Chapter 97: The Origin of Techniques

Chapter 97: The Origin of Techniques

"Born from the dark, the darkest within the shadows. Purify all filth and impurities."

While retreating, Kenjin Nanami chanted the incantation "Tent," causing an invisible black curtain to descend, tightly enveloping the bathtub.

Range: Bathtub

Restricted Personnel: Luk Fujiwara

By limiting the range and imposing a single restriction, he believed this was the only way to effectively conceal the overwhelming aura of Luk's awakening.

"What's going on? Why is his curse power changing so drastically?"

The voice on the other side also changed tone.

The Crow Brand was a specific usage of her technique Blackbird Manipulation. By branding specially trained crows, she could achieve better control than with normal technique usage.

The branded crows were more fluid to control, their suicidal attacks more terrifying, and they could share vision and sense nearby curse power.

However, this technique was Blackbird Manipulation and not Human Manipulation. To brand a human, the target had to be mentally and physically relaxed, and even if successful, the only remaining effect was the ability to sense curse power.

At this moment, she felt an immense and unimaginable surge of curse power rising from the branded individual, instantly surpassing her own curse power and then leaping to a level she found difficult to gauge.

"It's hard to describe, but the change is very noticeable."

The reliable adult male suppressed his panic, maintaining the "Tent" with all his strength while calmly observing the scene before him.

In the bathtub, Luk's body began to elongate, his lean frame, shaped by years of work and unhealthy habits, visibly filling out.

His thinning hair grew lush, his already attractive features subtly refined to become even more handsome and captivating. His pale complexion turned rosy and smooth, his skin radiating a gentle, white glow.

To the eyes of a curse user, the most striking feature was the continuously surging curse power.

The dense curse power spread unconsciously to every corner of the "Tent," and even a slight leak made the limited "Tent" waver, beginning to fluctuate violently as if it might shatter at any moment.

At that moment, the strength of the "Tent" suddenly increased rapidly, not only stabilizing but becoming even more solid, which visibly improved Kenjin Nanami's expression.

"Lord Tianyuan?"

The barrier's fluctuation confirmed his guess.

Kenjin Nanami finally breathed a sigh of relief, furrowing his brow as he looked at Luk.

"What exactly is he experiencing to cause such a change?"

...

Luk felt himself gradually understanding everything.

After sharing with other versions of Luk from different worlds, the memories of various worlds exploded in his mind, and power surged continuously.

As his consciousness left the mysterious space, disengaging from the faint gray mist and preparing to return to his body, he was suddenly swept away by a force to another place.

His vision stretched and ascended, and his consciousness began to blur.

When he finally calmed down, Luk opened his eyes to see nothing but pure white, stretching endlessly.

Time, space, and perception lost all meaning here.

What the hell, is the golden finger still in a second stage?

Just as he thought this, Luk heard a voice behind him.

"Such a rare visitor, it's unusual for a curse user to come here in modern times."

The voice was between that of a teenager and a young adult, yet carried an inexplicable sense of agedness. Luk turned to see a figure standing behind him.

It was a boy with a delicate appearance, black eyes, and wine-red long hair, wearing only a white robe. He lounged casually on an ancient stone chair, his left hand supporting his head, looking at Luk with interest.

Luk's brow furrowed. Although he didn't know the identity of the other, the appearance... was that of a major figure!

"Where am I, and who are you?"

"The Hall of Creation, the Chamber of Truth, the Crown of the Gods—humans have many names for this place. For a curse user, you can simply understand it as the origin of techniques."

The boy explained patiently, then after a moment of thought, continued for the second question.

"Hmm... as for my identity, that's a tricky question to answer."

"Am I a yin-yang practitioner? Not really. Am I a medium? Not quite accurate. Am I the will of the Earth? That seems a bit too narrow."

"If I must say, the title Earth God is probably the most fitting."

Luk's eyes widened. While Japan is known for its eight million gods, where even small animals can call themselves "gods," "Earth God" was clearly not some minor spirit.

Moreover, the title gave him a familiar feeling, though he couldn't quite place it.

The boy, claiming to be the "Earth God," didn't dwell on the impact of his words. He raised his hand, and the flawless white space lit up, countless light orbs appearing in the air.

"Go ahead and touch them."

Several light orbs floated toward Luk, stopping in front of him.

After confirming the other had no hostile intent, Luk tentatively touched one, and a surge of information flooded his mind.

Ice Condensation Spell: Manipulate the natural ice, and use curse power for energy conversion. By condensing ice from water vapor in the air, the consumption can be effectively reduced.

