The Application

In a deep corner of the academy, right outside a classroom door, Bukjin sat huddled on the stairs with a bitter expression on his face.

"Young Master, what do we do now?"

"Shut it."

"You truly are a master of the craft, Young Master. Your reflexes are divine! To think you'd drop to your knees before that teacher the moment you heard the news just to stay in school. And that Mok Simwol—she must have been smitten by your dashing looks to step in and block your enemies with a single word. Those thugs outside won't dare set foot in the academy, so you're safe for tonight, at least."

"I said, be quiet."

"But Young Master, you must prepare yourself for—"

"I don't have time to chat with you right now."

"Young Master, really, please listen to me. I have a bad feeling about this. Once the rumors spread, the students will be lining up in front of the classroom tomorrow morning. Those who hold a grudge won't let you off easily."

"Damn it...! If you're just going to spout useless nonsense, stay quiet!"

Unable to take it anymore, Bukjin stood up and delivered a sharp kick to Butler Wang, who was cowering beside him. This time, it wasn't an act to maintain his reputation as a spoiled brat; it was a kick born of pure, unadulterated frustration.

"Sigh, this is really getting difficult."

Bukjin let out a heavy sigh, his chest feeling tight. He wanted nothing more than to return to Earth. But before he could even think about going back, he had to survive this crisis.

Fortunately, the North Sea Empire placed immense importance on nurturing young talent. Since the reign of the first Emperor, the law had strictly protected all national and provincial academies, treating them as sacred ground. Consequently, outsiders were strictly forbidden from causing trouble within the academy walls unless they were fellow students. The penalties for violating this sanctuary were severe.

In other words, as long as Bukjin stayed inside the academy, he was safe. However, the moment he stepped past the gates, his life was forfeit.

Everything was the fault of the original owner of this body. Now, Bukjin, who had occupied this form against his will, was forced to shoulder the burden. He couldn't help but feel that the heavens were being incredibly indifferent to his plight.

The academy's annual competition was scheduled to begin in three days. If Bukjin failed to pass, he would be expelled. And if he were kicked out of even the 3rd Academy, there would be nowhere left for him to go. The mere thought of it sent a chill down his spine.

Furthermore, the method to return to Earth remained a complete mystery. He didn't want to end up as a lonely ghost in this unknown world.

As far as Bukjin could see, there was only one path forward. He had to pass the annual competition in three days to buy himself more time. Under the academy's protection, he would research this strange smartphone and find a way back home before graduation.

Bukjin pulled out the smartphone to check it. His face darkened as he looked at the screen. The battery was down to a measly 18%.

He felt a wave of anxiety. What was he supposed to do? The phone didn't even have a power button, making it impossible to turn it off to save energy.

I have to find a way back before the battery dies... There's still nothing in this damn App Store... Wait?

A look of surprise crossed Bukjin's face. When he opened the App Store, he noticed something different. Previously, the store had been completely empty. But this time, a single application icon was visible.

An app I can actually install?

His heart began to race. As he examined the App Store more closely, his expression turned peculiar. The name of the app was very strange indeed.

The name of the application was...

It was the secret sword technique that Teacher Jeong Sam-seok had lectured on in class. Why on earth was that sword technique suddenly appearing in the App Store?

Bukjin was both delighted and bewildered. He was glad that this smartphone, which had shown no change for three days, was finally doing something. It was a good omen. It meant the phone's functions were definitely linked to the world he was currently in.

The bewildering part was that even though a new function had appeared, he had no idea how to use it.

Sigh, if only this phone had a "Tips" app like other smartphones... Should I download this 'Basic Swordplay: Close-body Triple Link' app or not?

He agonized over the decision for a moment before finally deciding to download it. He might learn something new that he hadn't known before.

When Bukjin tapped the icon, a notification popped up on the screen.

"What? This phone has data?"

Without hesitation, Bukjin pressed the 'Yes' button. In that instant, a wave of dizziness washed over him, making the world spin. Immediately after, he felt a strange power awaken and stir within his body.

It was Mystic Energy.

The ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠warriors of this world grew stronger by cultivating Mystic Energy. The original owner of Bukjin's body had been a 1st-grade Warrior, and the Mystic Energy he had cultivated still resided within the flesh. However, since Bukjin's soul had taken over, he hadn't practiced a single time. As a result, the energy had become dormant and weak, almost impossible to feel.

But in this moment, Bukjin could feel it clearly. The faint, 1st-grade Mystic Energy within him woke up. It flowed through his meridians, past his arms and hands, and surged into the smartphone.

A download progress bar appeared on the screen.

"I get it now. The 'data' this phone refers to is the Mystic Energy inside a warrior's body."

Bukjin spoke as if he had reached an epiphany.

"I got lucky. This body had just enough 1st-grade Mystic Energy to download this one app."

The dizziness intensified. He felt lightheaded, as if he had drunk far too much, and a wave of nausea hit him. About five minutes later, just as the last of his faint energy was being drained...

Ding!

A clear notification sound rang out.

Bukjin was gasping for air, looking as if he had just finished an exhausting workout. The downloaded app began installing itself. After a short while, the installation finished, and a new icon appeared in the app drawer.

Without a second thought, Bukjin clicked the icon. An ink-wash painting of a warrior performing a sword dance appeared on the screen.

The interface was incredibly simple. A shadow-like figure holding a long sword was performing a sword dance. As Bukjin watched the screen, he couldn't hide his amazement. The shadow figure's physique, features, and aura were identical to his ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠own.

It was as if he were watching his own shadow. And the forms the shadow was demonstrating were none other than the 'Close-body Triple Link.' The shadow repeated the sequence over and over, performing the basic swordplay flawlessly.

Bukjin stared at the smartphone, transfixed. Thirty minutes passed as he became deeply immersed in the display.

What does this mean? What is the actual function of this app?

He explored the app several times. There were no 'Settings,' 'Permissions,' or 'Save' functions. He tried to close it, but once opened, the app seemed impossible to stop; he couldn't even navigate to another screen.

What the hell is this?

Bukjin stared blankly at the screen, unable to comprehend what was happening.

"Young Master? Is your illness acting up again? Young Master, are you alright? Young Master?"

Butler Wang approached with a fawning tone, acting as if he were the only one who truly cared for Bukjin. To his eyes, the smartphone was invisible; he had no way of knowing it existed. From his perspective, Bukjin's behavior was a textbook symptom of insanity.

Bukjin's eyes were glazed over, staring into thin air. His hands were curled awkwardly in front of his body. He was even muttering to himself while looking at nothing... He looked like a complete lunatic.

"Get lost!"

‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠

Annoyed, Bukjin raised his hand and swung it toward Butler Wang. Startled, the butler quickly pulled back to avoid the strike.

Sshhhk!

Bukjin's hand, swung lightly, sliced through the air. Suddenly, a nearby tree—about the thickness of a child's arm—snapped in half with a loud crack.

The sudden sound made Bukjin freeze in shock. Butler Wang was equally stunned, his mouth hanging open.

A moment later, the butler's face lit up with realization and joy.

"Young Master! As expected of you! You were training just now, weren't you? That form you just showed—wasn't that a sword strike? To cut a tree with your bare hands! That's the skill of a 2nd-grade Warrior at the very least! You've made a breakthrough! Congratulations!"

Bukjin looked at his hand, then back at the severed tree. The cut was incredibly smooth, as if it had been sliced by a razor-sharp blade in a single stroke.

He had definitely just raised his hand and swung it carelessly. Yet, a small tree had been sliced clean through. More importantly, Bukjin hadn't used an ounce of strength. As Butler Wang said, cutting a tree of that thickness with a bare hand required the power of at least a 2nd-grade Warrior.

Bukjin was a 1st-grade Warrior at best. In fact, all the Mystic Energy he'd had was supposed to have been drained by the smartphone.

Could it be...?

A ridiculous thought flashed through his mind. Bukjin put the smartphone away. He picked up a branch from the fallen tree and gripped it like a sword. Then, he lunged forward with a fierce thrust.

Whish!

The sound of air tearing rang out. The technique Bukjin had just executed was none other than the 'Close-body Triple Link.'