《Path of The Limitless [LitRPG, Xianxia to Fantasy]》
Chapter 1: The End of Blood Age
The stench of blood and rot was suffocating¡ªthick and cloying, a miasma that clung to the boy¡¯s lungs.
Yun Jin crouched low, his small body trembling as he pressed himself deeper into the pile of corpses. His arms wrapped tightly around his knees, his breath muffled by his sleeve.
All around him, chaos raged. Shouts, screams, and the sickening clang of steel on steel filled the air.
The once-green fields of Yunhe Valley had become a sea of red, the ground slick with blood and strewn with the fallen. Soldiers, villagers, and twisted forms of demonic cultists lay where they had collapsed, their faces frozen in terror and agony.
This valley had been intended to herald a new future.
Yun Jin and his parents had been traveling to a secret assembly¡ªthe founding of a new Warrior Federation that would unite the martial world and end the chaos of the Blood Age.
But they had been ambushed by the entire demonic cult.
¡°It¡¯s the demonic cult! Alert the Sword Saint!¡±
That desperate cry had rung out moments before the battle began, but even its memory was now drowned beneath the ceaseless clash of steel and the anguished wails of the dying.
¡°Hide here, and don¡¯t make a sound,¡± his mother had whispered, pressing him into the pile of bodies.
¡°Mother, please!¡±
Yun Jin stared up at her, his wide eyes brimming with tears.
¡°I love you, Yun Jin.¡± She kissed his forehead.
Then she was gone, vanishing into the fray alongside his father.
He hadn¡¯t fully understood¡ªonly that his parents had no chance. They weren¡¯t fighting to win; they were fighting for time¡ªeven one extra second for their son to survive.
Yun Jin peeked through the tangled limbs of the dead, his tear-filled gaze searching for them.
He saw flashes of steel, sprays of blood, and then¡ªfinally¡ªa burst of crimson light against the pale sky.
His father¡¯s sword met the blade of a towering figure cloaked in black.
The man¡¯s face was sharp and striking, unnervingly clean despite the carnage, but his eyes burned with malice. Wild hair framed his features like a storm cloud, and an oppressive aura radiated from him.
Cheonma, the Heavenly Demon.
Yun Jin¡¯s father fought with everything he had, each movement a testament to decades of Wudang training. But it wasn¡¯t enough. Against the Heavenly Demon¡ªone of the three absolute powers of the martial world¡ªit was like hurling pebbles into an ocean.
Cheonma¡¯s blade swung with the weight of a mountain. In a single, devastating strike, Yun Jin¡¯s father¡¯s sword shattered into glittering shards. Blood sprayed into the air as the blade continued its deadly arc, slicing him in half as though he were soft meat.
¡°Is this all the so-called Warrior Federation has to offer?¡± Cheonma said, his voice smooth and mocking.
Desperate to avenge her husband, Yun Jin¡¯s mother charged forward with a dagger clutched in trembling hands.
She didn¡¯t make it far.
¡°Foolishness.¡±
Without even sparing her a glance, Cheonma flicked his wrist. An invisible wave of qi ripped through the air, hurling her like a rag doll into the dirt. She landed with a sickening crack, her body crumpled unnaturally, limbs twisted by the devastating force.
Both of Yun Jin¡¯s parents had been warriors of renown¡ªhis father, an elder of the Wudang Sect; his mother, a descendant of a prestigious martial family.
Yet, before Cheonma, they were nothing.
Yun Jin bit down on his sleeve to stop himself from screaming. Every fiber of his being wanted to flee or leap out to help, though he knew both were futile.
The Heavenly Demon stood at the pinnacle of unorthodox martial power, his very name whispered in fear even among the demonic sects he ruled.
Together with the Demon King of the Evil Sect and the Sword Saint of the Righteous, he was one of the three absolutes of the martial world.
The Demon King was already dead¡ªslain by his hand.
And now, Cheonma sought to destroy the last bastion of hope: the Sword Saint.
¡°Cheonma!¡±
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The voice cut through the chaos like a blade slicing the sky.
Everything stilled. Even the demonic cultists paused.
A gust of wind swept across the valley, pushing aside smoke and ash. Through the haze, a lone figure emerged.
He wore white robes that shone faintly in the light.
At his side hung a simple-looking green sword, its edge gleaming like a sliver of stardust.
Baek Tianjun, the Sword Saint.
Cheonma¡¯s lips curled into a grin, teeth gleaming like fangs. ¡°Finally,¡± he said, spreading his arms wide in mock welcome. ¡°The so-called savior of the martial world graces us with his presence.¡±
Baek Tianjun¡¯s gaze swept over the battlefield. His eyes burned with fury, his fists clenched at his sides. He had arrived mere minutes too late, and the bodies of the innocent now lay strewn before him.
He was no hypocrite, no self-serving fraud cloaked in righteousness. He truly walked the path of virtue¡ªand the anger swelling within him now was staggering.
¡°Your reign of blood ends today!¡±
Cheonma laughed, a low, guttural sound. ¡°Bold words, Baek Tianjun.¡± Crimson light flared around his blade as he raised it. ¡°Come, then. Let us see whose sword holds the truth of this world.¡±
Baek Tianjun stepped forward, resting his hand on the hilt of the Heaven Ruling Blade, a weapon bestowed upon him by the Emperor himself.
Cheonma grinned, fingers tightening on the Divine Blood Sword. The blade pulsed with a sinister red glow, dark energy rippling through the air with every heartbeat.
They surged at each other, swords colliding in a dazzling flash of fury and light.
The battle raged on, relentless, for three consecutive days.
By the end of the third day, both warriors were pushed to their absolute limits. Their strikes slowed, their steps grew heavier, but neither backed down.
Everything around them lay in ruins¡ªgrass and trees ground to splinters, human bodies scattered like broken dolls, the once-proud mountains scarred by their unyielding conflict.
Baek Tianjun swung the Heaven Ruling Blade in a sweeping arc. It cut through Cheonma¡¯s defenses, grazing his shoulder. Blood sprayed into the air like crimson mist.
Cheonma retaliated, driving the Divine Blood Sword into Baek Tianjun¡¯s side. The blade tore through flesh, dark energy rippling outward with a sinister hum.
Both men stumbled back, their breathing ragged, yet the fire in their eyes never dimmed.
Baek Tianjun¡¯s blade shot forward like lightning, aiming for Cheonma¡¯s heart. The Heavenly Demon twisted his wrist to deflect it, countering with a slash that sent sparks flying.
Exhaustion took hold of Baek Tianjun¡¯s legs, and he fell forward onto his hands. For an instant, darkness crowded his vision.
Seeing his foe falter, Cheonma let out a ragged laugh, the sound tinged with bitter triumph. He wiped blood from his lips, his crimson aura sputtering but still present.
¡°You¡¯re old, Baek Tianjun, or should I say, Master,¡± Cheonma rasped. ¡°Ten years younger, and perhaps¡¡± He paused, his grin fading momentarily. ¡°Perhaps you could have killed me.¡±
Baek Tianjun tightened his grip on the Heaven Ruling Blade. Despite his body¡¯s screams of fatigue, his resolve never wavered. ¡°You talk too much.¡±
Cheonma smirked. ¡°Take solace in this, Master: Your greatest failure has become the pinnacle of the martial world. The world doesn¡¯t need your dreams¡ªit needs men like me.¡±
Baek Tianjun¡¯s voice was cold and firm. ¡°The world needs neither of us. My dream was to guide you to kindness, Cheonma. But you turned into a nightmare.¡±
Cheonma sneered. ¡°Your dream? A world where the weak smile while the strong stand idle? A world without evil or a demonic path? That¡¯s a fantasy! Power is the only law of this world¡ªyou taught me that better than anyone!¡±
¡°No,¡± Baek Tianjun said quietly. ¡°I failed to teach you what true strength is.¡±
¡°You¡ you became soft after all these years, Master. Now¡ get out of my sight!¡±
The Divine Blood Sword pulsed with malevolent energy as Cheonma raised it high, the crimson blade crackling with destructive qi. The very air seemed to scream, resonating with the finality of the killing blow about to land.
But before he could strike, a small shadow darted from behind.
Yun Jin, face smeared with dirt and blood, emerged from the corpses like a ghost.
He leapt forward, driving a dagger into Cheonma¡¯s back, straight into his dantian.
The blade pierced the core of the Heavenly Demon¡¯s power. Cheonma staggered, qi flaring wildly as a guttural roar tore from his throat. He whipped around, fury and disbelief twisting his features.
¡°You little insect!¡± Cheonma bellowed, hand crackling with crimson energy, ready to snuff the boy out.
Baek Tianjun¡¯s eyes widened. He had been waiting for this moment. Despite his battered body, he summoned a final burst of speed. The Heaven Ruling Blade exploded with light as it cleaved the air.
In a single, fluid motion, Baek Tianjun¡¯s sword severed Cheonma¡¯s head, cutting through flesh and bone as if guided by the heavens themselves. The Heavenly Demon¡¯s red aura flickered and died the moment his head hit the ground with a dull thud.
Yun Jin collapsed, his small hands trembling, the dagger slipping from his grasp.
For days, he had hidden among the dead, crawling through oceans of blood. Every step, every breath was torment. Yet he endured, driven by a singular purpose: to avenge his family.
Now it was over. His soul felt at peace. And with it, his body threatened to give out.
¡°No,¡± Baek Tianjun murmured, voice hoarse yet resolute. ¡°Not yet.¡±
He knelt down, placing a steady hand on Yun Jin¡¯s head.
The boy¡¯s skin was cold, his breathing faint. But his eyes flickered open as Baek Tianjun channeled qi into him, stabilizing his faltering life force.
Slowly, Baek Tianjun stood. Sheathing the Heaven Ruling Blade, he used it for support. With his free arm, he lifted Yun Jin, cradling the boy¡¯s frail body to his chest.
Then he walked.
Dawn¡¯s pale light broke through the smoke-filled sky, illuminating the ruined valley.
Cheonma was dead. His reign of terror had ended.
And with it, the Blood Age.
Chapter 2: Tale of The Limitless Blade
Years had passed since the Blood Age ended.
The newly founded Warrior Federation had united all sects, ushering in an era of relative peace and order.
Among the many warriors who rose to prominence in this new age, one name shone above all others:
Yun Jin, the Limitless Blade.
His name spread like wildfire across the martial world.
In every tournament held by the Federation, Yun Jin emerged victorious. From the flowing techniques of the Mount Hua Sect to the indomitable forms of Shaolin¡ªeven the profound arts of his former home, the Wudang Sect¡ªnone could match his strength.
It wasn¡¯t just his victories that stunned people, but the way he fought. Each match showcased something new¡ªhis techniques were ever-evolving and unpredictable, as though no limits existed to his potential.
Thus, he earned the title ¡°Limitless Blade.¡±
Yet, despite his achievements, Yun Jin was not satisfied.
In the Imperial City, deep within the training grounds of the Sword Pavilion¡ªa place only royalty could tread¡ªYun Jin faced his master: Baek Tianjun, the Sword Saint.
The older man now served as the Emperor¡¯s personal sword instructor, a fitting role for a living legend.
But to Yun Jin, Baek Tianjun was more than a courtly figure. He was the man who saved him, raised him, and molded him into the warrior he was today.
And he was the only opponent Yun Jin had never surpassed.
¡°Again,¡± Baek Tianjun commanded, his voice calm but sharp, like the edge of a sword.
Yun Jin tightened his grip on his blade, its polished steel reflecting the sunlight. He lunged, his figure a blur of motion.
But Baek Tianjun met every strike with uncanny ease. Each parry felt preordained, as if he could read Yun Jin¡¯s intent before the sword even moved.
¡°Nice try!¡± Baek Tianjun said, deflecting another flurry of blows without breaking a sweat. ¡°You¡¯ve modified the third form of the Light Blade Sovereign Style with Wudang¡¯s techniques, turning it from a whirlwind into a single-target strike. Very clever.¡±
He stepped back, lowering his sword slightly. A faint, amused smile curved his lips. ¡°But you don¡¯t really think I¡¯d lose to my own technique, do you?¡±
Yun Jin¡¯s knuckles whitened around the hilt. The frustration he¡¯d been holding in finally overflowed.
¡°Yeah? And where exactly am I supposed to find other techniques?¡± he snapped, voice tinged with bitterness. He lowered his blade. ¡°Maybe I should try to find the Blood God Arts.¡±
He lunged again, blade flashing like lightning, but Baek Tianjun moved with effortless grace. Each counter was precise and calm, a testament to the vast gulf between them.
With every failed strike, Yun Jin¡¯s frustration grew. His master wasn¡¯t just blocking his sword; he was crushing Yun Jin¡¯s aspirations with every flawless movement.
Was this what it meant to be a disciple¡ªforever chasing a shadow he couldn¡¯t catch?
Steel met steel in a ringing clash, the impact driving Yun Jin back. He skidded across the stone floor, breath ragged, while Baek Tianjun stood unshaken, as steady as a mountain.
No matter what Yun Jin did, the result was the same.
¡°Even then,¡± Baek Tianjun said lightly, ¡°you¡¯d still need to find the Blood Sword buried somewhere on that mountain to perfect those arts. By the time you managed it, I¡¯d probably be long dead.¡±
He let out a soft laugh¡ªhalf humor, half resignation.
Yun Jin scowled, frustration roiling just beneath the surface. ¡°You just had to kill everyone,¡± he muttered. ¡°Now who am I supposed to test my techniques on?¡±
The words hung in the air like a challenge.
Baek Tianjun studied the young man, pity and affection mingling in his gaze. He knew Yun Jin¡¯s talent was limitless¡ªyet in an age of peace, the young swordsman had nowhere to truly measure himself.
¡°Let¡¯s call it a day,¡± Baek Tianjun suggested, his voice turning casual.
¡°No.¡±
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Yun Jin exhaled slowly, raising his blade once more. He didn¡¯t shout or waver. Instead, he focused all of his qi, all of his will, into the edge of his sword.
Baek Tianjun¡¯s eyes widened slightly, a flicker of surprise breaking through his usual composure.
¡°You even learned that technique?¡± he murmured, allowing a small, impressed smile.
Time seemed to slow.
Then, with an impossibly smooth motion, Yun Jin struck.
The slash was so precise, so seamless, it looked almost motionless¡ªno wind, no resistance, just a faint shimmer of light as it swept forward with lethal intent.
It was the Sword Saint¡¯s ultimate technique, born of absolute focus and mastery:
Light Blade Sovereign Style: Fourteenth Form ¨C Vector to Heaven.
Even so, it wasn¡¯t enough.
Baek Tianjun deflected it with unsettling ease, his mastery so profound that Yun Jin¡¯s perfected strike looked clumsy. He closed the distance in a single step, his blade moving faster than Yun Jin¡¯s eye could follow, knocking Yun Jin¡¯s sword out of his grip.
The younger swordsman staggered back, pain radiating from his wrist as his weapon clattered across the floor.
Baek Tianjun lowered his sword with a small click of the hilt. Though his expression remained calm, pity flickered in his eyes.
He¡¯s mastered every technique I taught him, Baek Tianjun thought, gripping his own blade. But without an opponent who can truly challenge him, he¡¯ll remain incomplete. No matter how strong he becomes, there¡¯s an emptiness he can¡¯t fill.
¡°I¡¯ve seen enough for today,¡± Baek Tianjun said gently, his voice tinged with sorrow. ¡°Let¡¯s get something to eat before you collapse from exhaustion.¡±
Yun Jin retrieved his sword, pride still aching from the defeat. ¡°Fine,¡± he muttered, dusting off his sleeves.
They left the Sword Pavilion and made their way through the bustling Imperial City. The aroma of spiced broth and sizzling meats filled the air. Soon they found a modest street vendor, seated themselves at a small wooden table, and ordered steaming bowls of noodles.
Between bites, Baek Tianjun broke the silence. ¡°What¡¯s your dream, Jin?¡±
Yun Jin paused, brow furrowing. ¡°To surpass you,¡± he said simply.
Baek Tianjun leaned back, smiling warmly. ¡°Straight to the point, as always. But let me tell you something.¡± He set his chopsticks down, resting his arms on the table. ¡°I¡¯m already at this age. I don¡¯t have many years left. One day, I¡¯ll die, and you¡¯ll inherit the title of strongest. They¡¯ll call you the Limitless Sword Saint. Quite a name, don¡¯t you think?¡±
Yun Jin¡¯s chopsticks stilled, his lips drawing into a tight line. ¡°No,¡± he replied firmly, shaking his head. ¡°That¡¯s not enough.¡±
Baek Tianjun raised an eyebrow in curiosity.
Yun Jin¡¯s gaze was unwavering. ¡°I don¡¯t just want to be the strongest by default. I want to be strong enough that even you, in your prime, couldn¡¯t have stood against me.¡±
Baek Tianjun regarded him silently for a moment, then let out a deep, genuine laugh. ¡°Ambitious as ever, aren¡¯t you?¡± he said, wiping a tear of mirth from his eye.
His voice softened, warmth lingering. ¡°I¡¯m proud of you, my disciple.¡±
Yun Jin opened his mouth to reply, but Baek Tianjun¡¯s mood shifted. Grinning mischievously, the Sword Saint lifted his bowl of noodles and pointed his chopsticks at Yun Jin.
¡°Let¡¯s see how you handle this next contest! Whoever eats the most, wins!¡±
Caught off guard, Yun Jin blinked¡ªthen a competitive spark ignited in his eyes. ¡°Oh, you¡¯re on, old man!¡±
He activated a thread of qi to steady the bowl as he started slurping noodles at an alarming speed.
¡°Hey! No qi¡ªThat¡¯s cheating!¡± Baek Tianjun barked, though clearly enjoying himself.
They tore through bowls of noodles, tossing each other playful glares while onlookers gawked at the absurd sight: two of the greatest swordsmen in the land engaged in a furious eating contest.
