Chapter 008 - White Flow Step (3)
People often make the same mistake when they first start learning something.
Could I actually have talent for this?
Even the slightest progress gets them all excited and full of expectations, but as time passes and reality sets in, they realize they're just ordinary.
What set Kim Sun-woo apart from them was that his growth curve—which should have plateaued—was climbing even more steeply.
Tat!
On the afternoon of the third day of his vacation, Kim Sun-woo finished his morning training in Dark Flow Step and circulated his inner energy according to the cultivation method before kicking off the ground.
Unlike the Flash Flow Step from the first day or the Illusion Flow Step from the second, his footsteps made no sound at all.
Even as he picked up speed, there was only the faintest whisper of wind—no louder than if someone had turned down the volume on the world itself.
Impressive, Kim Sun-woo thought, marveling inwardly.
As Baek Ryuk Geom had explained in the videos, Flash Flow Step emphasized speed, Illusion Flow Step focused on evasion, and Dark Flow Step specialized in concealing one's presence.
Tat.
Having trained until evening on the third day as well, Kim Sun-woo stood at the summit, stretching languidly.
Beyond the ridgeline, the sun was dipping toward the horizon.
After admiring the sunset for a moment, he patted his neck with a satisfied grin.
"So, that means I've mastered all three forms of the White Flow Step."
He'd been told that Flying Flow Step and Shattering Flow Step would come later, once his martial arts realm advanced.
Which meant, just as he'd hoped on the first day, he'd acquired the full set of footwork techniques in a mere three days.
Even Baek Ryuk Geom, whose talent was counted among the greatest in history, had taken three months—yet here he was, doing it in three days.
"Never dreamed I had a knack for martial arts."
At this point, he had no choice but to admit it.
Truth be told, he'd suspected from the start that he wasn't ordinary.
Martial arts were supposed to be harder to learn than most fields, yet he'd breezed through without a single snag.
Forming his dantian, circulating energy, expelling all the stagnant impurities from his body.
And he'd even self-trained the footwork techniques.
Sure, Baek Ryuk Geom's video lessons from beyond the grave had guided him, but after scouring the internet and other media, it seemed no one could reach this level on their own.
A one-of-a-kind talent, truly unique.
Unable to hide his rising smile, Kim Sun-woo muttered to himself.
"Must be thanks to my senses. Yeah, they've always been a bit freakish, even as a kid."
Looking back, he'd always picked up physical activities faster than average, reaching above-average levels in no time.
Taekwondo, hapkido, boxing, kendo...
No wonder his parents had wanted to push him toward sports or the arts.
The problem was his personality—he couldn't stick to one thing and got bored too easily.
But martial arts wouldn't have that issue. What a relief.
Tat!
Kim Sun-woo kicked off the ground with all his might.
Using Flash Flow Step, he tore down the mountain path amid a sharp whoosh of displaced air.
Mid-descent, he twisted his inner energy flow, switching to Illusion Flow Step.
Shh-shh-shh.
His speed dropped, but irregular variations crept into his footwork—each step and kick defying prediction.
Finally, shifting to Dark Flow Step, the whooshing sound vanished entirely, and his presence began to fade.
Tat.
By the time he reached the base using White Flow Step, half his inner energy remained.
He'd need to conserve the rest for tomorrow's climb back up.
"...Maybe I should just take a leave of absence for a while?"
There was no raid tomorrow, but his vacation was ending, so he'd have to head to the guild.
Equipment checks, settlement reviews, strategy meetings for Team 3—plenty of busywork awaited.
But wasting this precious time on chores felt like a crime.
If he focused solely on martial arts for a month, he could probably get the White Flow Sword Technique on track too.
Bzzz-bzzz.
As he pondered taking leave, his phone rang.
"Yes, Team Leader? What's up?"
-Sun-woo, you outside? Signal was crap earlier when I tried calling.
"Ah, yeah, I was hiking. Must've been too high up for reception. Just came down."
-Training hard even on vacation? Good to see.
Park Gwan-sik, Team 3's leader, sounded pleased.
Kim Sun-woo figured the timing was perfect.
In ten years as a hunter, he'd barely taken any vacation.
Maybe once or twice, around his parents' death anniversaries?
The guild practically rubber-stamped his requests as a result.
-Hey, thought about what I mentioned?
"Of course. I said I'd give it a shot. Actually, that's why..."
-Why? Upper management asked for an F-rank hunter to pull for this. Wanna go?
Just as he was about to request leave, Park Gwan-sik beat him to the punch.
"Pull? Like an external mission?"
-Nah, experiential training.
"Ah."
Kim Sun-woo got the picture.
The guild brought in promising hunters for a taste of raids.
Usually fresh grads from hunter academies or training centers, scouted right into the guild.
-Team leader's C-rank Kim Jin-cheol. Needs four rookies and one F-rank to assist. You in?
Experiential raids were hit-or-miss.
