Fly, Kim Jeongha
The employee who grabbed Kim Jeongha's arm stared at him intently. With a seductive half-moon smile.
Not all that special-looking.
He was just one of those typical company employees you see everywhere. But there was one thing that stood out. The round badge pinned to his collar.
What's that?
The manager of the military factory hadn't been publicly announced yet. It was only known that it was being managed in collaboration between the Technical Information Department and the Safety Planning Agency. It wasn't exactly a secret, but there had been an agreement not to make a big public reveal.
Finally, Kim Jeongha spoke up.
"What is it? Taki."
The employee called Taki smiled amiably. She thrust a microphone toward him.
"Do you know me, Hunter Kim Jeongha?"
"How could I not? You're on the company news every day."
Kim Jeongha's tone was a bit annoyed. He was itching to learn lightness skills right away, and now a Media and Publications Department announcer was holding him up.
"I just wanted a quick interview with Section Chief Kim. Is that okay?"
"An interview? With me? Why?"
"As a Media and Publications employee, I go around interviewing other department staff about their daily lives and thoughts on the stages."
After all, articles needed to pique subscribers' interest. Not too high, not too low—just enough to make various employees think, I could reach that level too. And a position that wasn't too hard for her to handle. Section chief was perfect.
"Not a good time right now."
Taki's brow furrowed slightly. Kim Jeongha was openly showing his annoyance now.
We were supposed to just run a quick piece on his thoughts after the Floor 15 dispatch.
Annoyed, Taki decided to tweak the article a bit. No one had ever resisted her charming smile before.
"I'm busy, so if you'll excuse me…"
As Kim Jeongha gave a light nod and turned to leave the training grounds,
"Then how about sharing your thoughts on today's assault incident?"
Kim Jeongha's eyebrow twitched.
"Pardon?"
"Not content with threatening five or six subordinates, you crippled them and left them in critical condition, lying in the infirmary waiting for their lives to be preserved. How about that for next week's article?"
"Don't make me laugh. This is Hunter Stock Company. If subordinates pull a mutiny in an emergency battle situation, everyone suffers the consequences."
"Was it that dangerous?"
"Don't you remember the layoffs?"
"Oh, that was really touch-and-go. Come to think of it, that was Safety Planning's call too. Speaking of which…?"
Her eyes implied: Were you involved in that decision?
Kim Jeongha was starting to get irritated.
"Don't spout off without knowing the full context. You might regret it."
"Understood. I get the picture on how you treat other department employees. Oh, and by the way, this conversation has been recorded. Thank you, Hunter Kim Jeongha."
"Do whatever. But if an article about me goes out, Media and Publications won't be getting any artifacts."
Kim Jeongha waved her off dismissively and walked away.
I'm in a damn hurry, and she wants an interview? What the hell.
Taki glared daggers at Kim Jeongha's retreating back. Selfish, arrogant, rude employee. That's how she sized him up. Sure, the company had a few like that. But it came down to qualifications. Strength or status. And this guy? Threatening no artifacts for Media and Publications?
"Does he think he's the military factory manager or something? Please."
Gwak Do-cheol looked around.
"Hm. So this is that Cannibal Village."
"Not anymore."
"Yet… it feels quite similar to the place I lived."
"You might get that feeling often from now on."
I'd never seen a martial artist trained here. But from what Nam Bi had said, this world definitely had a murim.
That made me think of a question for Gwak Do-cheol.
"Were there yokai or immortals in your world, Do-cheol?"
"Heard tales of a tiger eating people in the hills behind the village."
"In novels?"
"At the local inn."
"Hm…"
Seemed like it wasn't connected to Gwak Do-cheol's world after all.
"Though the books did mention a Black Moon Sect elder ascending to immortality after enlightenment. Believe it or not."
I nodded and said,
"Well, we'll never know now. Anyway, since we're here, let's head to the fairy village."
"Good."
The Health and Welfare Department employees were still cleaning up in the fairy village. We naturally headed to the inn, where we spotted Chief Stella.
"Section Chief Kim Jeongha? And…?"
"Gwak Do-cheol."
"Gwak Do-cheol…? Oh, you're the one from the training grounds. Nice to meet you."
"Hm? You know me?"
"I've heard rumors you're practically running the place."
"Not bad."
Gwak Do-cheol seemed pleased with the gossip. Stella's gaze soon returned to me.
We talked briefly. While I was away, Village Chief Geum-jong-gi had been judged by the villagers and the kidnapped guests from the inn. They didn't kill him—just banished him from the village. Which was pretty much a death sentence anyway. An old man with nothing to his name, wandering off into the night; lucky if wild beasts didn't get him.
After hearing it all, I nodded firmly.
"Cleanly resolved."
"Yes. But what brings you back, Section Chief Kim?"
"Wanted some fresh air."
Stella smiled and replied,
"Then come with me? I'm stuck here too and craving mountain air."
"Here for training. Next time."
"Pardon? Ah… I see."
She looked a bit flustered. Probably didn't expect a refusal.
"By the way, when's Health and Welfare pulling out?"
"Soon, I suppose. Why?"
"Just curious."
No rush even if they stayed longer. Safety Planning would handle it when we committed resources.
