11:00 AM - Primary Training Hall, Level B3
The contrast between the two training halls was immediately apparent as Min-woo stepped back into the primary chamber. Where the secondary hall had felt resistant and challenging, this space welcomed him like coming home. The lightning-absorption crystals on the walls seemed to pulse in recognition, and he could feel electrical potential building in the air just from his presence.
"Much better," Ji-eun observed, watching his vitals stabilize and his qi signature brighten. "It's like the difference between speaking a foreign language and your native tongue."
Lee Tae-jun had arranged a series of increasingly complex training scenarios designed to push Lightning God's Descent from its current 67% mastery toward the 85% threshold that would unlock advanced applications.
"Today we're not just practicing the technique," he explained, indicating holographic projectors that would create combat simulations. "We're developing the instinctive mastery that lets you use lightning in actual battle conditions."
[LIGHTNING GOD'S DESCENT - ADVANCED TRAINING PROTOCOL]Current Mastery: 67% Target for Session: 78-80% Focus Areas: Combat integration, sustained usage, advanced applications New Techniques to Develop:
Lightning Net (Area control) Voltage Control (Non-lethal to lethal scaling) Storm Calling (Environmental manipulation) Electrical Healing (Therapeutic applications) The Infinite One's Enthusiasm
The moment Min-woo began the lightning circulation patterns, he felt The Infinite One's consciousness surge with excitement—a complete reversal from the morning's resistance.
"Now this is proper training," the ancient voice carried warmth and approval. "Lightning was always my masterpiece. Let me show you applications that will make your enemies weep with terror."
Min-woo felt the familiar flood of ancient memories, but this time they came willingly, eagerly shared rather than reluctantly accessed.
Flash: Standing before an army of ten thousand enemies, calling down natural lightning to scatter their ranks.
Flash: Using controlled electrical discharge to heal wounded allies, the same power that could kill serving to preserve life.
Flash: The perfect moment when lightning technique transcended mere martial arts and became an expression of divine will.
[CONSCIOUSNESS CONTAMINATION: RISING]Current Level: 31% → 35% → 38% The Infinite One Influence: EXTREMELY ACTIVE Memory Integration: Combat applications, advanced theory Personality Enhancement: Increased confidence, battle eagerness Warning: Approaching 40% threshold
"He's more active than I've ever felt him," Min-woo announced, electricity beginning to dance around his body without conscious direction. "And the knowledge transfer is incredible. I can see applications I never imagined."
Advanced Lightning Applications
With The Infinite One's enthusiastic cooperation, Min-woo began demonstrating techniques that should have taken weeks to develop.
Lightning Net: He raised both hands toward the ceiling, and electrical energy spread out in a complex web pattern that filled a third of the training hall. Anything that touched the net would be immediately paralyzed and held in place.
"Area denial and crowd control," Min-woo explained, his voice carrying new authority. "Perfect for handling multiple opponents or creating tactical advantages."
Voltage Control: Moving to the practice targets, he demonstrated striking with varying levels of electrical force. The first target received a mild shock that would stun but not injure. The second was hit with enough electricity to paralyze for hours. The third target was completely destroyed by lethal voltage.
"Escalation control," he said with satisfaction. "I can choose exactly how much force is necessary for each situation."
[TECHNIQUE MASTERY ACCELERATION]Lightning God's Descent: 67% → 74% (Rapid advancement) New Applications: 4 advanced techniques demonstrated Power Output: 89% of theoretical maximum Control Rating: Excellent (No collateral damage) The Infinite One Cooperation: 94% (Enthusiastic assistance)
Ji-eun watched the displays with growing concern. "Min-woo, your contamination level is climbing faster than we've seen before. The Infinite One's enthusiasm is pushing you toward dangerous territory."
But Min-woo was too caught up in the intoxicating flow of new abilities to pay full attention to the warning.
Storm Calling
"Watch this," Min-woo said, moving to the center of the training hall. He began a complex circulation pattern that drew on not just his personal qi, but the electrical potential in the facility's power systems and even the trace electromagnetic fields in the air.
"Yes," The Infinite One's voice carried fierce pride. "Show them what it means to command the storm itself."
The air in the training hall began to change. Static electricity built to uncomfortable levels, making everyone's hair stand on end. The lights flickered as power systems responded to Min-woo's influence. And then, impossibly, clouds began to form near the ceiling of the underground chamber.
"That's not possible," Yoon Sung-min breathed, staring at the miniature weather system developing forty feet below ground level.
But it was happening. Lightning began to arc between the artificial clouds, and Min-woo gestured to direct the strikes with perfect precision. Natural lightning, under his complete control, in an underground facility.
[STORM CALLING: SUCCESS]Environmental Manipulation: Weather control in confined space Power Source: Facility electrical systems + atmospheric qi Range: 50-meter radius (Limited by chamber size) Strategic Value: Massive area control, psychological intimidation Risk Level: High (Facility power disruption possible)
"Incredible," Lee Tae-jun murmured, but his expression showed concern rather than celebration. "Min-woo, the power levels you're accessing... they're approaching what we saw during your consciousness takeover yesterday."
The Dangerous Turn
As Min-woo continued to demonstrate increasingly impressive lightning applications, his personality began to shift. The enthusiasm in his voice took on an edge of arrogance, and his expressions became more dismissive of limitations or concerns.
"Electrical Healing," he announced, and lightning began to flow from his fingertips in controlled streams. When he touched practice targets designed to simulate injuries, the electrical energy actually repaired and restored them.
