Chapter 47: Revolution (5)
The changes I felt after completing my Revolution?
Honestly… aside from my body and mind feeling a bit lighter, nothing seemed that different.
The God of Guardians insisted something had changed, but I wondered if he was just humoring me.
Still, if he said it, maybe he meant it. So I decided to confirm it myself—whether something had truly changed, and by how much.
I jumped out of the rice pot in one motion, grabbed Baekya without hesitation, and swung it with Shinsu flowing through it.
"Yap."
"Boy, wait! You need to control your—!"
KWAAAAAAAANG—!!!
The moment Baekya sliced through the air, a white shockwave erupted.
With no real target, the slash crashed straight into the walls, floor, and ceiling, triggering a massive Shinsu detonation—large enough to engulf half the hidden chamber.
…Wow.
I didn't expect that much.
"…"
"…"
Even the God of Guardians was stunned into silence.
Honestly? Same here.
I thought nothing had changed before the Revolution… but clearly, something had changed a lot.
An exhilarating feeling washed over me—like the time on the 2nd Floor when unlocking Root (the Shinsu control technique) left me overflowing with power.
Wait. Root.
The Root that supplies me with Shinsu and lets me control distant flows…
I tried sensing it.
The Shinsu roots spreading outward from me in all directions felt sturdier—thicker.
Stronger roots meant more Shinsu flowing into me.
So that's why my body felt lighter.
'Feels like I can extend them even further…'
Roots have limits. They can only stretch within a certain range.
If the Shinsu in that area gets exhausted, the supply cuts off.
Meaning: the farther the roots can reach, the better.
So I focused—trying to extend my Shinsu awareness and the reach of the Root farther and farther.
After a long while, the sensation began.
My roots were expanding outward—steadily, smoothly.
Maybe just a bit more strength…
Fwoooosh—
Shinsu surged around me.
A violent stream, like a raging wind, bursting outward in all directions.
My roots, resonating with the Shinsu, extended endlessly.
Light began radiating from my body, and the previously invisible Root—formed of my Shinsu—manifested visibly.
"Kh… Boy! Calm down! What in the—? Those… are those roots?"
The God of Guardians stared in confusion at the physical manifestation of my Root.
He was yelling something, but I was too focused to hear.
I was almost at maximum expansion.
Crackle—
Crack, crack—
Like a tree ripping through soil, my Root spread until it filled the entire chamber.
This was the limit.
Satisfied, I stopped controlling Shinsu.
The visible roots faded back into my senses, and the streams of light and Shinsu calmed.
"Hah… that was refreshing. So—what were you saying?"
The God of Guardians looked at me as if I were an unruly child.
He sighed softly and spoke in a coaxing tone.
"You've suddenly gotten stronger, so you can't tell the difference yet… but for now, you need to learn how to control your strength, boy."
"…Why?"
Why hide my power?
In the Tower, strength only helps you climb faster.
"I never told you to hide it. I said you might use more power than intended in your daily life. During battles, too. Imagine needing to keep someone alive but accidentally killing them because you misjudged your strength."
Oh.
When worded like that… it made sense.
I nodded, then brought up my next request.
"Then teach me Shinwonryu."
"…How do you even know about that? I planned to teach it after the Revolution anyway, but… no. Not yet."
"…Why not?!"
My face instantly collapsed into pure despair.
If anyone saw me, they'd think I was posing for a tragic oil painting.
The God of Guardians panicked and waved his hands.
"F-First! Get used to the power you have now. If you can't control your current strength, you have no qualification to move to the next stage. And besides—it's already been three months. The next-floor test is coming soon. Return to your companions, pass the test, and come back afterward."
Three months, huh.
Not as long as I expected.
Honestly, it felt like I'd been in that rice cooker for a whole year.
So this was getting off easy, I suppose.
But… how am I supposed to explain this?
From their perspective, I basically vanished for three months and suddenly reappeared.
Fortunately, the God of Guardians eased at least that concern.
"Your companions came here about two months ago. They were sensing Lighthouse signals, asking whether Hoaquin had been here, and searching for a missing teammate. I realized it was you and gave them an excuse before sending them back."
He puffed his chest proudly.
He remembered my request not to reveal I was a non-regular…
But somehow forgot my name.
What a strange being.
"Thanks for the help. So… is my Revolution finished?"
"No. Your Revolution is not over. Normally, one slowly matures themselves and eventually discovers their true self—that is a Revolution. But you did the opposite. You found your true self at the beginning. Now only maturation remains."
