The Lesser Tiger's Heart Method
Mu-hyuk quelled the controversy over the title and picked up speed, heading toward the small city of Mauring.
Even as he raced along in a daze, a few stray thoughts trailed through his mind.
The second evolution is right around the corner.
Mu-hyuk was now level 205.
Skeletons underwent another evolution at level 200. For those wearing skulls, a single summon would then rival a top ranker without falling short—in fact, it might even surpass them. Of course, special ones like the Poison Ogre or Snowman already outclassed them at present.
"Oppa."
"Yeah?"
"We're here."
"Oh, already? Quest first, or check rewards?"
"Rewards!"
"Inn it is."
They entered the small city of Mauring and headed to a nearby inn.
"One room, please."
"Staying the night?"
"Just for a bit."
"Second floor, second room. Price is…"
He paid and entered the room.
Swoosh.
He immediately pulled out the premium box from his inventory as a reward. Sung Min-woo, Ye-rin, and Kim Ji-yeon did the same. They opened their boxes without hiding their eager expressions.
Checking class.
Gangster Necromancer acquires usable skill book.
A book appeared in Mu-hyuk's hand.
A skill…!
He hurriedly checked what it was.
Madness of the Battlefield
Exude madness to boost all stats of party members or summons entering battle by 5%. Conversely, hostile players or monsters succumbing to madness suffer a 10% reduction in movement.
Restriction: Gangster Necromancer exclusive
Not just some stats—all stats boosted. And a debuff effect to boot.
"Hooh."
"Oppa, what's that book?"
"Ah, a skill book."
"Whoa, a skill book from the box?"
"Yeah, got lucky."
Sung Min-woo, beside him, widened his eyes.
"Jackpot! A skill book!"
"You?"
Sung Min-woo grinned at Mu-hyuk's question.
"Mine's a jackpot too, bro."
"Oppa, me too!"
"M-Me too!"
Everyone got top-tier items.
"Yeah, after all that grinding to smash it. Deserved this much at least."
"Right, right."
"Whew, still two left."
"Let's open 'em."
"Okay!"
Mu-hyuk learned the skill before opening the rest.
Skill 'Madness of the Battlefield' acquired.
Grinning, he opened the remaining two boxes in quick succession.
Not just any skulls—a skull box!
Insane…!
The treasure map barely registered. It'd mean trekking to some hidden spot and enduring another hassle just for a slim chance at loot.
For now, only the skull box brought Mu-hyuk joy.
A box within a box.
He carefully opened it.
Exactly seven skulls tumbled out.
"Ooooh…!"
He glanced at the treasure map once before stowing it in his inventory.
"This is killer!"
"What, what is it?"
"Items you couldn't even dream of!"
"So what is it?!"
"Curious?"
"Yeah!"
They all checked their hauls.
"Whoa, yours is insane too?"
"Hm, well. Oppa's too."
"Ji-yeon too…!"
"Wow, unnie, that's amazing!"
"Th-thanks."
Satisfied faces all around.
Same for me, probably.
"Oppa, oppa."
"Yeah?"
"You see mine?"
"Nah."
"Wanna? Magic damage is insane…"
Mu-hyuk listened indulgently to Ye-rin's bragging. She finally quieted after a good chatter session, her excitement subsided at last. Though the faint smile lingered on her lips.
"Alright, time to cool off."
"Huh?"
"We're not done yet."
"What?"
"Baekho Clan."
"Oh, right!"
Now it was time to head to the Baekho Clan and claim their quest clear reward.
A short while later.
Outside, Mu-hyuk evolved seven skeletons.
Two Bone Swords.
Two Cavalry.
Two Bone Bows.
One Mage.
Savoring the power boost, he set off for the Baekho Clan.
Thanks to their overwhelming victory over The King Guild, the mood was upbeat.
The wide-open main gate hinted at it, and the guards exuded vigor with bright expressions.
"Mu-hyuk here. For the clan leader…"
"Ah, you've arrived."
"Pardon?"
"We were told to guide you right away if you came."
"Ah."
"This way."
He followed the warrior into the clan's inner courtyard.
To the reception room near where Clan Leader Baekho Un resided.
"Please wait here briefly."
"Sure."
Less than five minutes later, Baekho Un appeared.
"You've come."
"Yes."
"Heh, I heard. The Tower of Death is gone."
"Correct."
"And so soon after I asked…"
"Actually, we'd been tackling it for a while."
"I see."
"I heard about you too. War with The King Guild…"
"Indeed."
"Congratulations on the victory without losses."
"Thank you."
He sipped his tea and continued.
"Anyway, grateful you fulfilled the request. These folks your comrades?"
