Chapter 138
Chapter 138
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 138
Chapter Title: Warrior, Providing Direction
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Outside, operational forces had just begun to form.
Meanwhile, inside the dungeon right now, the beastkin had nearly vanished, bringing a sense of peace.
With everything returning to normal, challengers started trickling back into the rest area, and even within the mini-dungeon, the beastkin raiders were gone, allowing everyone to adventure with peace of mind.
On top of that, just as Hyrim resumed challenging the Abyss Pit, the original members returned as well.
"Hmm... a shortcut, huh..."
"It's been a while, so how about we check out this dungeon's boss while we're at it?"
"Oh, good idea?"
Many had returned after nearly half a year, so the hero parties were curious about their progress and headed to the boss room via Ferguson or the golem.
Of course, that naturally led to...
"You dare use a shortcut?! Then die!!!"
"""Huh?"""
BOOOOM!!!
The hero parties could confirm that Balak was as lively as ever.
His fist even seemed to mix red stars with blue ones now?
The heroes gathered after so long, chatting about recent events.
"No way... does that boss just get stronger over time?"
"Nah, no..."
"It can get even stronger from there..."
They were heroes who understood that the path of the warrior knew no end.
"By the way, Senior Hyrim."
"What's up, Lowell?"
"That sword. It's been all the buzz lately—what happened with it?"
"Yeah! The sword made from the Ancient Dragon's fang! Everyone's talking about why such a material would even be in a dungeon!"
"Oh... that? The conclusion is that it's from a being that's been alive since ancient times in that dungeon."
"""What?!"""
"You know how the Elf Queen has that mysterious power, right? Apparently, she even knows its ancient name."
When Balak had faced the Elf Queen Elfride's ability, he'd rattled off names like Force, Psionic, Psychic Energy, and more.
And in the distant past, it had actually been called by those very names!
"Whoa, the strongest being from ages past..."
"Yeah... something felt off, you know? If a being like that had been living here, it would've made a huge name for itself already. The total lack of info was weird."
"A stinger in the pocket eventually reveals itself."
Thus, the misunderstanding among outsiders who didn't know Balak was only in his late twenties deepened further.
**************
Balak, suddenly treated like an ancient relic due to lack of communication, stood before Narin, who had concealed herself with magic.
"Changwol, did you see it well?"
"Y-Yes."
"Then tell me what you thought of that punch just now."
"Uh... well... um... It was amazing."
Tch. Am I expecting too much?
Normally, witnessing a master's technique sparks great inspiration, but Changwol showed none of that.
Looks like he'll have to toughen up the old-fashioned way!
Thud!!
"Now eat this."
"Ugh..."
Like the rest of the family, the guy was now force-fed a pile of spirit medicines every day.
But his expression... it mixed delight with disgust in a contradictory mess.
His eating pace was insultingly slow too—was he really from the Land of Eastern Etiquette?!
Damn it! At this rate, he'll suffer even greater internal injuries from these foul-tasting elixirs!
In the end, I swallowed my tears and called for the helper.
"Father, is that why you summoned me?"
"Yes."
"Teacher?"
"Ahem, I told you not to call me that."
"I-I couldn't possibly!"
I'd even told Ferguson to drop the stiff "master" title and just call me brother.
Same with this time—I'd suggested a casual term during the last training session...
But it looped right back to "master"!
As expected of a devout follower of the Great Eastern Faith!
Her upbringing from such an exemplary mother had backfired spectacularly.
Anyway, calling in the daughter-in-law was simple.
Crunch!!
"P-Please wait just a—!!"
"Say ahh~."
"Mmmph! Mmmph!"
Ophelia had locked him in a joint hold and was stuffing the elixirs down Changwol's throat!
Sure, I could've done it myself, but considering how much he'd fixated on gender last time, this was the polite choice.
Ten minutes later, I praised Ophelia for fulfilling her role.
"You did great, Ophelia. You've made things so much easier."
"Your praise warms me, Father. I'll take my leave then."
"Yes, don't overdo it."
Pew—!
Truly, one fine daughter-in-law I've got.
Once Changwol came to, he dove straight into training.
But watching his heartfelt downward slash with arms crossed, something felt off.
The flashing sword aura I'd seen since his mental training wasn't bad at all.
Yet he couldn't sustain it to the end—it scattered quickly.
And he only swung when I told him to; it felt utterly directionless.
Don't tell me...
"Changwol, what's the unfulfilled aspiration in your swordsmanship—the ultimate pursuit passed down through generations?"
"It's as you're seeing now."
"Sigh... so Sword-Man Unity really is the pinnacle of that style..."
Body and sword remain separate, but a true warrior senses the blade like an extension of his flesh.