For Baek Tianjun, it was perfect: a peaceful world where even legends could indulge in such simple moments.
The moon was high when they finally returned to the inner palace. Baek Tianjun carried Yun Jin, who was half-asleep and stuffed with noodles.
¡°For someone who calls me old,¡± Baek Tianjun teased, ¡°you sure lost in the stamina department.¡±
Yun Jin groaned, eyes shut. ¡°Blame the noodles...¡± he mumbled.
¡°Skill issue,¡± Baek Tianjun said, grinning. ¡°Maybe work on that next time.¡±
He brought the younger man into his room, laying him gently on the bed. For a moment, Baek Tianjun paused in the doorway, a soft chuckle escaping him before he turned and left.
But Yun Jin didn¡¯t sleep.
Sitting cross-legged, he began to meditate, directing his qi to calm his body and quell the ache in his stomach.
Even in this stillness, his thoughts churned.
The lighthearted mood of the evening gave way to his usual nighttime frustration.
I want to surpass him... but how?
He had mastered every technique, defeated every challenger, yet he still felt chained. The gap between him and Baek Tianjun wasn¡¯t merely skill¡ªit was something beyond his reach.
Maybe I should go out as a rogue warrior, he mused. Fight bandits, take down criminals. But how would that help him surpass Baek Tianjun?
No matter how he turned it over in his mind, it all ended the same way:
Wait for him to grow old and die... while I do nothing.
His fists tightened on his knees, frustration roiling in his gut. ¡°Is this all there is?¡± he muttered.
Suddenly, the air around him vibrated.
A faint hum filled the room, and before him appeared a glowing screen¡ªa translucent, hovering panel inscribed with shifting symbols that quickly morphed into legible text.
[Would you like a challenge?]
Chapter 3: The Invitation
[Would you like a challenge?]
Yun Jin froze, staring at the glowing text. It hovered in the air like a fragment from another dimension, entirely out of place in his reality.
¡°What is this?¡± he murmured, reaching out tentatively. His hand passed through the screen as though it were made of light.
Could it be some advanced Qinggong technique? An illusion?
No. This was different¡ªfar beyond anything he had ever encountered.
¡°What challenge?¡± Yun Jin asked, his voice firm.
The text rearranged itself with an unnatural grace:
[You are invited to the Central Multiverse, where countless encounters and opponents await you.]
His pulse quickened. Countless encounters and opponents. The very idea sparked a long-dormant excitement within him¡ªa chance to escape stagnation, to test himself against worthy adversaries.
Yet doubt gnawed at him. Yun Jin thought of Baek Tianjun¡ªthe master who had saved, raised, and still overshadowed him.
¡°If I accept... can I return home?¡± Yun Jin¡¯s voice was quieter, yet the weight of the question was unmistakable.
The screen pulsed softly:
[Yes.]
That single word shattered his hesitation. He picked up a brush and some parchment, quickly but carefully writing a letter:
Master,
I do not know where this path leads, but it promises what I have sought all my life¡ªa true challenge. If I fail, I hope this letter finds you. If I succeed... perhaps we will meet again someday.
Your disciple,
Yun Jin
He placed the letter neatly on the table, gazing at it one last time before turning to the glowing screen.
[Would you like to accept? Yes / No.]
He pressed ¡°Yes¡± without a second thought.
The world twisted violently.
The dim light of his room dissolved into a boundless void of swirling shadows and radiant light. Gravity vanished. His stomach lurched as he plunged through a realm that defied logic.
¡°Agh! There are too many of them!¡±
¡°I¡¯m sorry...¡±
Yun Jin suddenly slammed into the ground, air bursting from his lungs. He rolled on impact, then leapt to his feet with practiced grace, scanning his surroundings.
A stone church, worn and cold. Cracked stained-glass windows cast weak, uneven colors across the floor.
A boy lay sprawled near the altar¡ªa golden-haired child, perhaps twelve, trembling as he clutched a wooden staff. His eyes fluttered with exhaustion.
Desperate cries echoed around the chamber. Villagers armed with rusted tools and makeshift weapons fought for their lives against snarling, green-skinned creatures.
Above each creature¡¯s head, faint glowing text hung:
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[Goblin LV.1]
Yun Jin¡¯s brow furrowed. What in the world...
He took in the scene: the panicked villagers, the cackling goblins, the unconscious boy.
One goblin lunged at Yun Jin, shortsword raised, eyes glimmering with murderous glee.
Though perplexed, Yun Jin¡¯s body responded instinctively. He sidestepped with flawless footwork and drove his palm into the goblin¡¯s chest.
Boom!
The goblin crashed into a far wall, bones crunching on impact.
Yun Jin straightened, scanning the room as the goblin¡¯s corpse slid down in a heap.
Too weak, he thought, lips twisting faintly. No need to hold back.
The villagers and goblins alike stood frozen by his display of power. A collective gasp arose:
¡°He really is the hero...¡±
Hero? Yun Jin¡¯s frown deepened as his gaze flicked to the altar and then to the unconscious boy.
He¡¯s radiating a strange qi, Yun Jin noted, but he set that question aside. Right now, these villagers needed help.
He bent to retrieve the fallen goblin¡¯s shortsword, turning it over in his hand. It was crude and dented, but still serviceable.
¡°Everyone,¡± he commanded calmly, ¡°get behind me.¡±
A guttural snarl rippled through the chamber as the remaining goblins charged at once, a wild mass of uncoordinated violence.
Yun Jin¡¯s lips curled in a half-smile. Finally, he thought, an enemy I can crush without restraint.
Light Blade Sovereign Style: Third Form ¨C Dance of the Firefly!
He exploded into motion, moving like a flickering flame as faint traces of light followed each slash. Goblins toppled left and right, their screams echoing for an instant before fading into silence.
The villagers stared in awe, letting their makeshift weapons fall to the floor. Whispers filled the chamber:
¡°He really is the hero...¡±
A shriek shattered the moment. Yun Jin spun toward the entrance, where a woman stumbled in, gasping for air.
¡°Hero! Please, save the others! The village is overrun!¡±
Yun Jin nodded. ¡°Understood. Bar the doors behind me.¡±
He sprinted outside without hesitation. Cold night air stung his skin as he landed in the midst of chaos.
Fires raged, consuming homes. Goblins swarmed the streets, dragging villagers or cutting them down. On the rooftops, hunched silhouettes loosed arrows at fleeing survivors.
Memories flared in Yun Jin¡¯s mind¡ªanother village, another massacre. His stomach churned.
What is this...
An arrow whistled past, snapping him back to the present. He deflected it with a sharp clang, then fixed his gaze on the archers perched atop a burning roof.
They hissed at him, eyes glowing with hatred. Over their heads hovered:
[Goblin Archer LV.2]
Yun Jin shifted his grip on the shortsword, a fierce light in his eyes. ¡°Found you.¡±
With a focused inhale, he leapt onto the roof, qi crackling as it surged through his limbs. The tiles shattered beneath him as he vanished from sight.
Light Blade Sovereign Style: First Form ¨C Arc Lightning.
A thunderous impact tore through the night. Yun Jin reappeared behind one of the goblin archers, driving the blade through its skull. Brain matter and shattered bone scattered in a gory arc.
The other archers cried out, scrambling to flee, but Yun Jin was faster. He cut them down effortlessly, one by one, until the rooftop lay silent, save for the roar of distant flames.
He flicked blood off the blade. ¡°That¡¯s the annoying part dealt with.¡±
A sudden burst of energy prickled at his senses. Something big¡ªand hostile¡ªapproached.
Instinct took over. Yun Jin threw himself aside as a roaring fireball whizzed past, scorching the air near his cheek. The blast behind him blew chunks of stone into the sky.
He whirled around, locking eyes on his attacker.
At the far end of the street stood a massive goblin in ragged robes, clutching a crooked staff that glowed faintly. Its hateful gaze burned into him as it raised the staff once more.
Above its head, text hovered in an ominous glow:
[Goblin Shaman LV.5]
Chapter 4: First Encounter: Cleared
[Goblin Shaman LV.5]
The fireball roared toward Yun Jin. His eyes widened as he twisted to dodge it. It¡¯s real.
Even the strongest sorcerers in the martial world couldn¡¯t conjure flames like this. Only those possessed of the mystical Krillin Beast¡¯s bloodline could wield fire so freely. His pulse quickened. The last known wielder of such power had fallen by Baek Tianjun¡¯s hand years ago.
Finally, he thought, his lips curling into a grin. I¡¯ve always wanted to fight one.
But the shaman didn¡¯t wait for Yun Jin to recover. Fire arrows burst from its crooked staff, flying toward him with blistering speed. Yun Jin¡¯s qi sense flared. He sidestepped each shot, his movements fluid and precise, but the searing heat still licked at his skin.
He pushed forward, cutting through the goblins in his path with quick, lethal strikes. Their bodies crumpled before they could react.
When Yun Jin was finally within range, he unleashed the First Form.
Light Blade Sovereign Style: First Form ¨C Arc Lightning.
A crackling thunderclap shook the air as he zipped through the goblin ranks, cutting them all down in one electrifying strike. In a flash, he closed the gap between himself and the shaman.
He swung his blade, aiming for the shaman¡¯s neck.
Clang!
The strike halted mid-air, blocked by an invisible barrier.
Before Yun Jin could react, a firestorm erupted before him. The blast hurled him backward, slamming him against the ground.
He coughed violently, blood splattering onto the stone. His robes were scorched, half his body burned a deep, angry red. The pain tore through him, but his qi armor had saved him from being reduced to ashes. Still, it felt like taking a direct blow from a Shaolin master.
Yun Jin dragged himself to his feet, flames reflected in his eyes as a grin spread across his face.
¡°You¡¯re making me too happy!¡± he snarled. Bloodlust poured from him like a storm, so intense that the shaman trembled.
Yun Jin vanished, his body moving like a thunderclap.
First Form: Arc Lightning.
He appeared before the shaman in an instant and struck again. The invisible shield flared once more, deflecting his blade. The shaman raised its staff, readying another fireball.
But Yun Jin was already gone.
He attacked from all sides, each blow raining down like pack of vultures.
Third Form: Dance of the Firefly.
Luminous arcs traced through the air as Yun Jin¡¯s blade danced around the shaman. Each strike lit the darkened battlefield, battering the barrier.
The shaman howled, its glowing eyes flickering with fear. It thrust its staff forward, releasing a wave of fire that scorched the ground where Yun Jin had stood.
He darted back, the searing heat grazing his skin. His chest rose and fell steadily as his sharp gaze focused on the shaman.
Why didn¡¯t it stop me during Dance of the Firefly? The thought clicked.
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The barrier blocks all attacks but it can¡¯t retaliate while defending?
Maybe It had to took a gamble everytime it counter?
A smirk tugged at his lips. ¡°Let¡¯s test it!¡±
He charged forward, his blade flashing. The barrier flared again and again, holding under the storm of attacks. Each strike came faster, the shaman¡¯s face twisting with panic.
¡°What¡¯s the matter?¡± Yun Jin taunted, his tone sharp. ¡°Getting tired?¡±
He slowed his strikes deliberately, baiting the shaman into action.
The shaman raised its staff and unleashed another blast of fire.
Yun Jin twisted, dodging the flames with ease. His blade shot forward, cutting through the heat.
This time, his sword pierced its chest.
The shaman let out a guttural cry, its staff clattering to the ground as it collapsed.
Yun Jin flicked the blood from his blade and smirked. ¡°You can block, or you can attack, but you can¡¯t do both.¡±
The flames flared once more as the shaman made a final desperate move, swinging its staff wildly. A massive blast erupted, sending ash and smoke into the air.
¡°Too slow,¡± Yun Jin muttered, leaping into the sky.
Using the explosion¡¯s force, he propelled himself upward, then descended like thunder, his blade arcing downward in one final, decisive strike.
The shaman¡¯s body split cleanly in half, its barrier shattering in the process.
¡°So the barrier was already weakened after all,¡± Yun Jin murmured to himself. ¡°No matter.¡±
Straightening, he brushed ash from his sleeve and glanced at the lifeless shaman. ¡°I understand it now,¡± he said calmly.
--
Yun Jin flicked the ash from his blade and straightened. The shaman lay in two lifeless halves at his feet, the air still thick with the stench of smoke and burning.
Then, without warning, glowing text appeared before him, floating in the air like before.
[You finished your first encounter. Assessing completion.]
Yun Jin¡¯s brow furrowed as he read the text, the words shifting with an unnatural grace.
[Completion Level: Perfection.]
A faint hum resonated in the air.
[You have been awarded 100 Completion Points.]
[The starter shop is now available.]
[Calculating a curated shop to the user¡¯s style and traits.]
Yun Jin tilted his head slightly, curiosity sparking in his sharp eyes. Points? What could they possibly be for? Before he could ponder further, the system shifted again.
[Completion Points can be exchanged for skills, items, upgrades, and classes. Access the Shop to view available options.]
The text faded briefly, replaced by a glowing list:
[Shop]
[Classes:]
- Arcane Blade Master (Rank S ¨C 100 Points): A legendary hybrid class blending swordsmanship with elemental magic.
- Shadow Assassin (Rank A ¨C 75 Points): Specializes in stealth and precise, critical strikes. Unlocks advanced infiltration and assassination techniques.
- Necromancer (Rank B ¨C 50 Points): Summons and controls the dead, wielding forbidden necrotic arts. Unlocks dark mana manipulation.
- Mage (Rank C ¨C 25 Points): Focuses on elemental spellcraft and manipulation, a versatile caster class.
- Barbarian (Rank D ¨C 20 Points): Excels in raw power and relentless offense, sacrificing finesse for devastating physical attacks.
- Warrior (Rank E ¨C 10 Points): A foundational class offering basic combat proficiency and physical durability.
[Skills:]
--
¡°Wait, wait,¡± Yun Jin said, holding up a hand, halting the system before it continue.
¡°What do you mean, a shop? You¡¯re saying I can just... buy power?¡±
Chapter 5: Tutorial Rewards
[Yes.]
¡°Oh no, no!¡± Yun Jin replied, shaking his head firmly. ¡°I decline. Power isn¡¯t free, and I¡¯ve seen what happens when people take shortcuts. I don¡¯t trust you that much, mysterious floating text.¡±
The system flickered briefly, unperturbed, before displaying a new message.
[It is not power in the direct sense, but knowledge, unique traits, or tools. Skills, items, and classes purchased provide potential, but mastery and effectiveness depend entirely on the user.]
Yun Jin¡¯s lips pressed into a thin line. He tapped a finger against the hilt of his blade, pondering the response. The explanation didn¡¯t seem dishonest¡ªbut he¡¯d seen enough demonic martial artists fall into ruin to stay cautious.
¡°So, you¡¯re saying you¡¯re just... teaching me?¡± Yun Jin asked, voice skeptical. ¡°That¡¯s it?¡±
The system responded promptly:
[Correct. Skills and items are based on rank rarity. Knowledge is provided, but usage, discipline, and growth are the user¡¯s responsibility. The Shop offers no shortcuts¡ªonly possibilities.]
Yun Jin stared at the screen a moment longer, then let out a short, sharp laugh.
¡°Why didn¡¯t you just say so earlier?¡± he said, grinning. ¡°Knowledge, huh? That¡¯s different. Knowledge is always welcome.¡±
He crossed his arms, his expression growing pensive. ¡°But still, you say there are no shortcuts.¡± His tone hardened. ¡°What¡¯s the catch?¡±
The screen flickered briefly before displaying:
[The system¡¯s primary purpose is to nurture challengers for harder challenges.]
Yun Jin raised an eyebrow. ¡°It does give me real battles,¡± he murmured, lips twitching into a faint smile. ¡°I suppose it checks out.¡±
A glowing list unfurled before him in the dim air. Yun Jin noticed three separate categories: Classes, Skills, and Items. His eyes first drifted over the Classes:
[Classes:]
-Arcane Blade Master (Rank S ¨C 100 Points): A legendary hybrid class blending swordsmanship with elemental magic.
-Shadow Assassin (Rank A ¨C 75 Points): Specializes in stealth and precise, critical strikes. Unlocks advanced infiltration and assassination techniques.
-Necromancer (Rank B ¨C 50 Points): Summons and controls the dead, wielding forbidden necrotic arts. Unlocks dark mana manipulation.
-Mage (Rank C ¨C 25 Points): Focuses on elemental spellcraft and manipulation, a versatile caster class.
-Barbarian (Rank D ¨C 20 Points): Excels in raw power and relentless offense, sacrificing finesse for devastating physical attacks.
-Warrior (Rank E ¨C 10 Points): A foundational class offering basic combat proficiency and physical durability.
Yun Jin¡¯s gaze paused on Arcane Blade Master, reading the description with faint intrigue. ¡°That¡¯s not so different from what I do now,¡± he murmured. ¡°But I haven¡¯t earned a title like that. I want something new.¡±
He continued scanning and settled on Mage. Curiosity sparked in his eyes. ¡°Magic, huh? I¡¯ve never touched it before.¡±
He tapped on the Mage class.
The system answered instantly with a description:
[Mage (Rank C) purchased.]
[Initializing mana circuits. Synchronizing with user¡¯s qi reserves¡]
A strange sensation coursed through Yun Jin¡¯s body. It was unfamiliar yet not unpleasant¡ªlike unlocking a door he¡¯d never known existed. A faint hum resonated deep inside, followed by a steady pulse.
[Mana Circuit Initialized (Rank E-): The foundation of magic. Allows the user to channel mana for spells and techniques. Efficiency and reserve size depend on circuit rank.]
Then, more text:
[Qi and mana are two expressions of aura, the universal energy. Qi is tempered and internalized within the body, while mana flows outward, shaped and directed by the magic circuit. Strength depends on reserve size, circuit quality, and control.]