That was good news.
Meaning I still had room to grow.
Feeling refreshed, I stood to leave.
Time to return to my friends.
They were probably worried. A simple apology might not cut it…
Maybe I should bring a gift.
"I won't move this chamber's location. If you want to return, just come back to this floor. I'll teach you Shinwonryu after you complete a few more stages of your Revolution."
"Got it. Thanks for everything. I'll be back soon."
We exchanged a brief goodbye.
But as I turned to leave, a random curiosity struck me.
"Ah—"
"What is it?"
"What level… am I at right now?"
The Guardian God smirked.
He opened his mouth as if to answer—paused—thought for a moment—and then finally spoke.
"Your level? Around the lowest rank of Ranker."
"…I like that answer."
I finally crossed the wall.
Grinning with satisfaction at the God of Guardians' reply, I turned my back and walked forward.
....
Somewhere inside the Hell Train.
"Haaah…"
A sigh heavy enough to crack the floor.
Maschenny frowned—the sighs from the other two hadn't stopped for hours.
"Ugh… You two are loud. Enough already."
"But Maschenny noona, you literally sighed just now."
"…!"
She reflexively covered her mouth. She hadn't even realized she did it.
It was all because of that guy.
Just when was he planning to come back?
They trusted him and waited… but three months had already passed.
"I can't take it anymore. I'm going straight into that cauldron place and dragging him out myself—!"
"Hyung, relax, relax. Didn't that Guardian God or whatever say interference is impossible? If we've decided to trust and wait, we should trust to the end."
"I do trust him! I'm just worried. He said people can die doing that, remember? Maschenny, you're not worried?"
"…I am, so don't talk to me."
Hwarang and Maschenny's sharp tones collided.
They had been waiting for days… no, weeks… but today, for some reason, everyone's mood was especially gloomy.
Seeing this, Luf felt he had to break the atmosphere.
"Hahaha, come on, everyone—"
Chiiiing—
The automatic door slid open.
Instantly, everyone turned their heads like predators.
Occasionally, regulars wandered into this section—but normally they wouldn't care.
Today was not normal.
Today, everyone's patience was thin as paper.
Footsteps echoed leisurely.
…Huh?
This presence… feels familiar…?
"Um… long time no see, guys?"
The white-haired boy scratched his cheek awkwardly as he peeked at their expressions.
After three months without seeing even a strand of his hair—Hoaquin appeared before them.
"Huh?"
Luf let out a ridiculous sound from shock alone.
The heavy atmosphere that had suffocated the room for hours evaporated instantly, as if it had never existed.
All three's eyes widened, their pupils shrinking slightly.
The first to move was Maschenny.
"…Hah."
A small laugh. Her face returned to her usual calm, aloof expression.
She looked at Hoaquin and spoke only two words:
"You're back."
"Yeah. Long time."
Hoaquin simply smiled with bright eyes.
Maschenny froze for a moment—then barely lifted the corner of her mouth before walking coolly into her room.
Next was Hwarang.
Unlike Maschenny's composed reaction, he approached Hoaquin with a huge grin.
"Finally! I've been waiting! The test's coming soon, so go get some sleep."
"I appreciate it, but I slept plenty inside the rice cooker. Seriously—sorry for worrying you, Hwarang. You, Maschenny, and Luf too."
Hwarang waved it off like it didn't matter at all.
Just minutes ago, his face had been twisted from worry—yet now he was glowing with relief.
'People are strange.'
How could one person sway everyone's emotions so easily?
Luf was no exception.
Seeing Hoaquin for the first time in three months filled him with warmth, and he approached with a smile.
'When hyung's here… everyone seems happier.'
Himself included.
Hoaquin immediately asked if Luf had recovered after the Bloomer Guardian fight, and they exchanged greetings.
That night, despite being inside something called the Hell Train…the four of them spent their time laughing, chatting, and having a small party.
....
They easily cleared the 37th-floor test afterward.
Hoaquin returned to the hidden chamber several more times to continue his Revolution, and each time he came back faster—never even taking a month.
The team got used to it, waiting without worry.
And like that, a year passed.
The Hell Train was now passing the 42nd floor.
....
—Hidden Chamber—
"It should be fine to teach you now."
With those words, the God of Guardians raised his hands.
In front of Hoaquin, he demonstrated a technique.
Formless Shinsu began to swirl—shifting into shapes and colors he had never seen before.
A mysterious, otherworldly form of Shinsu.
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