The Golden Sword Book? (Part 3)
Lee Do-hyeon stared at the mysterious new skill book.
He had already heard of the Platinum Sword style, but what was this Golden Sword thing?
Could he have gotten it wrong? He opened Ji Yu-chan’s status window just in case.
Then.
『Ji Yu-chan』
『Trait: Platinum Sword King [S]』
‘Right?’
Analysis quickly confirmed that he hadn’t misread anything.
So what exactly was this Golden Sword?
Do-hyeon leaned in closer, and Analysis provided even more details.
『Golden Sword Textbook』
▶ “This is a textbook that details the Golden Sword used by the Golden Sword King.”
▶ “The basic swordsmanship of the Golden Sword [A] is what the first Platinum Sword King, Cheon Ryuhui, learned before he mastered the Platinum Sword for his family’s legacy.”
▶ “Even though it’s called basic, its power exceeds ordinary A-rank swordsmanship.”
▶ “It helps stabilize your inner state, perfect for beginners.”
※ Recommended to learn.
‘Crazy.’
Looking at the book, Do-hyeon scratched his head, wondering if he had stumbled upon something truly rare.
He didn’t know who the first Platinum Sword King Cheon Ryuhui was, but he guessed the man had been one of the first humans to enter the Black Gate.
Why, then, had a family with such powerful swordsmanship vanished?
Do-hyeon shook his head, deciding not to overthink it.
He could look it up later in the history books at home.
Still curious, he checked if there were any other books as well. Maybe something about summoning spirits?
That line of thought led him to another discovery.
『Textbook on Will Magic』
▶ “A book explaining how to infuse mana with the caster’s will.”
▶ “Mana ultimately turns the user’s imagination into laws that manifest in the world, so adding your will to the laws inside it should create even stronger effects.”
▶ “It goes beyond simply creating laws through magic circles and formulas, and instead discusses how to incorporate will to go beyond the laws and embed deeper mental states.”
※ Recommended to learn.
Then he got lucky.
Even though it wasn’t about spirits, it was still magic-related.
Do-hyeon saw the “Will Magic” description and realized the full explanation.
This was a way to make magic even more powerful.
‘I heard earlier that you need points to learn advanced magic, right?’
Intermediate magic was D-rank, and advanced was C-rank, so maybe.
Even D-rank hunters were basically superhumans.
They couldn’t use the wild blade or slashing winds from wuxia novels, but they could use sword qi—the step right before that.
Right now, Do-hyeon himself could release sword qi.
That was why huge gaps formed between ranks.
For normal people, D-rank was already superhuman level.
He couldn’t just dismiss it.
So what about C-rank?
He had been distracted for a moment, but anyway.
Hana Rin had been looking for ways to use intermediate magic because advanced was so expensive.
And she had found one such textbook.
‘I really didn’t expect to find anything here.’
Especially Will Magic—that was a miracle.
And the Analysis had even approved learning both books.
That was too good to pass up.
After buying both textbooks, of course he paid the points and learned them.
The books had already been discounted.
[Swordsmanship - 「Golden Sword [A]」 acquired.]
[Magic - 「Will Magic [A]」 acquired.]
[Current stats exceed this ability’s limit.]
[Cannot be used at original power.]
Do-hyeon had known it wasn’t a normal skill, but he hadn’t expected this notification.
Was there another window opening somewhere?
He checked, but no.
『Lee Do-hyeon』
『Trait: Analysis [Ex]』
『Skills』
▶「Ether Heart [S]」
▶「Sword King’s Intuition [A]」
▶「Sovereign’s Dignity [A]」
▶「Guardian’s Body [A]」
▶ Swordsmanship - 「Golden Sword [A]」
▶ Magic - 「Will Magic [A]」
……(More)
‘So that’s how it works.’
Since he had the books now, Do-hyeon didn’t dwell on it.
The basic forms and knowledge of the Golden Sword filled his mind, and he couldn’t help but chuckle.
So there were other sword styles out there.
‘Is there no Heaven Demon Sword Method or anything?’
He would learn it instantly if there was.
But how likely was such a thing to appear in this random bookstore?
He already knew getting both books was pure luck.
Still, greed won out.
After searching every shelf again for something else and finding nothing, Do-hyeon sighed in disappointment.
Ji Yu-chan and Hana Rin watched him flipping through the books like that and had to give up on their hopes.
After all, they knew it was impossible to find anything here, so they weren’t too disappointed.