With that, we headed to Parachao Pavilion.
We arrived at the foot of the mountain where Parachao Pavilion stood. Crisp wind blowing through clear air. Perfect weather for a stroll. The slope ended in a wide plain—ideal for lightness skill practice too.
Gwak Do-cheol crossed his arms and spoke.
"The lightness skill I showed earlier is Moon Sky Step. Named for walking the sky like the moon."
I pictured an astronaut in a spacesuit strolling on the moon. It oddly matched Gwak Do-cheol's earlier display—fitting name.
Gwak Do-cheol continued.
"Moon Sky Step starts like ordinary jumping, but each step propels you higher and farther."
"Sounds fun."
"Fun indeed. At mastery, it's near Void Treading."
"How far are you, Do-cheol?"
"Up to Lily Pad Striding."
"Void Treading… Lily Pad Striding…!"
My dreams soared. Void Treading was kicking the air like solid ground—true divine skill. Lily Pad Striding, what he'd reached, was running on water. Sounded like Void Treading was a step above.
"That's practically immortal level."
"Hahaha! An immortal would be at Sky Soaring at least."
"Hm."
"Anyway, to learn Black Moon Sect's Moon Sky Step, you need Dragon Whisker Art first."
"Ugh. Prerequisites?"
"Nothing comes free."
Gwak Do-cheol cleared his throat and channeled energy into his arm. Dark energy spiraled around it. Then he punched.
Boom!
The air vibrated. I tilted my head.
"Unique technique… but how's it related to lightness skills?"
"Hm. You don't get it. Watch the energy flow closely—I'll do it continuously."
This time, spirals formed on both arms. He started slow, punches accelerating.
Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!
I observed as he described.
"Aha."
I got it. The spiral contracted and expanded, generating greater propulsion. Like a spring—or dragon whiskers made of iron.
"Hence Dragon Whisker Art."
"Exactly. Moon Sky Step just applies this principle."
Pretty scientific martial art. I learned Dragon Whisker Art from him and started practicing.
But I realized this seemingly simple art held profound mysteries.
"Too hard, Do-cheol."
"Higher arts are tougher to learn. Persevere."
"Ugh."
Moving energy was easy; spiraling it into layers was another beast. Then maintaining spring form while compressing and expanding—precise timing, precise force.
Gwak Do-cheol stroked his arm with his other hand.
"Form one energy ring: 1st star. Multiple rings: 2nd. Connect them: 3rd. Move the chain: 4th."
Final 4 stars.
"Reach 4th, and I'll teach Moon Sky Step."
"How long for you to 4th?"
"About a week."
"A week. Not bad—not too long."
Might take a full month with lightness skills. But glad it wasn't years.
"As you saw, Dragon Whisker Art applies to fists, kicks, even swords—not just lightness. Give it your all."
"Of course."
Felt like he'd seen through my desire to rush it.
Thus began my journey to master lightness skills.
A few days passed. Gwak Do-cheol, intrigued by Floor 15's similarity to his home, wandered around exploring. He'd check on me occasionally—like making sure his disciple wasn't slacking. Felt like surveillance.
I trained in Parachao Pavilion's inner chamber, and Nam Bi was incredibly devoted. Whenever I returned from company meals, she'd have a Spirit Pill ready.
"Jeongha. Time for your Spirit Pill. Ah."
"Ah."
Nam Bi delicately placed it in my mouth.
Gulp.
I swallowed and asked,
"The jade stones I requested?"
The first day on Floor 15 with Gwak Do-cheol, I'd asked to see the jade stone used to check my Spirit Pill. Took it back to show Robert, and sure enough:
It could substitute for magic stones. Let's make scrolls with it.
Robert was now obsessed with crafting magic scrolls.
"Here they are."
Nam Bi handed me several jade stones and asked,
"But what're you using them for?"
"Someone who can use them is making something for me."
"Like what?"
"Paper that lets you cast spells…"
I explained magic scrolls as best I could. Hearing the story, Nam Bi clapped.
"That's a talisman."
"Talisman?"
Come to think of it, she'd used talismans for formations too.
"Yeah. Carry it, and it lets you cast spells."
Divided mainly into attack and protective talismans.
"Lots of types, but those two are most common."
"Any for running super fast?"
"Of course. Was gonna give you one for Fire Mountain."
"What?!"
Should've said so earlier!
"Duh? I use them every time. How else cover hundreds of li?"
"Guh…"
My stomach hurt. Wasted on Robert? Shook it off. Maybe his version would be better. Had to believe that.
Dwelling would lead to qi deviation, so I changed topics.
"How many jade stones do you have left, Nam Bi?"
She sighed.
"Not many, honestly."
"Can't get more?"
"These form when spirit energy seeps into ore over ages. Rare as elixirs."
"Super valuable, then."
"Yeah."
"You sure it's okay giving me this many?"
"You're my friend."
"Right."
I nodded firmly.
"Thanks, Nam Bi."
True friends give without hesitation. What had I given? Oh, killed the Rakshasa King.
"I'm so happy you're my friend. Makes me thrilled. You'll stay by my side forever, right?"
"Of course."
We were the best of friends.