Chapter 25 - Initiation Ceremony (2)
While practicing martial arts, Kim Sun-woo had long harbored one persistent question.
Why are martial arts so damn closed-off?
To execute a specific technique, you needed a specific heart method, a specific footwork, or some specific condition—without fail.
The more renowned the sect—Wudang, Shaolin, Kongtong, Namgung family, Hebei Peng family, and so on—the stronger this tendency became.
Magic was better off, in that regard.
Over there, as long as you had the circles, you could freely cast common-class spells from any school; the details of operation might differ, but that was it.
But martial arts compatibility? Absolute trash.
Why should one person focus on just a single style?
Kim Sun-woo didn't want to get bogged down in that mindset.
His talent craved a broader range of techniques.
He'd first realized this during his spar with Baek San-hu.
As their blades clashed and intertwined atop the judging platform, Kim Sun-woo felt every nerve in his body sharpen to a razor's edge.
Every movement of his opponent, every sword arc, every shift in gaze, every angle of the toes.
He began voraciously devouring and absorbing the experience accumulated by the swordmaster known as Baek San-hu.
Even the seasoned veteran Baek San-hu sensed something.
The more they crossed swords, the more he saw echoes of himself in Kim Sun-woo's movements.
A terrifying talent that could steal an opponent's essence just by observing.
That's why he'd hastily ended the spar and left.
But by then, Kim Sun-woo had already savored and internalized enough of Huashan's swordsmanship.
Of course, that didn't mean he could immediately unleash the Plum Blossom Sword Technique.
He didn't know the incantations, had no clue about the imagery behind it, and his foundational knowledge of martial arts was laughably deficient compared to even an average practitioner.
But mimicking Baek San-hu's movements? That was child's play.
Swish.
The Black Flow Sword glided slowly through the air, tracing elegant arcs.
The White Flow Sword Technique had distinct completeness in each form.
In contrast, the Plum Blossom Sword Technique linked all its forms into one continuous flow.
It doesn't matter what the Plum Blossom Sword Technique really is.
He was just imitating the shell anyway—no need to overthink it.
What mattered was taking this and evolving it further.
If he were just going to copy it outright, why go through all this hassle?
How would this influence him? What direction would it point him in? What inspiration would it spark?
That single pursuit made all the tedious effort worthwhile.
Think.
Plum Blossom Sword Technique, powered by the White Flow Heart Method.
In truth, it was no different from channeling internal energy into mimicking Baek San-hu's movements, whatever the style.
All he sought was a single fully bloomed flower.
He wasn't greedy for the whole plum tree.
One blossom was plenty to glimpse future possibilities.
Swoosh.
As internal energy infused the once-meaningless motions, changes began to stir.
His senses knew the way.
They knew which path led to the truth.
Flowing through channels utterly unlike those of the White Flow Heart Method, it synchronized perfectly with Kim Sun-woo's movements.
As if it were the most natural thing in the world.
…A fragrance surged along the sword's swinging arc.
The floral imagery birthed the sword fragrance in its wake.
But it wasn't the scent of plum blossoms.
The flower had bloomed, yet it wasn't a perfect recreation of the Plum Blossom Sword Technique.
Kim Sun-woo was delighted by that fact.
It meant he wasn't trapped in the framework of a completed style.
Borrow the form of the Plum Blossom Sword Technique, but warp it to fit me.
A unique sword art, crafted solely for him—the only one of its kind in the world.
Countless petals scattered in the air.
It didn't blanket heaven and earth like Baek San-hu's version, but this would do.
Whoosh!
The propelled petals surged toward Robert.
For a first attempt, it packed decent power.
But—
Slash.
The spear tip thrust forward cleaved every scattering petal in half, as if declaring this was child's play.
Staring at his perfectly blocked attack, Kim Sun-woo wore a regretful expression.
Weaker than expected. Needs more work.
Still, he'd confirmed he could mimic it, however roughly.
With diligent refinement, it could become quite usable.
Meanwhile, Robert slowly lowered his spear and asked,
"…That was the Plum Blossom Sword Technique?"
"Just imitating what I saw during the rank exam. Tougher than I thought. Didn't even hit half the power I expected."
If it had, Robert couldn't have blocked it so easily.
Seeing the potential was enough.
As Kim Sun-woo shrugged and replied, Robert asked in disbelief,
"You're saying you replicated the Plum Blossom Sword Technique this far just from watching it once?"
"Replicate? Nah, this isn't Plum Blossom. Just another sword art borrowing the form."
"No…"
Robert looked like he had a lot to say.
If it were just simple mimicry, anyone could do it.
But that vivid floral scent brushing his nose, the sensation of buds blooming right before his eyes—what was that?
Unleashing a feat only top-tier masters could achieve, then brushing it off like it was nothing…?
"And the spar isn't over yet."
"…!"
As Robert dazedly replayed the scene in his mind, Kim Sun-woo struck.
Swoosh!
A fierce whoosh tore through the air from the side.
To block the black arc piercing from his right blind spot, Robert planted his feet firmly.
—Boom!
Robert's eyes widened in shock.
He'd clearly blocked it properly, yet a numbing shock jolted through both arms.
Seeing Robert's expression, Kim Sun-woo grinned and raised his sword.
