Link (1)
Schlurp.
My consciousness peeled away from my body and rose into the void. What remained below was my physical form—motionless, like someone who had fallen into deep sleep.
Man, that’s always impressive every time I see it. I’ll be right back. Rest well in the meantime!
With my parting words to the body, the system message floated up as if it had been waiting for exactly that moment.
[Initial link begins. Searching for a link target in another dimension.]
[Once a target is determined, an eternal soul contract will form and cannot be undone.]
[Techniques learned from the link target can never be leaked to others.]
[Then, may the luck of the awakened hunter be with you.]
It was exactly the same message as from my previous life. Even the final line that mocked every Link-trait awakener felt identical.
Hold on.
I immediately sensed something was wrong. If I hadn’t been in a conscious state, I would have been drenched in cold sweat right now.
This is the message that appears the very first time a Link is used, right? But I already have the Link trait—how could this be?
The evidence was right there in the message itself.
[Once a target is determined, an eternal soul contract will form and cannot be undone.]
Even though my body had regressed, this was a soul contract. The system message had emphasized it. The miracle skill that had caused my regression had transcended the very concept of “absolute”?
Up until now, the system message had been an unassailable standard that never lied.
But at this exact moment, it betrayed every expectation I had.
Could it be… that even I might end up with a trash Link like everyone else? Would I never see Master Namgung Hyeok again? Without the Thunder Emperor Shin Yuseong, who would stop the Doom Dragon? I had shouted that I would become an outstanding hunter for Han Yura and Yoon Sera—what would happen then?
Countless thoughts rushed in, threatening to scramble my mind in an instant.
I couldn’t let it happen like this.
I concentrated and issued a command.
Quiet.
Curiously, once I had left the restraints of my body and entered a conscious state, I could calm the mental turmoil using the mental discipline I had built up in my past life.
After roaming the conscious state so many times, I had mastered this technique.
Stay calm, Shin Yuseong. Even if the sky collapses, there are always cracks through which something can rise.
The proof was right in front of me—my previous life.
The Doom Dragon that had devastated the entire world. That was no different from the sky falling.
But what happened? Miraculously, I had regressed. Before the Doom Dragon ever appeared.
That was the crack.
I steadied my heart.
This is different from the time I was dragged along without understanding! I can do this!
Soon, a dark gate opened in the void and my consciousness was pulled inside.
Inside the gate, the memories matched exactly. A vast cave-like hole stretched endlessly, and white light seeped from countless small holes on the walls.
Each one was an entrance to a different dimension.
I had to find the one belonging to my master among all these similar doors.
They all looked the same, but I had passed through hundreds of them.
The path was one I could find with my eyes closed. The real question was whether I would actually be able to enter the door the moment I spotted it.
I had to twist my entire body the instant I captured that moment.
Fortunately, I didn’t accidentally slip into another entrance, and I kept advancing deeper into the gate.
Wait… this is where it was, right?
The familiar space gradually began to appear. It couldn’t be far now.
Just like that…
Over there!
Among the similar entrances to dimensions, the one belonging to my master appeared.
Even though they all looked alike, I could still tell them apart.
Now I had to concentrate! With every ounce of resolve, I widened my eyes.
Uh uh uh!
Concentrate or not, I was sucked straight into the dimensional entrance. The irresistible force pulled me in.
The fortunate part was…
Whoa… that was close. But I still made it to the right place.
As expected, the soul contract hadn’t betrayed me. The system message had lied, but the Link itself remained intact!
Soon, countless lines of light appeared, and my tension finally melted away.
After passing through the dimensional entrance, those lines of light appeared. Each one represented a possible Link target.
Having entered precisely the dimension of my master from so many different ones, it was time to follow my master’s familiar lines.
Just as expected.
That system sure never lies… uh?
Why was it heading in the exact opposite direction of where my master was?
If I linked with some other powerhouse instead of the strongest one in this world—our master…
Maybe I’ll end up linking with something weird… Aaaah!
No matter how much I concentrated, the unstoppable force kept dragging me along.
Even as I was pulled, one thought kept flashing through my mind.
Still… can I relearn the martial arts Master taught me in my previous life?
Once I became a full Link, I’d have to figure out countermeasures, right?
***
Finally, we arrived at a space that was pure white.
I stepped on the floor as if I had done it a thousand times before. In this space, my consciousness could feel sensations as real as my body’s.
Here I used to meet Master for training every day…
That brought back memories.
But the owner of this place must be someone else. Where is he?
I looked all around. Nothing but white light, light, and more light.
What the—? There’s no one here?
What was going on? Even a full Link should have someone, right?
Could it be… a waste? Then could I try linking again?
I harbored a faint hope when—
Well, well. So you’re the one who finally came looking for me after such a long time.
I jumped.
The voice came from right behind me, so I reflexively widened my distance. Wait, I had just checked all around—
When I turned, there stood a girl who looked no more than fifteen, pink hair in twin buns, staring at me quietly.
She even had her hands behind her back.
Pink?
I was first drawn to her vibrant pink hair rather than her cute face.
Be careful with your words!
