The Hour of the Pig was nearly over.
The street gradually became deserted, but many Murim people still decorated the street.
And.
At some point, Dong Bong-soo began moving among them.
***
Kill Shadow Number Ten was hiding under the eaves of a house about thirty meters south of Nangnang Tavern.
Not just him alone—other Kill Shadow Group members were also hiding in various spots throughout this street.
From his perch, he could clearly see Number Twenty-Two concealed deep within the opposite alleyway. The moon was bright, and the position where Number Ten was hiding was relatively higher than Number Twenty-Two.
He glanced at Number Twenty-Two once, then turned his gaze back to the entrance of Nangnang Tavern where the target was.
The target, with half his face covered by his bangs, was still standing in that spot.
Is he just watching people passing by?
Number Ten felt frustrated when he couldn't see the target's eyes well. As assassins typically do, he too predicted attack timing and movements by watching the target's eyes. However, this target had that completely blocked off, so he felt somewhat frustrated. Moreover, the fact that there was absolutely no information about the target was also playing a part.
'Damn it. Why the hell isn't that bastard moving?'
Could he have noticed the Kill Shadow Group's presence?
That was impossible.
Though Kill Shadow Group's origins were utterly base, the training they'd received was no different from hell itself. When it came to hiding alone, even peak masters would find it difficult to match them.
Number Ten believed in himself and trusted his comrades. All of them had been mobilized. At this level, wouldn't they be able to fully assassinate even a peak-level figure from the Nine Sects?
Kill Shadow Group never missed a target they'd marked. Since he became a member, there had never been a single failure. It would be the same this time. Information about the target or such things wouldn't be very important.
Number Ten's eyes, sunken in the darkness, sank even lower.
'Move. Move. The moment you move.'
You're a dead man!
It was when he was shouting that in his heart.
'...!'
The target finally moved.
The target suddenly mixed into the crowd.
Number Ten's eyes snapped wide open. Since there were not only the target but also many other people on the street, he had to be careful not to lose him.
'Fifty steps, forty-nine steps, forty-eight steps....'
Number Ten kept measuring the distance with the target to avoid losing him. He couldn't see them, but probably all the other Kill Shadow Group members were tensely alert right now. The moment the target approached right in front of them, within one or two steps, they would all unleash their assassination techniques.
Number Ten continued counting.
'Thirty-eight steps, thirty-seven steps, thirty-... six steps!?'
'Hm!? He disappeared?'
The target suddenly....
Was gone. Though people were crowding about, since the target's appearance and clothing were distinctive, it should have been impossible to lose him....
He'd lost him.
Not only that, even though dozens of Kill Shadow Group members were simultaneously watching the target, the target vanished without a trace.
Flustered, Number Ten looked at Number Twenty-Two across from him. However, Number Twenty-Two was also looking back at him, having apparently lost the target too.
'It's real! He really disappeared!'
Both simultaneously looked back at where the target first disappeared. It was in the middle of the road. There was nowhere to hide. Unless one had Concealment Arts at the level of the Kill Shadow Group Leader, no one could disappear from that spot. No, even the Kill Shadow Group Leader couldn't just vanish like that. At minimum, there should have been signs of deploying Concealment Arts.
Yet the target literally just....
Disappeared!?
For the Kill Shadow Group, losing a target meant the same as losing one's life.
The Group Leader's orders were absolute to them.
If they failed an order given by that mysterious woman who used such a Group Leader like a hand or foot?
It was the end.
"Damn it—!"
Perhaps Number Ten had even forgotten the Kill Shadow Group's group instruction to 'not speak during missions,' as he unconsciously made a sound with his mouth and came down slightly from the eaves.
When he looked across, Number Twenty-Two was also revealing his body slightly outside the alley. And from the opposite side of that alley, Number Thirty-Eight, who had been blocking the target's escape route, stepped out into the street.
Had he discovered the target?
Puck.
The moment Number Ten thought that!
Number Thirty-Eight's head fell off.
"...!"
He had absolutely no idea how it happened. But it was clear who did it.
The target! The target was hiding somewhere and unleashed an assassin strike. Then vanished again without a trace.
"Hah!"
"Wha, what!?"
"Kyaaah!"
At the suddenly created headless corpse, the people filling the street were startled and scattered in all directions. In an instant, the street became a mess and fell into chaos.
With that, not just Number Ten—Kill Shadow Group now became even more unable to grasp who the target was.
And from that moment, the slaughter began.
Puck.
Number Forty-One, hidden atop a rooftop across the street, died next. For the briefest moment, a shadow could be glimpsed behind him—but only for an instant.
Immediately after severing Number Forty-One's neck, the target disappeared again.
Puck. Puck. Puck...
Number Seven, Number Nine, Number Fifteen....
The number of Kill Shadow Group members continued decreasing.
"Tha, that...!?"
Now occasionally he could see the target's form. And occasionally he couldn't see even a shadow at all. It was unpredictable.
When visible, he moved faster than 'fast' could describe. The more Kill Shadow Group members he killed, the faster he became, and sometimes he disappeared as if extinguished on that spot, and at times he vanished as if entering into a pillar.
No one could catch his movements. That wasn't Concealment Arts, Movement Technique, or anything.
What should he call it?
The opponent was just a ghost! A ghost.
"Gho, ghost! It's a ghost!"
As if voicing Number Ten's thoughts, a bystander shrieked—triggering an even wilder stampede.
Several of the Kill Shadow Group members also tried to leave the scene mixed in with them. But no one could escape. The target, no, the ghost killed Kill Shadow Group members trying to escape first.
With that, the Kill Shadow Group members' range of action narrowed even more. Number Ten was the same, and Number Twenty-Two across from him was exactly the same. The fear that moving first meant dying was imprinted in everyone's minds.
Puck, puck, puck...
But staying still didn't mean one could survive either. The slaughter scene unfolded in various spots throughout the street regardless of movement.
Puck, puck, puck...
"..."
Number Ten merely waited with his mouth hanging open. For his turn to come.
Then at some moment.
Puck.
Across from him, the head of Number Twenty-Two, who had been standing dazed with his mouth open just like him, disappeared.
The Killer who severed Number Twenty-Two's neck turned his body and looked this way.
Of course, Number Ten couldn't move. Not because he knew any movement would be useless. His body, legs, arms just... didn't move.
Swish.
The ghost disappeared again. Probably that characteristic Movement Technique.
Immediately goosebumps rose on his back.
Behind. The ghost appeared behind. He could tell without looking.
Because the scent of blood was sharply stimulating his nose. Soon his own blood would be included there too.
"Who is she?"
The ghost spoke.
The ghost's voice was special too. Was he indeed different from humans? It was an emotionless voice that didn't contain even a hair's worth of feeling.
Number Ten's eyes trembled. Number Ten didn't know who the 'she' he was referring to was. Just that she used the Group Leader like a hand or foot.
"I..."
Number Ten opened his mouth to say 'I don't know.' But the sound didn't come out of his mouth.
Because his neck was already sliding sideways, his eye level was gradually lowering, and his consciousness had already fled far away.
From that moment, the new Hour of the Rat arrived and a new day dawned.
***
"Oh my. Today already ended. What a shame."
Yeon Yeong-ha clicked her tongue as if disappointed.
She was sitting perched on a branch of an oak tree on a hill about hundred meters from Nangnang Tavern. From there, she'd watched everything unfold in front of Nangnang Tavern.
Though she was seeing a similar scene for the third time, it was still fascinating.
Abnormal.
That person was a human who deviated from the normal track. Like herself... perhaps even more abnormal.
If she watched once or twice more, she felt she might understand... unfortunately, the day ended. That was what disappointed Yeon Yeong-ha.
"Old Uncle, did you see?"
Even at her words, the shadow remained unmoved. There was no answer.
"Right, of course. There's no way Old Uncle could have seen properly."
At her continuing words, the shadow finally rippled.
"Hm? Me? You're asking if I saw?"
"..."
"I didn't see either. That's why it's driving me even crazier. Three times wasn't enough. Far from enough."
A mere three times wasn't even enough to understand.
Disappearing and appearing....
Not just his body alone. Even the sword held in his hand appeared and disappeared, existed and vanished... It was unbelievable, but it was a fact she'd clearly seen with her own two eyes.
Even now, there was no sword held in his hand. Though there had definitely been a sword in his hand when he killed the last Kill Shadow Group member.
[Kill. Kill them all.]
The Heavenly Calamity Energy boiled up again.
Yeon Yeong-ha's pupils turned jet black.
It was difficult to hold back. But she couldn't let the Heavenly Calamity Energy run wild here.
1
"I'm going crazy. I'm really going to lose it. Old Uncle. I'm dying to play with that guy."
Was it because he saw her jet-black eyes? The shadow trembled as if struck by madness.
"There's something called Noga Village if you go about five kilometers over the back of this hill, right?"
As if affirming her words, the shadow swayed along the tree branch again.
Twinkle.
Her jet-black pupils shone with madness.
In those pitch-black pupils, Dong Bong-soo leisurely returning to the Murim Alliance was visible, and even the Murim Alliance patrol members who had come upon hearing news of the slaughter were captured.
Though she wanted to play with everyone there, it wasn't time for that yet.
Anyway, the big event called the Heavenly Youth Martial Arts Tournament would unfold soon.
Not yet... now wasn't the time. Today, I should just catch a few bugs to soothe the Heavenly Calamity Energy.
Dong Bong-soo soon disappeared from her view, and Yeon Yeong-ha also flew her body to the back of the hill and left the scene. Now only the patrol members, busy collecting corpses and onlookers simultaneously feeling fear and curiosity at the ghost's appearance remained there.
A while later, day broke.
-x-X-x-
Zhengzhou was in an uproar from the morning due to the ominous incident that had occurred yesterday.
