You Wanna Fight?

"This is driving me crazy."

It had been a full week since I started training in the Dragon Whisker Art. And yet, it was still stuck at just two stars.

I realized I'd overlooked one crucial fact.

"Is this the difference in talent...?"

Gwak Do-cheol and I were on completely different levels. Thankfully, the Dragon Whisker Art could be practiced anytime, anywhere, even while moving—that was some small comfort.

I tested it out by forming qi rings on my arm.

"One, two, three, four..."

Of course, not all two-stars were created equal. Gwak Do-cheol could make at least ten rings on both arms, while I managed half that.

"Tch."

If it weren't for Parachao Pavilion's inner chamber or Nam Bi's spirit pill, who knows how much longer it would have taken.

I'd aimed to hit four stars in a week, but now I couldn't even face Gwak Do-cheol.

"Hoo..."

It was frustrating. If only there were a way to boost my talent.

Gwak Do-cheol crossed his arms.

"Hmm. Your progress is a bit slow, young friend."

"W-well, I'm training in other martial arts at the same time."

"Well, lightness skills aren't urgently needed right now, so take it easy."

"Understood."

Fortunately, he knew I was practicing other arts too, so he didn't think it strange. In fact, I was spending more time on the Thunder Cloud Heart Knot than the Dragon Whisker Art.

And as he said, my eagerness for lightness skills had cooled a bit lately.

It made sense—Robert had succeeded in crafting magic scrolls.

After grabbing a bite and heading back to the company, he showed up today holding a few scrolls.

Robert handed them over and spoke.

"Section Chief Kim Jeongha. In ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠addition to what you ordered, I made a few extras. Please check them."

"Sure."

The first scroll had a vortex drawn on it. The ones behind it were similar. Flipping through a few, another pattern appeared—a honeycomb of hexagons.

That's when Robert explained.

"It's the barrier shield I walked you through on Floor 14. It'll help in dangerous situations."

"Oh ho."

This was an unexpected bonus. I hadn't anticipated this.

Turning to the next one revealed yet another diagram.

"This... looks like an eye? What's it do?"

"Blink. Think of it as short-range teleportation."

After using the scroll, blink at your desired spot, and you'd move there.

The rest looked equally useful.

"Nice. Very convenient."

"That's why it's magic."

Robert gave a sly smile as he said it.

"There were some jade stones left over—mind if I use them personally?"

"Go ahead."

After this, the leftovers were his gladly.

"I'll put them to good use, Section Chief Kim Jeongha."

"I appreciate it."

Taki ground her teeth.

Damn it. How dare she insult me?

A few days ago, she'd taken her staff around for interviews. The departmental rounds went smoothly—until Safety Planning caught her up.

The face of Hunter Stock Company, that's basically me!

That's how she genuinely saw herself. No one in the company didn't know her.

Just you wait. I'll make you regret it!

Now, she was recording tomorrow's news.

She faced the front camera and recited her self-written script.

"Hello, this is Taki with company news. Recently, controversy has erupted over tyrannical abuse by a certain Safety Planning Department employee, causing suffering among staff there. The culprit holds the rank of section chief..."

After finishing her lines, a mosaic-blurred figure appeared on the screen behind her.

The screen cut briefly, then returned to Taki.

"I only asked for a little time, but he threatened me aggressively. Keep watching."

Back to the footage.

Tomorrow's main news would end around there. Media & Publications usually aired live, but tomorrow's early schedule forced a recording.

Taki gestured, and her subordinate stopped the tape.

"Are we really airing this, Editor-in-Chief?"

"Why? Problem?"

"It's... kinda distorting the truth."

"Hmph. Truth isn't about facts—it's how you shape it."

"Then maybe re-edit the mosaic and voice distortion? His face peeked out at the end."

Taki tilted her head.

"Did it? I didn't notice."

Her lips curled slightly.

Hehehe.

She couldn't yet imagine the fallout.

There was another reason my interest in lightness skills had waned slightly.

Crackle!

Whoosh—!

I'd seen Seon Ga-hee vanish before my eyes in an instant. True teleportation.

I recalled our conversation.

'Master. Can I learn lightness skills?'

'Lightness skills? Aren't you already learning them?'

'I need something usable right away. No prerequisites—just learn and go!'

'Fine. I'll teach you. Watch closely.'

'Whoa.'

'It's the Body Thunder Knot, a movement technique. Moves in the blink of an eye.'

'Impressive martial art.'

'Less martial art, more sorcery.'

'Ah.'

It turned you into lightning, moving at insane speeds. I sensed quicker progress than with Dragon Whisker Art, despite my weaker sorcery talent.

Probably thanks to the spirit pill and Nam Bi's spirit pill.

The Body Thunder Knot unlocked at five stars in Thunder Cloud Heart Knot. But it couldn't reach mastery on that alone—basic heart method limitation.

"I'll push as far as I can for now."

I got it to rough imitation level. Paradoxically, mastering Body Thunder Knot made Moon Sky Step feel more necessary.

Moon Sky Step for long distances; Body Thunder Knot for short bursts.

