Rapid Dash's Fury
A month had passed since I recruited Enrique and Ping Lei.
During that time, I hadn’t taken on a single mission. Instead, I’d devoted myself entirely to training inside the guild house.
Thwack!
The long staff shot forward in a straight thrust. Its tip spun in elegant circles according to the principles of rotation, carrying enough force to shred an opponent’s skin with even the slightest graze.
“You’ve improved quite a bit, haven’t you?”
I flicked the staff aside with an open palm. The Great Peng Wing Palm—a technique modeled after the wingbeats of the legendary giant bird—twisted the staff’s trajectory sideways.
Ping Lei gritted his teeth. He swung the redirected staff in a wide arc, aiming for my flank. He was pushing himself too hard.
I shoved the staff away using the Black Tortoise Rock stance, and the recoil made Ping Lei’s entire body stagger.
“That’s enough. We’ll stop here.”
“Huk… huuuk…”
I gave the panting Ping Lei a light pat on the shoulder.
“Thank you for the spar, Master.”
“No need. I got to train my own martial arts, so it was good for me too.”
Unlike the old days when our “spars” were basically one-sided beatings, I now guided Ping Lei’s training with more depth and care. Even though he was still getting used to the unfamiliar staff techniques, his growth was remarkably fast. Just what you’d expect from the man once called Death’s Hand, the ruler of China’s underworld.
That aside—
Hundred Beasts Emperor Martial Arts has reached 4-star proficiency.
I hadn’t expected that.
During our sparring sessions, I had deliberately avoided using any techniques outside of pure martial arts. It was the most efficient way to help him grow accustomed to the Heavenly Flower Staff Technique. As a result, my own mastery of the Hundred Beasts Emperor Martial Arts had risen rapidly.
I closed my eyes for a moment. I already knew the essence of the Hundred Beasts Emperor Martial Arts in my head—I had reached twelve stars with it before my regression. But having the body catch up to that knowledge was an entirely different matter. Reaching four stars this quickly was faster than I had anticipated. It seemed sparring while matching Ping Lei’s level had benefited me as well.
Oooong—!
The tyrannical inner energy I had cultivated through the Asura Demon Spirit Heart Method gathered in my fist.
“Guild le—… hup!”
Ping Lei clapped a hand over his own mouth. He must have thought I was experiencing some kind of enlightenment. Well, I suppose it was reasonable to misunderstand when I suddenly manifested visible energy around my hand.
Bang! Bang-bang!
My fists sliced through the air. The moment the solidified black energy touched the atmosphere, the surrounding scenery distorted. I flowed seamlessly from the Responding Dragon Imperial Fist into the opening forms of the Hundred Beasts Emperor Martial Arts, executing them like water.
The energy took on countless forms. Palm strikes, kicks, claw techniques—every style manifested smoothly. The Hundred Beasts Emperor Martial Arts was a comprehensive system that unified every possible martial technique the human body could perform. Although each stance used a different method of manifesting energy, I handled the materialized qi without difficulty.
After all, I had done it all before my regression. My understanding was already complete; the only thing lacking had been the body’s proficiency. Once I finished running through the first half of the forms, Ping Lei stared at me with eyes full of envy.
“Hey, it’s creepy when you look at me like that. Stop.”
“As expected, following you was the correct decision, Guild Master.”
“Why are you suddenly buttering me up?”
“To reach the level of materializing weapon energy in just half a year of learning martial arts! How could I not be shocked!”
Yeah. It’s possible because I’m a regressor.
The only thing I lacked was proficiency. Once my body grew more familiar with the Hundred Beasts Emperor Martial Arts, emitting Gang energy wouldn’t be difficult either.
“Enrique, have you gotten used to handling the equipment yet?”
“It’s still a bit difficult, but I’m managing.”
Enrique stood there in full armor made of blue metal. Because he was shorter than most people his age, the imposing suit looked more cute than intimidating. The armor had been crafted from rare metal with high mana conductivity. At its core sat the Ancient Mana Core, while one-time-use mana stones were embedded in both arms and legs.