Easy work for the pay, but babysitting newbies got annoying.
Especially since these were top prospects starting at D or E-rank.
Even with more experience, being F-rank meant occasional condescension.
Most avoided it unless desperate for cash—which was why Park Gwan-sik was personally recommending him.
Because of Kim Jin-cheol?
C-ranks rarely led these things.
Meant the rookies had real talent.
Park Gwan-sik probably wanted him to shine a bit and catch Kim Jin-cheol's eye.
A C-rank would spot he wasn't your average F-rank in no time.
"Got it. I'll do it."
Kim Sun-woo agreed readily.
No big deal.
Plus, a chance to test White Flow Step in real combat.
Even Flash Flow Step at full power was uncontrollably fast; mixing in the others would leave low-tier monsters in the dust.
I'll request leave after the training.
The guild would understand if he cited rank promotion prep.
-Good. Knew you could handle it. I'll let them know.
After hanging up, Kim Sun-woo stared at his darkened phone screen.
"Team leader, huh."
If his martial talent was real, it'd just be a stepping stone.
He was excited to see how far it could take him.
The next day, at Mugung Guild headquarters.
Kim Sun-woo arrived at the muster point after prepping, only to find the other five already there.
Good call coming early.
Still thirty minutes to go, but he'd hustled just in case.
These training runs had a lot to manage.
"Kim Sun-woo, the hunter?"
"Yes, Kim Sun-woo here."
"Nice to meet you. You know the deal? I'm Kim Jin-cheol, team leader for this raid."
C-rank hunter Kim Jin-cheol.
Mid-forties, with tanned skin that left an impression.
A light bow and handshake revealed a grip like iron—without him even trying.
C-ranks really are on another level.
An ordinary hunter's hard work topped out at D-rank.
From C onward, they were superhumans beyond human limits.
Even just smiling and shaking hands felt like facing a boulder.
"Alright, a bit early, but let's do the briefing. Skip me—you know my deal. This is Kim Sun-woo, here to assist. He's your senior on this run, so call him 'Sunbae-nim.' Got it?"
"Yes, sir!"
The response boomed.
Caught off guard, Kim Sun-woo scratched his cheek.
Looking out for me?
These rookies were elite prospects starting high-rank.
An F-rank like him probably flew under their radar.
Kim Jin-cheol, knowing their attitudes, had nipped it in the bud.
No one would defy a C-rank's authority—at least not while on this team.
"Introductions done. Briefing on the dungeon. Objective is..."
The rest was familiar territory.
Kim Sun-woo hung back, sizing up the participating hunters.
All early twenties, two guys and two girls.
Bright skin, sparkling eyes, faces brimming with enthusiasm.
Watching them stirred old memories.
...I used to be like that.
He'd entered the hunter world at twenty-two.
Before that, with a well-off family, he'd dressed sharp.
Designer clothes, flashy foreign car—peak fun times.
Parents healthy, college smooth, good friends, bright future.
Until the dungeon outbreaks ruined everything.
"...That covers the briefing. Final gear checks, then load up and head out. Questions?"
"None, sir!"
"Good. Muster at the guild entrance in ten. Dismissed. ...Kim Sun-woo, hang back a sec."
"Yes, sir."
After the briefing, I followed Kim Jin-cheol out of the meeting room.
He led to a smoking room in the back and offered.
"Smoke?"
"Quit."
"Impressive. I'd die before quitting this."
Kim Jin-cheol chuckled, lighting up.
"No need to stress. Park Gwan-sik filled me in. Gunning for a team leader spot soon?"
"...Yes. Rank exam next month."
Exhaling smoke, he eyed me sharply.
"Next month? You could skip it."
"...I like being thorough."
C-rank instincts.
Just a glance, and he'd pierced my capabilities.
Truth was, I was aiming for a double promotion—from F straight to D.
With White Flow Sword Technique, White Flow Step, and my talent, it was feasible.
Team leader position would fall right into place.
"Fair enough. Prove it—recite the rookies' names and the dungeon."
"Participants: me and you, Kim Jin-cheol. D-ranks Park Yong-hu and Cha Ye-ji; E-ranks Kang Woo-hyuk and Han Su-ah. Park Yong-hu is close-range physical enhancer; Cha Ye-ji's a mage; Kang Woo-hyuk's an archer DPS; Han Su-ah's buffer/healer. Dungeon is the Cradle of the Broken Pilgrim..."
"Enough. You even memorized their abilities. Solid."
Passed, thankfully.
As I sighed inwardly in relief,
Kim Jin-cheol stubbed out his cigarette and continued.
"Just back them up. This batch has strong personalities—keep 'em leashed."
"Got it."
"Yeah. Should be smooth."
Thump.
He clapped my shoulder and left first.
Light fieldwork, nothing more.
What could go wrong?
Babysit a bit and done.
With a curt nod, Kim Sun-woo followed.