Chapter 83
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 83
Chapter Title: Encounter with the Dark King (2)
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Encounter with the Dark King (2)
Hes real. That man is a true martial artist of the Sichuan Tang Clan.
Id figured out that the man was a martial artist of the Sichuan Tang Clan and that he was trying to teach me something.
The State of Ascension has been activated.
The moment I tried to focus on his movements, the State of Ascension, which hadnt budged despite my constant practice, activated automatically.
The State of Ascension was an ability that slowed down everything in the world, including me, while keeping my thoughts at their normal speed.
But it seemed even that had no real effect on him. His movements didn't slow or change; they remained perfectly natural.
Flutter.
Pang!
The man threw the dagger in his hand in a straight line. The air exploded as the dagger sliced through the atmosphere like a beam of light. If not for the State of Ascension, I wouldnt have even been able to see its trajectory.
Thwip.
The dagger, which looked like it would blow away the entire bamboo forest, suddenly slowed to a flutter right before its target, as if it were a leaf swaying in the breeze, and embedded itself in the exact same hole as before.
Despite the dagger striking it, the bamboo stalk didnt even tremble.
Thats insane
He threw it with such force, yet it couldnt even pierce a single bamboo stalk?
No.
He threw it several times faster than my own straight throws, yet he perfectly killed its momentum at the target.
That was ten thousand times more difficult than just throwing it.
His control over his internal energy, the minute control of his muscles, the angle, the wind he controlled everything perfectly.
Just seeing that one basic straight throw made me feel like I was drenched in a cold sweat.
Woong.
When the man extended his hand, the dagger embedded in the bamboo returned to him as if pulled by a string.
Heavenly Silkworm Thread? Silver Thread? No. Thats
Woooong.
My Myriad Poisons Magnetic Divine Qi was resonating with his unique ability. That wasn't done with a string or thread, but with the internal energy of the Myriad Poisons Magnetic Divine Qi.
Woooong.
His upper dantian was moving the dagger.
Later know
As if he knew I was surprised, the man glanced back and smirked.
The man sent the returned dagger flying again. Unlike before, the dagger flew without a sound, as if it were dead.
What in the world
The dagger flew into the bamboo grove, weaving through the countless bamboo stalks and leaves without touching a single one, like a bird gliding through the air. And yet, it maintained a speed greater than my curved throws.
Shwoook.
After making a light circle through the grove, the dagger returned to the mans hand like a boomerang.
He created dozens of variations in the daggers path with a single curved throw. To think thats possible!
The man hadn't used psychokinesis or the upper dantian technique hed shown earlier. He had simply used a curved throw to make the dagger pass through the bamboo forest without touching anything.
I know what this man wants to show me.
The absolute master of the Sichuan Tang Clan standing before me had identified my shortcomings at a single glance. Rather than teaching me a new technique or ability, his intention was for me to first master the fundamentals.
This is an unbelievable opportunity.
This man was already at the pinnacle of the world, looking down upon all creation. And a man like that was demonstrating his techniques right in front of me, telling me to steal them.
It would be rude not to watch with everything I have.
Hah.
Perhaps sensing the change in my demeanor, the mans smile deepened.
The man demonstrated the perfected versions of every hidden weapon and technique I usedBaekgwanghwan, Mukbong, Shibibido, and Hyeolhwajeopone by one.
Different
The gestures for handling the hidden weapons, the flow of internal energy, the muscle controleverything was being seared into my brain. Every tiny fragment of his movements was a colossal opportunity for me.
Next
The man put all the hidden weapons away and stood before the bamboo grove again, empty-handed.
Sssss.
When he lightly rubbed his left index finger and thumb together, the poison that emerged from his hand dissolved a single leaf on a bamboo stalk in the middle of the grove into dust.
Is that even possible?
Waryeomdok.
A poison potent enough to melt a person had affected only one leaf among the countless bamboo stalks and leaves. That was a level of minute control that was hard to even imagine.
Fwoosh.
No way
Salhonyeon, the red smoke I often found useful.
The Salhonyeon covered a space where only two people could barely stand. With this level of control, I could use it even when I was with my allies.
The man demonstrated the application of various poisons and then took his position again.
Crackle.
A brilliant flash of light began to erupt from the mans legs.
Flash.
A light, as if thunder had truly struck, burst forth, and the man instantly moved from one end of the space to the other. If the State of Ascension hadnt been active, I would have missed his movement too.