Mechanic Control
Resonance
The Ancient Mana Core emitted a crimson glow as it supplied power to the armor. The suit, further enhanced by Enrique’s abilities, thrust a hand forward. A condensed mana bullet shot out.
This impact is equivalent to Grade 5.
Attacks stronger than this may cause permanent damage to the barrier.
The blue sphere struck the training room’s wall, dissipated against the barrier, and vanished. After that, Enrique activated the mana boosters attached to his waist and floated slightly above the ground.
“Looks like you’ve gotten used to it.”
“Flying is still tricky, but I’m getting there.”
“How does it compare to the firearms you used before?”
“It’s the best!”
Enrique gave me a big thumbs-up. A month ago he had been whining about whether he should use guns or not. Now his eyes sparkled as he grew fond of his new equipment.
Still, I really needed to get a new guild house soon. Even though I had spent a fortune installing defensive magic, it couldn’t withstand the power of my guild members. Lately I had avoided letting them train at full strength. Rankers like Hong Yunsu and Shin Junseok refused to spar inside the guild house at all.
“Junior, one good hit and this place looks like it’ll collapse.”
“Guild Master, why don’t we spar somewhere else instead?”
Every time those two rankers visited, they clicked their tongues with obvious disappointment. I had already spent billions just outfitting Enrique’s equipment. I planned to make it back eventually, but with so many immediate expenses, my stomach ached just thinking about the money.
“I’m looking into a new guild house, so please be patient a little longer.”
After recruiting the new members, I had spent the past month training them while simultaneously getting accustomed to my newly acquired abilities.
“From now on, we’ll form teams among guild members and challenge the Tower.”
“You too, Guild Master?”
“I’m Silver rank. I can’t party with you guys.”
“Wow, you’re so mean, Master.”
Jiyoung puffed out her cheeks.
“If you don’t like it, hurry up and reach Silver rank.”
“I’ll catch up soon, so just wait for me!”
Jiyoung shouted loudly. The other guild members didn’t say anything, but the competitive glint in their eyes told me they felt the same.
“I look forward to everyone’s hard work.”
Starting from Silver rank, there were many team-based missions. It wasn’t that I couldn’t clear the difficulties alone, but having insurance was always better. Since team records updated the highest clear rankings, there was no worry about splitting rewards either.
After giving the guild members their new goal, I returned to my room.
“Are you going up again now?”
“Yeah. I’ve prepared as much as I can.”
I reached into the Pocket of Desire. My fingers brushed against a long, shimmering key—the Key of the Netherworld, an item that opened the path to the Tower’s underground floors.
Throughout the Tower of Babel were places connected to spaces where ancient gods were imprisoned. I had raised my skills enough that I wouldn’t lose to domestic rankers anymore, but I couldn’t be certain I would obtain what I wanted from the underground floors. After all, I had only heard stories about that place. I had never been there myself.
“I have to at least try.”
“Heh heh. With your current ability, it should be more than sufficient, should it not?”
Nyx answered lightly, probably because I had omitted the words “underground floors.”
That’s right. I wasn’t going alone. I had a goddess by my side.
Fury of the Dash
The Rapid Dash is the fastest creature in the Unyielding Wasteland.
To travel from the Unyielding Wasteland to the Green Lands, you must follow the Rapid Dash.
Follow the footprints of the Rapid Dash and head toward the Green Lands.
📍 Objective: Reach the Green Lands.
⚠ Special Note: The Rapid Dash’s footprints disappear after 30 minutes.
The wasteland was covered in tumbleweeds that rolled across the ground. Dry wind brushed against my skin.
Hiiiiiing—!
The cry of a horse. A white stallion wreathed in flames—the Rapid Dash—snorted loudly.
“Player, follow behind me.”
“Oh? A mere beast that can speak. Not bad at all.”
“Beast? Hiiiing! I am a sacred creature with the blood of a Pegasus!”
