Promoted to Manager - Blood Impact Gamma
Blood Impact Gamma. Bloody Swamp. Jiggle jiggle. A swamp of blood summoned on the ground, sucking everything down like quicksand into the depths below. It was a spell I'd learned from Director Madric Blood just this morning.
This was the same technique I'd seen her use back in the volcano zone after the layoffs. The subspace spell she'd employed to transport the Flame Drake's corpse. It was undoubtedly useful, but...
"It's a bit awkward for me."
That's because that key is just too good. I scratched my temple.
"True enough."
As Angelica said, the reason Blood Impact Gamma felt lacking was Cromwell's key. This Bloody Swamp couldn't hold living beings. It was a spell meant for killing enemies.
But the caster can enter one and exit through another. That was handy, but it still didn't resonate with me. Not with Body Thunder Knot at my disposal. Though if I could lay down dozens at once like Director Madric Blood, it'd be impressive. From the enemy's perspective, dodging a field of dense blood swamps would be a nightmare.
In the end, there was only one answer.
"I need to reach a higher realm."
After my first regression. After clashing with the Jecheon Palace Lord in a life-or-death duel. After encountering the 18th branch employees. And even after being caught by Director Madric Blood last night and drained of blood.
The way to overcome every situation was power! The shortcomings of Bloody Swamp stemmed from my own inadequacies.
Good attitude, Master.
I emerged from Director Madric Blood's room. We'd wrapped things up in her office last night, but I'd been moved to her bedroom while I slept. Anyway, heading to the operation control room, Manager Cherubim greeted me.
"Ooh!! Section Chief Kim!! No, I guess it's Manager Kim now!!"
"What's the current stage situation?"
From my memories, Underground Floor 17 wasn't particularly tough. It was just vast, so it took time.
"A few more days, and we'll clear Floor 17!!" Manager Cherubim threw two straight punches into the air. "Of course, assuming the Media Division and Planning Department pull their weight!! Uhihit!!"
I considered mentioning her promotion—which Director Madric Blood and I had discussed last night—but let it drop.
"So, we've got about two months until the Floor 20 raid?"
"Yes!! But why do you ask!! Something up?!!"
Two months. Short if short, long if long. How to make the most of it? Head to Fire Mountain, obviously. I smirked faintly.
"Just got somewhere to go."
I took the mirror passage to Parachao Pavilion.
"Nam Bi!"
"Yeah?"
"Time to head to Fire Mountain."
Nam Bi's eyes widened round. "You've made up your mind. Got it. Let's go meet the mountain spirit."
"Sure."
We headed to the summit of Parachao Mountain. I bounded along using Moon Sky Step, hopping lightly. Nam Bi kept pace with her own lightness skill, riding the wind like a breeze.
Soon, we reached the peak, and sure enough, a massive lake came into view, just as she'd described. I asked Nam Bi, "What now? Throw an iron axe in or something?"
"Huh? Why throw an axe into the lake?"
Or maybe set up a formation to summon the mountain spirit? That's when it happened.
Shareholder, “Lying Herald” snickers.
Huh? Why's this shareholder laughing? Nam Bi cupped her hands to her mouth and called out, "Mountain spirit!"
"...?"
No way it was that simple? As I wondered, a whirlpool erupted from the lake's center with a roar, surging toward us.
I watched in fascination as the fast-approaching vortex scattered in all directions. Then, an old man appeared exactly as I'd imagined: long white beard and hair, thick white eyebrows, clad in blue robes like a Taoist sage.
The mountain spirit stroked his beard twice, scanned us, and spoke. "Ho ho. It's you, Nam Bi. But... who might this be?"
He gave Nam Bi a warm gaze and voice, but shot me a cold, sharp stare.
"Kim Jeongha."
"Hrm hrm. I am the Earth Immortal Yeong-gil Bosal."
"I've heard you possess an orb imbued with mystical power, Bodhisattva."
"Out with it!"
"Ow!"
Yeong-gil Bosal whacked my head with his staff. "Demanding I hand over my possessions without preamble? What manners!"
Nam Bi stepped in. "Mountain spirit, please give my friend the Wind-Fixing Pearl."
