The celebration of Min-woo's successful technique mastery was short-lived. As Park So-ra finished packing the monitoring equipment, Lee Tae-jun's secure communication device began emitting a series of urgent beeps that made everyone freeze.
"That's the highest priority alert," Lee Tae-jun said grimly, checking the encrypted message. His face paled as he read. "We have company. Multiple detection teams are converging on this location."
Kim Chul-su immediately moved to a hidden control panel in the wall. "How many? How much time do we have?"
"According to my sources, at least three specialized units. Each equipped with qi-signature tracking equipment." Lee Tae-jun was already gathering the most sensitive documents. "The energy burst from Min-woo's breakthrough was more intense than I anticipated. It lit up their sensors like a beacon."
Min-woo felt a chill of guilt wash over him. "This is my fault. The golden aura—"
"No," Ji-eun said firmly, placing a hand on his shoulder. "This was always going to happen eventually. You can't hide power like yours forever."
[EMERGENCY ALERT: IMMINENT DISCOVERY]
Detection Teams: 3 units identified
Personnel: 15-18 operatives (estimated)
Equipment: Advanced qi-signature scanners, underground penetration gear
Time to Facility Breach: 12-15 minutes
Threat Level: EXTREME**
The system's warning confirmed their worst fears. Min-woo's consciousness was also buzzing with something else—a cold, amused presence.
"How pathetic. Running like rats from inferior beings. In my time, I would have simply eliminated them all."
Min-woo gritted his teeth, trying to suppress the Infinite One's voice. This wasn't the time for the ancient tyrant's commentary.
The Escape Routes
"Emergency Protocol Seven," Kim Chul-su announced, his fingers flying over the control panel. "All critical materials to be evacuated. Non-essential equipment will be destroyed."
Yoon Sung-min looked up from the theoretical documents he'd been organizing. "Destroyed? But some of these research notes are irreplaceable."
"Better destroyed than in their hands," Park So-ra said, already initiating a data wipe on several computer systems. "We can recreate research notes. We can't undo the damage if the Purification Alliance gets hold of our complete database."
Lee Tae-jun pointed to a section of the underground chamber that Min-woo had never noticed before. "There are three emergency exits. The main tunnel leads to the city center, but that's likely being watched. The secondary tunnel exits near the harbor district."
"And the third?" Ji-eun asked.
"Mountain trail. Rougher terrain, but less likely to be monitored." Kim Chul-su was already sealing critical research materials in waterproof containers. "It connects to an old hiking path that leads over the ridge."
Min-woo felt the system analyzing their options:
[ESCAPE ROUTE ANALYSIS]
Main Tunnel: 23% success probability (high surveillance risk) Harbor Tunnel: 67% success probability (moderate detection risk) Mountain Trail: 81% success probability (difficult terrain, low detection) Recommendation: Mountain Trail route
But as Min-woo was about to suggest the mountain route, an even more urgent alarm began sounding throughout the facility.
BEEP-BEEP-BEEP-BEEP-BEEP
"That's the perimeter breach alarm," Kim Chul-su said, his face going white. "They've found the entrance."
Contact
Through the facility's security monitors, they could see dark figures rappelling down into the main tunnel entrance. Professional operatives in tactical gear, moving with the precision of elite special forces.
"Martial Purification Alliance Black Unit," Lee Tae-jun identified, watching their movements. "These aren't ordinary enforcement agents. They're the ones who handle 'special cases.'"
Min-woo watched the monitors with growing dread. The operatives were equipped with weapons he'd never seen before—devices that seemed to emit an anti-qi field, designed specifically for combating martial artists.
"Why are they so well-equipped?" Ji-eun asked. "It's like they were preparing for this exact scenario."
"Because they were," Lee Tae-jun said grimly. "The moderate faction has been protecting you, Min-woo, but the hardliners have been building a case. Today's energy signature gave them the excuse they needed for direct action."
"This is what happens when you show mercy to enemies. I never had such problems."
The Infinite One's voice was growing stronger, feeding off Min-woo's stress and the dangerous situation. Min-woo could feel his personality influence creeping higher.