The ghost incident that occurred in the busy district at midnight.
Witnesses unanimously identified the villain who slaughtered forty-some people as a ghost.
The reason was simple.
Appearing and disappearing mysteriously.
They said the unpredictable movements of the villain were like a ghost. Though there were many Murim people at the scene, not one of them had clearly witnessed the villain.
Movement Technique that appeared so mysteriously and disappeared so eerily was only possible in their imaginations. In a way, it was natural for them to say they'd seen a ghost.
Today was the day registration for the Heavenly Youth Martial Arts Tournament would begin, but with the occurrence of this murderous incident, not only the Murim Alliance but all of Zhengzhou was unsettled.
It's the curse of a ghost. Or, unreliable rumors spread rampantly that a great calamity star had appeared to kill people to obstruct the Heavenly Youth Martial Arts Tournament.
Therefore, Eul Ji-tae, the Group Leader of the Martial World Protection Corps in charge of Zhengzhou's security, began his day very busily from his first day returning to the Murim Alliance.
Even now, he'd been summoned to Cheontong Hall early in the morning and was reporting on that matter to Hyeoncheon Jinin.
"Is it the Star of Heavenly Calamity?"
The moment Hyeoncheon Jinin saw Eul Ji-tae, he asked straight to the point.
"I cannot be certain yet."
"Is that so?"
"Yes, Alliance Leader. No traces of Heavenly Calamity Energy could be found at the scene."
"Tsk tsk. It's the Full Star's Extreme Yin Star of Heavenly Calamity. The Heavenly Calamity Energy would have already been completely internalized within that Dantian. There's no way traces of Heavenly Calamity Energy would remain. What I'm talking about is the gruesomeness of that scene and such."
"That is... looking at that makes it even harder to see it as the Star of Heavenly Calamity. Because the one who appeared at the scene committed murder by thoroughly selecting victims."
"Committed murder by selecting? What do you mean?"
"Everyone who died at the scene were people wearing black clothes. Though we haven't yet accurately confirmed their identities, they appeared to be people of the same affiliation."
"Hmm."
Hyeoncheon Jinin stroked his long White beard while continuing to listen to Eul Ji-tae's report.
"If that person's Heavenly Calamity Energy had run wild, everyone there would have been unable to avoid the slaughter."
"That's right. If the Extreme Yin Heavenly Calamity Energy had exploded there, that entire area should have been completely devastated. Then does your statement mean yesterday's incident has absolutely no relation to the Extreme Yin Star of Heavenly Calamity?"
At Hyeoncheon Jinin's words, Eul Ji-tae pondered for a moment, then answered in an uncertain tone.
"That is... though I'm not sure either, perhaps I'm considering that it might indeed be the Extreme Yin Star of Heavenly Calamity's doing."
Hyeoncheon Jinin's white eyebrows rose slightly. It must be because he'd heard the answer 'I'm not sure,' which was rarely heard from Eul Ji-tae.
"Explain."
"Forty-three were slaughtered, yet not a single person at the scene properly saw the villain."
"However, isn't it unreasonable to conclude that the Chosen One of the Star of Heavenly Calamity appeared based on that alone?"
"That is so, but according to the witnesses' testimonies, they said the villain was a 'ghost.'"
"Ghost?"
"Yes, they definitely said so. And not just one or two people—most of the witnesses said the villain's identity was a ghost. Because of that, rumors that a ghost appeared in Zhengzhou are spreading rapidly right now."
"Explain in detail."
"...There's nothing particularly special to explain. According to the witnesses, the ghost appeared and disappeared, and just passed through walls and roofs freely."
"Appeared and disappeared... And passes through walls freely? Does that make sense?"
"Yes, so from what I saw, that is..."
"It must be the Strange Ability of the Extreme Yin Heavenly Calamity Energy, is that what you mean?"
While Eul Ji-tae paused his words for a moment, Hyeoncheon Jinin finished instead.
"Yes, Alliance Leader. That's correct."
"Hmm."
Hyeoncheon Jinin fell into thought while stroking his White beard again.
In the past, several Stars of Heavenly Calamity had descended upon the Martial World. However, most of them died before properly maturing. Because it was due to the characteristics of the Star of Heavenly Calamity. When they brazenly popped up in the sky saying 'I am born,' the wise ones of the Martial World could hardly remain idle.
However, there were certainly those who couldn't be found even when they tried to deal with them young, and they were the ones who occasionally appeared in the Martial World to become great calamity stars.
Among them, the Extreme Yin Star of Heavenly Calamity had appeared exactly twice in the world.
According to what was passed down, the Extreme Yin Star of Heavenly Calamity was quite different from other Stars of Heavenly Calamity.
Strange Ability.
Unlike other Stars of Heavenly Calamity, it was born possessing a unique ability.
The one who first transmitted this fact to later generations was none other than the Heavenly Demon.
In truth, the one who killed the first Extreme Yin Star of Heavenly Calamity was precisely the Heavenly Demon.
A thousand years ago, when the Martial World fell into a blood calamity due to the Extreme Yin Star of Heavenly Calamity, the Heavenly Demon appeared and slew the Extreme Yin Star of Heavenly Calamity, taking the world into his grasp.
Nevertheless, it was said that many people followed the Heavenly Demon at that time, regardless of whether they belonged to the Orthodox, Hall of Gathering Evil, or Demonic factions. The appearance of the Extreme Yin Star of Heavenly Calamity had given the Heavenly Demon justification for the Way of Domination. There must have been many who thought the merit of slaying the Extreme Yin Star of Heavenly Calamity was greater than his tyranny.
That was how terrifying the Extreme Yin Star of Heavenly Calamity was.
However, it's said that the Heavenly Demon who dealt with it said that the existence possessed a unique ability called Strange Ability. It was said that he nearly died countless times because of it.
That was how terrifying the Extreme Yin Star of Heavenly Calamity was.
Whether he didn't know precisely about the Strange Ability or deliberately didn't transmit it even though he knew wasn't known, and opinions were divided even among later historians.
What Eul Ji-tae was saying now was whether that 'mysteriously appearing and disappearing Movement Technique' might be the Strange Ability of the Extreme Yin Star of Heavenly Calamity.
Hyeoncheon Jinin mulled over the legend of the Heavenly Demon a bit longer, then soon shook his head and said.
"Hmm. But would it be merely that level of ability?"
"Pardon?"
"The Strange Ability, I mean. Although I do not wish to acknowledge it, the Heavenly Demon was the greatest master of the world a thousand years ago—perhaps the strongest individual in Martial World history."
"..."
"For someone like him to call it a Strange Ability… I wonder whether it would merely be a technique of that level, one not much different from an exceptional Movement Technique."
"However, according to the witnesses, it absolutely was not Movement Technique."
In Eul Ji-tae's thinking, if it was Movement Technique enough to be called a ghost, wouldn't that be sufficiently a Strange Ability?
On the other hand, Hyeoncheon Jinin was still doubtful.
"That may be so. As you say, it may be that the Extreme Yin Star of Heavenly Calamity has revealed itself."
"If you entrust it to me, I will thoroughly..."
"No, that will not be necessary. Registration for the Heavenly Youth Martial Arts Tournament begins today. You should focus on that task. Leave the investigation of yesterday's incident to the Secret Service Lord. Was not the investigation of the Extreme Yin Star of Heavenly Calamity originally meant to be entrusted to him?"
The Secret Service Lord that Hyeoncheon Jinin was referring to was precisely Soldier Eccentric.
As the Alliance Leader said, in Eul Ji-tae's thinking too, rather than himself, Soldier Eccentric, who was called Eight Skills Soldier Madman and had many talents, was suitable for this task.
However,
"Yes, Alliance Leader. I will do so. However, it seems he cannot start right away at this moment."
"Is there something?"
"It is because the Secret Service Lord will likely prioritize a promise he made to someone."
"Someone? Who is that person?"
"A person named Dong Guang-chuan who entered the Murim Alliance with me yesterday. The Secret Service Lord has probably gone to meet him right now."
"Dong Guang-chuan? Ah! That very person that the Secret Service Lord asked you to definitely bring, is it?"
"Yes."
"Hm. I am curious. Just what kind of youth is he that someone like the Secret Service Lord pays such attention to? How did he seem to you? Was he someone who could become a pillar of the Martial World?"
Eul Ji-tae thought about Dong Bong-soo for a moment, then opened his mouth.
"He was a taciturn person."
In truth, there wasn't much about him that remained in his memory. Among them, the most special thing was that he was very quiet.
"Even more than you?"
"Yes."
"And?"
After thinking a bit more, Eul Ji-tae continued his words carefully.
"He hasn't learned Internal Energy Arts."
"Is that so?"
Interest completely disappeared from Hyeoncheon Jinin's voice. The person the Murim Alliance needed now was someone strong—specifically, someone strong in martial arts. If one only learned External Energy Arts without Internal Energy Arts, that limit would be clear. Even if they learned martial arts, it was obvious that level would be insignificant.
1
If martial arts were weak, no matter how interesting a person, they had no choice but to be pushed out of interest.
"However, he is someone with good qualities."
"Hmm. Is that so? If you say so, then it must be so."
Though he said that, the name Dong Guang-chuan was already fading in Hyeoncheon Jinin's mind.
The person who still had utility value to him was not a talented youth with good qualities, but a 'strong hero' who was already made, like Jong Ji-hang. Because a pillar of the Martial World could never be achieved by being taciturn alone.
Still, thinking that if he was someone with a good head, there might be somewhere to use him, Hyeoncheon Jinin casually added a word.
"If that person wants, help him so he can work in a suitable position."
"Yes, Alliance Leader. Understood."
***
Clatter, clatter.
