Learning Mugong (4)
Cheonma Shingong - Cheonma Simbeop
A translucent message floated before my eyes.
"I-I learned it!"
I jumped up from my seat.
It was a message visible only to awakeners and martial artists. The text that appears when you acquire or learn a skill. It definitely only shows up when you've successfully learned a skill.
"No way...?"
Heukryeon's eyes widened slightly as she sat in front of me. Her gaze lingered on my lower abdomen—precisely, the area around my dantian.
"Indeed, this time you're not joking, my lord."
Heukryeon's composed expression cracked just a bit. But she didn't seem upset. Quite the opposite.
"I am Muryeong, a martial spirit born from the converged wills of Heavenly Demons across countless worldlines. I have witnessed not only the talents of the Demonic Cult but also the renowned masters and prodigies of the world."
She continued with a soft smile.
"Though you alone possess this Nongcheonma body, I prided myself on having the insight to gauge the depth of one's talent. Yet you've mastered it far quicker than I anticipated."
"Huh? How long did you think it would take?"
I tilted my head, and Heukryeon held up her index finger.
"At least a month. Even that was an optimistic estimate. I never dreamed you'd awaken the heart method in such a short time."
A gentle curve formed on Heukryeon's lips as she finished explaining.
"My talent for rough guesses may fall short, but it seems my eye for true genius was spot on."
"Ahaha... well, it's a body made by the Heavenly Demons, after all..."
"Even if the body is optimized for mugong, gaining enlightenment is your own merit, my lord. It means you have an innate knack for martial arts."
Her praise was so direct it made my cheeks burn.
"S-So, what now?"
I'd learned the heart method, sure. If I breathed in and out while focusing on my lower abdomen, I could faintly feel something foreign and warm that hadn't been there before.
But that was it. No palm winds shooting out, no blazing heat in my gut—just no big difference I could notice. Not having actually learned any mugong before, maybe that was normal.
"Now it's time to learn the forms of Nongcheonma Shingong."
Heukryeon answered my question.
"I originally planned to teach the heart method and forms in tandem, slowly building the foundation of mugong while refining your inner power—that's the orthodox way."
"But since you've surpassed my expectations by leaps and bounds..."
She smiled with her eyes.
"It's a delightful change of plans."
She seemed genuinely pleased that I'd picked up the heart method so fast.
"Rest for today, my lord."
Heukryeon glanced out the window.
"Awakening the heart method tires the body and mind unbeknownst to you. We should continue training tomorrow."
Checking the clock, yeah, it was too late to head out. Running around in my studio apartment might get the downstairs neighbors banging on the door about noise.
Plus.
I got no clothes...
I was just in a long t-shirt. No underwear, so everything felt exposed down there. Until my rocket-delivery clothes arrived, I couldn't train outside even if I wanted to. Not like this. In more ways than one.
"By the way."
I glanced at the bed in the corner, then turned to Heukryeon.
"There's only one bed here?"
A standard single bed in a solo studio. Even if my body was female now, sharing with a woman I'd just met felt... off.
I looked at Heukryeon's refined face. She noticed my gaze and smiled brightly.
She's seriously pretty.
It'd be nice to share, but was that okay? The bed was a bit cramped even for one; two would be tight.
Reading my awkward expression, Heukryeon chuckled lightly.
"Hehe, no need to worry. I am a spiritual being dwelling in mugong. I can vanish whenever I wish."
Her body shimmered like heat haze for a moment.
"Maintaining this physical form is actually the more taxing effort."
"Ah... got it."
Like a ghost or spirit, huh. No need for her to sleep on the floor.
"Th-Then rest well. I have some stuff to do real quick..."
I slid naturally into the chair at my desk and flicked on my laptop with familiar motions.
"Ahem."
As I hammered away at the keyboard, a cough came from behind.
Heukryeon was watching me with a pitying look.
"Oh, you haven't gone yet?"
No presence at all—I thought she'd vanished already.
I scratched my head sheepishly and shut down the computer.
"Good night."
"Yes, my lord. Sweet dreams."
I crawled into bed and confirmed she'd disappeared. Under the covers, I pulled out my smartphone.
***
Ding-a-ling—
A cheerful chime rang through the mart.
"Welcome."
