Kim Ji-young's eyes widened in disbelief as her son revealed the treasure he had brought. Nestled within the small wooden box lay the Tears of the Spirit, a legendary artifact known across the continent. Once, when it was first discovered, it had been celebrated as a miracle—hope made tangible for those suffering from the incurable Mana Syndrome. To see it in person was almost unthinkable.
Her husband, Lee Soo-hyuk, and daughter, Lee Seo-yoon, rushed in at the sound of her gasp. All three stared in stunned silence at the crystalline drop of condensed spiritual essence. It was worth hundreds of billions, rarer than gold, and nearly impossible to find even with limitless wealth. Yet here it was, sitting in their home.
Seong-jun had earned it as a reward. The entire nation had followed the news of the Raid Gate where rookies from the five great guilds competed. Against all odds, he had risen above even the prodigy Song Seung-jun, seizing first place and shaking the guild hierarchy. Baekho Guild had honored that victory with this priceless gift.
The family knew what it meant. He had risked his life for this. Not for power or fame—but to cure his mother.
Kim Ji-young's heart trembled. Guilt swelled within her as she thought of the endless sacrifices her son had endured. Mana Syndrome had turned her into a burden on the family, and now her child had gone to such extremes for her sake. She recalled his sudden entry into the Raid Gate, the dangers he must have faced, and she whispered apologies to herself, blaming her weakness.
But Seong-jun's gaze was firm. He reminded her of her devotion—the warm meals, the neat home, the constant love that had shaped their lives. He reminded her, too, of the day decades ago when monsters had invaded their city. In the chaos, she had stood unarmed before beasts, shielding her children with her body. She had bought them precious seconds until a hunter arrived to slay the intruders. Without that courage, neither he nor his sister would have survived.
That was what motherhood meant. And now, Seong-jun vowed, he would repay her with the devotion of a son.
Yet there remained a challenge. The Tears of the Spirit could purge the unstable mana lodged deep in her body, but the process required more than swallowing the artifact. The energy had to be guided, distributed through the blood and organs, lest it remain trapped or lash out in violent backlash. Normally, this would demand a mana specialist.
But Seong-jun was no ordinary hunter. Through the martial arts of the Blood Demon, he had mastered a technique called Blood Palace Control, which allowed him to command blood flow, heartbeat, and circulation as if they were strings of an instrument. It was a terrifying art in battle, but in his hands it could become the gentlest of tools—capable of guiding the Tears' divine energy through every corner of the body.
He asked his mother to sit, and she obeyed, trusting the quiet determination in his eyes. The crystalline tear slid down her throat, and he placed his palm against her back. A warm crimson light spread from his hand, seeping into her body.
Unlike the violent surge he unleashed upon enemies, this was tender and steady. Her blood obeyed his will, carrying the sacred energy to every organ and vessel. From her lower abdomen to her limbs, through her chest, shoulders, and head, the power of the Tears flowed. The unstable mana that had tormented her for years began to dissolve, absorbed and purified under Seong-jun's careful guidance.
He did not allow the slightest distraction. His focus was absolute. For his mother's life, for her relief, there could be no mistake.
In that moment, the once-cursed affliction that had haunted his family was finally being erased. The miracle of the Tears of the Spirit was real—but it was Seong-jun's strength, skill, and unwavering devotion that carried it to completion.