Chapter 301: A Veteran-Style Pool Party
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 301: A Veteran-Style Pool Party
'Well, not too bad.'
Jinhyuk nodded as he looked in the mirror.
Sunglasses, a white T-shirt, and denim shorts.
These were clothes he had quickly shopped for before coming here.
"Wow, Master. Looking sharp!"
"You should dress up like this more often."
Undine and Sylphid let out soft exclamations of admiration.
When the department store clerk kept showering him with compliments, he had thought it was just empty flattery.
But seeing the spirits' reactions, it seemed it wasn't entirely a sales pitch.
The biggest reason, of course, was his level of physical activity.
No matter how much he exercised, his long career as a streamer had left him with a bit of extra flab.
But ever since the Tower of Trials manifested in reality, he had been able to maintain a perfect physique.
The lean muscles peeking through the loose fit and his hair styled up with wax certainly played a big part as well.
Just then, people dressed in various swimwear began to emerge onto the pool deck one by one.
The first to appear were Wolyeong and Cheon Yu-seong.
"My Lord. Your humble servant feels quite uneasy in such unarmed attire. If... if an emergency were to occur, would it not be difficult to protect you?"
Wearing only swim trunks, Wolyeong's slender frame was fully exposed.
He looked quite anxious about not having his sword on him.
On the other hand, Cheon Yu-seong casually grabbed a beer from the cooler and claimed a sunbed.
"Hmm. Well, this isn't bad once in a while."
It wasn't like he was shooting a celebrity pictorial.
Yet his statue-like good looks remained as striking as ever.
Just lying there drinking a beer looked like a scene from a movie.
Next came Alice, Teresa, and Andrea.
"Wow! Jinhyuk, is this what you call a pool?"
"It was mostly cloudy in Europe, but the weather in Korea seems much nicer. It's not even that cold despite the snow."
Andrea wore a white bikini that matched her white hair, while Teresa wore a blue bikini that complemented her blonde hair perfectly.
Whoa.
Both of them were stunning in more ways than one.
Andrea, in particular, had fully manifested her fox ears and nine tails, as if trying to get used to her gumiho powers.
Finally, Alice, wearing a black swimsuit, stared intently at Teresa and Andrea.
"..."
Alice poked Jinhyuk's shoulder.
"Return Us to Our original body as well."
"Why?"
"Stop talking and just do it, quickly."
"No way. It consumes too much mana. Just stay like that."
Smack!
"Gack?!"
A clear handprint appeared on Jinhyuk's back.
Why on earth was she throwing a tantrum for no reason on such a beautiful day?
'Seriously, she's such a child.'
Jinhyuk shook his head and clicked his tongue.
And so, the pool party began in earnest.
"Mogi! Mooogi!"
Goguma wagged his tail on top of a tube.
"Yes, yes! Coming right up, Boss! This time it's a slightly bigger wave!"
With that, Undine eagerly generated waves in the water, keeping them at just the right height to enjoy.
However...
"Is that supposed to be fun? If you want waves, this seat shall make them for you."
Stepping into the middle of the pool, the Dark Emperor channeled his internal energy.
Rumble, rumble, rumble!
Instantly, a massive wave rose from the edge of the pool.
He had to stop this immediately.
If left unchecked, the entire villa might sweep away before they could even enjoy their vacation.
"Master."
Jinhyuk spoke calmly.
"What is it?"
"I've heard that your martial prowess is the greatest in the Murim, Master. As expected, your reputation is well-deserved."
"Ahem! Well, that is not incorrect."
"So, I was wondering... would you like to make a light wager with me?"
"Ho? You wish to wager with this seat?"
The Dark Emperor's eyebrows furrowed into an inverted V-shape. His face was a mix of amusement and curiosity.
"Of course, just a light game to liven things up. After all, there's no way I could ever win a real bet against you, Master."
"Very well. A festive gathering cannot do without such entertainment. What shall the event be?"
"I've heard that peak-level masters can move objects without even touching them."
"You speak of Telekinesis. Naturally, this seat has long mastered that realm."
"As expected. Your martial arts truly define 'Heaven Beyond Heaven'. Your unworthy disciple can only marvel in awe once again today."
Jinhyuk put on an expression that looked as if he was about to burst into tears of emotion. He even pinched his thigh with his fingernails to squeeze out a single tear.
"Ahem! Cough! You do know how to appreciate greatness. Indeed, a master of my caliber is hard to find even if you search the entire Murim."
Perfect.
The prey has walked right into the trap.
"Then, let's make it so that whoever floats something higher wins."
"Watch closely. This seat shall personally show you the pinnacle of internal energy."
The Dark Emperor's gaze shifted to the side, looking for something suitable.
"I have decided."
"Mogi?"
Goguma's body slowly floated up into the air. It was nearly over ten meters high.
Floating something of Goguma's weight over ten meters high... it really was impressive. It was impossible to even fathom how deep his internal energy was.
"The penalty shall be ten years of closed-door training with this seat. I have a mountain of things to teach you."
The Dark Emperor wore a confident smile, as if asking if Jinhyuk could possibly top that.
However... the smile playing on the corner of Jinhyuk's lips was even wider.
"I guess it's my turn now."
[Unique Ability 'Triple Magic' has been activated.]
[The magic 'Levitation' has been selected.]
"Mogi!"
Goguma gently soared high into the sky, riding the wind. He easily surpassed a height of fifty meters.
"W-Wait a minute!"
The Dark Emperor cried out in shock.
"Is this not a foul?! You were supposed to lift it with internal energy! If you use your other abilities, then..."
"I never said a single word about using internal energy, though?"
"Huh?"
"I only said that whoever floats it higher wins."
