The Master's Blessing (2)
Oh Hyun-seok's eyes snapped open abruptly.
"Huh... hah!"
The pain was so intense that he had momentarily blacked out.
'What... what exactly happened just now?'
His master, Changhoza, stood right in front of him, fist raised high—that was the last thing he remembered.
'Oh... so that's what it was.'
Oh Hyun-seok immediately understood the situation. It had been a sparring match that left him unconscious.
There was no need to panic.
It had been nothing more than the usual sparring session they always did.
'...But something feels off.'
He tilted his head in confusion.
At this very moment, Changhoza should have appeared again with his signature hearty laugh, turned him into a pile of minced meat, and gone on his way.
Kwa-qua-qua-qua-qua!
Then, from far away.
A mountain peak on one side of the training grounds had collapsed.
Blue light rays and white light rays darted wildly across the sky.
The white rays seemed to be desperately fleeing from the blue ones.
'Ah, I see.'
Oh Hyun-seok finally grasped the situation from moments ago.
'Right after I and Seo Eun-hyun ascended to Foundation Establishment together?'
It had to be.
Right after Seo Eun-hyun and he had just stepped into the realm of Foundation Establishment.
His master Changhoza had smiled brightly and challenged him to a sparring match in celebration of their breakthrough, and Oh Hyun-seok had been beaten mercilessly until he passed out.
'Huu... that strike was truly terrifying.'
Just thinking about it made his body shiver.
Yet he gazed at the distant mountain peak that had collapsed and the two glowing light orbs soaring through the sky, eyes shining with excitement.
"By the way, how is Seo Eun-hyun holding his own under his master's guidance to this extent?"
This world had long since become familiar to him.
He had mastered the language perfectly, along with the culture and the constellations.
And the strange martial techniques of the Gongbeop system that seemed to belong in this murim world—he had long since grown accustomed to them as well.
The realms of Qi Condensation and Foundation Establishment were things he understood intimately.
Yet precisely because he understood them, Oh Hyun-seok found himself unable to comprehend.
"That guy wasn't supposed to have ascended to Foundation Establishment with me, was he?"
Kuu-gu-gu-gu!
Once again, a distant mountain peak collapsed.
Kuu-gu-gu-gu!
Inside the white light rays, the human figure stretched out his hand toward the blue light rays.
The resulting white qi blast had carved a crater into the mountain.
An absurdly powerful strike!
'He must be far more talented than me.'
Oh Hyun-seok recalled what his master had said about his own talent for reaching Foundation Establishment in just one year being something that should not have existed.
But he shook his head and thought.
'Real talent like that belongs to a guy like him. What talent does someone like me even have?'
Talent that lets one reach Foundation Establishment in under a year.
Talent that allows one to deliver a Nascent Soul-level strike in a Foundation Establishment body within under a year.
It was obvious which one was superior just by looking.
"He was always diligent at work too. Here, it seems he finally found his true talent."
He thought back to Seo Eun-hyun back at the company.
Though his speech was few, he always worked hard at everything.
'The kid I always had to look after has... grown this strong.'
Just as Oh Hyun-seok was recalling his days at the company—
Kwa-aah!
Blue light erupted in an explosion.
From afar, white light rays rained down toward the base of the mountain.
Before Oh Hyun-seok could even react, a flash of light appeared before him, and Changhoza appeared standing in front of him, wrapped in a blue aura.
"Well, well. I see you were waiting. Seo Eun-hyun showed me quite a few interesting tricks, so my interest was piqued, and I ended up watching only him."
"Haha... if he's such a talented guy, maybe I could have watched a bit longer..."
"No talking back. As your master, I won't show favoritism! Don't worry! I'll make you strong too!"
"A moment..."
Kwa-aah!
Before he could even finish speaking, Changhoza's fist slammed straight into Oh Hyun-seok's abdomen.
Oh Hyun-seok instantly vomited blood and lost consciousness.
Changhoza laughed heartily and raised his fist.
"Excellent disciples. Don't worry, my boys. Your talents are both immense. Even if you were the dullest geniuses in the world, humans are beings capable of anything. As your master, no matter what happens, I won't abandon you and will teach you well."
Changhoza grabbed one of Oh Hyun-seok's legs and dragged him somewhere.
"It's been about a year now. The training grounds should be almost complete. With your talents and having reached Foundation Establishment, it's time to start training you to fight nature itself with human bodies."
Changhoza smiled brightly as he watched Seo Eun-hyun, far away and struggling to stand up from a collapse, eyes gleaming with excitement.