Kim Jeong-su, the part-timer stretching at the counter, greeted reflexively—then froze mid-word.
She's insanely cute...
Kim Jeong-su's mouth fell open unwittingly.
The customer was a petite girl in a hoodie and shorts. Elementary school age? Generously, maybe first-year middle school.
Just a girl in normal clothes, but her looks stood out.
Snow-white skin, flowing glossy black hair. Her slightly upturned eyes gave a fierce vibe, but it only made her cuter. Like a doll—yeah, that's the word.
She looked a bit tired, maybe from lack of sleep, but it didn't dim her beauty at all.
Running an errand for her parents?
But contrary to Kim Jeong-su's guess, the girl toddled straight to the back.
The hunter gear corner?
The shelf for beginner awakeners and martial artists' training gear.
She stopped in front of it.
"Hmm."
The girl examined the displayed items with a serious expression.
Family member an awakener, buying practice gear? But...
"Too big for me..."
She swung a wooden sword through the air experimentally. Looked like she was picking for herself.
After fidgeting at the shelf for a while, she sighed.
"Whew."
She grabbed the smallest practice wooden sword and a short staff.
She approached the counter.
Clink.
"Ring these up, please."
"Ah, sure."
As he scanned, Kim Jeong-su casually asked,
"Awakened, huh? Or just for self-defense?"
Curiosity piqued. Rare to see a kid buying this stuff.
No other customers anyway—plenty of time for small talk.
The girl looked up at him briefly, then spoke.
"Yeah. Wanna get my license quick and start hunter work."
So matter-of-fact, like it was obvious.
Kim Jeong-su's hands paused.
"...Pardon? H-Hunter work at your age?"
"Yeah. Gotta make money fast. Hunters earn big bucks."
She replied nonchalantly.
She's trying to become a hunter at that age?
Gates had been around over 20 years, awakeners too.
Stabilized now, but early days saw massive casualties.
No countermeasures for rampaging monsters. Power plants, refineries, water plants, hospitals—key infrastructure wrecked.
Global damage was huge. Korea recovered okay, but the economic hit lingered even after 20 years.
Widened the wealth gap, more in poverty scraping by.
That's why... this little kid's jumping into hunting.
Kids awaken young sometimes. But a child handling hunter work? No way.
Gates are dangerous—common knowledge even for elementary kids. Life-risking job.
No immature kid could endure that hell physically or mentally.
Even poor families don't push kids that young into it. If awakened, sure—but not at her age.
Conclusion: one thing.
She's got some tragic backstory she can't share.
A documentary popped into Kim Jeong-su's mind—about child heads of household.
Parents maybe buried in debt and fled...
As his imagination ran wild,
"Huh? You say the wood's no good?"
The girl suddenly spoke to thin air.
"It's fine for practice. Plus, this is the only place with wooden swords for 10,000 won. Gotta save money."
"..."
Kim Jeong-su inhaled sharply.
Nothing where she looked. Empty air.
She was talking to... someone imaginary.
His heart wrenched.
At that age... what trauma...
Poor girl muttering to empty space.
She's got mental scars!
Couldn't handle harsh reality, created an imaginary guardian. Maybe delusions of reviving dead hunter parents.
"Sniff."
Kim Jeong-su's nose tingled, eyes reddening.
"W-Wait a sec."
He bolted from the counter to the food aisle, grabbing pricey snacks, candy, drinks.
"H-Here... take these."
He stuffed them into a paper bag, sniffling.
"Huh? I didn't buy these?"
The girl blinked in confusion.
"On the house."
Kim Jeong-su's voice cracked.
"I-I'll cover it from my pocket... just eat up. I'm a part-timer too, can't do much, but I wanna help with this..."
Comprehensive mart, so "expensive" was relative.
His sincere cheer: don't give up, keep fighting.
"Uh...? Oh, th-thanks..."
Kindness felt foreign? She looked dazed, then bowed and left hugging snacks and sword.
Ding-a-ling—
Through the glass, her small, frail back faded into the street.
Watching her lonely figure, Kim Jeong-su wiped tears with his sleeve.
"I... gotta work harder too."
Even that tiny, pitiful kid was clawing for tomorrow despite her broken mind.
"Gotta cut back on gallery scrolling till dawn."
He clenched his fist, steeling his resolve.