Chapter 147
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 147
Chapter Title: Lv. 250 Clone S
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Lv. 250 Clone S.
But it couldn't be taken lightly.
At that time, I was obsessed with growth.
In other words, once it bit down, it would never let go.
Whoa, look at that murderous glare...
The current master has really mellowed out.
That made sense.
Unlike now, when he was steadily improving, back then he had been driven mad by vengeance.
Black Field activates.
All stats are boosted by 1.2 times.
Under the influence of Black Field, all stats of monsters invading the territory drop by 3.
Jeong Hoon spread out Black Field.
All his stats rose by 1.2 times.
And Clone S's stats dropped by 3.
All stats increase by 15.
Damage reduction of 20 is applied.
The duration is '1 hour.'
He also used the stat amplification ring he had been saving.
On top of that, he activated Guardian of Merhen.
The wearer's attack power increases by 4.
Select a skill.
The skill was Poison Attack.
It boosted the activation chance of Poison Attackwhich rarely triggered due to its low probabilityby 4.
Poison Attack's activation chance increases by an additional 4 for 1 hour.
Both hit and received attack activation chances were now 4.
Ill end this quickly.
With all preparations complete, Jeong Hoon stepped forward with his footwork, closing in on Clone S.
!
Try squirming all you want.
Jeong Hoon grinned.
Clone S subtly pulled its right foot back, raised its left arm in guard, and thrust out its right fist.
It was crude but honed in real combat, making for a fairly sharp punch.
Jeong Hoon twisted his body, narrowly dodging the fist.
At the same time, he unleashed Myeongwang Fist Technique.
Even with the counterattack coming without any delay, Clone S pulled its left elbow to its chest, blocking the punch.
Thud!
A dull sound rang out, and Clone S grimaced fiercely.
The guard had succeeded, but it had taken considerable damage.
What? It blocked that? Just die nicely already.
Its got some grit hanging in there. Shouldnt it just die obediently and become nourishment? Tsk tsk.
This wouldnt be easy.
The venom in its eyes was no joke.
Was I really like that?
Jeong Hoon smirked and deployed Myeongwang Fist Technique once more.
He took a short step with his footwork and punched at the exposed side.
Thud!
But this time, too, Clone S tucked its right arm against its side for a guard.
Then it thrust its left arm toward Jeong Hoons face.
Jeong Hoon turned his head to dodge the punch again while grabbing its wrist with his right hand.
Panic flashed across Clone Ss face.
If we just block and dodge each other, its no fun.
Jeong Hoon grinned and smashed his fist into its face.
Thud!
The pain must have been intense, as Clone Ss head snapped to the side, blood spraying from its nose and mouth.
Yet Clone S immediately whipped its head back into position and thrust its right fist toward Jeong Hoons face.
Jeong Hoon turned his head once more, narrowly dodging the punch.
Thud!
And Jeong Hoons fist struck its face again.
He had initially thought of taking the hits on purpose and healing them to rile it up, but he had no desire to tank punches he could dodge.
You bastard...
Clone S spoke for the first time.
Realizing fists wouldnt work, it tried to switch to leg techniques.
But that leg wouldnt move properly.
Clone Ss eyes flicked downward.
Jeong Hoons right foot was firmly pinning down its right foot.
Thud!
Guhk!
The fist smashed straight into its nose, breaking the nasal bone.
Clone Ss face became drenched in blood in an instant.
You shouldnt leave openings like that.
......Fuck, youre right.
He had riled it up a bit, but far from losing its reason, Clone S grinned.
In a flash, it regained its composure, and a sword was now gripped in its left hand.
Before regression, at level 250, its main weapon had been swordsmanship, not fisticuffs.
Clone S uses footwork.
Clone S uses Continuous Slash.
Back when it hadnt yet mastered Annihilation Sword.
To Jeong Hoons eyes, the swordsmanship looked utterly crude.
Pathetic. Was I really that weak?
The shortcomings of the past, visible only after reaching a higher realm.
Jeong Hoon spread his footwork and gripped Leviathan.
Clang! Clang!
He easily parried Clone Ss Continuous Slash with Leviathan.
Its level gave it decent attack power, but the sword path was too simplisticthat was the problem.
At that rate, it would get instantly killed by any slightly higher-level monster.
Form 1: Stance activates.
Jeong Hoon activated a far superior Form 1 and swung Leviathan.
Clone Ss face filled with bewilderment at the erratic sword path.
It tried to raise its sword in defense, but Jeong Hoons swordsmanship relentlessly exploited its openings.
Wounds began appearing on Clone Ss body one by one, its condition deteriorating rapidly.
On top of that, Poison Attack added poison damage, putting Clone S on the verge of collapse.
Gah! Uwaaaak!
Then it screamed and pulled out a new ability.
Clone S uses 'All Stats Increase.'
All Stats Increase.
A skill I never used?
Fist King.
It was determined to corner him somehow.
But it was pointless.
Jeong Hoons lips curled into a sneer.
Lv. 300 Clone S
Its level rose by 50, reaching 300.
Clone S clumsily imitates Form 1: Stance.
Its sword path changed 180 degrees.
Crazy, its trying to copy it perfectly after seeing it once?
......As expected of the master.
Mukho and Anima clicked their tongues in admiration.
Jeong Hoon, meanwhile, remained calm.
If its me, Id do at least that much.
How else had he climbed to All Master?
He had risen by peeking over shoulders and mimicking.
Copying after seeing once was childs play.
But truly internalizing it and making it his ownthat was the hard part.
Form 2: Erosion activates.
Jeong Hoons sword changed.
