Chapter 73
Chapter 73
Chapter 73
The Magic Swordsmen (1)
This summer was exceptionally hot.
The last day of July. Korea recorded unprecedented heat, and news about the drought came out day after day.
Reincarnators were still the world's biggest issue, but the reaction wasn't close to chaos like before.
Everyone had adapted to reincarnators, and anyone could attend academies to learn martial arts or magic.
As there were groups that stood out everywhere, a prominent name appeared in this field as well.
Maisa Magic Academy.
Mysa Magic Academy, which started in France, had opened 300 branches in 80 countries around the world.
The number of students learning magic at this academy alone reached 50,000, and 500 people whose talents were recognized had entered dormitory life at the main branch in France.
This was also a result that reflected the times.
-Martial arts are difficult to learn and slow to grow. Magic is fun and can be learned quickly, depending on talent.
With the academies' involvement, the basic concepts of martial arts and magic also changed.
Instead of being popular, the depth became shallower. This was an inevitable phenomenon.
"The Security Force training center seems to be a bit different."
I was discussing this with Jimun Seo-saeng.
"Since they're trained like soldiers, they emphasize fundamentals."
"The difference between paying money or receiving it."
"That's correct."
In any case, martial arts and magic were being accepted as natural throughout the world, and as reincarnator crimes decreased, stability was being found.
"What's public opinion about the Heavenly Demon Cult?"
"They're being evaluated as a closed-off monster organization."
"Well, that's not wrong."
"They say the weapons will be distributed tomorrow."
I had already received the contact as well.
The White Blood Corps had already entered closed-door training four months ago and were re-laying their foundations.
Even though it was called fundamentals, their lives were hellish. Each time I went to the closed-door training room, an atmosphere flowed where you couldn't distinguish whether it was this world or the afterlife.
"I want to see them quickly."
"The craftsmen's condition wasn't normal either. It means they're doing their best."
Jimun Seo-saeng was visiting the craftsmen daily to give them acupuncture or treatment.
"Are there any complaints?"
"No complaints, but they do curse the Cult Leader."
"That's something I always hear."
"Then there's no problem."
And so the time I'd been waiting for came.
It was late afternoon.
At a time when the sunset was deeply spread, I led all of the Hundred White Blood Corps to the craftsmen's workshop.
On the floor in front of the workshop, 14 weapons were already placed on separate cloths.
Names were written on all the cloths.
They were the individual names of the Hundred White Blood Corps members, and they were items that had been sized before work even began.
However, there was no sword on the cloth with Hundred Tiger Ghost’s name written on it. This was because Hundred Tiger Ghost already held the Magic Sword.
Only weapons were placed on his name.
The weapons had a unique form.
Swords were the basis, consisting of bracelets, shirts, and knee pads.
The thirteen swords each contained a subtle red or blue light.
Torto pulled over a chair and sat down with an expression as if he would collapse at any moment.
"I'll explain briefly, so listen well. Plante over there."
When I gave permission, Plante went in front of the cloth with his name written on it.
"The red-lit sword has two fire-based attack magics. Fireball, Firestorm. Fireball is a long-range attack, and Firestorm covers your body with flames. You can use it in close combat."
Plante picked up the sword.
The Magic Sword, completed by Cheollu's hand, was worthy of being called a masterpiece even without magic.
"First, seven swords are fire-based, and six are cold-based. The method is the same, and the magics are Ice Cutter, Ice Storm."
Torto drank water as if he was struggling and continued talking.
"There's one more magic attached, Link. I heard they call it Igieogum in the martial world. Cheollu will explain this."
Immediately, Cheollu took over.
"The magic called Link allows you to move the sword at your will, like Igieogum. However, throwing it with internal energy will depend on your individual ability."
One of the highest stages of internal energy is Igieogum.
It's where the sword leaves the body and moves as if alive, a realm that any martial artist who uses a sword dreams of.
