Chapter 62: 10th Floor. Vampire Princess (5)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 62: 10th Floor. Vampire Princess (5)
Kang Jun-hyeok packed the books away, a satisfied look on his face. Haftan, however, still looked bewildered.
"What do you plan to do with all those manuals?"
It was a fair question. While the manuals contained the techniques of their respective schools, they were little more than a collection of superficial theories without direct instruction from a master. They were rarely of any real help.
Because of that, they weren't difficult to obtain. With a little effort from an information guild, this many could be gathered in a single day.
Kang Jun-hyeok knew this well. Normally, they were useless.
However, he had an extraordinary teacher—a teacher who boasted that he could master every single one of them.
It’s certainly worth a try.
"It's just a personal hobby. Well then, farewell."
"Thank you for your business!"
Haftan saw him off with a beaming smile. It had cost a fair amount of money to procure the manuals, but considering the value of the gem he had received, it was a bargain that left him with a massive profit.
"Let's go."
Kang Jun-hyeok led Eldiria outside.
Once they had cleared the city, Eldiria asked, "Was there truly a need to give him that gem?"
She knew the value of the gem Kang Jun-hyeok had used as payment was astronomical. Even as a princess of the Vampire Kingdom, she had rarely seen a jewel so exquisite. It felt like a waste to give it away just for information.
"Vile humans... Couldn't you have simply crushed him and forced the information out?"
"And could we have trusted the information he provided then?"
"……."
"As you’ve seen, Princess, humans find it easy to let lies slip from their lips. We are travelers in a position where we must leave this place soon; we cannot afford to cause unnecessary trouble. From his perspective, deceiving us would have been simple."
"So you bought his trust with the gem."
"If an information guild accepted a gem of that value and then lied, they would forfeit their entire reputation. They wouldn't risk it."
"You mean the value was so high that it actually bound the other party. I see."
Eldiria nodded. Kang Jun-hyeok spoke calmly.
"You lack experience."
She was intelligent—a genius, even. However, her experience with the world was woefully lacking.
"Your father hoped that I would fill the gaps in your experience. Though I didn't expect it to happen quite like this."
Kang Jun-hyeok gave a bitter smile. Eldiria watched him in silence.
Returning to their lodgings, Kang Jun-hyeok checked the map. There were three locations marked.
One was across the sea. He had no memory of crossing an ocean, so he ruled it out. Another was on the opposite side of the continent. It would take months just to travel there, and he knew the distance hadn't been that great.
That left only one.
It wasn't far. At their current pace, they would arrive in about a week. Kang Jun-hyeok folded the map.
"We move out immediately."
"……Understood."
Leaving the city, Kang Jun-hyeok headed straight for their destination. Werewolves lying in wait outside the city pounced, but he dealt with the immediate threats, evaded the rest, and moved quickly to hide their tracks.
Before long, the werewolves lost their trail. After traveling a sufficient distance, Kang Jun-hyeok provided a meal for Eldiria and dug into the ground to create a concealed place to sleep.
Keeping his distance to maintain watch, Kang Jun-hyeok spoke.
"Now, it's your turn."
Kang Jun-hyeok opened his inventory, and the instruction manuals tumbled out in a heap. He spoke playfully.
"You said all the martial arts and swordsmanship in this world are beneath you, right? Prove it."
* * *
The Divine Art of the Master of All Weapons could contain all the martial arts in the world. That likely included not only the arts of Murim but also the swordsmanship of a fantasy world.
Normally, a simple manual would be utterly useless. But with the Master of All Weapons, things were different. The spirit let out a chuckle.
[Arrogant brat. Are you testing me?]
"So, is it possible?"
[Of course. Martial arts follow the principle of 'All Streams Return to the Source.' Even if they originate from another world, the essence remains the same. Show the manuals to me.]
With an 'I knew it' expression, Kang Jun-hyeok opened the manuals one by one and read through them.
[Trash. Next.]
[Garbage. Next.]
[This swordsmanship actually harms the body. Does someone really call themselves a founder with this kind of technique?]
The Master of All Weapons spoke coldly. Since Kang Jun-hyeok hadn't expected every manual to be a masterpiece, he silently discarded the books.