"Hrm. But I can't just give it away. The Wind-Fixing Pearl is forged from my own spiritual energy—not some mere treasure."
I stared intently at Yeong-gil Bosal. "What would it take, Bodhisattva?"
"Those on the path of cultivation do not cling to worldly—"
As he lectured on the proper way of ascetics, I noticed his thumb and index finger rubbing together slyly.
I grinned and reached into the mirror, pulling out a gold ingot—the one I'd taken from former village head Geum-jong-gi.
Yeong-gil Bosal's eyes lingered on it briefly, then he turned away sharply.
If money wouldn't do it, maybe not enough? Recalling that truth, I pulled out another ingot.
"Hrm?"
Sure enough, his eyebrow twitched. But he feigned indifference again. One by one, I kept pulling them out until I'd offered half my stock. Even that wasn't enough—he took half my food stores too.
Finally, Yeong-gil Bosal chuckled "Ho ho ho" and stroked his beard. "Well now, you do know propriety."
Grind. I gnashed my teeth inwardly. No clinging to worldly things, my ass—this old greedster.
Anyway, he flicked his fingers, stirring another vortex. The ingots and food vanished into it, and something appeared in his palm: a violet orb radiating mystical power.
"Is that the Wind-Fixing Pearl?"
"Ho? You know of the Wind-Fixing Pearl?"
"Yes. Nam Bi told me."
"I see. But... Kim Jeongha, was it?"
"That's right."
Yeong-gil Bosal eyed me up and down. "Yet you don't look like an ascetic seeking this. Unexpected."
"Pardon? I am... "
I stopped short of claiming to be one. Must be the Concealing Robe. No need to correct his misconception. I glanced at Nam Bi; she stayed silent too.
"Does it matter if I'm an ascetic or not?"
"Of course it does."
"..."
"But since the Iron Fan Princess instructed me to lend the Wind-Fixing Pearl if Nam Bi brought a man, I'll make an exception this once."
I smirked. "Thank you, Bodhisattva."
I took the proffered Wind-Fixing Pearl. About the size of a soccer ball.
"Why's the Wind-Fixing Pearl an orb and not a pill? Or even jade?"
"My whim."
"Fair enough..."
Who was I to argue? I bowed slightly. "Thank you, Bodhisattva. I'll put it to good use."
Though it cost half my gold and food, this divine pearl outweighed them. A fine deal, I thought, descending the mountain with Nam Bi.
Back at Parachao Pavilion, Nam Bi explained how to use the Wind-Fixing Pearl.
"To ride the Iron Fan Immortal's flying ship, you need to master this."
"How?"
"First, grip it with both hands and infuse it with mana."
"Got it."
With her guidance, I mastered it quickly.
"Let's try."
"Okay."
After a few practices, Nam Bi summoned wind. Whoooosh— I infused mana into the pearl. It glowed violet, capturing her wind. More mana, and it obeyed my will.
"Fun, right?"
"Yeah. Refreshing."
The pearl controlled wind. I saw why it was needed for the flying ship. Nam Bi or the Iron Fan Princess could summon wind themselves, but not me.
One issue: using it required full focus on wind manipulation. Not ideal for combat. After some practice, I stored it in the mirror.
"Nam Bi. Time to go."
Her eyes welled up. "Must you go alone? I could come."
"I can return anytime. Don't worry—you'd think I was off to die."
"Okay. Be safe."
Geared up, I set off for the Iron Fan Immortal's flying ship.
Gucheon-gwi, the Jecheon Palace Lord. My chosen companion for the journey. Summoning her via card cost hefty resources, but worth it. As an undead, no needs for food, fighting, or sleep. Easy to store in the mirror, obedient without complaint.
I'd have summoned the Black Armored Earth Ghost too, but lacked resources. Both were peak experts or better.
"Sit and stand ten times."
"..."
I watched her repeat it impassively, then said, "You're no longer Jecheon Palace Lord. From now on, you're Gucheon-gwi."
A ghost wielding Nine Heavens Harmony Art. Hence, Gucheon-gwi. I returned her to the mirror and set out. Sangjo Pyoguk's map ensured no wrong turns.
Current goal: Taegang Valley. Not to return the Heavenly Sun Moon Blade, but as a waypoint to Fire Mountain.
