Chapter 6
Chapter 6
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Vine
Chapter: 6
Chapter Title: Dog Training
-----------------------------------------------------------------
I believed he would learn it, but this was impossible.
Only a year had passed. What on earth was this?
[Is... is that true?]
‘Yes! How many times do you want me to say it?’
I thought it would take at least seven years.
Ten years, or even longer.
But just one year!
Even the seven-year estimate was based on Namgung Urin’s god-like talent.
And yet!
One year…
[Tell me honestly.]
‘What?’
[You’re not human, are you?]
‘Now you’re the one who’s lost it.’
[Ah, yes. I suppose I would have gone mad long ago. Why wouldn't I? Talking to a madman, watching a madman’s mad deeds day in and day out. It would be crazier not to go mad. So tell me. Did you perhaps descend from the Heavenly Realm or some such place?]
‘The Heavenly Realm? Does a place like that really exist?’
[I don’t know. Seeing your abilities, I just imagined for a moment that such a place might exist.]
‘Trying to suck up right before you go.’
[I wish it were just flattery. No. I take that back.]
‘Giving it just to take it back? I don’t let people take what’s mine.’
When Namgung Urin was five, he grew angry when a chick snatched something from his hand. He proceeded to bury all five nearby chicks alive in the ground.
Everyone whispered about it.
Was that something a child should do?
Even his father and mother tried to instill in me the value of life.
Something of mine was taken, and yet I was told I shouldn't do that.
At the time, I couldn’t understand it at all.
I was only five, after all.
[It’s not like that. What I mean is that your talent is real, and everything you accomplish from now on will be fact, will be reality. In other words, I am not flattering you; I am simply stating a fact. You are currently achieving what no one else could.]
No one, not even those with genius-level talent, had ever managed to even begin the Primordial Chaos Art.
However, Namgung Urin not only entered the initial stage quickly, but the time he took to learn the Divine Shadow Arts completely defied the expectations of the Primordial Chaos Art.
No.
It truly seemed as if he were taking one step after another toward becoming a god.
‘Does that mean the Heavenly Realm exists?’
[My lord, please!]
‘So you’re going to get properly annoyed before you go, is that it?’
[I concede.]
‘Good. I hate losing, too.’
[My lord.]
‘What?’
[You will be able to achieve everything you desire.]
‘…Why so sudden? Are you off to die?’
No, the Primordial Chaos Art was now about to vanish.
So it was no different from dying.
[Please recite the incantation of the Divine Shadow Arts.]
Whether he liked it or not, they had spent a year together.
Though not human, it could speak and think.
So it could also feel.
And so.
An attachment had formed.
‘Alright. Farewell.’
But Namgung Urin felt no sorrow at their parting.
Because that was who Namgung Urin was.
Still, it had been enjoyable.
His encounter with the Primordial Chaos Art.
In a way, it wasn't a farewell.
The Primordial Chaos Art would always be with Namgung Urin.
[It was an honor to be with you, my lord.]
“Me too.”
[As a final gift, I will take my leave.]
“A gift?”
It happened in that instant.
The primordial chaos energy that had accumulated in his cinnabar field and energy channels began to increase rapidly.
In short, his internal energy was growing.
The Primordial Chaos Art converted the energy that had allowed it to speak and think into primordial chaos energy and gave it all to Namgung Urin without reservation.
It was as if it had left him with a legendary elixir that couldn't be bought even with a fortune.
“You little…”
Making me feel sorry.
Thank you.
With an uncharacteristic smile, Namgung Urin recited the incantation of the Divine Shadow Arts.
The Primordial Chaos Art could feel it.
Its presence within Namgung Urin’s mind was fading away.
And soon, it vanished completely.
But something else emerged to take its place.
*Step, step.*
It was walking, but there were no footsteps.
No footprints were left behind.
But it was walking.
And so, it stood before Namgung Urin.
“This… it actually works.”