Dozens of manuals were tossed aside. Just as a sense of unease began to creep in—the thought that he might gain nothing at all—a positive comment finally came.
[This one looks decent enough to use.]
"Really?"
It was Erlaon Hashka's manual, containing techniques for handling daggers.
[It's clumsy and flawed, but it's worth absorbing. Synchronize with me.]
"Mm."
Kang Jun-hyeok synchronized with the Master of All Weapons. Along with a slight wave of dizziness, the knowledge of the technique flowed into his mind.
[You have acquired Passive Skill: Erlaon Hashka's Swordsmanship.]
[Passive Skill: Erlaon Hashka's Swordsmanship has been integrated into Passive Skill: Divine Art.]
[Passive Skill: Divine Art]
[Grade: Unique]
[Proficiency: F]
[The Divine Art of the Fallen One. Since all streams return to the source, everything eventually reaches the main trunk.]
[Integrated Techniques]
1. White Sword Technique (Intermediate)
2. Erlaon Hashka's Dagger Technique (Lowest-Grade)
Dagger techniques had been added to the Divine Art.
Kang Jun-hyeok tested it immediately. He pulled out a dagger and gave it a light swing.
Swoosh!
A sharp sound of rending air echoed. The movement of the blade was on a completely different level than before. It flowed like water, stabbing at vital points and robbing the opponent of mobility. It went beyond simple hand-eye coordination; it utilized everything from his shoulders to his feet. It was a dagger technique that engaged the entire body.
"……So this is what it feels like."
Having finished his confirmation, Kang Jun-hyeok couldn't hide his wonder. He had perfectly acquired Erlaon Hashka's dagger technique simply by synchronizing with the Master of All Weapons.
"This is unbelievable."
Passive skills were usually acquired naturally through the grueling process of climbing the Tower. If one practiced a specific style, they would eventually gain the corresponding skill. Cases like the 9th floor, where skills were given as rewards, were quite unusual.
The disciples of the Namgung Clan acquired the Namgung Sword Technique. The disciples of the Wudang Sect acquired the Plum Blossom Sword Technique. But it was never easy. The conditions for acquiring even general swordsmanship were difficult, let alone complex secret techniques.
In his past life, he had once learned the Taiji Wisdom Sword from the Sect Leader of Wudang. It had taken him a full thirty years to acquire it as a passive skill.
However, with the Master of All Weapons, that decades-long process was unnecessary. He could acquire it instantly just by reading the manual.
"You certainly deserve the title 'Master of All Weapons.'"
[You need to fix your habit of underestimating me,] the spirit grumbled. [It is not as easy as you think. One must synchronize with me and endure the mental strain. Even a master would become a cripple on the spot from the sensory overload. You, who are perfectly fine, are the strange one.]
"Anyway, it's a good thing."
The Wudang Sect's Taiji Wisdom Sword, the Namgung Clan's Emperor's Sword Form, the Mount Hua Sect's Thousand-Year Plum Blossom Sword Technique... He could obtain them all. Their value was beyond measure.
Kang Jun-hyeok leaned his back against a tree with a satisfied face. The flow of the 10th floor so far had been perfect.
He would reach his destination within the week. He would clear the 10th floor in just fourteen days. Considering it had taken him three months in his past life, his current speed was overwhelming.
In the process, his level had risen, and his skill proficiencies had increased. He had acquired a new technique and confirmed the true potential of the Master of All Weapons. It was near perfection.
But even so, the most important objective had not yet been fulfilled.
Kang Jun-hyeok turned his head. There lay Eldiria, fast asleep.
I hope she makes up her mind soon.
* * *
Eldiria had no choice but to admit it: Kang Jun-hyeok was outstanding.
No, "outstanding" was too simple a word. His martial prowess was such that even she couldn't guarantee victory. His cooking and domestic skills were excellent; she found herself looking forward to every meal he prepared. His ability to erase tracks was flawless, and he was a master of social manipulation and acting.
If it weren't for him, she would still be wandering the mountain paths, lost.
Above all, there was the gem he had handed over to the information guild. She knew it was worth enough for an ordinary person to live on for the rest of their life. He had sacrificed such a treasure just to help her.
