Treasures of the Martial Village
The expressions of those racing across the plains were remarkably serene.
“Whoa……”
At first, he thought it was similar, but dashing through the plains changed his mind.
It was because all sorts of sculptures erected throughout the hunting grounds came into view.
“That baby statue here is so cute!”
“It's definitely different from the Forma continent.”
“Yeah. Sculptures in a hunting ground, of all places.”
Sung Min-woo chuckled and headed toward a sculpture, swinging his fist.
The sculpture shattered and scattered into pieces.
“What are you doing……?”
“Huh? Just testing if it'd break, and it did.”
“……”
Mu-hyuk stared at him in pity, but suddenly the fragments of the sculpture vanished. Then the broken sculpture restored itself to its original form.
“Whoa? It's coming back?”
“Wow……!”
Even Yer-in seemed intrigued by it.
The two poked around here and there.
Even Kim Ji-yeon, who had hesitated briefly, joined them.
“……”
Mu-hyuk alone stood apart, waiting for them.
Less than a minute had passed, but strangely, it felt like time was dragging on forever for Mu-hyuk.
After enduring another two minutes or so, he finally couldn't stand the boredom and was about to call them over when Sung Min-woo returned just in time.
“Eh, nothing special.”
Then hurry up and come back.
He swallowed the rising words with effort.
“Ahem. Let's go now.”
“Okay.”
The four set off again.
“Whoa, that's pretty too……!”
“Nice, for real.”
They fully soaked in the unique atmosphere of the Kaion continent as they headed toward their destination.
Two hours later.
They arrived at Mauring small city, where they could sell the Mana Orbs and Karma herbs bought on the Forma continent.
Among the countless cities in the northern region, it was on the smaller side, but the unique vibe of this village drew gasps of admiration.
“What should I even call this?”
“Hmm.”
“Oh, you see this in Chinese movies all the time.”
“Right! Spot on.”
“Like a city where Chinese people live?”
“Exactly!”
As they expected, this place was inhabited by martial artists.
A city composed entirely of martial artists, a profession absent from both the Forma and Grakan continents.
Of course, users with the martial artist class existed on other continents too.
But they couldn't receive proper training. They had to grow relying solely on the system.
Ah, but there was that one user who was different.
Baekrang, was it?
The one I fought in the Forma continent's strongest warrior tournament.
Still memorable. Incredibly strong…… Probably a real martial artist even in reality.
Setting aside such exceptional cases.
For those aspiring to become martial artists, or for martial artists seeking proper skills, this was the one place they had to visit: Mauring small city.
“Let's go in further first.”
“Yeah!”
Inside, there were more people milling about than expected.
“Users, right?”
“Totally user vibes.”
“That one?”
“Huh, someone from Forma continent? Clothes look kinda off.”
Mu-hyuk smiled as he listened to his companions' guesses.
They'd figure it out eventually.
If you knew the info, distinguishing Mauring small city's NPCs from users was easy.
Those wearing armor or robes were users.
East Asians in traditional Chinese attire were NPCs.
“Alright, everyone.”
Mu-hyuk called his chattering companions.
“Let's each get sorted first.”
“Why? Going separate?”
“Got some things to check.”
“Like what?”
“Job-related quest.”
“Oh, got it. Since it's a small city but pretty big, meet back here in like 30 minutes!”
“Sis, come with me!”
“Ah, uh, sure.”
After parting with his companions, he approached a nearby NPC.
“Excuse me.”
“Hmm.”
The middle-aged man's gaze was uncomfortably sharp.
“Judging by your attire, you're a foreigner.”
“Yes, that's right.”
“What do you want?”
He already knew they didn't like foreigners.
They opened the village for business, but that was it—no more showing or telling.
But every place has exceptions. And Mu-hyuk intended to be the exception today.
“Are you a martial artist by chance?”
“Hm……?”
The middle-aged man's expression shifted.
Caution, or curiosity.
“I've always admired martial artists. And at a glance, you exude that refined air.”
“Ahem, you know your stuff. Foreigners usually don't, but you're something else.”
“I've got a lot of interest.”
“Anyway. So?”
Mu-hyuk pulled a Mana Orb from his inventory.
“Could you take a look at this?”
“What's that?”
“Not sure, so I wanted your confirmation. It might help with advancing inner power.”
“What? Advancing inner power?”
“Yes.”
The middle-aged man snorted derisively.
“You think elixirs like that are easy to come by?”
“Of course, like picking stars from the sky.”
“Then why……”
“That's why I'm showing it to you.”
“Ahem, fine. I'll check it.”
The middle-aged man took the Mana Orb with zero expectations. But the faint energy from his palm instantly changed his eyes.
“Mm……!”
Suddenly, energy burst from his body.
It enveloped the Mana Orb.
“This……”
“What do you think?”
Mu-hyuk smiled as he asked, and the middle-aged man nodded.
“Slight, but it definitely seems effective for advancing inner power.”
“Really?”
“Ahem. You got just the one?”
“No.”
“Then……?”
“Quite a few. More than you'd think.”
The middle-aged man's pupils trembled.
