Chapter 56: Internal Energy (2)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 56: Internal Energy (2)
“Ha.”
Kang Jun-hyeok couldn't hide his wonder.
He was already capable of wielding ten thousand types of weapons, but that was merely the basic utilization of those armaments.
In contrast, the Master of All Weapons went beyond mere utility; he had reached the absolute pinnacle of mastery in every martial art associated with those ten thousand weapons.
The gap between them was like that of a student and a professor. Kang Jun-hyeok spoke with genuine admiration.
“You certainly have the right to call yourself ‘this seat.’”
[It feels strange to receive your recognition so readily,] the Master of All Weapons muttered, sounding somewhat disgruntled.
Kang Jun-hyeok had obtained both the internal energy and the martial arts of the Master of All Weapons. Now, it was time to put that energy into motion.
The internal power dwelling within his Dantian—he had to circulate it to strengthen his body and execute his techniques. One of the methods to achieve this was the Mental Method.
Originally, these methods also served to accumulate internal energy, but that function was meaningless for a Player. Kang Jun-hyeok sat cross-legged and closed his eyes. The intricacies of the Master of All Weapons’ Mental Method—its essence and its execution—were already etched into his mind. He slowly regulated his breathing.
“Whew.”
As he exhaled, he nudged the energy in his Dantian.
[Exhale quickly,] the Master of All Weapons guided him quietly. [Then, inhale deeply. Circulate the energy of the Dantian quietly, yet violently, like a river flowing backward.]
Those were the mnemonic secrets of the Mental Method.
[Open your mind and unlock your body. Expand your ego. It is not the world that embraces you, but you who embraces the world. Invert the very concept.]
The energy surged in tandem with his breath. It raced violently through Kang Jun-hyeok’s meridians. An explosive power settled into his entire frame.
Kang Jun-hyeok clenched his fist and thrust it forward. The condensed energy erupted like a detonation.
Boom!
The air screamed. Space itself buckled, rippling wildly under the pressure. For a moment, the wooden beams of the walls warped, and the entire building shook violently.
A moment later, a clattering sound echoed from the floor above, followed by the sound of a door slamming open. Someone rushed outside in a panic, likely mistaking the tremor for an earthquake.
“……”
Kang Jun-hyeok let out a low groan.
With a single punch, he had displaced space itself. He hadn't even used a skill; he had simply moved his internal power.
‘This is…’
In his past life, he had possessed several Mental Methods. Among them were some truly exceptional ones—techniques that went beyond high-rank to reach the pinnacle of top-tier.
However, the Master of All Weapons’ Mental Method was on an entirely different level. Even though he had only just started and hadn't mastered the complete method, he could feel it instinctively.
‘To think it’s this powerful when I’ve only obtained a fragment.’
He couldn't even fathom the depths of its full potential. However, it wasn't without its drawbacks.
“The consumption of internal power is ridiculous.”
That single punch had consumed twenty percent of his total internal energy. The consumption rate was several times higher than that of an ordinary Mental Method. Naturally, the recovery speed of his internal energy was also significantly faster, but it was still difficult to manage.
“And it’s not easy to control.”
The energy circulating through his body fluctuated violently. If he hadn't been a Player, his blood vessels would have burst, killing him instantly.
“Is it still like this even with the System’s assistance?”
[The System created by the Master of the Universe is certainly special, but my martial arts are not so trivial that a mortal can control them with that alone,] the Master of All Weapons spoke as if it were obvious.
Even the System could not exert perfect control. Such was the weight of the Master of All Weapons' martial arts. Kang Jun-hyeok let out a short, dry laugh.
“You certainly are special.”
He had confirmed the effects of the Mental Method. Now, it was time to test the sword techniques. While the knowledge of how to execute them was in his head, actually performing them with his physical body was a different matter.
And it would be better to test these techniques against an opponent rather than a training dummy.
Kang Jun-hyeok picked up his phone.
* * *
A few hours later.
Kang Jun-hyeok arrived at a spacious training center. Kim Tae-yeon and Baekdusan were already waiting for him.
“Ah, Mr. Kang Jun-hyeok. You’re here!”
“It’s been a while!”
They greeted him with bright faces. It was only natural; Kang Jun-hyeok had called for them personally. They couldn't help but feel that their worth had finally been recognized by the Perfect Player.
“The preparations for the gems you mentioned before are almost complete! I should be able to give them to you within a week. Here are the ones we’ve managed to gather so far!”
“Thank you.”
