The Benefits of a Dreamer
"So that's how it is... such a wealth of benefits."
Bukjin’s eyes darted around as he frantically considered how to respond. "Ah, that? Well... after the unfortunate incident with my father, I was in a state of extreme shock. I was devastated, and in the midst of my despair, a sudden, agonizing headache struck me. I was practically out of my mind, so I don't know exactly how it happened, but... something strange occurred. Do you have any idea what it might have been, Master?"
Jeong Sam-seok narrowed his eyes. "Are you saying you suddenly became a genius after that headache?"
"Ah! Exactly! That’s it! As expected of my Master... the man I respect most—"
"Cut the nonsense. Give me a straight answer."
"Yes, sir. Your suspicion is correct. After that intense psychological trauma, my intellect suddenly skyrocketed. I developed a memory that allows me to never forget anything I've seen once..."
Bukjin spun the tale with everything he had. Jeong Sam-seok looked at him as if he were a bizarre specimen. "Can such a thing truly happen? So, the reason you performed so well on the written exam was because of this photographic memory?"
"Yes, exactly!" Bukjin nodded vigorously.
"Continue," Jeong Sam-seok commanded.
Wait, continue what? I haven't thought of the rest of the story yet...
Bukjin panicked. He squeezed his brain for every ounce of creativity. Suddenly, a martial arts movie he had seen back on Earth flashed through his mind—the Stephen Chow film, King of Beggars. In it, the protagonist masters a style called the 'Sleeping Arhat Fist' by practicing in his dreams.
"Ah, and I didn't just gain a perfect memory. I experienced another mysterious phenomenon. Whenever I fall asleep, I practice the sword in my dreams. In that dream world, sword forms and techniques I couldn't understand while awake suddenly become clear. I gain enlightenment at an incredible speed. And whatever I master in my dreams, I can perform perfectly once I wake up."
Jeong Sam-seok’s jaw dropped. Practicing the sword in his dreams?
If any other student had said this, Jeong Sam-seok would have given them a taste of his signature triple-link strike for lying. But Bukjin’s words... Jeong Sam-seok recalled monitoring the boy at night. Indeed, whenever Bukjin returned to the forest, he would crawl into his tent and snore the night away. Even during class, he did nothing but slump over his desk and sleep.
Could it be that this brat was actually practicing in his dreams?
The world was filled with countless warriors and divine beings. In such a world, even a story this ridiculous wasn't entirely impossible.
"If that's the case, are you saying that after I explained the basic Close-body Triple Link in class last week, you mastered it to your current level in just three days?" Jeong Sam-seok asked.
"Not just that! I even mastered the Intermediate Mystic Qi Condensation Technique in my dreams!"
Jeong Sam-seok sucked in a sharp breath. Not just swordsmanship, but even Mystic Qi? This lunatic! Why not just say you can kill people in your dreams too? But then again, it does explain his progress...
"There is much in your story that defies logic. To practice in a dream and achieve such results in three days..." Jeong Sam-seok fell into deep thought. Finally, he asked, "Are you confident about tomorrow's duel?"
Bukjin grinned. "It shouldn't be a problem."
Jeong Sam-seok frowned. Bukjin continued with a smirk. "Hehe, actually, that vixen Mok Simwol just stopped by. She begged me to go easy on her tomorrow. It's clear she's lost her confidence."
"If you truly believe that, you are in grave danger," Jeong Sam-seok warned.
"Huh? What danger...?"
"She likely did that to lower your guard. Did you pay close attention to the swordsmanship Mok Simwol displayed during her duel with Ak Hong-hyang today?"
Bukjin recalled the beautiful sight from earlier that day. He nodded. "I saw it clearly. It was big... elastic..."
"What?" Jeong Sam-seok looked at him with utter disbelief. Realizing exactly what the boy was referring to, he began slapping Bukjin’s back in a fit of rage. "You idiot! The technique she used was the Star-Plucking Sword Technique, a 1-star martial art! Furthermore, she has already reached the second stage of mastery, Entering the Hall! Do you have any idea how powerful that is? No matter how perfectly you've mastered the Close-body Triple Link, your chances of winning aren't high!"
"Entering the Hall? Peak Completion?" Bukjin scratched his head. "Are those stages of mastery?"
Jeong Sam-seok sighed. This delinquent truly has no foundation.
1. Initial Entry (Chukyu Wenjing)
2. Entering the Hall (Dengtang Rushi)
3. Skilled Mastery (Shenshou Dianlai)
4. Pure Perfection (Luohua Chunqing)
5. Peak Completion (Dianfeng Yuanman)
"Every martial art is divided into five stages, from the first spark of understanding to total mastery. Your Triple Link can be considered at the stage of Peak Completion. You've reached a level where it's difficult to improve any further because you've already pushed the power of that basic technique to its absolute limit."