[Elemental Affinity: Light (Rank E-). You are attuned to the element of light, granting potential access to its magical properties.]
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¡°Interesting¡¡± Yun Jin¡¯s gaze flickered.
What can I do with it? he wondered.
Curiosity pushed him to experiment. Guiding the wild flow of mana through his circuit, Yun Jin focused on his palm. At first, it was erratic and unruly, but as he steadied his breathing and channeled his precision, the energy compressed.
With a sudden surge, a bright flash of light burst from his hand, flooding the dark battlefield with brilliance. He shielded his eyes, momentarily blinded by its intensity.
As the glow faded, Yun Jin¡¯s lips twitched into a faint grin.
¡°Let¡¯s see what else you got,¡± he murmured, eyes gleaming with curiosity.
[Skills:]
-Mystic Eyes of Revealing (Rank S ¨C 100 Points): Grants the ability to perceive auras, hidden energies, spiritual presences, and concealed objects.
-Phantom Clone (Rank A ¨C 75 Points): Creates a solid projection of the user for combat or misdirection, retaining 50% of the user¡¯s physical abilities.
-Weapon Mind (Rank B ¨C 50 Points): Establishes a connection with weapons, unlocking hidden potential and enhancing combat synergy
-Lightfoot Technique (Rank C ¨C 25 Points): Enhances agility for faster movement, better evasion, and complex footwork.
-Aura Quicken Pulse (Rank D ¨C 20 Points): Improves aura regeneration for a brief period, aiding recovery in battle.
-Basic Swordsmanship (Rank E ¨C 10 Points): Provides fundamental sword techniques for beginners.
[Items:]
-Fragment of the Fallen World (Rank S ¨C 100 Points): A fragment of a destroyed world core, capable of creating a personal dimensional space tied to the user¡¯s soul.
-Celestial Iron Sword (Rank A ¨C 75 Points): A mastercrafted blade forged in a dying star¡¯s heart, tempered with molten mithril, and honed using diamond scales.
-Starfire Dagger (Rank B ¨C 50 Points): A sleek dagger forged from rare starfire ore. Its blade glimmers with faint embers, channeling heat-based techniques.
-Runestone of Vitality (Rank C ¨C 25 Points): A carved stone that boosts natural healing and endurance once attuned (permanent).
-Whetstone of Endurance (Rank D ¨C 20 Points): Permanently enhances a blade¡¯s sharpness and durability, increasing lethality.
-Iron-forged Shortsword (Rank E ¨C 10 Points): A sturdy, reliable iron blade suitable for training or combat.
Yun Jin¡¯s gaze halted on Weapon Mind under the Skills section.
¡°Communicate with weapons? Unlock hidden capabilities?¡± he mused, a faint smile forming. ¡°I¡¯ve always treated my blade as a companion, an extension of myself. This¡ could be interesting.¡±
He tapped the choice without hesitation.
[Weapon Mind (Rank B) purchased. 50 Points deducted.]
A ripple washed over his consciousness. The presence of his sword at his side grew clearer, more vivid, almost as though it recognized him at last.
Yun Jin curled his fingers, testing the connection. The faintest echo of understanding seemed to flow back to him.
¡°A good choice,¡± he murmured, pleased.
Now 25 points remained. His keen gaze scanned the items next. It settled on the Iron-forged Shortsword.
¡°Simple, reliable.¡±
He didn¡¯t need anything fancy¡ªpower lay in the wielder, not the tool.
[Iron-forged Shortsword (Rank E) purchased. 10 Points deducted.]
A flash of light materialized the weapon. Yun Jin reached out, gripping the hilt. It felt sturdy and well-balanced.
This will do nicely.
[15 Completion Points remaining.]
Yun Jin glanced at the shop list, noting the leftover points. He felt no rush to spend them. Better to hold on to them for something that truly caught his interest.
¡°Hmm¡ with all these skills, I wonder if I¡¡±
Yun Jin shut his eyes, letting the world go silent. Inwardly, he focused on the two distinct energies within him:
Qi and mana¡ªtwo facets of aura, the universal life force.
Qi was tempered and internal, cultivated by refining outside aura within the body. Mana was outward, drawing in energy and expelling it externally.
He frowned slightly in concentration. Mana¡¯s strength relied on three things: how large the user¡¯s reserves were, how efficient their circuits, and how well they controlled the flow.
The magic circuit served as a conduit, determining how much energy could pass and how precisely it could be directed.
¡°Channeling Qi into the blade to connect with it¡ªthat¡¯s martial arts 101,¡± he muttered.
He guided Qi into the weapon¡¯s structure, just as he had countless times. The sword hummed softly, its weight shifting as the energy bonded with its core. But now it felt different.
With Weapon Mind, he sensed every fraction of the blade, as though it truly merged with him. It was no mere instrument¡ªit was part of his own being, moving in perfect sync with his will.
¡°Qi flows inward,¡± he murmured. ¡°Then mana flows outward.¡±
Time to explore the unknown. Yun Jin turned his focus toward his newly formed mana circuits, sending the energy out, coating the blade like a shimmering film.
The process was delicate. Gradually, mana blended with the Qi suffusing the blade, pulsing outward in steady waves.
A soft glow radiated from the sword¡ªpure white, like moonlight trapped within the steel. The radiance pulsed gently, calm and unwavering.
He opened his eyes, a spark of satisfaction flickering in them.
[You have unlocked a skill: Aura Blade (Rank D-)]
Chapter 6: The mages name is Merlin.
The battle was over. Yun Jin observed the subdued goblins scattered across the battlefield. With their shaman defeated, the chaos began to settle, and villagers slowly emerged from their hiding places, peering cautiously from behind broken doors and crumbled walls.
Seeing him, they rushed forward, their voices rising in jubilant cries.
¡°The hero has returned!¡± one shouted.
¡°Praise the gods for sending a savior!¡± another cried, dropping to their knees.
Before Yun Jin could react, more villagers knelt, their hands clasped in prayer. ¡°Hero of the heavens, we are saved!¡±
Yun Jin¡¯s expression darkened. He stepped forward, raising a hand. ¡°Stop,¡± he said firmly. The villagers froze, their reverent whispers silenced by the commanding tone.
¡°I am no hero,¡± Yun Jin continued, his voice calm yet unyielding. Inside, he felt a pang of bitterness. A hero? That title belongs only to my master¡ªthe one who ended the Blood Age and brought peace to the world. I¡¯ve done nothing compared to him.
Still, confusion lingered in his mind. He didn¡¯t even know where he was, let alone why this village had been attacked. Yun Jin folded his arms and addressed the crowd. ¡°Explain what happened here. Why was your village attacked, and where exactly am I?¡±
An older man stepped forward, his posture humble but resolute. ¡°I am Harun, the village elder,¡± he said, bowing slightly. ¡°This is a small village within the Kingdom of Velmire. Just days ago, the goblins began their raid, led by a shaman. We were hopeless... until the boy mage summoned you.¡±
¡°The boy mage?¡± Yun Jin muttered, his mind flashing back to the golden-haired child he¡¯d seen unconscious in the church when he first arrived. His gaze sharpened. ¡°Where is he now?¡±
The elder gestured for Yun Jin to follow, leading him back to the church. Inside, the faint light filtering through the cracked stained-glass windows cast an ethereal glow over the sleeping boy. Yun Jin approached quietly, his eyes narrowing as he took in the boy¡¯s features.
The child¡¯s golden hair framed a delicate face, his skin pale but unblemished. His breathing was shallow, his chest rising and falling unevenly. He seemed to radiate an otherworldly beauty, as if carved from light itself.
Yun Jin knelt beside him, his sharp senses honing in on the strange energy he had noticed before. That¡¯s not qi, he thought. It¡¯s mana... but it¡¯s fluctuating wildly.
Focusing his qi sense, Yun Jin delved deeper. Within moments, he saw the truth¡ªa phenomenon he had only read about in ancient texts. ¡°A Divine Death Star,¡± he murmured under his breath.
It was an extremely rare and deadly condition, where one¡¯s dantian was small but their energy veins were unnaturally large, allowing them to draw infinite energy from nature. However, the cost was their life¡ªit would burn them out in a short time. This boy¡¯s condition appeared to be a magical equivalent, with his mana circuits vastly outpacing his reserves.
The boy¡¯s mana reserves were significantly smaller than his circuits, yet his body continuously pulled far more mana than it could handle. This imbalance had left him drained and on the brink of collapse.
Elder Harun spoke, his voice breaking the silence. ¡°The boy tried to cast a spell¡ªSummon Lesser Celestial. He meant to bring forth a guardian, but something went wrong. Still, it brought you here, hero from the heavens.¡±
Yun Jin scratched the back of his head, frustration flickering across his face. ¡°Hero from the heavens, huh?¡± He glanced at the boy again. ¡°I don¡¯t have expertise with magic circuits, so I can¡¯t help with that. But...¡±
Yun Jin trailed off, his gaze sharpening as he considered the boy¡¯s fragile state. While repairing magic circuits was beyond him, he could at least stabilize the damage. Drawing upon his mastery of qi, Yun Jin synchronized his breathing with the boy¡¯s, channeling a gentle flow of qi into his fragile body.
The qi pulsed in harmony with the boy¡¯s erratic fluctuations, bolstering his vitality and easing the strain. Slowly, the boy¡¯s breathing steadied, and a faint flush returned to his pale cheeks.
Moments later, the boy¡¯s eyes fluttered open, revealing irises of a vibrant, piercing blue. He gasped for air, his gaze darting around the room in a panic. Then his eyes locked onto Yun Jin¡¯s calm, serene face.
The panic melted into confusion, then something else entirely. A blush crept across the boy¡¯s cheeks as he stared at Yun Jin, wide-eyed and speechless.
Yun Jin raised an eyebrow, his expression unchanging but inwardly bemused. ¡°Feeling better?¡± he asked, his tone steady.
The boy stammered, his voice barely a whisper. ¡°Y-you... saved me...¡±
¡°There, there, kid. You¡¯re stable now, but you still need some fresh air to fully recover,¡± Yun Jin said, his tone calm but firm. He leaned forward and hoisted the boy onto his back with practiced ease.
¡°Hold on tight.¡± Without waiting for a response, Yun Jin leaped out of the church, his movement fluid and effortless, leaving the stunned villagers in awe.
--
The boy screamed in alarm as they soared through the air, his voice carrying across the village. ¡°W-wait! What are you doing?! Put me down!¡±
Yun Jin landed gracefully in a clearing just outside the forest, the fresh breeze sweeping past them. He crouched slightly to let the boy down before standing upright and stretching.
¡°See? That wasn¡¯t so bad,¡± Yun Jin said with a small grin. He turned to the boy, whose face was pale from the sudden leap. ¡°Now, take a deep breath. Your vitality¡¯s only been jump-started. You¡¯ll need some time to refresh before you¡¯re back to normal.¡±
The boy hesitated, then reluctantly inhaled the crisp air, his cheeks regaining a faint flush.
¡°Good. While you¡¯re at it, why not introduce yourself?¡± Yun Jin said, sitting cross-legged on a nearby rock. ¡°My name is Yun Jin. Thanks to you, I¡¯m here, apparently.¡±
The boy shifted awkwardly, clutching his staff tightly. ¡°I¡¯m Merlin. Merlin Junior,¡± he said, his voice soft. ¡°I¡¯m a level 25 mage.¡±
Yun Jin raised an eyebrow, his expression a mix of surprise and curiosity. ¡°Level 25? That¡¯s impressive. Your level¡¯s five times higher than the goblin shaman I fought.¡±
He paused, his curiosity growing. ¡°Wait... how do I even see my own level?¡±
As if responding to his thoughts, a glowing panel appeared before him, hovering in the air. Yun Jin¡¯s sharp eyes scanned the text, his expression shifting as he took in the details.
--
Status Window
Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.
Name: Yun Jin
Level: 12
Title:
The First Forerunner (Rank EX)
The system¡¯s chosen for a new world, granting a higher chance to encounter special events
Energy Systems:
Qi Realm: Core Qi Mastery (Rank C+)
Highly refined and condensed qi, supporting advanced martial techniques, external projection, and body reinforcement
Magic Circuit: Initialized (Rank E-)
A foundational mana circuit, enabling basic mana manipulation. Efficiency and reserves are limited
Affinities:
Light (Rank E-)
Basic attunement to the light element.
Skills:
Weapon Mind (Rank B)
Establishes a connection with weapons, unlocking hidden potential and enhancing combat synergy
Aura Blade (Rank D-)
Combines qi and mana to enhance a weapon, increasing sharpness, durability, and energy output
Mana Manipulation (Rank E-)
Basic control of mana
Completion Points:
Remaining: 15
--
Yun Jin¡¯s eyes widened slightly. ¡°Level 12...¡± he muttered, his gaze flicking back to Merlin. ¡°Wait a minute... your level¡¯s even twice as high as mine!¡±
Merlin¡¯s cheeks flushed, and he hugged his staff tightly, avoiding eye contact. ¡°It¡¯s because of my condition,¡± he said hesitantly. ¡°That¡¯s the only reason my level is so high... but in reality, I¡¯m probably no better than level 3 at most.¡±
Yun Jin studied the boy for a moment, noting the way Merlin clutched his staff tightly and avoided his gaze. His lack of confidence was clear.
With a quiet exhale, Yun Jin gestured for Merlin to sit down. ¡°Take a seat,¡± he said calmly, his tone gentle but firm.
Merlin hesitated before sinking onto the grass beside Yun Jin, still clutching his staff as though it were a lifeline.
¡°There¡¯s too much blood in the village right now,¡± Yun Jin continued, glancing toward the distant lights of the village. ¡°The smell lingers, and it¡¯ll make it hard to breathe. Tonight, we¡¯ll stay here. It¡¯s quieter, and we¡¯ve got a lot to talk about.¡±
He rose to his feet, his movements fluid and deliberate, and walked toward a nearby tree. In a swift motion, he cut a sturdy branch with a single strike of his sword. Returning to their makeshift camp, he snapped it into smaller pieces before gathering another branch.
Kneeling down, Yun Jin rubbed the sticks together with practiced ease. Sparks caught, and soon a small fire flickered to life, its warm glow illuminating the clearing.
Yun Jin leaned back slightly, resting his arms on his knees as he looked at Merlin. ¡°Since you¡¯re the one responsible for summoning me, I¡¯m hoping you can fill in some details. What exactly happened?¡±
Merlin looked at the fire, his expression conflicted. After a long pause, he finally spoke, his voice soft. ¡°I was trying to summon a Lesser Celestial Guardian,¡± he admitted, his hands tightening around his staff. ¡°It was supposed to protect the village... but something went wrong.¡±
He glanced at Yun Jin nervously. ¡°Instead, the spell brought you here.¡±
Yun Jin leaned back slightly, his gaze thoughtful. ¡°I don¡¯t know much about spells,¡± he admitted with a faint shrug. ¡°Actually, I don¡¯t know anything about them. Hell, I don¡¯t even know what counts as a spell.¡±
He raised his hand, channeling mana through his circuit. A surge of energy built in his palm, and suddenly, a burst of blinding light flared into existence, as if a miniature sun had risen in the clearing. Merlin flinched, covering his eyes with a startled yelp.
¡°Is this a spell?¡± Yun Jin asked, tilting his head, oblivious to the boy¡¯s reaction.
Merlin blinked rapidly, lowering his hand cautiously as his vision returned. ¡°No, that¡¯s not a spell!¡± he said, his tone incredulous. ¡°That¡¯s just channeled magical energy. But... it¡¯s light energy.¡±
His eyes widened, a spark of amazement lighting up his expression. ¡°Affinity for light magic is really rare. That¡¯s incredible.¡±
Yun Jin closed his hand, extinguishing the overwhelming glow with ease. ¡°Rare, huh? I guess that¡¯s good.¡± He paused, curiosity flickering in his eyes.
Then, gripping the hilt of his sword, Yun Jin channeled his energy. The blade glowed faintly before a brilliant aura engulfed it, radiating light and energy like a blazing star.
¡°Is this a spell?¡± Yun Jin asked, holding the blade out for Merlin to inspect.
Merlin tilted his head, his gaze intense as he studied the weapon. ¡°Yes...? It does feel and look like a spell, but there¡¯s something more to it that I can¡¯t quite place.¡± He stepped closer, narrowing his eyes thoughtfully. ¡°Hmm... the condensing aura within the blade acts like a conduit, radiating mana outward in a constant flow. It¡¯s almost like... an organ of a magical beast. Fascinating.¡±
Yun Jin¡¯s brow lifted in awe at the boy¡¯s keen observation. ¡°That¡¯s correct. And more,¡± he said, impressed by Merlin¡¯s perception. ¡°You sure know a lot about spells.¡±
Merlin looked up, a small blush creeping across his face. ¡°T-thank you...¡± he stammered, then hesitated.
Encouraged by the boy¡¯s insight, Yun Jin sheathed his blade and folded his arms. ¡°If you¡¯re this knowledgeable, could you show me a spell? I want to see what more advanced magic looks like.¡±
¡°Actually, no,¡± Yun Jin said quickly, waving a hand. ¡°Forget I said that. Better not risk it with your condition.¡±
Merlin frowned but then offered a small smile. ¡°If it¡¯s just a minor spell, I can manage.¡±
Before Yun Jin could protest further, Merlin raised his staff. He murmured a few quiet words, and a tiny spark of magic flared at its tip. Moments later, a small firefly-like construct of light hovered in the air, gently illuminating the clearing with a warm glow.
Yun Jin stared, captivated. His qi sense allowed him to feel the precise, intricate construct of the spell, each thread of mana woven together seamlessly. ¡°So that¡¯s a spell...¡± he muttered under his breath, awe evident in his tone.