And before Seo Eun-hyun could even recover—
Changhoza charged like lightning and slammed his fist toward Seo Eun-hyun's head.
Kwa-aah!
Seo Eun-hyun vomited blood again and passed out, and Changhoza dragged both their legs toward the 'training grounds.'
***
Kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa!
A massive tidal wave swept across the surroundings.
Oh Hyun-seok shouted in desperation toward the 'tsunami' rushing at him and thrust out his fist.
Kuu-gu-gu-gu-gu!
The blue light rays swirling from his fist, trained in the Changryeong Seonggwang Ochae Daebop, formed a dragon fist blast.
Kwa-a-ah-ah-ah!
The dragon fist blast from Oh Hyun-seok's fist shattered the tsunami completely.
"Haaaaap!"
Kuu-woong!
With his battle cry, the surrounding waves were pushed back.
But he did not relax his guard, breathing heavily while staying alert.
And across the heavens and earth, Changhoza's voice rang out.
[Five-Color Replacement. Lung White, Metal.]
Ki-ring, ki-ri-ri-ri-ring!
At the same moment, the 'sea' surrounding Oh Hyun-seok instantly hardened.
The hardened sea shot out like needles in all directions.
"Kuuuk!"
Oh Hyun-seok jumped high into the air.
Cha-cha-cha-chak!
Metal needles shot out across the heavens and earth, chasing him.
Cha-chang, chaaang!
From afar, white light blew in and launched the metal needles.
'That side is probably Seo Eun-hyun. I need to join up with him.'
But before Oh Hyun-seok could even make that decision—
Changhoza's voice rang out again from all sides.
[Eun-hyun, you need to utilize the Five Elements Longyuan Scroll for proper training. It seems too easy for you, so I'll increase the training intensity a bit.]
At the same time—
Kuu-gu-gu-gu-gu!
A mountain-sized iron meteor fell toward Seo Eun-hyun from the sky.
Kwa-aah!
The surroundings shook violently, an explosion erupted, and fierce winds howled in all directions.
Oh Hyun-seok wrapped his body in the protective qi of the Lian Ti Gongbeop and looked beyond the wind mixed with iron powder.
'He's fine...'
Yet his worry was in vain.
Flash!
The meteor split in half with a white flash, and Seo Eun-hyun flew upward from within.
'...He has already transcended the bounds of humanity.'
It seemed Oh Hyun-seok hadn't even needed to worry.
Kaka-gaga-gak!
But before he could even sigh in relief, dozens or hundreds of metal needles rained down toward him.
"Kuuuuk!"
How long had they wrestled in the realm of metal?
Just as Oh Hyun-seok had grown used to it, Changhoza's voice thundered from the sky once more.
[Five-Color Replacement. Spleen Yellow, Earth.]
Kuu-gu-gu-gu!
The metal attributes in all directions shifted, and mountains began erupting from the ground.
Kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa!
The terrain constantly changed, pressuring Oh Hyun-seok.
'Sixteen li in all directions, as it was said.'
The sixteen li in all directions was a training ground where Changhoza's will altered the nature of the Five Elements at will.
Every so often, it would change again once Oh Hyun-seok and Seo Eun-hyun grew accustomed to it.
[Red Heart, Fire.]
Kuu-gu-gu-gu-gu!
The mountains melted, and the sixteen li radius turned into a sea of magma.
Oh Hyun-seok felt his entire body melting in horror and used his Gongbeop to enhance his adaptability to the extreme environment.
[Green Liver, Wood.]
Kuu-gu-gu!
Suddenly, trees sprouted within the flames, and the surroundings were once again engulfed in a sea of trees.
[Black Kidney, Water.]
Chaa-rururur!
After a while, the sea of trees melted according to Changhoza's words and became a vast blue sea that swallowed him whole.
Changhoza's Five Elements Taiying Training Method.
He cast his disciples into constantly shifting extreme environments, had them survive, and trained them to confront higher-level martial artists.
A method to survive natural disasters.
[Listen well, Hyun-seok. Your innate One Chaos Saint Body is also called the Chaos Origin Saint Body, and it possesses the quality to shatter the boundaries of all things and beings.
The One Chaos Saint Body has countless innate abilities, but the most famous is the Five Elements Chaos Origin! It is essentially a body corresponding to the Heavenly Spirit Root, but its cultivation speed is at least seven times faster than the Heavenly Spirit Root!
Because of this, you can master all Five Elements attributes and also handle Yin-Yang inner energy. I don't know what kind of sharp power Seo Eun-hyun possesses, but with just this one ability alone, you are actually far more talented than Seo Eun-hyun!]
Kuu-gu-gu-gu!
