Breaking the Boundary
"......Huh?"
The moment the notification appeared, my vision inverted like a movie film with all light flipping and seemed to freeze. Shockingly, U-ryu-ga's sword storm felt like utter slow motion.
Insight's advancement influences your Mu-geuk trait.
Insight's advancement is absorbed into Mu-geuk.
Mu-geuk Lv1 → Lv2
Mu-geuk Lv2 Effect: 'Nian' unlock released
Black Eye had mastered Mu-geuk in life but never awakened anything beyond it. Now I understood why.
Just being skilled in swordsmanship doesn't mean you can master Mu-geuk.
The Mu-geuk trait could only be obtained by players. The final notification mentioning the realm's boundary crumbling explained it.
Players and NPCs existed in the same Dimension World, but they were distinctly different entities. My enlightenment from the swordsmanship of two NPCs—Black Eye and U-ryu-ga—was like linking two separate worlds through the sword.
A player had to shatter their own world, not as a player, but to become part of this one. It sounded simple in words, but it meant viewing Dimension World through an NPC's eyes.
Players see everything in this world as numbers.
Stats, health, mana, stamina, skills, item grades—the higher, the more absolute. But if this were true reality, we couldn't define such abilities solely by numbers.
......To think it connects like this.
Linker's Authority rank is unlocked.
Stage 1 → Stage 2
A new authority is generated.
1. You can recall shared memories of special entities.
2. You can exert partial influence on the realms within memory fragments.
3. Lower rank censors revealed information.
Caution: The content of memory fragments may change due to your influence.
Caution: Raise Linker's Authority with higher levels, more feats, and nobler skills.
Players could only acquire skills in a binary O/X—learn or not. Proficiency mattered, but only after acquisition.
Yet I discovered an imperfect dissonance in U-ryu-ga's swordsmanship, triggering Mu-geuk. Further, mediating through Mu-geuk collapsed the divide between reality and game, even elevating Linker's Authority.
"It leaves me speechless......"
I unwittingly clicked my tongue. It completely overturned my view of the game so far.
Players are inherently outsiders in Dimension World by design...... Not wrong.
We'd dismissed it as trivial. If even this system was programmed, perhaps Dimension World—the NPCs' world—was no mere virtual game but a true one. Created by humans, yet not easily controlled by them.
Choi Hyuk-su....... Did you really build all this alone?
I could no longer gauge the extent of this world's crafted boundaries.
Kaang-!!
Then it happened. Black Eye and U-ryu-ga's swords clashed with a resounding strike, and my inverted vision reverted to normal colors.
But U-ryu-ga's swift sword held no meaning for me now. With Mu-geuk awakened using Insight's advancement as catalyst, U-ryu-ga's sword trajectory appeared as a faint dotted line, predictable like learning a skill anew.
Mu-geuk Lv2
Exclusive Effect: With Nian, perceive opponent's actions for 1 second.
Thump- Thump- Thump-
Predicting movements exposed weaknesses plainly. Though low level limited it to 1 second—not long, but enough to create variables.
Focus your consciousness. If it falters, Nian's backlash may harm you.
The red warning appeared, and my vision fully immersed into Dimension World.
Shwaaaak---!!
Like recalling memory fragments, my vision sucked in at ferocious speed, and Thud-!! As I thrust my foot, surroundings pushed back like receding scenery.
Kwarung......!!
The distance to U-ryu-ga closed in an instant.
"Kuh?!"
By the time he noticed my intrusion, much had changed.
Shwaaaak---!!
My vision expelled reversely, restoring fully—but the minimap vanished. Status window, buffs, health, mana, stamina—all gone.
Sensations like reality. Shockingly, I'd stepped into the unique midpoint between reality-like virtual and virtual-like reality.
Sensory Amplification Lv3 effect triggers!
Physical senses surge exponentially.
U-ryu-ga's memory fragment 'Godslayer Assassin' synchronizes with your present.
Linker's Authority (Stage 2) enacted.
Caution: Partial influence possible on recalled shared memory.
