Chapter 55: Internal Energy (1)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 55: Internal Energy (1)
He had finally obtained it—the prize he had been waiting for.
Kang Jun-hyeok couldn't suppress the smile spreading across his face. Stifling his joy and excitement, he slowly began to check his rewards.
He was the type of person who preferred to save the best for last. Thus, he checked the sword first.
In my past life, the reward was just an ordinary sword.
Perhaps because he had achieved a Perfect Clear, the quality of the weapon was on an entirely different level. The blade, radiating a soft white glow, was a literal work of art.
[White Light Sword]
[Category: Weapon]
[Rank: Mid-Rank]
[Attack Power: +35]
[Description: A famous sword passed down through generations of the White Sword Sect's leaders. Like a beam of white light, this sword shines even in the darkness and boasts a cutting edge capable of slicing through steel. It is also known to channel the flow of Qi without any loss.]
"Whoa."
Kang Jun-hyeok let out a low exclamation.
The attack power was a staggering 35.
It easily surpassed the Goblin King's Greatsword. Considering the difference in weight and speed between a standard sword and a greatsword, its performance was truly superior.
I can finally change my primary weapon.
Until now, he hadn't found a weapon that surpassed the Goblin King's Greatsword. That was a testament to how absurdly powerful that weapon had been, but it also meant the White Light Sword was an even higher-tier armament.
The additional effect added to his 'Perfect Player' title was Internal Energy +1. To his current self, it meant nothing, as he didn't have an Internal Energy stat yet.
But that was about to change.
It was finally time for the main course.
The Master of All Weapons remained silent, almost as if it were anticipating what was to come.
"Here we go."
Kang Jun-hyeok pulled out the pill. A strange power emanated from the object, which glowed as brilliantly as a pearl.
[White Sword Sect Pill]
[Description: A special pill created in the secret treasury of the White Sword Sect after years of refinement. Even those without internal energy who have not trained in a mental method can obtain internal energy by consuming this after proper preparation.]
There was no reason to delay. Kang Jun-hyeok popped the pill into his mouth. It melted like liquid and seeped into his body.
The power dwelling within the pill began to permeate his flesh. At first, it felt like a gentle stream, but it quickly transformed into a raging torrent.
Rumble!
Kang Jun-hyeok’s body shook violently. The energy from the pill ran wild, tearing through his physical form.
Under normal circumstances, consuming such a pill so recklessly would be suicide. A grandmaster would usually need to be present to control and guide the flow of Qi. No matter how special the White Sword Sect Pill was, an ordinary human consuming it without preparation would end up a cripple.
But he was no ordinary human. He was a Player, supported by the System.
His body was truly special. The energy of the pill, which had been racing to destroy his body, gradually began to settle.
Gather inside me.
Kang Jun-hyeok gave a firm command. Following that order, the energy began to pool in his Dantian.
And finally...
[You have acquired the Stat: Internal Energy.]
A strange sensation took hold. Something heavy yet deep settled within him.
Kang Jun-hyeok looked down at his body. It looked the same as before, but he could tell its quality had fundamentally changed. At the same time, a new sense awakened. It wasn't sight, touch, hearing, smell, or taste—it was something else entirely.
A sense that could only be called the sixth sense.
Kang Jun-hyeok smiled. He had successfully obtained internal energy.
* * *
[Kang Jun-hyeok]
[Level: 17]
[Health: 540]
[Strength: 41]
[Speed: 35]
[Internal Energy: 12]
[Feat: 43]
[Attack Power: +?]
[Defense: +24]
Checking the status window, the Internal Energy stat was visible immediately.
It’s been a while.
The sensation of internal energy was nostalgic. Along with the energy itself, he could feel the mental method and sword technique he had acquired.
[Passive Skill: White Sword Technique]
[Rank: Mid-Rank]
[Proficiency: F]
[Description: The sword technique of the White Sword Sect that uses internal energy to create countless illusions and realities. You have reached the 1st Star of the technique.]
[Passive Skill: White Sword Mental Method]
[Rank: Mid-Rank]
[Proficiency: F]
[Description: The mental method passed down through generations of the White Sword Sect. You have become able to handle a portion of this mental method.]
Both were Mid-Rank, and their effects were guaranteed. The "Number One in Murim" from his past life had mastered the White Sword Technique and White Sword Mental Method, using them for a very long time.
The applications of the sword technique and the mnemonics of the mental method flowed naturally into Kang Jun-hyeok’s body and mind. If he utilized these two techniques, he would be able to progress at a speed far superior to others.
However, Kang Jun-hyeok had no intention of using the White Sword Sect's martial arts.
"Now, Master of All Weapons. It's your turn."
[Hmph. You actually pulled it off.]
The Master of All Weapons gave a light chuckle. He had made a promise to Kang Jun-hyeok: if he obtained internal energy, the Master would teach him his own techniques.
And Kang Jun-hyeok had fulfilled that condition.
[Very well. My martial arts, my techniques—I shall bestow them all upon you.]
"As you should."
Finally. At last, he could handle the true power of the Master of All Weapons he had obtained on the 1st Floor.
[Normally, you should perform the formal bows of a disciple, but I shall overlook it this once.]
"So, what do I need to do?"
[My martial arts are special. Only those with heaven-sent talent who undergo life-threatening training can barely take their first step. But for a Player like you, such a process is unnecessary. It is simple.]
The Master of All Weapons explained.
[You simply need to project me onto yourself. Then, my techniques will take root within you.]
"Simple enough."
[However, there is one problem. It is a question of whether your mind can endure it.]
"Ah."
Understanding the meaning behind those words, Kang Jun-hyeok shook his head. "That won't be an issue."
