10:00 AM - Primary Training Hall, Level B3
The primary training hall was unlike anything Min-woo had ever seen. The chamber stretched out before them like a cathedral of martial arts—thirty meters long, twenty meters wide, with a ceiling that disappeared into shadows above. The walls were lined with what appeared to be crystalline formations that pulsed with faint blue light.
"Lightning-absorption crystals," Lee Tae-jun explained, noting Min-woo's curious gaze. "They can absorb and dissipate electrical energy up to the level of a natural thunderstorm. You'll understand why that's necessary in a moment."
Ji-eun was already examining the monitoring equipment arranged around the perimeter. Advanced medical scanners, qi-flow detectors, and several devices she didn't recognize but that looked suspiciously like the emergency equipment used in university hospitals.
"This setup is for Heaven-tier training," she realized aloud. "The safety protocols alone suggest we're dealing with potentially lethal power levels."
Kim Chul-su was checking the emergency exit protocols while Park So-ra and Yoon Sung-min inventoried the protective gear. Everyone understood instinctively that what they were about to attempt was orders of magnitude more dangerous than anything they'd done before.
"The Lightning God's Descent," Lee Tae-jun said, placing an ancient manual on the central platform. The book itself seemed to thrum with residual energy, and Min-woo could feel his system responding to its presence even from several meters away.
[HEAVEN-TIER TECHNIQUE DETECTED]Manual Analysis Initiating...Art Name: Lightning God's Descent (뇌신강림) Original Classification: Heaven-tier Low Grade Current Condition: 67% preserved (missing circulation nodes 4, 8, and 12) Restoration Potential: 87% (Exceptional compatibility detected) Bloodline Resonance: 96% (WARNING: Unprecedented match)
The Technique Revealed
"This technique," Lee Tae-jun continued, his voice taking on the tone of a professor delivering a crucial lecture, "was created during the height of the Infinite War. It channels lightning-attribute qi to achieve speed and striking power that borders on the supernatural."
He opened the manual to reveal pages covered in intricate diagrams showing qi circulation patterns that looked more like electrical circuit diagrams than traditional martial arts instruction.
"The original practitioner could move at nearly the speed of lightning, leaving trails of electrical energy that could paralyze opponents or destroy their qi circulation entirely. In capable hands, it was said to be able to kill dozens of enemies in a single strike."
Min-woo's system continued its analysis, providing additional information that Lee Tae-jun wasn't sharing:
[DETAILED ANALYSIS COMPLETE]Core Principle: Convert personal qi into lightning-attribute energy Primary Effects:
Movement speed: +300% maximum potential Strike velocity: Approach sound barrier levels Electrical discharge: Paralysis and qi disruption Area effect: Chain lightning between multiple targets
Strategic Applications:
Perfect counter to Ice Emperor's "Absolute Zero Domain" Overwhelming advantage against speed-based opponents Potential to breach absolute defense techniques through electrical properties
CRITICAL WARNING: Technique contains embedded memory fragments Memory Source: Original creator - The Infinite One Contamination Risk: EXTREME - Direct personality influence likely
"Min-woo," Lee Tae-jun's voice cut through his system review. "Are you ready to begin basic circulation analysis?"
Min-woo looked around at his friends, all of whom were watching him with mixtures of excitement and concern. Ji-eun had positioned herself at the main monitoring station, her fingers already dancing over controls that would track his vital signs and qi flow in real-time.
"Safety protocols are active," she confirmed. "Emergency shutdown is ready if contamination spikes above 35%."
"Medical bay is on standby," Park So-ra added. "If something goes wrong, we can have you in treatment within thirty seconds."
Kim Chul-su moved to a position where he could physically intervene if necessary. "I've got Golden Rigid Body ready to activate. If you lose control, I'll contain you until the others can help."
First Contact
Min-woo approached the manual with careful steps, feeling the electrical potential in the air increase with each meter. When he finally touched the ancient pages, the sensation was like grasping a live wire.
[LIGHTNING GOD'S DESCENT - DEEP ANALYSIS INITIATED]Scanning circulation patterns...Reconstructing missing nodes...Bloodline compatibility assessment... 96% CONFIRMEDWARNING: Technique responding to bloodline presenceCAUTION: Memory fragment activation detected
The moment his system completed its analysis, Min-woo felt something shift deep within his consciousness. The technique wasn't just responding to his study—it was recognizing him.
