The Heaven-Shattering Divine Sword
Nam Gyuil parted ways with Han Ducheol and headed straight home, diving into the Akashic Records.
He scoured the vast library diligently.
Here it is.
He found information on a martial artist who had entered the Akashic Records before him and become the supreme under the heavens. The name was Hwang Boyeong.
Nam Gyuil read through the books meticulously.
This part is important.
There was a tale of how Hwang Boyeong defeated the Heaven Demon.
- Engaged in a bloody battle with the Heaven Demon using the Parcheon Divine Sword, and brought him down.
A martial art with "Parcheon," meaning "heaven-shattering," in its name.
The Heaven Demon must have been as formidable as the heavens themselves.
Nam Gyuil continued reading. The Parcheon Divine Sword, which had even felled the Heaven Demon, hid a truly astonishing secret.
Mixing martial arts together?
It was a divine art that simultaneously unleashed the essences of famous orthodox sect techniques from Huashan, Wudang, Shaolin, Nangong family, and more.
However, it had a fatal flaw. Each sect's internal energy pathways differed, so practicing techniques of conflicting natures would cause severe internal injuries.
Hwang Boyeong knew this well. Thus, he sought a way to minimize those injuries. The result was Yang's Heart Method.
But during his battle with the Heaven Demon, Hwang Boyeong hadn't fully perfected Yang's Heart Method. He'd only found a way to reduce the damage.
Using that, he defeated the Heaven Demon with an incomplete Parcheon Divine Sword.
The story was long and detailed. The orthodox sects were on the brink of annihilation by the Heaven Demon, with countless lives lost in rivers of blood. The surviving families and sects barely rallied around Hwang Boyeong to maintain the Murim Alliance.
Hwang Boyeong couldn't defeat the Heaven Demon with martial arts alone. He barely held on using knowledge from other dimensions.
Murim lacked a manufacturing base, making it hard to craft weapons with that knowledge, and without a staff, magic's power was weak.
Then, Hwang Boyeong had an epiphany: What if he unleashed all martial arts at once? Wouldn't that create the ultimate divine art?
The fallen sects and families, driven by vengeance against the Heaven Demon, revealed their secret techniques to him. Thus, the Parcheon Divine Sword was born, allowing him to fell the Heaven Demon.
But Hwang Boyeong himself suffered grievous internal injuries, teetering on the edge of death. While bedridden, he finally perfected Yang's Heart Method.
Nam Gyuil pursed his lips.
So, to safely master the Parcheon Divine Sword that defeated even the Heaven Demon, one must achieve great attainment in Yang's Heart Method.
He closed the book and searched for texts on the Parcheon Divine Sword.
Here it is.
He read about it and was stunned.
What is this? Is this even possible in reality?
It was utterly astonishing. Each sect had different internal energy pathways. Yet the Parcheon Divine Sword maximized power by channeling energy through all of them simultaneously.
Without Yang's Heart Method, it's practically a suicide technique.
Nam Gyuil swallowed hard. But if one perfected Yang's Heart Method, it would be the supreme martial art under the heavens.
I could wield the Parcheon Divine Sword properly.
Of course, it required an immense foundation of internal energy. Elixirs became even more crucial.
I'll have to work incredibly hard.
Nam Gyuil let out a long breath. Next, he researched elixirs from the Murim world.
In the Arnian world, there were low-grade, mid-grade, and high-grade elixirs.
Is Murim different?
He pulled out Murim elixir texts. As a higher dimension, the variety was impressive: Tae cheong Pill, Daehwan Pill, Jaha Divine Pill. From millennium snow ginseng to millennium fire pear, and more.
Impressive, but...
None of these exist on Earth.
Nam Gyuil sighed. He'd have to hope gates dropped the ingredients.
To get these materials, I'll need to target even harder gates that are tough to close.
Han Suyeong's role was now vital. The government wanted guilds to handle problematic gates. But to cherry-pick desired ones from the government required serious salesmanship.
Can Han Suyeong pull it off?
No worries about betrayal given her loyalty, but her skills were average, from what he'd heard.
All he could do was hope she excelled.
Vroom.
A sleek sedan cruised down the road. A suited man in sunglasses gripped the wheel. Han Suyeong sat in the back seat, scrolling news on her tablet.
Nam Gyuil Establishes Public Guild
Closed 9 Gates in a Single Day? Public Guild's Meteoric Rise!!
The headlines made it sound like a powerhouse guild.
The admins here must walk tall.
She smirked. Her father had told her everything: Nam Gyuil's plans, his goals.
He wants to put the Hunter Association in its place?
Ambitious guy. She recalled their first meeting, when he'd recruited her with a poison knife offer to join Kangcheol Guild.
Even then, he had guts.
He'd beaten Manager Kim in a duel and stood fearless before her father, Han Ducheol.
Public Guild had huge growth potential. Though her father's orders irked her—leaving a major guild for a mid-tier one—she obeyed.
I'll grow Public Guild and earn Father's recognition!
That was her goal. An unawakened heir taking over Kangcheol? Impossible. Hunters wouldn't follow her.
