50. Growth that makes the Labyrinth City tremble and surrounding countries gasp
50. Growth that makes the Labyrinth City tremble and surrounding countries gasp
Several weeks had passed since I began training under Master and Cheon Hwa-ryeong.
At first, they blocked my vision.
Unable to see ahead, my other senses sharpened, and I focused on the sounds echoing in my ears.
Next, they blocked sound.
The only useful sense left was touch. The feel of gripping my sword, the rebound when blades clashed—it taught me the timing for the next attack.
When my hands went numb and the sensation of holding the sword faded, they blocked touch.
What remained was smell. This one was really hard to get a handle on.
Breathing only through my nose made my heart feel like it would burst, and all I could smell was my own sweat stench—what the hell...
Still, I swung my sword with ingrained movements, desperately trying to pick up any other scents.
As I kept swinging like that, Master's familiar fragrance, which I'd smelled countless times, faintly wafted into my nose.
From then on, my mind filled with the energy people emit spreading like mist, faintly directed toward me.
When I barely started blocking attacks a little, they blocked smell too.
Taste was surprisingly easy.
I never knew air was this sweet.
Was it because of the mucous membranes?
The expression's a bit weird, but when attacks came, I felt a hot or warm taste.
Master's final attack at the end of the day's training tasted like sucking on a mint candy and chugging ice water.
A sharp, cool sensation.
With that day's training over, I felt the world expanding bit by bit.
The tiny changes I'd missed in life became visible, my senses sharpening like a blade.
From the next training session, hell unfolded.
All senses blocked.
No sound, no light, no touch—nothing in the silent darkness.
I lost track of my limbs' positions, the floating sensation... not even sure if you could call it a sensation.
It was like I'd vanished from the world, only my soul left behind?
At first, I was just anxious.
Was I standing properly? Was I even holding my sword right? Was I moving straight ahead?
Everything uncertain, unfamiliar.
Fortunately, there was at least a minimal guidepost.
That was...
[You're doing well. Let's start sparring again.]
Thanks to Master's voice resounding in my head.
I was curious how, but she said it was still too early, so I let it go.
Anyway, I just swung my sword.
Honestly, I wasn't even sure if I was swinging.
No body—swinging in my mind doesn't make it swing, right?
Having senses blocked one by one was worlds apart from all at once.
At first, they said I was kicking up dirt on the ground, swinging my sword.
Next, my sword path was unstable...
But after repeating training with the Dano Gongmyeongdan, now they said I had some form.
Wish someone would film it and show me. Without confirmation, it's getting...
[Focus.]
...My sense of time dulled, thoughts echoing loudly in my head, random thoughts dragging on.
If I didn't do this, I'd go mad from anxiety...
Like I'd never recapture the sensation of taking down the Orc Hero...
I decided to stop thinking.
Being this pathetic would just make my sword path unstable.
I kept swinging until the afterimage from back then etched into my mind.
No idea how many swings.
I'm definitely getting hit right now... My whole body would be covered in ugly bruises by the end.
I just stepped forward and thrust my sword.
In anxiety, I tried blocking my head.
Did it work? No, don't doubt. I definitely blocked the attack.
Blocked it, so I seized the chance.
I thrust my sword at the image of Master in my mind.
My attack was straight. Right at the throat.
Hope she said I did well... No. Don't wait for her voice—swing the sword.
Master probably turned her neck to dodge, so a horizontal slash next? No, it's coming.
Left? Right? Right.
My arm's already thrust out, so pull back distance.
She pursues. Don't let her steal the timing—twist my body and advance.
Close. The faceless Master rolls her shoulder to shove me.
I endure the shoulder pressing my solar plexus. So close, time for the Fist and Leg Technique Cheon Hwa-ryeong taught me.
Too close for a hit point. With my knee, aiming for the side, with intent to smash.
Huh? Master's face twisted... Nah, imagination.
The final full-power strike comes. I'm sure.
Low center of gravity, Master lunges like a swallow—I'll cleave her from above.
Even use the wind coiling around her body. Riding the airflow, my arm turns lightning-fast, striking down.
No sound, no feel...
'Sliced.'
Then Master's voice rang in my head.
[Spread your internal energy wide. Imagine everything in your domain.]
Qi isn't just for the sword.
I released the internal energy I'd gathered and used inside my body.
In the pitch-black world, it expanded from the ground I stood on.
Internal energy spread like waves, providing me information.
Finally getting back what I'd felt until now.
I blankly stared at Master slowly approaching me.
She poked my body a few times with her finger, placed her hand over my eyes...
"Huhhh!"
All senses returned, like being thrown naked into midwinter.
"Breathe in through your nose, out through your mouth."
"Sip... Hoo-"
"Slowly open your eyes."
Brighter than ever, the light stung my eyes.
"Ugh..."
Master smiled, tightly gripping my bloodied hand.
"Withdraw your internal energy."
Come to think of it, I was holding a sword.
Looking down, qi rippled from the gripped blade.
"Ah..."
Master smiled, gently loosening my hand.
-Creeeak...
The sticky blood from my hand made a sound tickling my ears.