The Five Elements across the surroundings changed and pressed down on Oh Hyun-seok's body.
[Moreover, the One Chaos Saint Body carries many unknown innate divine physiques! Once you master the Changryeong Seonggwang Ochae Daebop well, you will be invincible in name and reality! Focus your mind, utilize the Gongbeop well, my disciple! I believe in you!]
Kuu-gu-gu-gu!
'What nonsense. Save those words for after this ridiculous place.'
The Five Elements changed around him, gradually increasing the pressure.
And at some point—
Oh Hyun-seok felt that his body had reached its 'critical point.'
Puu-uh-hung!
Blue light exploded, and every tiny wound on Oh Hyun-seok's body was instantly healed.
"Th-this is..."
Uuu-woong!
Inside Oh Hyun-seok's dantian, he confirmed that a single Spirit Star had appeared once more.
[As expected, amazing! In just one day after ascending to Foundation Establishment, he has already formed two Spirit Stars—each and energy!]
Changhoza's hearty laughter echoed across the surroundings, and shortly after, an even more intense storm of Five Elements swept over Oh Hyun-seok and Seo Eun-hyun.
[Well then, shall we continue practicing?]
Oh Hyun-seok clenched his teeth and continued the training Changhoza had imposed.
Time flowed like this, and ten years passed.
***
Kuu-gu-gu-gu!
Mountains erupted from the ground.
"Haaaaat!"
When Oh Hyun-seok let out his battle cry, the mountain in front of him exploded on the spot.
Kuu-gu-gu-gu!
Trees grew on the mountain peak and charged toward Oh Hyun-seok, trying to bind him.
"Hu-ha-ha-ha!"
However, Oh Hyun-seok ran straight toward the center with a ridiculous expression.
The trees were torn apart like paper without stopping him at all.
Hwururuk!
Flames erupted on the trees, and the surroundings instantly became a sea of fire.
But Oh Hyun-seok paid no heed and punched straight ahead.
Kwa-aah!
A mountain was torn away, and blue light burst forth from within.
In the center of the blue light stood Changhoza, in lotus position.
Changhoza smiled faintly.
"You've finally traced back the secret of the Five Elements Longyuan Scroll to find me. Impressive!"
"Thank you, Master!"
Kuu-woong!
Oh Hyun-seok laughed heartily and charged at Changhoza, thrusting his fist.
Changhoza laughed boisterously and met his fist head-on.
"Excellent, but not quite yet!"
Kwa-aah!
Their fists collided, and blood sprayed from Oh Hyun-seok's arm.
"Kuuuk..."
Oh Hyun-seok retreated a step, but instead of losing his composure, he laughed just as heartily as Changhoza and raised his fist again.
The blood spraying from his arm had already stopped.
His absurd regeneration power healed his body.
And the two muscular giants began trading blows like madmen.
Kwaang, kwaang, kwaang!
With every exchange, the Five Elements around them shifted.
The fire mountain melted into a sea.
The sea hardened into an iron kingdom.
The iron receded into earth.
Puu-uung, puu-uung, puu-uung!
With the sound of exploding artillery, Changhoza's fist pounded against Oh Hyun-seok's body.
Every time, Oh Hyun-seok's body was torn apart, but the moment he gathered his strength, blue light swirled and healed his flesh.
Kuu-gwang, kwa-kwa-kwa-gwang!
Explosions grew faster and faster, and the speed of their fist exchanges increased.
But at some point.
Kwaang, kwang, kwaang!
Oh Hyun-seok's fist slipped precisely between Changhoza's and struck far more areas.
As Oh Hyun-seok's strike speed increased, every time Changhoza landed one hit, Oh Hyun-seok landed seven.
And when their clash reached its peak—
Kwa-aah!
Changhoza's fist completely repelled Oh Hyun-seok's attack and drove straight into him.
Oh Hyun-seok's body exploded.
Kuu-gu-gu-gu-gu!
At the same moment—
Kwa-rurururung!
A blue lightning bolt fell from the sky and struck Oh Hyun-seok's body.
"H-huh-huh-huh-huh! Hu-ha-ha-ha-ha!"
Changhoza laughed heartily at the sight.
Shii-iii...
Seo Eun-hyun emerged from the smoke.
"Congratulations! In ten years, you've achieved Core Formation! Truly an unbelievable cultivation speed. Even the top boys in the Gwanghan Realm take fifty years to reach Core Formation."
Oh Hyun-seok smiled awkwardly.
"No. I'm still slower than Seo Eun-hyun."
"Well, that guy's talent is already at an unbelievable level."
