Chapter 10
Chapter 10
Chapter 10 Mom
Year 37 of the Tutorial. Two years had passed since obtaining the Qualification for Transcendence.
'Finally, I understand.'
What to do, how to do it, and why.
The purpose behind everything that had been created—and how it should be used.
At last, I had realized everything.
[Fist of the Shattered Sky’s level has increased.]
[Fist of the Shattered Sky’s proficiency has reached its maximum.]
[Legs of the Heavenly Asura’ level has increased.]
[Legs of the Heavenly Asura’ proficiency has reached its maximum.]
[Flowing Clouds of Chaos Evasion’s level has increased.]
[Flowing Clouds of Chaos Evasion’s proficiency has reached its maximum.]
My movements flowed like water.
'As if... they were always one from the beginning.'
The countless hours I had spent obsessing over martial arts—and all the effort I had poured into things beyond them—had now fused within me. It was overwhelming.
The unshakable mind I had forged through hammering.
The composure I had built while mastering acupuncture.
The precision I had honed through alchemy.
And everything else I had accumulated with my own hands now bloomed like a blazing sun within the microcosm of my dantian.
It had become my pillar.
Energy as intense as the sun surged through my meridians, reaching my heart.
Thump. Thump.
As my meridians fully opened, it felt as though another dimension had unfolded within me.
'Is this... Transcendent Peak?'
At that moment, energy erupted and seeped deep into my heart.
It was as if the energy throughout my entire body was remaking me.
Instinctively, I understood.
Right now, I had reached a realm where I could wield a new kind of energy.
'Innate Qi.'
For ordinary martial artists, this was their final bastion—energy that contained their very life force.
But those who reached Transcendent Peak could cultivate this Innate Qi to strengthen their vitality itself and wield .
'...I’ve finally reached Transcendent Peak.'
The me who had been nothing when I first fell into the tutorial now stood at a height few could ever reach.
The sense of accomplishment was indescribable.
I was so damn proud of myself.
And there was one more piece of evidence of my growth.
[Fist of the Shattered Sky, Legs of the Heavenly Asura, and Flowing Clouds of Chaos Evasion merge into a single martial art.]
[Please name the new martial art.]
A new martial art, born from the explosive power of Fist of the Shattered Sky, the flexibility of Legs of the Heavenly Asura, and the unpredictability of Flowing Clouds of Chaos Evasion, all fused with my enlightenment.
All three martial arts carried the meaning of defying the heavens.
Since their wills had merged into one, the name had to reflect that.
Moreover, the moment the three martial arts became one, my body naturally followed the flow.
Fist and footwork moved as one, like a dance, while the footwork connecting them felt as natural as soaring across the earth.
This was no longer just a martial art—it was a formless technique that governed the flow itself.
For this unprecedented martial art, I gave it this name:
"Heaven-shattering Dance."
Not (武) for "martial," but (舞) for "dance."
Each of my movements would become a dance, shattering the limits imposed by the heavens.
Thanks to the fusion, I could now apply the principles of my fist and footwork to weapons. My combat style had become even more flexible.
'Bare-handed is comfortable, but equipment matters too.'
As I climbed the Tower, I would craft more diverse gear.
Stubbornly sticking to bare hands would only limit me.
I needed to fight in more adaptable ways.
Swish. Swish.
A few test swings confirmed that the GrandMaster trait was in effect.
"Whoa... It applies to this too?"
Since the system recognized this as a martial art I created, the GrandMaster trait amplified its power.
Perhaps, in the process of merging the three martial arts, my enlightenment had fully integrated them—not as a simple combination, but as a true creation.
Heaven-shattering Dance was now more organic and natural than when it was three separate techniques.
It permeated every movement, allowing me to unleash it at any moment.
It had become a formless martial art, no longer bound by shape.
But because it could surge forth unexpectedly, I had to control it carefully.
'A careless mistake could kill someone.'
I needed to familiarize myself with it so it wouldn’t activate unintentionally.
After training until I was sure it wouldn’t misfire, I naturally moved on to the next step.
'Gather the energy in my dantian into my hands...'
The energy of the Dawn Divine Art, which now obeyed my will effortlessly.
I drew it out like a thread and placed it atop my palm.
Then, I extracted Innate Qi from my heart—the middle dantian—as another thread.
Weaving the two together, an incredibly dense and condensed energy I had never seen before floated above my hand.
This was Qi reinforcement.
A sublime art only those who had reached the highest realms could wield.
Though I couldn’t maintain it for long due to my lack of Innate Qi, the moment I created Qi reinforcement, my meditation technique evolved further.