Sword dropped from my hand, Master stroked my back from top to bottom.
"Stop emitting internal energy. There you go."
The clamorous world quieted.
But...
"How do you feel?"
...
"The best."
[Status Window]
Name: Jang Ryu-o
Job: None
Title: Transmigrator
Level: 21
HP: 76/850 MP: 30/700, 580/580 Strength:32 Agility:30 Vitality:25 Intelligence:23 Luck:?? 9
Remaining Points: 4
Traits: BUG
Skills: LV.MAX Slime Body, LV.1 Intermediate Swordsmanship, LV.5 Circulation of Qi, LV.3 Uncheon-yeohyeong, LV.1 Water Resistance, LV.3 Poison Resistance, LV.2 Night Vision, LV.2 Heavenly Demon Divine Art, LV.2 Hardening, LV.1 Uitae, LV.3 Warrior's Charge, LV.1 Ki Sense,
Inventory
Basic Swordsmanship to Intermediate Swordsmanship, Uncheon-yeohyeong leveled up, ate elixir and Poison Resistance up...
This is really the best.
In just 3 weeks, I'd achieved growth that makes the Labyrinth City tremble and surrounding countries gasp in shock.
Training done, heading to Cheon Hwa-ryeong's house.
Using footwork, Warrior's Charge.
The essence I ate before training started gave Warrior's Charge.
Normally a skill to shoulder-check with massive momentum, but...
-Whoosh~ Shiiik!
I'm using it like boosters in midair.
MP cost: 50.
I can even curve in midair.
Wanted strength enhancement at first, but glad it was Warrior's Charge after using it.
Air speed 1.5x faster, for sure.
An amazing ability to pierce an opponent's guard.
Now I can wall-run too, personally practicing rooftop running from anime.
'Feels fucking great...'
Hopping buildings, suddenly at Cheon Hwa-ryeong's house.
Reach for the door and...
-Rattle!
"Kuuk...!"
"Noona?"
She opens the door first to greet me like this.
Cheon Hwa-ryeong spoke in a curt voice.
"...You're here."
She's been like that since that day.
Lips twitching, glaring at me slightly.
Makes me feel kinda embarrassed for no reason?
Watching her rub her ass now, somehow...
[There... stop...♥ Hoo...♥]
[Haah, noona...]
-Smack!
"? Has demonic nature dyed your brain?"
Rubbing my stinging cheek, I entered the room.
Cheon Hwa-ryeong glared, then widened her eyes.
"...Crazy bastard."
"What? Why the sudden curse."
"You eat all the good stuff alone? Your realm's different from yesterday."
Honestly, every time these experts see through me, it's mind-blowing.
"Noona, how'd you know? Do experts see something?"
Cheon Hwa-ryeong smirked dismissively.
"Ha, ant turned stag beetle—can't not be surprised. I see it all."
...Makes me wanna educate her.
Seeing my expression, Cheon Hwa-ryeong pointed at her ass, glaring.
"Y-you pervert! I told you to forget!"
"I-I didn't say anything?"
"Tch, whatever. Go sit."
I followed Cheon Hwa-ryeong and sat on the bed.
"By the way, what's my realm? Like Samryu, Iryu stuff."
Cheon Hwa-ryeong looked at me with an ambiguous face.
"Your Master didn't tell you?"
"Nope."
"Well, you said you haven't been in the east long? Tch..."
Cheon Hwa-ryeong nodded, starting the explanation.
"Samryu —the starting point and lowest realm of martial artists. Rely on senses, barely formed Dantian. Originally means the lowest status."
"Oh, so I'm not Samryu."
Cheon Hwa-ryeong looked at me like I was ridiculous.
"How heaven gave this talent to a pervert's body..."
"...Ahem, next?"
"Iryu —knows how to use qi, but barely. Time when senses awaken."
Thought she'd trash it all, but explained pretty well.
"Ilryu —success in a martial field. Handles qi, doesn't rely on senses."
Cheon Hwa-ryeong stared at me.
"Do you know what efforts martial artists make to reach Ilryu?"
I shook my head.
"Nope, never seen others train."
"Phew... Usually 20 years. 20 years. Being number one in a field—that's Ilryu."
In subculture, Ilryu is pretty common.
That realm's not rare?
"Aren't there tons of Ilryu martial artists? Being number one...?"
"That's how much effort and will it takes."
Seeing Cheon Hwa-ryeong's firm eyes, I was surprised.
"Weird? Thought you'd say they're all weaklings."
"Of course from my level, they're all the same. Like that ant turning stag beetle."
"Then?"
"Doesn't mean I ignore the effort from ant to stag beetle."
Ah... Thinking about it, evolving from ant to stag beetle is huge?
This noona Cheon Hwa-ryeong... Always grumbling, didn't know she respects martial arts that much.
Cheon Hwa-ryeong smirked at me.
"Arrogant stag beetle bastard... Ilryu , the realm you reached. Apologize to heaven—you achieved it while scorning heaven ."
Lost for words, I just glared at Cheon Hwa-ryeong pressing my forehead.