After finishing the book, I finally understood why Runderg warned ordinary people not to go deeper into Beast Breathing.
At the very back of the final page—
hidden beneath the cover folds—
another formula had been written.
Different from the earlier ones.
More breathing interruptions.
More circulation points.
More pressure on the body.
It felt less like an improvement—
and more like madness refined into technique.
The earlier formulas were only the foundation.
This—
was the true Beast Breathing.
Or at least the final version Runderg created.
I wanted to test it immediately.
But the memory of blood pouring from Runderg's mouth stopped me.
Better careful than dead.
So the next morning, I headed toward Fairy Health Shop.
The moment I entered, Vandelana sighed dramatically.
"You again?"
She placed a hand on her waist.
"At this point, my shop survives because of you alone."
I smiled awkwardly.
It wasn't entirely wrong.
Ever since I became a regular customer, I had bought enough potions to fund half her shelves.
Sometimes personally.
Sometimes through Duracal.
"So," she asked, "the usual healing potions?"
I shook my head.
"No."
"Two medium-grade healing potions."
"And one mana sensitivity potion."
That made her expression stiffen slightly.
Mana sensitivity potions were expensive.
Dangerous if misused.
They temporarily heightened a person's ability to sense mana flow and circulation throughout the body.
Most magicians used them only during meditation or breakthroughs.
Vandelana narrowed her eyes at me.
"…What exactly are you planning?"
"Training."
Her stare clearly said she didn't believe me.
Still—
she packed the potions quietly.
But before handing them over, she suddenly spoke.
"Kid."
Her voice was softer now.
"I don't know why…"
"…but every time I look at your eyes…"
She hesitated.
"…it feels like you keep staring at death directly."
I laughed lightly.
"You say that like death and I know each other personally."
She didn't laugh.
That alone made my smile fade slightly.
"…Just be careful," she said quietly.
For some reason—
those words stayed with me even after leaving the shop.
When I returned to Duracal's house, luck favored me.
He was gone.
Apparently drinking with an old friend and returning late at night.
Perfect.
I went straight inside.
Removed everything except my underclothes.
Filled a large wooden tub with water.
Then slowly poured one of the medium healing potions into it.
The liquid dissolved instantly, turning the water faintly green.
The second potion remained beside me for emergencies.
Finally—
I uncorked the mana sensitivity potion and drank it.
The effect hit almost immediately.
My senses sharpened violently.
Mana became clearer.
Denser.
Almost visible.
I clenched my fists tightly as the sensation spread through my body.
Then I entered the tub slowly.
Water covered everything except my head.
I closed my eyes.
And began using the new Beast Breathing formula.
The difference became obvious immediately.
The original formula gathered aura steadily through the lungs before storing it near the navel region.
This version—
forced circulation through the entire bloodstream first.
Mana flowed violently through my veins.
Through muscles.
Through organs.
Only afterward did it converge toward the navel region for storage.
It wasn't breathing anymore.
It was forcing the entire body into becoming part of the circulation process.
I understood Runderg's warning instantly.
This technique was insane.
I gritted my teeth hard.
My entire body heated up unnaturally fast.
Pain spread beneath my skin.
Then—
blood dripped from my nose.
A second later, I coughed blood into the water.
But I didn't stop.
I forcibly redirected the mana again.
Again.
Again.
Until finally—
the aura stabilized near the navel region.
The moment it succeeded—
my body nearly collapsed from exhaustion.
I immediately drank the second healing potion.
Then remained floating silently inside the tub for several minutes, allowing the potion-infused water to repair the damage slowly.
Eventually—
I stood up.
My body still hurt.
But something felt different.
Heavier.
Denser.
More alive.
Without thinking much further, I grabbed my spear.
This time—
not because of danger.
Because I wanted to test the change.
I activated Beast Breathing again and swung the spear once.
The air split sharply.
The force behind the strike felt noticeably greater than before.
Not explosive.
Not overwhelming.
But deeper.
Like the strength was rooted more naturally into my body now.
I stared at my hand silently.
Then smiled slightly.
"…Interesting."
Without wasting time, I saddled Rusty and headed toward town.
If I wanted to continue improving—
I needed real combat.
Real work.