From the upward-surging Noechung and the Noeyeong that aimed for the opponent's back, to Noegeuk and Noecheom. From his posture and center of gravity to the angle of his feet and the regulation of his strength, the man demonstrated the complete, perfected version of the Lightning Blade Body Technique.
Heh heh.
A laugh escaped me for two reasons.
First, because I was ashamed of myself for having been satisfied with my abilities until now.
Second, out of anticipation that I could one day reach that level.
As if he had finished everything, the man turned around. The absolute presence that I hadn't even been able to look at now held a hint of gentleness that wasn't there before.
Did you see?
I saw.
Need
Yes. Everything was what I needed. Thank you.
Huhu.
His mastery of the Myriad Poisons Magnetic Divine Qi was far greater than mine. He seemed to understand my words, and he looked satisfied.
Time up.
Ah
It seemed he was saying time was up. The man appeared to be as disappointed as I was.
But I have a problem. Its difficult to say, but my hidden weapons and poisons use the system
There were things I couldn't do like that man, but there were also things I was simply unable to do.
My hidden weapons and poisons benefited from the system's abilities. At first, it was convenient, like playing a game, but now that I had become proficient with them, it was actually a hindrance.
Its fine
The man said it was fine, his voice laced with a smile.
Saaah.
As if time truly was up, the bamboo grove, the world, and the man himself began to blur like the mist that covered him.
Ah
As I was enveloped in a mist of regret, his final words came through clearly, without any static.
Come back stronger next time. Good grief, its so frustrating not being able to have a proper conversation.
I will! Senior!
Huhu, next time, I'll show you the Somancheon I created.
The State of Ascension has been deactivated.
The encounter with Cheonsuamwang has ended.
Proficiency in all learned hidden weapon arts and hidden weapons will increase.
Proficiency in all learned poison arts and poisons will increase.
Proficiency in the Lightning Blade Body Technique will increase.
Flash!
I felt my soul leave the bamboo grove and settle back into my body.
Ah
The level of mastery for Myriad Poisons Magnetic Divine Qi has increased.
Myriad Poisons Magnetic Divine Qi has reached 6-Star.
You can now perceive a greater flow.
Lock will be released.
Systematic restrictions on Poison Arts will be removed.
Systematic restrictions on Hidden Weapon Arts will be removed.
Systematic restrictions on Internal Energy will be removed.
Restrictions on the State of Ascension will be removed.
You can now perceive all of your own and others' blood points.
Hidden Weapon Art: Thread Weaving Force has been unlocked.
When I opened my eyes, a flood of messages scrolled down before me. These messages were important, but the one I saw before them was more impressive.
Cheonsuamwang
That was the mans title. The title of King suited him so perfectly.
Ill be able to see him again, right?
Looking at the previous messages, it seemed that to see Cheonsuamwang again, I needed a large amount of internal energy and a high level of mastery in the hidden weapons and poisons I was learning.
I have to get stronger by then. Thats the only way Ill even be able to have a conversation with him
Bbaek!
Yeah, yeah.
Happy that I was awake, Bbaekbbaegi flew over to me and rubbed his cheek against mine.
Huh? Why are your eyes so red? Didnt you sleep?
Bbaaek
Bbaekbbaegi let out a weak cry and flapped his wings.
You didnt have to stay awake
Bbaek!
It seemed that at my request to stand guard, the little guy had protected the front of the cave without getting any sleep.
Thank you.
Bbaek.
Hes usually a cunning little thing, but hes reliable at times like these. I could never bring myself to hate him.
How many days has it been?
Bbaek.
Looking at Bbaekbbaegis leftover food, it seemed about two days had passed. It felt like an instant in that place. How strange.
It ended much faster than I thought, probably thanks to meeting him.
Honestly, I had expected it to take four or five days, but it only took about half that time. The encounter with the Dark King had been a truly great opportunity.
Bbaek.
As if to say he was going to sleep now, Bbaekbbaegi burrowed into the blanket I had laid out. I watched him with a smile before turning my head.
Chaang.
I drew one of the daggers from my waist.
I cant see it anymore.
The target point that had always been visible was no longer there. It felt a little awkward, but it seemed I had finally found the path to greater development.
This is how it should be.
To reach a higher state, I had to be able to control everything myself.
The same goes for poisons.
The range and directional arrows for poisons were gone too.
The mastery levels haven't disappeared, so it looks like the numbers are still there. That makes it easier.
When I checked my status window, the mastery levels for my hidden weapons and poisons were still displayed. Only the things that had been restricting my senses regarding my weapons, poisons, and internal energy had been removed.