Why on earth would anyone go through the trouble of using internal energy when there was such a wonderful and convenient tool called magic?
"T-That is..."
"As it happens, I forgot the garlic to eat with the meat. You just need to go all the way down the road and buy some."
And if possible, please have a head-on collision with a ten-ton cargo truck on your way back.
It would be even better if you could recuperate in Bukmang Mountain for a few days before returning.
* * *
How many hours had passed?
Only after they had played to their hearts' content did the noisy day begin to wind down.
Of course, the vacation wasn't over. It had only just begun.
Sizzle.
Along with the sound of grilling meat, a mouthwatering aroma wafted through the air.
No matter what anyone said, the highlight of a villa trip was the feast. In other words, it was all about how delicious the meat, vegetables, and alcohol were.
"..."
"..."
Their gazes crossed.
Their breathing slowed to a cold calm, and sparks flew from the flashing eyes of wild beasts.
Right then, a piece of meat reached the perfect state of crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside.
The atmosphere shifted abruptly. Everyone instinctively realized that this piece of meat was currently at its most delicious.
Swish...
Clack!
Clatter!
Chopsticks sliced through the air to claim that first piece, and to snatch away the piece someone else had secured.
Each of their unique abilities was activated.
Chopsticks that vanished due to Shadow Extreme Kill snatched the meat in an instant.
"I shall dedicate the first piece to my Lord!"
However, the Soul-Chasing Shadow, using 'Soul-Chasing Sword', snatched the meat Wolyeong was holding.
"Gasps?!"
"Hmph! The Demonic Cult's skills are all so mediocre."
Not to be outdone, the Dark Emperor channeled his Black Heaven Demonic Emperor Art. A heavy energy exploded along his wooden chopsticks.
"How dare you! Laying hands on the Demonic Cult's food?!"
Boom!
Not only the chopsticks, but even the meat was reduced to dust.
"W-What do you think you're doing? How unrefined!"
"I would rather destroy it than let the Righteous Sect bastards have it. Especially if it's going to a sly serpent like you."
"Oh my. There is a law outside the Tower that says anyone who treats precious food so cheaply must have chopsticks driven straight into the middle of their forehead."
"Amusing. Not only does a Righteous Sect weakling dare to lecture me on the ways of the Jianghu, but now you speak of laws outside the Tower? Try it if you dare."
Crack!
The Dark Emperor's muscles swelled as if they were about to burst. But the Soul-Chasing Shadow did not back down in the slightest, matching his momentum head-on.
Was this a showdown between a wealthy Gangnam housewife wearing sunglasses and a drunk neighborhood middle-aged man?
Sigh.
'Honestly, fighting the Black Goat was better than this.'
Jinhyuk massaged his temples with his index finger.
It was a relief that Teresa had protected the remaining meat using the 'Blessing of the Stars'. Otherwise, their dinner would have turned into some unidentified substance composed of protein molecules.
Right then.
"Jinhyuk! Have this. I made a wrap for you, hehe!"
Andrea made a wrap with a bright, innocent face. She must have learned diligently from Teresa, as it looked quite decent.
"I heard it's a Korean tradition to make wraps for family or friends. Hmm. Usually, for someone you like, you pack it with lots of meat, garlic, rice, and kimchi to show your affection."
Teresa diligently read from a green search bar on her screen.
"Thanks. I'll enjoy it, Andrea."
At least someone was being sweet amidst all this chaos.
Jinhyuk happily accepted the wrap and popped it into his mouth.
"Wow. This is really good."
The proportions were perfect. It even had two pieces of meat.
Receiving praise, Andrea clapped her hands with the happiest expression in the world.
Looking at her like this, who would ever think she was a boss ruling over an entire floor? She looked exactly like an innocent young girl.
"Mine is a bit unique. I tried making it Western-style."
Teresa also made a wrap and handed it over.
Oh. This one had sausage and mustard instead of pork belly. Eating it with white rice and a fried egg, an exclamation of admiration naturally escaped his lips.
However...
"A wrap... There are some very interesting customs outside the Tower."
"This seat shall specially make one for my beloved disciple."
Once again, a strange war of nerves broke out.
"Young Master Cheon. Come, say ah. Ahhh~."
"M-Master, please, your dignity..."
"Oh dear. Are you planning to reject something your master is giving you? I feel so sorrowful... I might just have to die."
"...Understood."
As a wrap stuffed with three pieces of meat was handed to him, Cheon Yu-seong let out a soft sigh.
'Seeing that leech suffer under a master like that... I almost feel a little sorry for him.'
Just as Jinhyuk was looking at Cheon Yu-seong with pity...
"Bwahaha! You greenhorn. You Righteous Sect bastards are always so lacking in spirit."
The Dark Emperor packed a wrap full of burnt meat. A generous helping of black kimchi added on top was a bonus.
"A real man does not take two bites to finish his food. Take this."
I take back the pity.
There's an even bigger monster over here.
Furthermore...
"Pack it with as much affection... as possible... Yes. I cannot lose. Yes!"
Alice, muttering to herself, kept moving her small fingers busily. Then, she handed over something the size of a basketball.
"Eat."
"Huh?"
"I said, eat."
"This?"
"Yes. All of it, don't leave a single bite. You absolutely cannot leave any leftovers. Got it?"
"..."
At a single glance, the height of the meat inside looked like it could rival the 10-story stone pagoda of Wongaksa Temple. It used about thirty lettuce leaves, and she had stuffed in all the rice that was left in the rice cooker.
Handing over an amount that would make even the Buddha run away in shock and telling him to eat it in one go... he couldn't tell if she was offering him a wrap or trying to assassinate him.
'The middle floors... I want to go there as soon as possible.'
He had to escape this hell as quickly as possible.