This was possible with magic.
However, properly bringing out its power depended on effort. Launching Igieogum with clumsy internal energy would rather result in losing the sword.
"From now on, concentrate and listen. This is the culmination of my research."
Torto rose from his seat, leading his struggling body.
"This is a set artifact, and it will be engraved on your souls. Until you die, it will absolutely never leave your body. Two bracelets, two knee pads, and finally, this shirt will act like a magic circle to protect your body. Of course, powerful magic will also be granted."
Torto personally fitted the protective gear on Plante's body.
All the protective gear had long needles that pierced into Plante's body. Plante gritted his teeth at the sharp pain.
"In 10 minutes, it will be engraved. If you don't like it, you can stop now."
"I'm fine."
Plante endured the pain.
After 10 minutes had passed like that, the two bracelets and knee pads emitted light and connected their lights to each other, and a pattern emerged on the shirt.
As if feeling burning pain, Plante trembled and gritted his teeth even harder.
The light gradually burrowed into Plante's body and changed into small patterns. Finally, even the shirt entered under his skin and completely disappeared from view.
The five weapons had disappeared into Plante's body.
"There are five magics in total. Strength that raises your power, Light that makes your body lighter, and Iron Skin that strengthens your skin. These are the basics."
Torto continued speaking while looking at the patterns with pride.
"You'll be surprised by the remaining two. First is Fly. It's magic that lets you fly through the sky. The second is Soul Link. The 14 people with this pattern can teleport to each other wherever they are. And you can also communicate with souls and know when someone is in danger."
It's similar to the characteristics of the ring the Witch and I have. However, soul conversation was added.
'So he's an expert.'
The ability to create artifacts was said to be far superior to the Witch's. Torto proved that with results.
"Cult Leader."
Hundred Tiger Ghost stood before me for final permission.
I spoke so all the Hundred White Blood Corps could hear.
"I'm not forcing you. Even if you refuse, there will be no disadvantages. The choice is each person's responsibility."
As my words ended, Hundred Tiger Ghost was the first to wear the weapons.
Starting with him, everyone else engraved the weapons on their bodies.
Seeing that, Torto and Cheollu let out long sighs as if everything was finished.
"I'll have to rest for 10 years now."
"Me too."
The two were exhausted to the limit, and as the Hundred White Blood Corps finished wearing their weapons, they packed their belongings and came out.
"My place?"
Torto asked.
"Cheong Ak-sal, guide them."
With Cheong Ak-sal's guidance, Torto and Cheollu were guided to their own place within the main corps.
"Engage in training carefully for the time being. You'll need a lot of practice, so don't overdo it until you adapt."
Hundred Tiger Ghost answered vigorously.
From that time on, the atmosphere of the Hundred White Blood Corps' training completely changed.
Those who had been laying foundations until now underwent training to become familiar with magic, and Torto personally came to give advice about magic.
'The Heavenly Demon Cult's Magic Swordsmen.'
Their power far exceeded my expectations.
Many things that couldn't be done with martial arts were possible with magic, and martial arts complemented magic's weaknesses.
The one most interested in this training was Torto, and he liked to directly confirm the majesty of the weapons he had created.
"Mm, disappointing!"
He said things like this occasionally.
"Why?"
When I asked while watching the training, Torto wrinkled his nose bridge and said,
"I didn't know they would use swords to that extent. I did take it into account after hearing Cheollu's words, but still, it's disappointing."
"What are the points to supplement?"
I subtly touched his craftsman spirit.
"I should have put more power into the swords themselves. If I had infused fire or cold energy into the swords themselves, their swordsmanship would have been more threatening. That would suit them better than one-time magics."
"Certainly so."
"That's not all. Just because it's called Igieogum, I thought it was enough to just be able to move the sword. But after seeing what's called Lightness Skills, that was wrong too. Rather than Igieogum, which consumes a lot of internal energy, if I had cast Dash or Rush magic, people could have charged in directly."