“Thinking of selling, by any chance?”
“Mm. If the price is right……”
“Can't answer that. Follow me?”
“Where to?”
“Seems we need to see the sect leader.”
This meant an introduction to Mauring small city's head.
“Sounds good.”
“This way.”
He followed the middle-aged man north.
Soon, a massive palace-like building appeared.
It really felt like stepping into ancient China.
Why it was on Kaion continent instead of Forma was a mystery, though.
As Mu-hyuk pondered, the middle-aged man approached the two guards at the main gate.
“A guest. Open the gate.”
“Yes!”
Inside was a vast garden.
Crossing it and heading left revealed a small well.
An old man sat before it, fishing leisurely.
The middle-aged man approached cautiously, stopping at a distance and blocking Mu-hyuk with his hand.
He pressed a finger to his lips; Mu-hyuk nodded.
Silence flowed.
“Heave-ho.”
The old man reeled in a carp.
Smiling contentedly, he turned.
“Waiting long?”
“No.”
“So, what's the matter?”
“Brought a guest.”
“A guest……”
The old man stared piercingly at Mu-hyuk.
Nothing visible, but something pure white crushed down on him.
No impact, yet like the sky collapsing on his shoulders.
“A foreigner?”
“Yes……”
“First time bringing a foreigner as a guest. Explain.”
The middle-aged man produced the Mana Orb.
“Seems effective for inner power advancement. This young man had it.”
“Let me see.”
Examining the orb, the old man nodded.
“Could grant 0.5 to 1 year of inner power.”
“As expected……!”
“But one alone means nothing.”
Even saying so, the old man's face showed no interest.
Just 0.5 to 1 year.
At most a few, or a dozen.
Not enough to matter.
“He says quite a quantity.”
“Quite a quantity……”
The old man's gaze shifted back to Mu-hyuk.
“Come to sell to us, I suppose.”
“You could say that.”
“Then tell me. How many?”
Mu-hyuk smiled.
“Exactly 460. Including the one you hold.”
“……!”
The old man's serene face shook for the first time.
*
Inside a refined building.
The old man and Mu-hyuk sat facing each other at the table.
“So, what do you want for them?”
“You're the one who knows the value. You set the price.”
“Value……”
The old man pondered.
“0.5 to 1 year each……”
Of course, elixirs diminished in efficiency with more absorbed.
Per person, maybe 5 at most.
460 could benefit 92 people.
If 92 talented youths trained with at least 2 years' inner power, the effects would be incalculable.
An exceptionally gifted one might absorb over 4 years.
“Heh……”
After deep thought, the old man spoke.
“To be frank, we don't have the funds to buy all that quantity.”
“Unexpected.”
“What is?”
“Thought you'd pay proper price.”
“Naturally.”
“Heard you dislike foreigners.”
“Unrelated.”
Mu-hyuk nodded.
“My thinking was narrow.”
“No matter. Some in gold, some in goods. Possible?”
No need for all gold.
He had plenty.
Good items would be better profit.
“Can see the goods now?”
“Of course. Follow.”
The old man led to a warehouse.
Ho, item storage.
Obvious without entering.
How many, I wonder?
Excited, he stepped in—but fewer items than expected.
About 20.
Mu-hyuk's face showed slight disappointment.
“Sell all 460, we'll take 150 for 60,000 gold. The remaining 310 replaced by one item each from there. No loss, I assure you.”
60,000 gold made his heart race.
Thump.
Excitement from the fortune.
Whew. Bought at 5 gold each, selling 150 at 400? 80x profit.
Even with the limit, enormous sum.
But for the remaining 310—equivalent to 120,000 gold—in those items?
Doubtful……
Mu-hyuk furrowed his brow slightly before replying.
“Alright, I'll take a look.”
“Browse at leisure.”
Calming his greed-shaken mind, he stepped forward.
After three steps, he gripped the nearest sword.
Checked options.
A hologram appeared before his eyes.
◈ Attack Speed +5%
◈ Movement Speed +5%
◈ Reaction Speed +2%
◈ All Stats +10
◈ Additional Attack Power +30
◈ Soul Absorption (Special Option)
◈ Durability 400/400
◈ Requirements: Strength 110, Agility 100
Over 300 attack power and those options—his jaw dropped.
“Ha……”
He needed to revise his first impression of the warehouse.
120,000 gold items?
They definitely existed here.
Just the Honbaekdo alone was priceless.
If enhanced to +7?
Ridiculous damage.
Value beyond imagination.
With luck, multiples of 120,000 gold.
The thought left him dazed.
“Impressed?”
The old man's voice from behind snapped him out.
“Pardon……?”
“Asked if you're alright.”
“Ah, yes.”
Mu-hyuk took deep breaths, repeating until his excitement settled.
Whew. But what's Soul Absorption?
The special option caught his eye late.
He checked hurriedly.
The souls dwelling in the blade absorb the enemy's soul. Physical attack power increases with absorbed souls. Limit exists.
Truly beyond imagination.
Insane.
How amazing were the other items scattered about?
With an exhilarated expression, he began checking them.