After Seo's transformation, Choi and the others still hadn't fully adjusted to her new appearance. They often found themselves staring at her for long stretches of time. Seo simply smiled and shrugged it off. Even she had needed time to get used to the changes in her own body.
Her strength had increased so drastically that she often broke utensils without realizing it. A thousand times stronger than before — that was no exaggeration.
Her Law manifestation had reached unprecedented heights. She could now attach properties to spiritual energy and to anything it touched. If necessary, she could forge artifacts with far greater ease than before.
That afternoon, Seo sat in the garden pavilion, gently rocking in her chair as she sipped aroma flower tea. The peaceful atmosphere was suddenly disturbed when the tattoo representing her guardian beast began to glow.
She had contracted the beast and left it in the forest to cultivate, nearly forgetting about it entirely. It seemed, however, that it had made considerable progress.
Seo traced several rune arrays in the air using spiritual energy, linking them to the runic tattoo. A sudden burst of spiritual pressure enveloped the garden.
A giant serpent materialized.
It was far larger than before. Its faded black scales now possessed a deep, abyssal hue, and the golden rune markings across its body shone with refined clarity.
Seo extended her hand. The serpent lowered its massive head and caressed herself gently around her arm.
A soft smile curved her lips as she stroked its scales.
"It's time I gave you a name," she murmured."Hei Jin… how does that sound?"
She waited.
Then—
A graceful female voice echoed in her mind.
"I very much like that name, Miss."
Seo's eyes widened. She quickly turned toward the serpent.
"That was you?"
"Yes, Miss."
Without hesitation, Seo stretched out both arms in invitation. Hei Jin happily coiled around her, lifting her off the ground in an affectionate embrace.
Seo was both shocked and delighted. The speed at which Hei Jin had developed intelligence was astonishing.
However, the moment was interrupted by the sound of hurried footsteps.
Choi and the others rushed into the garden, eyes filled with killing intent. From their perspective, it looked as though Seo had been seized by a monstrous serpent.
Seo laughed lightly and gestured with her hand. Hei Jin immediately set her down gently.
The group stared at her, clearly demanding an explanation.
Knowing that only she could hear Hei Jin through the pact mark, Seo linked their contract marks together. Soon, Hei Jin's voice sounded in everyone's minds as she formally introduced herself as Seo's guardian beast.
The group was stunned.
Hei Jin explained that during the cleansing of the black mist, she had discovered a strange flower that had absorbed a large amount of corrupted energy. Lacking the intelligence to judge its danger, she consumed it. The mutation nearly drove her into madness, but her contract mark with Seo protected her consciousness, allowing her to endure the ordeal and absorb the corrupted spiritual energy instead of being consumed by it.
Seo activated her spiritual radar to examine Hei Jin's signature. As expected, her classification had shifted to that of a demonic beast.
Without hesitation, Seo adjusted the domain map and modified Hei Jin's icon.
Then she opened her inventory and retrieved a manual — Demonic Drift, a technique she had obtained from the system's sign-in rewards.
Demonic arts were rarely practiced due to the immense pain required during cultivation. However, Hei Jin possessed a core and superior endurance. What had once seemed useless to Seo was now perfect for her guardian beast.
Hei Jin accepted the manual.
A mechanical chime echoed in Seo's mind.
["Ding! Companion Hei Jin has received Demonic Manual. Host has received Advanced Shadow Steps Technique."]
Seo quickly reviewed the contents and was impressed by its complexity and potential.
She immediately thought of the perfect recipients.
Using spiritual energy, she sliced wood from a nearby tree and crafted several wooden slips. She inscribed the Advanced Shadow Steps technique onto them and handed them to the five sisters.
The technique allowed one to travel through shadows — perfectly suited for assassins. Combined with their lifelong training, it would make them truly formidable.
The five sisters bowed and departed silently.
Choi, Ling, Bai, and Su remained behind, staring at Seo with exaggerated, expectant expressions.
Seo laughed softly.
"I'll find something suitable for each of you soon."
Though still slightly disappointed, they eventually left.
_ _ _
The next day, around noon, Seo's spiritual radar detected several unfamiliar signatures approaching.
She summoned the five sisters and ordered them to investigate.
They bowed — and vanished into thin air.
Seo blinked.
So they had already mastered the technique?
Had she unknowingly gathered a group of absurd geniuses?
The thought amused her, but she chose not to dwell on it. As long as they belonged to her, she would protect them at any cost.
An hour later, the sisters reappeared and delivered their report.
A mercenary troop was heading toward them.
They had been dispatched by the Merchants Association to confirm the mysterious incident that had occurred over a month ago. It seemed they knew the exact location and thought that a treasure that could cleanse the black mist had manifested in the forest and hence were sent to retrieve it.
Seo slowly bit her lip.
"A whole lot of trouble…" she muttered inwardly.
And this time, it was walking straight to her doorstep.