Chapter 312
Chapter 312
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 312
Chapter Title: 2025, World Ranker Announcement Ceremony (1)
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The old man smacked his lips as he stared piercingly at Joo Dong-hoon, who was focused on his training.
‘That incredible guy, in the end….’
The technique he was performing right now was the Afterimage Technique.
A tricky skill that created quick afterimages, making him look like two people to others.
And even more importantly.
It was his ten thousandth technique.
‘Well done, you rascal.’
In the end, he had completed his homework.
Before even a year had passed since it was assigned, he had mastered the foundations of all ten thousand techniques.
‘Even I couldn’t do it like that back then.’
The old man wore an expression mixing pride and astonishment.
He had mastered the Myriad Arts later on as well, but he hadn’t built them up from the basics.
The Myriad Arts themselves had been forged through his lifetime of trials and tribulations—how could he have known in advance to lay the foundations?
He had simply ended up learning ten thousand techniques along the way.
The trial and error he went through in that process probably exceeded ten thousand.
‘Probably the only one in the entire universe.’
What madman in the world would try to master ten thousand techniques?
Even if there was one, they couldn’t have built a balanced foundation like Joo Dong-hoon.
The difference between having a guide and not was huge.
Plus, it wasn’t easy to say.
Who could easily learn ten thousand new techniques while cutting back even on sleep?
It was only possible because of the genius of the Supreme Eternal Azure Technique and Joo Dong-hoon’s unique tenacity and grit working in perfect harmony.
‘Anyway.’
He had now crossed one major hurdle.
The true beginning of the Myriad Arts started from here.
Anticipation gleamed in the old man’s eyes.
The path the kid was taking was different from his own.
Their foundations were different from the start.
‘The new tower he builds atop this foundation… ahem.’
It was certain to rise far higher, sturdier, and more magnificent than even his own prime.
‘Yes.’
Since he had decided to inherit the Myriad Arts.
Show him blooming more beautifully than anyone else.
In place of this master.
Got it?
Sss, sss!
Watching his disciple’s afterimage split into two, the old man nodded contentedly.
* * *
[Ding!]
[Hidden condition achieved!]
[Condition: The Law of Ten Thousand Techniques!]
Ah.
[Amazed by your persistence in mastering the foundations of ten thousand techniques!]
Finally.
[Congratulations!]
[The skill ‘Myriad Arts’ (S-Grade) has been upgraded!]
[The skill has changed to ‘Myriad Arts’ (SS-Grade)!]
Was the ordeal finally over?
“Whew!”
I wiped the sweat from my forehead and let out a relieved breath.
Squeeze!
My fist clenched with full force felt utterly natural.
With this hand.
It felt like I could execute any technique at an expert level or higher.
How?
I didn’t know.
All techniques were interconnected anyway, so whatever I wanted to unleash would naturally manifest.
That vague confidence arose without a hint of discomfort.
‘Even if it’s not one of the ten thousand techniques I learned, or something I’ve never studied.’
Anything would bloom from within this hand.
Ah.
So this was the Myriad Arts.
Whooo!
My fist extended straight forward softly.
The foundation of a straight line.
It traced a near-perfect trajectory.
Countless techniques were possible with this.
I could thrust a spear, shoot an arrow, or simply advance.
I could sew, thread beads, or sprinkle poison.
Swooo!
This time, I spread both arms, drew a circle, and gathered them at one point.
Now it was a curve instead of a straight line.
No technique should only push forward forcefully.
Too rigid and it breaks.
Be too strong, and it snaps easily.
‘Softly.’
One must know how to use the opponent’s force, to go around, and to dodge when needed.
‘Ah.’
Indeed, the Myriad Arts.
It encompassed all the profound and beautiful principles of Eastern philosophy.
Heaven, Earth, and Man.
The three elements applied as the origin of the universe and the drivers of change.
Techniques were ultimately what humans performed under heaven, on earth.
Thus, the foundation of techniques was the origin of the universe.
What I unleashed was the universe itself.
Thus, I myself became the microcosm!
‘Ah.’
Was this enlightenment?
The vague concepts from laying the foundations now began to click one by one.
The elder’s words from the early days flashed in my mind.
- You swung at ‘slash’ in the coolest, most comfortable stance you could imagine. And at its core are all the notions of ‘slash’ you’ve experienced and felt in life.
Words about ‘slash.’
‘Yes.’
Moving as I desired, as I had realized.
In that process, constantly refining to achieve perfection—the pinnacle.
Thereby accomplishing what I desired.
- In that swing just now, you poured your entire life.
Yes.
My life was the universe.
That was the ultimate essence of the Myriad Arts.
I hadn’t achieved it yet, but I could vaguely see where I needed to reach.
I didn’t know how much honing it would take, but instinctively, I understood.
The Myriad Arts was manifesting and realizing my desires onto the world.
The state where energy, body, and form all became unnecessary in that process.
Godhood.
Fwaaa!
Suddenly, I felt a refreshing clarity in my chest.
The sensation of opening my eyes.
Just briefly touching that distant realm made the pure energy in my body surge wildly.
Gooo…!
My energy trembled.
Thump thump!
My heart began to pound.
The Supreme Azure Heart Method, which had been active even while sleeping, eating, or training, now boiled vigorously.
At the same time.
[Confirmed a sublime realm, however briefly.]
[Energy increases by 1,000.]
[Energy increases by 1,000.]
[Energy increases by 1,000.]
The natural energy scattered around began flooding in rapidly.