--
Without thinking, Yun Jin extended his hand and focused. He tried to replicate what he had sensed, guiding his mana as he had seen Merlin do.
After several long moments of intense concentration, a glowing butterfly of light emerged, fluttering delicately in the air.
[You have learned: Minor Light Conjuring (Rank E-): Control and shape luminous small constructs.]
¡°This... is E- rank?¡± Yun Jin asked, more to himself than to Merlin. ¡°The lowest level of magic?¡± He clenched his fist, dispelling the butterfly as his thoughts raced. If even a spell like this takes this much focus, I¡¯ve got a long way to go to compete with this kid.
But as Yun Jin lost himself in thought, Merlin¡¯s firefly flickered and disappeared. The boy¡¯s face paled, and he began coughing violently, his small frame trembling under the strain.
¡°Hey, deep breaths!¡± Yun Jin said, immediately kneeling beside him. Placing a steady hand on Merlin¡¯s back, he infused the boy with qi, guiding the energy to stabilize his weakened body.
The qi pulsed through Merlin¡¯s veins, bolstering his vitality and bringing a flush of color back to his pale cheeks. Within moments, the coughing subsided, and Merlin¡¯s breathing evened out.
Merlin looked up at Yun Jin, his wide blue eyes filled with wonder. ¡°What... what did you just do?¡± he asked between breaths.
¡°It¡¯s a basic breathing technique,¡± Yun Jin replied, his tone calm but encouraging. ¡°It aligns your energy with your body¡¯s rhythm and keeps you balanced. I can teach it to you if you want.¡±
Merlin¡¯s eyes lit up with excitement, the previous weariness momentarily forgotten. ¡°Really? Yes, please!¡±
Yun Jin held up a hand, halting the boy¡¯s enthusiasm. He pointed a finger directly at Merlin¡¯s nose, his expression steady but mischievous. ¡°But in return, you have to teach me magic. Deal?¡±
Merlin blinked, then broke into a small smile. ¡°Deal!¡±
Chapter 7: Everybody Qi Refining
The morning sun rose over the small village, its warm light revealing the aftermath of the goblin attack. Everywhere, villagers worked with grim determination, hauling debris, patching homes, and clearing what remained of their lives.
Yun Jin and Merlin walked into the village square, quickly drawing a crowd. Elder Harun hurried over, gratitude shining on his face as he bowed. ¡°Hero! And young mage! Thank you for saving us.¡±
Yun Jin raised a hand. ¡°I¡¯ve said before¡ªI¡¯m no hero. Just Yun Jin.¡± His gaze shifted to the large backpack Harun held out, nearly dwarfing Merlin¡¯s slight frame.
¡°This belongs to the boy,¡± Harun said, offering it to Merlin.
Merlin accepted it with a sheepish smile. ¡°Thank you,¡± he murmured. The weight made him wobble as he slung it over his shoulder.
¡°What¡¯s all that for?¡± Yun Jin asked, raising a brow.
Merlin adjusted the strap. ¡°I was on my way to the magic academy in the Imperial City. I stopped here for refuge, but... bad luck happened, and the goblins attacked.¡±
Yun Jin considered him. ¡°The Imperial City, huh? Then I¡¯ll go with you. We made a promise¡ªto teach each other.¡±
Merlin hesitated, glancing at the villagers still laboring. ¡°But¡ what about the village?¡±
Harun sighed, shoulders sagging. ¡°We¡¯ve already had two dungeon breaks this month,¡± he admitted. ¡°It may be time for us to move on and start over.¡±
Yun Jin tilted his head. ¡°Dungeon breaks?¡±
Merlin explained, ¡°Dungeons are anomalous rifts. You have to destroy the dungeon core to close them¡ªotherwise, the monsters inside spill out.¡±
A question tugged at Yun Jin¡¯s mind, but he set it aside. More pressing matters required his attention.
¡°Right,¡± Yun Jin said, frowning thoughtfully. ¡°But what about those levels above their heads? You don¡¯t have one. Do I?¡±
Merlin shook his head. ¡°No, you don¡¯t. My grandfather said if you see a level, they¡¯re invaders or enemies.¡±
Yun Jin smirked. ¡°If monsters are the problem, I¡¯ve got an idea.¡± He glanced at Merlin and the villagers. ¡°Since I¡¯m teaching you breathing techniques, let¡¯s show everyone.¡±
Nearby villagers exchanged confused looks. ¡°Breathing techniques?¡± one asked.
¡°Elder, gather everyone,¡± Yun Jin said, smiling. ¡°I¡¯ll explain.¡±
By midday, almost thirty villagers had gathered in a cleared space, whispering nervously. Yun Jin stepped forward, hands clasped behind him. Taking a deep breath, he channeled qi into his lungs and vocal cords. His voice resonated across the clearing:
¡°You must be wondering why I¡¯ve called you here.¡±
Startled gasps rose. ¡°Is that magic?¡± someone whispered.
¡°No,¡± Yun Jin said. ¡°It¡¯s qi. By enhancing my lungs and vocal cords, I amplified my voice.¡±
¡°Qi?¡± another asked. ¡°What¡¯s that?¡±
Yun Jin paused. ¡°It¡¯s the energy of life, flowing through your body, the air, and the earth. Mana relies on circuits to channel it, but qi is natural. If you breathe, you have qi.¡±
A few villagers exchanged puzzled glances. ¡°So¡ it¡¯s like mana?¡± someone ventured.
¡°Not exactly. Mana¡¯s shaped by circuits; qi strengthens and heals on its own. Let me show you.¡± Yun Jin focused, generating a small gust of wind that swept past them.
They gasped, excitement sparking in their eyes. ¡°We can learn this, too?¡±
Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.
Yun Jin nodded. ¡°If you¡¯re willing. Breathing is natural; qi cultivation is about refining it.¡±
He scanned the hesitant faces, then approached Elder Harun. ¡°Breathe in and out.¡±
Harun tried, his breaths shallow. ¡°Again,¡± Yun Jin said, this time sending a thread of qi into Harun¡¯s body. Harun straightened, his breathing growing powerful. Suddenly, he inhaled deeply and exhaled with such force that a gust of wind rippled through the clearing. He staggered, trembling.
¡°The system! I¡¯ve awakened a system!¡± he cried.
A flurry of excited whispers rippled through the crowd. ¡°The elder awakened a system at his age?¡±
Villagers rushed forward. ¡°Please, hero, help us awaken too!¡±
By evening, everyone present had awakened some aspect of a system.
Though most had modest circuits, their farmer-honed strength let them adapt quickly to qi cultivation. Elder Harun, now full of energy, did one-handed push-ups while an elderly woman effortlessly hefted a chunk of wreckage.
Yun Jin approached Merlin, who scribbled furiously in a notebook. ¡°Still at it?¡± Yun Jin teased, snatching the pages.
Merlin jumped. ¡°Hey! Give it back!¡±
Yun Jin flipped through the diagrams. ¡°You¡¯ve been trying to figure out my methods?¡±
Merlin¡¯s cheeks reddened. ¡°It¡¯s fascinating¡ I¡¯ve never seen anything like this.¡±
Handing the notebook back, Yun Jin grinned. ¡°Your turn, now.¡±
Merlin froze. ¡°M-my turn?¡±
¡°Yep,¡± Yun Jin said casually. ¡°But your case is tricky. Your body¡¯s fragile from your circuit pulling in more mana than you can handle. We¡¯ll take it slow.¡±
Merlin nodded, taking a calming breath. ¡°What do we do first?¡±
Yun Jin gestured for him to follow. ¡°We find a quiet spot.¡±
They left the village, settling in a peaceful clearing where leaves rustled and birds chirped. Yun Jin sat cross-legged and motioned for Merlin to do the same.
¡°Sit here,¡± he instructed. ¡°Close your eyes and sense your energy. Don¡¯t force it¡ªjust observe.¡±
Merlin hesitated, gripping his staff. ¡°Are you sure this will work?¡±
Yun Jin smirked. ¡°I wasn¡¯t sure with the villagers, either, but it turned out fine.¡±
¡°What?!¡± Merlin yelped, snapping his eyes open.
Yun Jin chuckled, raising a hand to calm him. ¡°Relax. I¡¯ve refined the process. Trust me.¡±
Merlin exhaled shakily, closing his eyes. Yun Jin moved behind him, placing a steady hand on the boy¡¯s back. Merlin tensed briefly, then relaxed under Yun Jin¡¯s gentle touch.
Yun Jin extended his qi sense, scanning Merlin¡¯s inner energies. He was surprised to find Merlin¡¯s yin and yang remarkably balanced, his internal flow almost unnaturally pristine¡ªlike a cultivator who had spent decades refining himself.
¡°Incredible,¡± Yun Jin muttered. Aloud, he said, ¡°Brace yourself. This might feel strange.¡±
Merlin nodded, muscles taut. Yun Jin began channeling qi, synchronizing it with Merlin¡¯s fragile circuits. At first, it was a gentle trickle. Then a spark flared within Merlin¡¯s core.
Yun Jin¡¯s eyes widened. One cycle¡ and his qi has awakened? A faint smile tugged at his lips. Let¡¯s push further.
He guided Merlin through more cycles¡ªten, fifty, a hundred. The air around them stirred, leaves rustling, ground cracking beneath their feet. Merlin¡¯s breathing grew deeper, his reserves expanding.
Yun Jin pressed on, aiming for a thousand cycles. A faint tremor rattled the clearing, as though a storm brewed in miniature. At last, Merlin coughed violently, sweat pouring down his face. ¡°Enough,¡± Yun Jin said, easing back. ¡°You¡¯ve hit your limit.¡±
Merlin gasped, eyes wide as he surveyed the upheaval in the clearing¡ªuprooted grass, scattered leaves, and scorched earth. ¡°I¡ I did all this?¡±
¡°You did,¡± Yun Jin affirmed.
Merlin closed his eyes, feeling the raw strength coursing through him. ¡°I got a D-rank skill,¡± he said breathlessly, excitement in his voice. ¡°Is this qi¡¯s effect? It¡¯s amazing! I wish Grandpa could see this.¡±
Yun Jin smirked. ¡°You¡¯ll have time to practice once you¡¯re fully recovered.¡±
Before Merlin could respond, a murmur of voices made them look up. A crowd of villagers stood at the clearing¡¯s edge, eyes wide.
Elder Harun stepped forward, half awed, half embarrassed. ¡°We saw the whirlwind and rushed over. We tried copying your technique¡ªapologies if we intruded.¡±
He bowed deeply. ¡°We hope you¡¯re not angry, Mister Yun Jin.¡±
For a moment, Yun Jin merely studied them, expression unreadable. Then he burst into laughter, startling everyone. ¡°Angry? Why would I be? If you¡¯re eager to learn, I¡¯ll teach you properly. What you¡¯ve seen is just the basics.¡±
Relieved smiles broke out among the villagers.
Yun Jin swept his gaze across their faces, a faint smirk forming as he drew his sword.
¡°Now¡ has anyone here ever heard of the Wudang Sword Technique?¡±
Chapter 8: The Wudang
The villagers gathered in the clearing, their expressions filled with curiosity and anticipation as they awaited Yun Jin¡¯s next lesson.
¡°Now¡¡± Yun Jin began, his voice calm and clear. ¡°Has anyone here heard of the Wudang Sword Technique?¡±
They exchanged puzzled glances. A few chuckled nervously.
¡°Sword technique?¡± one man asked. ¡°What¡¯s that?¡±
Yun Jin blinked, a slight smile forming. They¡¯ve never even heard of a sword technique? This might be trickier than I thought.
He stepped forward, smoothly drawing his blade. Sunlight caught on the polished steel, making it gleam. ¡°Watch closely.¡±
With a swift motion, Yun Jin demonstrated Flowing Wind, the first form of Wudang Swordsmanship. The sword traced an elegant arc, the movement so seamless it appeared effortless because the blade itself guided his hand.
The villagers stared, entranced.
¡°This,¡± Yun Jin said, sheathing his sword, ¡°is the core of Wudang. It¡¯s not brute force; it¡¯s about harnessing force and flow.¡±
¡°But we don¡¯t have swords¡¡± a villager pointed out.
Yun Jin nodded, acknowledging the concern. ¡°Not a problem. Grab your farming tools¡ªhoes, shovels, sticks, anything. Merlin, use your staff.¡±
They hurried to gather their makeshift weapons. Yun Jin himself picked up a sturdy branch. He lifted it in one hand, studying its rough bark.
A young villager frowned. ¡°A stick? How can that compare to a sword?¡±
Yun Jin smirked, holding the branch horizontally. ¡°Someone try to break it.¡±
They took turns striking it, but the branch didn¡¯t even crack. Anxious murmurs rippled among them.
Yun Jin tapped the wood against the ground. ¡°Infuse something with qi, and anything can become dangerous. As the Sword Saint once taught: A sword is but an illusion. In the right hands, even a stick can be the finest weapon.¡±
Weapon Mind is amazing, Yun Jin mused privately as he gave the branch a quick twirl. I can feel every inch of this wood as if it¡¯s part of me. I wonder what its limits are.
Clearing his thoughts, he faced the crowd again. ¡°Let¡¯s start. Watch carefully.¡±
He began with Merlin, who already had some mana control with his staff. ¡°Because you can channel magic, you have a slight advantage,¡± Yun Jin noted. ¡°Focus on smooth movement. Don¡¯t force anything; let momentum lead you.¡±
Merlin nodded, imitating Yun Jin¡¯s demonstration with surprising grace.
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Next, Yun Jin moved to Elder Harun, walking him through the stance and the arcs of Flowing Wind.
Years of hard labor gave the old man steady strength and natural rhythm, letting him pick it up quickly.
All morning, Yun Jin cycled through each villager, correcting stances and offering encouragement. By noon, everyone could execute basic attacks and defenses using their improvised ¡°weapons.¡±
With that foundation laid, Yun Jin introduced Redirecting Water, the second Wudang form. It centered on deflecting incoming blows with minimal effort and turning the attacker¡¯s own momentum against them.
On the second day, he shifted to physical conditioning, leading them on laps around the village to build stamina. ¡°Stay mindful of your breathing,¡± he reminded them. ¡°If you lose your breath, you lose your power.¡±
The villagers ran in a ragged line, but their resolve was iron. Years of farm work had honed their bodies, giving them a natural endurance.
Merlin, however, was a different story.
Partway through the first set of laps, Merlin stumbled and collapsed, drenched in sweat. Lying flat on the ground, he panted like he¡¯d just run a marathon.
Yun Jin approached with a wry smile. ¡°Merlin, you¡¯re not a farmer. You don¡¯t need to match them. Go rest in the shade.¡±
Merlin opened his mouth to protest, but Yun Jin raised a hand. ¡°Pushing beyond your limit isn¡¯t helpful. Focus on controlling your breath. That alone will help.¡±
Reluctantly, Merlin dragged himself under a tree, chest still heaving, and tried to practice the breathing exercises Yun Jin had taught him.
By the end of the second day, the villagers had improved their stamina significantly. They¡¯d also grown more aware of their breath and posture, moving more fluidly than before.
By day three, Yun Jin found himself genuinely impressed. The villagers had adapted to the sword forms with surprising speed, their familiarity with farming tools translating seamlessly into basic weapon techniques.
¡°They¡¯re about on par with entry-level Wudang disciples,¡± he murmured, watching them practice Flowing Wind and Redirecting Water in rhythmic unison.
Merlin stood off to the side, arms dangling limply. With an embarrassed grimace, he approached Yun Jin. ¡°I¡ I can¡¯t feel my arms,¡± he admitted, sheepishly. ¡°They¡¯ve been numb since the first day, but I was too embarrassed to say anything¡¡±
Yun Jin chuckled, resting a hand on the boy¡¯s head. Merlin stiffened but relaxed as Yun Jin spoke kindly. ¡°You¡¯ve worked hard, and you¡¯ve kept up. That¡¯s impressive in itself. If you want, we can do more strength training daily.¡±
Merlin¡¯s eyes sparkled with renewed determination. ¡°Yes, let¡¯s do it!¡±
After they wrapped up practice, Elder Harun approached, carrying a small medallion. Its intricate design glinted under the sun, bearing a horse emblem.
¡°This is the crest of a dear friend¡¯s house, House Altheron, near the city of Terrilstead,¡± Harun explained, bowing as he presented it. ¡°When you arrive, show it to Lord Ardent. He¡¯ll accommodate you and help you reach the Imperial City faster.¡±
Yun Jin returned the bow, and Merlin followed suit. ¡°Thank you,¡± Yun Jin said quietly.
Harun bowed even lower, his voice trembling. ¡°No. What you¡¯ve given us is far beyond anything I can repay. I only wish I could do more for you.¡±
Yun Jin straightened, expression placid. ¡°Use your new strength to protect what¡¯s important. That¡¯s all I need.¡±
Harun¡¯s lips curved into a smile as he whispered, ¡°He really is a hero after all.¡±
From a few paces away, Yun Jin raised his voice, a hint of humor coloring his tone. ¡°I heard that!¡±
[Encounter Complete]
[Completion Level: Excellent]
[You have been awarded 10 Completion Points.]
Chapter 9: The Magical Diagram
The setting sun cast long shadows through the forest as Yun Jin strolled ahead, the gentle rustle of leaves and the distant call of birds creating a serene atmosphere. Behind him, Merlin struggled to keep pace, his breathing uneven and labored. Yun Jin glanced over his shoulder just in time to see the boy stumble and collapse, his staff clattering to the ground.
¡°Merlin!¡± Yun Jin hurried to his side, kneeling as he noticed the boy¡¯s flushed cheeks and trembling limbs. He¡¯s been pushing himself too hard, Yun Jin thought grimly.
By the time dusk settled, Merlin stirred, blinking groggily. Realizing his head was resting on Yun Jin¡¯s lap, he flushed a deeper red. ¡°I¡ªI¡¯m sorry!¡± he stammered, scrambling upright and brushing himself off as though nothing had happened.
