Chapter 26 - New Martial Art (1)
The initiation ceremony for the new team leader, a Mugung Guild tradition, had come to an end.
It was said to be the first time in guild history that a rookie had defeated an incumbent team leader during the ceremony.
And it had happened right in front of the other team leaders, no less.
Kim Sun-woo's existence began to spark major buzz within the guild, alongside the rank evaluation.
"This is the office for our Night Team. You'll be coming here for the time being."
After the ceremony, Robert immediately began Kim Sun-woo's team leader training.
He started with an introduction to the 'Night' team he led.
As one of the main assault teams, their office was nicely positioned on a middle floor of the guild building.
However, since it was vacation time after a raid, Robert was the only one in attendance.
Team Roster
[21. Kim Sun-woo]
[22. Han Su-ah]
"The main assault team's quota is 20 members. With you and the probationary member added, we're currently at 22."
"Huh?"
While checking the team roster, Kim Sun-woo spotted a familiar name and flinched.
Han Su-ah, who had been trapped with him in the Cradle of the Broken Pilgrim, had joined the team as a probationary member.
"Come to think of it, Hunter Han Su-ah was trapped in the dungeon with you too, right? Are you close?"
"...Yeah, something like that."
Kim Sun-woo nodded with an awkward expression.
It wasn't so much that they were close; it was more accurate to say she was the one pushing in.
She'd occasionally message him during training or downtime for idle chit-chat.
Unless he was an idiot, he couldn't miss that she was interested in him.
But Kim Sun-woo had no such thoughts on his mind.
Right now, his head was full just thinking about martial arts.
Guess I'll have to give Han Su-ah a clear answer soon.
"If that's the case, please make sure it doesn't interfere with guild activities."
Robert narrowed his eyes at Kim Sun-woo.
Even in a guild, it was a gathering of young, hot-blooded men and women.
He had no patience for romantic drama disrupting teamwork or raids—they weren't amateurs.
Guessing Robert's concern, Kim Sun-woo gave a wry smile and nodded.
"No need to worry. I'm a confirmed bachelor."
"...I see. Alright then."
That topic was settled.
Robert headed to his desk, rummaged in a drawer, and pulled out a thin booklet to hand to Kim Sun-woo.
"This is the team leader manual. It covers basic rules and procedures—memorize it, and it'll help. I'll explain details during raids, but getting a head start is good."
"Memorization's my strong suit. I can knock it out quick."
Kim Sun-woo took the manual and skimmed it.
He'd always been good at studying.
Otherwise, he never would've gotten into Korea University.
It wasn't that thick, so a day or two should suffice to master it.
"Once training's over, how does my team get formed? Does the guild assign members?"
"First, we'll post an internal bulletin at the guild level. We'll get volunteers from other teams or recommend based on current metrics those we deem suitable. Forming a team entirely of newbies risks imbalance, so we'll mix veterans and rookies appropriately."
Even within the guild, team transfers weren't unheard of.
Kim Sun-woo glanced at the team roster.
...It's not just me feeling like I'll end up on the same team as Han Su-ah, right?
"Night Team's next raid is in three days. Target dungeon: Blazing Peak. It's a C-rank volcanic zone, so flame-resistant gear is mandatory. Team leaders can rent it cheaply from the guild—apply ahead."
"Got it."
"I'll cover team operations during the raid. Anything else?"
What else to ask?
Kim Sun-woo pondered briefly before looking at Robert.
"I heard team leaders get perks, like access to guild-stored martial arts books or martial data. That right?"
"Yes. I got plenty of help from there myself. Normally it's team leaders only, so probationary you wouldn't qualify... but."
Robert checked his phone and nodded.
"Given the ceremony and all, I'll approve access with my authority."
"You sure that's okay?"
"Worst case, a written reprimand. Upper management seems to like you anyway—no big deal."
Robert brushed back his disheveled hair and eyed Kim Sun-woo.
The story of him beating Robert in the ceremony had surely reached the top already.
It was an ancient tradition even the brass observed.
They'd been watching the outcome closely.
My reputation took a minor hit because of it...
But the spar had given Robert his own insights.
This much consideration was fair.
"Shall we head there now? The guild database is on the 4th floor."
"Yeah, let's go."