The sound of tableware and chopsticks colliding regularly echoed through the room.
While eating the breakfast the maid had brought, Dong Bong-soo reviewed the battle from last night. The continuation of daily life connecting yesterday's ending and today's beginning—that's what it was.
[Concealment Arts].
It was a more useful technique than he'd thought. Especially when [Footwork] or Inventory Arts were added to it, quite a good combination emerged.
Very well-suited to confusing enemies, one might say.
Disappearing, appearing, disappearing again, appearing again....
Now in the east, now in the west.
With the geographical advantage of the city at his back, he could run wild as he pleased. He could hide his body, albeit limitedly, on roofs, rafters, and even floors paved with flat stones. Of course, it didn't work on objects firmly connected with glue or such.
Anyway, yesterday's battle was enough to instill confidence in him.
That now, there wouldn't be many Murim people in the city who could catch him.
-x-X-x-
However, not many still meant they did exist.
If it was a master at the level of the one hiding above the entrance of Nangnang Tavern yesterday, shaking them off or facing them head-on would be....
'It might not be easy.'
They were someone with perfect Concealment Arts to that extent. Of course, it was something he couldn't know without fighting, but it was a definite fact that they wouldn't be easy to deal with.
On top of that, if the unknown territory of Yeon Yeong-ha was added....
'I need to become stronger.'
To become a hero of the Martial World, he needed to become stronger. No, to 'pretend' to be a hero, he would have to become even stronger by another level. Only then could he become the CEO of this safari called the Martial World, and enjoy a feast with predators whenever needed.
If a few of them burst out of the safari, that would be even more welcome and nice....
And above all, they would be more delicious.
Abusing.
Though not exactly the same concept, it would probably be similar. Though Dong Bong-soo didn't know it well, he sensed that what he aimed for was very similar to that.
Abusing typically refers to the act of a gamer unfairly obtaining benefits through multi-account manipulation, such as operating sub-accounts in addition to their main account.
In this New Murim Online, the only gamer was Dong Bong-soo himself. Naturally, there could be no sub-accounts—though there might be more, for now it was reasonable to assume there weren't.
However, like regular gamers, there existed numerous NPCs that moved with will. And depending on the circumstances, he could use them as he pleased, or induce them to perform certain actions.
If that was the concept....
An NPC ranch would definitely be a type of abusing.
If such a thing were possible in some actual existing game, wouldn't that truly be a revolutionary concept?
Growing NPCs.
Then an NPC ranch would certainly qualify as a form of abusing.
It was a very unreasonable system, but for Dong Bong-soo, the 'solo gamer,' it was a truly advantageous system, and it had now become his goal.
Abusing, abusing, abusing....
But as Dong Bong-soo continued thinking about abusing, his brain suddenly began turning faster.
The word abusing embedded itself deep in his mind and overlapped with yesterday's situation.
Hunting, assassination, assassin, abusing, unfair gain....
Various keywords rose and fell here and there in Dong Bong-soo's head, creating one concrete idea.
'I see. That method is also possible.'
Hunting.
Right, must one only hunt?
Wouldn't becoming prey like yesterday also be a good hunting method?
'Becoming prey, becoming prey, becoming prey....'
It was the first time in his life, but it wasn't a bad feeling. Moreover, if he intentionally orchestrated such a thing?
Rather, if he set a trap and waited for enemies?
Or, if enemies came looking for him and died on their own without him having to search?
Dong Bong-soo's mouth opened slightly, and his snow-white teeth emotionlessly revealed their wicked true nature to the air.
He....
Dong Bong-soo had discovered a new loophole in New Murim Online.
If he used 'this method,' prey would endlessly come to him and die. They would become experience points and raise skill proficiency. Furthermore, in that process, the image of 'fake hero' would solidify even more.
Execution of this would be possible with just a bit of investigation.
Click.
Dong Bong-soo put down his chopsticks on the table, ending his meal. The review of yesterday's battle was also finished with that. In the process, he even gained new enlightenment.
The Martial World had become even more....
Precarious.
Dong Bong-soo pushed the table aside and stood up.
Afterward, as he always did, he trained Inventory Divine Art.
The things worn on his body rapidly changed.
Sword, saber, axe, spear, shield, iron armor....
Various weapons and armor appeared and disappeared here and there on his body.
Now items were retrieved and stored very naturally, but it still wasn't completely satisfactory. It was still only possible to take out or put in items as a whole; 'partial retrieval'—partially pulling out or putting in items—was impossible.
It seemed possible, seemed possible, but didn't work.
If partial retrieval became possible, he could adopt much more diverse combat styles. Like drawing a sword from its sheath, he would be able to draw a sword from anywhere on his body....
Dong Bong-soo continued practicing. Meanwhile, he shifted his thoughts to future events and plans.
First,
What kind of variable would the small connection with Eul Ji-tae bring?
He couldn't be certain, but it would return as a positive effect. He'd felt clear goodwill from him. Though it was difficult to predict what the result of that goodwill would be, it definitely wouldn't be bad.
Also.
What kind of change would the discovery of Jong Ji-hang or the encounter with Yeon Yeong-ha bring about?
For the former, if he didn't particularly step forward, nothing special might happen.
But the meeting with Yeon Yeong-ha, or rather confrontation, would continue whether he liked it or not—though in truth, he didn't dislike it that much. Though it was only a single meeting, both their instincts sensed they were existences that couldn't tolerate each other.
'Either I die.'
Or that thing dies—one of the two would have to disappear from the Central Plains for the encounter to truly end.
It's troublesome if there are two hunters in one hunting ground. Especially if they regard each other as the ultimate prey, even more so.
To catch him, it would reveal itself here, at the Murim Alliance.
Though he'd bluffed to prevent careless probing, in the end, it would certainly try to catch him. Perhaps that time... might be the last day he must end New Murim Online.
Therefore, that thing's next move was obvious.
'Heavenly Youth Martial Arts Tournament.'
There was a high possibility that it had come here from the very beginning in order to participate in it. If not for that, it was not the type of monster that would have appeared here at all. That creature called Yeon Yeong-ha.
Moreover, as of yesterday, it would be even more desperate for the Heavenly Youth Martial Arts Tournament.
It had seen the Murim Alliance badge on Dong Bong-soo's chest.
'It probably believes for certain that I will participate in the Heavenly Youth Martial Arts Tournament.'
It would try to hunt him somehow at that tournament.
Thud-thud-thud-thud!
Dong Bong-soo expelled about ten weapons from his body at once and continued his thoughts.
'If it can mobilize assassins at that level who attacked me yesterday...'
The force backing that thing would not be insignificant either. However, there was an overwhelmingly high chance that this force was not affiliated with the Murim Alliance. If they were, there would have been no reason to spend the night in a place like a tavern.
If there had been an opportunity for that type of monster to explore other prey inside the Murim Alliance, there would be no reason to just throw it away, right?
Dong Bong-soo analyzed Yeon Yeong-ha step by step one by one.
Certainly, it was a different type of non-human from himself, but he continued thinking about Yeon Yeong-ha's actions by comparing them to his own. And from yesterday's events, he grasped that thing's type to some extent—how it differed from himself.
That thing... she had told him her name for no particular reason and even gave a 'peculiar hint' about it being their third meeting.
Just this alone showed it was an existence vastly different from himself.
Though hunting was an important hobby for Dong Bong-soo, for her, the thrill felt during the process seemed far more important than the hunt itself. Otherwise, there would have been no need to say such things.
Perhaps she regarded all events that occurred in that entire process as something like a game.
From one short, intense meeting, Dong Bong-soo grasped many things about Yeon Yeong-ha. This small difference might become an important factor that would determine the outcome of the confrontation that would occur between them later.
Though no one yet knew how it would turn out....
In any case, a staring contest, or rather a battle of wits, had begun with the monster called Yeon Yeong-ha.
There was absolutely no way to escape or avoid it before one of them died. When predators' eyes met, the one who looked away first became prey. Without looking away, one must find the other predator's opening. If there was no opening, one had to kill the other predator even by creating one, to be able to do the next thing.
There were other methods too, but it didn't seem necessary to consider those yet.
Dong Bong-soo thought that far, then set aside thoughts about Yeon Yeong-ha for now. And he also stopped training Inventory Arts.
Before he knew it, the clothes he'd been wearing initially were draped on his body.
[The activation conditions for Spirit Eyes have been met, and Spirit Eyes will automatically activate.]
[An enemy with more than a 10-level difference from you has approached within 20 meters. 19, 18, 17...]
Tiring-tiring-tiring, tirirririring...
It was because some unknown master had approached near his room.
The distance gradually narrowed, and before long someone's shadow flickered right in front of his room.
Naturally, Dong Bong-soo wasn't surprised at all. Anyway, it was obvious who the master visiting his room at this time would be.
The possibility was one of two.
'Either Eul Ji-tae.'
Or if not that.
Creak.
As the door opened.
A middle-aged man with bushy, long hair and a beard—so much so it was hard to tell when they were last cut—entered. His gait was rough and crude, yet somehow looked light.
The expected person.
It was a familiar face.
However, the points that deviated from Dong Bong-soo's expectations were: instead of dirty clothes, clean blue garments were draped on his body; his face also seemed cleanly washed, and instead of the usual iron smell, a faint iris scent emanated.
"Hey, we finally meet again. I didn't come looking when you didn't show up, so I was thinking the Divine Metal had become mine."
Soldier Eccentric.
The person who would have brought a new weapon.
-x-X-x-
"I said I would definitely find it."
"Yeah, you did. If it was a rabbit, you said you'd find it, kill it, and take it away, right?"
"Since it was originally mine, the expression 'take it away' doesn't fit logic."
"You little shit, so picky. Well, anyway. While I was handling that, my mind changed."
