Chapter 18
Chapter 18
Chapter 18
Returning Home (1)
Day 1,999 of training.
This is the final night.
Training is completely finished. To soothe my exhausted muscles, I decided to rest tonight.
I'd like to light a bonfire, but there are no trees that would allow for that.
The Central Forest became a ruin long ago due to my training.
I lay on the beach where moonlight shone, consoling my disappointment about the bonfire.
The sensation of skin digging into the sand is soft.
The skin that had melted away from poison has already fully regenerated.
'Complete transformation.'
On the 1,500th day.
I fell into a state of selflessness for five days, and a complete transformation proceeded.
My skin became as soft as a newborn baby's, and my bones became as hard as welded steel. As my bones were rearranged, I grew a little taller, too.
—I'll come to pick you up in the morning.
I thought about using the ring the Witch gave me to teleport, but I decided to just listen to So Iryeon's words.
'I should also savor the feeling of finishing and leaving.'
Hell Gate was really difficult.
Including my previous life, this was the fourth time, but this time was the hardest. Because I proceeded with it in the state where I had the least strength.
'I'll never do it again.'
This is what I think every time Hell Training ends.
I briefly closed my eyes and recalled the time that had passed.
The training after the complete transformation was aligned with Heavenly Demon Divine Art. Through that effort, I can now execute up to the 7th Form, though it's limited.
Heavenly Demon Divine Art 1st Form Falling Dragon Fist.
A fist technique that extends Ki waves downward from midair. After the complete transformation, continuous projection became possible.
2nd Form Soaring Dragon Kick.
With a kick technique that adds body rotation to sweep the surroundings, an intense whirlwind forms, and blade-like Ki waves spread around me.
3rd Form Wind Dragon Palm.
When I execute the palm technique toward the front, five streams of Ki waves spread widely and then explode at one point.
4th Form Heavenly Dragon Force.
The internal energy sleeping in the two Dan-jeons compresses to the extreme, then bursts out through all the meridians in my body. The surroundings are all engulfed in an explosion.
I clench my fingers raised like claws. White steam rises from my hands that had heated up red.
5th Form Fire Dragon Hand.
I used Fire Dragon Hand together when I used Golden Water Hand.
Although I conveniently called them Forms, Heavenly Demon Divine Art is actually an application method of internal energy. It produces desired results through internal energy operation that increases power.
In my previous life, when I turned three hundred years old, I realized that Forms with actual movements were no longer necessary.
The core of all Forms is efficient real strikes and feints, connections advantageous for defense, and psychological warfare to confuse the opponent.
When I reached about three hundred years old, I removed movements that weren't particularly necessary and came to execute moves that were faster and more accurate than my opponent's.
All masters are destined to abandon Forms when they reach the peak. I also went through that process, and Heavenly Demon Divine Art became an internal energy operation method rather than Forms.
"Up to the 5th Form is perfect."
Up to the 5th Form—fist, kick, palm, force, hand—the core is increasing the power of these movements.
From the 6th Form to the 10th Form is pure projection. I've only completed up to the 7th Form so far.
6th Form Dragon Spring.
The 6th Form Dragon Spring is a projection for lightness skill, with the core being increasing instantaneous speed. Basic lightness skill combined with Dragon Spring's projection enabled explosive movement.
The secret of Dragon Spring lies in pouring internal energy through the Yongcheon acupoint on the sole of the foot to strike the ground.
The moment I kick off the ground with the lightness skill, the projection of internal energy is added, increasing speed.
As I gained two Dan-jeons, I made one application.
Around the time the Dan-jeon's internal energy reaches Yongcheon, I made sure the internal energy from Baekhhoe acupoint, descending one beat late, met it at the moment of projection.
Explosive projection became possible compared to the internal energy consumed.
7th Form Strong Fist.
An application of the strong energy used in swordsmanship, it was a projection technique that loaded strong energy onto the fist to create an invisible sword.