"Begin with the basic breathing pattern," Lee Tae-jun instructed. "Don't attempt qi circulation yet. Just focus on the foundational rhythm."
Min-woo started the breathing technique described in the manual's opening pages. Immediately, he felt his qi responding in ways it never had before. Instead of the warm, flowing energy he was accustomed to, his qi began to take on an electric quality—crackling, energetic, almost eager.
[BLOODLINE RESONANCE ACTIVATED]Lightning affinity: AWAKENINGQi transformation: 23% electrical conversionCirculation speed: +67% above normalWARNING: Technique mastery accelerating beyond safe parameters
"That's... not normal," Ji-eun's voice carried a note of alarm as she watched the monitoring displays. "His qi signature is changing too quickly. It should take weeks to develop lightning affinity, but he's showing electrical properties after just minutes."
But Min-woo barely heard her. The technique was calling to something deep within his bloodline, and memories that weren't his own began to surface.
The Ancient Awakening
Flash: A mountaintop during a thunderstorm, 300 years ago. A figure standing with arms raised as natural lightning danced between his fingers.
Flash: The moment of creation, as The Infinite One first channeled his qi into electrical form, feeling the intoxicating rush of power beyond mortal limitations.
Flash: Armies fleeing in terror as lightning cascaded from the sky at his command.
"Min-woo!" Ji-eun's sharp call brought him back to the present, but he could feel the ancient consciousness stirring within him.
[THE INFINITE ONE CONSCIOUSNESS: ACTIVATING]Contamination Level: 29% → 32% → 35%Memory Integration: Lightning God's Descent creation sequencePersonality Influence: DETECTED
"Finally," the familiar cold voice whispered in Min-woo's mind. "A technique worthy of my attention. This power... I remember the day I forged it from storm and will."
Min-woo's posture began to change subtly. His shoulders straightened, his chin lifted, and when he opened his eyes, there was a flash of golden light in his pupils.
"Everyone step back," he said, but his voice carried an arrogance that hadn't been there moments before. "You're about to witness the birth of a god's power."
"Min-woo, stop!" Kim Chul-su moved forward, but Min-woo raised his hand dismissively.
Lightning-attribute qi began to manifest around Min-woo's body—not the controlled, careful energy of a student, but the raw, dominating power of someone who had mastered this technique centuries ago.
[EMERGENCY: CONSCIOUSNESS CONTAMINATION CRITICAL]Current Level: 38% and risingThe Infinite One influence: ACTIVEPersonality override: 47% completeDANGER: Original personality being suppressed
Power Beyond Control
The air in the training hall began to crackle with electrical energy. The lightning-absorption crystals on the walls started glowing brighter as they responded to the mounting power.
"This is how it's truly done," Min-woo said, his voice now carrying the cold authority of an ancient emperor. "Not with fear and hesitation, but with absolute dominion over the elements themselves."
He began the circulation pattern, but not as a student learning a new technique. He performed it as its creator, with perfect knowledge and supreme confidence. Lightning qi flowed through his meridians like it was coming home.
[TECHNIQUE MASTERY: ACCELERATING]Current Progress: 67% (Skip to advanced level)Power Output: 89% of full potentialDuration: Unlimited (Perfect qi circulation achieved)CRITICAL ALERT: User personality at 52% suppression
"Look upon true power," The Infinite One spoke through Min-woo's voice, raising his hand toward the ceiling. "Witness what mortals could achieve if they weren't so weak, so afraid."
Lightning erupted from his fingertips, striking the crystal formations with enough force to make the entire chamber tremble. The safety systems activated immediately, barriers of energy springing up to contain the electrical discharge.
"This is what I created to sweep away the old world," Min-woo continued, his eyes now fully golden. "Lightning God's Descent—the technique that could bring heaven's wrath to earth at my command."
The Revelation
But even as The Infinite One reveled in demonstrating his power, Min-woo's system was recording crucial information:
[HIDDEN CAPABILITY DISCOVERED]The Infinite One Consciousness: Advanced Combination ModeAt contamination levels above 30%: Conscious technique assembly becomes possiblePotential: 10+ martial arts can be systematically combinedMethod: Direct consciousness control bypasses normal learning limitationsWARNING: Enhanced capabilities come with severe personality changes
[BEHAVIORAL ANALYSIS]Personality Traits During High Contamination:
Extreme arrogance and superiority complex Dismissive attitude toward "inferior beings" Violent tendencies and lack of empathy Desire to demonstrate dominance through overwhelming power Strategic thinking becomes coldly calculating
Ji-eun watched the displays in growing horror as she realized what was happening. "He's not just learning the technique—The Infinite One is teaching him directly. But the consciousness is taking over in the process."