As Soldier Eccentric said this, he put his hand into his bosom and pulled it out. Then, in his hand appeared a hammer that was at least two meters long.
"..."
"You see. I came to want that thing."
Thud!
Having finished speaking, Soldier Eccentric rushed at Dong Bong-soo like lightning and swung the hammer downward even faster. That swiftness was truly befitting one of the Twenty Great Masters under Heaven.
Whoooo—!
Since the blunt part of the hammer was coming down, if it struck as it was, Dong Bong-soo's head would certainly be pulverized on the spot.
However, Dong Bong-soo merely watched calmly without any thought of moving. He was too composed to say it was because it was terribly fast. He didn't even blink an eye.
Tap—!
A few centimeters.
The hammer stopped exactly at a distance of about one finger joint from Dong Bong-soo's forehead.
"Why didn't you dodge?"
Dong Bong-soo answered while still looking up at Soldier Eccentric with his eyes wide open.
"There was no killing intent or desire."
It's a general principle. Ordinary people cannot kill others without the will to kill, and cannot steal without the desire to steal.
Very occasionally, really very rarely, there are peculiar humans.
Only such inhuman types can commit murder or theft without such emotions. Though he's treated as a madman by the world, called Eight Skills Soldier Madman or Soldier Eccentric, in Dong Bong-soo's view he was also a normal person belonging to the general category. Of course, being incredibly strong was exceptional.
"That sounds like you're saying if there had been killing intent, you could have dodged?"
"That's right."
"Heh heh heh. Crazy bastard. You really are a crazy bastard. Well, you still don't know exactly who I am yet, so I guess that's why you're saying this, but that alone is impressive. Right, right. Then let's say you could have dodged—what were you planning to do after dodging?"
"After dodging..."
"After dodging?"
"I would have killed you."
"Huh, huh-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha! As expected, as expected, you're an interesting guy. This is why I couldn't help but wait for you. Hah, hah-ha-ha-ha!"
Soldier Eccentric was pleased. He liked Dong Bong-soo so much.
Beyond simple interest or curiosity, he felt favorable toward him.
But there was something he didn't know....
In fact, the source of all this favor was Dong Bong-soo's acting. It was merely the result of showing only words and appearances that Soldier Eccentric would like, within the bounds of not departing from the role model of 'fake hero' he had set for himself.
Even if Soldier Eccentric died and came back to life, he wouldn't be able to know such a fact....
"Now, let's go. I'd better show this to you quickly so I don't get killed by you."
Though he didn't specify what he had to show, it was understandable. The 'new item' made by melting down the [Novice's Sword] he had entrusted before. It must be that.
Soldier Eccentric got up first and walked toward the door.
Dong Bong-soo watched Soldier Eccentric's back for a moment, then slowly rose from his seat.
Crack, creak.
A sudden sound like bones being crushed echoed out.
Soldier Eccentric stopped.
Dong Bong-soo halted his movement at the strange sound.
His ears quickly found the source of the sound. Though faint, the wavelength was lengthening. That meant it was moving away from him. Which meant....
Creeeak.
The door opened and Soldier Eccentric turned his head to look at Dong Bong-soo.
"What are you doing? Aren't you following?"
"..."
"Ah, this? I just refined it a bit. The old man told me to try not to walk around the Alliance with my face if possible."
"Is it okay to show me?"
"Yeah. Doesn't the qualifier 'if possible' mean you don't have to keep it when it's not possible?"
"..."
"To me, you're an important guest —someone for whom it's not optional."
In a very short time, Soldier Eccentric's face had changed to that of a clean-featured middle-aged man.
Only then did Dong Bong-soo realize that one of the eight skills Soldier Eccentric possessed was Transformation.
Soldier Eccentric winked one eye playfully at Dong Bong-soo, then stepped outside the door and said,
"You know this is a secret, right?"
"I understand."
"Ah, this guy. At least pretend to be surprised. Really such a damn boring guy. I'm more embarrassed for saying it's a secret. Goddammit. Ha-ha-ha."
Even while saying things like boring and goddammit, Soldier Eccentric laughed loudly. That must mean he felt that much favor toward Dong Bong-soo.
Dong Bong-soo just followed Soldier Eccentric expressionlessly toward the entrance.
"These damn things. There's a shitload of them gathered here."
Was it still unrelated to his face becoming clean-featured?
Soldier Eccentric's manner of speech was still the same thick speech like radish soup in a rag bucket.
When Dong Bong-soo followed him out, as Soldier Eccentric said, many people were gathered. Looking at where the long corridor of Jibin Pavilion ended, people were swarming so that it seemed no one could pass through.
It must be because the application for the Heavenly Youth Martial Arts Tournament was today, so they had opened Muhwa Gate.
"Well, paths aren't only on the ground."
Soldier Eccentric looked around in all directions, then raised his head to look up at the sky. Seeing this, Dong Bong-soo could easily guess what he was trying to do.
"You know enough Lightness Arts to get up on the roof, right?"
"That's right."
"Well, with such a well-cultivated body, even with External Energy Arts alone, that much should be easy."
Whoosh—.
Having finished speaking, Soldier Eccentric immediately flew up onto the roof of Jibin Pavilion.
And.
Dong Bong-soo also kicked off without any hesitation and leaped up.
***
A proclamation to all comrades of the Martial World.
Due to the massive provocations by Heavenly Demon Castle that have continued over the past year, the Martial World has fallen into hardship. Therefore, the Murim Alliance intends to recruit the rising heroes of the Martial World to repel those rebellious and immoral Demonic Path people of the frontier.
Around the time of Rain Water (one of the 24 solar terms, the 15th day after the Beginning of Spring) this year, at the base of Cheongsin Mountain in Zhengzhou, we will accept applications for a martial arts tournament to select young heroes (under thirty years old) who will lead the next generation, so we hope for active participation from rising stars.
Murim Alliance 15th Generation Alliance Leader Hyeoncheon.
"Young Miss, now that we've come up on the roof, we really can see the entire Murim Alliance at a glance."
At Hwa Seon-hyang's words, Hwa Ye-ji put the Murim missive she had taken out back into her bosom. Just as Hwa Seon-hyang said, having come up on the roof of Jibin Pavilion, various parts of the Murim Alliance were spread out before their eyes as if they could grasp them.
Compared to when they were below, it was like a new world had unfolded. Since applications for the Heavenly Youth Martial Arts Tournament had begun, the path from Jibin Pavilion to Central Great Road was already packed tightly with people, so from below they couldn't secure any view at all.
Central Great Road.
It was originally the most complicated road within the Murim Alliance.
On the left and right of the road, buildings that handled the Murim Alliance's external activities, such as Jibin Pavilion, Demon Subduing Hall, Evil Conquering Hall, and Manmu Hall, were lined up in abundance. Also, to get to the Inner Court, one had to pass through this road, and to leave the Murim Alliance, one had to pass through here as well. In short, it was the most crucial transportation point within the Murim Alliance.
Though it was such a central great road, this level of crowding was probably the first time since opening Muhwa Gate.
"Hee-yaa~ It's really just like a marketplace, isn't it? It's probably because it's the first day, right?"
Hwa Seon-hyang said with her mouth wide open. As she said, that vast Central Great Road was packed so tightly there was no room to step, no gap to squeeze one's head in.
Among them, near the six halls lined up on both sides of Muhwa Gate, people were piled three or four layers deep, or even more. It was so complicated that dust rose white in this early spring, making it difficult to properly observe people's movements—it was in such a chaotic state.
All six buildings were probably temporary reception offices accepting applications for the Heavenly Youth Martial Arts Tournament. Those clumped together there like they'd become jerky were undoubtedly people waiting to apply for the tournament.
"Shaolin, Wudang, Beggar Sect... Murong Family, Hebei Paeng Family... Zhejiang's Black Dragon Gate, Jiangxi's Huangbo Family, Hainan's Hainan Sword Sect, huh!? That's clothing from Dongying... Huh!? Those people look like they came from Cheonggu... Wow— Young Miss, really so many came. But the Murim missive clearly seemed to only invite Central Plains people, yet they came from all sorts of places?"
Not to mention monks, Taoists, beggars, and merchants in colorful clothes, there were those wearing shoes oddly split on both sides, people with topknots tied up—people from various regions had all gathered, so the current Murim Alliance seemed like it could truly be called an assembly of people from under heaven without exaggeration.
"As you said, people really did gather like clouds. But I think it's less than I expected."
Hwa Ye-ji said, tilting her head slightly.
Of course, it was hard to deny that an enormous number of people had gathered, but she felt it was less than what she had anticipated. Even considering it was still morning.
It was a martial arts tournament after a really long time, and the fact that its host was the Murim Alliance, which was leading the current Martial World, meant that a truly tremendous field of opportunity had opened here. Moreover, today was also the first day for applications.
"You call that few?"
Hwa Seon-hyang said, widening her phoenix eyes round. The sight of her even sticking out her tongue was quite cute.
"Yes. It's probably because of that ghost incident that supposedly happened in Zhengzhou city last night. But it doesn't seem to have a big impact. Most of the martial artists who will apply for participation seem to have already come in, and it's probably the spectators who have decreased significantly."
"Ah? That rumor about ghosts appearing? Hmm! I see!"
"Right. It's an unreasonable rumor, but for ordinary common people, such things can feel real and also be frightening."
"Hee-yaa—. Then if all the spectators had come in too, it really would have been packed so tight there'd be no room to breathe, right?"
"It probably would have been."
Hwa Ye-ji responded to Hwa Seon-hyang's words while continuing to quickly scan here and there as if surveying.
'Haven't they come yet?'