[We shall see. It seems you are prepared. Then, let us begin immediately. Relax your body and focus your mind.]
Kang Jun-hyeok sat cross-legged and closed his eyes. As his consciousness began to sink slowly, the Master of All Weapons spoke softly.
[Behold.]
In that instant, everything flipped upside down.
Before he knew it, Kang Jun-hyeok was in another world. He knew instinctively that this was his mental world, and the Master of All Weapons was currently being projected into it.
Kang Jun-hyeok looked around. It was a desert. Sharp cliffs were visible in the distance, and sand scattered in the harsh wind. In the high night sky, countless stars were spread out as if they were about to pour down.
And in the middle of the desert, someone stood.
His face was not visible. All that could be discerned was that he was a man of sturdy build. The man, who had been staring blankly at the sky, reached his hand toward the heavens.
Then, he slowly clenched his fist.
At that moment, a bizarre sensation overwhelmed Kang Jun-hyeok. The man was simply reaching toward the sky and clenching his fist, but Jun-hyeok knew instinctively: if that man truly willed it, he could literally shatter the sky.
This world was something incredibly fragile and light—something that could be crushed by this single person.
Common sense and concepts collapsed. A massive presence overwhelmed Kang Jun-hyeok—a presence that would devour the world and break even the mind of one who had reached the heights of meditation.
And then, it was over.
Kang Jun-hyeok returned to the real world. The Master of All Weapons muttered in surprise.
[You returned more intact than I expected. I thought you would be at least half-broken.]
"…Was that your past?"
[Perhaps. Though I do not know what you saw.]
Kang Jun-hyeok let out a hollow laugh. A presence and power that sought to crush the sky just by reaching out and grasping... they were in different leagues. Literally.
Even in his past life, he had rarely seen anyone with that level of stature. And what he had just seen was only a fraction of the Master of All Weapons, not his entirety.
"You really are something else."
[I told you repeatedly. I am great.]
The Master of All Weapons said nonchalantly.
[You should be getting a feel for it now.]
Just as the Master said, as a result of the projection, Jun-hyeok began to feel the experience and the techniques. He closed his eyes and organized those sensations.
And at the end of it...
[You have acquired the Passive Skill: Divine Art.]
[You have acquired the Passive Skill: Mental Method.]
* * *
He had obtained them. The martial arts of the Master of All Weapons.
But it was different from what he had expected. Kang Jun-hyeok wore a puzzled expression.
"Why is it empty?"
[Passive Skill: Divine Art]
[Rank: Unique]
[Proficiency: F]
[Description: The Divine Art of the Fallen. It is empty.]
[Passive Skill: Mental Method]
[Rank: Unique]
[Proficiency: F]
[Description: The Mental Method of the Fallen. It is empty.]
The rank was Unique—a one-of-a-kind, special martial art. But the actual content, the most important part, was empty. The Master of All Weapons explained.
[I have discarded everything. My experience, my past, even the name I called myself. All I can project onto you is an empty vessel. You must fill that vessel.]
"How do I fill it?"
[It is not difficult. Quite simple, actually.]
With those words, a system window appeared.
[Passive Skill: 'White Sword Technique' has been integrated into Passive Skill: 'Divine Art'.]
[Passive Skill: 'White Sword Mental Method' has been integrated into Passive Skill: 'Mental Method'.]
Kang Jun-hyeok’s eyes widened.
[Passive Skill: Divine Art]
[Rank: Unique]
[Proficiency: F]
[Description: The Divine Art of the Fallen. All streams return to the source; everything eventually reaches the main trunk.]
[Integrated Techniques: 1. White Sword Technique (Mid-Rank)]
The Mental Method was integrated with the exact same description.
[My martial art is at the ultimate peak; other martial arts are merely a fraction of its profundity.]
"…Which means."
[Collect other martial arts or mental methods. They will be integrated into my martial art and fill the empty spaces. When that happens, it will one day regain its original form.]
"Wait a minute." Kang Jun-hyeok thought for a moment and frowned. "…Are there any martial arts that can't be integrated?"
[None. At least as far as I know. Every martial art existing in this world will be integrated under my Divine Art.]
"Ha." Kang Jun-hyeok let out a dry laugh.
The Master of All Weapons spoke as if it were no big deal, but the meaning behind it was monumental. The Divine Art of the Master of All Weapons had forcibly integrated the White Sword Technique. Skill integration only occurred when one skill was a clear, superior version of the other.
In other words, every martial art in this world was an inferior version of the Master of All Weapons' martial art.
There might be a Divine Art of equal stature that the Master of All Weapons didn't know about, but considering his level, that possibility was extremely low. It was beyond Kang Jun-hyeok’s imagination.
"This is insane."
[What did you take me for?]
"No, it's just… more than I imagined. By the way, it seems you used a sword."
The White Sword Technique had been integrated. He couldn't help but think the Divine Art was related to swords. But the Master of All Weapons sounded as if he were asking what he was talking about.
[You seem to have forgotten what I am called now.]
"You're called the Master of All Weapons…" Kang Jun-hyeok trailed off. His face contorted. "Wait. Then..."
[I am the Master of All Weapons. I command ten thousand armaments. Naturally, that means I have mastered just as many.]
The Master of All Weapons spoke softly.
[Footwork, movement techniques, spear techniques, kicking techniques, saber techniques, staff techniques. And that's not all. From Taoist internal energy to demonic arts and poison arts. It doesn't matter what it is. I have mastered them all. Devour every martial art to fill my Divine Art and Mental Method. Then, and only then, will you be able to wield my ultimate techniques.]