When the Rapid Dash exhaled, flames poured from its nostrils and scorched the ground black.
“A sacred creature, huh.”
I licked my lips. Nyx let out a sigh.
“As expected.”
“What? What did I say?”
“There is no need to hear it. I can already guess.”
“This is why people who are too quick-witted…”
While we were talking, twin flames of anger ignited in the Rapid Dash’s eyes.
“How dare you chatter while ignoring me. What an insolent player.”
Boom!
The Rapid Dash kicked off the ground in fury and raced across the wasteland. Flames blazed in its wake. True to its nature as a horse wrapped in fire, scorching flames lingered in every hoofprint.
The flames were a higher-grade version of the Blaze ability I had absorbed from the Fire Worm during the tutorial.
“Think you can keep up?”
The horse grinned. It was impressive that a mouth shaped like that could even make such an expression.
Nyx immediately turned into spiritual form.
—Do not mind me. Just run.
She really was the best partner—no, the best friend anyone could ask for.
Metal Reflection Armor
Silver-gray armor enveloped my entire body. I kicked off the ground and began to run. The flames rising from the hoofprints wrapped around me, but the heat couldn’t penetrate the Metal Reflection Armor.
“Hiiing. Not bad.”
The Rapid Dash gradually increased its speed. The flames erupting from its footprints grew fiercer as well.
Full Sprint
I used my skills one by one to match the Rapid Dash’s speed. When the Metal Reflection Armor alone could no longer block the heat, I erased the flames using Polar Night.
—Would it not be better to simply run ahead of that horse?
“The destination keeps changing. Following this guy is the correct answer.”
To make matters worse, the Rapid Dash received Invincibility status while sprinting. Since I couldn’t suppress it, I had no choice but to keep running. When my speed didn’t drop, the Rapid Dash began openly interfering. It was normal for it to spew even more fire and ruin the path. It would also kick the ground hard with its hind legs to tear up the earth or call nearby orcs.
Tsk. I clicked my tongue.
—How annoying.
“No. If it’s going to call something, I’d rather it call a monster I haven’t seen yet instead of orcs.”
Swish!
I suppressed the charging orcs with Polar Night and devoured their corpses as if venting my frustration. Thanks to the Primordial Dragon Heart, every single one raised my magic stat. I didn’t want to miss even one.
“Hihihihiing!!”
Green vegetation began appearing ahead. The destination—the Green Lands.
Realizing the finish line was near, the Rapid Dash poured every ounce of its strength into one final sprint.
Ultra-High-Speed Sprint
Agility Up
Blazing Soul
It strengthened the flames covering its body using the support spells and sprint skills it had been saving. The fire grew even more intense. Even I would find it burdensome to take those flames head-on.
—This is the decisive moment.
“It’s already over.”
Now that the Green Lands had appeared, the finish line wouldn’t change. There was no longer any need to match the Rapid Dash’s speed.
—Heh heh heh. Then you shall require this goddess’s help.
Nyx, Goddess of Night, bestows her blessing.
Blessing of Fyor is applied.
I used the buffs I had been saving and closed the distance to the Rapid Dash in an instant by combining Cloud Flow Steps with Full Sprint. The Green Lands grew closer and closer.
“I have not lost yet!”
“Yeah. You have.”
The moment the finish line was within reach, I used Shrink. I stepped onto the Green Lands one step ahead of the Rapid Dash.
Clop, clop.
The Rapid Dash came to a halt. It glared at me with dazed eyes, then declared:
“I cannot accept defeat. In that case, I simply need to kill you and pretend this match never happened!”
Hidden Mission — Rapid Dash’s Fury
The Rapid Dash is a sacred creature that takes pride in its speed.
To heal the heart trampled by the player, it has decided the only option is to pretend this match never happened.
There is no way to escape its fury.
📍 Objective: Hunt the Rapid Dash.
—Did you foresee this as well?
“Of course.”
I licked my lips once more, wetting them with my tongue.