Could it be that they were not participating in the Heavenly Youth Martial Arts Tournament? Surely they were not over thirty? Or perhaps they had not come to Zhengzhou at all?
'Jong... Ji... hang.'
-x-X-x-
Since meeting him, she hadn't been able to forget him for even a single moment. His intense impression had been shaking her heart all this time.
What was the identity of this peculiar heart trembling?
She had been eagerly waiting for him to appear here, wanting to know. That's why she was worrying about the possibility that he might not appear here.
"Huh!? Young Miss, isn't that person the one from that time? The name was..."
Suddenly, Hwa Seon-hyang pointed with her finger toward the Inner Court in the far distance and shouted.
Since Hwa Ye-ji was looking for Jong Ji-hang, she paid no attention to Hwa Seon-hyang's shout and only focused on the area near the reception offices. The Inner Court was a place where only guests of the Nine Great Sects or Four Great Families, or high-ranking officials of the Murim Alliance came and went anyway, so there was no way a nameless wanderer like Jong Ji-hang would come from that direction....
"Jong... Jong... what was it?"
Hm? Jong...?
"Jong Ji-hang!?"
"Ah! Right! Jong Ji-hang! That was the name... Huh. Huh? Young Miss?"
At Hwa Seon-hyang's words, Hwa Ye-ji urgently looked toward the Inner Court.
However, Hwa Seon-hyang's head was blocking her view, making it difficult to see properly.
Thud!
Hwa Ye-ji hastily stepped over Hwa Seon-hyang's head and flew over to the building on the opposite side.
That side had the Jibin Pavilion building for male guests, but she didn't care. Hwa Ye-ji, who usually acted as she pleased even in Mount Hua Sect, had nothing to fear within the sect as the Sect leader's daughter, and that tendency remained the same even when she came to the outside world.
Something like climbing onto the roof of men's quarters.
It was no problem at all for her.
Whoosh—
A splendid gait of Willow Leaf Drift unfolded.
Though Hwa Ye-ji was willful, reckless, and arrogant, her martial arts skills were outstanding enough to be counted as one of the Five Phoenixes.
However!
Whoosh!
Someone suddenly flew up toward her. And there were two people!
One person landed on the roof of Jibin Pavilion where the men stayed ahead of her, and the other person was leaping upward at a timing that matched precisely the moment she was flying up.
"...!"
It was a man with very long bangs. His long bangs were fluttering wildly left and right in the wind as he leaped upward. Through them, his eyes and Hwa Ye-ji's eyes met directly face to face.
Her eyes downward, his eyes upward.
His terribly indifferent yet unwavering eyes grew larger and larger toward her.
"Ah!"
Hwa Ye-ji had already completely deployed Willow Leaf Drift's gait, so she couldn't twist her body in another direction or fly back to the women's Jibin Pavilion where Hwa Seon-hyang was. Such a thing would be impossible even for her father, the Mount Hua Sect leader.
At this rate, she would collide directly with that man, whoever he was!
However, at that very moment.
That man with emotionless eyes very appropriately extended his hand and naturally embraced her. The technique was so mystical that it mixed into her movement without any resistance—no, it melted into it. Normally, his leaping force and the momentum of Willow Leaf Drift should have collided and caused a great incident....
He embraced her body flowing like a willow leaf without any hesitation, and continued his own gait without going against that flow at all.
That rippling gait felt like Willow Leaf Drift... was it just Hwa Ye-ji's imagination?
Whoosh—! Thud.
"Whew—. You really are astonishing. To collide with Willow Leaf Drift's gait, you displayed improvisation in that single moment and imitated that momentum as it was. Heh heh. To think you were doing something like mercenary work with that talent. What a pity, such a pity."
The middle-aged man who had climbed onto the roof first spoke to the man holding Hwa Ye-ji. Surprisingly, the middle-aged man recognized at a glance that the gait she had deployed was Willow Leaf Drift.
What was even more surprising was,
'He really imitated Willow Leaf Drift?'
She couldn't be certain, but since it was words from a master skilled enough to read Willow Leaf Drift after seeing it once, she couldn't not believe it either.
Even in the midst of her surprise, Hwa Ye-ji looked up at the man holding her with curious eyes. His face was already covered again with his hair, so she couldn't see those indifferent eyes like before.
He certainly had quite a handsome face and peculiar eyes.
She looked up like that for quite a while without realizing she was doing so. Just like when she had encountered Jong Ji-hang a while ago.
"Heh-heh. That young lady seems to quite like you. She can't let go of your hands at all."
"...Oh my!"
Only after hearing the middle-aged man's words did Hwa Ye-ji realize she was being held in the arms of a complete stranger.
At that, she hastily let go of her arms.
Thud.
"Oww!"
Whether the man had already let go of the hand supporting her back, she fell directly onto the roof tiles in a defenseless state and landed on her bottom.
The man glanced at her once, then walked straight toward the middle-aged man.
"Hey, you bastard. Should you treat such a beauty that roughly?"
"She was the one who let go of her arms."
"Tsk-tsk-tsk. A typical bad guy. A fellow who'll never properly hold a girl's hand in his lifetime. Hey there, Young Miss."
"...Y-yes?"
Hwa Ye-ji responded reflexively without realizing it. Perhaps because it was such an absurd situation, it was a reply that just popped out while she was dazed. She didn't even know why. Perhaps it was because at Mount Hua Sect, no one ever spoke to her in such an impudent or rude manner.
"I'll apologize on his behalf. This fellow lived in the rough and smelly North, so he knows nothing of manners. Please understand, beautiful young lady."
"...Ah, yes. Yes..."
She just answered roughly, then looked at the man.
But he had already withdrawn his gaze from her and was looking down far below at Central Great Road.
Without realizing it, she moved her gaze in the same direction he was looking. And only then did she remember why she had tried to come over here.
'Jong Ji-hang!'
The man was looking at Jong Ji-hang.
Indeed, having crossed over from the women's quarters roof to this side, to the men's Jibin Pavilion, Jong Ji-hang's overwhelming presence was clearly visible.
And.
'Or is he looking at that woman?'
Next to Jong Ji-hang, a woman so beautiful it was difficult to describe in words was walking together with him.
Since the man's eyes were hidden by his hair and couldn't be seen, there was no way for her to know whether he was looking at Jong Ji-hang, or looking at that woman, or looking at both.
'But is that even human? A fairy?'
The woman walking beside Jong Ji-hang was beautiful. No, the word beautiful couldn't possibly express it.
Dark eyebrows that seemed to resemble a clear night sky, a nose bridge as smooth as if polished by an eternal craftsman, lips with a color like cherries dissolved appropriately in water, a chin that was appropriately round yet not round with clear contours, long hair with a glistening sheen and skin tone with a rosy glow, a long neck and slender figure....
She was a beautiful and perfect woman to a degree unthinkable as a being of this world.
Hwa Ye-ji's face suddenly flushed hot.
The very fact that someone like herself had been called Shaanxi's First Beauty felt shabby. Even the fact that she had taken pride in it felt so embarrassing.
That figure walking gracefully in white-blue silk.
Wasn't she truly a fairy?
A scratch formed in Hwa Ye-ji's chest. Just from seeing her once....
"Hee-hya—. Coming out to the Central Plains, the quality level is definitely different, right? Hey, you bastard. Do you know who that young lady is?"
At the middle-aged man's question, the man looked that way for a moment, then slowly opened his mouth.
"I know. Very well."
The man said while raising one hand to slightly brush aside his bangs.
He, Dong Bong-soo, knew about that woman—no, that fellow wearing a woman's guise—better than anyone here.
"Namgung Hye."
'Do Heo-ok.'
***
Fairy of the Martial World.
It's a term referring to a fairy of the Martial World. Though it seems simple, it's a word that contains many meanings.
Commonly in the Central Plains, the most beautiful person in a region is described in the style of such-and-such First Beauty.
What if the place of this such-and-such contains not a regional name but the word Martial World, meaning the entire Martial World? Moreover, if after that, the word Fairy is used instead of First Beauty?
The Martial World's greatest beauty and talent.
The most beautiful woman in the Martial World who is also excellent in talent. That was precisely the Fairy of the Martial World.
In some ways it was an extremely grand epithet, but there had been several female masters who had received this title throughout history. Then, as female martial artists' activities declined for nearly a hundred years, it was an epithet that had disappeared.
Then recently, a woman appeared who inherited this epithet.
Namgung Hye.
A woman who, on a certain day just before her wedding, lost her entire family and her too-beloved fiancé overnight when her family was exterminated by a surprise attack from Heavenly Demon Castle and the Eighteen Yangtze Waterway Strongholds. [PR/N: Would not be surprised author used the Red Wedding]
A woman who held all the world's misfortune in her body alone.
A natural matter.
An expected foresight, but at first, no one knew she was such a remarkable woman.
Perhaps.
She may have been a remarkable woman from the beginning. It's just that her family was so great and remarkable that her innate talents were obscured....
Before the Anhui Great Massacre, what was known about Namgung Hye was merely that she was Anhui's most beautiful woman, or the kind and virtuous second daughter of the Namgung Family Head.
That was all.
So, when she vowed revenge for her family and fiancé and sought to become an arm of the Murim Alliance.
Someone like you.
Even if you inherited Do Heo-ok's Internal Energy Arts, as a woman how could you use Thunder Clap Blade, a martial art of Extreme Yang?
What could you do with just a pretty face, and so on.
Everyone either tried to dissuade her recklessness or mocked her. No one anticipated her accomplishments.
However,
Namgung Hye shattered the world's natural expectations unnaturally.
-x-X-x-
With the full support of Hyeoncheon Jinin behind her, she became one of the military strategists of the Murim Alliance and accomplished various things.
