Mastering the Baekho Arts
A single arrow slipped free from the bowstring, accelerating in an instant. Before it could travel far, another arrow followed from the taut string. The third chased right behind.
Bang! Pabang!
Thus, seven arrows shot toward the monster in a chain like cars on a train.
Puk!
-1,440 Damage ×4
The first arrow embedded in the monster's chest, and the second struck the fletching of the lodged one.
The impact drove the first deeper.
The third, fourth, and fifth added more force, until the first arrow finally pierced clean through the beast's chest.
The sixth and seventh sailed harmlessly through the hole.
It dealt just over 8,000 damage.
Without even using Storm.
Quite satisfying.
What if he added Storm?
Mu-hyuk infused all seven arrows with it.
Parcheon Bow Art First Form: One Point Shot
Skill used forcibly.
450 MP consumed.
His hands moved on instinct.
And the seven arrows flew in perfect formation.
Peong!
The brilliance of exploding Storm combined with the piercing might of One Point Shot, slamming into the monster's abdomen as it howled from its punctured chest.
-1,440 Damage ×3
Additional -2,592 Damage ×3
-2,880 Damage
Additional -5,184 Damage
This time, the abdomen pierced on the fourth arrow.
The remaining three passed through empty air.
Still, total damage far exceeded the first strike—over 20,000.
Krr, krrrk.
The monster staggered, chest and gut riddled.
Not dead yet.
The other two were pinned behind Armor Knights' shields, helpless.
Mu-hyuk leisurely tested his remaining skills.
One Point Shot was solid.
Now, Silent Arrow.
Parcheon Bow Art Second Form: Silent Arrow
Something rippled at his fingertips—invisible, but palpably real.
Nocked it.
Drew strong, released.
Pang!
Air warped—or seemed to.
Kiaaaak!
The monster shrieked in agony.
Perfect.
Would shine against users.
Next.
Storm, Parcheon Bow Art Third Form: Sky-Splitting Arrow.
Immense energy cloaked one arrow.
Aimed between its eyes.
Hoo! Released, breath held.
-7,680 Damage
Additional -13,824 Damage
Over 21,000 damage.
"Ha... "
On a user?
Shield would block, absorb 70%.
Even factoring defense, around 4,000 HP shaved off.
Insane.
Utterly satisfied.
Parcheon Divine Bow was a resounding success.
Now, Baekho Steps and Baekho Sword Art.
Baekho Steps
Perception shifted instantly. Like a third eye awakening, one never noticed before.
Opening eyes in darkness—suddenly, worlds unseen flooded in.
The mundane turned alien, filling vision with novel senses.
Mystical, eerie.
Step.
Mu-hyuk approached a monster, anticipation bare.
Whoosh!
A fist swung.
Oh ho, like this.
If Wind Step just accelerated, Baekho Steps revealed new paths beyond speed.
Swish.
Dodged effortlessly, slipping to its lower flank.
How had he missed such an easy route before?
It turned late, attacked.
Clumsy motion.
A slight twist evaded, spin placed him behind.
Baekho Sword Art First Form: Baekho Bind
Mu-hyuk's sword thrust forward.
One strike, yet seven blades flanked it—illusions?—impaling the monster.
-1,560 Damage ×8
Eight hits landed.
"Whoa...!"
Fantastic.
Awe lit Mu-hyuk's eyes.
Jackpot!
Again.
Storm, Baekho Bind.
Forced use cost 750 MP, but he ignored it.
Focused on results.
Eight blades swung anew.
Peong!
Regrettably, only one exploded.
-1,560 Damage ×8
Additional -2,808 Damage
Disappointing, yet nearly 15,000 damage.
On users?
He could picture it.
Monsters were huge—easy hits anywhere.
Users: fast, small. Must target core precisely for full effect.
Hard to land all, but utility immense.
Good.
Next skill immediately.
Storm, Baekho Sword Art Second Form: Baekho Wave.
Again, Storm only on first.
No time to care.
Body moved instinctively, unveiling sights beyond imagination—ecstatic, indescribable.
Like becoming light itself.
