‘Magic has gaps.’

Magic was a skill that drew in magic power from external sources and twisted it according to the user’s will. However, collecting magic power took time. The better the magician, the less time it took to cast magic. Even so, there was a limit.

On the other hand, martial arts was a skill that drew out internal energy from within. It was much faster than magic. That difference was bound to be felt in a battle between the strong.

Choi Yeonseung used concentrated fist energy to deflect Arni’s sword. Every time it was swung, the sword of light let out sounds of space being torn, but the strength of Choi Yeonseung’s internal energy remained unshaken.

‘This doesn’t make sense!’

Arni was astonished. He was naturally weaker than Choi Yeonseung. After all, he was just a mortal while Choi Yeonseung was a constellation. Still, he was surprised! No matter how strong Choi Yeonseung’s fist concentrated energy was, it should still quiver even just a bit upon colliding with magic. However, it remained still.

‘He’s unleashing his energy in advance!’

Arni was right. Choi Yeonseung read all of Arni’s movements and sent his energy a step ahead. In doing so, he could avoid being hurt even if he was bare-handed.

This was another advantage that martial arts had over magic in melee combat. Martial arts had continuous movements that linked offense and defense. Of course, magicians knew how to fight to some extent. Some hunters even practiced boxing or mixed martial arts. However, they only did it at a basic level. Magicians fundamentally used magic. If they had time, it was better to practice magic instead of combat techniques!

Technical skills that returned the opponent’s power, such as Covert Attack Reversal, were only found in martial arts or were difficult to find the magic counterpart of. It was far more beneficial to strengthen a different spell!

One step. Two steps. Three steps.

Choi Yeonseung gradually narrowed the distance between him and Arni. Arni unleashed attack after attack, but he was also the one stepping away. It was an incomprehensible sight!

‘It’s like all I’m hitting is the air! I can’t seem to hit him no matter how hard I strike!’

In the end, Choi Yeonseung narrowed the distance, lightly grabbed Arni, and subdued him.

“T-Thank you.” 

“I had fun. You’re strong, Arni... I just think it is better not to rely too much on magic. You should learn how to apply magic.”

“By applying magic... Do you mean to improve or mix magic together?”

“No. I literally mean the application of magic itself. You can still wield energy even without doing that sword of light thing before.”

Choi Yeonseung made a sword with his concentrated energy as he spoke. At his fingertips, tremendous amounts of internal energy gathered and assumed the shape of a sword.

A sword of concentrated energy, Concentrated Sword! Coating ordinary swords with sword energy alone consumed a huge amount of internal energy. Meanwhile, Choi Yeonseung created a sword-shaped concentrated energy without using any weapon as a base. His internal energy was truly infinite.

“Don’t just swing it. You can attack with unorthodox patterns by deflecting their attacks or bending your sword.”

[You have been taught by the ‘Undefeated Incarnation of Training.’]

[You have gained the skill ‘Flexibility Controls Rigidity.’]

[The proficiency of your skill ‘Shadenka’s Sword of Light’ has increased.]

[The speed of your skill ‘Shadenka’s Sword of Light’ has increased.]

[The duration of your skill ‘Shadenka’s Sword of Light’ has increased.]

[......]

A skill that could overpower strength with softness, Flexibility Controls Rigidity! It was weaker than Covert Attack Reversal, but it was a powerful enough combat skill. Moreover, Arni’s spell also improved.

“......!!”

Learning one spell wasn’t all there was. They had steadily used that spell to improve their proficiency in it little by little as well. Even in the case of commonly used 1st-circle magic, magicians highly skilled in it were far stronger than magicians using it for the first time. However, Choi Yeonseung’s teachings transcended that process and immediately strengthened Arni’s magic.

Arni had just received a great lesson!

‘This is the incarnation of training...!’

Choi Yeonseung showed tremendous power that befitted his name and jurisdiction.

“Why are you looking at me like that?”

“Too... it is too great...!” 

“???”

Choi Yeonseung was dumbfounded. What was so great about this?

“Well, this technique could be a bit amazing if you’ve only learned magic.”

“It isn’t like that...!”

***

“Your gift is complete. Take it.”

A kitchenware set made of adamantium and orichalcum! This masterpiece was made with Choi Yeonseung’s blood, sweat, and tears, and the Cat of Lava and Magma’s grumbling.

[The ‘Cat of Lava and Magma’ says it will never make anything like this again.]

“Thank you. If I catch something later, then let’s eat it together.”

[...The ‘Cat of Lava and Magma’ is intrigued by this.]

Choi Yeonseung took out and examined the orichalcum kitchen knife. Its masterful blade exuded magic power on its own. In addition, its appearance changed according to Choi Yeonseung’s thoughts. It could even turn from being a bone-cutting knife to a small fruit knife!

‘Honestly, it isn’t any less effective as a weapon.’

An orichalcum fork, knife, spoon, and chopsticks.

Choi Yeonseung grabbed the orichalcum chopsticks and thrust them lightly, causing its magic power to fluctuate like crazy.

“What are you doing?”

“Ah. Sorry. I was doing a light check.”

He checked the adamantium frying pan and cutting board next. Their size could also be altered. The adamantium frying pan wriggled and turned into an adamantium Chinese pot.

‘This is great. I don’t have to worry about the size.’

[The ‘Cat of Lava and Magma’ says there is a size limit due to the amount of adamantium.]

“Well, this is enough.”

It could only grow up to the size of a cauldron at most, but that was still enough for him.

‘I think I can use it as a shield...’

A kitchen knife and cauldron weapons set!

