in astonishment.

“The taste is simply exquisite.”

Eun Sowol, the master of the Eunharang Clan, wiped her mouth and let out a sigh of admiration.

“Such a flavor.”

“Truly befitting the only three-star chef in the country.”

“Thanks to our Cheongpung Clan Master for bringing such an elusive figure, my taste buds feel enlightened today.”

“Haha, no need for such words. Chef An Jaeseong, your culinary skills have improved even more since we last met. Truly impressive.”

A shower of praise poured from the masters of the eight major clans.

These were the titans who held sway over South Korea’s superhuman realm.

Exclamations and admiration flowed from these stars of the heavens.

“Haha, yes, this is it.”

This feeling.

The reason he became a chef.

The sight of someone marveling at the dish he created.

It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say he walks the path of a chef just for this.

“It was worth it. Truly.”

55,000 coins didn’t feel like a waste at all.

How on earth did they get their hands on this Lunadria?

The Archamge Emperor.

I need to have a private conversation with him.

If he’s selling this kind of Lunadria again, I’m willing to pay even more than the current price.

And.

There was someone else at that moment sharing the same thought.

“My goodness.”

Hong Seolhwa, the master of the Hongryeon Clan.

Her eyes trembled as if an earthquake had struck.

Just moments ago, after eating Chef Ahn’s dish, vitality surged through her entire body.

“How long has it been?”

Lately, she had been plagued by chronic lethargy.

Her once-radiant appearance had grown duller by the day.

Like a flower wilting away.

Was it because work was tough?

That was part of it.

At the young age of her 20s, she had taken on the role of leading one of South Korea’s eight major clans.

But that wasn’t the reason.

“The yang energy in my body is stabilizing.”

She possessed a trait that allowed her to manipulate yang energy.

Through a fortuitous encounter, she had gained yang energy as radiant as the sun.

Thanks to that, she became stronger faster than anyone else.

But.

At some point, her yang energy grew uncontrollably.

As the balance in her body collapsed, she too was slowly crumbling.

Yet.

The <Lundaria> dish she ate today had, if only temporarily, restored her body’s imbalance.

“He said he got it from an unknown superhuman called the Archmage Emperor, didn’t he?”

Before eating the dish,

An Jaeseong had explained himself.

The <Lundaria> prepared today was a special kind of Lunadria.

She had wondered how special a Lunadria could be.

But for her, it was more special than anything else.

“If I could just get a few more of these, I might be able to restore my broken balance.”

A spark of starlight began to glimmer in her lifeless eyes.

For the first time in a long while, motivation burned within her.

She immediately left a comment on the post that the <Lunadria> had originally uploaded.

……….

[Spicy Nuclear Punch]: Hello, Archmage Emperor, this is Hong Seolhwa from the Hongryeon Clan. If you have more <Lundaria>, I’d like to purchase some. Is that possible? I’m willing to pay 100,000 coins per stalk. I’m open to price negotiations if you wish. If there’s any other elixir or equipment you want, I can provide that as well.

…..

That comment.

It reignited the Archmage Emperor’s post, which had been quieting down.

…..

[Alonso]: What? Is that really Spicy Nuclear Punch?

[TodayItsSonOhGong]: Looks like the real deal. Wow, a VIP in such a humble place! ᄃᄃ

[RedHoneyTaste]: Hong noona!!!!! I love you!!!! Hong noona!!!!! I love you!!!! Hong noona!!!!! I love you!!!!

[SpicySoccerKick]: Wow, I rushed here as soon as I heard our noona showed up!!!

[Alonso]: The Hong fans are flooding in; lol

[TodayItsSonOhGong]: One minute until this post gets taken over by Hong fans.

……….

Spicy Nuclear Punch.

Her fandom was among the most passionate of the eight major clan masters.

The ripple effect of her comment set the Archmage Emperor’s post ablaze once more on SuperNet.

***

At that moment.

I was deeply engrossed in farming.

Earlier, while searching for the Elixir of Extreme Yang, I ended up buying some extra potatoes and sweet potatoes.

I was diligently planting them next to the Clearwater Herb seeds.

I couldn’t find a suitable Elixir of Extreme Yang, so I decided to stock up on more food supplies for now. But I was also secretly curious.

“What happens if I grow ordinary crops here?”

Would they turn out like the crops I know? Or would they become something special, too?

My curiosity was piqued.

[Kyuuung. Hungry!]

Just then, < Dragon Egg> woke up from its nap. As soon as it woke, it started looking for food, as usual.

“Our Lucky Charm! You’re awake!”

I immediately dashed over to the< Dragon Egg>.

“Feeling super hungry, huh? Want to try this, Lucky Charm?”

I dangled a finger-sized Magic Potion from my pocket.

This was the <Highly Concentrated Magic Ampule Potion> I’d just received from Uncle Kim.

……….

[Rainbow Potion]: Archmage Emperor, thank you so much. Thanks to you, I finally succeeded in making the potion. Truly a rainbow moment!

………

Uncle Kim had repeatedly expressed his gratitude. I was thrilled to hear about his success. He insisted on giving me the first completed product through a as a token of his appreciation.

I could sense how much it meant to him, so I gratefully accepted it.

And now, I was about to give it to the <Auction>.

[Smells… good…]

Oh, it’s already reacting positively.

Glug glug glug

I poured it onto Bokdeong.

And then—

Wooooooong!

“What?”

The < Dragon Egg> began to glow with a blue light. It was a more intense reaction than before.

[Kyuuuung! So tasty…!]

Luchy Charm’s delighted voice echoed from within.

A moment later—

“The color changed.”

The <Dragon Egg> had grown noticeably larger, and its originally golden hue had deepened into a richer shade.

“This feels like a good sign.”

I had a feeling the <Dragon Egg> might hatch sooner than expected.

“Should I just pour in some Public healing oil?”

I hesitated, worried that the overpowering yin energy in the oil might harm Lucky charm. But seeing this reaction, I was tempted.

“No, let’s stick to the plan and find the Elixir of Extreme Yang first.”

I suppressed my excitement.

Rushing things could lead to trouble.

What if I poured in the Public healing oil and something went wrong with Lucky Charm?

That would be crossing a river I couldn’t come back from.

“But why is it so hard to find the Elixir of Extreme Yang?”

Elixirs are hard to come by in general, but the Elixir of Extreme Yang seemed to have completely dried up. All that was left were low-grade elixirs.

“Maybe I should post something on the request board… Hmm?”

I logged back into 「SuperNet」.

Wait, what’s this?