"Haa..."
Sigh escaped as motion halted.
Whoosh!
Steps reacted fluidly to incoming attacks.
Perfection.
Damage akin to first form—15,000—but his favorite yet.
Swish.
Stepped back, composed himself.
Calm down.
Skeletons held monsters at bay. Deep breath, then closed in for the last form.
Seemed ranged from description—stopped at distance.
"Armor Knights, fall back."
Drew sword on cue.
Baekho Sword Art Third Form: Baekho Slash
Vast energy surged into the blade, forming a white silhouette. Swept out—a massive crescent blade.
Srake!
Three monsters cleaved by the arc.
-6,000 Damage
Additional -10,800 Damage
Monster's HP decreases by 100 per second.
Massive damage plus bleeding.
Insane...!
Too good—especially the wide range.
Training and contribution points suddenly felt insufficient.
"Oppa."
Kang Ji-yeon approached.
"Yeah?"
"Those skills were awesome."
Mu-hyuk smiled at her praise.
"Thanks."
"Checked them all?"
"Yep."
"Then what now?"
"Hm, skills tested..."
No reason to linger at Baekho Sega. As skills, they'd level through hunting.
"Claim rewards, hit level 200, then head to Forma Continent."
"Forma?"
"Yeah, need level 200 skills."
"Oh, so back to Baekho Sega now?"
"Not right away. Hunt a bit more first?"
"Sure!"
Hunting began.
Soon after.
Leveled sufficiently, headed to Baekho Sega.
The path buzzed.
"Whoa, seriously insane. Killed it!"
"Yeah, yeah."
"Krr, those steps? Vision zipping around, and second sword form?"
Sung Min-woo's voice battered his ears.
"You wouldn't get it first time, but linking attacks feels similar..."
Really loved the skills.
Usually chatty, now exponentially more.
"Oppa, too loud!"
"Uh, really? Was I? Just, the martial arts are better than expected..."
"Got it."
Sung Min-woo glanced at Kim Ji-yeon.
Her face said it:
Shut up...
He zipped his lips.
*
Mu-hyuk wielding skills.
Spectators via Illusion TV.
Short gasps of awe.
Then, info leaked.
Similar posts flooded the homepage.
Intrigued players headed to Baekho Sega. By Mu-hyuk's hunt's end, crowds camped at the gate.
Oblivious, Mu-hyuk sped into Mawoolim City.
"Hm? More users than usual?"
Realized en route to Baekho Sega.
Ah, Illusion TV.
Regretting the slip, he pushed toward the clan amid chaos.
More people than expected argued with warriors.
"Come on, let us in!"
"No."
"We have contribution points too! Wanna use 'em to learn martial arts!"
"No."
"Why them yes, us no?!"
"Discrimination?!"
"Let us learn too!"
Contribution holders were few. Rest hoped for scraps or spectacle.
"At least relay the message!"
"..."
Voices rose, curses flew.
Two warriors' faces hardened.
Aura stirred faintly.
Then—
Kiiik.
Baekho Sega's gates opened. Left Protector Baek Won-ho emerged.
"Left Protector, sir."
"What's this?"
"Well..."
Briefed, Baek Won-ho eyed the crowd.
"Pathetic. If you don't leave now, I'll take it as a challenge to Baekho Sega."
Users flinched.
"Ugh, gross."
Most retreated, few held.
"So you want to fight."
"No, we have contribution points..."
Before they finished—
Baek Won-ho moved.
Srake!
Drawn sword severed users' throats instantly.
Defense systems rarely let low-levels experience dismemberment—usually limbs.
But Baek Won-ho sliced necks.
"Wh-what...?"
Overwhelmed defense.
Instant death.
Onlookers fled in panic.
"What the...?"
Mu-hyuk's eyes gleamed at the sight.
Third form, Baekho Slash.
Glimpsed white energy.
Checked skill—slashing power exponentially increased.
Yes. True power: instant kill.
With enough levels, Mu-hyuk could wield it too.
Imagining that day, his body shivered.
Ultimate thrill and anticipation consumed him.