"Life and death, healing and destruction—all at my command," he said, and there was something in his tone that made Ji-eun's blood run cold.
[CONSCIOUSNESS CONTAMINATION: CRITICAL ZONE]Current Level: 38% → 41% → 43% Personality Suppression: 56% (Dangerous levels) The Infinite One Influence: Approaching dominance Behavior Changes: Arrogance, dismissiveness, power hunger Time to Intervention: IMMEDIATE
"Look at what's possible," Min-woo continued, his eyes beginning to show flecks of gold. "Why should we limit ourselves to defending against the national champions? With power like this, we could simply eliminate the competition entirely."
"Min-woo," Kim Chul-su stepped forward cautiously, "that's not you talking. That's contamination."
"Is it?" Min-woo turned toward his friends, and for a moment they saw something chilling in his expression—the cold calculation of someone evaluating whether they were assets or obstacles. "Or maybe it's just the first time I'm thinking clearly about our situation."
Combat Simulation Gone Wrong
Lee Tae-jun quickly activated the holographic combat simulation, hoping to redirect Min-woo's dangerous mood into controlled practice. Multiple holographic opponents appeared around the training hall, each programmed to use different national-level techniques.
"Eliminate the threats," he instructed, intending it as a figure of speech.
But Min-woo took the instruction literally. Instead of using controlled force appropriate for training, he unleashed lightning strikes at maximum lethality. The holographic opponents weren't just defeated—they were obliterated with extreme prejudice.
"Yes," Min-woo said with satisfaction, watching the destroyed simulations. "This is how problems should be solved. Quickly. Permanently. Without mercy for those who stand in our way."
[EMERGENCY ALERT: CONSCIOUSNESS CONTAMINATION CRITICAL]Current Level: 43% → 44% Approaching Point of No Return: 45% Personality Integration: The Infinite One ideology dominant Immediate Risk: Friends viewed as potential obstacles Required Action: Emergency absorption protocol
"That's enough," Ji-eun said firmly, moving to the master control station. "Min-woo, you need to activate Void Swallow immediately. You're losing yourself."
"Losing myself?" Min-woo laughed, but it wasn't his laugh—it was cold and dismissive. "I'm finding myself. For the first time, I can see clearly what needs to be done."
He turned to look at Lee Tae-jun. "These champions we're supposedly preparing to face—why not simply kill them now? End the threat before the tournament? It would save time and ensure victory."
Emergency Intervention
The golden light in Min-woo's eyes was becoming more pronounced, and electricity crackled around him with increasing intensity. Everyone in the room could feel the pressure of barely controlled power focused through an increasingly alien mindset.
"Min-woo," Ji-eun called out, her voice carrying the authority of their relationship and shared trust. "Remember what you promised me last night. Remember who you chose to be."
For just a moment, the golden light flickered, and confusion crossed Min-woo's features.
"Ji-eun?" His voice was briefly his own again. "What... why am I thinking about killing people? That's not..."
"The contamination," she said urgently. "You hit 44%. The Infinite One is taking over. You need to absorb it now, before you reach the point of no return."
Min-woo blinked, suddenly aware of the lightning storm he'd created, the destroyed holographic opponents, and the looks of concern and fear on his friends' faces.
"Oh god," he whispered, immediately beginning the Void Swallow circulation pattern. "I was actually considering... I could have..."
[VOID SWALLOW TECHNIQUE: EMERGENCY ACTIVATION]Contamination Level: 44% Absorption Rate: 4% per minute (Accelerated due to emergency) Knowledge Retention: Lightning mastery data preserved Personality Recovery: Gradual return to baseline
As the absorption process began, Min-woo felt The Infinite One's influence fighting against the drainage.
"You fool! You had perfect clarity! Why choose weakness when strength is offered freely?"
"Because," Min-woo said through gritted teeth as he continued the absorption, "strength without conscience isn't strength—it's just another form of madness."
Recovery and Realization
Ten minutes later, Min-woo's contamination had dropped to 35%, and his eyes were clear brown again. But the memory of how easily he'd slipped into considering lethal solutions remained vivid and disturbing.
"I was going to suggest assassinating the national champions," he said quietly, horror clear in his voice. "It seemed logical. Efficient. The obvious solution to our problem."
"That's exactly how he thinks," Ji-eun said softly. "Every problem has a final solution if you're willing to use enough force."
[LIGHTNING GOD'S DESCENT - FINAL STATUS]Mastery Level: 67% → 78% (Significant advancement achieved) New Applications Mastered: Lightning Net, Voltage Control, Storm Calling, Electrical Healing Power Output: 92% of theoretical maximum Control Rating: Excellent (When not contaminated) Contamination Cost: +13% per intensive session (Higher than expected)
"The good news," Lee Tae-jun said, reviewing the session data, "is that your lightning mastery has increased dramatically. The bad news is that this technique triggers much stronger contamination than we anticipated."
"It's his favorite," Min-woo realized. "Lightning God's Descent was The Infinite One's personal masterpiece. When I use it, I'm not just accessing his knowledge—I'm channeling his passion, his pride, his fundamental approach to combat."
Kim Chul-su nodded grimly. "Which means every technique we train will have different contamination profiles. Some will be relatively safe, while others will be contamination traps."
As they prepared to move on to the afternoon's scheduled training, everyone understood that they had discovered something crucial and troubling: not all techniques were equally dangerous, and Min-woo's greatest strengths might also be his greatest vulnerabilities.