¡°You should¡¯ve told me you were at your limit,¡± Yun Jin said, equal parts frustration and concern.
Merlin lowered his gaze. ¡°I didn¡¯t want to look weak... You weren¡¯t tired at all, so I thought I could keep going.¡±
Yun Jin sighed, his expression darkening. Suddenly, he gave Merlin a light chop on the head. Merlin yelped, clutching at the spot. ¡°Resting before you collapse is better than pushing yourself until you drop,¡± Yun Jin scolded, though his lips curved into a teasing grin. ¡°Next time, speak up. We can either stop or I can carry you.¡±
Still rubbing his head, Merlin mumbled, ¡°Okay¡¡±
When he tried to stand, his legs wobbled and gave out, dumping him back onto the ground. ¡°I... I don¡¯t think I can walk right now,¡± he admitted, groaning. ¡°Can we just¡ stay here for the night?¡±
Yun Jin nodded, his composure returning. ¡°Fine. I¡¯ll set up camp.¡±
He rose, scanning the area for shelter materials, but Merlin stopped him. ¡°Wait! Let me handle it.¡± Determination rang in the boy¡¯s voice, causing Yun Jin to raise an eyebrow.
Curious, Yun Jin stepped aside and watched as Merlin knelt, using his staff to sketch an intricate diagram in the dirt. His hands moved with surprising dexterity, and his murmured words hinted at intense concentration. Once the design was complete, Merlin placed his hand on the diagram and channeled mana. The lines glowed faintly, and a translucent barrier flickered into being around them.
Yun Jin stepped outside its boundary, then turned back¡ªonly to find Merlin had vanished from sight within the barrier. When he reentered, Merlin became visible again as if he¡¯d never disappeared. ¡°What is this?¡± Yun Jin asked, impressed.
¡°A barrier,¡± Merlin replied, still slightly breathless. ¡°It hides us from most creatures and is tough to break. Perfect for camping out here.¡±
Yun Jin tilted his head. ¡°Why didn¡¯t you use this in the village?¡±
Merlin shrugged. ¡°It takes time to set up, and if something attacks mid-ritual, it¡¯s useless. Plus, persistent attacks can eventually break it. But here, it¡¯s perfect for avoiding ambushes.¡±
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Intrigued, Yun Jin knelt by the diagram, running a finger over the glowing lines. ¡°And this part?¡± he asked, pointing to a particularly complex knot of symbols.
Merlin crouched beside him. ¡°They¡¯re like external magic circuits. You have to know the right spell and use the correct medium to draw it.¡±
As Merlin spoke, Yun Jin watched mana flow through the diagram. When Merlin infused more energy, the glow intensified, and a faint, floating eye emerged at the center. It drifted beyond the barrier.
Moments later, Merlin went pale and trembled. ¡°That¡ drains me a lot,¡± he admitted with a weak smile. ¡°It¡¯s the only way for me to cast large, continuous spells¡ªotherwise, my circuit would burn out in seconds.¡±
¡°So, did the eye see anything?¡± Yun Jin asked.
Merlin brightened. ¡°Yes, there¡¯s a town on the horizon. If we move at a steady pace tomorrow, we can reach it before nightfall.¡±
¡°Good.¡± Yun Jin nodded. He leaned closer to study the lines Merlin had drawn. ¡°So this is an external circuit, right?¡±
Merlin¡¯s face grew slightly guarded. ¡°Yes. It¡¯s stable but very specific. You can try it if you want, but it depends on how much mana you can control.¡±
Yun Jin¡¯s eyes glinted with excitement. ¡°I¡¯ll give it a go.¡± Without further ado, he drew a rougher version of the pattern in the dirt. Infusing mana into it, he directed his energy through the lines.
Merlin watched, his head tilted in concern. ¡°What exactly are you¡ª¡±
Boom!
A fierce flash of light exploded from Yun Jin¡¯s diagram, flooding the barrier in a blinding brilliance. Merlin let out a shout, stumbling backward and raising an arm to shield his eyes. ¡°Seriously?!¡± he cried, blinking spots from his vision.
When the burst subsided, Yun Jin sat cross-legged, wearing a self-satisfied grin. ¡°Not bad for my first attempt,¡± he said smugly.
Merlin groaned, massaging his temple. ¡°You just forced a spell through the diagram with no idea how it actually works. Diagrams are a complex branch of magic! You need to understand leylines, materials, mana flow, and the specific spell. You can¡¯t just brute force it.¡±
Sheepish, Yun Jin scratched his head. ¡°I only wanted to see if it¡¯d function.¡±
Merlin muttered under his breath, ¡°He¡¯s more headstrong than I thought¡¡±
Heaving a sigh, Merlin glanced back at Yun Jin. ¡°For now, stick to your basic system skills. If you really want to learn diagrams, I¡¯ll teach you the fundamentals later. But it¡¯s not something you can just wing.¡±
A mischievous look crossed Yun Jin¡¯s face. ¡°Alright, alright. I¡¯ll hold off for now. But I do feel like I¡¯m grasping magic pretty fast.¡±
Merlin sighed once more, shaking his head. ¡°Let¡¯s hope you don¡¯t blind me a third time.¡±
Yun Jin only chuckled, placing a companionable hand on Merlin¡¯s shoulder. ¡°Come on. Before we sleep, let¡¯s do your breathing practice.¡±
Merlin complied, settling cross-legged as Yun Jin placed a steadying hand on his back. The boy tensed at first but soon relaxed under Yun Jin¡¯s careful guidance. Gradually, his pallor improved, and his breath fell into a calm, measured rhythm.
Night deepened around them, the protective barrier shimmering faintly as the forest¡¯s nocturnal chorus began. For a while, they simply enjoyed the peace, safe in their quiet circle of light.
Chapter 10: Welcome to Terrilstead
Under the cover of night, an ethereal figure cloaked in shadows emerged silently from the forest. Its form was fluid, blending seamlessly with the surrounding darkness as it moved with an eerie, soundless grace.
Reaching the edge of the shimmering barrier Merlin had erected, the figure paused. A shadowy hand, faintly translucent, stretched forward and brushed lightly against the barrier¡¯s surface. The faint glow rippled under the touch, a subtle pulse radiating outward, but the barrier held firm, undisturbed by this delicate contact.
The figure lingered, its presence still and intent, as if studying the intricate weave of mana keeping the barrier intact. After a moment, it withdrew its hand, the shadows enveloping it completely once more. Without disturbing the peaceful scene within, the figure melted back into the night, vanishing without a trace.
In a grand library lit by the flicker of oil lamps, an old nobleman sat at his desk, reviewing a stack of meticulously arranged reports. The papers detailed everything from the town¡¯s income to local disputes and other mundane administrative matters.
The shadows in the room seemed to deepen, and from their depths, a figure emerged, bowing low in silent deference. The nobleman¡¯s hand, poised over his work, stilled. Without a word, he turned his head slightly, acknowledging the presence.
¡°My lord,¡± the shadow began, its voice low and measured. ¡°I bring news.¡±
The nobleman¡¯s gaze sharpened, his fingers lightly brushing against the edge of the desk. ¡°Speak,¡± he said, his voice calm but commanding.
¡°I have located a pair of individuals of interest. A powerful mage and a warrior of considerable skill. They were observed teaching the villagers an unusual method¡ªone that awakened their systems in mere days.¡±
The noble¡¯s brow furrowed slightly, though his tone remained even. ¡°Unusual, you say? What manner of method?¡±
The shadow hesitated for a fraction of a second before continuing. ¡°It was not magic, my lord. The warrior referred to it as... ¡®qi.¡¯ Something I have never seen nor heard of before. Yet, the villagers adapted to it quickly. Within days, they displayed strength and coordination far beyond their prior abilities.¡±
The nobleman leaned back in his chair, his gaze thoughtful. ¡°A foreign art, then,¡± he murmured, almost to himself. ¡°And the mage?¡±
¡°He appears young, my lord, and his strength lies not in physicality but in his magic. However, his control over mana and use of diagrams suggest a sophisticated education¡ªpossibly from an academy.¡±
The noble tapped a finger lightly on the desk. ¡°Keep watching them,¡± he ordered firmly. ¡°I want every detail reported to me. And when they enter Terrilstead, ensure they are... welcomed appropriately.¡±
The shadow bowed low again. ¡°As you wish, my lord.¡±
With that, the figure dissolved back into the darkness, leaving the nobleman alone with his thoughts.
¡°Two more anomalies¡¡± he murmured, his voice barely above a whisper. ¡°That makes ten now.¡±
He stood from his chair, crossing the room to a large wooden board mounted on the wall. The board was adorned with numerous pins and strings, each connecting a series of portraits and documents. Names and brief descriptions were scrawled beneath each picture, detailing alliances, roles, and known activities of individuals scattered across the town and beyond.
His gaze scanned the intricate web of connections, pausing at a few faces with longer descriptions. ¡°I suppose I¡¯ll need someone on my side as well,¡± he muttered, a hint of resolve in his tone. ¡°Just in case.¡±
The next morning, the sun climbed over the horizon, bathing the road in golden light. Yun Jin and Merlin trudged along the dirt path leading to Terrilstead, the town¡¯s walls now visible in the distance. Merlin¡¯s steps faltered occasionally, his small frame still recovering from intense physical training.
¡°Keep moving,¡± Yun Jin said, his tone firm but not unkind. ¡°The sooner we get there, the sooner you can rest.¡±
Merlin huffed, gripping his staff like a walking stick. ¡°Easy for you to say. You¡¯re not dragging a pack that feels like it¡¯s stuffed with bricks.¡±
Yun Jin chuckled, glancing at the oversized bag on Merlin¡¯s back. ¡°If you had told me, I would¡¯ve carried it for you.¡±
¡°No way,¡± Merlin shot back, his cheeks flushing. ¡°I can handle it!¡±
Yun Jin¡¯s smirk widened. ¡°Suit yourself.¡±
As they approached the gates of Terrilstead, they were greeted by the sight of guards standing watch. The town bustled with activity beyond the walls, the sounds of merchants hawking wares and townsfolk chattering blending into a lively cacophony.
The guards eyed the pair as they drew closer. ¡°State your business,¡± one of them demanded.
Before Yun Jin could respond, Merlin stepped forward, holding out the medal given to them by the village elder. ¡°We¡¯re travelers, heading to the imperial city. This was given to us by Elder Harun.¡±
The guards didn¡¯t utter a word, their expressions impassive as they stepped aside to let Yun Jin and Merlin pass.
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No directions were given, leaving the pair standing at the gate, unsure of where to head next.
Yun Jin opened his mouth to ask where they should go, but the guards quickly called for the next in line, their attention already shifting to the people behind him. Realizing he wouldn¡¯t get an answer, Yun Jin sighed and moved forward, Merlin trailing close behind.
The streets of Terrilstead were alive with color and movement. Merchants called out from stalls laden with vibrant fabrics, exotic spices, and gleaming trinkets. Children darted through the crowd, laughing as they played.
Merlin¡¯s eyes widened as he took it all in, his earlier exhaustion momentarily forgotten. ¡°This place is amazing!¡±
¡°Yeah, totally!¡± Yun Jin mumbled, his words muffled by the mouthful of food he was chewing. He gave a quick thumbs-up for emphasis, looking utterly unbothered as he reached for another skewer.
Merlin blinked in confusion. ¡°When did you get that? I didn¡¯t even see you¡ª¡±
Yun Jin grinned, gesturing casually toward a stall nearby where a young woman balanced a tray of freshly grilled skewers, her mother working the smoking grill beside her. ¡°I bought it from that lady over there.¡±
Merlin frowned. ¡°Wait, with what money?¡±
¡°Oh, the money the villagers gave us,¡± Yun Jin said nonchalantly, then added with a playful smirk, ¡°I saw you already carrying a lot of stuff, so I figured I¡¯d help hold onto some of it for you. Pretty thoughtful of me, huh? Haha!¡±
Merlin groaned, rubbing his temple. ¡°Unbelievable. You call this ¡®helping¡¯?¡±
Yun Jin laughed, tossing a coin toward Merlin, who barely managed to catch it. ¡°Relax, here¡¯s your cut. Don¡¯t say I never share.¡±
Merlin stared at the coin in his hand, a mix of exasperation and reluctant amusement spreading across his face. ¡°You¡¯re impossible, you know that?¡±
¡°Impossible?¡± Yun Jin replied, a playful glint in his eyes. ¡°Some may even call me Limitless, hehehe. Come on, don¡¯t be so picky. Are you a woman or something?¡± He reached out and ruffled Merlin¡¯s hair, the teasing gesture catching the younger mage off guard.
Merlin froze for a moment, staring at Yun Jin. He wasn¡¯t sure how to feel. Until now, Yun Jin had seemed like a figure carved from legend¡ªa wise, almost larger-than-life presence, like his own grandfather.
But now?
He¡¯s a lot more human than I thought, Merlin realized. A troublesome one at that.
Merlin huffed, blushing, and batted Yun Jin¡¯s hand away.
He protested, his cheeks tinged red as he avoided Yun Jin¡¯s amused gaze.
Amid the lively scene, a sharp cry rang out.
¡°Thief! Someone stop him!¡±
A figure darted through the throng, clutching a small purse. The commotion barely registered with most, but Yun Jin¡¯s sharp eyes flicked toward the movement. Without a word, he broke into a sprint, leaving Merlin behind as he navigated the crowd with practiced ease.
Merlin called after him, ¡°Wait¡ªwhat¡¯s happening?¡± but Yun Jin was already gone, a blur weaving through the streets.
The thief ducked into a narrow alley, his steps frantic as he glanced over his shoulder. He smirked, certain he¡¯d lost his pursuer. But just as he turned back, he froze.
Yun Jin stood at the alley¡¯s far end, his stance relaxed but his gaze sharp.
¡°You¡¯ve got quick feet,¡± Yun Jin remarked, his voice calm. ¡°But not quick enough.¡±
The thief snarled, drawing a small dagger. ¡°Stay back!¡±
Yun Jin didn¡¯t flinch. Instead, he stepped forward, his movements fluid, his presence commanding.
The thief lunged, aiming to scare Yun Jin off, but before he could react, Yun Jin sidestepped effortlessly, his Qi-enhanced reflexes making the motion almost imperceptible.
With a single, deliberate motion, Yun Jin twisted his body and struck upward with a sharp, controlled kick. His foot connected with the thief¡¯s arm, disarming him, then continued in a graceful arc to land a second blow to the man¡¯s chest.
The impact sent the thief sprawling onto the ground, gasping for air. The dagger clattered away, forgotten.
As the thief struggled to rise, Yun Jin lowered himself slightly, his Qi gathering as he delivered a palm strike to the ground. The resulting shockwave sent dust and debris scattering, disorienting the man and leaving him completely stunned.
Yun Jin reached down, retrieving the fallen purse with a stern expression.
Moments later, a young woman rushed toward Yun Jin, her expression a mix of relief and gratitude. Merlin trailed behind, looking winded and confused.
The woman stopped a few feet from Yun Jin, clasping her hands together. Her delicate features were framed by a cascade of silky, dark hair that shimmered in the sunlight, flowing past her shoulders like a waterfall. Her skin was smooth and luminous, possessing a natural glow that seemed untouched by hardship. Wide, doe-like eyes sparkled with innocence and gratitude, their depth captivating.
Her lips, full and naturally rosy, curved into a timid smile, their softness adding to her alluring charm. She wore a simple dress that clung delicately to her figure, highlighting firm, graceful curves. Her hips were wide yet proportionate, exuding a quiet femininity, while her posture remained elegant, giving her an air of modest allure.
¡°Thank you so much! That¡¯s mine,¡± she said, her voice trembling slightly, carrying a sweetness that complemented her innocent demeanor.
Yun Jin extended the purse to her without a word, his stern face unreadable. She accepted it with a warm smile, clutching it to her chest. ¡°You¡¯re my savior! Please, let me repay you. How about dinner at my home? I insist!¡± Her soft, tender hand reached out, gently clasping his.
Merlin¡¯s eyes widened as he saw Yun Jin brush her hand away.
¡°That¡¯s not necessary,¡± Yun Jin said, his tone cold and steady.
Yun Jin¡¯s gaze darkened, his face growing unreadable.
Without a word, his sharp eyes flicked past the woman, scanning their surroundings. His movements became deliberate as he stepped around her, taking Merlin with him, his grip firm but steady.
He stopped just short of the alley¡¯s exit, his presence threatening as he rested a hand on the hilt of his sword.
¡°I¡¯ll give you one chance,¡± he said firmly. ¡°Explain yourself.¡±
Chapter 11: The Warm Welcome
What is the life of Yun Jin, the Limitless Blade?
Born a prodigy, Yun Jin carried the weight of expectations from the moment he drew his first breath. As the son of one of Wudang¡¯s great pillars and a mother from the illustrious Moon Orchid Clan, his destiny had seemed inescapably grand. Many sought to tether themselves to his rising star, with clans vying to offer their daughters, each promising alliances of wealth and power.
But Yun Jin had been taught early how to navigate this world of smiles hiding daggers. His mother had ensured that.
¡°If you want to marry someone,¡± she had once said, her tone deceptively light as she combed his hair, ¡°pick someone who can beat you. At least you¡¯ll know they aren¡¯t just after what you have.¡±
That simple advice had shaped him. It wasn¡¯t just a way to fend off suitors; it became a lens through which he viewed the world. Yun Jin had spent his life perfecting his craft, knowing that his talents, looks, and status made him a target. The more he excelled, the more he attracted attention¡ªnot all of it welcome.
Even now, he could see through people¡¯s veils. It wasn¡¯t paranoia; it was survival. And while he didn¡¯t act hostile without reason, there were moments when his instincts flared, warning him of hidden dangers.