Basic handover complete.
He'd planned to clock out, but checking the database seemed worthwhile.
They took the elevator straight to the 4th floor.
The guild database resembled a library.
A front desk at the entrance, beyond which shelves of books and over a dozen computers lined up.
Trend was scanning books into digital archives these days.
Far more efficient for storage, so the guild followed suit.
"Confirmed. Team Leader Robert, Team Leader Kim Sun-woo. Thank you for visiting the guild DB."
Kim Sun-woo bowed slightly to the staff and followed Robert inside.
Robert turned to him mid-stride, as if remembering something.
"Library use is 6 hours per session. Extensions require applying at the lobby."
"Can you keep extending?"
"Yes. I once extended to 18 hours. No limits for data updates, they say."
Guild facilities stayed open 24/7 usually.
Raids didn't wait for day or night—tailored for unpredictable hunter schedules.
"...Raid's in three days, right?"
"Yeah."
Robert eyed Kim Sun-woo's enthusiasm with mild bewilderment.
...He planning to camp here for three straight days?
"Take your time. Call if questions. I sleep around midnight, up at dawn—avoid then."
"Thanks."
Even accounting for the ceremony, Robert had been a huge help.
Even as a mentor, such detailed guidance wasn't easy.
After seeing Robert off, Kim Sun-woo turned to the guild database with burning resolve.
"Martial arts books first..."
An entire library section was dedicated to martial arts.
But as a modern guy, Kim Sun-woo preferred e-books over paper.
He fired up a computer and dove into the martial arts section.
Click, drag.
Mouse drags echoed in the quiet space.
Regrettably, few video tutorials like lecture series.
Mostly original martial arts texts—arduous reads even with auto-translation.
"Plenty of time to kill anyway."
These were books worth tens or hundreds of thousands outside.
No complaints about free access.
Fortunately, illustrations helped intuit levels.
Kim Sun-woo started with sword techniques.
Even mixing White Flow Sword Technique and White Flow Step yielded only nine usable combos now.
For precise application, he needed diverse forms.
Learning more White Flow Sword Technique forms would work, but my level's too low.
He'd finished all Baek Ryuk Geom's lectures.
Forms 4 and 5 required sword gang and advanced energy arts.
At his current barely-sword-aura stage, imitation was impossible.
Same for White Flow Step's 4th and 5th steps.
So, he planned to refine his three mastered forms while devising his own martial art based on others.
Hadn't the Qingjian Sect successor said creating one's own was the path of a grandmaster?
Proven by reformulating Baek San-hu's Plum Blossom Sword Technique.
Now, time to absorb every martial art in sight.
Swish. Swish.
Imagining motions from e-books, Kim Sun-woo swung at empty air, tracing paths.
"Crude. Third-rate at best."
Slash. Shwick.
"Oh? This has some flair. Mark it."
Scree!
"Nah, too reckless—too many openings."
Sitting still, he scrolled relentlessly.
The Mugung Guild database held a vast martial arts collection.
Each one filling Kim Sun-woo's vessel, nourishing his foundation.
Click, drag...?
How much time passed?
After several extensions, the scroll ended.
He'd gone through every swordsmanship in the database.
"...Tch."
Kim Sun-woo smacked his lips in disappointment.
Most were second- or third-rate.
Inevitable.
First-rate fetched hundreds of millions to billions.
Orthodox sects or family arts? Priceless.
No way the guild stored such treasures publicly.
Still, he'd hoped for a hidden gem like Baek Ryuk Geom's lectures.
No such luck this time.
"At least my swordsmanship understanding shot up."
He rubbed his dry face.
Stubble scratched his chin.
Over a day and a half here, it felt.
He'd meant to dip briefly, but lingering regret tugged.
Wish I could snag one decent martial art.
"...One more category before I go?"
Still time till the raid.
A quick skim should be fine.
Closing sword techniques, Kim Sun-woo searched spear techniques.
He'd planned fist or leg arts for swordless fights.
But those rivaled swords in volume; spears were fewer.
Click, drag.
Propping his chin, he mechanically wheeled down.
He'd reached the point of gauging levels from illustrations alone, sans hanja.
In that repetitive scan.
"...Huh?"
A short murmur, and Kim Sun-woo's eyes widened.