'Godslayer Assassin' memory fragment synchronizes with newly written shared fragment 'Plateau Battle' of the present.
Caution: Shared fragment content may change based on Linker's actions.
Successive notifications.
I see it.
More precisely, I felt it.
......Is this even possible?
Rather than joy at this immense new power, shock at the altered environment overwhelmed me. This sensation felt less like the game and more like the dreams I'd had countless times.
The Neuron Interface building Dimension World. Grip- In Choi Hyuk-su's genius creation, an inexplicable chill gripped me, tightening my sword hand unconsciously.
Kaang-! Kang! Kang!!!
Contrary to my worries, my body parried U-ryu-ga's sword.
True Chil-ya 1st Sword
Srrip-!!
U-ryu-ga, whose arm already hung limp from Black Eye's strike, couldn't block—my blade sliced his side.
"Kuhk!!!"
With his groan, Mu-geuk released, frozen vision flowing back to normal time.
"Hah, hah, hah......"
U-ryu-ga took the hit, yet I gasped raggedly. Only one skill used, but stamina hit zero on status. Reality-like vision reverted to virtual with status and minimap.
"Kuk......!! You bastard......!!"
U-ryu-ga clutched his bleeding side, yelling at me. But even without that wound, his battered body couldn't move further.
"Is that so...... You deceived your master without fully mastering Chil-ya. My failure to see it proves my incompetence."
Black Eye slowly approached fallen U-ryu-ga.
"That master was merely human. Drunk on his strength, he never reached the Mu-geuk realm left by his own teacher."
His gaze shifted from U-ryu-ga to me. Black Eye had noticed my change.
"But that cannot justify assassinating your master. Why did you kill him?"
U-ryu-ga lifted his head. He surely knew Black Eye was his master, Gullak.
"To obtain the remaining Chil-ya forms."
Like Black Eye, U-ryu-ga answered flatly.
"The two forms not taught to the heroes? Fool. You who couldn't master even 2nd Sword think you could? Gullak showed you mercy as a hero."
"Don't make me laugh. He gave me mismatched forms. Teaching me, master of swift inner strikes, the slowest 2nd Sword among Chil-ya's seven—that's deceit, not mercy!"
Due to Linker's Authority? Despite mere programmed NPC, U-ryu-ga's resentful glare at Black Eye pierced vividly.
"Becoming a hero is enviable to all. But reality is the opposite."
U-ryu-ga snapped sharply at Black Eye.
"My sword grew slower; other heroes strengthened daily while I regressed."
He sneered.
"Obvious why. Gullak wanted me to abandon reclaiming my tribe's land."
His blazing eyes fixed on Black Eye.
"Was receiving Godslayer's swordsmanship mercy? When I'm a survivor of the tribe he annihilated!"
"......!!"
I'd never imagined their grudge intertwined this way.
So...... Black Eye took in U-ryu-ga, child of the tribe he exterminated?
Why? Questions swirled about their past, but regrettably, Black Eye never shared this tale.
If his affinity were perfect trust, would he have?
Not solely system ranks, of course. But moments ago, this reality-felt heat now chilled sharply.
"Even so, killing your master for twisted greed over two forms was wrong."
Hiding turmoil, I told him.
"What do you know? It wasn't greed—it was revenge. He saw taking me in as mercy; to me, those days ground my teeth in fury!"
U-ryu-ga's shout stung my heart. Memories held his genuine smile recounting Godslayer tales.
But if that was false and this his truth, across cycles, I'd never seen his real heart.
Throb- The thought ached my chest.
But this pain wasn't pity for U-ryu-ga.
No affinity ranks in dreams.
Reality, virtual, dream—relations equally complex. Stick to essence: the situation at hand.
"No. You're still wrong."
"My revenge?"
"No. Killing Guljiwang."
Sring--- I slowly aimed my sword at him.
"Whatever grudge with Godslayer, that's yours to resolve. You're no ally or comrade to me now—just judging right and wrong."
U-ryu-ga eyed me.
"I'm here on Norpa Jeran's request, Guljiwang's brother. Hand over the Torong scrolls you stole. Abandon making Torong—impossible without dwarf tech."