"Yes."
"Then I must reward you all. Thought it over—didn't have much to give. Armor would do, but you'd replace it eventually. So instead, proper martial arts you can use long-term and efficiently. Sound good?"
Already knowing the reward was martial arts.
Mu-hyuk and the others nodded.
"Of course."
"Fine by us."
"Heh, I know outworlders love gear. You there."
"Y-Yes…?"
Sung Min-woo blinked wide-eyed.
"Don't look so disappointed."
"N-No disappointment here!"
"Is that so?"
"Yes…"
Baekho Un chuckled softly.
"Don't dismiss martial arts. I'll teach you something excellent."
Clearing the 50th floor of the Tower of Death.
This quest was a hardcore mission only one team could clear.
If the reward was martial arts, anyone not a fool could guess its caliber.
Sung Min-woo surely knew, just wanted items more.
But Mu-hyuk preferred martial arts over items.
As Baekho Un said, gear gets replaced, but martial arts? Like skills. Lifelong use, and a drought-ender for his lacking attack skills.
"One request first."
"Yes."
"I know outworlders are capable, but this won't be easy. You must strive. Effort and mastery will shape what I teach. Excel, get better arts; falter, lesser ones. And training takes time—not short. Stay here awhile."
Mu-hyuk glanced at his comrades.
All nodded okay.
"Understood. We'll impose on you for a bit."
"Good. Follow me."
They headed to the rear training ground with Baekho Un.
Whoosh.
The breeze was cool, but the embedded heat scorched. Enough to feel the swelter—and pinpoint the training ground.
Just as expected. Numerous warriors trained fervently there.
"Impressive."
"Still lacking much."
Lacking by Baekho Un's standards only.
Huh, that warrior's insane too?
From Mu-hyuk's view, entirely different.
Their movements…!
A few moved too fast to track visually.
Even with skeletons, victory wasn't guaranteed.
Monsters, real ones.
Does Forma have places like this?
Probably.
Just undiscovered.
Thud.
A middle-aged warrior approached from afar.
The protector from the footage.
"Won-ho."
"Yes."
"Teach them the martial arts I mentioned before."
"Understood."
Baekho Un eyed Mu-hyuk.
"Left Protector Baek Won-ho. Learn well."
"Yes, thank you."
As he left, Baek Won-ho regarded the four.
"Follow me."
To a secluded corner of the training ground.
"I'll teach martial arts now. Treat it as instructing clan warriors—give your all."
"Understood."
"From now, as your master, I'll drop formalities. First, what is inner power? Inner power is…"
Left Protector Baek Won-ho's tedious explanation droned on.
"Now, experience inner power bodily in turn. First, Mu-hyuk."
"Yes."
"Sit here in meditation pose."
As he sat, the protector placed a hand on his back.
Whoosh.
Soft energy infiltrated his body.
Sensing inner power.
No message needed—he knew.
This is inner power.
"Felt it?"
"Yes."
"It'll circulate your body—memorize the path."
"Got it."
The energy flowing through him was so vivid, its path crystal clear. Memorizing it was simple.
"Remembered?"
"Yes."
"Good, next."
Sung Min-woo, Ye-rin, and Kim Ji-yeon each memorized the path in turn. Only then could they learn the first martial art: the heart method.
"It's called the Lesser Tiger Heart Method."
Little tiger heart method, perhaps.
"Baekho Clan's most basic heart method. Mastery determines future arts. Give it your all. The incantation is…"
The incantation was complex.
Barely memorized, they began training.
*
About two hours of focus later.
Soft energy settled in his dantian.
A hologram popped up.
1. Convert inner power to MP for use.
2. Convert MP to inner power.
3. Use both inner power and MP.
Which will you select?
Sudden choice.
Hmm.
Using both seemed best, but it'd demand prolonged heart method training.
Enhancements, crafting, cooking, summons, himself—too much to juggle, inner power extra burden.
Nor did he want the madness of converting MP to inner power.
One option left.
Convert inner power to MP.
Short deliberation—he chose 1.
Inner power integrated into MP.
Inner power-related skills now usable via MP consumption.
Training heart method increases MP.
The last line was unexpected.
Oh, huge win.
He looked up.
"1st Star, mastered."
"Already?"
The protector narrowed his eyes.
Faster than expected.
Sung Min-woo, Ye-rin, and Kim Ji-yeon still had eyes shut. Even against the warriors, not slow.
Talent.
Hiding his thoughts, he nodded.
"Train more till your comrades open their eyes."
"Yes."
Eyes closed, he activated the heart method again.
Operating Lesser Tiger Heart Method.
About ten minutes later.
MP +1