Wields it as freely as a finger—that's Sword-Man Unity.
But Changwol's swordsmanship took that as its goal.
And now that he'd achieved Sword-Man Unity and could wield sword aura, he had no idea what came next!
The East seemed pretty low-power too, from the looks of it.
"If you returned to the East now, how strong would you be?"
"Among the world's top hundred experts, definitely in the upper ranks."
The heroes here were lackluster enough, but the East too?!!
Was spine-tingling combat only possible with that white guy?!
Looks like we'll have to wait until the challengers grow here...
Regret aside, I could set Changwol on the right path.
First, to aid understanding, I checked his knowledge.
"Changwol, tell me about the Eastern realms."
"Third-rate, second-rate, first-rate, peak."
"Wait... that's it?"
"I-Is there more beyond that?"
No realms past peak?
That's straight-up old-school wuxia!
Good lord... is that why Changwol doesn't know the next step?
In the end, I introduced him to new-school wuxia.
"You seem clueless about realms, so I'll explain step by step. First, do you know what peak means?"
"A realm so high it's unreachable."
"Correct. But realms continue beyond that."
"Really?!"
"Yes! The next after peak is Super Peak!"
"I see... one who reaches the utmost extreme of peak—that's Super Peak. So I must hone my current skills to head toward—"
"No! You need to surpass even that!"
I circulated my energy.
"Beyond Super Peak, inner force and outer qi harmonize seamlessly. Like the cultivator, nature, and the heavenly dao flowing without clash, like ripples on water."
"...What's that realm called?"
"Harmony Realm—or Hwa-kyung for short."
"Then Hwa-kyung is the warrior's ultimate—!"
"Not the end!"
I named the realm I myself pursued next.
"If Harmony unites cultivator and nature, higher realms connect or manipulate the principles of all creation."
"Huh?"
"And realms that manifest one's inner imagery into reality are Incarnation or Manifestation Realm."
"Um, Teacher?"
"Beyond Manifestation lies Life-Death Realm, transcending the boundary of life and death! But still not the end!!! Nature Realm! Void Realm!! As-You-Will Realm!! Universe Realm!! Primordial Realm!!"
Thus, Narin confronted the power creep of new-school wuxia.
And realized she stood merely at the starting line.
*****************
I'd shown Changwol how far the path stretched.
"So the realm you've reached, Teacher..."
"I'm at the cusp of Hwa-kyung now."
"...Two steps apart, yet the gap is vast."
"Remember: dozens of peaks can't touch Super Peak, and dozens of Super Peaks can't fell Hwa-kyung."
"I'll etch it in my heart. For now, I must follow in your footsteps."
"Exactly! Now aim for Sword Aura Star Blade as your goal!"
The road ahead is treacherous, but with me, Changwol will surely reach Hwa-kyung!
"But won't swinging a sword here alone stall my realm progress?"
"Oh dear... forgotten what this place is?"
First off, Changwol would train for high realms in my dungeon while I groomed him as a hidden boss.
I'd gotten his agreement during training to become one, but a reconfirmation couldn't hurt.
"Changwol, let me ask once more as before. Will you fight in my dungeon?"
"Following my teacher's path is a disciple's duty. Even if it's the Demon Path, I'll press on."
Perfect! Absolutely perfect!
I showed him the state of my dungeon.
"Th-This is...?"
"My dungeon, under my management."
"Uh..."
Heh, overwhelmed by the majesty of an endgame dungeon.
I explained the training plan.
"First, you'll train with the method I devised."
"Y-You made the training method yourself, Teacher?!"
"Don't worry—it's not like the mental training ordeal."
"Eeeeek..."
Thud!
Was the mental training that brutal?
Anyway, I led the dungeon-blind Changwol to the training hall.
"What's this place...?"
"Hey! Narin! You finally made it here?"
"Welcome!"
"Pepira? And... J-Junior Sister?! What is that scandalous outfit?!"
Had Dhamfir decided to drop formalities with Changwol last time?
Anyway, Changwol recoiled in shock at Dhamfir in modern tank top and shorts.
Sure, in the old East, even showing an ankle demanded utmost propriety.
To a Great Eastern Faith girl, that exposed attire must've been a bombshell.
But Changwol's trials weren't over.
"Come on!! Put this on quick!!"
"W-What?!"
"It's surprisingly comfy! Plus, there's even a shower room here..."
Oh boy.
She'd been mortified at first, but now Dhamfir's eyes sparkled.
Probably looking forward to Changwol drenched in sweat in tank and shorts?
Thanks to Dhamfir, he seemed to adapt fast—good.
"Eeeeek!!! You want me to wear this?!"
"Aw~ it's just a sports bra. Try it—you'll love the fit!"
Lucky... right?