It Was a Pretty Good Strategy, Wasn't It?
It really had been a brilliant strategy. Back when they were at the training grounds, Im Bukjin had received immense help from Im Jin. And today, right here, she had essentially saved his life. To Bukjin, Im Jin was undoubtedly someone he owed a debt of gratitude he could never fully repay.
Deep down, Bukjin still harbored a hope that things might work out with the girl next door he’d liked back on Earth. In other words, while there was virtually zero chance of a romantic spark between him and Im Jin, he still had to express his gratitude where it was due. Furthermore, he couldn't afford to do anything that might tarnish the reputation of his savior.
Im Gun-hyeon gave a slight nod upon hearing Bukjin’s words. While the others might not have grasped the full weight of the resolve behind Bukjin’s statement, Im Gun-hyeon understood it perfectly.
Jeong Sam-seok, the man once hailed as the White Cloud Sword Immortal, was a figure who had lost his wings and fallen from grace. Yet today, he hadn't hesitated to draw his sword once more to save Bukjin, effectively ending his long years of seclusion. He had crushed Baek Hae-geum and cut down three other swordsmen. On top of that, he had declared that he would personally visit three great clans within the next five days. All of this was a testament to just how much Jeong Sam-seok cherished Bukjin.
Moreover, Bukjin—the boy Jeong Sam-seok doted on—was a genius. Seeing how he had elevated his skills in such a short time to defeat Jo Pacheon, it was impossible to even imagine what heights he might reach in the future. This was a monumental turning point for the young man.
A faint, softer expression flickered across Jin Ryeon-sin’s face as she listened to him. She nodded slowly.
"You are a good child."
It was a simple sentence, but for Bukjin, who had been branded the greatest delinquent in Unmong City, it was the ultimate form of recognition and praise. Having paid his respects, Bukjin didn't linger. He departed the City Government Office alongside Jeong Sam-seok, Cho Heun, and Baek Geum-un.
As Bukjin walked away, a gaze filled with deep-seated resentment followed his back. It was Jo Pacheon. Forcing down the pain of his severe internal injuries, Jo approached Baek Hae-geum, who had just regained consciousness. He knelt and spoke in a bitter voice.
"Master... I am sorry for disappointing you."
Baek Hae-geum turned his gaze toward Jo Pacheon for a moment before slowly pushing himself up.
"...It is not your fault. It was my mistake. Jeong Noe has been sharpening his blade for this day for a very long time. We were all played by him. But do not worry. This will not be the end of it..."
His words were befitting of a Martial Arts Grandmaster. Baek Hae-geum’s vitality was extraordinary; despite his injuries, he was already able to stand. He turned to address Im Gun-hyeon.
"City Lord Im. Our injuries are severe, and it will be difficult for us to travel for the time being. Therefore, we wish to remain within Unmong City to recover... I trust that is acceptable?"
He specified staying "within Unmong City" rather than the government office itself. It was a clear sign that he had no desire to remain under this particular roof any longer. Im Gun-hyeon replied with impeccable courtesy.
"Of course. Great Master Baek is an eternal honored guest of our Unmong City. You may stay as long as you wish. I will send men to prepare the finest accommodations for you immediately."
Juk-won.
Bukjin was currently soaking in a tub of hot water, feeling completely at ease. As long as he had a butler like Wang Chung, he never had to worry about food or rest. By the time Bukjin had returned to the Bamboo Garden, Wang Chung had already prepared the bathwater. Furthermore, he had somehow rounded up several beautiful maids to attend to Bukjin while he bathed.
However, Bukjin was now the disciple of the Sword Immortal. He couldn't afford to fall for a decadent lifestyle or various temptations. Therefore, he decided to accept Wang Chung’s arrangements—purely as a way to test his own self-restraint, of course.
"Young Master, how is your skin so pale and fair?"
"Hehe, and the elasticity is amazing."
The two beautiful maids attending to him looked to be about seventeen. They had innocent features and a refined aura, almost like young ladies raised in a noble household. Because Bukjin had firmly refused, the two maids hadn't stripped down to join him in the tub. Instead, they stood by his side, kneading and massaging his shoulders and arms.
Listening to them, Bukjin felt a bit speechless. What am I, a piece of jelly? 'Amazing elasticity'?
In truth, this was the first time since arriving in this world that Bukjin was being bathed by members of the opposite sex. Consequently, he was agonizing over how to act without looking awkward. On the outside, he appeared perfectly nonchalant, but internally, he was blushing furiously and struggling to maintain his composure.