Moments like this one.
After shaking the woman¡¯s hand, he knew something was amiss. She was strong. Stronger than the petty thief she used as her accomplice. Her grip, though delicate, carried an underlying force that only someone trained would recognize.
It was all a performance, and he had no intention of playing along.
The woman¡¯s demeanor shifted like the flip of a coin. Gone was the sweet, innocent charm, replaced by a cold, detached expression. Her eyes sharpened, and her voice lost its warmth as she turned to the unconscious thief. ¡°Get up,¡± she barked, her tone curt.
But the thief didn¡¯t stir.
Her jaw tightened, and a flicker of panic crossed her face before she quickly masked it. She turned back to Yun Jin, her composure seemingly restored. ¡°You¡¯re perceptive,¡± she said flatly. ¡°I¡¯ll admit it¡ªI was sent here with orders to befriend you and gather information about your intentions.¡±
Yun Jin remained silent, his expression unreadable, his hand still resting casually on the hilt of his sword.
Her voice grew firmer, as though trying to wrest control of the situation. ¡°Who are you, and why are you visiting this town? Who sent you?¡±
Yun Jin¡¯s gaze bore into hers, calm yet unyielding. ¡°I¡¯m here to visit the House of Altheron,¡± he said evenly. ¡°Anything beyond that is none of your business.¡±
The woman frowned, clearly dissatisfied. ¡°You expect me to just accept that answer? If you¡¯re here for¡ª¡±
¡°Enough,¡± Yun Jin cut her off, his voice dropping a note colder. ¡°Next time, don¡¯t bother scheming. But be warned¡ªnext time, I attack first.¡±
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She froze, startled by the steel in his tone. Before she could muster a response, Yun Jin turned and walked away, motioning for Merlin to follow.
As they disappeared into the bustling streets, the woman stood rooted in place, her fists clenched at her sides.
The canal reflected the pale moonlight, its tranquil surface a stark contrast to the lavish mansion that stood beside it. Inside, a stunning woman reclined on a velvet chaise lounge, a glass of crimson wine held delicately in her manicured fingers. Her red dress clung to her figure, accentuating her elegance and power. A handsome servant stood behind her, his strong hands kneading her shoulders with practiced ease.
She exhaled contentedly, swirling the wine in her glass. ¡°Perfect,¡± she murmured. ¡°A woman should always be at peace.¡±
The door to the room burst open, shattering the tranquil atmosphere. A man and a woman rushed in, bowing low, their expressions tense. They dragged an unconscious thief between them, his body limp as they dropped him unceremoniously to the floor. The sound of his body hitting the polished tiles made the woman¡¯s perfectly arched brow twitch in annoyance.
Her piercing gaze turned to the intruders. ¡°You dare disturb my peace?¡± Her voice was soft, yet it carried an edge sharp enough to cut glass. ¡°Speak. Quickly.¡±
The spy straightened, her face pale under the scrutiny of the woman¡¯s golden eyes. ¡°Madam, I bring urgent news,¡± she said, her voice trembling slightly. ¡°I encountered someone... someone strong. He¡¯s headed to the House of Altheron.¡±
The woman waved a dismissive hand, her interest clearly lacking. ¡°The House of Altheron entertains many guests. Why should I care about one more?¡±
¡°Because,¡± the spy insisted, ¡°he knocked my brother out with just two punches.¡±
The thief, now stirring on the floor, groaned weakly. ¡°Two punches,¡± he muttered, his voice hoarse. ¡°The second one hurt like hell. I thought I was done for.¡±
The woman¡¯s wine glass paused mid-air as her eyes narrowed. ¡°Two punches?¡± Her lips curved into a faint smile, though it didn¡¯t reach her eyes. ¡°Interesting. What else?¡±
The spy hesitated, her hands clenching at her sides. ¡°He saw through my act immediately. No hesitation. It was as if he could see straight into my intentions. I couldn¡¯t even buy a moment to deceive him.¡±
The woman tilted her head, studying the spy with a mixture of amusement and contempt. ¡°You, the pupil of the Thousand Masks Thief, bested by a single man?¡± She laughed lightly, a sound that sent a shiver down the spy¡¯s spine. ¡°How utterly disappointing.¡±
The spy¡¯s brother rubbed his neck, his bruised pride evident. ¡°He¡¯s no ordinary man, Madam. His strength... it¡¯s unnatural.¡±
The woman¡¯s smile faded as her eyes turned cold and calculating. She swirled her wine absentmindedly. ¡°A man who can see through deception and possesses such power. Interesting indeed.¡±
She placed the glass down on the table beside her, standing gracefully. ¡°If he¡¯s heading to the House of Altheron, I need to know why. If his presence disrupts my plans... well, I¡¯ll deal with him myself.¡±
The spy and her brother exchanged uneasy glances. ¡°What are your orders, Madam?¡±
¡°For now, we observe. I¡¯ll dispatch someone more... capable to keep tabs on him,¡± she said with a smirk. ¡°If he proves too dangerous, we¡¯ll take action. And if he¡¯s merely passing through, we¡¯ll let him be.¡± She turned her sharp gaze to them. ¡°You both should hope it¡¯s the latter. I¡¯d hate to clean up another mess.¡±
The spy and her brother bowed deeply, murmuring their thanks before retreating from the room.
Left alone, the woman waved her servant away, her demeanor shifting as she walked to a window overlooking the canal. The cool night air brushed against her face, but her mind was far from tranquil.
¡°That old man...¡± she whispered, her voice carrying an undertone of suspicion.
¡°Has he started moving against me already?¡±
Chapter 12: Adventurer鈥檚 Guild
The bustling streets of Terrilstead sprawled before Yun Jin and Merlin, an intricate web of shops, stalls, and lively chatter. For a while, they wandered aimlessly, the vibrant chaos pulling their attention in every direction.
Finally, Yun Jin stopped in the middle of the street, rubbing the back of his head with a sheepish grin. ¡°Welp, looks like I¡¯m completely lost.¡±
Merlin sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. ¡°Maybe we should ask someone for directions before we wander into more dead ends.¡±
Yun Jin chuckled. ¡°Nah, that¡¯s not the way. My father always said, ¡®When you¡¯re lost, follow the crowd.¡¯¡± He pointed ahead where groups of armed individuals entered and exited a large, imposing building with a distinct symbol above its entrance. ¡°And it looks like the crowd is heading there.¡±
The building radiated a familiar energy to Yun Jin¡ªone of purpose and strength. Warriors clad in polished armor, mages wielding ornate staves, and even beast-like humanoids passed through its doors. Many carried high-quality weapons and a quiet air of confidence.
Merlin squinted at the large sign hanging above the entrance. ¡°That¡¯s the Adventurer¡¯s Guild! We should¡ª¡±
But before Merlin could finish, Yun Jin grabbed his arm and dragged him through the doors.
--
The interior of the guild hall was lively and chaotic. Long wooden tables lined the space, occupied by boisterous adventurers sharing food, drink, and laughter. A hum of activity filled the air as groups huddled around a massive quest board pinned with parchment notices.
Yun Jin¡¯s gaze swept the room, intrigued by the diverse gathering. His eyes lingered on a humanoid lizard, a man with fox-like ears, and a mage with glowing tattoos.
¡°This place is incredible,¡± Yun Jin said, his tone light but curious.
A nearby group caught his attention as they discussed forming a party:
¡°We¡¯ll need at least one healer for this dungeon run.¡±
¡°Don¡¯t forget a tank¡ªour last one nearly got shredded!¡±
¡°Bah, we¡¯ll manage! I can double as DPS and crowd control.¡±
Merlin followed Yun Jin¡¯s gaze to the quest board, where his companion was now fixated. Yun Jin stepped closer, scanning the notices.
¡°Merlin,¡± Yun Jin asked, pointing to a particular notice, ¡°are these dungeon rifts where those green little creatures came from?¡±
Merlin peered at the notice and nodded. ¡°Yes, goblins usually appear in D-rank gates. But the one we encountered had a shaman, so it was probably closer to a D+.¡±
Yun Jin tilted his head. ¡°D-rank? Is that strong? I could handle two or three hordes of those things at once.¡±
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Merlin smiled faintly, though a hint of unease lingered. ¡°Not really. There are higher ranks like D+, C, B, A, and S. And then there are special types like red gates, black gates, and boss raids. I¡¯ve only heard about them from my grandfather, though¡ªI¡¯ve never seen one myself.¡±
Yun Jin rubbed his chin, intrigued. ¡°Then why don¡¯t we try one? We¡¯ve got time.¡±
Merlin hesitated for a moment, then nodded. ¡°That¡¯s... actually not a bad idea.¡±
--
At the end of the hall, a striking blonde receptionist stood behind a polished counter, attending to adventurers with a practiced smile. As Yun Jin and Merlin approached, her gaze landed on them, and her smile brightened.
¡°Welcome to the Adventurer¡¯s Guild! How can I help you today?¡± she asked warmly.
Yun Jin placed a quest notice on the counter. ¡°We¡¯d like to take this one.¡±
The receptionist glanced at the notice before looking back at him. ¡°May I see your adventurer cards for registration?¡±
Yun Jin blinked. ¡°Adventurer cards?¡±
Merlin scratched his cheek, sheepish. ¡°We don¡¯t have those.¡±
The receptionist raised an eyebrow, her eyes quickly assessing them. Yun Jin¡¯s muscular frame and fine sword spoke of combat experience, while the dense energy radiating from Merlin hinted at latent magical potential.
¡°In that case,¡± she said, ¡°would you like to take the registration test? We offer a full test, which takes about 5¨C6 hours, or a quick test to determine your energy rank.¡±
Yun Jin tilted his head. ¡°What¡¯s the quick test?¡±
The receptionist smiled, though there was a hint of pity in her tone. ¡°It only measures your energy level¡ªno combat or skill evaluation. Are you sure? It won¡¯t showcase your swordsmanship.¡±
¡°That¡¯s fine,¡± Yun Jin said. ¡°Let¡¯s do the quick test.¡±
The receptionist retrieved a smooth, glowing orb and placed it on the counter. ¡°Simply place your hand on the orb and pour your mana into it. It will display your rank.¡±
Yun Jin stepped forward, placing his hand on the orb. As soon as he made contact, he felt an instant connection. Is this thing a weapon? he wondered. A smirk crept onto his face as a mischievous thought crossed his mind.
He focused, channeling his energy into the orb. The light within it began to grow brighter and brighter, until it glowed like a miniature sun. Gasps echoed through the hall as the letter S appeared on its surface.
The receptionist¡¯s face went pale, and adventurers around the room turned their heads, murmuring in shock.
¡°S... S-rank?¡± she stammered.
Yun Jin, satisfied with the chaos, relaxed his energy. The orb dimmed, and the light stabilized to reveal C instead.
The receptionist exhaled, still shaken. ¡°C-rank...¡±
Merlin stared at Yun Jin, his mouth agape. Yun Jin flicked his forehead playfully. ¡°Your turn.¡±
Snapping out of his stupor, Merlin stepped forward and placed his hand on the orb. The light pulsed, growing steadily until it displayed B.
¡°B-rank?¡± Merlin whispered, his voice trembling with excitement.
The receptionist handed them forms to fill out, requiring their names and a drop of blood. Once completed, the papers glowed and transformed into cards. Yun Jin¡¯s bronze-colored card bore a bold C, while Merlin¡¯s iron card displayed a proud B.
The receptionist registered their quest and handed them the details. ¡°Good luck on your first mission!¡±
Chapter 13: Against the Void
Yun Jin and Merlin made their way through the northern part of Terrilstead, following the signs that pointed toward their destination. As they walked, the bustling sounds of the town faded behind them, replaced by the rustling leaves and distant calls of birds from the nearby forest.
After a short while, they reached the edge of town, where the dense jungle loomed ahead. Just beyond the treeline, Yun Jin¡¯s sharp eyes caught sight of a strange sight¡ªa swirling blue vortex hovering in the air, shimmering like liquid light.
The energy emanating from the vortex sent a tingle through Yun Jin¡¯s senses, a strange mix of familiarity and unease. It¡¯s just like that time I was pulled into this world, he thought, his grip tightening slightly on his sword.
¡°It¡¯s awfully close to the town, isn¡¯t it?¡± Yun Jin said aloud, glancing back at Merlin.
Merlin nodded, adjusting the strap of his staff. ¡°It can happen sometimes. Dungeon rifts don¡¯t have set spawn points¡ªthey can appear almost anywhere. That¡¯s why towns like this install protective magic diagrams to prevent them from spawning inside the walls.¡±
¡°Diagrams? I didn''t see anything.¡± Yun Jin asked, raising an eyebrow.
¡°Like the ones I use,¡± Merlin explained. ¡°But much bigger. They¡¯re might be powered by mana channels running under the town.¡± He paused, his voice lowering slightly. ¡°Still, the diagrams aren¡¯t perfect. Some towns have been overrun because the defenses failed.¡±
Yun Jin hummed thoughtfully, his gaze returning to the vortex. ¡°Well, let¡¯s not give it a chance to cause trouble.¡± He glanced at Merlin. ¡°You ready?¡±
Merlin nodded and began chanting softly, his staff glowing faintly with emerald light. With a sweep of his hand, he cast a shimmering barrier over himself and Yun Jin. ¡°Magic Armor,¡± he said. ¡°It¡¯ll absorb some damage before breaking.¡±
He continued, drawing intricate diagrams in the air with his staff. The glowing lines of mana hovered for a moment before converging on Yun Jin, wrapping around him in a soft light. Yun Jin felt an immediate difference¡ªhis body felt lighter, as if a heavy weight had been lifted.
Merlin smiled, though his forehead glistened with sweat. ¡°That one increases agility. Casting normal spells takes too much mana, so I like to prepare diagrams ahead of time. Mostly buffs and summons.¡±
As he spoke, he waved his staff again, conjuring a small emerald bird made entirely of wind energy. The bird fluttered around them, its translucent wings glimmering in the sunlight. ¡°This one¡¯s a scout. It can warn us if anything¡¯s waiting inside.¡±
Yun Jin nodded approvingly. ¡°Not bad. You¡¯ve got a lot of tricks up your sleeve.¡±
Merlin flushed slightly at the compliment, adjusting his grip on his staff. ¡°Thanks. But we should stay focused.¡±
Yun Jin drew his sword, the blade catching the light as it left its sheath.
He stepped toward the vortex, the swirling energy casting faint blue shadows across his face. He glanced back at Merlin one last time.
¡°Stay close,¡± he said. Then, without hesitation, he stepped into the gate.
--
The moment Yun Jin and Merlin stepped through the rift, the world around them shifted. The bright sky and the sounds of Terrilstead faded into an eerie, unnatural stillness.
A vast magical forest stretched before them, bathed in a gloomy, green-tinted light. The air felt damp, and the scent of moss, soil, and something faintly floral lingered. The trees here were ancient, their gnarled roots twisting unnaturally, some even hovering slightly above the ground as if resisting gravity. Glowing mushrooms pulsed faintly along the trunks, casting a dim bioluminescent glow.
Merlin, stepping forward, took a deep breath and raised his staff. He closed his eyes, channeling mana through his fingertips. A thin wisp of emerald energy flickered before him before forming into a small wind bird, a spectral emerald falcon with faintly glowing eyes. With a soft trill, it took off into the air, flitting between the trees like a whispering breeze.
¡°I¡¯m sending it to scout ahead,¡± Merlin explained, his voice focused.
Yun Jin nodded, watching as the wind construct zipped through the misty forest.
--
Merlin¡¯s brows furrowed as he processed the information his wind bird had relayed.
His grip on his staff tightened slightly. ¡°We¡¯ve got seven enemies,¡± he said, his voice steady but carrying a hint of unease. ¡°Two Brambleguards¡ªliving walls of thorned vines, level five. Three Pixie Tricksters, level seven¡ªthey like to mess with your head. One Treant, level ten¡ªa walking tree, tough as stone. And¡¡± His voice hesitated ever so slightly, ¡°¡one Dryad. Level fifteen.¡±
Yun Jin raised an eyebrow. ¡°Sounds like a big jump from goblins.¡±
Merlin nodded, licking his lips. ¡°D-rank dungeons can vary a lot depending on the creatures inside. Goblins? Dangerous in numbers, but predictable. But fae?¡± He exhaled sharply. ¡°They don¡¯t play fair. And the Dryad¡ªshe¡¯s the worst one here.¡±
Yun Jin tilted his head. ¡°You sure know a lot.¡±
Merlin blinked, then gave a nervous chuckle. He looked away, rubbing the back of his neck. ¡°I just know about fae. Their body parts and materials are excellent ingredients for magic.¡± He fidgeted slightly. ¡°But¡ I don¡¯t actually know much about monsters.¡±
Yun Jin smirked. ¡°So, which are they? Monsters or not?¡±
Merlin pursed his lips. His hands clenched around his staff before he finally spoke. ¡°Fae aren¡¯t like monsters. They¡¯re creatures of nature and magic. They don¡¯t live in dungeons naturally¡ªthey¡¯re born from nature¡¯s mana. Some are playful. Some are cruel. Some just don¡¯t care about humans at all. But the important thing?¡± He hesitated before meeting Yun Jin¡¯s gaze. ¡°They follow their own rules. And that makes them unpredictable.¡±
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Yun Jin watched him carefully, noticing how Merlin''s fingers twitched slightly, betraying his nerves. The boy was usually confident when talking about magic, but here? There was uncertainty in his voice.
¡°So, you¡¯re worried?¡± Yun Jin asked, his tone lighter than before.