For this, he had run himself ragged for a year, day after day, skimping on sleep.
He had questioned whether he could truly learn such an unbelievable martial art—one that defied imagination even within the realm of fantasy martial arts. He had wondered how the martial world would define this art if he ever did learn it.
And he had run all this way, thinking he might finally resolve his own question of whether the Divine Shadow Arts were truly a martial art or sorcery.
And now he was here.
“Nice to meet you.”
“…You can talk?”
The Primordial Chaos Art had also spoken, but its voice had been one that only Namgung Urin could hear in his mind, not one that echoed outside.
But the Shadow (暗影) was different.
For a mere shadow, it knew how to produce a voice.
But while it was nice that it could talk…
“But why are you speaking so informally?”
And not calling me ‘my lord’.
“I am you.”
Unbelievable.
Even if it was a shadow reflecting my ego, it could not be another me.
In this world, I am the only me.
“No, you’re not. You’re my shadow.”
“That’s right. But I am a part of you. Which means I am the same as you. It’s just that I manifest as a shadow. And.”
‘I can also speak like this.’
Inside his head.
‘Alright. Then get on your head.’
‘…Really?’
‘I’m not kidding.’
‘…’
The Shadow hesitated.
It hadn’t expected this.
No, it hadn’t even had time to think; it was just wondering what was happening.
It knew that receiving commands was natural.
‘This doesn’t seem right.’
‘What’s not right? When I give an order, you follow it.’
‘…’
This guy was completely unreasonable.
In the end, the Shadow did as Namgung Urin commanded and planted its head on the ground.
An entire minute passed like that.
‘Get up. Now run to that wall, then to this wall. Ten times, back and forth. Go.’
‘…Are you putting me through dog training…?’
‘Just do as you’re told.’
‘…’
‘Are you stronger than me?’
‘…No.’
‘Then do it.’
The Shadow once again did as Namgung Urin commanded.
‘One hundred push-ups. Go.’
He repeated the so-called dog training two more times.
There was a reason Namgung Urin was doing this.
Before learning the Divine Shadow Arts, Namgung Urin had discussed it at length with the Primordial Chaos Art.
This is a martial art.
No, this is tantamount to sorcery.
It is still a martial art.
If it can think for itself and move on its own, then it is not a martial art.
It could become a source of trouble.
If it doesn’t move according to Namgung Urin’s will, then it’s no different from a mongrel that needs to be trained, not a martial art.
If used improperly, he could be branded as a practitioner of sorcery and become a public enemy of the martial world.
He and the Primordial Chaos Art had gone back and forth about the Divine Shadow Arts.
And he understood.
The moment the Shadow appeared and spoke to him so informally, he knew.
He had to train it like a dog.
The Shadow did everything Namgung Urin commanded.
‘Is there more?’
‘From now on, no informal speech. And you will address me as ‘Lord’.’
‘I am not the Primordial Chaos Art. Don’t you understand? I am a part of you.’
The Shadow still perceived itself as something grand.
Although it was currently barely better than a third-rate fighter, it believed it would eventually grow strong enough to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Namgung Urin, and together they would command the martial world.
But while Namgung Urin acknowledged the Divine Shadow Arts as a formidable martial art—or sorcery—he did not recognize it as a being with a personality.
The Shadow’s power could only grow as Namgung Urin’s mastery of the Primordial Chaos Art increased. Yet, the Shadow currently perceived itself as an independent entity with its own personality.
He had only respected the Primordial Chaos Art because it recognized that it wasn’t human.
‘If you don’t do as I command, then I have no need for something like the Divine Shadow Arts.’
‘…Understood.’
Though displeased, it had no choice but to do as Namgung Urin wished.
Because without Namgung Urin, the Shadow could not exist in this world.
‘Let me make this clear. You are not a part of me. You are simply one of the martial arts I use. Remember that.’
‘…Understood, Lord.’
