The Oresik Grand Assembly
The Oresik Grand Assembly was the greatest festival for aura users, held once a year. It was the ultimate chance to show off their growth and appeal to Gwak Chunsik, the Oresik Master—Korea’s hero and living legend.
I, too, had shed rivers of blood and sweat for this day with my masters.
“Hiyah!”
I shouted with all my might, enveloping my fist in aura and thrusting it toward an enemy in their formation. The guy crumpled instantly as my fist slammed into his throat.
Indeed, the secret technique my grand master taught me, Neck Slice, was undoubtedly the strongest in the world.
But the problem was right over there.
In this arena where every disciple flaunted their skills, that spot had become a no-man’s-land. All because of that kid standing there, fist clenched.
He looked calm, but the thick killing intent radiating from him screamed that anyone who approached would be shredded.
At first, it was just bewilderment and jealousy. But now, I could understand.
That level of killing intent at his age... He must have lived a brutal life.
A boy soldier who survived the only one in a warzone. A kid drenched in blood after massacring a village, lunging reflexively as someone approached.
His movements were like a beast’s. But the grand master (no passport needed) subdued him effortlessly and said,
“Savage. But you can become stronger! Now, run toward that sun!”
He gently took the bloody hand and led him away—from a life of meaningless slaughter to the world of Oresik, where one saves lives!
Phew, he must have endured such hardships. How vast must the Oresik Master’s heart be!
But that wasn’t important right now. I had to focus on the outcome of this spar.
Because of that kid, a no-man’s-land formed in the center of what started as a 100-vs-100 brawl. Our formation couldn’t penetrate theirs due to the gap.
“Who’d have thought just radiating killing intent could do this... Someone from our side, go take out that kid!”
“I-Is that okay, senior?! He’s the grand master’s disciple—practically our grand senior!”
“You don’t worry about that in a spar! Go, now!”
A junior charged at him upon hearing my shout. Since the kid had only shown killing intent so far, sending a junior to test him seemed smart—
“How dare you touch our grand senior while ignoring us!”
“Insolent fools!”
But suddenly, some guys burst in, and my junior retired on the spot.
Judging by the aura on their hands and the scorched junior’s uniform, I knew exactly who they were.
“Ki-sik... The Cheongyacha workshop guys...!”
They were the ones infamous on Jeju Island for fleecing tourists—and even called the island’s mad collective.
“You lot can’t touch a single hair on Grand Senior’s head!”
“Grand Senior’s working for us himself—how dare you!!”
I had no idea why they were protecting the kid so fiercely, but one thing was clear: If we didn’t take them out now, we’d lose.
“Argh! Everyone, charge!”
“Attack!”
The sparring ground turned into chaos in an instant, thanks to the Cheongyacha crew’s roars. And there was the young grand senior, looking down aloofly.
Did he calculate all this, spreading killing intent from up there? If so, he was a terrifying existence—battlefield survivor with both martial prowess and cunning.
* * *
No, what the hell was going on?
No one was coming at me, and with my Human Totem trait activated just from standing there, things started going weird.
Suddenly, enemies targeting me, and Cheongyacha apprentices blocking them. The two formations clashed full-force, turning everything into a free-for-all.
They charged me; my side threw themselves to keep them away.
The groups that had just been trash-talking and glaring were now going all-out.
I didn’t do anything.
Was this the Human Totem’s power?
[1. Human Totem]: Simply standing still aids your team. Doing nothing slightly boosts teammates' luck and applies action correction to the trait holder.
The key was the “action correction” on the trait holder. Meaning, even if I did nothing, the enemies perceived me as doing something.
“So, just standing still counts as one person’s worth?”
What a cheat ability.
And it seemed to apply—the slight luck boost meant our side was whittling down theirs bit by bit.
Finally, the survivors were decided. Excluding me, about 19 remained standing in the arena.
“We planned to advance the winning formation entirely, but the spar got too intense. Guess we can’t.”
Gwak Chunsam’s voice from the platform.
“Next round with the 20 survivors seems best, Father.”
“Very well. Haha!”
So, they’d proceed with just the living.
“Thanks to you, we won, Grand Senior!”
“Without your deterrence, it would’ve been tough!”
“Huh?”