Changhoza laughed heartily.
Oh Hyun-seok laughed along, thinking of Seo Eun-hyun.
Five years.
In those five years, Seo Eun-hyun had long since reached Core Formation and, after mastering the Five Elements Longyuan Scroll, moved on to the Seonggwang Holy Body Gong.
"Well then, since you've reached Core Formation..."
"Are you challenging me to a spar again?"
At Oh Hyun-seok's words, Changhoza smiled wickedly and said,
"Of course! Seo Eun-hyun! Where are you!"
After a while.
From afar, Seo Eun-hyun flew in on a white dull glow.
Kuu-woong!
Seo Eun-hyun, who had landed in the training grounds, walked out from within the dull glow.
Oh Hyun-seok swallowed hard upon seeing him.
'This time... can I win?'
Beneath Changhoza's guidance, the two had sparred with him endlessly.
But Changhoza also frequently arranged sparring matches between the two of them.
And the result was always Oh Hyun-seok's defeat.
He had never once beaten Seo Eun-hyun.
'Though I bear no grudge against the guy.'
Kkuu-uk...
He had already lost over a thousand times.
At this point, fighting spirit stirred within him.
'Back at the company, I was always the one being taught, but here I've become the student again.'
Even during the recent fist exchange with Changhoza, it was the same.
He had faced Changhoza using the Counter Monster Invisible Fist Seo Eun-hyun had created.
Over the past ten years, Seo Eun-hyun had taught him not only martial arts but the very essence of fighting.
"You've reached Core Formation. Congratulations."
"Hahaha! Yeah, thanks. Since you've reached Core Formation, let's spar once more."
Oh Hyun-seok said, clenching his fists.
At those words, Seo Eun-hyun smiled faintly.
"It still won't work on me."
"Long or short, we'll see."
He looked at Seo Eun-hyun and said.
Ten years.
For ten years, Oh Hyun-seok had been beaten by Seo Eun-hyun, fought with him, and sparred with him under Changhoza.
But even now, he could not beat Seo Eun-hyun.
And he still could not understand him.
Those days spent desperately surviving under Changhoza's guidance had passed, but from some point onward, the Seo Eun-hyun who had their backs turned to each other, who sometimes traded fists with him.
People could feel emotions when they were close.
But he had never once sensed any emotion from Seo Eun-hyun.
'Since coming to this world, the guy has changed.'
It was not physical.
Something deep in the soul.
Completely different as a person.
The Seo Eun-hyun he remembered at the company—slightly clumsy yet steady, diligent, sometimes smiling.
But after arriving in this world, he had never shown those traits.
He smiled occasionally, but the innocent smile from before was nowhere to be seen in it.
And when looking into his eyes, it always seemed like he was staring into an endless abyss.
And most of all.
After falling into this world, Seo Eun-hyun had never once come to find him alone.
'At the company, we'd chat every break time while drinking coffee together.'
Mostly Oh Hyun-seok had listened to Seo Eun-hyun's troubles.
But recently, he had never come for counseling like that, nor chatted.
When he had free time, he was always training or flipping through Gongbeop scrolls, doing something.
It wasn't the person he knew.
'When a person suddenly changes, there must be a reason.'
The sparring match began.
Ta-at, tat!
The two collided.
Three times.
After just three exchanges, Oh Hyun-seok was instantly suppressed by Seo Eun-hyun.
"I have won."
With a flat expression, Seo Eun-hyun twisted Oh Hyun-seok's arm behind his back.
However.
Kuu-gu-gu-gu-gu!
Blue light erupted from Oh Hyun-seok's entire body.
"It isn't over yet, you bastard!"
Oh Hyun-seok thought.
'The guy has become stronger. But at the same time, he's changed too much. So much that I might think he's a completely different person.'
Puu-aah!
Releasing an immense force, Oh Hyun-seok shook off Seo Eun-hyun with sheer power and looked at him.
'Even if you told me, I wouldn't know why you've changed like this.'
Kuuu-woong!
On each of Oh Hyun-seok's arms, phantom images of blue dragons circled.
The blue dragons circled around his arms for a moment, then slipped inside.
Puu-aa-ah!
Where the dragons entered, blue wings sprouted from each arm.
'Though he's expressionless, he does show emotions sometimes when fighting Master. Then...'
"Changryeong Seonggwang, First Wing!"
'Once I become as strong as him, I can properly spar with him. Maybe then I'll finally understand his true intentions...!'
So thought Oh Hyun-seok.
Determined to hear the heart of his junior Seo Eun-hyun, who had once been his subordinate, he stomped the ground and charged toward him.