[WARNING: Consciousness contamination rising]
[Current level: 17%]
[Stress-induced acceleration detected]
The Pursuit Begins
"Mountain route, now," Kim Chul-su commanded, leading them toward a section of wall that looked identical to every other section. He pressed his hand against what appeared to be solid stone, and a hidden panel slid away to reveal a narrow tunnel.
"This passage is 300 years old," he explained as they hurried through. "Built by the original Infinite Guardian Corps survivors. It's carved directly through the mountain's bedrock."
The tunnel was cramped and poorly lit, forcing them to move in single file. Min-woo found himself in the middle of the group, with Ji-eun ahead of him and Park So-ra behind. The weight of the situation was pressing down on him—not just the immediate danger, but the realization that his quest for power was putting everyone he cared about at risk.
"Min-woo, are you okay?" Ji-eun called back quietly. "You're breathing heavily."
He was breathing heavily, but not from exertion. The stress was activating his bloodline, and he could feel the Infinite One's consciousness stirring more actively.
"Let me out, heir. I can eliminate these pursuers in minutes. Why struggle when victory is within reach?"
"I'm fine," Min-woo lied, fighting to keep his voice steady. "Just focused on moving forward."
A Close Call
They had been moving through the tunnel for about twenty minutes when they heard it—the distant sound of pursuit. Voices echoing through the mountain passages behind them, getting closer.
"How?" Kim Chul-su muttered. "This route has been secret for centuries."
Lee Tae-jun's expression was grim. "They have qi-tracking equipment. Min-woo's energy signature is too distinct now. They're following his trail."
The group stopped at a junction where the tunnel split into three directions. Kim Chul-su consulted a small, ancient-looking map.
"We need to split up," he decided. "They're tracking Min-woo specifically, so he needs to take the most indirect route."
"No," Ji-eun said immediately. "We're not splitting up. We go together or not at all."
"Ji-eun's right," Yoon Sung-min agreed. "The moment we separate, we become vulnerable."
But the sounds of pursuit were getting closer, and Min-woo could hear the distinct hum of electronic equipment. The Black Unit was gaining ground.
"This is ridiculous. Stop running and face them. Show them what real power looks like."
Min-woo felt his control slipping as the Infinite One's influence grew stronger. The golden aura was beginning to manifest around him again, faint but noticeable in the dark tunnel.
"Min-woo," Ji-eun said urgently, "your aura—you need to suppress it."
"I'm trying," Min-woo said through gritted teeth. "But he's getting stronger when I'm stressed."
[WARNING: Consciousness contamination at 24%]
[Approaching critical threshold]
[External stress amplifying hostile consciousness]
The Emergency Exit
Just as the situation seemed hopeless, Kim Chul-su found what he was looking for—a nearly invisible marking on the tunnel wall.
"Emergency exit," he said, pressing against a specific sequence of stones. A section of the wall swung inward, revealing a shaft that led upward. "This comes out in a cave about halfway up the mountainside."
They climbed the shaft one by one, with Min-woo going last. As he pulled himself up, he could hear the pursuit team entering the junction below. Voices were getting louder, more urgent.
"Target signature is strongest in this direction..."
"Switch to active scanning mode..."
"Deploy the containment nets at the next intersection..."
The cave exit was concealed behind thick vegetation. They emerged into the cool evening air, but their relief was short-lived. In the distance, they could see lights moving on the mountainside—the Black Unit had teams positioned at multiple points.
"They're not just tracking us," Lee Tae-jun realized. "They're herding us toward a specific location."
[TACTICAL ANALYSIS]
Enemy Strategy: Coordinated containment operation
Escape Routes: Being systematically eliminated
Objective: Capture alive (priority target: Min-woo)
Current Options: Limited to high-risk maneuvers**
The Decision
As they crouched in the cave, watching the tactical lights spread across the mountainside, Min-woo felt the weight of responsibility crushing down on him. These people—his friends, his mentors—were in danger because of him.
"End this charade. Let me take control for just a few minutes. I'll clear the mountain of these insects."
The offer was tempting. Min-woo could feel the Infinite One's power just beneath the surface, vast and terrible and capable of solving their immediate problem. But he also remembered the warnings, the personality contamination readings, the risk of losing himself entirely.
