Does He Really Crave Wealth That Much?
Watching Wang Chung and the spread of food, Bukjin couldn't help but admit it to himself: Wang Chung was truly a butler who knew how to serve his master. Every single dish the man had prepared was of exquisite quality. The magnificent feast was doing wonders for Bukjin's mood.
Suddenly, a thought crossed his mind. Without letting Wang Chung notice, Bukjin summoned his AI. He opened the map application right in front of Wang Chung’s face. However, the butler didn't react at all. It seemed that no one but Bukjin himself could see the virtual screen. Bukjin felt a wave of relief.
"Excellent. You may leave now," Bukjin said.
Wang Chung bowed and exited the room, leaving Bukjin alone. Bukjin immediately rolled up his sleeves and focused entirely on the meal.
"Shin-shin, you said I earned two chances to draw random apps this time, right? Help me pick two," Bukjin said between mouthfuls of food.
Of course, Master.
The cute voice of a young girl echoed in Bukjin's ears, and a virtual screen unfolded before his eyes. It was unmistakably an App Store interface. Soon, a roulette wheel appeared, and the draw began.
"Start," Bukjin commanded, taking a sip of the pale pink Flower-Scented Brew. The wheel began to spin rapidly.
Ding!
Congratulations! You have used one draw to obtain the [Screen Mirroring] app!
Ding!
Congratulations! You have used one draw to obtain the [Music] app!
Two notification windows popped up in succession and vanished just as quickly. Checking the App Store, he saw the two new icons. Screen Mirroring required 899MB of data to download. Judging by the data size, it seemed like an app with relatively minor functions. However, the Music app required a whopping 3GB. This was unexpected.
In this system, the more data an app consumed during download, the more powerful its functions tended to be. Bukjin had already consumed 4GB of data earlier while updating the smartphone system. He activated the Intermediate Mystic Qi Condensation app and spent about two hours recovering his internal energy.
By the time Bukjin had finished every scrap of food Wang Chung had brought, his Hyeongi was fully restored and brimming within him. He immediately began the downloads.
Screen Mirroring finished in an instant. Bukjin was surprised; he barely felt any Hyeongi being drained before the download was complete.
Huh? That fast? Did the smartphone's processing speed increase after the system update? It feels like the jump from 3G to 5G.
Next, he started the download for the Music app. Since this one required 3GB, a significant amount of Hyeongi was sucked out of his body. Bukjin let out an involuntary groan. The download took some time, causing his groans to continue for a while.
Meanwhile, outside the door, Butler Wang Chung was pressing his ear against the wood, his face clouded with worry.
Oh no! The Young Master's 'duration' has shortened! Did he fail to practice moderation at the training grounds? This won't do... I'll have to find a chance to tell him not to overexert himself! Wang Chung looked incredibly grave.
Inside the room, Bukjin finished downloading both apps and began the installation.
The [Screen Mirroring] app allows you to project videos stored on the smartphone into reality as 3D images. While the projected images have no physical substance, they provide a sensation completely identical to reality.
Bukjin's eyes sparkled at Shin-shin's explanation. Now that's an interesting function.
A 3D image wasn't just a flat picture; it was a lifelike, three-dimensional projection. This was a far more incredible feature than he had initially thought. For instance, if he were running away from someone, he could project a decoy of himself and flee in the opposite direction. The enemy would likely chase the projection, thinking it was him. And if he projected... certain types of videos? It could be used as a VR experience even more realistic than the real thing...
Bukjin wiped a stray bit of drool with his sleeve and quickly shifted his train of thought.
But wait, there are no videos saved on this phone yet. If there's no footage, there's nothing to project.
Indeed, the entire premise required him to have recorded videos on the device. "Hmm..." After some thought, Bukjin decided to study this app more thoroughly later. Next, he launched the Music app. A familiar interface appeared, accompanied by a nostalgic sound effect. When he opened the playlist, there was only one song inside.
It was a song Bukjin knew very well. The title was Lonely Invincible.
The Screen Mirroring app was satisfying enough, but what on earth does this Music app do?
Master, why don't you try it for yourself?
Bukjin entered the playlist and hit play on Lonely Invincible.
Would you like to play using the external speakers?
"What does that mean?" Bukjin asked.
