The Black Plum Blossom of Mount Hua
Things will be different from now on. A Transcendent who handles a Great Spirit capable of 666-stage transformation. The 'Ancient Pharaoh.'
In other words, because it's weak up to the 665th stage, it can't exert its power, and it takes a full week just to summon it.
"Oh, Eun-bbit-bbi. Don't worry so much. Brilliant days are waiting for your future, after all."
"I-is that so…?"
She is the one who boosts my self-esteem like no other. Well, what does it matter if the power is a bit weak? I can just strengthen it, right? There must be a way to make it stronger. Things like character transcendence, exclusive equipment, runes, or holy relics.
…For now, let's go out and get some rest.
"Exit."
Moving outside the Tower.
***
The Guardian of the Tower's Balance watches Lee Suhyun leave the Tower, smiling.
"Ahaha! Looks like you forgot again."
"Forgot what…?"
"What else? Achievement enhancement."
The Abyss Watcher beside her tilts its head.
"Don't you think he knows the secret to achievement enhancement?"
"I think he just forgot… do you think so?"
"He is a deep-thinking person, after all."
At those words, the Guardian of the Tower's Balance wears a playful smile.
"You were saying we had to get rid of him somehow last time, but you've changed, haven't you?"
"W-well, after going through all that, it all felt so futile."
"Puh-huh… True, even those 'Existences' stepped in, after all."
"Ugh… please don't talk about that time."
I never dreamed that even those 'Existences' would be sticking by Lee Suhyun's side. Then again, they aren't the kind of beings you can do anything about just because they're sticking around.
"Then, keep up the good work with the monitoring."
"Understood."
***
I remember washing up and throwing myself onto the bed as soon as I got out of the Tower, but my memory cuts off after that. Because of that, two whole days have passed since I woke up. Can a person really sleep for that long?
As I sit blankly on the bed, a message pops up.
The Guardian of All Things asks if you slept well.
"Did you sleep well?"
The Twelve Star Ship-Lord says they were worried because you wouldn't wake up.
The Saintess of the Sun Cult suggests we wake up and hold morning worship together.
"……."
As I clasp my hands together at the Saintess's words, a message appears.
The Ancient Pharaoh asks what this is again.
Ah, right. "I didn't explain it to you."
After explaining the situation for about 10 minutes, a message appeared saying that they nodded in understanding.
"Then, another energetic…."
Grrrrrrr.
At the sound of the foghorn ringing from my stomach, I got out of bed and headed to the refrigerator, but unfortunately, there was nothing inside.
"I'm taking menu recommendations."
The Guardian of All Things recommends fried chicken.
The Saintess of the Sun Cult recommends seasoned chicken.
The Twelve Star Ship-Lord recommends half-and-half with extra pickled radish.
The Ancient Pharaoh asks what that is.
In the end, it's chicken. About 30 minutes after I finished ordering on my phone, there was fresh, hot chicken in front of the front door along with the doorbell ringing. I brought it inside and set it up.
…What do those Mukbang BJs say again?
"Lee Suhyun's chicken Mukbang starts now."
***
The Guardian of All Things says it was ecstatic again today.
The Twelve Star Ship-Lord recalls it was a very enjoyable time.
The Saintess of the Sun Cult says she feels full just watching you eat, brother.
The Ancient Pharaoh says they want to watch again next time.
After spending time satisfying the viewers… no, the Transcendents, I rubbed my full stomach and checked my new phone. There were an insane number of missed calls. Though most of them were from the Association. Well, I guess not many people know my number?
I left a survival text saying I was alive and got up from my seat to do today's homework.
"Then, shall we go? Entrance."
Republic of Korea: Moving to the Black Tower.
In an instant, my vision changed, and the massive tower appeared before my eyes. As I approached and opened the door, a message appeared.
Will you challenge the 41st floor? Yes / No
"Yes!"
Scenario quests from the 41st to the 50th floor will proceed.
Please be careful as the monsters that appear on each floor are different.
