Iron Man (1)
Dreams? Convictions? Nothing like that had ever existed in Yun-seok's life until now. His sole goal had been to land a job as soon as possible, pay off his debts, and escape Kang Hyung-woo's torment.
But for the first time, Yun-seok harbored a firm resolve. He wouldn't flee the Tower of Heaven. He would climb higher and higher, growing strong enough to charge forward alone like a rhinoceros horn.
Surprisingly, the steps to achieve this goal were no different from before. Just like always, he needed to prepare for the next duel with everything he had.
So Yun-seok first checked the rewards from his duel with Raguna.
Death Merchant
Rank E - Combat consumables cost 50% less.
Rank F - Can move during countdown.
'I heard about it, but this is one hell of a weird ability.'
With his combat style already set in stone, the Rank E effect wouldn't see much use. He had no intention of buying combat consumables anyway, half price or not.
But the base ability he'd experienced firsthand would prove incredibly useful. With his current physical stats, the moment the countdown began, he could dash forward and ram his sword into the opponent's throat.
'This outfit's useless. Can't return it, can I?'
Yun-seok turned his attention to the scrap of fabric in his hand.
◈ Numerous inner pockets.
Raguna's gear, stolen via Predation. Aside from the many pockets inside the robe, it was just worthless cloth.
'Probably because Raguna was the opponent—no stat boosts.'
He'd absorbed some Agility, but the info window still showed D- rank. Checking the Predation description revealed a new detail:
Agility (1,500/24,000)
The explanation was unhelpful, but the numbers gave him a hunch. D- rank potions cost 24,000 AP, so maybe that's the threshold needed to advance.
'Whatever. I'll figure it out eventually.'
Yun-seok shifted focus. He'd bought utility skills for the Lee Chang-hoon fight, raised Magic to D-, leaving 96,000 AP. How to use it most efficiently?
'Upgrade Heavenly Demon Body first.'
Without hesitation, he spent 30,000 AP to raise Heavenly Demon Body.
Heavenly Demon Body
Rank D - Can circulate the vital energy accumulated in the body from nature.
What the hell is this? Circulate vital energy? Like in martial arts novels?
The far-from-intuitive description left Yun-seok baffled. No immediate bodily change either. But he wasn't disappointed. When he first got Heavenly Demon Body, it had been the same—useless at first, then a game-changer later.
'...I'll experiment and find out. It has to be good.'
Turning optimism into action, he raised Magic Resistance and Sword Mastery to D rank, burning another 36,000 AP total. Oddly, only Sword Mastery triggered a trait selection.
'Doesn't it pop every rank change? Maybe not.'
Perhaps each skill had different branching ranks. No point dwelling—he focused on the available choice.
Trait 1: Magic Swordsman - Magic cost for sword-related skills reduced to 1/3.
Trait 2: Counterinitiative - Attack speed x5 temporarily when enemy strikes first.
Both tempting for a sword user like him. After deliberation, he picked Counterinitiative. Two reasons: the overwhelming speed boost despite penalties, and Heavenly Demon Body meant no mana shortage yet.
No perfect synergy with Death Merchant's countdown ignore, but you couldn't always chase ideals.
30,000 AP left. Stats tempting, but he invested in skills again.
One Flash
Rank D - Invisible.
Unlike the vague Heavenly Demon Body, this was crystal clear. Testing it, Yun-seok confirmed: the translucent film on his sword now made the entire blade vanish. Even ranged attacks worked.
Whoooosh!
The crescent sword qi was now invisible. No power boost—just pure utility. But Yun-seok, battle-hardened, knew how nightmarish it'd be for opponents.
'Fire this the instant countdown starts... most fights end right there.'
His style shifted from projectile-heavy to ambush/quick-draw. But in victory's world, was anything unfair? Feeling stronger, Yun-seok smiled contentedly.
'Perfect spend—no AP left.'
Time for training. He sat, eyes closed. On Earth, sans sword, he'd meditated for mental practice—and it wasn't bad.
'Hell, maybe more efficient now...'
Perfectly still, he introspected. In the utter silence, time flowed endlessly until—
"...?"
Something stirred in his lower abdomen, core of Blood Pact. Mana-like, yet different. Recognizing it, a hot-yet-cold energy surged through his body.
'This vital energy...?'
Circulating meridians unchecked—Yun-seok couldn't control it anyway. He observed ceaselessly. Counterclockwise nine full cycles, then it halted... only to—
"Urk!"
It erupted up his throat unbidden. Yun-seok opened his eyes. First sight: blackish, sticky goo on the waiting room floor. A notification followed.
Avatar quality permanently increased by 30%.
Same effect cannot be gained from identical actions.
Avatar? Quality? What the hell?
Vital energy circulation boosting quality? Fine. But what did it do?
Challenger info unchanged—no quality mention. Testing his body: slightly refreshed, but nothing visible.
'Alone, so no comparison...'
Prodding further, he noticed:
'Skin's better?'
His average adult male skin now baby-smooth. Eyes sharper too? Minute changes after scrutiny. Expectations dashed.
'30k AP for cosmetics?'
Deflated but resolute, he resumed mental training. No more stirrings. Time passed; duel imminent.
Prepare. Duel will begin soon.
Still clueless about his changes.
Countdown began. Normally immobile save eyes, but Death Merchant freed Yun-seok's body.
Screw 3-second etiquette—use the tool. Yun-seok drew, activated One Flash, fired invisible qi. Opponent's eyes flickered surprise. First time seeing movement in frozen time, surely.
Feeling a twinge of pity, Yun-seok awaited 'victory' pre-start.
But...
Thud!
Qi hit; heavy impact echoed. Yun-seok blinked in disbelief.
'Tanked it barehanded? Couldn't even use skills? How's he that tough?'
Steel, not flesh and bone.
START!
"What a petty swordsman—using such unmanly tricks!"
The man charged roaring, a massive beast. Weighty yet swift, sharp motions.
'Boxer?'
Now Yun-seok noticed: no weapons, just crude leather gloves—basic cloth gear.
But power immense.
Boom!
Yun-seok dodged; fist cratered the ground like a meteor. Awe-struck yet opportunistic, he swung.
Weapon Enhancement
Not to be underestimated, the man parried blade with forearm like a veteran brawler, then thrust fist at Yun-seok's face seamlessly.
'What—!'
Simple punch, yet supreme. Like a freight train barreling down.
Whoosh!
It grazed overhead—any slower, decapitation. Like that three-tailed Earth beast.
'Underestimated him! Should've kept distance!'
Regret late; Yun-seok spammed One Slash to retreat.
But...
"Cowardly swordsman! I, Steel King Keriksis, shall end you!"
Despite hundreds of thousands AP, only gloves—no upgrades, basic gray clothes. Pure macho barreled straight, ignoring qi.
Thud! Thud! Thud!
Invisible qi shredded clothes—no skin marks.
'What Durability...'
Distance closed instantly. Yun-seok focused solely on evasion amid fist storm.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Air exploded per punch. Unhit yet, but damage vivid in mind.
Strong, tough, fast. More: instincts, battle experience infused simple strikes.
"If you're a man, fight fair!"
Too many easy foes lately? Overconfidence crept in unnoticed. Yun-seok had to admit: this brute was the real deal, like Cheonma.