While I was still reeling from the shocking realization that Hwa-eun was trying to develop mental-realm video calls...

The kids and Hwa-eun surrounded the Blood Cult woman and began pressing her for the incantation and specifics of the Soul-Snaring Technique.

“Come on, just explain it already.”

“I-I, well...”

—Tssrt! Hurry up and talk!

—Grrr. If you don’t do what Hwa-eun says, things won’t be fun for you!

“Shiaa! I’d suggest cooperating. We’re all pretty upset that you tried to hurt So-ryong.”

Martial arts techniques are supposed to be protected even at the cost of one’s life. But as soon as the kids growled at her, the Blood Cult woman began spilling the details of the technique without resistance.

“H-Hiiieek! S-So... the Soul-Snaring Technique works by using strong mental power to suppress the target’s soul. You use the mysteries of illusion to enter their mental world in the form they like most, and then...”

‘Wait a sec, aren’t martial techniques supposed to be guarded with your life?’

I had assumed she’d say something like “I’d rather die than reveal it,” because that’s what my grandfather Mandok Shingun had drilled into me.

He used to say:

“Revealing a martial technique is the same as condemning everyone who practices it. What if someone creates a counter for it? You must protect it with your life. And if you can’t, then you must end yourself.”

As I recalled his words, I couldn’t help but mutter:

“Even the Soul-Snaring Technique is a martial art... I thought you'd at least guard it with your life...”

That’s when Hwa-eun kindly explained why the woman was being so loose-lipped.

“It’s a forbidden technique in the martial world. You can’t openly learn or trade it. But that doesn’t mean it’s that valuable. It’s not rare or precious.

There are plenty of similar techniques out there, and if you go through a dirty enough channel and pay enough money, you can get it.

Of course, there’s always the condition that if you get caught, you never reveal who sold it to you.”

“It’s forbidden?”

That was it!

If it was forbidden in the martial world, then Hwa-eun shouldn’t be learning it either.

This might be my final chance to stop her from inventing a 4D mind-call system.

I quickly turned to her.

“W-Wait, then you shouldn’t learn it either, right?”

A tiny spark of hope flared up inside me—but Hwa-eun just smiled and wagged her finger.

“Don’t worry, So-ryong. I’m not planning to learn it.

Sister Seol and I just want to figure out which part of the technique allows people to enter your mental world.

If we can isolate that, maybe we can find a way to meet you like this more easily.”

“...I-I see... b-but still, isn’t that kind of risky...”

“It’s just between us. There’s no danger. It’s not like you’re going to report me to the Martial Alliance, right, So-ryong?”

“O-Of course not! Report you? Never!”

She claimed it was purely for research purposes. And I couldn’t say anything to that. I mean, even in my previous life, people were allowed to keep venomous snakes for research.

Also, what kind of lunatic rats out his girlfriend? What is this, a surveillance state?

‘Wait... is developing mental-realm video chat just the next step in civilization?’

As the group chat system of the mind solidified and time passed, I began to wonder if I just had to accept this as technological progress.

Hwa-eun resumed her questioning of the Blood Cult woman.

“So basically, you enter someone’s mental realm and suppress their soul with overwhelming mental power. Is that it?”

“Yes, miss.”

“What if you jump in, but their mental strength is stronger? Does something like this happen then?”

“You wouldn’t even be able to enter. The stronger someone’s martial cultivation, the harder it is to affect them with the Soul-Snaring Technique. The higher their level, the more they’ve refined their mind through meditation or introspection. That’s why it doesn’t work on most martial masters—and why it’s seen as a cheap and dirty art.”

Was this a lecture? No, this was a forced lecture—maybe forcture?

It looked like the Blood Cult woman’s lesson on the incantations, strengths, and weaknesses of the Soul-Snaring Technique was going to take a while.

Meanwhile, the kids—all except Cheongwol, who was still holding the woman—gathered around and clung to me.

—Tssrr. Daddy.

—Tsst. Daddy.

—Piii. Daaaddy.

Cho, Hyang, and Bini clung to my arms and chest. Hwayang clung to my back.

“Uh, r-right. I guess I’ll have to wait until Mom finishes her conversation... Wow, you girls have... really grown. You’re taller than me now...”

It was a bit awkward to deal with them in human form.

Not just because of their appearances.

They were still my little girls—but now they looked like fully grown young women. It felt strange having them snuggled up to me like this.

Last time, in the mental realm, they looked like high schoolers.

‘Why did they grow up so much in here?’

Even though it was awkward for me, the girls didn’t seem to mind at all—they just clung to me with the same instinct as always.