Not only did she make tremendous contributions to finding Heavenly Demon Castle branches hidden throughout the Central Plains, but she also saved the Murim Alliance from crisis multiple times in battles against Heavenly Demon Castle with extraordinary tactics and excellent decisiveness.
Since Heavenly Demon Castle's momentum was so overwhelming like splitting bamboo at the beginning of the Black-White War, her participation and accomplishments came across even more significantly to the Murim Alliance.
When they were being extremely pushed back by Heavenly Demon Castle and even Gansu's Martial World had collapsed, there were even people who said that without her, the Orthodox Path might have been completely finished.
Beauty as lovely as a fairy.
Unpredictable stratagems.
Moreover, even Do Heo-ok's martial arts.
It was truly a rebirth as the Martial World's greatest talented woman.
Thus, Namgung Hye became the Fairy of the Martial World, the most notable among the Murim Alliance's various military strategists.
***
The Fairy of the Martial World, Namgung Hye, responded to people's cheers with a heavenly smile.
Meeting their expectations was both a necessary thing and an easy, highly effective 'packaging technique.'
People cheer for plausible shells. It was the same now. Bewitched by a slightly—perhaps quite considerably—pretty appearance, they were enthusiastic without seeing her essence. Thinking differently, it was proof that her performance was that excellent.
However, she had no way of knowing what the man walking slowly beside her was thinking, or whether he was being fooled well.
'Hu-hu. This variable is quite proper.'
One of the 'two variables' that entered the Murim Alliance yesterday seems to be genuine.
"May I ask Young Hero's honorable name?"
Namgung Hye asked.
"Jong Ji-hang. Probably..."
It was a name she was hearing for the first time. It wasn't anywhere in the Martial World registry inputted in her head.
Namgung Hye smiled brilliantly again.
Most of the young martial artists looking at her swayed as if about to collapse. The mental image of the Fairy of the Martial World, added to the beautiful shell called Namgung Hye, strongly tempted the young men.
The closer they approached, the greater her influence inevitably became. So as she and Jong Ji-hang advanced forward, the crowd split cleanly to both sides.
However, Jong Ji-hang walking beside her just followed quietly as if he had no interest at all in such subtle flows.
"If it wouldn't be rude..."
"Don't. If it would be rude."
"..."
Impudent.
So Namgung Hye smiled slightly again.
The young fellows flipped over again without knowing why she was smiling.
Stupid.
An impudent fellow and stupid guys.
She found the former far more interesting. Moreover, since the former was overwhelmingly stronger, was there any more need to mention it?
Just by walking beside her, the energy of the man named Jong Ji-hang squeezed her heart suffocatingly. He seemed far stronger than all the scarecrows around here combined who were dying foolishly to the mask called Namgung Hye without knowing anything.
Perhaps....
'Isn't he about as much as that heavy fellow standing in line over there?'
Namgung Hye's gaze turned to the man who had been at the very front of that long line and was now just entering the hall being used as a temporary reception office for applications to the Heavenly Youth Martial Arts Tournament.
A man in black light armor with a distinctive scar cutting across his left cheek.
She didn't know what his name was in the Central Plains, but his original name, or should it be called his epithet? She knew that very well.
'Gwang-un.'
***
Seong Hui.
Gwang-un let the noisy sounds coming from outside flow through one ear as he wrote the two characters on the application form.
After becoming one of Mubon's Eighteen Clouds, he thought he had forgotten everything... but apparently he hadn't forgotten it all yet.
Gansu Seong Family Manor.
In the empty space below the name, he wrote three more familiar characters.
The warrior in charge of reception who received his application form opened the registry of affiliated sects placed in the corner of the table. After searching through the registry several times, he tilted his head and said,
"Gansu Seong Family Manor? Is this definitely a sect affiliated with the Murim Alliance?"
Gwang-un's left cheek twitched. Along with it, his hideous scar, long and torn, writhed. That appearance was quite threatening.
A sharp aura from somewhere unknown. The warrior swallowed once and searched through the affiliated sect list once more.
After searching for quite a while, he finally found the characters Gansu Seong Family Manor.
However, he tilted his head again this time as if something was strange and said,
"Ah! Here it is. But there's a red line drawn here...?"
A red line signifies death. If a red line is drawn through a sect name, it means the sect's death, that is, extermination. That's why when searching initially, he hadn't looked at characters with red lines drawn through them.
That's why the warrior tilted his head. It was the first time a descendant of an exterminated sect had applied for participation.
"Is that a problem?"
Gwang-un said. It was a terribly unpleasant voice like scraping a wall with sand, but strangely, it was a heavy voice.
The warrior glanced up at Gwang-un once and said carefully,
"No, no. The seal of Gansu Seong Family Manor is stamped here and the sect's ultimate technique is... hmm? This is erased so it's hard to make out?"
As the warrior said, the name of the ultimate technique that would prove belonging to Gansu Seong Family Manor was almost erased, making it difficult to read.
However, whether Gwang-un recognized it, he said in a rough voice,
"Seong Family Eight Forms."
After hearing Gwang-un's words and looking again, it seemed roughly, no, definitely to be those characters. At that, the warrior nodded and said,
"Ah, that's right. Then now stamp here and the Seong Family Eight Forms, no, the Seong Family Eight Forms is fine. I wouldn't recognize it even if I saw it anyway, so there's no need to demonstrate. The mere fact that you recognized these characters as Seong Family Eight Forms must mean you're a descendant of Gansu Seong Family Manor, right? Ha-ha-ha."
Knowing the Seong Family Eight Forms. That alone makes one a descendant of the Seong Family Manor....
It was an extremely humiliating statement, but the warrior wasn't even aware of what mistake he was committing.
A terrible killing intent stretched out momentarily from Gwang-un's body and then disappeared. But no one here detected that energy. No, they couldn't. There was no master capable of that.
Gwang-un silently took out an old seal from his bosom, stamped it at the bottom of the application form, and received the application confirmation slip for the Heavenly Youth Martial Arts Tournament from the warrior.
Whoosh, Gwang-un turned his body just like that and left the place.
After he left, the warrior grumbled in a low voice,
"That bastard from a collapsed sect ruins the atmosphere disgustingly. Unlucky."
The warrior roughly folded Gwang-un's application form and carelessly placed it on top of the pile where application forms were stacked up.
Then he said in an irritated voice,
"Next."
***
Yeon Yeong-ha was standing behind the crowded people with her mouth open like a child, smiling innocently as if delighted. Her eyes were also sparkling like a child watching a festival. It wasn't just because of the intense killing intent she had felt a moment ago. The mere fact of standing here, in this dirty and polluted place, was very pleasant.
"Old Uncle. There are so many interesting humans here. As expected, the Central Plains! Madmen who are hard to find, even in Yunnan, are scattered all over the ground here."
Madness rampaging everywhere and desires boiling up like an active volcano, greed being discharged outside the body without filtering because it couldn't be contained. An intensely intense liquor mixed with all these filthy emotions.
Good, good! Very good!
[Kill them. Kill them all.]
The Heavenly Killing Energy was also going mad at the unpurified emotions of the lunatics just like her.
"Ah~ This scent is really good. So..."
"..."
"I want to kill them all. Really. Hut."
A playful remark. But the tall old man standing like a shadow behind her knew better than anyone that it wasn't playful.
Past experience. Like daily life in Yunnan.
"There are too many people today. How about coming back tomorrow?"
The old man's voice was as low and shadowy as his gloomy face. Cold sweat was beading on his forehead and his clenched fist was filled with tension.
"Eh That's not it, Old Uncle. Didn't I just say? Madmen are scattered all over the ground. Even if we can't apply now, let's just stay here a bit longer and smell this scent more. Mm How fragrant the air here is, right?"
"..."
"And you know. That guy must be somewhere too. Maybe he's watching me right now. That..."
A colorless, tasteless, odorless human. But... also a dangerous human.
Ghost Among Ghosts, Dong Guang-chuan.
Thinking of him, Yeon Yeong-ha's eyes were turning pitch black again.
"Young Lady. You must go back quickly."
Seeing that, Old Uncle hastily bowed and spoke to her. His fingertips were trembling. He was worried about the incident that might possibly occur.
From Old Uncle's reaction, Yeon Yeong-ha could clearly tell how her eyes had changed now.
She smiled with a tsk and lightly tapped Old Uncle's side with a tap, then passed by him and walked toward Muhwa Gate.
"Ah, I know. I know. Not yet. It would be too boring if I burst already. Go, go. Go back. But bring proper prey. Last night's things were too tasteless. Bring something tasty. Otherwise... this time I might eat you. Old Uncle."
"...Yes. I understand."
Of course, her words this time weren't a joke either, and Old Uncle knew that fact all too well.
Thud, thud.
"Rul-lu-lu~"
She lightly stepped in rhythm, one-two, one-two, cheerfully as she left Muhwa Gate. Like a child who had obtained a new toy.
-x-X-x-
There was one pair of eyes watching her.
When everyone was focused on Namgung Hye and Jong Ji-hang, only those unwavering eyes were watching her.
More precisely, they were watching everyone.
His eyes passed over Namgung Hye and Jong Ji-hang, Gwang-un, and Yeon Yeong-ha to encompass the entire Central Great Road.
People's appearances and clothing entered his eyes as if taking photographs. As if being sucked in, all those images were embedded in his mind and turned into data.
"What are you looking at so intently?"
"People."
Prey, quarry, and.
Those who make one excited to the point of trembling....
"Why? Does seeing those fellows make you interested in that Heavenly Youth Martial Arts Tournament thing or whatever it is?"
Madmen.
Dong Bong-soo was always interested in those things, and would forever be so.
Why?
Because without them, there was no meaning to living. Because a hunter was born to hunt.
"That's right."
