Chapter 9
Chapter 9
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 9
Chapter Title: Master of Ten Thousand Arts (2)
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My prediction was spot on.
The old man had a burning desire to teach someone. He had an ambition.
'In truth, it wasn't that he lacked talent to teach.'
From my memories.
Even in this unknown otherworld, there were surely countless ordinary folks.
If he had gathered them and divided his professions among them to pass on, he could have easily transmitted his knowledge to future generations.
But.
The old man was greedy.
Single Successor Transmission.
He wanted only one person to inherit his vast abilities and knowledge.
[Skill, 'Memory Reproduction' (S-Grade) ends.]
Flash!
The eerie sense of déjà vu vanished.
The scenery shifted once more.
['Master of Ten Thousand Arts' gazes at you.]
"Hngh!"
A suffocating gaze pressed down.
This wasn't just talk.
It was pressure so intense I couldn't even draw a single breath of air.
'But.'
I smiled.
I felt like a perverted psycho for being able to smile in this situation.
Still, I couldn't help but smile.
'Because I can see hope.'
The old man's first words to me had been blatant disdain.
He'd said I was even worse than Gi So-yul, not worth a second glance.
He'd tried to toss me out immediately.
'However.'
That old man's soul was definitely 'gazing' at me now.
Unlike with other hunters or Gi So-yul, he wasn't crushing me in agony and hurling me beyond the 'gate.'
That alone filled me with hope.
At last, the white-haired old man's lips parted.
"You brat."
An overwhelming presence emanated from him.
Was this the mighty force of one who had stood at the pinnacle of a world?
"You peered into my soul? What an intriguing brat."
['Master of Ten Thousand Arts' feels curiosity toward you.]
"Yes...... that's right......! Hngh!"
I answered immediately.
It was hard even to open my mouth, but I strained to squeeze out my voice.
The chance Gi So-yul had given me was only once.
One coin, one shot.
'If this old man is truly seeking a disciple......! If I could inherit that vast power and knowledge......!'
It had to be me.
I absolutely couldn't let it go to someone else.
Missing this chance would hurt for real.
Instinct told me.
This was a once-in-a-millennium opportunity that wouldn't come again.
To call this old man—who treated rankers like toys—my master? That was the ultimate fortuitous encounter!
"However."
The old man in his pristine white mourning clothes, the 'Master of Ten Thousand Arts,' spoke in a somehow chilling tone.
He stared into my eyes for a moment, then shook his head.
"Aside from that one intriguing bit, there's nothing else. Pathetic. You're no vessel to contain me. Utterly lacking."
"Hngh!"
The old man's aura intensified.
My whole body trembled as if undergoing electric torture.
No.
This wouldn't do.
I had to persuade him somehow.
Even if I endured until my body melted away.
"No, elder!"
I glared fiercely with wide eyes.
Then I stared straight at the old man.
"If you go on like that, you'll never get a disciple! You'll be stuck at your limit forever, haunting as a ghost! To the world, you'll be remembered as a stubborn, obsessed specter!"
"What?"
At my provocation, the old man's aura turned ferocious.
"What an insolent pup. Out of my boundless magnanimity, I've let ants like you live till now. Want me to break one of your legs to knock some sense into you?"
"Wait! Hold on, elder! You're the Master of Ten Thousand Arts. The people I know would give their whole lives just to master one!"
"Hmph, impossible. The world is vast and time is long—surely there's another genius like me."
I faltered briefly at the old man's self-praise.
But.
I'd bought some time.
The old man was definitely 'talking' with me.
That alone was a huge achievement.
"Look! That woman who came in earlier—would you believe she's one of the strongest in this world?"
"What?!"
The old man's face twisted for the first time.
Shock flooded his features.
He seemed genuinely stunned that Gi So-yul was a top powerhouse.
'This...... stings a bit.'
For me, whose ultimate dream was to become a ranker like Gi So-yul.
The old man's reaction hurt sharply.
'Anyway.'
He'd bitten the bait, so time to reel him in?
From the perspective of the old man seeking worthy timber.
It must be hard to accept that Gi So-yul, whom he'd rejected, was one of this world's strongest.
Even in the world the old man had lived in, there were plenty who surpassed her.
"Absurd! World-class strongest with that level of skill? What the hell is wrong with this bratty world's power scale?"
Stunned with his mouth agape, the old man soon bellowed.
"You! You're not trying to mock me, are you?"
"Look into my eyes! Am I lying? Elder, you were called a sage for centuries. Can't you tell at a glance if my words are false?"
Using the info from 'Memory Reproduction.'
I kept talking.
By my standards, rankers were basically world-class strongest, so I was confident it wasn't wrong.
"Hmm."
A furrow creased the old man's brow.
He'd realized my words were true.
Even as a ghost, the old man's discernment was intact.
"You...... it's true. Not quite the world's best, but a fairly renowned powerhouse...... How with such meager skill? Sigh, the heavens are heartless. She was the timber I so desperately sought, yet in the end...... Tsk."