[Dawn Divine Art’s level has increased.]
[A new effect of Dawn Divine Art has been unlocked.]
Fwoosh—
Watching the Qi reinforcement dissipate from my fingertips, I immediately checked the details.
Dawn Divine Art.
Abilities only.
① Demon Core
An internal core that accumulates energy in the manner of a Demon King. The limits of mana vanish, and mana accumulation/recovery speed receive the highest-level correction. Even if the dantian is destroyed, accumulated energy can be consumed to regenerate it.
② Demon Body
A body forged from demonic energy itself. Physical abilities rise in proportion to total mana. The limits of physical enhancement disappear, granting the highest-level correction.
③ Demon Veins
The ability to manipulate mana in the manner of a Demon King. Mana is imbued with the nature of domination, naturally subjugating the surroundings. Mana speed and power receive the highest-level correction.
④ Divine Demon Qi
The Qi reinforcement of the Dawn Divine Art. Clings to wounds, hindering recovery, and burrows inward to destroy from within. Its intensity scales with Mental Strength.
⑤ ???
Unlocks with proficiency increase.
'What the hell... did I even create?'
The Dawn Divine Art already had four absurdly overpowered abilities—and there was still more to unlock. I couldn’t even guess its limits.
I had created it to transcend limits, yet it was already surpassing them on its own.
Just then, a familiar voice came from behind.
"Player Han Yeong-min."
"Hm?"
"Come eat."
Ever since my Cooking skill reached Intermediate Lv1, I had been too lazy to cook and just ate frozen meals.
Estelle, unable to stand the sight, had started making food for me at some point.
She was far better than me, despite my Intermediate Lv1 skill. It was so delicious that I never missed a meal.
"Got it. Mom."
"...I am not your mother."
"You cook for me, take care of me, and scold me sometimes. Sounds like a mom to me."
If this wasn’t a mom, what was?
"Haa..."
Estelle sighed and headed to the dining table.
But on the spot where my bowl was placed, there was a mountain of my favorite side dishes.
'Yep. Definitely my mom.'
"Eat before it gets cold."
Seeing her slight smile, I chuckled.
Once I finished eating, Estelle asked:
"If I’m your mom because I cook, take care of you, and scold you... Was Player Yoo So-eun also your mom?"
"Yep. So-eun was mom too."
Honestly, considering what So-eun had done for me, she was more than a mom.
Estelle’s brow twitched slightly.
"Haa... Is teasing me really that fun?"
"Yep. Always fresh and thrilling. The best. Ow—!"
Suddenly, Estelle karate-chopped my head.
'...I didn’t even see it.'
A footwork technique several levels above my Flowing Clouds of Chaos Evasion.
At the very least, it was on par with a Divine Art.
"Player Han Yeong-min, you’re still no match for me. Understood?"
She raised her hand again, and I immediately nodded. Satisfied, she lowered it with a small smile.
"By the way, what was that footwork earlier? I’ve never seen it before."
"You were analyzing it even while getting hit?"
Estelle looked exasperated. But to me, it was natural.
In battle, instincts demanded I assess my opponent’s techniques first.
"I can’t teach you that. The three martial arts I’ve already taught you are the limit of what I’m allowed. If I teach you more, I’ll be expelled from the tutorial. Still want to learn?"
"No. Absolutely not."
Losing Estelle over a footwork technique would be a far greater loss.
'Still, it’s a shame.'
If I could learn that mystical footwork, my growth would accelerate even further.
Couldn’t she just teach me secretly?
"I can see what you’re thinking."
Estelle’s voice turned icy.
"Right now, you’re thinking, 'Can’t I just learn it secretly?' Aren’t you?"
Busted.
"Player Han Yeong-min. The system’s laws are far stricter than you think. They’re not something you can ignore so casually. The martial arts I’ve taught you were already the techniques of the Martial Alliance Leader and the Heavenly Demon from the Murim. Be satisfied with that."
'...Heavenly Demon?'
That was unexpected.
"Oh, so the Heavenly Demon actually exists?"
A staple in wuxia, the Heavenly Demon—leader of the Heavenly Demon Sect, the strongest of the demonic path, hailed as the greatest under heaven, wielder of the Heavenly Demon Divine Art.
And yet, the techniques I had learned were his? That was surprising.
"A world similar to the Murim Earthlings imagine does exist. If you’re lucky, you might meet him inside the Tower."
"The Heavenly Demon... That sounds very interesting."
I had ten years of wuxia novel experience.