Luk instantly understood and reached for another light orb.

Ten Shadow Techniques: Summon the ten spirits bound by the first creator's contract. To summon a spirit, one must first subdue it and gain its recognition. The power of a deceased spirit is inherited.

Each light orb represents a technique, and all the light orbs together represent every technique in the entire Curse World, is that right?

Luk tried to read deeper into the information as he voiced his guess. "Master Curse Casters who have perfected their techniques come to this space to engrave them. After that, their descendants have a chance to awaken with the engraved techniques."

The young man nodded slightly, a bit amused. "And, stop trying to secretly learn other techniques. You don't have the permission to read them, and the fundamental logic of this world is that each person can only have one technique—unless you find a bug."

Caught in the act of trying to steal a technique, Luk awkwardly released the light orb he had been probing and changed the subject. "Why am I here? I'm still a low-level Curse Caster, right?"

The young man smiled. "As a Curse Caster, you are quite weak, but you have other powerful forces."

Luk: "..."

Seeing the wary look in Luk's eyes, the young man waved his hand. "Don't misunderstand. The will of this world is a young child who is very interested in the new power system you bring. However, it can't absorb so much at once. For now, it can only convert the simplest part of your power into a technique, and the rest will be unlocked gradually."

"Of course, the power you inherited as a member of the Source Clan will also awaken. So, congratulations, you are the first Curse Caster to legally possess two techniques, and more will come in the future."

The young man suddenly appeared in front of Luk, so close that Luk instinctively took a step back. He stared into Luk's eyes with a probing look, then smiled meaningfully. "Though there's still a distance, it's not too far. You have the potential to become a new 'God.'"

Luk's feet suddenly lost their footing, and he plummeted, hearing the young man's final words. "I look forward to the day you ascend to the throne of the gods."

...

The terrifying aura suddenly dissipated, the pressure of the "Shroud" easing. Luk slowly opened his eyes and examined his palm.

Nanami Kenjirou took a step back, warily drawing his bandaged knife curse tool.

The intense change that just occurred was far from a normal technique awakening. Even if a fictional tale emerged from Luk and rose two levels, it wouldn't cause such a commotion.

If Luk was still himself, the Curse World would soon welcome its fifth Special Grade Curse Caster. If he was possessed by something strange, Kenjirou might die here.

As for running, it was a viable option in an empty desert, but in a bustling residential area, it was out of the question.

"Sometimes I feel like I've never had any good luck. Did I offend some deity in my past life?"

With a flat, somber tone, Kenjirou sighed and prepared for battle.

"In the future, if I become a god, I'll definitely bless you, Kenjirou."

Luk's voice echoed as he rose from the bathtub, looking down at his now muscular and well-proportioned body. "The change is really... significant. I'm much stronger than my peak now. By the way, why haven't you lifted the Shroud? My technique has already awakened."

"There's a new problem," Kenjirou said, not lowering the Shroud or his knife. "Do you remember your name?"

"Luk."

"Full name."

"Senkawa... " Luk paused, still processing the overwhelming amount of memories he had just shared.

"It's Fujiwara, Fujiwara Luk."

Kenjirou's face darkened, his grip on the knife tightening. "I can't trust you."

Luk: "..."

Luk: "Work is shit!"

"It's true."

Kenjirou, who had been on high alert, found a familiar and resonant note, relaxing a bit.

At that moment, a sultry, raspy female voice came through the phone. "Hold on, this test isn't enough. I'll ask some other questions."

"It's Yume."

Luk's expression darkened as he walked toward Kenjirou. The black shroud-like Shroud persisted for three seconds before disintegrating, causing Kenjirou's eyes to twitch.

"Can I borrow your phone?"

Taking the phone with a tone that brooked no refusal, Luk's voice was cold. "It's been a while, Yume."

"It has been a while. You sound distant. You used to call me 'sister' obediently. How have you been recently?"

"Very well, especially after opening the Wind Spirit Moon Shadow. As for you, it's best to stay away from me."

Luk's response was cold, tinged with resentment.

"Ah, I don't remember offending you. I gave you enough for the breakup."

"The breakup is fine, but talking about our private moments after the breakup is not right. I do have a sense of shame, you money-obsessed woman."

Luk's eyes showed disdain.

"Be careful. Next time we meet, I'll tackle you."

A low laugh came from the other end of the phone. "Looking forward to it."

"Kenjirou, this is really me."

Kenjirou: "..."

Whether it was true or not, his ears were now dirty.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end