The old man clicked his tongue.
His intense gaze softened into emptiness and despair.
The pressure eased slightly as well.
"Hngh? Hoo, hooo!"
My breathing eased a bit.
I gulped air through the tiny gap.
And soon.
I sensed instinctively that the moment had come.
"Hooo......! Elder!"
I shouted through gritted teeth.
"If no one meets your fancy, why not use me?"
"Use you?"
"Yes! Inherit your abilities to me!"
"Hah, to you?"
"Take you as my disciple? I thought you were just insolent, but you're shameless too. Better to teach trash than you."
The old man's brutal truth stabbed my chest.
But.
I didn't stop persuading.
"Just hear me out! I'm not saying teach me directly!"
"......Then?"
"I have a special ability."
I rolled my eyes to check my status window.
[Hunter: Joo Dong-hoon]
[Energy: 100/100]
Okay.
No abnormalities.
I clenched my fist tight.
[Skill, 'Ordinary Skeleton Summon' (D-Grade) activates.]
That's right.
The solution I offered the old man.
Wasn't me, but my children.
In other words, the boneheads.
[Uses 10 Energy.]
['Bone 1' appears.]
>
[Uses 10 Energy.]
['Bone 2' appears.]
Led by Bone One and Bone Two.
[Uses 10 Energy.]
['Bone 3' appears.]
......
[Uses 10 Energy.]
['Bone 10' appears.]
From Bone Three to Bone Ten.
This time, I used all my energy to summon every one of the ten skeletons at my disposal.
It was a gamble.
"Surely you can see their potential at a glance, elder?"
"......"
A gamble that these growing skeletons had limitless potential.
Skeletons had definitely grown from E-Grade to D-Grade.
Then.
Couldn't they reach C-Grade, B-Grade too?
Eventually S-Grade.
No, even beyond.
I just didn't know the method yet.
That alone.
Made their 'potential' sufficient.
"Bone 1 through Bone 10, a total of ten. Each has a unique ability. Easy for you to divide and teach them. You want single successor transmission? No worry there. Even if you raise them all, only I will inherit it!"
It might be sophistry.
But right now, it was my only answer.
They were all I had, my 'unique ability.'
They were 'me,' weren't they?
'Worst case, I break even.'
The old man had to choose too.
Live in regret forever.
Or take the next best option.
"What do you say? They're growing undead. No pain means unmatched persistence, no fear means boundless daring. They'll take your advice and teachings exactly as given, without reservation."
"......"
The white-haired old man said nothing.
His expressionless face stared only at the bones, unreadable.
"......"
So I shut my mouth too.
Instinct told me.
Pushing more wouldn't sway his choice.
The old man moved only by his own judgment.
I waited silently.
For his decision.
"Hoh."
And soon.
The old man's lips twitched.
"What a riot...... The timber I searched so desperately for turns out to be undead, not human."
"......!"
Step.
The old man slowly approached.
Then he caressed the skeletons with a gentle gaze.
"Truly immense potential. Undoubtedly martial prodigies in life. I've wanted ones like this all along—why now? Tsk."
The old man's reaction was shocking.
Like picking six random lottery numbers and hitting the jackpot?
My skeletons' potential was truly worthy of his highest praise?
"Teaching one is ideal, but a bit awkward for many...... Fine, I'll compromise to some extent."
The ferocious pressure had vanished before I knew it.
Now I could finally see my surroundings.
That's right.
This was the snowy mountain peak where the old man had ended his life.
[Hidden condition fulfilled.]
The place steeped in his resentment.
And where that resentment would be resolved.
['Stage: Deeply Resentful White-Haired Old Man' exclusive hidden condition!]
The old man's eyes turned back to me.
With an extremely satisfied expression.
Gulp.
I swallowed dryly, and he continued.
"I'll trust your words. I'll trust the venom in your eyes too. So promise me. No matter the trials, you'll inherit everything I have. Etch 'me' into the world somewhere."
[Condition: Gain Recognition]
- To gain recognition from the transcendent conqueror of another world, 'Master of Ten Thousand Arts,' you must reach a certain level.
- Persuade him.
I felt the old man's earnestness in his tone.
Of course—how badly did he want it to become a 'resentment' even in death?
I answered sincerely.
"I won't miss the fortuitous encounter of my dreams. I'll inherit it no matter what."
"Good."
The old man's reply was lighthearted.
[Congratulations!]
['Stage: Deeply Resentful White-Haired Old Man' cleared!]
Ah......
I was moved to tears.
For real?
This dungeon even rankers couldn't clear.
I cleared it solo with just one coin?
Really?
Swoosh!
The pent-up tension released.
My legs gave out in tandem.
[Clear rewards arrive!]
Honestly.
This day.
I can proudly say it was when I gained the greatest fortuitous encounter of my life.
[All energy depleted!]
[Body reaches limit!]
"......"
And soon.
I lost consciousness.