Sparring the 3-Rank Instructor
Today's workshop schedule was the most solid one yet. After finishing breakfast, we headed to the training ground attached to the retreat center. The place was over 1,000 square meters, not just huge but equipped with all sorts of facilities for every kind of ability training. It was the perfect spot, and they said the association had put special effort into it.
"Oh ho. Finally, the real training begins!"
That punk Hwang Cheolmin's voice was buzzing with excitement. Sujin was bouncing around too, taking in the training ground.
"This is way better than private gyms. Looks like the association really invested here."
A woman in a dobok walked in from the entrance where we'd come from. She stood in front of us.
"Hello. I'm Kim Minyoung, and I'll be handling today's close-quarters combat lecture. I may be lacking, but please take good care of me."
With a 3 Rank Dungeon Hunter stepping up as instructor herself, every hunter in the training ground turned their eyes to her. She was direct lineage from the KHC founding family, after all. No one could top her for close-quarters combat instruction.
"Is that the aura of a 3 Rank Dungeon Hunter? Can't even gauge her strength."
"Kinda... doesn't look that strong at first glance."
"Means we can't even sense her power."
The dungeon hunters murmured softly as they eyed her. Among everyone gathered here, you could count on one hand those who might reach her level someday. They'd all think it was them, but most would crash against the wall of talent and drop out. Even these were top rookie hunters in Korea.
"Didn't expect Master Kim Minyoung to teach us personally! What a great chance."
Sujin couldn't hide her excitement. She was a ranged dealer, but quality instruction was never a waste. Her parents and siblings were all dungeon hunters, so she had a stronger thirst for knowledge about it than most. Probably itching to surpass her family. That drive to improve was excellent—it fueled growth.
Me? I lacked that drive. Sure, getting stronger was nice, and I trained hard when I did... but with the Unix Cube's power and my personal pleasures to enjoy, I often took detours.
"Pair up into teams of two for training."
Sujin and I naturally teamed up. Master Kim Minyoung taught us KHC basics. Some hunters like Hwang Cheolmin had learned KHC already, but she pointed out their sloppy parts one by one and retrained them. To her, half-assed KHC was worse than none at all.
"KHC basics are about killing. It's a martial art made to slit monsters' throats. So the priority is strikes. Find the weak point? Strike without hesitation. That one moment's gap from doubt can cost a dungeon hunter their life."
"Your legs supporting the ground must be the axis. A shaky axis destabilizes your stance and weakens attacks."
"Keep conscious of your posture constantly. Do the motions while aware, aware again—and eventually, it becomes unconscious awareness. Sounds weird, but it's true."
Master Kim Minyoung went around personally guiding each of us. Almost no hunter escaped her pointers.
"Hm... perfect."
Except one. Han Seungjin.
"Have you learned KHC before?"
"No, first time."
Han Seungjin seemed like a total genius. The world really was unfair.
"Jaesung! Here I come!"
Sujin came at me seriously, aiming for my vitals. A sharp attack. But it wouldn't land on me. I dodged and tagged her chest or thigh. Overwhelming her with agility difference.
"Eek! Jaesung, you're crazy fast."
"This is just average."
I toyed with Sujin using my superior stats. Unlike pure ranged dealer Sujin, I'd experienced tanking, dealing, and healing, so I was confident in close combat. Not on our main tanker Yeonji or swordsman Jisu's level, but I'd seen plenty in the Solary World and Sword Immortal realms.
"Hey! No fooling around!"
Got scolded by Master Kim Minyoung while teasing Sujin. She approached us with arms crossed. Sujin's face turned uneasy. Probably freaking out having her idol right in front of her.
"S-sorry."
Sujin, who hadn't even done wrong, apologized to her. Kim Minyoung gave me a displeased look.
"Your power and speed aren't bad. But focus properly during practice. Save the playing for breaks, no?"
"Sorry. Got too hyped."
I apologized meekly. Her eyes softened a bit. Not as rigid as I thought. She scanned me up and down, then stepped closer. Interest flickered on her face. She liked my skills, apparently.
"Sorry, but what's your name?"
"Baek Jaesung."
"Baek Jaesung... 9 Rank, right?"
She said while searching me on her smartphone.
"Mind sparring with me for a bit?"
"Eh! You, Master?"
Sujin gawked, looking between me and Kim Minyoung. Not many got personal lessons from a 3 Rank Dungeon Hunter. Most would call it an honor.
But I saw a different opportunity.
That soft skin... wanna touch it. Breasts look small, but who knows. Maybe bandaged down.