The reason I don't bother carrying a sword around is because of Strong Fist. In my previous life, I created strong energy equal to the length of a sword, then shortened or lengthened it as needed.
"Let's just sleep comfortably today."
For the first time in two thousand days, I lay on the beach and fell asleep comfortably.
It was a moment I had dreamed of from the instant I came to the deserted island.
Day 2,000 of training.
So Iryeon arrived early in the morning.
"You've worked hard. One island has died."
So Iryeon looked around the island and spoke as if it were interesting.
"Cult Leader, could you show me how strong you've become?"
She's asking to fight.
"I need to go home. Let's depart quickly."
So Iryeon looked disappointed as she trudged over and boarded the fishing boat.
"Departing!"
With So Iryeon's shout, the fishing boat departed.
I watched the island growing distant from the stern.
It's a place where I stayed for two thousand days.
'I'll never come again.'
There's no sentiment or anything like that.
"I'll go inside for a bit. I'm getting seasick."
Seasickness is an amusing excuse.
Does she think I won't know?
For 30 minutes after the boat departed, So Iryeon didn't appear.
'Do it in moderation.'
I was looking at the ocean from the bow of the fishing boat.
The moment I briefly closed my eyes to enjoy the wind, I heard a chilling sound of cutting air.
I lowered my head, and my hair was swept up and bounced upward. And the presence that had briefly appeared disappeared.
I looked at the ocean again. I don't feel killing intent.
About 5 minutes of stifling silence passed.
I turned my body to look at the captain's cabin. There had been no captain from the start. Someone different from usual had driven the boat here.
This is why So Iryeon shouted the departure signal.
Then, I heard a faint sound of cutting air again from behind.
'Strong Fist.'
I extended my fist backward to create sword energy.
Chaeng!
A clear sound rang out, and the opponent's movement stopped.
Finally, the assassin revealed their form.
The assassin dropped the dagger and extended their hand, aiming for my heart. I took a step back, twisted my body, and grabbed his wrist.
The moment I thought I had grabbed it, he aimed for my neck with his other hand.
If I grab his arm, my neck will be pierced. In his left hand was a nail the size of one finger.
Each one is a killing strike. There are no feints for an assassin.
If I strike his body right now, I could take his life. But I won't be unharmed either.
It's a technique prepared for mutual destruction.
'I can't destroy the boat either.'
With the 4th Form Heavenly Dragon Force, I could handle the assassin. But this boat would also be destroyed.
I didn't want to swim the remaining one-hour distance.
'How impudent.'
I lowered my head to avoid the approaching attack.
When the assassin saw me show my back, he tried to grab the dagger floating in the air and stab it into my back.
'Soaring Dragon Kick.'
I lowered my body even more and switched to the kick technique. I struck away the dagger that was in the air and tried to catch the assassin's neck with my back knee.
When the assassin tried to quickly retreat, the blade-like wind of Soaring Dragon Kick swept away his lower body.
I controlled it appropriately, but the cutting of flesh and spattering of blood was unavoidable.
From thighs to calves became covered in blood, but the assassin didn't collapse and rather tried to launch a final strike toward me.
But it ended the moment he flinched from feeling pain.
I grabbed the assassin's arm and pulled him toward me. Then I struck five blood points.
The blood soaking his lower body stopped, but the assassin could no longer move either.
"These guys always cause trouble every time we meet."
I released the assassin's blood points. Then the assassin knelt and lowered his head.
"I greet the Cult Leader."
Heavenly Demon Cult Protector Blue Shadow Assassin.
This is the moment of meeting the Blue Shadow Assassin.
In his early thirties, he was about 165 in height with an emaciated build. Other than that, his physical characteristic was that his skin was dark.
His facial features were so common that they would be difficult to remember unless you knew him.
"Hey, So Iryeon. Come out."
At my words, So Iryeon hurriedly appeared and stood next to the Blue Shadow Assassin.