Someone with that title would undoubtedly be a monstrously strong opponent.
I had to fight him at least once.
"Congratulations on reaching Transcendent Peak, even if you delayed it by teasing me. It was faster than I expected."
Had I reached it quickly?
"Is 37 years fast by Murim standards?"
Estelle nodded.
"Those called 'geniuses' usually reach it in their mid-20s. Prodigies from great families reach it in their late 30s. Those who train diligently but lack talent hit it in their mid-50s. And fools... never reach it in their lifetime. Though, even fools could manage with the system’s corrections."
So, I was on par with a prodigy.
"Then, since I’m a fool, did I only reach it because of the system?"
"...It’s a bit ambiguous."
Estelle hesitated before continuing.
"You are a fool. But right now, you’re growing faster than a prodigy. You’re pouring more time into training than even hardworking mediocrities, so under normal circumstances, you should’ve reached Transcendent Peak much earlier."
"Then why was it delayed?"
Her trailing tone suggested there was an issue.
"It’s just... you were too diligent, so it took longer."
"...It took longer because I was too diligent?"
That was unexpected.
"As you’ve realized, Transcendent Peak is about weaving everything you’ve accumulated into one."
Just as she said, upon reaching Transcendent Peak, I had fused everything I had built into a single whole.
"The more you have, the more you’ve accumulated, the slower it is to reach Transcendent Peak. If you had focused solely on martial arts after obtaining the Dawn Body, you would’ve reached it at least five years earlier."
I blankly chewed on her words.
"Was I... wasting my time?"
Would focusing only on martial arts have been the faster path? Had everything else I’d done slowed my growth?
"Whether that’s true or not... you’ll find out in time."
Estelle’s words carried a deeper meaning.
"What do you mean?"
"You’ll have to realize it yourself. If I tell you, it’ll lose its meaning. But... you’ll find it soon."
Her eyes held certainty. I smirked.
"Right. Who’s your disciple? Even if I don’t know what it is, I’ll figure it out fast."
She smiled faintly and raised a fist.
"Yes. Whose disciple do you think you are? Of course you’ll do well."
Thinking she wanted a fist bump, I raised my own—but I was wrong. She pulled her shoulder back.
"If you can’t find it, I’ll help you with my fists."
Estelle declared calmly.
...I had to find it. Fast.
Before I got turned into paste!
*****
Year 38 of the Tutorial.
Though I still hadn’t figured out what Estelle meant, I could now fight evenly with Baal’s avatar. I could block its attacks and land meaningful hits.
'If I just had a bit more Innate Qi...'
If I could maintain Qi reinforcement a little longer, I might be able to win. But for now, I was still lacking. Once I exhausted my Innate Qi, I had to flee for ten minutes before it was forcibly recalled.
Catching my breath, I asked Estelle:
"Estelle. What do you think I’m missing?"
I needed advice.
"Humanity... manners... those come to mind."
Now fully comfortable with teasing me, Estelle didn’t hold back.
"Not that. In terms of combat. And where else would you find a personality like mine?"
"Personality...?"
Estelle raised an eyebrow.
"What kind of 'personality' says such harsh things to a friend and sends them away...? I really don’t know."
"Guh—!"
I had no rebuttal. No amount of apologies would ever make up for what I’d done to Yoo So-eun.
"Sorry... Just tell me what I’m lacking."
Satisfied with my apology, she finally answered.
"A lack of Innate Qi. And... your world is too small."
"World?"
I already felt the lack of Innate Qi.
But what did she mean by my world being small?
"Martial artists don’t wander the world for no reason. They do it to broaden their horizons and integrate those experiences into their martial arts. The tutorial’s world is larger than you think. I recommend traveling. Besides, there are more players now than before. You’ll see and feel more. It’ll help you complete the task I gave you too."
I understood.
'My world is too small.'
I chewed on those words.
'...She’s right. Other than fighting Baal, I haven’t done anything.'
My lack of Innate Qi was a real issue.
If I didn’t address it, my growth might hit a wall.
If this was the solution, there was no reason to hesitate.
"Alright, let’s go."
As I packed my bag, Estelle looked startled.
"Even if I suggested traveling, this is too sudden...?"
I nodded.
"The best trips are the ones you take the moment you think of them."
"...‘If you don’t go now, you’ll never go’—that kind of thing?"
I nodded again.
The essence of travel was spontaneity.
Overthinking led to nothing.
"Exactly."
"Haa... Fine. Stay safe."
With Estelle’s sigh, my first journey began.
Into the vast world where countless encounters awaited.