I'll dominate admin work instead.
With Father's backing, I can aim for International Hunter Organization chair.
She had ambitions too. The organization mediated hunter conflicts in international disputes.
To join, I need Father's support. So, results at Public Guild first.
Screech.
The sedan pulled up to the building. The driver hopped out and opened her door.
Click-clack. Her high heels echoed as she stood at the entrance.
Small scale.
Compared to Kangcheol Guild, it was modest.
"Have a good day, miss."
The driver bowed. Han Suyeong entered, shoulders squared.
Oddly quiet inside.
No welcome?
Then Nam Gyuil descended the stairs.
He greeted her. "Hello, Han Suyeong. Nam Gyuil here. Remember me?"
"Of course."
She extended a hand, haughty. He shook it firmly.
"I'll show you around."
He led her through training rooms, dorms, admin offices.
She inspected her future office closely. Spacious enough for ten.
But empty. Equipment aplenty, people none.
"No other staff? Too big for just me."
"None."
Direct answer.
"Staff hiring timeline?"
"No plans."
"Pardon?"
Her eyes widened. Unexpected.
Nam Gyuil probed. "You knew I needed a trusted admin, right?"
"Yes. I'll handle security tightly, but... solo? Didn't expect that."
He pursed his lips slightly. Will she manage?
As if reading him, she exuded confidence. "Don't worry. I can handle it alone."
She smirked. "Don't underestimate me. I'm seasoned in this."
Chin up, she sat at a desk, reviewing Public Guild files.
"You can go, Nam Gyuil. Files tell me everything."
"Thanks. Best of luck."
He left. Alone, she checked personnel.
Only 5 hunters? Including him.
No expansion plans. Contracts next.
Why so much retained earnings?
Nam Gyuil had poured in massive capital.
100 billion? For a new mid-tier guild?
What's his deal? Chaebol heir?
Extraordinary.
Father allied with someone huge, maybe.
She grasped operations now.
Time to work.
She processed gate closure certificates to Hunter Agency. Easy.
Monster byproducts sales next.
Huge volume. Big task.
Closing 9 gates daily means sales can't slack.
But priority: Secure Nam Gyuil's desired gates, even competing with majors.
Files revealed his intent.
Prioritizes growth over profit. Bunching 9 gates proves it.
Others hunted daily, minimal training. Public Guild flipped it—delayed closures despite agency duties.
Meant: Max training time.
If growth-focused, he'd want tough gates to hone skills.
Her role: Fetch powerful gates.
Not easy. Byproducts were profit lifeline; high-risk gates shunned.
Fierce competition.
Worse if Hunter Association hates you—blockades everywhere.
She recalled Kangcheol days: majors ganged up viciously.
Sigh. Father's nod required Nam Gyuil's first.
Need to think smart.
Ring ring.
Phone buzzed. Calls from majors: Cheongwol and Unha Guilds.
Why me?
No reason to meet, but not trivial.
Better see them.
She tossed her hair, answered.
Cheongwol Guild Master Song Taesu. Unha Guild Master Hwang Hiryong.
They sat in a private room restaurant. One reason: Curb Public Guild.
Its rise was sharp; time for a spy.
Past blockades foiled by Jo Sangmin's nitpicking.
This op: Just them. Unaware Jo was leashed by Nam Gyuil.
Song Taesu asked Hwang Hiryong. "Jo Sangmin—his execs dead. We split Presento?"
Greed burned in his eyes.
Hwang shook his head. "Shim Jeongun kept him with us. No pretext, no move."
"Damn. Solid excuse and Presento is ours."
Repulsive talk. Allies ready to bite for gain.
Han Suyeong entered.
"Ah~ Come in."
Song Taesu lifted his brandy, feigning ease with smugness.
She sat, stared coldly. No smile for these wolves.
Ice-cold atmosphere.
"What do you want? I'm busy."
She spoke first.
Hwang scoffed, as if knowing all.
"Chat frankly."
"Frankly?"
"Don't you hate Kangcheol? Han Ducheol compared you to his son endlessly."
"What do you want?"
Her eyes narrowed. Father compared her to Kangsu? Private matter.
Impressive intel.
Fist clenched.
Song poured brandy. "We'll back you for Kangcheol chair. Tough compared to bro, huh?"
Hwang chimed. "Father wronged you. Time for payback?"
Fanning her ambitions.
She scowled. Use their power? They'd demand more.
Not that naive.
But... A poisoned chalice can be wielded.
She smiled thinly. "Got it. Shall we negotiate?"
Fingers steepled. "Not charity, right?"
Song leaned back, leg crossed, smug. "Sharp, like Han Ducheol's daughter."
Hwang stated terms. "Leak Public Guild intel. We'll help."
Her counter. "Then, keep feeding me desired gates. Need results for Kangcheol claim."
Bold. They exchanged glances, nodded.
"Deal. You must deliver intel."
"Naturally."
Agreement sealed.
But Han Suyeong thought otherwise. Intel? Feed fakes to use them. Get my gates.