If the Shadow could make facial expressions, it would surely be wearing a look of disgust right now.
‘Good.’
***
A year passed.
Namgung Urin’s routine reverted to his old laziness.
But it was very different.
In some ways, it was far from lazy.
He had to learn the Namgung Family’s martial arts and the other techniques of the Primordial Chaos Art, so his time was limited.
Still, he made sure to get enough sleep and wash himself thoroughly. The problem was that his sleeping time was a bit long, but it couldn't be called outright lazy.
At least, from Namgung Urin’s perspective.
And another Shadow had appeared.
‘Greetings, Lord. Heeheeheehee.’
Information was shared between the Shadows.
That’s why the second Shadow immediately called me Lord.
‘…Uh, right.’
The second Shadow was too innocent and cheerful.
Or perhaps just a simpleton.
Its voice resembled that of a child.
The Primordial Chaos Art had said the Shadows would be like manifestations of the egos within me…
Did I really have a side like that?
Well, it was better to just think not.
There was no need to rack his brain over something so trivial.
‘Lord, do not worry. Unlike that one, I will follow your words faithfully. Heeheehee.’
‘…Uh, right. Thanks.’
This is hard to get used to.
I could just ignore it, but it keeps messing with my head.
‘So, what should I call you two?’
According to the Primordial Chaos Art, six more Shadows were yet to come.
He couldn't call them all by the same name.
The second Shadow spoke.
‘Naturally, we will follow whatever names you decide, Lord. Heeheehee.’
Though it was hard to adapt to, he liked the second Shadow.
He preferred those who obeyed him.
The first Shadow, much like himself, had a disposition that hated to lose to anyone.
So it seemed its dissatisfaction had not yet faded.
But it obeyed his words well. It didn't want to go through dog training again.
‘Then the first Shadow will be First Shadow. You, the second, will be Second Shadow.’
‘Wonderful. Heeheehee.’
That Second Shadow definitely seemed a bit dim-witted.
Another two years passed like that.
Two more Shadows appeared.
‘Greetings, Lord!’
One Shadow was full of energy. And the other one…
‘Aren’t you happy to see me?’
I asked.
‘…’
It just turned its head away.
Just then, Second Shadow spoke up to ease Namgung Urin’s bewilderment.
‘Lord, this one doesn’t speak. It probably doesn’t want to talk. Or maybe it’s a mute. Heeheehee.’
‘…Uh, right.’
It probably wasn't a mute.
Since I wasn't a mute.
But why something like that had crawled out from within him was difficult for him to understand.
He was beginning to wonder if these egos truly existed inside him.
‘Lord.’
The fourth—no, the third… the energetic one of the two that appeared simultaneously, called out to Namgung Urin.
‘What?’
‘I want to be First Shadow.’
‘Why?’
‘Because it’s First Shadow. Isn’t it the position closest to you, Lord?’
*Sigh.*
What a rotten world. Even shadows coveted power.
Then again.
Even mongrels on the street fought bloody battles over the top spot.
Wait.
Did that mean I had such greed within my ego?
Did I…
While denying it, Namgung Urin suddenly thought that he should reflect on his own character through the Shadows.
‘You are Fourth Shadow.’
‘What? But why?’
‘Shut up, you’re Fourth Shadow. And all of you, get on your heads. Now!’
The Shadows all pointed fingers at Fourth Shadow as they planted their heads on the ground.
Shadows that fought amongst themselves.
And four more of these things were yet to come.
“Phew.”
Namgung Urin suddenly missed his mother.
He wanted to express his respect for her, who had raised him without a single harsh word despite all the trouble he caused.
And so, the years flowed by again.
Finally, the day came for Namgung Urin to end his secluded training and emerge.
He woke early in the morning, washed his face, and changed into a clean martial arts uniform.
*Creeak.*
Namgung Urin finally pushed open the door of the training chamber, a place that had been like a pitch-black underground prison.