Close-quarters meant body contact. I hid my sleazy grin and nodded. My goal: confirm if those tits were hidden.
Kim Minyoung stepped back, about 5 meters. Arms still crossed.
"Come at me. Abilities are fine."
Hunters' attention snapped to us. Who'd expect her to step up? Great chance for them too—rare to see a 3 Rank in action. Especially Han Seungjin, watching with wide-eyed curiosity. Felt like a small win over that guy. Nice mood.
"You sure?"
I asked politely. My abilities couldn't threaten a 3 Rank vet like her. She'd seen it all—land, sea, air. Didn't look it, but reaching 3 Rank meant insane achievements beyond skill.
"Of course. Come with intent to kill. Give it your all."
Her voice held zero hesitation.
"Here goes."
Outcome was decided anyway. No way I beat her now. My real goal: touch those tits.
Light Saber.
A lightsaber appeared in my right hand. Other hunters freaked.
"I-is that a Light Saber?"
"No way that guy's ability is Light Control?"
"For real? That's super S-rank!"
"Dude, didn't you leave that lightsaber shit on Ice Planet or whatever..."
Han Seungjin's face twisted funnily—like he was smirking. The hyped crowd made me feel like a novel protag. Intoxicating. No wonder rich folks chase fame.
I didn't rush first. First strike advantage works when classes match. A 3 Rank would block mine yawning. No plans to embarrass myself.
"You first. Next 3 minutes, I'll only defend."
Outrageous terms. Zero chance she'd lose. And she was right—3 minutes, 30, or 3 hours, same result.
But my goal isn't winning. Perfect chance.
I lunged without holding back. Bent knees, powered soles gripping ground, exploded inner energy from my yongcheon acupoint. Scenery blurred back like sped-up video. 5 meters? I closed it in 0.5 seconds. She'd do it ten times faster, sure.
My Light Saber slashed diagonally across her body. No hesitation—a holy trail from upper right to lower left.
But no feedback in my hand. I'd sliced her afterimage.
As expected. She dodged with half a step back. More would've been wasteful. The gap she made was under 1cm, but felt like the Pacific. If she wanted, it'd never close.
I stepped back. Knew she wouldn't attack, but her presence froze me. I'd last under a second trading punches with her.
Holy Arrow.
But my style wasn't fisticuffs. Five Holy Arrows from all directions: front, back, left, right, above. Every physical angle. Simultaneously, I thrust my sword hand forward and charged.
Learned basic swordplay from Luna in Solary World. Crude, but key lesson:
-Dangerous attacks aren't strong ones. They're from blind spots.
Holy Arrows create blind spots. Light Saber exploits them.
"Not bad."
She tilted slightly. Feet never left ground. Planned to block my omnidirectional assault without a step.
Possible?
Shiiik!
Arrows passed through her. Missed by a paper's thickness, trajectories seemingly adjusted on purpose. Chills.
This is 3 Rank.
I thrust the Light Saber. She dipped her left knee, lowering. Blade grazed over her shoulder. Dobok hem and saber? 0.1mm apart. She'd nullified it in a sub-millimeter gap. Beastly distance sense. Not human.
But not over!
Luna said: most threatening attacks hit blind spots. Not just visual—mental ones too.
Time Acceleration!
Used acceleration skill. World slowed instantly. For that split second, double my normal speed. Risky showing multiple skills, but we were close. No one'd peg it as acceleration.
At max accel, I drew my second blade.
"Hup!"
Her girlish yelp slipped out. Dodged first strike barely, but not the second. My hidden ace: meat sword.
Exploiting her tiny evasion gap, as I closed in, I erected and jabbed her womb through thick dobok. Angle invisible to others.
Brief fluster crossed Kim Minyoung's face.
Now!
Dropped Light Saber, reached out. Looked like a punch, but for tit-touching. Busty hill or modest plain under there? Either had charm. Reached like exploring an untouched dungeon.
Thud!
My fist got caught easy in her hand. Next instant, I flew skyward. Vision flipped; slammed into ground. She'd grabbed and suplexed me.
Dizzy pain shot up my spine.
"Kgh!"
Bearable, but I played hurt. To exploit her gap. She'd attacked before 3 minutes, breaking her word.
"Oh—oh no! A-are you okay!?"
Kim Minyoung panicked. Expression didn't suit her calm face—pretty entertaining. She fussed over me.
"C-can you feel your arm? Can't move it?"
"Ugh... head... so... dizzy..."
I flailed my arm. Tagged her chest. She ignored it.
"S-stay put. I'll get medical staff."
Beneath the mystery... vast plain.