Episode 2
Episode 2
Translation: Godtl
"Hoo-ha..."
Before entering the Demon Path Pavilion, Cheon Mu-jin, having finished his bath, quietly assumed a stance. Before him lay a small wooden box.
It was a case containing a miracle pill meant to help build basic Internal Energy before entering the Demon Path Pavilion.
'But in the end, it's practically meaningless.'
The other candidates entering the pavilion had lived lives practically marinated in miracle pills. Naturally, taking something like this now wouldn't be enough to catch up.
That didn't mean he wouldn't take it, though.
Cheon Mu-jin immediately picked up the pill. It was a Ten-year Polygonum Root.
[Ten-year Polygonum Root]
Slightly increases Internal Energy. Effectiveness diminishes with excessive use.
※ Note: Affected by martial arts proficiency.
He didn't hesitate.
"Let's just take it."
The taste was abysmal. It was hard to believe something could taste this foul.
'This is the kind of flavor that makes you never want to eat it again.'
[Internal Energy has permanently increased.]
Perhaps it was because he had never taken any miracle pills before?
The effect was better than expected. And it raised a question in his mind.
'Will the stats gained here apply in the real world too?'
That was something he'd have to check later. If so, then he had all the more reason to enjoy this world to the fullest.
And so, Cheon Mu-jin entered the Demon Path Pavilion.
***
To the east of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult, before the entrance of the Demon Path Pavilion, stood the grand estate of the Poison Demon Clan, one of the Four Great Clans of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult.
Beside the main estate sat Cheon Yeon-hwa, a candidate for the position of Young Cult Leader from the Poison Demon Clan. She appeared to be a girl who had just undergone her coming-of-age ceremony, looking no older than eighteen.
The woman, clad in luxurious martial robes and a face-concealing veil, seemed visibly irritated.
"Unbelievable. He actually dared to challenge the Demon Path Pavilion?"
The girl, for reasons unknown, was seething with anger, her voice sharp. The man standing before her remained silent, his eyes closed.
This man had been handling the dirty work of the Poison Demon Clan since childhood—eavesdropping, surveillance, and even deep involvement in assassinations.
His current mission was singular: to monitor the Young Cult Leader candidates. The others needed to be kept in check. As for Cheon Mu-jin? He simply couldn't stand the sight of him.
"Even a worm will squirm when stepped on. It seems he'd rather die at the gates of the Demon Path Pavilion than back down."
"That's exactly it. How dare a lowlife like him act so brazenly?"
Cheon Yeon-hwa had never thought highly of Cheon Mu-jin. The fact that he was male played a part in that.
In truth, male candidates for the Young Cult Leader position were slightly more favored. Aside from him, the only other male was Cheon Gi-baek of the Fist Demon Clan.
'...Fine. I'll just make sure to kill him myself inside the pavilion.'
The Demon Path Pavilion was far from a safe place. Even if one could avoid assassinations from the outside, fights between disciples inside were completely ignored.
Even if she secretly used poison to assassinate him, it would simply be written off as an unfortunate accident—nothing more.
"By the way, when does the Young Mistress plan to enter the pavilion?"
"Are you in a hurry for me to go in?"
At her words, the man flinched, his reaction starkly different from his previously unchanging expression.
"Of course not. I merely worry that the timing might be missed."
"I'll be entering soon, so there's no need to worry."
Cheon Yeon-hwa glanced at the Demon Path Pavilion. Inside, there were three opponents she would have to face—and one fool who didn't know his place and needed to be put down.
'If he had just stayed outside, he could've lived as a mere First-rate martial artist. What an idiot. I'll kill him myself.'
Since he had chosen to enter the pavilion of his own will, she had no intention of letting him leave unscathed.
***
Before the entrance of the Demon Path Pavilion lay countless martial arts manuals. Of course, most were cheap, low-grade techniques sold on the streets. But even those were precious to the current Cheon Mu-jin.
Three Talents Mind Art
- A basic mental cultivation method. Can be learned through martial arts manuals.
Six Harmonies Sword
- A basic sword technique. Can be learned through martial arts manuals.
Cheon Mu-jin was a man who couldn't use a single martial art. Of course, it wasn't due to any physical limitation.
Because of his lowly origins, he had faced constant obstruction since childhood. In truth, infighting among Young Cult Leader candidates was nothing new.
But he had no backing to protect him. As a result, by the age of seventeen, he had learned no proper martial arts. The only thing he had was a basic mental cultivation method, picked up by watching martial artists train from afar.
And even that was far from perfect. So the real problem was entering the Demon Path Pavilion now.
"'...For now, I'll master at least these two.'"