He was a man rumored to be a delinquent and a lecher. If he suddenly displayed incredible martial prowess and a complete change in personality—to the point of showing no interest in beautiful women—it would surely arouse Wang Chung’s suspicion. If he were taken to the Temple of the Lord of Swords for an examination and his identity as a transdimensional traveler was discovered, he’d be finished. Thus, Bukjin was putting on the performance of a lifetime, pretending to be unbothered.
Besides, the situation didn't exactly feel bad. He found himself self-justifying the experience as he relaxed.
Using the buff effects from the [Music] app always left him feeling drained and weak for a short period afterward. Soaking in hot water and letting his tension melt away seemed like an excellent way to recover.
"That's enough. You may leave now," Bukjin said with a wave of his hand.
The two maids bowed, changed their clothes, and exited the bathroom. Left alone in the tub, Bukjin sank deeper into the water, lost in thought about his life. The recent Trial of the Sword had been a significant shock to his system.
The image of Jeong Sam-seok drawing his sword and taking lives was seared into Bukjin’s mind. This world was fundamentally different from Earth. It was a place where you could be murdered if you weren't strong enough. Bukjin himself had nearly been killed by Baek Hae-geum during the duel.
Im Jin saved me this time. But next time...
No one could guarantee that he would be as lucky again. While staying within the safety of the academy, he had unconsciously begun to view this world as one governed by powerful laws, much like Earth. But this incident had shattered that complacency. This was a world where anyone could lose their life if their luck ran out. That was why he had to become strong.
Bukjin realized he needed to grow powerful as quickly as possible, by any means necessary. He had previously thought that training alongside the other students and teachers of the 3rd Academy would eventually lead to a higher intensity of Hyeongi. He believed that mastering stronger sword techniques would make him invincible. But he was a man who had crossed dimensions. He felt he needed to break free from the shackles of ordinary training and forge his own path.
Life inside the academy and the battles that took place in the real world were entirely different beasts. When it came to life-or-death combat in reality, Bukjin was still a novice. But when it came to battles in a game world...?
The moment that thought crossed his mind, confidence surged through him. Before his transmigration, Bukjin had been a shut-in who always stayed ahead of everyone else in gaming. Every trending game had been his prey. He had always conquered them and reached the level cap.
The most popular genre back on Earth had been MOBA (Multiplayer Online Battle Arena) games. The countless hero characters in those games each had different roles, appearances, and unique skills. Players would pick characters with various abilities to form a team and execute strategies. MOBAs were incredibly popular because the tide of the game could shift dramatically based on character combinations and skill usage.
What Bukjin found most interesting were the diverse skills each character possessed. There were hundreds of heroes, all with their own unique abilities. It was very similar to how the warriors of this world each practiced different sword styles or martial arts.
In fact, if one analyzed the myriad skills of game characters, they could be broadly categorized into a few functional types: movement skills, strike skills, defensive skills, and healing skills. If a single character possessed all of these functions? It would be an absurd, game-breaking situation—what gamers commonly referred to as an "OP character."
Similarly, if a single swordsman possessed all the top-tier techniques existing in this world? That would be true terror.
Bukjin carefully reviewed the process of how he had defeated Jo Pacheon during the Trial of the Sword. It was a process that perfectly aligned with the strategies he used in games.
First, he used the [Music] app to add a buff to himself. Then, he used the mental shockwave of Dragon's Roar to temporarily neutralize the opponent's actions. He also used the [Screen Mirroring] app to confuse Jo Pacheon, and while the rival lost his judgment, Bukjin used a strike skill called Yeoksuhan to crush him.
If he thought of this in terms of game strategy?
While buffed, he used his first skill to Stun the enemy, his second skill to Charm them, and then unleashed his Ultimate to take their life. It was exactly the same.
I'm telling you, it was a pretty good strategy.
His victory over Jo Pacheon had been the result of squeezing out every last drop of his strength. As a gaming fanatic, he had instinctively formulated a battle plan and executed it. Looking back, it was perfectly consistent with how he used to operate in games.
Defeating Jo Pacheon had been a vital experience. It proved that the strategies and operational methods he used in games were applicable in actual combat. In essence, this experience confirmed that Bukjin’s "game-style" combat was superior.
Bukjin began to organize his thoughts on what skills he needed to master for his future training.
1. A sword technique with overwhelming instantaneous power to crush the opponent.
2. A superior movement technique to approach or retreat from the enemy at will.
3. A mental martial art to neutralize the opponent at critical moments.
4. A martial art to heal his own wounds.
5. A defensive martial art to increase his durability and block attacks.
These five categories would be his core focus.