"But that's even better."

They ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠complemented each other perfectly. As Gwak Do-cheol said, Moon Sky Step accelerated with each step but started slow—like a normal run.

Short: Body Thunder Knot. Long: Moon Sky Step.

Angelica chimed in.

-What's that? You're just piling on more to learn.

"Who's there? Who made noise during training?"

-Sigh. Never mind. Owner won't get it anyway.

"Anyway, it's necessary."

Especially for tomorrow's Floor 16 survey. A week since clearing 15—it was time.

Health & Welfare handed raid rights to Media & Publications; no objections—agreed to rotate fairly.

-Why apply for 16? Thought you'd closed-door train.

"Something useful there."

-Like what?

"Something."

-Scheming something shady again.

Either way, I'd submitted my dispatch request to Media & Publications. They hadn't asked, but I figured no rejection.

Their department head knew I managed the military factory—wouldn't risk offending me.

Incidentally, Floor 16 would start with investigators. I'd grab my target and bail—no hidden stages, not huge.

My memories would let me finish fast.

The next day. Pre-raid briefing as protocol.

Taki, Media & Publications' editor-in-chief, delivered a flawless presentation honed from announcer days.

"Health & Welfare deems Floor 16 solvable by our survey team, like 15. But remember—it's possible, not guaranteed. Wipe risk exists."

"Yes!"

"Got it."

"Understood, Editor-in-Chief."

This survey meant a lot for Taki's career.

Steel yourself. My first real stage action.

First combat for her. As department head, he'd hesitated sending her due to risks—no better announcer.

I'll succeed spectacularly for all to see.

She'd skipped Floor 12 restructuring fights too. At first, it was great—no danger, full perks.

But easy days wouldn't last. She'd seen a HunterNet post—company intranet.

Taki bit her nails.

"Eek... How'd they know?"

PowerOfTruth was her HunterNet handle.

User info's strictly confidential... Leak? From where? How?

She'd never revealed it.

Inexplicable.

Ugh. Wanna delete it all.

As editor-in-chief, she could moderate. But arbitrary deletes invited "free speech violation" complaints.

Criteria: mass reports or overwhelming dislikes.

This post? Neither—likes dominated.

Proof most users agreed. Made her blood boil.

And her handle exposed. She deleted her replies quick—but it screamed admission.

This DirectorSuperFanGirl... Gotta investigate.

HunterNet prized anonymity—no direct info. But clues in post.

Director fanboy—HR or Safety Planning. Male, veteran—not newbie.

Modern internet world likely. Though not certain—many adapted regardless.

Narrowed suspects. Culprits always slip up.

Like daring her to catch them.

Think I can't squash a bug?

Time to fix her image.

Health & Welfare confirmed low risk, plus new artifact suit.

She loved the suit more each look—trusted it utterly.

Design even prettier now.

Post-survey, find military factory manager. Chat 'em up. Must be amazing.

Taki gathered her team at the central pillar. Mid-brief, she spotted an unexpected face.

...Huh? Why's that guy here?

Not at briefing. Red-haired man grinning, scanning around, muttering like talking to someone.

Crazy?

Needed answers—she approached.

"Excuse me. Kim Jeongha?"

He twitched an eyebrow.

"No title now? Taki."

"Taki? Why act buddy-buddy calling me that?"

She shook her head.

"Whatever. Why're you here?"

"What else? Surveying Floor 16."

"...Floor 16 isn't Safety Planning."

"Huh? I officially applied for dispatch."

Taki crossed arms.

"Hmph. Never heard."

"Miscommunication? Got Media & Publications department head's approval anyway."

Department head should've notified—but busy, forgot. Their error, but my dispatch fine.

"You're insane."

"Block me, I go solo."

"Haa. Do what you want. Hope we don't meet at HQ again."

Meaning die inside.

"Taki's such a bitch. Tsk tsk tsk."

"What?"

She froze mid-retort.

Wait... Could it be?

DirectorSuperFanGirl this guy?

Matched intel.

Safety Planning, male, not newbie...

'Long-timer' fuzzy. Easy check.

Ask direct.

Taki flashed friendly smile.

"Fine. Two questions, Hunter Kim Jeongha."

"Shoot."

"How long you been here?"

He pondered.

"Uh... pretty long?"

20-year vet—company's eldest.

"Internet in your old world?"

"Yeah, but why?"

"It was ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠you!"

"Huh? What?"

Fury surged—but better idea. She grinned wider.

"Ah, my mistake. Anyway, teaming up—welcome aboard."

"Uh, sure..."

Kim Jeongha couldn't track her mood swings.

Taki clapped his shoulder.

"Post-survey, things'll get fun back at HQ. Look forward."

"Hm..."

Turning to go, she pivoted.

"Oh, right. Wanna meet military factory manager? Who's that? Same department, yeah?"

"Factory manager? Sure. I know 'em. Closest besides me. Super tight."

"Haha... Overconfident. No way that bigshot's buddies with you."

"Hahaha."

"Ahahaha."