Since this was a game, Cheon Mu-jin could learn martial arts simply by obtaining the manuals. That much, at least, was a relief.
And then...
[Game End]
Before properly entering the Demon Path Pavilion, he logged out of the game to gather any items he might need.
When he opened his eyes, he was greeted by a familiar ceiling. He was back in his studio apartment.
"...The time."
Glancing at his smartphone, he confirmed that no time had passed in the real world. It truly had been frozen.
Now, there was something he needed to verify.
"Can I really use martial arts in the real world too?"
Just like in the wuxia novels he'd read, Cheon Mu-jin crossed his legs and sat in meditation.
As he slowly guided his energy, he could indeed feel a faint clump of Qi gathering.
"It's real...?"
Though extremely weak, this was undeniably a tangible mass of energy. A glimmer of hope appeared.
If that was the case, then if he reached the realm of an Absolute Master in the game, wouldn't he become similarly powerful in reality as well?
Suddenly, his determination surged. Cheon Mu-jin immediately pulled out a notebook and began recording everything he knew.
He didn't forget to turn on his computer and search for game guides either.
From now on, he would carry this notebook with him and monopolize every hidden opportunity and Easter egg.
"But what about weapons?"
In his current state—a complete novice—wielding actual weapons from wuxia novels was nearly impossible.
So then?
'I'll bring modern weapons, of course.'
Naturally, he couldn't carry anything too powerful. Even in the modern world, weapons were strictly regulated unless you were a hunter or in a related profession. However, for self-defense against sudden Gate appearances, certain weapons were legally sold.
'This is exactly what I need.'
The modified taser lying in front of him fit the bill perfectly. It was, quite literally, the most effective tool for subduing opponents without lethal force.
If he stored this in his inventory, he could almost certainly bring it into the game.
With all preparations complete, Cheon Mu-jin logged back into the game with a heart full of anticipation.
***
The sun hung high in the sky.
Before he knew it, it was noon, and the final bell signaling the Demon Path Pavilion's opening ceremony rang out. Crowds of young men and women streamed inside.
Among them were the Young Cult Leader candidates from the four major sects, descendants of the Cheon Family, and the scions of numerous martial clans affiliated with the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult.
The massive training grounds were packed to capacity—this year, over 1,300 participants had gathered for the Demon Path Pavilion's trials.
Whenever there was a succession battle among the Young Cult Leader candidates, it was always like this.
The faces of the youths filling the training grounds were tense with anticipation. Once the opening ceremony concluded, they would step into a true world of survival of the fittest.
Then, murmurs began rippling through the silent crowd.
"Whoa—it's the Right Dharma Protector!"
"Not just the Right Dharma Protector—the Left Dharma Protector is here too!"
"It's my first time seeing them in person..."
A man wearing a crimson mask strode to the center of the training grounds. His hair was just as red, giving off an intense, fiery aura.
'What a bunch of noisy brats.'
The middle-aged man with crimson hair and a mask was none other than Flame Emperor, the Flame Emperor.
One of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult's Dharma Protectors tasked with protecting the Cult Leader, he ranked among the top ten strongest martial artists in the entire Heavenly Demon Divine Cult.
Right Dharma Protector Flame Emperor swept his gaze across the training grounds. The faces of the four Young Cult Leader candidates were already familiar to him.
'Their auras are all impressive.'
Each radiated a presence reminiscent of the current Cult Leader in his youth—none of them could be underestimated. If they successfully completed the Demon Path Pavilion's trials, they would undoubtedly become pillars of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult.
'Three of the candidates are women... That's a bit unfortunate.'
Never in the history of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult had a woman ascended to the position of Cult Leader. Thus, the one closest to becoming the Young Cult Leader was undoubtedly Cheon Gi-baek. Flame Emperor's eyes then shifted to the boy standing at the very edge of the group.
His physique was starkly different from the others, and the energy he exuded was practically negligible.
'Pathetic.'
An unprecedented fifth candidate outside the Four Great Clans—but in terms of potential as a Young Cult Leader, he might as well be nothing.
'If he survives the first day, that'll be a miracle.'
That was the extent of Flame Emperor's interest. After all, as the Right Dharma Protector, he belonged to the current Cult Leader's faction.
When the Young Cult Leader ascended to the throne decades later, Flame Emperor would have to step down anyway. Their struggle for succession held little meaning for him.
There was no need to dwell on it further.
Meanwhile, Cheon Mu-jin surveyed his surroundings. Among this sea of people, his only goal was survival—no matter how pitiful the means.
'First, I need to secure my quarters in the Demon Path Pavilion.'
He had to uncover one of the hidden manuals—an Easter egg within the game.