Kang Jun-hyeok nodded slightly as he accepted the gems. Sapphires, diamonds, and even rubies—a variety of precious stones. If the world were still normal, they would have been worth hundreds of millions of won.
After putting the gems into his Inventory, Kang Jun-hyeok asked, “How have you been?”
“Well…”
Both of them wore bitter smiles simultaneously.
“We haven't exactly been doing ‘well,’ but we’ve been working hard.”
The world had changed. Only a tiny fraction of people became those who passed, while the rest were discarded. As the leaders of two giant guilds, Baekdusan and Kim Tae-yeon were bound to be the most affected. Baekdusan spoke first.
“I disbanded the guild. I can’t lead all of them, after all. Just as you said, Mr. Kang Jun-hyeok, I’m focusing on raising a single person.”
“You mean your secretary.”
“Yes. Doing that made me realize something. I was wasting my time on truly useless things.”
They had engaged in power struggles and clashed with each other for the sake of flimsy authority in a crumbling world. Looking back now, there had never been a more meaningless time.
Next, Kim Tae-yeon spoke.
“……I couldn't let go as cleanly. I disbanded the guild, but I’m still helping everyone who has the will to keep going. You said it was pointless, but…… I was the one who led them, so I feel I must take responsibility.”
“Is that so?”
“……Are you disappointed?” Kim Tae-yeon asked with a cautious expression.
Kang Jun-hyeok had repeatedly told her not to worry about others, but in the end, she couldn't do it. Since she had essentially ignored his advice, she was nervous about his reaction.
However, Kang Jun-hyeok looked like he didn't particularly care.
“My words were merely advice. As long as you’re confident you won't get yourself killed, you don't need to worry about it.”
In fact, Kang Jun-hyeok was inwardly surprised. He had suspected that she wouldn't be able to give up until the very end. At his words, a look of relief washed over Kim Tae-yeon’s face.
Kang Jun-hyeok asked them, “What floor have you reached now?”
“The 35th Floor.”
“I’m on the 33rd Floor.”
The mid-30s. He remembered them being in the early 30s in his past life. They were definitely moving faster than before.
“You probably know why I called you here.”
Kang Jun-hyeok drew his weapon. Baekdusan and Kim Tae-yeon drew theirs as if they had been waiting for this moment.
“Let’s see how much stronger you’ve become.”
[Kang Jun-hyeok requests a duel with Baekdusan and Kim Tae-yeon.]
[Duel Stakes: All Gold possessed by Baekdusan and Kim Tae-yeon.]
[Conditions: Strength and Speed stats, as well as equipment, will be equalized. Active Skills are sealed.]
“……Hmm?”
“Eh?”
The two, who were about to accept, hesitated for a moment. There was a condition they hadn't seen before.
Baekdusan muttered, “Stats and equipment equalized, and Active Skills sealed……?”
“This time, I intend to judge your pure physical and weapon technical skills.”
“Oho. I see!” Baekdusan stepped forward, his eyes gleaming. “Then I’ll go first!”
“As you wish.”
Baekdusan stood facing Kang Jun-hyeok. His eyes shone as he gripped his weapon.
‘I was overwhelmingly defeated before, but…!’
Since then, he had come to his senses, climbed the tower diligently, and refined his techniques. Of course, he didn't think he would win. However, if the difference in stats and equipment was gone, and even Active Skills were sealed, he was confident he could hold his own against even Kang Jun-hyeok.
It wasn't overconfidence. The proficiency of his Swordsmanship skill had reached E-rank. In terms of swordsmanship alone, he was at the same rank as Kang Jun-hyeok.
That thought was written all over his face. Kang Jun-hyeok gave a faint smile and gripped his sword.
“Let’s begin.”
“Hup!”
With a shout, Baekdusan charged. Lunging like a wild boar, he swung his sword down violently. Kang Jun-hyeok applied strength to both hands gripping his sword.
Power exploded.
Clang!
“Ugh!”
Baekdusan’s body momentarily faltered and was repelled. As he stumbled to regain his stance, bewilderment filled his eyes.
‘Wh-what?’
The stats were supposed to be the same. So why?
But there was no time to think. Kang Jun-hyeok had already closed the distance and thrust his sword toward his chest. Baekdusan hurriedly parried the blade.
Screeeech!
Sword clashed against sword. The trajectory of the blade shifted. Bizarrely, though it was a single sword, it felt like dozens. A dizzying, flickering sword technique overwhelmed Baekdusan.
“Eeeek!”
In a desperate struggle, Baekdusan swung his sword down toward Kang Jun-hyeok. At that moment, Kang Jun-hyeok’s sword traced a peculiar movement. He used Baekdusan’s own power against him to create an opening.