Kang Jun-hyeok was clearly doing his best, risking everything for her sake.
Yet, she still couldn't trust him. The reason was simple: Kang Jun-hyeok was not a vampire.
She had lived her entire life in the Kingdom of Vampires. To her, the only beings worthy of trust were her own kind. Since the kingdom had been destroyed by the werewolves, her distrust of other races had only intensified.
How narrow-minded I am.
To distrust someone who helped her without reward simply because he wasn't a vampire—and yet, to follow him without hesitation. She let out a hollow laugh at the contradiction.
"It is mealtime. I will prepare the food."
"……Understood."
Eldiria, who had been staring blankly at Kang Jun-hyeok as he worked, suddenly couldn't hold back.
"Why is it that you are not a vampire?"
"What do you mean?"
"You said my father raised you since you were a child. He could have turned you at any time. Why are you still human?"
If only you were a vampire, I could trust you blindly.
To those words, which hid a deep lament, Kang Jun-hyeok replied calmly.
"Because I refused."
"……What?"
"The Prince, your father, offered to turn me. But I refused."
"W-Why?"
"First, because I wanted to remain human. And second, I was raised to be your guardian. If you were to reject me, my reason for existing would vanish. In that case, what would be the point of Lord Altoso turning me?"
"That means..." Eldiria fell silent for a moment. "Does that mean your fate lies in my hands?"
"I suppose it does."
"Can you prove those words? What would you do if I were to make you my familiar right here and now and use you as a slave?"
"Everything is as you wish, Princess."
"You must keep those words."
Eldiria's eyes turned crimson. The air grew heavy as she slowly approached him.
"Everything is according to the Princess's will."
Kang Jun-hyeok closed his eyes. Eldiria's cold hand gripped his shoulder. A moment later, a sharp sting pierced his neck.
Now then.
I wonder how this will turn out.
Kang Jun-hyeok lost consciousness.
* * *
A short while later, Kang Jun-hyeok woke up and checked his status.
[Kang Jun-hyeok]
[Level: 18]
[Health: 270/550]
[Strength: 42]
[Speed: 35]
[Feat: 43]
[Attack Power + ?]
[Defense +24]
His health had been reduced by half, but that was it. The stats that usually appeared when one became a vampire were nowhere to be seen.
"What a strange body," Eldiria muttered, sitting beside him. "Even though I clearly drank your blood, no wound remains."
"It is my father's great magic."
"It has been a long time since I tasted blood. It wasn't bad. It had a quite unique flavor."
"You didn't make me a vampire."
"Because you said you disliked it."
Eldiria watched him for a moment, then shifted her posture. The great Vampire Princess bowed her head to a human.
"I am sorry. I could not trust you. I doubted and guarded against you simply because you were not a vampire. It was foolish, especially after everything you have done for me."
"Then……."
"From now on, I will trust you. What is your name?"
"It is Kang Jun-hyeok."
"Kang Jun-hyeok. A unique name. I look forward to working with you... my vassal."
Eldiria smiled and reached out her hand. It was the first time he had seen her smile. Kang Jun-hyeok quietly kissed the back of her hand.
[Proficiency in Acting has increased...]
[Proficiency in Persuasion has increased...]
* * *
She really is a suspicious woman.
Eldiria had not trusted Kang Jun-hyeok. She had continued to doubt him at every turn. For Kang Jun-hyeok, who was aiming for a Perfect Clear, that was a major problem.
That was why he had taken a gamble. He gave Eldiria the choice herself: the choice to either kill him or make him her familiar.
Either way, there were significant penalties. If he died, it was over. If he became a familiar, he would essentially be a slave, and a Perfect Clear would be impossible.
But he had confidence. He knew the flow of the 11th floor. Eldiria would be hostile toward players, but she never tried to kill them. Whether there was some restriction or if she simply believed the dead told no tales, he didn't know—but he knew her character.
He knew that in such a situation, she was a woman who would test someone rather than kill them.
In the end, he won the gamble.
He was the first among the players on the 10th floor to gain Eldiria's complete trust.
They continued toward their destination. Nothing about Kang Jun-hyeok’s actions changed, but a massive shift had occurred in Eldiria's attitude.