"There's another way," he said quietly.
Everyone turned to look at him. In the dim light filtering through the cave entrance, they could see that his eyes were beginning to show flecks of gold.
"Min-woo," Ji-eun said warningly, "whatever you're thinking—"
"I can use the Void Swallow Technique to mask our qi signatures," he said. "If I absorb and redirect our energy, their scanners won't be able to track us."
"That's... actually brilliant," Yoon Sung-min said. "But can you maintain it for all of us while we're moving?"
Min-woo honestly didn't know. The technique was still new to him, and using it under stress while the Infinite One was actively trying to assert control seemed incredibly dangerous.
"There's only one way to find out," he said.
The Gamble
Min-woo positioned himself in the center of their small group and began the circulation pattern for the Void Swallow Technique. Almost immediately, he felt the ambient qi in the area responding, drawn toward him like water flowing toward a drain.
The technique worked even better than he'd hoped. Not only did it absorb their qi signatures, but it seemed to create a sort of dampening field around them—an area of reduced spiritual energy that would read as empty space to most scanning equipment.
But the effort required was enormous, and it made the Infinite One's consciousness more active.
"Clever use of my technique, I'll admit. But you're straining yourself unnecessarily. Let me handle this more efficiently."
[WARNING: Technique usage under stress increasing consciousness contamination]
[Current level: 31%]
[Approaching critical threshold of 35%]
"It's working," Lee Tae-jun whispered, checking a small device of his own. "Your qi signature just disappeared from my scanner."
They began moving carefully down the mountainside, staying in the shadows and moving from cover to cover. The Void Swallow Technique was masking their presence, but Min-woo could feel it draining his energy rapidly.
Breakthrough and Escape
For nearly an hour, they played a deadly game of hide-and-seek with the Black Unit teams. Several times, operatives passed within meters of their hiding spots without detecting them. The technique was working, but Min-woo was reaching his limits.
Finally, they reached the base of the mountain where Kim Chul-su had arranged for an emergency vehicle—an ordinary-looking delivery truck that wouldn't attract attention.
"Safe house is forty minutes away," Kim Chul-su said as they climbed into the back. "We should be clear once we—"
He stopped mid-sentence as they heard the unmistakable sound of helicopters in the distance.
"Air support," Lee Tae-jun said grimly. "They're escalating."
As the truck pulled away from the mountain, Min-woo finally allowed the Void Swallow Technique to deactivate. The relief was immediate, but so was the backlash. He felt drained, disoriented, and most concerning of all, he could still hear the Infinite One's voice clearly.
"An adequate performance, heir. But next time, simply let me handle our enemies. It would be so much more... efficient."
[WARNING: Consciousness contamination has stabilized at 28%]
[Prolonged technique usage under stress has created permanent increase]
[Recommend: Immediate countermeasures before next crisis]
The New Reality
As they drove through the night toward an uncertain destination, Min-woo stared out the back window at the mountain they'd just escaped. Searchlights were still sweeping the peaks, and he could see the helicopters circling like mechanical vultures.
"This changes everything," Lee Tae-jun said quietly. "The hardliners have made their move. There's no going back to a normal university life after this."
Ji-eun reached over and took Min-woo's hand. "Are you okay? You look pale."
Min-woo wanted to tell her about the voice in his head, about the growing contamination, about how every use of his power made him a little less himself. But looking at her concerned face, at the worry in her eyes, he couldn't bring himself to add to her burden.
"I'm just tired," he said. "It's been a long day."
"Lying to those closest to you. How very... pragmatic. Perhaps there's hope for you yet, heir."
The Infinite One's approving tone made Min-woo's skin crawl. But as the truck carried them deeper into the night, he realized that the ancient consciousness was right about one thing—everything had changed. The tournament was still months away, but the real battle had already begun.
And it wasn't just against external enemies anymore. The most dangerous fight was the one taking place inside his own mind.
[Day 1 of 89: Complete]
[Status: Foundation Technique Mastered, but at significant cost]
[Primary Concern: Consciousness contamination accelerating]
[Next Objective: Secure location and develop contamination countermeasures]
The road ahead was dark in more ways than one.