"I'm not looking down on you, but with only External Energy Arts that are barely usable, you won't be a match for those fellows over there. Is that still okay with you?"
Dong Bong-soo turned his gaze to look at Soldier Eccentric.
Behind him, Hwa Ye-ji and Hwa Seon-hyang, who had somehow crossed over, were also visible. They were also paying attention, seemingly interested in Dong Bong-soo's answer.
As expected, humans were strange.
They paid attention even when he was simply standing still. In fact, his current appearance was not particularly well camouflaged. Perhaps it was closer to his original self, minus instinct.
Being unusual even while doing nothing.
For the first time, it did not feel unpleasant or bothersome.
That didn't mean he had completely taken off his mask. The moment he removed his mask, they would realize he was perfectly different from them.
"It isn't barely usable."
"Then isn't that even more of a problem? If it's not even to the level of barely usable, how could you exert any strength in a martial arts tournament that flying, crawling, and swimming fellows from under heaven participate in?"
Dong Bong-soo turned his head toward Central Great Road once more and said indifferently,
"If it were barely usable, I wouldn't have made it this far."
At his words, the expressions of Soldier Eccentric, Hwa Ye-ji, and Hwa Seon-hyang all changed strangely. Though it meant he was unusual and strong, his tone was too plain.
The content was showing off, but a bland tone that absolutely didn't sound like it.
It was ambiguous. And somehow incomprehensible.
Soldier Eccentric felt this especially.
Within his knowledge, one could never become an outstanding master with only External Energy Arts. However, for some unknown reason, he felt belief and interest.
This... fellow.
But come to think of it, he still didn't know his name.
"Hey, you."
Dong Bong-soo turned his head to look at Soldier Eccentric. His eyes still weren't visible because of his bangs.
"What's your name?"
"Dong..."
Bong-soo.
"Guang-chuan."
Then he turned his gaze back to Central Great Road.
Looking at his back, all three repeated the name Dong Guang-chuan.
Dong Bong-soo—his real name was still unknown to anyone.
He hadn't found his name yet. There was no need to find it, nor was there any such reason.
Among the seasons, the most cruel and most beautiful spring had come. And the madmen hiding in the darkness gathered here, in Zhengzhou, while seeping into the clouds and shadows.
***
"Are you going to apply now?"
Soldier Eccentric asked after glancing once at Dong Bong-soo. Application naturally meant the application reception for the Heavenly Youth Martial Arts Tournament.
Dong Bong-soo looked over Central Great Road once more. It was still a chaotic situation with spectators and applicants mixed together. However, only the area near the path where Jong Ji-hang and Namgung Hye were passing was somewhat spacious.
"When is the deadline?"
He was asking because it seemed today wasn't the only day applications were possible. If so, there was no reason whatsoever to apply for the tournament today.
"Don't know. How would I know that? Maybe those young ladies would know?"
Soldier Eccentric indicated Hwa Ye-ji and Hwa Seon-hyang behind them with a chin gesture. At his words, Dong Bong-soo turned his head to look at Hwa Ye-ji and Hwa Seon-hyang.
His hair flew slightly and his indifferent eyes were revealed slightly.
Tensed.
Their bodies trembled faintly. From that, one could tell they were already quite deeply immersed in Dong Bong-soo's role-playing.
"..."
"Ten days. Ten days for application reception, the tournament starts in a fortnight."
Ten days of leeway. As expected, there seemed to be no need to apply today.
Also, the tournament would start in a fortnight, on the Awakening of Insects. [PR/N: Awakening of Insects is the third of the 24 solar terms in the traditional Chinese lunar calendar. In 2026, it begins on March 5 and ends on March 20.]
Dong Bong-soo stored the two pieces of information Hwa Seon-hyang gave him deep in his mind and made a courtesy.
"Thank you. In any case."
"Hehe—. For what."
Hwa Seon-hyang, who answered while rubbing slightly below her nose as if embarrassed, was quite cute. Of course, this was a guess that it would be so when seen from ordinary people's eyes, not Dong Bong-soo's eyes.
Hwa Seon-hyang was examining Dong Bong-soo closely while making her crescent moon-shaped eyes sparkle. She was undoubtedly interested. The beginning of that interest was the moment when Dong Bong-soo and Hwa Ye-ji had collided in mid-air just before—his movement and response.
Dong Bong-soo already instinctively knew what people of this world, especially martial artists, were interested in and how to make them happy.
He hadn't investigated what women here particularly liked or what kind of men they felt favorable toward either. However, judging from the current reaction, they didn't seem greatly different from women of that world.
Capable men with prospects.
Explained simply, it was this.
How simple and clear. It was a universal truth. At least, it was a universal law that Dong Bong-soo felt in both worlds.
Humans were complex animals, yet on the other hand, they also had a tendency to greatly simplify themselves. That's why it became easy for humans like Dong Bong-soo to deceive them.
The two 'female humans' placed before him now were likewise simplifying themselves greatly. That's why they were so easily bewitched by the simple illusion Dong Bong-soo was planting.
Ability in that world was money and power.
That of this world was strength and martial arts.
Things like background would be important in any world, but Dong Bong-soo was covering that with mysteriousness. Knowing his weaknesses well, he packaged and concealed them so they wouldn't be revealed more, and added caution to his acting.
The slight strength and martial arts he had shown, and talent equivalent to prospects, and lastly, the accessory called Soldier Eccentric beside him added mysteriousness to that.
Though these women's interest was still merely curiosity or interest rather than favorable feelings or admiration, who knew how it might develop in the future. If necessary, he could heighten emotions further from here.
Naturally, there was no need to go further yet.
He had to do it when necessary, in the right place at the right time.
And.
It wasn't time yet.
"Ah, this bastard. Really a fellow who'll never hold a woman's hand in his lifetime. If you're grateful, just be grateful. Why add 'in any case' again? Add it? Tsk-tsk."
Soldier Eccentric clicked his tongue and pointed out Dong Bong-soo's blunt manner of speech and interjection.
Dong Bong-soo glanced once at Soldier Eccentric and immediately turned his head again.
He couldn't tell if he'd never held hands, but this was a man who had never properly dated.
He did not understand women. Not at all.
He completely failed to read that thanks to that rough manner of speech and interjection just now, the degree of interest in himself flowing in their eyes had deepened. He didn't even know the basic thing that depending on the surrounding atmosphere and environment, a bad guy becomes a cool guy.
Perhaps Soldier Eccentric might never have properly held a woman's wrist in his lifetime. Or perhaps he might be a lifelong solo in that world's terms.
Not that Dong Bong-soo cared.
Thud!
Dong Bong-soo suddenly leaped toward the quiet path on the Inner Court side, leaving behind Soldier Eccentric's tongue-clicking sound.
"That, that bastard! While an elder is speaking!"
Soldier Eccentric shouted, but Dong Bong-soo had already reached the ground. Not only Soldier Eccentric but also Hwa Ye-ji and Hwa Seon-hyang were dumbfounded by his unexpected action.
His actions had absolutely no sense of propriety.
Though not a bubbly woman, he was a person whose actions were unpredictable—that was the Dong Bong-soo they saw.
"Heh heh heh. As expected, a funny fellow."
Soldier Eccentric rather chuckled lowly at Dong Bong-soo's such action and took one step forward to stand at the edge of the roof.
"Then, Young Misses. We'll meet again next time."
"Excuse me! Wait a moment! Elder!"
At Hwa Ye-ji's call, Soldier Eccentric stopped trying to jump down and turned to look at her.
"What is it? Young lady? Could it be that you're interested in me?"
Would an aged rogue throw such low-grade jokes?
Though it was a remark Soldier Eccentric threw as a joke, no one laughed at that joke or showed interest. Both its timing and content were a complete mess.
It was the reason why despite having both strength and martial arts, he had never held a woman's wrist once in his entire life. At this rate, he would be like that for life.
"I should at least know your honorable name so I won't make a mistake when we meet next time."
"Honorable name? Well, it's not really worthy of being called honorable... then for now, let's say Bukgung Gi. Then, farewell."
Thud!
Soldier Eccentric finished speaking and jumped down chasing after Dong Bong-soo. With the absurd expectation that they might perhaps call him again.
However, they merely repeated his name lowly.
"Bukgung Gi?"
"Bukgung Gi?"
It wasn't a name that came to mind immediately. But it was a name they had heard somewhere. Though they couldn't remember well because it was very old, it was definitely three characters they had heard.
"Ah! Bukgung Gi!"
Hwa Seon-hyang, having remembered first, let out a short exclamation.
"Did you remember?"
"Yes, Young Miss. That person, you know. That person's name was Bukgung Gi."
"That person?"
"Ah, that person, that person's epithet was..."
Having remembered the name but being at a loss how to explain, Hwa Seon-hyang mumbled her words, then soon widened her eyes again and said,
"Sparring Hammer Eccentric!"
"Sparring Hammer Eccentric!? Ah!"
Only then did Hwa Ye-ji remember too.
Sparring Hammer Eccentric.
Though it was uncertain if it was the same name, about ten years ago, the name of the eccentric person who traveled the Central Plains doing sparring journeys was Bukgung Gi.
A name that suddenly appeared in the Martial World and caused a great disturbance, then suddenly disappeared one day.
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Sparring Hammer Eccentric truly appeared in the Martial World as if dropped from the sky.
Holding one peculiarly shaped hammer of two meters, he went around to various sects requesting sparring matches. At first, all martial artists laughed, saying some madman had emerged into the Martial World.
However,
It didn't take long to realize that this madman wasn't just an ordinary lunatic.
Consecutive victories in consecutive battles.
Consecutive defeats in consecutive battles.
Sparring Hammer Eccentric won every time he fought.
The masters of the sects he faced kept losing.