Pung, pung, pung, pung. At peak realm, Moon Sky Step shone—now at 7 stars, matching what Gwak Do-cheol had shown. With Nam Bi's talisman and Robert's scroll, one step covered six jang (about 20 meters). But massive internal energy drain: 30 minutes running, 15 resting.
Mountains teemed with beasts and yokai. Now, a Black Fang Boar—a low-grade yokai, mutated wild boar. Third-rate martial artist level; no match for me.
Screee!— "Kkweeeek!"
No inner core from such yokai. I extracted its signature black fangs for the mirror—might prove useful. Per Nam Bi, yokai absorbed spirit energy, indicating dense qi and likely spirit herbs nearby.
I summoned Zhuque as usual. "Zhuque. You know the drill?"
Leave it to me, Master!
Her enthusiasm despite scouting the whole mountain? I'd promised her one Gold Thread Pill after making two with Dreamtwist for myself. It extended her summon time, saving me scouting effort—mutual benefit.
As I rested, Zhuque returned.
Found them, Master. Four to the east twenty jang, three at the summit.
"Good. Just those."
I wanted to scour the mountain, but limited to 15-minute rests to keep schedule.
"Hee hee."
I harvested at her spots, grinning. Old spirit herbs were rare—mostly 10-20 years—but exactly what I sought. I placed hand mirrors in hidden spots at each site. Later, I'd return to harvest seeds dry.
Nights: back to company for sleep, then resume. A week later...
"Kekeke. Another fool wandering alone without fear."
A burly man blocked my path. Glancing around, his twenty comrades emerged from the trees.
"Bandits?"
He grinned. "Jang Guk of Hongnim Chae. Want safe passage? Five taels of silver. Heh heh."
Jang Guk seemed first-rate. Bad timing—mid-harvest and pre-run-up for Moon Sky Step.
"If you'd gauged my level, you'd have slunk away. Wearing the Concealing Robe was a mistake here."
"What're you babbling? No toll? We'll kill and take it!"
"Mind if I borrow a comrade?"
"Attack!"
"Raaah!!"
Twenty rushed me. Minus Jang Guk, mere rabble. Pajijijik! I fell back with Body Thunder Knot. Distance gaped; they gawked.
"A... ascetic!"
"You know ascetics?"
"D-Damn! Retreat!"
I snickered, pulling Gucheon-gwi from the mirror and summoning Zhuque. "Gucheon-gwi, spare the leader. Zhuque, scout for hidden foes."
Mm!
Gucheon-gwi nodded, summoning twenty water spears and hurling them. Puk! Puk! Puk! Puk!
"Gaaah!"
"Uwaaak!"
"S-Spare me!"
One spear, one kill. My term: one-shot one-kill. Possible ambush? Leaving Gucheon-gwi behind, I thundered to Jang Guk. Pajijik!
"Shit!!"
He spun, swinging wildly—futile. Chaeng! One clash, his sword flew. Not just internal energy; swordsmanship gap too.
Pakak! "Ugh!"
I swept his legs, pinning his throat with my blade tip. He grimaced. "Daring to mess with Palrim Chae territory..."
"You think you'll get away with this?"
"..."
"You said another passed alone earlier. Who?"
"...Some old hag. Nothing on her."
Old hag. Someone came to mind.
"Know her name?"
"Nah. Just dragged her to Hongnim Chae."
His left arm bore a red band—Hongnim Chae mark, probably.
"What do with captives?"
"Talented? Subordinates. Not? Slaves."
"Figures."
"Know her?"
"Not sure yet."
Jang Guk smirked. "Want to save the old—"
Slice. A red line across his throat.
"Khek..."
Aorta severed, blood gushed.
"Not saving her. Just curious."
Fading eyes held only fear and shock. Situation cleared, Zhuque returned from recon.
Master. One hiding nearby.
"Killed?"
No, knocked out.
I tilted my head. "Knocked out? By you? How?" All I knew were flames and pecks.
She shot into the air, curling into a ball.
Body slam!
I nodded. "Good work. Let's go."
This way.
Following her lead, I found the downed bandit in the brush. I hid nearby, waiting for him to stir.