Choi Yeonseung lightly attacked the adamantium with concentrated fist energy. The lump of internal energy bounced off it.

“Amazing!”

[The ‘Cat of Lava and Magma’ shrugs.]

“Hmm. Should I make it here?”

The hydra meat that he obtained last time. There was still a lot left in the space warehouse. He would have to empty it quite a bit to put in these new treasures anyway.

“Your request to have these kitchenwares made got me wondering. Is cooking your hobby?” The girl asked.

“There isn’t much I can do while wandering around. Ah. Do you have any condiments?”

“Please wait. I’ll have some of my subordinates bring them over.”

Like Earth, the Abyss had a culture. Each constellation realm was vastly different, but they all had a certain enjoyment of food. Nightmare demons soon brought over many condiments. They all had spotless, beautiful faces and sleek curved bodies, but they looked like they were starving.

“Do they want to eat with us?” 

“No. They want to eat you. Leave!” the girl ordered fiercely. Frightened, the nightmare demons backed away. They didn’t stop staring eagerly at Choi Yeonseung, though. Their eyes were that of a beast watching its prey!

‘Oh, I have to leave quickly or I’ll die of discomfort.’

Despite his alliance with this realm’s master, Choi Yeonseung vowed never to return here. Their alliance was good and all, but they had to maintain some distance from each other!

“What type of condiments are there—no way!”

“Why are you surprised?”

“There’s so many... Is this normal?”

“...What do you think of us nightmare demons?”

The spices weren’t much different from Earth! There were plenty of seasonings that gave off a spicy taste or got rid of fishy smells.

‘I thought the condiments would be weird since I’m in the Abyss.’

For Choi Yeonseung, who had only ever wandered in the remote and desolate places of the Abyss, these well-made seasonings were bewildering. He honestly thought they’d be presenting something like a poisonous mushroom powder.

“...Well, it doesn’t matter. I’ll make a tartar steak.”

Steak made of raw meat!

Choi Yeonseung took a large hydra meat chunk, placed it on his cutting board, and used his orichalcum kitchen knife to cut it into thin slices. If not for its toxicity, the hydra meat was of impeccable quality.

“Sprinkle it with oil, salt, and pepper. Mix onions, garlic, and eggs...”

Since they looked similar to Earth’s condiments, he decided to call them by similar names. They probably had similar effects as well. The moment the meat’s poison was burned away, it revealed a vivid red color. The Manipulator of Dreams and Desires admired the appearance of the steak that was beautifully placed in a bowl.

“That’s amazing. I didn’t know you were this serious about cooking. Your martial arts are great, and your knife skills are just as amazing.”

“Try it first before complimenting it.”

“Alright, then...”

The girl ate a piece of meat with a cautious expression.

Delicious!

The cold meat clung to her with every bite. It had a meaty taste, but the magic power it emanated was no joke. It was certainly a hydra’s meat. Still, what was with this magic power?

‘I see! This is what the orichalcum and adamantium are for!’

The ore that emitted magic power and the ore that absorbed magic power worked in synergy with each other to further evolve the dish!

“... Is it not delicious?”

Choi Yeonseung asked uneasily. The girl had taken one bite and lowered her head. Was it a mistake to use ingredients that looked similar to the ones on Earth?

“No. It’s really delicious!”

“Ah. Really?”

[The C-rank skill ‘Low-Level Abyss Cooking’ has evolved into the B-rank skill ‘Intermediate Abyss Cooking.’]

[You have made a delicious dish using ingredients that are hard to handle! The ‘Overcome Oneself to Become Strong’ skill has increased the power of your existence.]

“????”

No, what was this?

‘I overcame myself? With this?’

Cooking could indeed be seen as a type of training, but... Choi Yeonseung was flustered. However, he soon realized it. Everything in the world was training!

‘Indeed, no matter what it is, it is most powerful to do things while having fun.’

Just as Choi Yeonseung enjoyed martial arts training on Earth, he felt the same toward cooking. It started as a simple hobby, but it was recognized as training because he enjoyed it that much.

[The ‘Cat of Lava and Magma’ is angry that only the wanton woman is eating it!]

“Ah.”

“Ah.”

Choi Yeonseung and the Manipulator were taken aback. They were just eating casually...!

***

In the end, Choi Yeonseung took out the remaining hydra meat and served it to the Cat of Lava and Magma. The cat constellation initially didn’t answer, almost as if it was upset. However, the cat liked the dish so much that it quickly relaxed as soon as it ate.

[The ‘Cat of Lava and Magma’ says that it is worthwhile.]

“By the way, can you use all of it like this? I'm thankful, but…” The girl asked. The remaining meat was served to the nightmare demons. 

Hydra meat was quite valuable, even among constellations.

“Meat is meant to be eaten, isn’t it? You treated me with hospitality, so I should at least do this much for you.”

Doing the same thing over and over was bad for growth. He had to keep trying out new things to improve further. Hence, Choi Yeonseung tried mass cooking and attempted to feed all the nightmare demons in the vicinity.

The result was a success.

[You have made a delicious dish that serves many people using ingredients that are hard to handle! The ‘Overcoming Oneself Is Being Strong’ skill has increased the power of your existence.]

“Hos... hospitality?” 

[Hospitality??]

“... Why complain when I’m just being nice to people?”

“I just feel bad.”

All the nightmare demons ever did was drool over Choi Yeonseung. They were doing that even now. As their master, she was honestly too embarrassed! The Manipulator of Dreams and Desires covered her face with her hands. She was so embarrassed to look at her guests that she couldn’t even raise her head.