The masters of the sects he challenged continued to lose. Although these were sparring matches rather than fights to the death, each sect suffered severe humiliation. To be defeated without being able to display any real strength by a newcomer who had just appeared was no different from having the sect's reputation trampled into the ground.
Yet they couldn't criticize him either.
Because criticizing an opponent for losing in an official sparring match was a shabby action. Moreover, his martial arts didn't contain any deceit. His energy was said to be so upright that everyone felt their minds snap awake from his hammering, with such righteous energy contained within.
What was strange was that even the smallest Orthodox Faction martial arts were known, but the hammer technique he learned and used was too unfamiliar. As if it had dropped from the sky.
Additionally, Orthodox Faction people didn't use hammers as weapons. No, no martial artist used hammers as weapons. There was no Orthodox, Hall of Gathering Evil, or Demonic distinction in such conventional wisdom. No one wanted to use such an unsophisticated and inefficient weapon.
Its destructive power was far inferior to iron clubs and it was very difficult to wield freely. Nevertheless, Bukgung Gi skillfully swung his hammer and knocked out sect leaders of small and medium sects one by one.
Gansu, Jiangxi, Jiangsu....
Bukgung Gi traversed east, west, south, and north without discrimination, defeating masters.
When that peculiar sparring warrior defeated his hundredth small or medium sect, the great sects and Five Great Families of the Central Plains began to grow tense.
If they were to lose to that fellow when he came to find them, there would be no greater humiliation.
Trembling with anxiety, unable to sit comfortably.
Then one day, as the great sects' worries deepened.
Sparring Hammer Eccentric Bukgung Gi suddenly vanished without a trace.
There were no signs. Just as when he appeared, he disappeared from the Martial World without any trace.
According to one theory, one of the Twenty Great Masters under Heaven sought him out and defeated him.
According to another rumor, a martial organization from a great sect collectively attacked and killed him....
Various rumors circulated at the time, but in the end, nothing was revealed.
Thus he was forgotten.
Now, ten years later, he suddenly appeared at the Murim Alliance. Not only was the surname Bukgung not very common, but among them, if there was a master with such movements....
Most likely, that Bukgung Gi was that Bukgung Gi.
"Then that... the person named Dong Guang-chuan earlier, could he be that person's disciple?"
Hwa Seon-hyang said.
At that, Hwa Ye-ji immediately shook her head.
"No, he wouldn't be. Bukgung Gi said..."
'To think he was doing something like mercenary work with that talent. What a pity, such a pity.'
'This fellow lived in the rough and smelly North, so he knows nothing of manners. Please understand, beautiful young lady.'
"He said that."
"Mercenary? A wanderer hired and used by the military for money when needed? That's right, isn't it?"
"Yes, that must be it. It seems the person named Dong Guang-chuan is someone who lived as a wanderer in the North."
At Hwa Ye-ji's words, this time Hwa Seon-hyang shook her head and puffed out her cheeks before deflating them and said,
"Huh? But does that make sense? I clearly saw it earlier too. That Willow Leaf Drift was really really natural. Maybe it might have been even better than mine. But there's no way a mere wanderer could do that."
At Hwa Seon-hyang's words, Hwa Ye-ji recalled that situation again.
Right, that was it. What that fellow deployed then was clearly,
"Willow Leaf Drift... definitely Willow Leaf Drift. Even though he would have seen it only once... it was orthodox Willow Leaf Drift."
"Oh come on, can that even be called seeing it once? He just flew up and briefly crossed paths with Young Miss?"
Right, something hard to even call seeing it once—just improvisation.
That's why it made even less sense.
"Right. It doesn't make sense. It doesn't. And only with External Energy Arts too."
"What? Only with External Energy Arts? What do you mean, Young Miss?"
"Sparring Hammer Eccentric..."
'I'm not looking down on you, but with only External Energy Arts that are barely usable, you won't be a match for those fellows over there.'
"He said that."
"How could... I can't believe it."
Hard to believe. There were no other words to represent their feelings.
However, what Dong Guang-chuan deployed was definitely Willow Leaf Drift's gait.
They had never seen, heard, or imagined executing a gait to that degree without Internal Energy Arts. Especially with just a brief glimpse of stealing a look.
That's why it was even more nonsensical.
"He probably learned properly from Uncle Bukgung... no wait, let's call him Great Hero. He must have learned properly from Great Hero Bukgung. Otherwise such a thing wouldn't be possible."
"I wonder. Can that be called learning?"
"Well, that's true though. Hehe—. There's no one like that even in Mount Hua Sect."
Though Hwa Seon-hyang giggled lightly as if pleased, the content was anything but simple. Even in the great Mount Hua Sect, there wasn't a single person who could do that.
Dong Guang-chuan was someone who accomplished it.
An unidentified mercenary from the North.
Interest arose.
As much as that person over there.
Jong Ji-hang entered Hwa Ye-ji's eyes once more.
Though she knew nothing about that person except his name, the mere fact that he came out from the Inner Court with a famous and important figure like Namgung Hye was enough to guess several things. That he was an important guest of the Murim Alliance. Perhaps he might be a guest of Hyeoncheon Jinin, the Murim Alliance Leader.
It meant he wasn't a nameless wanderer as she had initially thought.
Jong Ji-hang and Dong Guang-chuan.
Two unknown figures were planting great ripples and fantasies in the heart of her who was just emerging into the Martial World.
"Young Miss. We came down at a good time, right?"
"That's right. We came down at a good time."
"While I'm at it, maybe I should catch a man and return to Mount Hua. Hehe—."
Where Hwa Seon-hyang was looking with pursed lips, there were Dong Bong-soo and Soldier Eccentric.
On the other hand, Hwa Ye-ji was alternately looking at Jong Ji-hang and Dong Bong-soo. Not even knowing whether it was possible to weigh them or not.
***
Thud, thud.
Before Soldier Eccentric came down, Dong Bong-soo was already crossing Central Great Road and walking toward the opposite side where Jibin Pavilion was. Soldier Eccentric flew down behind such a Dong Bong-soo.
Several Martial World Protection Corps members who were spread throughout the Murim Alliance watching for suspicious people looked at him strangely as he fell from the roof. However, they didn't particularly approach or show any special movement. Because they saw the identification plaques on Dong Bong-soo and Soldier Eccentric's chests.
Among the many people who entered this place, figures wearing Murim Alliance plaques could be counted on one hand, and they were all guests specially invited by the Murim Alliance.
Dong Bong-soo habitually scanned the surroundings and checked all the Martial World Protection Corps' positions.
Such small things were important to him. In fact, they were important to all who lived in jungles like the Martial World, but not many people actually did it. Because one couldn't know whether it was important or not until an incident occurred.
Then Soldier Eccentric came up beside Dong Bong-soo and said,
"How do you know where I'm going and go ahead alone like that?"
"Isn't it that building over there?"
Dong Bong-soo resumed his momentarily paused steps and indicated with a head gesture the building at the far corner in the back opposite.
A structure attached to the most secluded spot of the tall wall that bordered the Inner Court and Outer Court.
So small it was embarrassing to even call it a building. If Dong Bong-soo hadn't mentioned it, it was small enough to be considered a subsidiary building of the protruding hall beside it.
Halt.
Soldier Eccentric momentarily stopped.
But soon he attached himself beside Dong Bong-soo again and said,
"...You're really a ghost-like fellow. How did you know?"
"I saw you looking at it closely."
"I looked there? Closely at that? When, where?"
"Just before, on the roof."
"..."
Soldier Eccentric was dumbfounded.
He definitely would have glanced at it.
Since he had climbed onto the roof to go there anyway, he would have to check the location, wouldn't he? But he absolutely didn't look at it that carefully. He just glanced once, and rather, what he examined closely wasn't that building but this fellow walking beside him.
Yet the fellow saw that and guessed, no, was certain of the next destination and moved.
'...Is this guy really human?'
Now it was frightening.
A fellow who was somehow mystical and gave goosebumps.
That was the Dong Bong-soo that Soldier Eccentric saw. Exactly the ideal human image he had been seeking and pursuing. Too... too much so.
Whether Soldier Eccentric thought that or not, Dong Bong-soo just kept moving his steps forward.
Soldier Eccentric shook his head vigorously, then looked at Dong Bong-soo's back before following again and said,
"You, tell me honestly. Who's your master?"
Dong Bong-soo continued walking and asked back,
"Why do you ask that?"
"No, isn't that right? No matter how I think about it, a fellow like you couldn't have just dropped from the sky. Of course, you don't seem to have properly learned martial arts, but in every other way, it's unreasonable to see you as just a mercenary. You must have definitely learned from some renowned master. The sword made of Divine Metal must also have been inherited from that person."
Halt.
Dong Bong-soo stopped walking.
Dropped from the sky. In some ways, it was correct. He had been playing a game, logged out, and then was in this body.
Not having properly learned martial arts was also correct. Though he had reached the level of reading various secret manuals and mimicking movements, he had never formally learned them.
It was also true that he had shown too much to be dismissed as a mere mercenary. Much of what he displayed to Soldier Eccentric and Eul Ji-tae had been deliberate performance—though it was not far from his true self.
Lastly, Divine Metal—that was the lump of metal from melting the [Novice's Sword].
Something like a gift the New Murim Online system gave him.
'If you put it that way, my master would be the system.'
What should the system be called in this world's terms?
Literally translated it would be system or institution, but he didn't really think that meaning fit.
Then Dong Bong-soo turned his head and looked around.
The noisily chattering spectators and Chinese-style halls, the high sky, and the madmen.
They were all accessories belonging to this place called New Murim Online.
Right, the system was this world.
Dong Bong-soo turned his head back to the front and moved forward while saying,
"The world. My master is the world. Unless something special happens, my master will probably remain so forever."