I also don't know much about magic. Torto also didn't know martial arts well.
"The Fly magic seems unnecessary, too. I succeeded with difficulty."
Even though they could fly through the sky, the Hundred White Blood Corps didn't use it.
This is because the basics of martial arts start with footwork.
While floating in the air, it's difficult to respond, and no power goes into attacks.
It's difficult to completely understand both fields. That's why he couldn't hide his regret.
After watching the training for a month, he eventually came to find me with Cheollu.
"I need to formally participate in the training."
"The reason?"
"Because I can't lose to those damn Kisan and Roltui."
Chimeras and magic circles engraved on the body.
According to the Witch's explanation, these completely change a person's body. Since it's modification that even takes into account the destruction of body and mind, naturally, greater power can be exerted.
"Wasn't this a fight that's hard to win from the start?"
"What nonsense! Humans created weapons and subdued all life forms! This means humans equipped with weapons are the strongest! If you give up being human, your power becomes that much weaker!"
It was his stubbornness. I decided to acknowledge it.
"Does that mean you can win if you have the time and conditions?"
"Of course! I'll create real Magic Swordsmen!"
Mages in the magic world had a tendency to be obsessed with the term Magic Swordsman.
I couldn't contain my curiosity and asked.
"It doesn't seem to be just because of competitiveness—why are you obsessed with Magic Swordsmen?"
"Because it's every mage's dream. It's also a dream no one has succeeded at."
"Does that mean there were no Magic Swordsmen?"
"No! There were! And quite a lot! But they were all half-hearted guys! Magic Swordsmen who relied on magic would have been better off holding staffs instead of swords, and Magic Swordsmen who relied on swords only used physical enhancement!"
In summary, it meant that even if Magic Swordsmen were created with difficulty, they weren't efficient.
"That's why Kisan and Roltui took the Ten Alliance. Martial artists are the best materials for becoming Magic Swordsmen."
The expression ‘materials’ bothered me, but I just let it pass.
"So what do you want?"
"I'll complete them. To do that, I need to learn internal energy."
Following Torto, Cheollu said something similar.
"I'm also thinking of learning magic."
"I can understand Torto, but Cheollu, why do you want to do this work?"
"To me, swords are like the human body. But the Magic Sword plays the role of implanting internal energy into the body I created. Naturally, I want to create the best Magic Sword."
Cheollu's obsession was with swords.
"Fine, do as you please. I'll prepare things for you."
Torto and Cheollu returned satisfied with my decision.
While the White Blood Corps was pushing forward with training, I was also entering a new stage.
Research on the 9th form of the Heavenly Demon Divine Art.
Earth Domain.
It was a martial art where invisible energy waves formed around a thrust fist or powerful fist.
Simply put, invisible fists extend together around the fist, so multiple fists fly out simultaneously.
In my previous life, I had once created a maximum of 20 energy waves at once. Even if you block the actual fist, 19 fists would touch the opponent's body.
'The burden is definitely great.'
Currently, I could create about three Earth Domain. Even then, if I didn't want to overdo it, I had no choice but to halve the power.
Since it was such a powerful energy projection, I didn't use it often, even in my previous life.
In reality, it was an attack no different from simultaneously unleashing fist techniques imbued with all my internal energy twenty times.
'Damn internal energy.'
Once I got used to the two Body Transformations, I felt a lack.
'I should have made the Heavenly Demon Divine Art more moderately.'
When I created the Heavenly Demon Divine Art in my previous life, I had already undergone Old Age Reversal, so I only focused on power.
Naturally, with my current internal energy, there was no choice but to strain myself.
'Even just one has sufficient power.'
In my previous life, Earth Domain had another name.
Pilsagong (Certain Death)
It was a name given because when Earth Domain was used, the opponent invariably died.
'If growth stops, you'll eventually be caught up to.'
I also engaged in training desperately.