Merlin huffed and crossed his arms, looking away. ¡°Of course not!¡± His voice cracked slightly. ¡°I mean, okay, maybe a little! It¡¯s just¡ªDryads are no joke! Even experienced mages have trouble with them, and we only have me.¡± He glanced at Yun Jin¡¯s sword. ¡°And your sword, I guess.¡±
Yun Jin chuckled, rolling his shoulders. ¡°Hah. That makes this interesting, doesn¡¯t it?¡±
Merlin sighed, adjusting his grip on his staff. ¡°I swear, you¡¯re the only person who gets excited about fighting something this dangerous¡¡±
Yun Jin only smirked in response.
--
But as he observed their surroundings, he noted something peculiar¡ª
The path ahead was unnaturally narrow.
A perfectly winding, thin trail cut through the magical forest, with thick trees looming on both sides, forming a natural corridor. It was too clean. Too convenient.
Yun Jin frowned slightly, clicking his tongue. ¡°This setup¡ feels like a trap.¡±
Merlin blinked in confusion. ¡°Huh?¡±
¡°Look at it,¡± Yun Jin gestured toward the suspiciously clear-cut path ahead. ¡°It¡¯s guiding us. There¡¯s only one way forward. But in a place like this, don¡¯t you think that¡¯s¡ too obvious?¡±
Merlin hesitated, glancing around. ¡°I mean¡ I heard most dungeons have paths like these, don¡¯t they?¡±
Yun Jin shook his head. ¡°In the real world, forests aren¡¯t this neatly arranged."
Before Merlin could protest further, Yun Jin ignored the path entirely. Instead, he veered off-course, stepping directly into the dense, mystical forest, where the air felt heavier with magic.
¡°Wait¡ªwhat are you doing?!¡± Merlin hissed, scrambling to follow him.
Yun Jin drew his sword, effortlessly slicing through the thick foliage, creating his own path. The blade¡¯s edge glowed faintly with a trace of qi, allowing it to pass through the tough, magical vines as though they were paper.
Merlin grumbled, stumbling after him. ¡°You¡¯re seriously going to just¡ cut your way through?¡±
¡°Of course,¡± Yun Jin said simply, stepping over a tangle of roots. ¡°If I¡¯m going to fight, I want to know where this place ends.¡±
Merlin looked skeptical but didn¡¯t dare separate from Yun Jin¡ªif he got attacked alone, he¡¯d be an easy target. He hurried to keep up, keeping his staff at the ready.
The deeper they walked, the more unnatural the air became. There were no monsters in this area, only absolute silence.
Then¡ª
Yun Jin stopped.
They had reached the very edge of the dungeon.
Before them lay the void.
A vast, infinite darkness stretched beyond the boundary of the dungeon¡ªa sheer, impossible emptiness that swallowed all light.
Yun Jin felt a strange, hollow sensation in his chest. His breathing hitched for a moment, his body instinctively rejecting the sight before him. Just staring at it made his stomach churn, like he was peering into something beyond reality itself.
¡°Ugh¡¡± Yun Jin exhaled sharply, steadying himself.
Merlin, who had caught up, gasped. ¡°W-what is this place¡?¡±
They could see the dungeon¡¯s end¡ªan invisible, translucent barrier that separated the world of the dungeon from the absolute nothingness beyond.
Yun Jin reached out a hand, pressing against the barrier. It was solid, yet completely smooth. A faint shimmer rippled where his fingers touched it, but it did not give way.
Merlin gulped. ¡°Is¡ is this what happens when dungeons form? Do they just¡ carve out space like this?¡±
Yun Jin didn¡¯t answer. He simply stared at the void, his mind struggling to comprehend what lay beyond it.
He had never seen anything like this before.
There was no sky. No ground. No depth. No color. Just an abyss of nothingness.
The sensation of looking at something that shouldn¡¯t exist made his head feel light, almost nauseating.
And then¡ªinstinctively¡ªhe took a step back.
Merlin noticed. ¡°You okay?¡±
Yun Jin shook his head, his usual smirk replaced by unease. ¡°Let¡¯s not stay here too long.¡±
But before leaving, he glanced at the translucent barrier one more time.
A thought crossed his mind.
¡°¡I wonder.¡±
He stepped forward again, this time drawing his sword.
Merlin paled. ¡°H-Hey, Yun Jin, what are you¡ª¡±
Yun Jin ignored him.
[Aura Blade]
Instead, he exhaled slowly, focusing his absolute intent. His sword pulsed with light, and in that instant¡ª
Light Blade Sovereign Style: Thirteenth Form ¨C Vector to Heaven.
A single, motionless slash.
A cut that required neither movement nor wasted energy. The embodiment of pure mastery.
The sword flashed¡ªan imperceptible strike that no eyes could follow.
And yet¡ª
Nothing happened.
The barrier remained. Untouched.
Yun Jin narrowed his eyes. ¡°Not even a scratch¡¡±
Even his strongest technique had done nothing to it.
A trace of frustration flickered across his face, but he sighed and sheathed his blade. Then, without another word, he marked the spot in his mind before turning back to Merlin.
¡°Let¡¯s go.¡±
Merlin, still standing stiffly, exhaled a breath he didn¡¯t realize he was holding. ¡°¡Yeah. Let¡¯s go.¡±
As they walked away, Yun Jin¡¯s thoughts lingered on the barrier and the abyss beyond.
Just what the hell is this place¡?
Chapter 14: When Fae Go Wild
Yun Jin and Merlin retraced their steps back to the main path, leaving behind the unsettling void at the dungeon¡¯s edge. The eerie silence of that infinite darkness still lingered in Yun Jin¡¯s mind, but he shook off the feeling. There were more immediate concerns¡ªlike clearing this dungeon and seeing how he and Merlin measured up against these so-called fae.
As they walked, the magical forest seemed almost alive, whispering around them. The bioluminescent fungi pulsed faintly, casting shifting shadows across the twisted roots and gnarled branches. Yun Jin¡¯s eyes flicked between the trees, tracking movement beyond the path.
¡°They know we¡¯re here,¡± he muttered.
Merlin tensed, adjusting his grip on his staff. ¡°Of course they do. Fae aren¡¯t mindless like goblins¡ªthey¡¯re watching, waiting.¡± His voice lowered. ¡°They¡¯re playful. They won¡¯t just attack outright. They like to mess with their prey first.¡±
Yun Jin grinned, excitement sparking in his eyes. ¡°Sounds like fun.¡±
Merlin shot him a look. ¡°For them, maybe.¡±
Just as he finished speaking, a soft giggle echoed from the trees, unnervingly close. Then, a gust of wind swept past, carrying whispers in a language neither of them understood. Yun Jin''s grip tightened on his sword, his stance shifting.
A flicker of movement.
Then another.
Merlin¡¯s wind bird flitted about anxiously, its spectral feathers ruffling as it circled overhead.
¡°They¡¯re coming,¡± Merlin warned.
Yun Jin exhaled, his heartbeat steady, his instincts sharpening. Then¡ª
A sharp rustling from above.
¡°Move!¡±
Merlin barely had time to react before Yun Jin grabbed his collar and yanked him backward. A massive tangle of thorned vines crashed down where they had been standing, writhing like a living creature. The vines twisted and coiled, rising into the form of two humanoid figures¡ªBrambleguards.
Yun Jin clicked his tongue. ¡°Annoying.¡±
The Brambleguards creaked and groaned as they moved, their thorny limbs snapping into place as they raised their vine-covered arms.
Then, like a signal, high-pitched laughter erupted from the treetops.
Three figures darted into view¡ªPixie Tricksters. Their translucent wings shimmered with iridescent light, their small, mischievous faces twisted with glee. They chattered in a language that sounded both melodic and mocking, their tiny hands weaving faint trails of magic into the air.
Merlin¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°They¡¯re already casting illusions!¡±
Yun Jin didn¡¯t hesitate. ¡°Then we take them out first.¡±
He surged forward, his sword flashing as he closed the distance between himself and the nearest Pixie Trickster.
The pixie smirked, raising a hand¡ª
And then vanished.
Yun Jin¡¯s sword sliced through empty air.
Before he could react, a second pixie appeared at his side, giggling as it tapped his shoulder. Yun Jin spun, but once again, there was nothing there.
Merlin gritted his teeth. ¡°They¡¯re phasing between locations! They can warp short distances, but it¡¯s not unlimited¡ªjust keep moving, don¡¯t give them time to focus!¡±
Yun Jin¡¯s grin widened. ¡°Got it.¡±
He shifted his stance.
Light Blade Sovereign Style: Third Form ¨C Dance of the Firefly.
A blur of movement¡ªYun Jin struck again, but this time, he didn''t stop after the first swing. His blade weaved through the air in rapid succession, slashing through the empty space where the pixies flickered in and out of view.
They reappeared just long enough for him to adjust his strikes mid-motion.
A startled shriek¡ªone of the Pixie Tricksters failed to phase in time. Yun Jin¡¯s blade connected, cleaving straight through its small frame. The creature let out a final, distorted giggle before its body shimmered, breaking apart into tiny motes of fading light.
The remaining two pixies screeched in alarm, retreating higher into the treetops.
Meanwhile, the Brambleguards surged forward, their thorned limbs lashing out toward Yun Jin and Merlin.
Merlin took a sharp breath, his staff pulsing with green light. He slammed the butt of it into the ground, tracing a quick diagram in the air.
¡°Wind Snare!¡±
A burst of emerald energy shot forward, wrapping around the limbs of one of the Brambleguards. The vines recoiled, twisting against themselves, temporarily halting its movement.
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Yun Jin capitalized immediately.
He stepped in, twisting his body¡ª
[Aura Blade]
His sword flared with a sharp, radiant glow as qi surged along its edge, extending its reach with lethal precision.
Light Blade Sovereign Style: First Form ¨C Arc Lightning.
A burst of speed propelled him forward, his blade carving through the Brambleguard¡¯s thick mass of tangled vines. The enhanced edge bit deep¡ªdeeper than a normal strike could¡ªbut failed to cleave all the way through its hardened core.
Yun Jin''s eyes widened slightly. Tch, tough bastard¡ª!
Before he could react, the Brambleguard¡¯s massive thorned fist lashed out, catching him clean in the chest.
BOOM!
The force sent him flying backward, the impact rippling through his body¡ªuntil the shimmering glow of Magic Armor absorbed most of the blow. He skidded back, boots digging into the dirt, breath slightly shaken but unharmed.
Had it not been for Merlin¡¯s spell, that punch would¡¯ve shattered his ribs.
The Brambleguard reared back, vines shifting as it prepared another strike. But Yun Jin, undeterred, tightened his grip.
¡°Hah¡ that actually hurt.¡±
He exhaled, adjusting his stance. This time, he aimed precisely¡ªnot for a full cleave, but for a decisive kill.
A single step forward.
His blade traced a calculated arc.
The Brambleguard jerked violently as his sword pierced straight through its core, twisting the embedded steel with a brutal efficiency. The vines spasmed, then fell limp, its form unraveling into lifeless plant matter.
Yun Jin exhaled, watching as the remnants of the creature crumbled before him.
¡°That¡¯s one down,¡± he muttered, rolling his shoulders.
Yun Jin turned, eyes darting to Merlin¡ª
The mage was struggling, barely holding his defensive barrier as thorned vines lashed at him.
The remaining Brambleguard pressed in, their sheer force causing cracks to shimmer across the protective spell.
Yun Jin moved¡ªinstinct and muscle memory taking over. But just as he stepped forward¡ª
Everything went dark.
A sharp, unnatural silence followed.
His vision vanished. His ears deafened.
Pixie magic.
Yun Jin clenched his jaw, immediately purging his Qi outward, pushing against the foreign magic disrupting his senses. Through the pulsing energy in the air, he felt them¡ªthree distinct flickers of movement, hovering erratically around him.
But Yun Jin didn¡¯t panic.
His Qi pulsed outward, rippling through the air. Three distortions. Two flickering fast. One stationary.
¡°Merlin¡ªclose your eyes!¡± he commanded, trusting the mage to react immediately.
Merlin obeyed without hesitation.
Then¡ª
Light erupted.
A radiant pulse of magic burst from Yun Jin, illuminating the air like a sudden sunrise.
The Pixie Tricksters screamed.
The spell dispelled their invisibility, exposing their tiny, fluttering forms midair, now frantically trying to retreat.
Merlin¡¯s emerald falcons screeched.
With a single motion, he sent both wind-forged birds diving.
Slash.
Slash.
The Pixies fell, their tiny bodies dissolving into shimmering pixie dust before they could even react.
And Yun Jin¡¯s vision snapped back.
And he saw Merlin¡¯s barrier flickering¡ªseconds from shattering.
He didn¡¯t think.
He lunged.
[Aura Blade.]
His sword blazed with Qi as he exploded forward¡ª
Light Blade Sovereign Style: First Form ¨C Arc Lightning.
A thunderous burst. A straight-line blitz.
The Brambleguard¡¯s thorned strike came down¡ª
But Yun Jin was faster.
Instead of slashing, he drove his sword forward¡ªpiercing straight through its core.
A deep, jagged crack tore through the Brambleguard¡¯s wooden core, its magic unraveling as the vines convulsed in a final, desperate attempt to hold itself together
The monster twitched violently, its vines spasming, as the blade¡¯s Qi surged inside, unraveling its magic.
Then¡ª
Boom.
The Brambleguard collapsed, its body crumbling into lifeless wood and vines.
Yun Jin exhaled, flicking his sword clean.
Behind him, Merlin stumbled forward, his legs shaky as he caught his breath.
¡°Hah¡ Hah¡ That was¡ªtoo close.¡±
Then¡ª
THUMP.
A deep, resonant vibration rolled through the air.
Yun Jin¡¯s grip tightened on his sword. Merlin stiffened, his breath hitching.
Another step.
THUMP.
The ground trembled beneath them. Leaves shuddered. The air felt heavier.
Then it emerged.
Towering over the trees, a ten-meter-tall wooden giant loomed into view. Its bark-covered body creaked with every movement, its hollowed eyes glowing faintly with an eerie green light. Vines slithered along its limbs, tightening like cords of muscle as it took another slow, earth-shaking step forward.
[Treant LV.10]
Chapter 15: Treant Protector
A resounding tremor rippled through the dense forest, accompanied by another in rapid succession. Each impact sent violent shudders through the earth, rattling the canopy above and dislodging loose leaves that fluttered like dying embers. The very air thrummed, charged with the weight of each colossal step, the reverberations akin to the rhythmic tolling of a war drum.
Then, from beyond the receding mist, it emerged.
A gargantuan, arboreal colossus, its towering frame stretching over ten meters into the sky. Its bark-covered body coiled and twisted in unnatural motions, each shift of its massive limbs producing deep, groaning creaks. Gnarled appendages protruded like jagged armor, their forms latticed with luminescent green veins pulsing with a rhythmic cadence¡ªan eerie facsimile of a heartbeat.
Hollow sockets, void of flesh yet brimming with an insidious will, locked onto them.
Beneath its hulking form, the splintered remains of Brambleguards lay strewn like discarded remnants of a battle already lost. The sight of its fallen kin sent the Treant into an uncontrollable convulsion, its massive body quivering as if the very fabric of the forest lamented their demise.
Then, it roared.
A guttural, resonant bellow, ancient and wrathful, reverberated through the trees, carrying with it the grief of centuries past. The surrounding foliage recoiled in response, their branches shuddering in eerie synchrony. The primal wail rippled outward, displacing birds from their perches as they scattered in frenzied flight. The earth trembled beneath the weight of its sorrow and rage.
And then, it struck.
A limb, thick as a centuries-old oak, descended with the weight of an avalanche.
¡°Move!¡± Yun Jin¡¯s command cut through the air, his body already in motion before conscious thought had even fully formed.
The Treant¡¯s limb met the earth with a cataclysmic force.
BOOM.
The impact obliterated the ground, sending a violent shockwave outward. Jagged fractures spiderwebbed through the soil as the very terrain was reshaped by the force of its wrath. From the ruptured ground, an explosion of serpentine vines erupted¡ªwhipping, coiling, and writhing like predatory creatures given life.
Yun Jin acted on instinct.
With a sharp motion, he seized Merlin by the collar and launched backward, the mage weightless in his grasp. Mid-air, he twisted, narrowly avoiding the surge of spined tendrils lashing hungrily toward them. The wind howled around him, the sharp scent of freshly upturned earth filling his lungs.
Pain lanced through his side.
A vine, preternaturally fast, had slipped past his defenses, piercing through his Magic Armor and slashing across his arm before recoiling. A warm trickle of blood stained his sleeve.
Damn it.
His boots found solid ground, and he released Merlin near the dungeon¡¯s entrance. With a controlled exhale, Yun Jin steadied himself.
¡°Regain your strength,¡± he ordered, voice steady despite the persistent throb in his arm. ¡°Breathe. Focus. Just like I taught you.¡±
Merlin, still gasping, clutched his staff. ¡°Maybe¡ maybe we should just leave. If we hurry, we can¡ª¡±
¡°No.¡± Yun Jin¡¯s response was immediate, calm yet immovable.
Merlin hesitated, his expression flickering between desperation and uncertainty.
¡°This,¡± Yun Jin exhaled, rolling his shoulders as the familiar thrill surged through him, ¡°this is exactly what I¡¯ve been waiting for.¡±
The Treant let out another rumbling groan, its vines constricting like sinew over muscle, coiling for another devastating strike.
¡°This is a real fight,¡± Yun Jin continued, his pulse steadying. ¡°I refuse to walk away.¡±
Merlin clenched his fists. ¡°But you¡¯re injured¡ª¡±
¡°I understand now,¡± Yun Jin interjected, his smirk laced with unwavering confidence. ¡°I¡¯ll be fine.¡±
Merlin exhaled sharply. He had traveled long enough with Yun Jin to know arguing would be pointless.
¡°¡Fine,¡± he muttered, settling back to regulate his breath. He had no choice but to trust him.
Yun Jin twisted just as the Treant¡¯s limb came crashing down.
BOOM.