The girl’s expression turned sharp. Her voice was cute, yet it carried an overwhelming pressure that made it impossible to ignore.
People of that level could tell from even the smallest action.
I had felt this kind of presence before—right from Master.
Could someone that young reach Master’s level of power?
Could it be…?
A certain possibility surfaced.
A half-reincarnated powerhouse! But is that even possible? Master himself hadn’t achieved half-reincarnation.
Our master was a true powerhouse known as one of the Ten Greatest Experts under Heaven. There was no way the girl in front of me hadn’t reached at least that level or higher.
Naturally, my tone became respectful.
What is your identity?
Hmph. Only now have you learned some manners. This seat is Wi Jiyeon.
She pushed her flat chest forward proudly and declared her name.
Ah… so you’re Miss Wi Jiyeon.
Just saying a name—how was I supposed to know who it belonged to? Martial artists all introduced themselves with their nicknames because they were so full of pride. Maybe this was just some ordinary person.
Did she sense my doubt?
The pink-haired girl sighed.
Yes, what do you know? Allow me to introduce myself properly. I am the Nineteenth Lord of the Heavenly Demon Cult, the Heavenly Demon Wi Jiyeon.
…!
My mouth fell open.
The Heavenly Demon.
The great evil that had appeared in every story of the martial world I had seen. The same figure Master had mentioned.
Although I occupy one of the Ten Greatest Experts under Heaven, I am not the greatest under the heavens. That title belongs to the Heavenly Demon.
My heart pounded.
Would the strongest powerhouse ever to surpass Master become my Link target?
Earlier, when Master had flown off in the opposite direction, I had even prepared for the worst-case scenario in my heart.
But here was the best possible outcome. How could that be?
Was it because the realm I had reached in my previous life had no connection to this?
I still didn’t fully understand.
You, too, introduce yourself. Then we will speak of the contract.
Master, it seems our bond ends here. Forgive this unworthy disciple for seeking a new master.
My name is Shin Yuseong. I have just awakened the Link trait and stand before you today.
Now I would form a soul contract and learn martial arts from the Heavenly Demon. I was looking forward to it. What kind of martial arts would the greatest under the heavens teach me?
Shin Yuseong, huh. Fine. Then decide whether you will accept my test.
Understood. I gladly accept the test… wait, a test?
Yes.
Wait a moment. I know… or rather, the system message said a soul contract would form and I could learn the opponent’s techniques, right?
A mocking smile appeared at the corner of the Heavenly Demon’s mouth.
Hmph. Here, I am the strongest. It is the right of the strongest to decide the Link target through a test.
Was this an exception rule? Everyone couldn’t meet the Heavenly Demon, after all. I had understood it as a omitted clause.
What mattered most was this.
If I pass the test, will I be able to form a contract with you?
Yes. Passing the test allows a contract with me. If you refuse the test, you will receive the opportunity to link with someone other than me. And…
Suddenly curious, I interjected.
Excuse me, but I have one question. Is the target connected through the Link predetermined from the beginning, or does it change every time?
Every time? What strange nonsense. Unless you are linking with the strongest in that dimension, there are only two chances. To put it simply, the Link target is fixed the moment you acquire the Link trait.
…!
If I chose to reject the Heavenly Demon’s test, then…
Would I meet Master again? But why did it change this time? The regression happened right after I acquired the Link trait—why the shift?
I stopped thinking as I watched the mocking smile on the Heavenly Demon’s lips grow wider.
Somehow ominous.
And if you fail the test I give you, you will never link with anyone. So, will you still take the test?
…
I looked back into the Heavenly Demon’s face.
The mockery I had felt was no illusion. The Heavenly Demon was clearly enjoying herself.
I really wanted to punch her face.
***
I apologized and bought time.
The content of the test cannot be disclosed…
That was the last I got from the Heavenly Demon. I had to make my decision with the information I had been given so far.
No matter how I thought about it, rejecting the test meant I would connect with my master again. That was probably what had been predetermined from the start. The reason I met the Heavenly Demon this time… was some influence from my previous life at work?
There wasn’t enough time to dig deeper into that part.
Reality’s time was still passing, after all. The sooner I trained, the better.
Face an unknown test or withdraw?
I weighed the returns and risks of each option.
If I withdrew, the probability of reconnecting with Master was very high. Since I had learned martial arts once before, I would grow even stronger much faster.
The risk was…
Would I still be able to defeat the Doom Dragon?
That was the part I worried about most. I hadn’t been able to handle the Doom Dragon at its peak.
It was hard to reach a conclusion easily. For now, I’d move on to the next part.
If I took the test and passed, I would learn the martial arts of the strongest in the world. Naturally, the probability of defeating the Doom Dragon would rise.
But what if I failed? The Link trait would remain trash forever.
That was the worst case.
Then, the thought I had brushed aside earlier crossed my mind.
Wait a second. Even without the Link trait, I can still train Master’s martial arts, right? At the very least, the knowledge of martial arts would remain intact?
Then…
Wasn’t it worth giving it a try?
I will accept the test.
The corner of the Heavenly Demon’s mouth twisted.
How courageous.
At that moment, the pure white space turned blood-red.