“Agh... yeah, I’d better sit down.”

Still, no matter how they looked, they were my daughters.

As I sat down, I reminded myself:

‘This is avatar chat. AVATAR. That’s all.’

Their true forms were still spirit beasts. These were just mental projections.

Even Hwa-eun didn’t look exactly like herself here—she had a giant rose tucked behind her ear, after all.

As I sat, the girls snuggled up against my arms and lay their heads on my lap.

Then Cheong-yu, who had been hesitating nearby, approached and sat down politely.

—Shiaa? So-ryong, are you feeling alright?

From the voice, I realized this was Cheong-yu Sojeo, not the Blood Talon Eagle Claw version.

She normally would’ve been joking around with the other kids, so her calm demeanor and proper posture told me who she was.

“Yes, Sojeo. I’m alright.”

—Shiaa. I’m glad. I asked Blood Talon Eagle Cheong-yu to let me take over when I saw you.

Last time, the two personalities had existed separately in my mental realm, but now it seemed they could share a body and swap control.

“I see...”

“....”

When I gave only a short reply, the atmosphere grew a bit awkward.

I felt like I should say more, but nothing came to mind.

Even though I kept telling myself this was just “avatar chat,” it was hard to ignore that the girls looked human, Hwa-eun was nearby, and Cheong-yu Sojeo was sitting right next to me.

The kids, though, were relaxed and content—snuggled up with their eyes closed like spirit beasts.

‘What do I say now?’

As if to ease the tension, Cheong-yu Sojeo spoke again.

—Shiaa? Ah, right. So-ryong, is your cultivation stable now?

“Yes, it’s stabilizing well. I’ve gotten used to my inner energy, and the mental realm is steady.”

My cultivation had definitely stabilized.

After registering Cheong-yu, I had advanced to the Four-Venom Realm, and now, with the fourth beast registered, my Beast-Heart Martial Art realm had grown even stronger.

I was sure that soon, I’d be able to register Seol, Bing, and Dong as well.

Anyway, that question reminded me of something I had forgotten to ask.

“By the way, Sojeo... are you really not going to tell me?”

—Shii? Tell you what?

She tilted her head innocently.

“What happens if you link every venomous creature in the Five Poisons Returning to the Origin Art with a spirit beast?”

—Shii... Ah...

Still avoiding the question, just like before.

But this time, I was determined to get an answer.

And when she nodded softly with a smile, she replied:

—Shiaa? Do you really want to know?

“Yes.”

‘Well, of course I’m curious.’

It all started with just being able to talk with the registered beasts. Then I became able to accept their venom and make it usable. And now, there’s a full-on group chat room.

How could I not be curious about what kind of abilities might come next?

At my response, Cheong-yu Sojeo smiled with a look of amusement.

—Shiaa. Then promise me something.

“Promise?”

—Shii. That if I tell you, you won’t resent me later.

“Resent you?”

—Shiu! Shiaa, yes! Once you awaken the ability, I think you’ll really love it. But if I tell you now, it’ll ruin the joy of discovering it yourself later.

So promise me you won’t hold it against me if I tell you.

‘Wait, I’d resent her?’

I was thrown into inner turmoil by Cheong-yu Sojeo’s words.

I’m the type who saves the tastiest part of the food for last. But what she’s saying feels like eating the best part before it’s fully cooked.

‘Ugh, what do I do?’

Just as I was about to lose my mind over the decision, Cheong-yu Sojeo spoke again.

—Shiaa. Promise? Then I’ll tell you.

“W-Wait!”

Wow, Cheong-yu Sojeo really knew how to drive someone crazy.

Who the hell would say “tell me” after being baited like that?

‘Gyaaaaagh!’

This translation is the intellectual property of Novelight.

As I writhed internally, about to explode from frustration, I heard Hwa-eun’s voice calling out to us, signaling her side of the business was finished.

“So-ryong, come over here. You kids, too.”

“Did you finish talking?”

“Yes. I got all the information—how the Soul-Snaring Technique works, its pros and cons, and everything about the Blood Cult members hiding in nearby villages.”

Of course she had wrung out every last detail.

“If we take too long, the elders might start to worry. And Hongdan, Seol, Bing, and Dong might be concerned too. We should head back.”

It seemed like it was time to undo the Soul-Snaring Technique and return. Once everyone had gathered, Hwa-eun blushed slightly and hugged me before whispering softly.

[It’s not your fault this time, but it could’ve been really bad. Please be careful, okay?]