‘Crazy.’
A whopping 3,000 energy gained.
When I had reached SS-Grade before, it was only 2,000.
Also.
[The skill ‘Supreme Azure Heart Method’ (S-Grade) has been upgraded!]
[The skill has changed to ‘Supreme Azure Heart Method’ (SS-Grade)!]
As I could now handle even purer energy more precisely, the Supreme Azure Heart Method’s grade rose.
Moreover, with the vessel containing cleaner water, the vessel itself emanated an inviolable aura.
[The skill ‘Impervious to Ten Thousand Poisons’ (S-Grade) has been upgraded!]
[The skill has changed to ‘Impervious to Ten Thousand Poisons’ (SS-Grade)!]
Now, no poison could ever invade my body.
It was already the case, but now even Poison Mists looked like cute pets?
That wasn’t all.
[Acquired the skill ‘Diamond Indestructibility’ (SS-Grade)!]
Diamond Indestructibility?
As I tilted my head, the skill window popped up.
[Skill: Diamond Indestructibility]
[Grade: SS]
[Effect 1: Body is as hard as diamond and will not break.]
Whoa.
What was this now.
Pretty good?
With the sturdiest foundation of anyone, my body had become equally tough.
In any case, a tougher body meant fewer risks.
There was good reason the elder had set aside everything else to focus only on the Myriad Arts foundations.
‘Elder.’
I looked at the old man.
I promised, didn’t I?
No matter what trials came, I’d inherit everything you have.
I’d let the world know what the ‘Myriad Arts’ is.
See.
Do you believe in me a bit now?
Rumble…
Amid the churning atmosphere, the old man nodded with a proud face.
But I could also read a hint of bitterness in that expression.
That was only natural.
The sorrow of the white-haired elder.
The elder’s Myriad Arts was already buried in the snowy mountains.
Even as he taught me now, he was ultimately just a departed soul.
Even though he could feel emotions, how could he not feel regret?
But.
‘Just wait.’
For the Myriad Arts [we] will build.
The Myriad Arts achieved more beautifully and sacredly than anyone else’s.
‘This isn’t just mine, Elder.’
It’s what [we] accomplished together.
Whiii!
The atmosphere, which had been raging to draw in pure natural energy, slowly calmed.
My hair fluttered refreshingly in the wind.
“What’re you saying, you insolent brat.”
The elder spoke gruffly.
But.
Heh.
The old man couldn’t hide the grin tugging at his lips.
Why wouldn’t he know.
The kid had worked harder than anyone.
He gave his all every moment, enduring pains that others would have abandoned instantly.
And such a person.
Was sharing the achievement he had accomplished.
Thank you.
He was his own disciple—how could that not be praiseworthy.
Staring intently with a thrilling, swelling emotion, the old man soon nodded.
“Eh! Insolent, so insolent! Well, time’s up for me, so I’ll be off!”
Sss!
He vanished.
Self-dismissal.
An expression of his body hating the embarrassment.
* * *
“Wow, Guild Master! You’re here?”
Kim Jin-ah opened her mouth in an excited voice.
In the world.
The Guild Master had shown up!
The Guild Master, who always vanished somewhere during every World Ranker Announcement Ceremony, had finally appeared.
No more pathetic solo beer-sipping while staring at the TV broadcast!
Of course.
Ahead of tomorrow’s ceremony, she was preparing a grand festival.
“Oh my, our Byulcheonji members working hard for the kids. Eat up, dearies!”
In a vast plaza with a giant screen set up.
Mother Yang Jung-ae was piling the table with delicacies that made saliva pool just looking at them.
“Music’s on me!”
On a small stage in a corner, Agnes, the famed Poet of Prague, had taken the stage.
“Kra ha ha ha! Let’s forget everything and drink today!”
“Yeah! After training to death for nearly a year, we gotta drink! What’re you doing? Grab your glasses!”
Berserker Jang Dae-woong and Thunderclap Floa had already settled in one spot, setting up a drinking party.
And besides them.
Every Byulcheonji member had shown up for this year-end event.
Just the members, no Seoul Five Stars or anyone else—a gathering for us to enjoy among ourselves.
I looked over them one by one.
Some gazes turned toward me.
They were in party mode, but I knew.
How hard they had worked up to the announcement.
As much as the Guild Master had secluded himself, they had kept pace without slacking.
‘It must have been a shock.’
Byulcheonji’s overwhelming performance at the Star Demon War.
To become rankers fitting that group, they had trained day and night without rest.
Those without persistence couldn’t become rankers in the first place.
They seemed to have achieved some results—their auras were quite fierce.
“Hey, Boss!”
Pazzz!
Floa sparked electricity as she shouted.
“What’re you doing standing there all spaced out! Come get a drink! Drink! Oh, and look at this one. Says it’s her first time drinking, but she’s a total lightweight!”
“……?”
I turned my gaze, and my words caught in my throat.
Because Kwon Sun-ji was next to Floa, cheeks flushed red, hiccuping.
And letting out weird shrieks too.
“Kihihi! Drink, driiink.”
No, how much did you feed the kid?
“Heehee, shall we check our Guild Master’s ranking earlyyiiih….”
“St-stop her!”
“Uwaaa! Sis, sis!”
Kim Jin-ah and Kwon Tam-ji nearby rushed over and clamped Kwon Sun-ji’s mouth shut with their hands.
Never mind that Styx was a secret to members.
No need to waste precious energy just to peek at my ranking early.
‘Still.’
I was curious though?
Just what rank was I?