"Ridiculous......"
"We'll see."
In dreams across cycles, Midnight never failed to rise. Meaning they never succeeded crafting Torong.
"Even if you made Torong, could you claim Land of Savages? Barbarians fight tribes incessantly but unite against invaders."
I stared at him.
"Could you beat the Great Plains King? The Usurper King Ulak, deemed current Godslayer, even called Demi-God?"
"We'll see."
He laughed coldly at my question.
"Living falsely as Torong Clan for revenge is admirable, but you'll fail."
U-ryu-ga's face hardened.
"Don't harm the continent needlessly. I'll give you one last chance."
Stamina fully recovered.
Click-!! Shrrrk......!!
"Hup......!"
Twisting my wrist, the gauntlet enveloping my left hand glowed.
Woodruk......! Thud! Thud! Thud!!
Earth Dragon Wall used!
Slamming the ground with full force, massive rock barriers erupted in two prongs, encircling U-ryu-ga.
"......?!"
Only he and I inside the circular wall.
Step- Step- Step- I slowly gripped my sword toward him.
"I'll take the Torong."
Srrip-
"......!!!!"
One exchange. In the blink, my sword moved—not a system skill, mere normal attack—yet perfectly slashed him.
Shared fragment 'Plateau Battle' memory changes.
Your subconscious fragment 'Bitter Smile's U-ryu-ga' changes to 'One-Armed U-ryu-ga'.
Locked memory fragment (19/88) - 'One-Armed U-ryu-ga' conditions updated and met.
Newly written memory fragment applies to shared fragments beyond.
Shwaaak......!!
U-ryu-ga's right wrist severed, Torong bracelet clattering to the ground.
"Uh......! Uwaaaak!!"
He collapsed screaming in agony.
Thud-
I didn't intend to meet you this way......
Grabbing the bloody fallen bracelet, I bitterly gazed at him.
Sring- Sword to his throat.
Notifications rang the instant I severed his arm—my memories and future shifting. Kill or spare? The choice would alter them again.
"Do you trust Gullak?"
U-ryu-ga ambiguously asked.
"No."
I answered.
"But my retainers do."
He gave a wry smile at my reply.
"Mind the axe you trust doesn't chop your foot. Even Godslayer died by his disciple."
You can no longer stand with me as one of Glory's 9.
"......"
His words convinced me. I knew from dream cycles: not everything could be mine. Loyal subordinates became vile traitors across dreams; fierce foes turned comrades.
"You too."
I slowly raised the sword from his throat.
Then—
Shwaaaak---!!!
Just before my blade touched U-ryu-ga's neck, he desperately thrust his remaining sword.
"......!!"
His sword rocketed past me backward at tremendous speed.
Kwaang-!!
A dull roar erupted.
[D-Danger......!!]
A piercing scream in my head—I whipped around urgently.
Crack....... Crraaaack......!
A massive fissure split the sacred flame altar atop the plateau, holding All Gods Incarnation's flame.
"Damn it......!! Everyone, evade!!!"
Despite my shout, Baek Yiheon, tangled with Torongkin, couldn't escape easily.
[Ah....... No more......]
As the altar's cracks widened, the god's voice faded.
Crunch-!
I vaulted the Earth Dragon Wall, hurtling toward the crumbling sacred altar.
All Gods Incarnation Guardian God's seal releases.
All Gods' Flame struggles to maintain form.
Fwoosh......!!
The flames roiling at the altar's end finally overflowed.
"......No!!!"
When the altar shatters and flames scatter, horrific cold will engulf us.
Paat-!
I reached for the overflowing flames.
That instant—
Sacred Flame Altar completely destroyed.
All Gods Incarnation Guardian God's divine relic is vacant.
Divine relic to hold divine power required.
Caution: Gods without relic may perish.
Grasping All Gods' Flame at my fingertips, it trembled fiercely like a living thing.
God without relic gazes upon you.
Initial Devotion Authority effect triggers!
Fwaaaak......!!!
Incredible—a colossal flame vortex spiraled toward the plateau skies.