Master, if you use the external speakers, everyone near you will be able to hear the song. If you don't, only you will hear it.
Oh? That's a fun feature. And quite considerate, too. Not using the external speakers was essentially like wearing invisible earphones. Bukjin chose to keep the music to himself.
Immediately, a familiar melody flowed into his ears along with the lyrics.
"Ah! How lonely is the invincible, how empty is the supreme! Standing alone at the peak, facing the cold wind... Who can understand my solitude..."
As he listened, Bukjin suddenly felt the Hyeongi within his body begin to surge violently. His blood boiled, and an overwhelming urge to go on a rampage washed over him. He tried his best to control the fluctuating energy, but it wasn't easy. As the Hyeongi began to spiral out of control, a sudden rage flared up, making him want to smash everything in sight. It wasn't just his energy; a powerful strength was surging through his muscles and limbs. Even his mental clarity was sharper than ever. It felt exactly like receiving a 'Berserk' buff on a character in a video game back on Earth.
"S-Stop! Stop! Pause it!" Bukjin shouted urgently.
Shin-shin immediately halted the playback. Bukjin panted heavily for a while before he could finally calm down. Once he regained his composure, he realized he was drenched in sweat. He felt as though he had just fought a major battle, and his strength felt slightly drained from the exhaustion.
"So, this Music app actually has the effect of temporarily boosting specific stats during combat!" Bukjin exclaimed.
Yes. Different songs have different effects. The song you just played has the effect of increasing combat will. However, compared to the song's potency, Master's current skill level is still—
"I get it. I understand, so you don't need to explain any further," Bukjin cut her off.
As I thought, the main function is buffing through music. But since it's a struggle to use the current song in the playlist... I wonder if I can download other songs?
With this thought, Bukjin turned on the screen, opened the Music app, and searched for other songs he knew. However, most of them were marked as unavailable for download due to 'copyright issues.'
"Copyright issues?" Bukjin was speechless. "This ridiculous, supernatural smartphone cares about copyright?"
He got the distinct feeling the device was just making up excuses to prevent him from downloading more. He decided to close the Music app for now and turned his attention to the manuals he had received from Principal Im Tae-heo: Flowers Before the Moon Sword and Steps of the Fragrant Jade.
Bukjin converted the two martial arts manuals into smartphone apps and immediately began his training. Just as he finished his meal and was about to call Wang Chung to clear the table, a knock sounded at the door.
Knock, knock, knock!
"Young Master! Teacher Jeong has arrived!" Wang Chung shouted from outside.
A moment later, Jeong Sam-seok entered the main hall on the first floor of the Bamboo Garden. Bukjin felt a great deal of goodwill toward the man. Out of everyone he had met since arriving in this strange world, Jeong Sam-seok had been the most helpful.
"Master? To visit so suddenly... has something happened?" Bukjin asked as he poured him some tea.
"I have brought your Genius Token, as well as the rewards from the Education Bureau and the Academy," Jeong Sam-seok replied.
He placed a small golden token and fifty gold coins on the table.
"This is your prize money. Well, I suppose after selling those tokens and becoming a wealthy man, this amount won't even catch your eye..."
"Ah, no! Not at all!" Bukjin's hands moved like a blur as he swept the fifty gold coins into his robes. He reacted as if he were afraid Jeong Sam-seok might try to take them back.
Jeong Sam-seok was left speechless. He was once the young master of a noble family that wanted for nothing... Even if the family has fallen, how can he be this greedy for wealth?
After carefully tucking the gold away, Bukjin picked up the Genius Token. It was a gold plaque shaped like a small sword, about three fingers wide and the length of a palm. Its design was classical and elegant. Characters were engraved on both sides: 'Junior' on one and 'Genius' on the other. It clearly identified him as a student who had competed in the Academic & Martial Arts Competition.
"This token is composed of twenty-one Mystic Formations. It is not only a symbol of your status but also a Dharma Treasure that will protect your body in critical moments. Once you infuse your Hyeongi into it, the formations will activate. Once triggered, the control of this token belongs solely to you. Even if someone else were to obtain it, they would never be able to use it."
After explaining, Jeong Sam-seok proceeded to teach Bukjin the method to activate the Mystic Formations.