Learning Mugong (2)
I let out a massive sigh.
Hunter Gallery. The biggest hunter community. Sure, it's huge in scale, but actual pro hunters are rare. Still, there are some active ones, so I figured maybe I'd get some info.
But nope, mostly just trolls roasting me.
At least one high-nick with a trustworthy vibe—OrthodoxMurimFan—was giving serious replies.
Sapa mugong really gets the short end of the stick, huh.
Of course, I didn't mention it was Cheonma Shingong. No point advertising it.
Don't do anything traceable online. Wisdom earned from years of gallery lurking.
"They wouldn't believe me even if I said it straight up."
Stuff like Cheonma's mugong hasn't been found in over 20 years. Even if I said I learned Cheonma Shingong, they'd just dismiss it based on the comments.
Besides, I'm not even 100% sure that's what I learned.
I hammered away at the keyboard with my tiny fingers.
Hmm.
That Ninja manga line popped into my head: "Put 5 humans together, one’s bound to be trash." In Hunter Gallery, put 5 together, 4 are trash, but there's always 1 normal guy.
Anyway, got some info.
As expected, Hwangol Taltae is insanely hard and rare. And no one does it right after learning mugong. Not even the best ones.
But I'm different.
I didn't misread. I definitely did Hwangol Taltae. Problem is, the result's an early-teens girl.
Jking, here it is. Hunter noob! Falling for it again!
"Huh?"
Amid the mess, one post caught my eye. Someone like me who succeeded at Hwangol Taltae right after learning mugong?
Heart pounding, I clicked it.
"......"
Time for a shower.
Shhhhh—
Hot water cascaded over my scalp. In the steamy bathroom filled with warm mist, I leaned my head against the wall and sighed.
"Haa......"
The soothing relaxation melting through my muscles. My shredded mentality from the gallery gang-up finally calming a bit under the warm water.
Weird.
But every time I scrubbed my body during the shower, an alien discomfort washed over me that I just couldn't get used to.
These are my hands?
I lifted both hands in front of my face. So small and cute. Soft fingers without a single callus. Everywhere else was the same.
"Ughhh."
Mindlessly wiping down, my body reflected in the mirror. I flinched in shock and deliberately averted my gaze with foggy eyes.
Just showering, but it felt like committing a crime.
I wanted to become the Heavenly Demon and conquer the world.
But now I'd just be a pedo......
Anyway.
"This hair is so heavy......"
The weight of my hair felt so substantial. This black mane reaching down to my waist was the culprit. Soaked with water, it was like carrying a bundle of wet seaweed on my head.
Never had hair this long in my life.
Washing it with shampoo was straight-up manual labor. And with shorter arms now, rubbing the back of my head below the nape was a struggle.
Finally rinsed the suds and turned off the showerhead.
"Hoo. Feels refreshing though."
Drip, drip.
Hearing the water droplets fall, I yanked a towel from the rack and stepped out.
"Drying this'll be a pain too."
Standing boldly in the middle of my studio apartment, I wrapped the towel over my head. Rubbed vigorously to shake out the moisture, but one towel wasn't cutting it. It was already soaked, yet water still dripped from the ends.
Where's the hairdryer?
The moment I sighed heavily and turned to search the room—
"Allow me to assist you."
A soft woman's voice whispered in my ear. A slightly low-toned, pleasant timbre.
"Ah, no need......"
Tedious, sure, but I could dry my own hair. I reflexively answered the kind offer.
"......?"
Suddenly, a chill crawled up my spine. I froze mid-motion.
Woman's voice? This was my solo studio—sacred no-girls-allowed territory no woman could enter.
Makes me kinda sad.
Anyway.
"......GYAAAH!"
I freaked, hurling the towel and snatching the frying pan from the sink. Whirled toward the voice.
"Wh-who's there!"
Gripping the pan with both hands, trembling as I aimed it forward.
By the window of my studio. Someone stood there quietly.
"Br-breaking and entering!"
Call the cops? As I rolled my eyes searching for my smartphone, the intruder gave a small smile.
"Breaking and entering? Such words wound me."
Her voice was gentle and composed as before—total opposite of the tense situation. It almost made my tension melt.
I swallowed hard, scanning her carefully.
Be-beauty......!
A seductive beauty in her 20s, nothing else to call her. Her smiling eyes were especially captivating. Water-pale skin with long, jet-black waterfall hair cascading down. What drew the eye most: her irises. Glowing yellow-gold even in the dim room. Dressed in black murim robes that fit her like they were made for her.
Too incongruous for a midnight burglar.
"Wh-who are you?"
At my question, she lightly bowed her head.
"Pardon my late introduction. I am Heukryeon, the muryeong dwelling within Cheonma Shingong."
Muryeong. Tough word, but the one before it burned into my brain.
Cheonma Shingong. The name of the skillbook that wrecked me.
"Visible only to the eyes of the Heavenly Demon who inherits the true essence of Cheonma Shingong—that is, you alone."
"O-only visible to my eyes......?"
Still holding the frying pan, I stared blankly at her.
Not lying, right?
My brain spun fast. Front door intact and locked. No door lock beep. Most damning: Only I know I learned Cheonma Shingong.
Muryeong like a spirit bound to the skill?
Anyway, she's not some psycho who picked the lock. Reaching that conclusion, my pounding heart eased a bit.
"F-for real......?"
The woman who called herself Heukryeon nodded slightly. My guard dropped, loosening my grip on the pan.
Better than nothing.
Muryeong. Probably a spirit tied to Cheonma Shingong? She'd know all about this mugong.
As that thought crossed my mind, Heukryeon's golden eyes slid down toward me. Specifically, scanning my body holding the pan.
Her lips curved into a smile.
"Wh-why are you staring like......"
Heukryeon spoke softly.
"Perhaps you should dress first."
"......Huh?"
Following her gaze downward. Oh.
I'd bolted out mid-dry after the shower shock. So right now, I was buck-naked, soft and exposed.
"Eek!"
I flung the frying pan and dashed back into the bathroom.