As Jeong Sam-seok explained, Bukjin began to grasp the concept. "Then what must I do to defeat Mok Simwol?"
Bukjin had no doubt in the judgment of an experienced teacher like Jeong Sam-seok. Thus, he asked for guidance with a rare display of politeness and humility.
"Normally, one only realizes this once the Close-body Triple Link reaches Peak Completion, but there is a hidden killing move concealed within it. The name of that form is Big Dipper Descent. I will demonstrate it exactly three times. Watch closely."
Jeong Sam-seok’s expression turned solemn. He raised his hand.
Clang—!
The sword at Bukjin’s waist unsheathed itself and flew into Jeong Sam-seok’s hand. He immediately began to move. He performed the three basic forms of the Close-body Triple Link. The moment the third form ended, seven streaks of sword light erupted from the blade like a peacock spreading its tail, accompanied by a sharp sonic boom.
CRACK—!
Seven distinct holes appeared in the tree in front of Jeong Sam-seok, pierced through by the force. Bukjin felt a cold sweat run down his spine. The moment those seven lights exploded, a terrifying chill had washed over him, sending goosebumps across his entire body.
Big Dipper Descent! It’s insanely strong!
"Did you see it clearly?" Jeong Sam-seok asked.
Bukjin nodded repeatedly. "I saw it perfectly."
In truth, he had recorded the whole thing on his smartphone. He had quietly filmed Jeong Sam-seok’s every movement. The swordsmanship displayed by the master was exquisite, possessing a brutal, overwhelming power. Earlier that day, Oh Sobang’s 'Seven-Ring Cold Flash Sword' had also created multiple sword lights, but those were merely illusions. Only one of those flashes was real; the others had no lethality. However, Jeong Sam-seok’s Big Dipper Descent was different. All seven sword lights were real. Being hit by even one would result in a critical wound.
Amazing! Truly amazing!
In his mind, Bukjin was giving the performance a massive thumbs-up and smashing the 'Like' button.
"Good. Keep your eyes open. I'll show you one more time," Jeong Sam-seok said.
Bukjin waved his hands dismissively. "Ah, no need, Master! It's enough. I've seen it. Once is plenty."
"..." Jeong Sam-seok remembered Bukjin claiming to have a photographic memory. Is that actually true?
"...Fine. In that case, make sure you practice diligently tonight. If you can master Big Dipper Descent to the level of Initial Entry, you will be able to break through Mok Simwol's Star-Plucking Sword Technique in tomorrow's duel."
Jeong Sam-seok went on to explain the various mnemonic secrets contained within the Big Dipper Descent form. Bukjin had no choice but to pretend to listen intently. Once the explanation was over, Jeong Sam-seok changed the subject.
"If you take first place in tomorrow's competition, you will be eligible to participate in the preliminaries for the Academic & Martial Arts Competition. It has been a very long time since a student from the 3rd Academy passed the preliminaries to reach the finals, but I see hope in you. Prepare well and seize the opportunity."
Bukjin blinked. "I never said I wanted to participate in the Academic & Martial Arts Competition, though?"
Bukjin had only entered this annual tournament to avoid being expelled. His goal for first place was purely driven by his contract with Oh Sobang. He hadn't chosen this path; he had simply been swept along by circumstances. He had never once considered entering a city-wide competition. It sounded like a massive headache. All Bukjin wanted was to lounge in the sun within the academy grounds and research his smartphone. Finding a way back to Earth as soon as possible was his top priority. He had no desire to go around hitting people and getting hit in return.
Jeong Sam-seok looked at him as if he had grown a second head. "What? You're not going to participate in the Academic & Martial Arts Competition?"
Bukjin nodded as if it were obvious. Jeong Sam-seok gave him a strange look. "Does that mean you're also giving up the 50 gold coins awarded to the winner, along with all the other rewards and benefits?"
Bukjin froze. His eyes widened. "Wait, what? There's a prize for winning?"
"You didn't know?"
"Well..." Bukjin gave an awkward smile. "I don't usually pay attention to such trivial rewards."
Jeong Sam-seok was speechless. But then he remembered the old Bukjin; to the son of a wealthy family, 50 gold coins might have seemed like pocket change. "Listen carefully. The top four students from the academy's annual competition are granted the right to enter the Unmong City Academic & Martial Arts Competition preliminaries. Since you're already in the top four, you've earned that right. If you take first place tomorrow, you will receive 50 gold coins, a 1-star martial arts manual, high-grade pills, and a scholarship. However, all of this is predicated on the winner representing the academy in the city-wide preliminaries. If you refuse, you are considered to have forfeited all benefits."
As Jeong Sam-seok laid out the details, Bukjin felt his resolve crumbling. So many benefits...