I have enough time. Three days! In three days, I will reach a higher state than before.
I drew daggers in both hands and stepped out of the cave, making a vow.
Chaang.
Pomera.
Master? It seems we are seeing each other quite often.
Bbaek.
Ah yes. The bird whose appearance and personality are polar opposites has come as well.
After two days of reaching the 6-Star level and three days of recovering my senses, I went to find Pomera.
Where must I send you this time?
Pomera shook his head and let out a sigh.
Wow, my dear Pomera, you know what I want without me even having to say it. Is this what they call being on the same wavelength?
I doubt it.
Pomera, looking annoyed, let his blue flames burn low.
This time, the capital of the Krasis Kingdom. Send me to an empty corner.
There are four magic towers in the capital.
Its hard to just walk in there. Thats why I came to you.
For a young man, you have so many secrets
Pomera grumbled like an old man as he stood up and began to draw a magic circle.
My, my.
Seeing the little skeleton act like an old man was so amusing I couldnt help but laugh.
Bbaek.
Even Bbaekbbaegi, who now seemed to think Pomera wasn't as bad as his dark aura suggested, was watching him draw the magic circle from above.
In the meantime, I checked my own condition again. After three days of all-night training, my control and mastery over hidden weapons and poisons had improved even more than before, and I had finished checking my newly unlocked abilities.
Frankly, I wasn't confident. I wasn't confident that I would lose to Beil.
Master. It is done.
About two hours later, Pomera woke me from my meditation.
Good work.
It was nothing.
Perhaps because I had given him the Black Demon Orb, he seemed to have softened up a bit.
Did you absorb the Black Demon Orb?
I did. When I absorbed the magic from Isaacs orb before, I felt myself getting stronger, but it came with a headache. The Black Demon Orb, however, just filled me with magic power. It was an amazing item.
Im glad.
Thank you, Master.
Dont mention it. And
At my words, Pomera seemed to expect another gift. But what I was about to give him was not a gift, but a warning.
The next time I call you, it might be in the middle of a battle, so be ready to fight immediately.
A battle?
Yes. Im just telling you, just in case.
Hmm, I understand.
Surprisingly, Pomera showed little reaction and simply agreed.
You are a secretive master, so I had expected as much.
Its easier if you think of it that way. Now, send me.
Prepare yourself.
Woooong.
As Pomera raised both hands, I felt a vibration from the ground, and my vision instantly changed. I was in an alley where no one was in sight.
This is much smoother than before.
That time was on purpose no, the location
So it was on purpose.
Th-thats not it.
You act like a sage, but youre still as petty as ever on the inside. See you later.
Ma-Master
Teasing Pomera, I put on Agnes and transformed my face into that of Valon, the one I used when I visited Rackerd before.
Alright. Lets go.
Bbaek.
You stay in my pocket for a while.
Bbaekbbaek.
Bbaekbbaegi looked from side to side before disappearing into my pocket.
First, I need to figure out where I am.
I walked out onto a street with a lot of people.
Thankfully, I know this place.
Perhaps because it was my third time in the capital, I recognized my surroundings. I could see the main street with the tavern I had stopped at after leaving Rackerd.
Perhaps because my mind had gotten sharper as my Myriad Poisons Magnetic Divine Qi mastery increased, I vividly remembered the way to the Bluebird, so I had no trouble finding it.
Its just the same.
The Bluebird maintained the same shabby exterior I remembered.
Tinkle.
Swish.
As I entered the hall alone, the gazes of everyone in the tavern focused on me.
Its been a while. Does the bluebird still fly
Thats enough. Just go on in.
The master, recognizing me, cut off the password and opened the door to the storage room. Inside, the middle-aged man who had guided me before was standing like a mannequin. He opened the door leading to the basement.
Thanks.
I gave him a nod and headed down. In the darkness, there were still people watching me, but unlike before, I could feel not only their locations but their every movement.
Is this what it means to perceive a greater flow?
Youre a little late.
When I reached the bottom, the beautiful, sleepy-eyed Veroa slowly opened her eyes and looked at me.
I was busy.
The request period was one month, but I had ended up a little late after traveling around unexpectedly.
I was sure you would come, so I gathered the latest information as well. The price has gone up a bit, because of that
At her words, I smirked, sat down in the chair opposite her, and poured a pile of gold coins onto the table. Her sultry expression was colored with surprise at the sight of the glittering gold.
Money is the one thing I have plenty of. Bring me all the information.