First Battle (1)
"Correct."
Heukryeon spoke in a slightly surprised voice. "Even though you said you haven't trained in any martial arts separately, your intuition for gaining enlightenment is truly excellent. How did you think of it as footwork?"
"Ahaha, well, just…."
I scratched the back of my head with an awkward grin. Truth be told, there was no grand enlightenment or anything. I'd heard that boxing gyms always start with jumping rope, so I figured boxing's like that, and martial arts probably are too. Who knew it'd actually be right?
And then, that famous line from a martial arts manga flashed in my head: 'Boxing has no footwork. There was a time when I thought that too. But boxing is a martial art that kicks the earth…!'
Guess that was spot on.
Hold up. If basics mean footwork…
A sudden realization hit me. Basics being footwork meant lower body training was essential.
Do I have to run my ass off from now on?
Boxing starts with stamina training, after all. Martial arts are probably the same.
"Your expression has darkened. Are you perhaps worried about grueling external martial arts training?"
Heukryeon smiled faintly. "It's a process every ordinary martial artist must go through. Without a sturdy body to back it up, you can't withstand unleashing martial arts techniques."
She lightly waved her sleeve, making it flutter dramatically.
"However, Cheonma-nim, you have absolutely no need for that."
"Huh?"
No exercise? For real?
"Yes. It's impossible to train external arts that tear muscles and temper bones in a young girl's body."
Heukryeon's gaze softly swept over my petite frame. "The body you've taken now was designed from the start to forgo external arts. Instead, it's optimized to the extreme for handling energy and circulating internal power without a single ounce of waste."
"But is that okay for the Heavenly Demon?"
"You yourself are an unprecedented case, Cheonma-nim. Focus solely on internal power cultivation to master energy control. Your body's movements should be driven not by muscle strength, but by the operation of internal power."
"So I don't have to train like those gym rats…."
"It would be far more beneficial to cultivate the heart method in that time."
Nice.
Honestly, I'd been at a loss thinking how to do stamina training with this tiny body. No need? Huge relief. I couldn't even lift a pink dumbbell with this frame anyway.
"So, we start with footwork now?"
I'd guessed it right, and Heukryeon had confirmed footwork first.
And the first footwork that popped into my head? Heavenly Demon stuff means that, right? Stomping the ground so it cracks open and mountains shake.
"Cheonma Gunrimbo. Aren't we learning that?"
Cheonma Gunrimbo. The Heavenly Demon's trademark. Use it to make an entrance in any situation, and martial artists tremble and piss themselves.
Heukryeon gave a troubled, bittersweet smile. "…That's too advanced."
Eh? I can't use Cheonma Gunrimbo?
"Cheonma Gunrimbo is a footwork infused with overwhelming domineering force that crushes the air and shatters the earth. If you tried to handle that massive recoil right now…."
Her gaze drifted to my toes. "Those small, soft soles might burst open."
"…."
Eek. Just imagining the gruesome sound made me curl my toes instinctively.
"But worry not. Once you're accustomed to operating internal power, you'll be able to master it."
So I could use it eventually, but not yet. Honestly, that's what I wanted first, but soles bursting? Better put it off.
"Th-then, what footwork do we learn?"
I switched gears fast, and Heukryeon nodded, opening her mouth.
"What you must learn now, Cheonma-nim, is Gwieungbo."
"Gwieungbo?"
Creepy name.
"It's footwork meaning 'moving like a ghost's shadow.'"
Heukryeon's voice grew serious. "If Cheonma Gunrimbo is a frontal breakthrough that overwhelms foes with sheer power, Gwieungbo boasts supreme efficiency and evasion— the demonic cult's specialty."
She added quietly, "Frankly, Cheonma Gunrimbo isn't that efficient… In terms of practicality, Gwieungbo is superior."
Cheonma Gunrimbo lacks efficiency?
She'd softened it, but apparently it wasn't some all-purpose ultimate art.
"Gwieungbo isn't just useful for deflecting enemy attacks—it creates the illusion that your form blurs and fades."
"You can let slashes or martial techniques pass through you like a phantom."
In short: top-tier evasion for real combat.
"Its applications are endless. Above all, through this footwork, you'll firmly awaken the sensation of Donggong—moving your body while circulating internal power in battle."
Like footwork in boxing?
Evasion plus internal power usage? Perfect first technique.
"Especially with your small body mastering Gwieungbo, it'd be incredibly hard for opponents to land a hit."
Plus, it suited my small, flexible frame—a survival skill. I nodded.
"Got it. Let's start with that."
Not like she'd teach anything else anyway.
Heukryeon smiled gracefully, clasping her hands. "An excellent choice."
She took a step toward me. "Then, let's begin with the basic forms."
"Hah, hah."
"Well done, Cheonma-nim."
My legs gave out, and I collapsed onto the ground. Panting heavily, I looked up. Already night?
The red sunset was gone. A full moon floated in the pitch-black sky. The surroundings were dim, the ruins of the abandoned building feeling eerie.
So, literally a full day of training.
I tried to bail at mealtime, but….
My eyes went to the empty snack bags. That mystery mart clerk's gift basket. Couldn't use meal time as an excuse to escape because of it. All I'd bought was some bottled water from the convenience store.
So, my meals today: water and snacks only….
Shouldn't have gotten excited over freebies….
Plus, she'd said no external training needed—just focus on internal power. I figured I'd sit cross-legged and meditate all day.
High-level martial artists do that, right? Gaining enlightenment and powering up effortlessly.
But no—I'd spent the day stepping through Gwieungbo forms. No muscle-tearing pain, but constantly drawing internal power and moving non-stop? Exhausting in its own way.
My soles stung—blisters maybe?
Still, I've improved a ton.
Two things learned today.
First: Enhancing physical abilities with internal power. The sensation of drawing warm energy from the dantian, circulating it through the body's meridians. That's wungki.
Each loop made this small body feel light as a feather. Movements impossible with raw strength, achieved purely by internal power. Magical.
Second: Gwieungbo, channeling that energy to the legs.
Steps tangled at first, nearly tripping. But once I grasped sending dantian energy to my toes, I could use it smoothly.
By evening, flawless execution. Battle-ready now.
"Splendid."
Heukryeon said, "Even a basic footwork, mastered so fluidly in one day. Your flow in shifting your center of gravity was seamless."
Sweet praise poured in. Ordinary martial artists take months—or years without talent—for basics.
Anyway, this body was a genius.
I wiped sweat from my forehead with my sleeve. "So, now we wrap up…?"
Shower time? Body soaked in sweat. Craving hot water and a soft bed.
"Yes. Let's head back."
She seemed satisfied too. Good thing this lot was close to home.
Ramen for dinner.
Snacks left me unsatisfied. Pondering flavors, I grabbed my wooden sword and staff and started walking.
That's when….
"…."
Heukryeon, walking beside me, halted abruptly.
"Heukryeon-ssi?"
I turned. Her graceful face was coldly set.
Something wrong?
Her vibe was totally different. Her gaze fixed on one spot.
The abandoned building. Beyond it, a point.
"I was about to end today's training."
Her voice chilled. "But it seems we can't."
"Huh? What do you—"
A chill ran up my spine.
"I sense a mana beast's energy."
From where she stared: Thud! Thud! Heavy footsteps echoed faintly.
"Looks like… you'll have to do some real combat today too."