Dangerous Demonstrations
"You fear this power," Min-woo said, his golden eyes focusing on his friends with cold amusement. "You should. This is but one technique among dozens I could show you. Would you like to see what happens when ten techniques combine at once? Twenty?"
He raised his other hand, and suddenly the air around him began to shimmer with the potential for multiple martial arts activation. The system displays showed technique signatures for Iron Wall Internal Force, Phantom Step Method, and several others beginning to activate simultaneously.
"Stop!" Lee Tae-jun commanded, but Min-woo merely glanced at him with contempt.
"You dare command me? I am The Infinite One. I brought order to a chaotic world, and I can do so again."
Lightning continued to dance around his body as other techniques layered on top of it. For a terrifying moment, everyone in the room could see what Min-woo would become if The Infinite One gained full control—a being of overwhelming power and absolute ruthlessness.
[SYSTEM EMERGENCY PROTOCOL]Multiple technique fusion detected without proper safeguardsEstimated power output: 400% of normal maximumFacility damage probability: 73%Injury risk to observers: 89%IMMEDIATE ACTION REQUIRED
The Intervention
"Min-woo!" Ji-eun's voice cut through the electrical storm like a blade. "You promised me! You promised you wouldn't lose yourself!"
For just a moment, the golden light in Min-woo's eyes flickered. The real Min-woo was still there, fighting against the ancient consciousness that was trying to dominate him.
"She's holding you back," The Infinite One's voice whispered seductively. "They all are. With my power, you could protect them by ruling over them. Isn't that what you truly want?"
But Min-woo remembered something else—the fear in Ji-eun's eyes from their previous encounters with consciousness contamination, the trust his friends had placed in him, the promise he'd made to remain himself no matter how strong he became.
"No," he said, and this time his voice was his own again. "I won't become you."
[CONSCIOUSNESS BATTLE INITIATED]Min-woo's will: Fighting for controlThe Infinite One: Resisting suppressionContamination level: Fluctuating between 38% and 43%Outcome: UNCERTAIN
Return to Self
With enormous effort, Min-woo began to shut down the lightning technique. The electrical energy around him flickered and died, the multiple technique signatures faded, and slowly, painfully, he forced the ancient consciousness back into dormancy.
[CONSCIOUSNESS CONTAMINATION: STABILIZING]Current level: 34% (Elevated but manageable)The Infinite One: Forced into temporary dormancyPersonality suppression: EndingRecovery time: 15-20 minutes for full clarity
Min-woo collapsed to his knees, exhausted by the battle for control of his own mind. But as he looked up at his friends, his eyes were brown again, and his expression was filled with shame and determination.
"I'm sorry," he whispered. "I lost control. But I learned something important."
"What?" Ji-eun asked, rushing to his side to check his condition.
"The Infinite One isn't just a consciousness—he's a repository of knowledge. When contamination gets high enough, he can take control and use techniques I haven't learned yet. He can combine ten or more martial arts consciously, systematically." Min-woo met her eyes. "But the cost is becoming him. And I refuse to pay that price."
Training Results
[LIGHTNING GOD'S DESCENT - SESSION COMPLETE]Mastery Achieved: 23% (Advanced beginner level) Power Output: 45% of full potential (dangerous but controllable) Duration: 2 minutes maximum before exhaustion Contamination Cost: +5% per intensive use Key Discovery: The Infinite One consciousness can provide direct instruction
[NEW ABILITY CONFIRMED]Controlled Consciousness Fusion: Access to advanced combination abilities Requirement: Contamination level 30%+ Benefit: 10+ martial arts systematic assembly Risk: Severe personality changes, potential permanent takeover Limitation: User must actively resist consciousness dominance
[CRITICAL INSIGHTS]
The Infinite One created Lightning God's Descent personally Advanced techniques carry memory fragments from original creator High contamination enables extraordinary power but threatens identity Real-time resistance to consciousness influence is possible but exhausting
As the session ended and the emergency systems powered down, everyone in the room understood that they had witnessed something unprecedented—and terrifying. Min-woo had touched the edge of godlike power, but at the cost of nearly losing himself entirely.
The question now was whether they could find a way to access that power safely, or if every step toward the strength needed to compete with national champions would bring him closer to becoming the very tyrant they were fighting against.