The seventh form of the White Sword Sect: Force Redirection Technique.
That profound principle was now being manifested through Kang Jun-hyeok’s hands.
“Kek!”
Baekdusan didn't just roll across the ground; he was sent flying and crashed into the distance. Kang Jun-hyeok gave his sword a light flick.
“So this is how it feels.”
Compared to what Baekhwa had shown him, the difference was like heaven and earth, but it wasn't bad.
Baekdusan, rising while covered in dust, had a dazed expression.
“……What was that? Just now?”
Baekdusan had realized it too. Just now, his and Kang Jun-hyeok’s stats were definitely identical. However, the difference lay in their sword techniques.
How to put weight behind a strike. How to swing. How to set a trajectory and pressure the opponent’s movements. Purely through that difference, he had been pushed back without being able to do a single thing.
“The 9th Floor,” Kang Jun-hyeok answered him. “It’s a reward obtained at the end of that floor. Though there are differences when you look at the details.”
“……The floor with the mad ghost. Internal energy?”
“I haven't even used that yet. Let’s continue.”
Kang Jun-hyeok took a step forward. The swordsmanship he had used until now was the White Sword Technique. What he was about to use now was the Divine Art of the Master of All Weapons.
The sword swung down as if to split Baekdusan’s head open. Baekdusan hurriedly raised his sword to defend.
Clang!
At that moment, Kang Jun-hyeok’s sword slid along the blade. Using the recoil and acceleration, he slashed at the chest. Terrified by the bizarre path of the sword, Baekdusan threw himself backward.
But Kang Jun-hyeok didn't stop. Stepping further forward, he channeled rotational force into his sword.
Fierce, like a beast.
While putting full power into every attack, it was as smooth as flowing water.
Clash! Clang!
“Kugh!”
In a do-or-die move, Baekdusan thrust his sword forward. Kang Jun-hyeok defended. But he didn't stop at a simple block. Instead, he redirected the power behind Baekdusan’s attack, channeling even greater force into his own weapon.
BOOM!
“Aaaagh!”
With a scream, Baekdusan went rolling across the ground. Kim Tae-yeon’s jaw dropped.
“So this is the feeling. It’s incredibly aggressive,” Kang Jun-hyeok muttered after testing the Master of All Weapons’ swordsmanship.
Loading power, adding weight and rotation, and then letting it explode. Rather than defending against the opponent’s attacks, he used them to strike back even harder. It was an extremely radical style of swordsmanship. It was almost entirely separate from the White Sword Technique that served as its foundation.
One thing was certain: it was powerful.
Baekdusan’s swordsmanship wasn't bad. By his judgment, it was E-rank proficiency. In terms of swordsmanship alone, they were equal. Yet, Baekdusan had been pushed back without being able to do anything. It was an overwhelming gap.
‘And it’s natural.’
Usually, trying to handle multiple styles of swordsmanship caused them to clash, preventing one from utilizing their true power. That was why, except for a tiny fraction of geniuses, everyone focused on a single style. Naturally, Kang Jun-hyeok was not a genius.
And yet, the current Kang Jun-hyeok could handle both the White Sword Technique and the Divine Art of the Master of All Weapons as if they were his own limbs. In other words, it meant he could use the countless martial arts he would obtain in the future as his own hands and feet.
‘This is the power of the Master of All Weapons.’
It was nothing short of miraculous. It was admirable.
[Amateurish. Your distribution of power is clumsy, and you’re losing a lot of efficiency during movement. You can’t even use a proper form. It’s enough to make my blood boil.]
The Master of All Weapons himself, however, seemed dissatisfied, grumbling incessantly. Kang Jun-hyeok smiled.
“Then let’s wrap this up.”
“I—I can still keep going!”
Baekdusan stood up on trembling legs. He intended to endure no matter what. But there was one thing he didn't know.
The only stats Kang Jun-hyeok had equalized were Strength and Speed. The other stats were not. And what Kang Jun-hyeok had been using until now was only swordsmanship.
He hadn't used internal energy at all.
The internal energy moved. Quietly, yet violently like a torrent. It settled directly into the hand gripping the sword.
CRACK!
Baekdusan’s body was sent flying like a billiard ball struck by a cue. His body, having flown nearly ten meters, lay sprawled on the floor, motionless. He had fainted.
After staring at him for a moment, Kang Jun-hyeok turned his head.
“Then, it’s your turn next.”
“Hi—Hieeeek!”
Kim Tae-yeon let out a shrill cry and trembled violently.