A sword strike that dealt a staggering 200 damage in succession to a marked target.
Clone S, marked, couldnt keep up with the suddenly altered sword path.
Slash.
Jeong Hoon sliced across Clone Ss waist.
200 damage.
Leviathan's Wrath activates.
Ignores defense for 10 seconds.
Leviathan's Wrath triggered on top of that.
Ill finish you.
The final annihilation.
Form 3: Annihilation activates.
As Jeong Hoon unleashed Annihilation, his body vanished, then pierced straight through Clone Ss throat in an instant.
Guh, guhk!
Cumulative prior damage, defense ignore, and Annihilation at 350 damage from the mark.
No tough bastard could withstand that.
Clone S crumpled on the spot and dissolved away.
Ha...... What in the world are you......
Fist King, who had appeared before he knew it, stared in shock.
He had declared he would walk the path of Martial Emperor, but Jeong Hoon had never dreamed hed mastered the sword as well.
An impressive man.
Through Jeong Hoon, Fist King caught a glimpse of his own life.
And how fiercely he had lived.
He now somewhat understood why Jeong Hoon had eyes beyond his years when they first met.
Did I pass?
......Yes. Now even I have no grounds to stand in your way.
Nak Jin-cheon smiled.
Jeong Hoon thrust his fist toward his face.
Whoosh
But the fist passed straight through Nak Jin-cheon.
......I wanted to land one on you, but that doesnt work.
My apologies. Im merely a lingering spirit within you.
The device for the third job change.
Once the job change was complete, Fist King would fully dissipate.
I see.
......What do you plan to do from here?
To his question, Jeong Hoon answered without hesitation.
Create a future with no regrets.
A future with no regrets...... I see.
Fist King nodded as if understanding.
All tests have ended.
Job change to Martial Emperor (3rd).
Achievement unlocked! You have completed 'Limit Release!' 10,000 achievement points awarded.
Rune equip limit increased to maximum of '6.'
Relic content unlocked.
Legendary: You have achieved 3rd job change. You have obtained the 'minimum qualification' to approach the Traces of Heaven.
And so, the long-awaited third job change was complete.
'Unyielding Will' rank rises to 'Legendary.'
The ranks of skills acquired through 'Unyielding Will' are adjusted.
With the third job change, Unyielding Will also rose to Legendary, and all skills gained through it rose to Unique.
Jeong Hoon exited the cave through the portal.
Kwon Hyun-je, pacing in front of it, was the first thing he saw.
Already done?
Kwon Hyun-jes eyes widened as he asked.
Yes.
Ha...... This test was different from the last one.
It wasnt that hard.
Jeong Hoon shrugged nonchalantly, prompting Kwon Hyun-je to let out an incredulous chuckle.
Youre truly something else.
Then Ill be off.
With the third job change complete, it was time to move to the next plan.
Kwon Hyun-jes expression shifted as he grabbed his shoulder.
Wait. Just one thing to check.
What is it?
You...... didnt use any other weapons, did you?
Suspicion gleamed in Kwon Hyun-jes eyes.
Yes, I did.
Jeong Hoon replied casually.
What......?
Kwon Hyun-je staggered in shock, sinking into a chair.
Is that such a shock?
Of course it is! I thought Id found the one to carry on the spirit of martial arts......
For the record, Jeong Hoon had never once said hed only use fists.
But seeing him in such shock, he couldnt just let it slide.
I believe true martial arts isnt about competing, but protecting.
......Protecting?
Yes. To protect, Ill do whatever it takes. Thats my spirit of martial arts.
Protecting......
Kwon Hyun-je still couldnt fully grasp it, but Jeong Hoons resolute gaze softened his heart a bit.
......Youre a funny one. Fine, lets see you protect then.
Yes. Take care.
Take care? Are you sprinkling salt on a dead man?
Thats not it. I wont be coming back here anyway.
Kwon Hyun-je guided only the first and third.
Two trials.
From the fourth onward, different ordeals awaited.
Then promise me one thing before you go.
A promise?
Yes. Make sure that Myeongwang Fist Technique is never lost.
Kwon Hyun-jes eyes had turned serious.
Yes. Ill do my best.
Jeong Hoon offered effort instead of a firm vow.
Effort...... Bah, just get lost already.
Kwon Hyun-je, thoroughly annoyed, turned back to his book.
Jeong Hoon smirked and left the cave.
His next destination was the Warriors Sanctuary.
The place to carry out his next plan.
Pshhh
But first, he logged out and stepped out of the capsule.
Opening the window, the outside world looked incredibly peaceful.
A peace possible only because New World hadnt yet crashed into reality.
Heading to the living room, he saw his mother resting on the sofa.
Seeing her intact lower body brought tears to his eyes.
Hm? Hoon, why are you about to cry?
His mother panicked, but Jeong Hoon smiled and shook his head.
Its nothing. More importantly, have you checked out the Summit Tower?
Yes. I did some quests there, and someone who introduced himself as the tower lord showed up.
As expected.
The tower lord must have recognized his mothers talent.
And?
He offered to take me as his disciple...... I wasnt sure if it was necessary, so I said Id think about it.
You have to do it!
Hm?
At this point in time, the Summit Towers lord shouldnt have appeared yet.
The tower lord would emerge a year from now.
Becoming his disciple would offer prime opportunities for leveling, job changes, skills, and titles.
Way faster growth than hunting monsters.
The quests from the Summit Towers lord were packed with experience points.
Trust me!
Hmm...... Should I give it a try?
Yes!
At Jeong Hoons enthusiastic recommendation, his mother finally nodded.