Even though she knew I wasn’t at fault, she was asking me sincerely to be cautious.

After that, the others also gave me hugs one by one.

—K-Krrt. I-It’s just a goodbye gesture.

—Shiaa? Me too?

“It’d be weird if you’re the only one who doesn’t.”

Cheongwol looked extremely embarrassed, and Cheong-yu seemed flustered at the idea of hugging me too.

Their cheeks flushed red after the brief embrace.

When all the farewells were done, Hwa-eun turned to the Blood Cult woman.

“Now, release the Soul-Snaring Technique. And just like you said, you’ll wake up before So-ryong. But if you try anything stupid after waking up—don’t expect mercy. Got it?”

“O-Of course!”

Since she was the one who cast it, her Soul-Snaring Technique would naturally release faster than mine. Upon hearing that, Cheong-yu and Cheongwol spoke in worried tones.

—Shiaa? She’ll wake up first? Isn’t that kind of dangerous?

—Grrng. I’ve been thinking that too. This doesn’t feel safe.

They were clearly worried she might try something before I regained consciousness.

“I mean, Hyang is there too, and so are Hongdan, Seol, Bing, and Dong, so we should be fine...”

Hwa-eun tried to reassure us, but even she didn’t sound entirely convinced.

—Tssrrt! I’ll be there, so don’t worry, everyone!

With that, Hyang thumped her chest and declared herself on guard duty. Seeing that, Cheong-yu and Cheongwol exchanged glances and nodded reluctantly.

There wasn’t much else they could do. Normally, the others woke up before me when exiting the mental world anyway, so they decided to trust Hyang.

“Alright, then go ahead and release the Soul-Snaring Technique.”

It was finally time to leave.

As soon as Hwa-eun gave the order, the woman spoke in a sheepish voice.

“W-Well... I’ve been trying to release it since we came in, but... it’s not working...”

“What did you say?”

Apparently, she had been looking for a way out this whole time, but the technique wasn’t unraveling.

Everyone’s expressions turned serious.

It seemed we might not be able to get out at all.

“What should we do?”

As Hwa-eun and I started to worry, Cheong-yu’s voice broke in.

—Shiaa. Ah! What if we don’t think of it as Soul-Snaring but as a mental world?

“A mental world?”

—Yes. What if we think of this as So-ryong’s mental world?

“Ah! That’s right. This isn’t a typical Soul-Snaring state, is it? Then how did we usually exit the mental world?”

It was a completely different situation from a standard Soul-Snaring, so her suggestion was to treat it like a normal mental world and try the usual exit method.

As Hwa-eun asked the question, I felt a soft sensation on my cheek.

—Smooch.

Turning my head, I saw Hwayang kissing me on the cheek.

Usually, to leave, I’d either kiss someone or be kissed.

She was probably trying to demonstrate that.

‘She’s surprisingly smart, huh? Hwayang?’

So one by one, everyone kissed my cheek in turn—but we still couldn’t get out of the mental realm.

“Why isn’t it working?”

Then Cheong-yu’s eyes snapped open.

With a horrified tone, she said:

—Shiaaaa!? S-Since she cast the technique... don’t tell me SHE has to do it!?

Since it was the Blood Cult woman who initiated the Soul-Snaring, she might be the one who needs to kiss me to release it.

“Wait, so then I...”

As she started approaching me—

Seven hands shot out in unison.

The air grew cold. The «N.o.v.e.l.i.g.h.t» seven exchanged silent, deadly glances.

—Grrng. That woman could end up registered. We need to think carefully.

—Shiaa. She’s right.

“I agree with that too.”

—Tssrrt. How dare her filthy lips come near Dad...

—Piii! Daaaddyy!

Their message was clear: absolutely not happening.

Then Cheongwol clenched her fist and said:

—Krrt. There’s no need to debate. There’s only one solution.

“One?”

As Hwa-eun, the other kids, and I tilted our heads, Cheongwol stepped up to the woman.

And then—her tightly clenched fist slammed down like a hammer on the woman’s head.

—Whack!

“Guhhk.”

The woman collapsed to the ground, dazed and nearly unconscious. Then Cheongwol muttered:

—Grrrng. That bitch said if she takes damage in the mental world, she could turn into a vegetable, right? Then maybe if we knock her out cold, the Soul-Snaring Technique will unravel?

Then she won’t wake up before So-ryong.

She killed a human child. This punishment is the least she deserves.

My vision began to blur, and I felt the Soul-Snaring Technique start to dissolve.

Turns out, when all else fails—just smack the damn machine.

It really was the best fix for bad reception.