"As expected, Protector Blue failed too."
She spoke as if she had anticipated it.
"Do you have to check like this?"
"They said we need to see the Cult Leader's skills. You understand, don't you?"
I understand. But there's no need to have a reunion in this way.
"Fine, let's say that's okay. But isn't it betrayal to bring an assassin and provide a boat that's convenient for assassination?"
"Huh? I didn't think that far. The Cult Leader was going to win anyway."
"I thought you got a bit smarter, but have you returned to being a fool?"
"I'm not a fool! Isn't wanting to spar with the Cult Leader the Protectors' right?"
I left the indignant So Iryeon alone and looked at the Blue Shadow Assassin who was still crouching.
"Stand up."
Blue Shadow Assassin stood up.
"You missed the last opportunity. What will you do now?"
This is where So Iryeon's real mistake lies.
In my previous life, I told the Blue Shadow Assassin I would give him one last assassination opportunity, and that attempt took place at this very moment.
Meaningfully, the Blue Shadow Assassin no longer has a reason to be by my side.
At my question, the Blue Shadow Assassin lowered his head without hesitation.
"I will entrust my life."
I finally heard his sincerity that I didn't hear in my previous life.
We arrived at Yangpyeong.
Returning home after two thousand days.
The house was the same as before.
Standing in front of the country house that fully contained the pervasive spring atmosphere, my heart fluttered without me realizing it.
After looking at the house's appearance for a moment, I pushed open the gate that barely reached my knees and entered.
Even the feeling of soil touching my feet was welcome.
When I reached the center of the yard with the grass laid out, the front door opened.
"Uram!"
It's Mother. Behind her, Father also rushed out quickly.
The two of them ran to me without even putting on their shoes properly.
How did they know I was coming?
Probably, they checked outside the window out of habit.
Mother ran over like a child and hugged me.
My face must have changed as my body grew, but Mother didn't doubt me at all.
There was one more thing that had changed.
'Was Mother this small?'
Now Mother is embraced in my arms. I've grown that much.
"You came well. Are you hurt anywhere?"
"Yes, as you can see, I'm healthy."
Mother felt around my body and even checked directly.
"Did you eat?"
This seems to be her biggest worry.
"Son, you've grown a lot."
Father, who yielded first turn to Mother, spoke. During the time we couldn't see each other, traces of years had accumulated heavily.
The wrinkles around his eyes and his deepened gaze pained my heart.
Father looked at my appearance that had grown up suddenly with an apologetic expression.
"I grew because I resemble Father."
My height grew to 175. Because of this, despite having baby-like skin, I look about high school age.
"Let's go in quickly."
Mother, as if feeling that I would go somewhere again if she took her eyes off me even for a moment, hurriedly led me inside the house.
I entered the house while tightly embracing Mother's shoulders, where tears had formed.
When I opened the front door and entered, one girl, pretty as a doll, stared at me intently.
"Yuna, it's your brother. You should greet him."
Na Yuna.
That's my younger sister's name.
With chubby cheeks and hair braided in pigtails, Yuna looked up at me with large eyes.
The sight of her holding a puppy slightly larger than my fist to her chest made me laugh without realizing it.
"Brother?"
Yuna looked at me curiously. Mother beside her stroked Yuna's back and said,
"You said you wanted to see your brother."
Yuna, perhaps shy, didn't approach in one step. Eventually, I lowered my body first to match eye level.
"Will you hug your brother? I thought I'd go crazy missing Yuna."
I spread my arms.
Then Yuna glanced at Mother and the Witch, who were nearby.
When they didn't stop her, Yuna slowly entered my embrace.
I hugged her gently so Yuna wouldn't be startled.
"Brother."
Yuna speaks carefully.
At that sight, I quickly looked at Yuna's face.
"Hehe, now I have a brother too."
My heart sinks at my younger sister's aegyo.
"So pretty!"
This time I didn't hold back and hugged Yuna tightly.