"Experiment's over. Now we go for real."
"What the…?!"
Swoosh—!
It was lightning-fast.
His form vanished, the whoosh following a beat later.
Then, indiscriminate bombardment rained from every blind spot.
Thud. Crack! —Thwack!
The trajectories were simple.
But the power and speed behind them were just enough for Robert to barely keep up.
Gritting his teeth, he parried every blow, waiting for an opening.
Swish.
Then, Kim Sun-woo's relentless assault shifted trajectory.
The brief gap as he prepared a finishing form.
That was the moment Robert had waited for.
Thud!
Slipping between the barrage, he sharpened his gaze and thrust his spear.
His shoulder, arm, legs, body—everywhere felt heavy; some attacks had grazed him.
In a spar, no big deal.
No need for perfection in practice.
As long as his mental fortitude held, a few scratches were nothing.
Crunch.
He stomped forward with explosive force right up to Kim Sun-woo.
Bursting with mana on a whole new level, he became one with his spear and charged.
Deep down, Robert acknowledged Kim Sun-woo.
A powerhouse he couldn't topple without his family's secret arts.
Thus, with respect, he swung the spear tip.
Slash-slash-slash—!
[Golden aura erupts, etching countless arcs in the air—like a lion's claws rending the void.]
Golden aura surged, leaving myriad trails in the air.
Like a lion's claws shredding the heavens.
Only this time, Kim Sun-woo was the prey.
Splatter!
Passing Kim Sun-woo, Robert skidded to a halt, dragging his feet.
Even an average C-rank hunter would struggle to block that.
For a rookie to draw out his full sincerity? More than enough for a passing grade.
As Robert exhaled shortly and began to rise—
Ting!
The spear, unwavering in his grip until now, flew from his hand and spun through the air.
Sensing something off in an instant, he reached back with the shaft, but it clashed with a sword bursting from nowhere and slipped away.
Clack.
As he stared blankly at the rolling spear, a black blade hovered at his throat.
Robert let out a hollow chuckle and looked at the opponent now behind him.
Better effect than expected.
Kim Sun-woo, Black Flow Sword at Robert's neck, smirked.
He'd just blended Flying Moon Severing Shadow into Illusion Flow Step.
Not fully invisible like Dark Flow Step, but the Illusion Flow Step's afterimage lingered longer, mimicking a doppelganger.
Proof of its precision—even a master like Robert hadn't noticed the discrepancy.
Whim-driven experiment, but the results exceeded expectations.
"That's it."
He slowly withdrew the sword.
Robert, still processing, just stared at his rolling spear.
Clap. Clap. Clap.
In the silent training hall, applause echoed.
Only then did Kim Sun-woo sense the presences, whipping around in surprise.
…Not just one or two.
Over a dozen figures lined the second- and third-floor railings.
"Impressive. To beat Robert, even in a spar."
"Doesn't that put him above average C-rank? The guy's gunning for B-rank next year."
"Way above C-rank average, obviously. No wonder the guild gave him the plus. Thought those picky examiners were too generous."
Kim Sun-woo froze, glancing around.
Robert, who could explain, was still fixated on his spear, lost in defeat's shock.
Thud.
Someone leaped from the railing to the first floor.
"Good work. Didn't expect you'd beat Robert, though…"
"Team leader. What's going on here?"
It was Team Leader Kim Jin-cheol.
To Kim Sun-woo's question, he scratched his cheek with a troubled smile.
"You probably guessed, but everyone here is a Mugung team leader. Everyone except those out on raids or vacation."
"Team leaders…?"
Kim Sun-woo looked up at the railings.
"He's hot!"
"Practicing martial arts? Let's spar sometime."
"Rather train with sis than Robert? I'll hook you up."
The hunters and team leaders meeting his gaze waved in greeting.
As Kim Sun-woo let out an incredulous laugh, Kim Jin-cheol continued, glancing sideways.
"When a new team leader's appointed, it's an initiation ceremony and welcome event. Normally, the master wins for it to go smoothly, but…"
"No need to tiptoe around it. I lost fair and square. Not gonna sulk over it."
Sighing, Robert picked up his fallen spear.
Kim Jin-cheol snorted at the sight.
"Think I'm worried about your feelings? Just feel bad for Sun-woo."
"…"
"Embarrassed to lose to a rookie as a master? Tsk tsk."
"…"
Robert clamped his mouth shut, looking peeved.
Then he turned and bowed to Kim Sun-woo.
"Sun-woo, what I said in the elevator was for the initiation. Planned to provoke you into a spar, but no need in the end. Sorry if it rubbed you wrong. Didn't want to, but they all force this stupid tradition."
Frowning, he glared at the team leaders on the railing.
A few guilty ones shrank back, hiding behind others.
As laughter erupted, Kim Sun-woo asked, stunned,
"So the genius talk was…"
"Yeah, whatever. Chalk it up to nonsense. Let me reintroduce: Mugung C-rank hunter Robert. Per the guild master's orders, I'll do my utmost to train you as team leader."
As Kim Sun-woo tentatively shook the offered hand, Robert gripped hard and continued.
"But I have to say this."
"…Yeah?"
Squeeze.
"How the hell did you do that?"