Just then, Do-hyeon handed the two textbooks to them—one for Ji Yu-chan, one for Hana Rin.
When they took the books and stared at him in surprise, Do-hyeon explained.
“This one has the Golden Sword swordsmanship written in it, and this one explains how to infuse will into magic.”
“N-no way!?”
“H-huh, a Golden Sword?”
Both of them gaped at him, and Do-hyeon continued explaining calmly.
He described the Golden Sword as one of the basic sword styles—solid and stable, meant to be learned before tackling anything more advanced.
He added that it was similar to the foundation martial arts of the great sects in wuxia novels.
That was enough for Ji Yu-chan, who reacted immediately.
“Like the Six Harmonies Sword Method!?”
“Oh, you know it?”
“……???”
While Ji Yu-chan and Do-hyeon exchanged knowing glances, Hana Rin looked completely lost and simply stared.
Do-hyeon smiled faintly and explained the basic idea of Will Magic.
It was about embedding the caster’s will into magic to make it stronger, and it could give a hint on how to embed deeper mental states into spells.
He tried to say it was like the mental magic from fantasy novels, but Hana Rin understood right away.
“I get it.”
“Ah.”
Do-hyeon had started to explain more, but the sentence was cut short and he looked a little downcast.
Yet the next moment Hana Rin and Ji Yu-chan spoke, his expression brightened.
“Thank you so much.”
“We’re really grateful.”
Both of them expressed their sincere thanks.
Do-hyeon felt an inexplicable warmth in his chest and nodded.
As comrades, this much was only right.
Of course he had learned them too, so he hadn’t lost anything.
He had hoped there might be more items, but the store was too expensive and only had useless stuff.
So he gave up on buying anything else.
Still, wandering around the department store for so long had been surprisingly fun.
Everyone walked out with bright expressions.
Outside, the dark night sky welcomed them.
“Time’s already like this?”
They had met at lunch and now it was evening.
Looking at the clock, it was almost night.
“We didn’t even notice the time while shopping.”
“Yeah. I totally lost track of time.”
“It was actually pretty fun.”
“Really?”
“Then I’m glad.”
Do-hyeon felt proud hearing that.
He hadn’t made any sales, but his wit had been great, and he was satisfied too.
Now that it was night, his stomach was growling.
“I’m starving. I’ll eat nearby. What about you two?”
Do-hyeon spoke, and both of them turned to him at the same time.
“Let’s eat together.”
“Let’s eat together.”
Both answers came at once, so Do-hyeon chuckled.
“Alright, let’s all eat.”
They headed to a samgyeopsal restaurant that everyone liked.
It was a weekday night, so there weren’t many customers.
Even though it was in central Seoul, the place was simple and unpretentious.
Do-hyeon and his party entered anyway.
The chairs were uncomfortable cylindrical seats and the table was a round iron plate, but the cozy atmosphere fit the samgyeopsal place perfectly.
Looking around, Do-hyeon muttered to himself.
“It’s been a while since I’ve been to a place like this.”
He used to come here in college, but after graduation this was his first time.
Do-hyeon spoke, and Ji Yu-chan nodded in agreement.
“I went there often in university.”
“Exactly.”
That was when Hana Rin spoke, looking a little embarrassed.
“I’ve never eaten samgyeopsal at a place like this before.”
“Eh?”
“……Is that possible?”
Do-hyeon and Ji Yu-chan reacted, and Hana Rin’s ears turned red as she whispered.
“I awakened after studying abroad and just joined…”
“Oh ho, you’re the daughter of a rich family.”
“Not everyone who studies abroad comes from a rich family, but you do look like it.”
“D-don’t tease me.”
Do-hyeon laughed heartily and started grilling the samgyeopsal, kimchi, and bean sprouts.
After a delicious meal and a great end to the dinner party, the three of them parted ways.
It had been a fulfilling day.
While walking home, Do-hyeon thought to himself.
‘Tomorrow I’m definitely resting at home.’
These past days had been too busy.
When he got home, took a long bath, and fell asleep, the party’s group chat was exploding with messages.
“……Ah.”
Seeing the messages, Do-hyeon realized he wouldn’t get a rest day today either.
He wiped his face and typed back.
‘They’re not geniuses or anything.’
Do-hyeon tilted his head, noticing more and more people were relying on him lately.
But what was wrong with that?
He had to learn it himself anyway, so there was no harm in helping.
After washing up in the bathroom, he changed clothes and hopped into a taxi.
On the way there, he thought.
‘I should try adapting to the Guardian’s Body too.’
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