Grand Senior's Homecoming and B-Rank Breakthrough

Now, as Hyun-chung Jin-in's figure slowly came into full view, the first-generation disciple and second-generation disciple gasped in shock, drawing in sharp breaths. Meanwhile, the elders—who looked like old men—couldn't suppress their emotions and began choking back sobs. To them, Hyun-chung Jin-in was their daesa-hyung, so it was no wonder their feelings ran high.

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I knelt and bowed deeply to the sect leader. My knees ached, but right now, melodrama took priority. It might seem over-the-top, but when else would I get a chance like this?

"I beseech the Mudang Sect leader. Please ensure my master no longer has to lie on the cold ground or roadside. He longed endlessly for his remains to return to his hometown."

Delivering my plea in a voice choked more with rising pon than genuine sorrow, the sect leader—who had been scanning Hyun-chung Jin-in's corpse with trembling eyes—finally looked to the sky and spoke in a quavering tone.

"Everyone... the great Mudang's honored guest has arrived. See to his care with utmost diligence! Hyun-sook! Hyun-cheong! Hyun-jong! Hyun-gong!"

"Yes, sa-hyung!"

"Our daesa-hyung ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠has returned after losing his way. Shouldn't we escort him ourselves?"

"That's daesa-hyung for you."

"His stubborn personality must've delayed him."

"He looks so serene and content now, daesa-hyung."

After exchanging these words, the sect leader and elders personally lifted the coffin and began slowly entering through the sect gate. It resembled some funeral procession somewhere. I desperately suppressed the laughter bubbling up inside me.

I ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠cleared my throat with a few small coughs, then calmly rose from my spot, casting a wistful glance. A first-generation disciple approached.

"Great hero. I'm Myeong-hwi, 36th generation disciple of the Mudang Sect. Allow me to escort you to the reception hall."

"I appreciate your words, but fulfilling my master's final wish takes precedence right now. I'd rather leave it to the Lone Traveler elder who came with me."

With that, I began slowly following the sect leader and elders as they carried the coffin. Only then did the first-generation disciple realize the order of events had been off, and he approached Gu Yang-so with a respectful fist salute.

"Great hero. In my haste over this grave matter, this unworthy one has acted and spoken improperly. Allow me to guide you to the reception hall."

"I'm no stiff beggar who insists on jianghu etiquette even after seeing what's right in front of me. They look busy over there, so we'll take it slow."

The first-generation disciple expressed repeated thanks and led Gu Yang-so to the reception hall. After confirming the sect leader and elders entering the grand hall with the coffin, I followed another first-generation disciple to the reception hall myself.

+++

Opening my eyes back in my real-world house, I hurried to the bathroom. How much had I suffered from that inexplicable itchiness traveling with that beggar bastard? How could anyone live like that...? Shuddering, I sank into the tub.

After scrubbing off the grime thoroughly, I let out a sigh—and that's when the massive point gain caught my eye.

'Having a player NPC helps progress the main story, huh?'

The system messages felt almost like they were communicating intent to me. Recalling the Apocalypse world, I had a hunch I was right. With abominations already spawning, the potential seemed high.

'Perfect timing. I needed to push my stats to 60 anyway.'

I'd rushed back from the wuxia world to reality because of those first-generation disciples I'd met at the Mudang Sect. By hierarchy, they'd be my sajaes from the procession. But their auras suggested they were around my level.

'If I consider first-generation disciples as later-generation talents, they're all C-rank—first-rate realm.'

With vacation ending soon, I needed to catch up to Cha Eun-woo. As the daesa-hyung, I had to outrank the first-generation disciples—at least B-rank hunter level. The elders would soon judge my martial prowess directly. That's when I'd show my dignity. To crush a rolling stone, it had to come in huge and majestic, right?

I finished washing up and hit the bed for some sleep. Camping out had worn me out mentally. Better to rest first. No rush anyway...

The soft bed—unlike the cold ground—lured me into slumber instantly.

+++

Somehow, returning to reality always led to the training grounds as routine. Dressed in training gear, I hesitated before pulling out the side dish container.

Moss elixir packed with enough potency to elevate a first-rate martial artist to peak realm. I'd planned to save it as a staple medicine, but with limited points, it was time to use it.

I had 1650 points. First, I bumped all non-mana stats marked at 30 up to 40. Gotta match the baseline, right?

Then, I dumped the entire container of moss into my mouth.

'Oh. Fucking delicious.'

It looked like slimy green moss, but chewing it felt like chomping ion drinks—refreshing chills ran through me.

After swallowing it all, my dantian felt heavier. Checking stats, mana had indeed hit 60.

I raised the rest to 50, leaving 450 points. With mana at 60, I could smoothly execute Sipdan-geum's first form. I held off further investment.

Sipdan-geum was a transcendent technique only peak experts and above could wield from the first form. Mastering the first form meant peak realm—B-rank hunter.

Just a few stat bumps, and I'd hit B-rank already. Thrilling. Sure, pushing mana past 60 demanded 125 points, souring the mood a bit...

'Early game is easy. That's how it should be, you fuckers.'

Sinking into gloom, I eyed skill rank-ups. Naturally, Sipdan-geum first. It had to be insane, but I had to check.

'3000 points... Fucking hell.'

Shifting to Flying Sky Shadowless Technique, rank 2 demanded 1000 points.

'Transcendent arts are a bitch to upgrade.'

Last, Iron Man—rank-up available. I did it immediately.

I pinched my skin, then pulled a spear from inventory and pressed it to my forearm.

Kiiik! Kiiik!

The spear scraped noisily against my skin but left only a long red mark—no wound. Seemed highly resistant to non-mana-enhanced attacks.

'Oh. Sick. Adamantium-level.'

If R.5 Iron Man withstood a mana-boosted spear, master-rank might tank even master smiths' masterpieces solo.

'Y'all fucked now, you pussy sword swingers.'

Cackling, I started training via the facility program. After rapid growth, tuning was essential. Dodging projectiles, supergravity endurance, reinforced metal heavy lifts—I adjusted slowly for a good while until a clear smartphone ring cut through.

Ring ring ring!

Setting down the gear, caller was Jeong Jae-kyung. Connected immediately.

Brushed it off with a decent excuse, and Jeong Jae-kyung bought it, getting to the point.

"Hey. You haven't picked a partner yet, right?"

"What partner?"

His out-of-left-field question got a puzzled response, and he sighed.

"Sigh... Knew it. You were so touchy end of sophomore year, must've missed the memo. From junior year, gate practice is 2-per-team partners. Classmates are quietly pairing up already."

"Fuck? Thought we pair up at semester start."

"Yeah fuck. 25 classmates, remember? You late entry made it odd number. Anyway, as expected, we should've paired ear—"

Click!

I hung up and dialed elsewhere. Cute ringtone later, she picked up.

Time froze in reality, so to her, it'd felt like one or two days to wrap everything.

"Yeah. Used it well. Free today?"

"Oh, today?"

Checked training clock—lunch approaching. Booked immediately.

"Ongya. Return the gun and grab a meal."

"Whatcha eating?"

"Gukbap, obviously. Fuck."

"Cool!"

Park Jisu replied excitedly; I nodded.

'Gukbap addict.'

"Thug bitch, where?"

"Tuning at training grounds. Showering and waiting. Academy main gate. Didn't drive, so chauffeur it. Park chauffeur."

"Got it. About... 30 min."

"Yeah."

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Call ended; I tidied up quick. By shower and change, 18 missed calls.

'Persistent bitch.'