41st Floor Mission: Protect the Murim!
📍 Time Limit: 1 hour.
🎁 Success Condition: Survival and monster elimination within the time limit.
🎁 Failure Condition: Failure to survive and death.
As I opened my eyes, NPCs in strange attire glanced at me as they walked by. Where is this other world? Murim? Is it the Murim I'm thinking of? There's a saying that if there's even one martial artist, that place is Murim—is it right there?
Just as I was scanning the surroundings blankly, a message appeared.
The Guardian of All Things says it would be better to leave this spot.
"Leave the spot… okay."
I moved away as the Guardian of All Things suggested. Is it the influence of my level? I can feel a sense I wouldn't have felt in the past. Someone is tailing me.
"There are twelve of them."
I glanced at the ring on my finger and moved to a nearby mountain. A group of suspicious men revealed themselves.
"Public enemy of Murim!"
With those words, they pulled something from their robes and fired it into the sky? Whoosh! Something went up into the sky with a sound. Then, with a bang!, it exploded, and I could feel countless presences around me. It seems I am the public enemy of Murim in this world.
The Ancient Pharaoh says they will lend you their power if you need it.
"I-it's okay! I'll tell you if I need help!"
The Ancient Pharaoh looks at you with proud eyes.
I almost thought it would take a week to clear… no, I just have to hold out for an hour, right? Anyway, let me do my job too.
"Please help me."
Fate's Timeline - Thousand Memories activated.
Transcendent: 'Plum Blossom Swordswoman' appears.
A black-haired woman appears amidst blooming plum blossoms. A thick scent of plum blossoms drifts from her.
"Child, it's been a long time."
The moment she looks at me with alluring eyes and takes a step forward, the trees around us are sliced in two, and the suspicious men hiding on them tumble to the ground.
"Touching my child is an act of insulting me."
She slowly drew her sword from its scabbard.
"I only give one warning. If you retreat now, I will spare your lives."
However, there were those who ignored the warning and rushed in, only to be sliced in two in an instant and roll on the ground. I was watching with my eyes wide open, but I couldn't even see how she moved. Just how strong is she?
"Child, this place is dangerous, so let's move."
She reaches out her hand to me, and the moment I grab it, my vision changes, and I am moved to a place with nothing around.
"Since the view is clear, there is no better place than this for an ambush."
Instead, the enemies swarming from all directions are clearly visible. Martial artists appearing from all sides. Their clothes were embroidered with plum blossom patterns—could it be Mount Hua?
"Above all, here, there are no restrictions on unleashing my power."
As if that were her true purpose, plum blossoms began to bloom at her gesture.
"Child, there is much I want to show you, but we don't have much time."
She speaks as if she knows about the one-hour time limit.
"So, see as much as you can before you return. It will be a great help to you someday, child."
With those words, countless plum blossoms fill the surroundings, and soon after, they create a single painting. Mimicking her, plum blossoms bloom from the swords of the martial artists, but there was one difference. They aren't as beautiful as her plum blossoms.
"The sword of Mount Hua is not like that."
With one gesture of her hand, plum blossoms scatter in all directions, devouring the blossoms created by the enemies and growing even more.
"The sword of Mount Hua is about creating one's own flower. Everyone starts with plum blossoms, but the end is different."
As if to prove her words, her plum blossoms, which were a beautiful pink, were changing to a pitch-black color.
"My flower is the black plum blossom that calls for death."
As soon as she finished speaking, the scattering black plum blossoms gathered in one place. They rotated intensely as if to swallow everything, and at the end of it….
Bang! With the sound, black petals scattered in all directions, and all the enemies touched by the plum blossoms perished on the spot.
"Child, my sword brings death to enemies and new vitality to my people."
As if to prove those words, I felt new power surging from every corner of my body.
"Now, there isn't much time left. I will show you one last thing."
As she raised her sword again, this time, the black plum blossoms began to form the shape of a massive tree.
"The sword of Mount Hua blooms anywhere."