Two apprentices bowed, spouting nonsense. The other two must’ve been out.
“Yeah, see you in the next round.”
I patted their shoulders in thanks, and their faces paled.
“W-What scary talk!”
“We’re done here. We succeeded in promoting Cheongyacha as ordered. Plus, we don’t have the stamina for more!”
True enough, they looked wrecked—wounds everywhere, ragged breaths.
Whatever, fewer people meant less hassle for me. I nodded, and they sighed in relief.
“We may fall here, but we’ll cheer for you from behind, Grand Senior!”
“Grand Senior! You must win!”
Hard to picture these soot-covered muscleheads cheering, but they’d crossed life-and-death with me. Their sentiment touched me.
“Don’t worry. First place is mine anyway.”
Gwak Chunsam’s voice boomed from the platform.
“Non-participants for the next round, fall back!”
Now, 15 remained in the arena. Allies moments ago, now enemies.
My aura surged wildly in response.
“Coming at me like that?”
Only one reason for the sudden aura flare: They all harbored hostility toward me.
“Good. This makes not doing anything in round one worthwhile.”
This body was Vito Calione’s blood, after all. Watching others fight while itching to join was torture.
“Fine. Come at me all at once.”
We’d come this far. Time to boost my master’s rep too.
“Kyaaah!”
A disciple charged first with a weird scream. Unknown style, but clawing like an animal.
I met him with an aura-clad fist. The essence of stillness-in-motion packed inside.
Kwachik—!
His face caved; he flopped down.
In another venue, maybe not, but this was Oresik—geared for real combat.
“Next?”
I shook blood from my fist and scanned around. They hesitated after just one.
“Seriously, why so spineless?”
As I pondered hunting them one by one—
“Ki-yah!! How dare Oresik disciples fear one guy! If he’s my disciple and untouchable, ignore him—show your true power!”
Gwak Chunsik’s thunderous shout from the platform.
To others, it’d seem harsh even to his own disciple, all for Oresik. But I knew better.
‘Hurry up and end it, Yujin—I’m bored!’
That’s what it meant. His stern frown looked like boredom-yawn suppression to me.
“Grand Master spoke! Charge!”
“No mercy, even for grand senior!”
“Brace yourself, Grand Senior!”
His words fired them up; they rushed together.
No weapons in Oresik events, so fists it was. Better use master’s techniques than plain punches.
I channeled aura into my legs and stomped.
“Paji.”
Aura in legs, stomping to shake the ground—Oresik basic, Paji.
Gruguguguk—!
“Ugh, uwaaah!”
“Paji! Everyone, brace your lower body!”
They recognized it as Grand Master’s tech fast, but not the power. Balances shattered, gaps opened.
I don’t miss chances.
Ground force converted to leap, rocketing forward.
Fist to the gut of the first off-balance guy—he flew back, smashed the wall, out cold.
Looked strong, but one-shot. Fear buildup and trait buff had me fully doped.
No one here could stop me.
“Graaah!”
Someone aimed a kick at my back. I’d spread Aura Sonar with Paji, ducked, grabbed the leg, and slammed him down.
Three down.
Still plenty gunning for me.
“All at once!!”
Over ten from all sides. Heavy steps—they anticipated Paji.
Bad move.
“Dogyacheongcheong.”
Just use an omni-directional attack.
Legend said only Gwak Chunsik and Chunsam could use it. No one expected.
—Kagagak!
Aura rippled from my toes, rooting out like waves, piercing toward them.
“How this technique?!”
“Impossible—!”
Caught off-guard, they ate it. I’d poured all saved aura for max power.
—Kwang!
—Kwang kwang!
—Kwang!
Should spread needle-thin, but I blunted it hammer-like. Stone-shattering booms echoed; over ten dropped unconscious at once.
“...Whew. Tiring.”
Not mastered yet—wasted energy. Couldn’t shake the fatigue, but effects were solid. No one stirring.
I looked up at the platform: Gwak Chunsam shocked, Gwak Chunsik beaming like a proud dad.
This boosted his face, right?
As I raised my arm, Gwak Chunsik stood, aura booming his voice.
“The winner of this Oresik Grand Assembly is Oresik’s successor—Han Yujin!!”
Yeah. Totally hyped.