The battlefield erupted. Earth split beneath the sheer magnitude of the blow, sending trees snapping and debris rocketing into the air. Serrated roots surged forth like skeletal appendages, grasping hungrily. The concussive force alone sent shockwaves through Yun Jin¡¯s frame, but his balance remained unshaken as he skidded to a stop.
His gaze locked onto his target, sharp and unrelenting.
Where¡¯s the core?
Every plant-based construct had one. The Brambleguards had theirs buried deep in their chests. If the Treant was similarly designed, Yun Jin needed to locate it¡ªand destroy it.
Gathering Qi, he expelled it outward in a controlled pulse.
There.
A faint glimmer of concentrated mana pulsed from within the Treant¡¯s chest, obscured beneath thick layers of bark.
Reaching it will be the real challenge.
Yun Jin propelled himself forward.
Light Blade Sovereign Style: First Form ¨C Arc Lightning.
A streak of blinding motion. He surged toward the Treant¡¯s core, sword radiating Qi in crackling arcs of light. The moment his blade met bark¡ª
CLANG.
Barely a mark.
¡°Tch¡ª¡± Yun Jin clicked his tongue, flipping backward an instant before the Treant¡¯s retaliatory strike obliterated the spot where he had been.
This one¡¯s different.
This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.
The Brambleguards had been durable, but this? This was an entirely different entity. Even with Aura Blade and Arc Lightning, its defenses remained unyielding.
A shadow loomed above.
A fist, wreathed in twisting vines, plummeted toward him.
Yun Jin pivoted midair, evading by a hair¡¯s breadth. He landed against a tree trunk¡ªbut rather than halt, he sprang off immediately, weaving through the chaos like a specter of light.
He wasn¡¯t retreating.
He was studying.
The Treant lashed out once more, its massive limb sweeping across the battlefield like an executioner¡¯s blade. Yun Jin didn¡¯t waver¡ªhe pressed forward.
A calculated step¡ªthen a leap.
His boots found purchase on the Treant¡¯s arm.
His feet barely met bark before he propelled himself upward, dashing along the creature¡¯s limb with relentless precision. Each movement was deliberate, defying gravity as he scaled the monstrous form.
The core was too deeply embedded. If he wanted to end this fight, he needed to disable it first.
He reached the elbow joint.
Light Blade Sovereign Style: Second Form ¨C Thunder Break.
Unlike Arc Lightning, which thrived on speed, Thunder Break was sheer destructive force.
Qi pulsed through his blade¡ª
One clean, decisive stroke.
CRACK.
The Treant lurched, a deep fissure rupturing through its massive limb. For the first time, its immense form shuddered under the force of Yun Jin¡¯s strike. Wood splintered, a violent ripple coursing through its body.
Yun Jin twisted in midair, descending with flawless control, landing gracefully below.
His grip on his blade tightened, his grin widening in exhilaration.
Now we¡¯re making progress.
The Treant staggered, thick sap-like ichor seeping from the splintered wound. But its glow intensified. The shattered wood began to reknit itself.
Yun Jin¡¯s eyes narrowed. Regeneration?
--
With one arm severed, the Treant staggered, its reverberating bellow echoing through the dungeon chamber. Its movements became sluggish, its vast frame struggling to recalibrate balance in the wake of sudden dismemberment. Yet Yun Jin pressed forward, his momentum relentless.
The right leg.
Weaving through the writhing chaos of flailing vines, he maneuvered with effortless precision. The Treant, despite its diminished state, attempted to counter, its roots curling upward in a desperate attempt to ensnare him. But Yun Jin had already calculated the timing.
At the precise moment the creature shifted its weight for a defensive stomp, he struck.
Light Blade Sovereign Style: Second Form ¨C Thunder Break.
The concentrated burst of Qi coalesced into a single, devastating slash¡ª
CRACK.
The leg fissured instantly, deep fractures spiderwebbing through its bark-like skin. A tortured groan resonated through the battlefield as the Treant¡¯s balance shattered, its colossal form collapsing to its knees with an earth-shaking impact.
Yet Yun Jin was already in motion.
His instincts propelled him forward, scaling the deteriorating frame with the grace of a seasoned predator. The last remaining arm swung wildly in a futile attempt to swat him from its torso¡ªbut he was beyond reach.
Too slow.
BOOM.
The Treant¡¯s final limb crumbled beneath its own weight, rendered utterly useless.
Now entirely incapacitated, the ancient entity lay beneath him, its broken form writhing with residual tremors. Yun Jin stood atop its broad chest, his blade pulsing with luminous intensity as [Aura Blade] coursed through its edge, condensing Qi into a single point of focused lethality.
The Treant quivered. Its severed limbs exuded thick, sap-like ichor, the once-imposing titan reduced to a fractured husk of splintered bark and dissipating magical essence.
Yun Jin exhaled slowly, his grip tightening around the hilt of his sword. The weapon hummed in response, resonating with the sheer energy pouring through its form. He could sense it now¡ªthe faint, flickering pulse of the Treant¡¯s core, still clinging to existence deep within its ruined chest.
[You have unlocked a skill: Mana Eyes (Rank D)]
The system notification barely registered. His vision sharpened instantly, revealing an intricate lattice of pulsating mana filaments threading through the Treant¡¯s broken frame. Every network of arcane energy, every hidden conduit fueling the dying entity, was laid bare before him.
It¡¯s still trying to regenerate.
A single tendril¡ªthin, almost imperceptible¡ªextended from the creature¡¯s severed joints. It wasn¡¯t retreating. It was reaching, groping blindly toward its lost limbs, tendrils of residual mana weaving together in an attempt to restore its body.
Yun Jin narrowed his eyes. So that¡¯s how it is.
The ambient mana thickened.
A subtle tremor pulsed through the air, an unmistakable ripple of foreign energy brushing against his senses. Faint¡ªdistant¡ªwatchful.
He didn¡¯t need to turn to know.
The Dryad was observing.
Through the heightened clarity of [Mana Eyes], Yun Jin traced the ethereal thread of mana extending beyond the battlefield, vanishing into the depths of the dungeon¡¯s unseen expanse.
But it¡¯s too far to intervene.
A smirk ghosted across his lips. "You can watch all you want," he murmured, voice barely above a whisper. "But this one¡¯s done for."
His blade lifted, the glow of [Aura Blade] intensifying, radiating with condensed lethal intent. The world contracted to a singular focus¡ªhis sword, his will, and the fading heartbeat of the Treant¡¯s core beneath him.
No wasted movement. Just one perfect strike.
Light Blade Sovereign Style: Thirteenth Form ¨C Vector to Heaven.
A single cut.
For a moment, the world itself seemed to hold its breath. The only sound was the whisper of air slipping through the trees, a faint hush in the aftermath of motion.
A thin, precise line of radiant Qi traced its way down the Treant¡¯s chest.
CRACK.
The entity convulsed, its entire structure trembling as a deep, resonating groan emanated from within. Veins of luminescent Qi spread outward, fracturing its bark-like flesh from the inside. The vines that had been desperately stretching to restore its limbs seized mid-motion, their regenerative connection severed in an instant.
Then¡ª
BOOM.
The Treant collapsed inward upon itself, its core annihilated at the source. The immense structure imploded, the sheer force of its disintegration sending shimmering motes of dissipating mana into the air like scattered embers.
Silence.
Yun Jin exhaled, lowering his sword. The battlefield stood eerily still, the oppressive presence of the Treant vanishing as its lifeblood was finally extinguished.
Then¡ªthe earth trembled anew.
The severed vines quivered, their dying embers twitching in defiance.
From the forest floor, thick roots convulsed, bursting outward in one final, desperate grasp, seeking to reclaim the fallen remnants of their master.
"Oh no, you don¡¯t."
Yun Jin moved.
A single, sweeping arc of Qi lacerated the intruding roots, severing their last vestige of defiance. The dungeon groaned in response, an eerie, spectral wail resonating through its hollow expanse.
The surviving vines recoiled, writhing as though in pain, before retreating into the unseen depths of the dungeon.
Yun Jin¡¯s smirk returned.
So that¡¯s where you are.
Chapter 16: The Forests Grasp
The forest seemed to breathe, its trees whispering in unheard voices as leaves shifted without wind. The air felt thick, as though charged with an energy that hovered in silent anticipation.
Yun Jin followed the retreating vines deeper into the dungeon, his boots sinking into moss-covered ground. A faint, eerie glow from bioluminescent fungi traced twisted tree bark, casting elongated, dancing shadows. Behind him lay the remains of the Treant, all its former might reduced to lifeless wood.
Then, a presence emerged¡ªshe did not so much step into view as simply come into being. Her body rose from the gnarled bark of a massive tree, as if part of it all along, flowing like liquid wood. Lithe and elegant, her form shimmered with bark and green, shifting with an uncanny grace.
Golden eyes slowly blinked open, vines coiling around her like living garments.
[Dryad LV.15]
Yun Jin tightened his grip on his sword, gaze set on the figure who stood as though she had always been there. ¡°So you¡¯re the one pulling the strings,¡± he said, voice calm but edged with resolve.
She offered no reply. Instead, she inclined her head slightly, those glowing eyes holding neither anger nor fear, only a trace of quiet amusement. Not beast, not warrior¡ªsomething else entirely. She regarded him the way a cat might watch an insect, intrigued yet indifferent, as if she already knew how this would end.
Then, she hummed¡ªor something like it. It was less a sound than a subtle vibration in the air, a soft push against his senses. A moment later, he felt movement beneath his feet. Thin, near-invisible tendrils threaded through the earth, linking roots and vines into a single, pulsing network. It was no mere forest, but an extension of her will. Every tree, vine, and blade of grass moved at her command.
This wasn¡¯t just a fight. It was a hunt.
Still, Yun Jin stood firm, breath steady, battle-gleam in his eyes. A single intention crystallized in his mind.
Cut her down.
[Activated Mana Eyes.]
The world sharpened. Rather than trees and foliage, he saw lines of mana¡ªthe dense web pulsing beneath the surface. At the center of this network flickered a golden glow, beating like a heart.
Found you!
He lunged.
Light Blade Sovereign Style: First Form ¨C Arc Lightning.
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In a blur of motion, his blade cut toward that glow with pinpoint accuracy. Yet his strike met nothing but empty air. The Dryad had not even moved¡ªher core simply vanished and reappeared deeper within another tree.
She can move it?!
His momentary confusion drew a soft laugh echoing through the trees, cool and amused. Then the forest responded. Vines lashed at him from every angle, forming a tightening net.
Instinct took over.
Light Blade Sovereign Style: Fourth Form ¨C Gale Rend.
Yun Jin twisted mid-step, sword carving a clean arc that unleashed a storm of cutting wind. The vines shredded and fell around him in a tangle of withering fragments. For a moment, he stood free, though the exertion weighed on his limbs, breath growing unsteady. The Dryad, unhurried, was already shaping her next move.
A swirl of golden spores bloomed in spirals, drifting toward him with ominous grace. Yun Jin¡¯s senses screamed a warning; he leapt back, evading the thickest part of the cloud. Yet a brush of the mist settled on his skin, seeping in with a dulling heaviness that tugged at his awareness. It wasn¡¯t pain. It was worse¡ªa creeping lethargy that urged him to sleep.
Not good.
He forced Qi through his body, expelling what he could of the invasive toxin. His vision cleared a little, but his limbs still felt sluggish. The Dryad pressed her advantage. Vines slithered from every direction, each attack precise, calculated. With [Aura Blade], he severed one aiming for his leg, but two more came in its place. She was unrelenting.
His boots struck the earth, only for the ground to shift beneath him like a living thing. A trap. There was no stable footing to be found, and the vines were already closing in.
Gale Rend!
He spun once more, sword releasing a whirling burst of Qi. Severed plant matter flew in all directions, and the sudden silence that followed left him staggering, chest heaving, energy draining fast. Still, a smile flickered across his lips, bright despite the fatigue. Even with exhaustion sinking into his bones, he exuded a reckless thrill.
He raised his sword again, the edge alive with razor-thin Qi.
[Aura Blade.]
The Dryad sensed it too. Her vines quivered, weaving a barrier between Yun Jin and the faint glow of her true core. She would never let him get close. But he pushed forward regardless, Qi crackling under his skin.
Light Blade Sovereign Style: First Form ¨C Arc Lightning!
He exploded into motion. Every root and vine whipped out to stop him, but he ducked and cut through, sidestepping by the barest margins. He made it within a sword¡¯s length of that golden light¡ªonly to be jerked to a halt. Dozens of vines coiled around his limbs, dragging him down mere inches from his target.
A final snap pinned him. In an instant, the vines began siphoning his Qi, his grip on the sword weakening. He gave a faint, breathless chuckle at the realization of his limits. His lips moved, but the words¡ªsilent¡ªwere not for the Dryad.
She tilted her head in brief confusion. Something behind her had caught her attention.
The air shifted, hot and dry. A low rumble sounded in the distance, resonating with primal force.
A voice rang out:
¡°FIREBALL!!¡±
Chapter 17: First Dungeon Reward
The Dryad¡¯s final scream faded as Merlin¡¯s fireball engulfed her tree-bound core. The flames surged, turning the ancient bark to embers, and the eerie green glow that had filled the forest vanished. Silence followed¡ªdeep and absolute, as if the entire dungeon had stopped breathing.
Then, the ground trembled.
The roots that had spread across the battlefield cracked and crumbled, their energy drained. Thorned vines that had once been alive shriveled away, releasing their hold. The scent of burned wood and damp earth filled the air as all traces of the Dryad¡¯s power faded.
A sharp chime echoed in Yun Jin¡¯s mind.
[System Alert: All dungeon creatures have been defeated.]
[Dungeon Cleared.]
Yun Jin exhaled, lowering his blade. The tension in his body eased, though exhaustion still gnawed at the edges of his awareness.
A glowing panel appeared in front of him, listing contribution points from the battle.
- [Seraphine Lysval: 12%] (Alive)
- [Ilya Graves: 2%] (Deceased)
- [Ronan Vale: 1%] (Deceased)
- [Kael Duskbane: 1%] (Deceased)
Yun Jin¡¯s brows furrowed. Other people?
His gaze swept across the battlefield. Beneath the withered vines, three lifeless bodies lay exposed. Their skin was pale, their weapons discarded beside them. They had been caught long before the fight had ended.
The forest had been feeding on them.
A faint, shaky breath broke the silence.
Seraphine Lysval.
Unlike the others, she was still alive. Her fingers twitched weakly, pressing against the ground, her chest rising and falling in shallow breaths. The dim flicker of barrier magic still clung to her form¡ªcracked and unstable, but holding.
She had fought to survive. And she had barely made it.
A new system prompt appeared before him.
[A large amount of residual energy remains in the dungeon.]
[As the highest contributor, you have the right to decide its fate.]
The ground beneath Yun Jin hummed, as if waiting for his command. Strands of raw, untethered energy swirled through the air¡ªthe last remnants of the dungeon¡¯s existence, waiting to be claimed.
[Option 1: Convert the remaining energy into material rewards.]
[Option 2: Absorb the energy to strengthen you only]
[Option 3: Distribute the energy among surviving contributors.]
The energy pulsed around him, waiting for his choice.
Yun Jin exhaled and selected Option 3. The energy shifted, splitting into portions based on the recorded contribution.
The moment the energy touched his body, he felt it surge through his meridians, spreading like liquid fire in his veins. It was pure¡ªpurer than anything he had ever experienced. Even his master''s energy did not feel this refined, this potent. His very core trembled under the infusion, and in an instant, his strength grew exponentially.
[Level Up: Level 12 ¡ú Level 14]
[Aura Blade: rank up! D- ¡ú D]
[Mana Manipulation: rank up! E- ¡ú E]
His body pulsed with newfound power. His Qi felt denser, sharper, and his muscles felt lighter, as though the weight of past exhaustion had been lifted. His reflexes sharpened, his perception heightened. He clenched his fists, sensing the difference in his very being¡ªas though he had shattered an invisible limit.
[Reward Distribution Completed]
[Obtained: Dryad Heart (Age: 235 years) (Rank B+)]
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A potent material for both magical and physical enhancements, provided it is properly refined.
Merlin gasped in excitement. "A Dryad Heart of this age?! This is a treasure beyond belief!" His eyes shimmered with admiration as he secured the massive Treant Heart he had received. Though larger in size, the mana within it lacked the sheer quality of Yun Jin''s reward.
Yun Jin turned toward Seraphine, only to see blood swelling from her mouth. Her body trembled violently, her breath growing ragged. The damage she had sustained from prolonging her magic had reached a critical point¡ªher magic circuits were completely burned out.
If left untreated, she would die.
Without hesitation, Yun Jin knelt beside her, pressing his palm against her core, channeling his Qi into her failing body. The warmth of his energy surged through her veins, stitching together the broken pathways. Color returned to her face, her breathing steadied¡ªbut her magic circuits remained beyond repair.
Even though he had saved her life, she would never wield magic again. Even living a normal life would be an immense challenge.
The realization made Yun Jin shudder. This could have been me... But he quickly shook off the fear. To grow stronger, he had to take risks. That was the only way.
He moved to examine the bodies¡ªnot to loot, but to identify them. He retrieved their Adventurer Cards, all marked with Rank D. With a heavy heart, he closed their unseeing eyes before sitting down to recover his energy.
Meanwhile, Merlin gleefully summoned an earth golem to gather the battlefield¡¯s spoils¡ªPixie Dust, Sap, and remnants of the Treant.
After a while, Yun Jin turned to Merlin. "Alright, time to move. The golem will carry this girl."
Merlin finished putting everything in his backpack, nodded, and ordered the golem to gently carry Seraphine.
And as for Yun Jin, without a hint of hesitation or disgust, he lifted all three bodies into his arms. "Let¡¯s go back to town."
Merlin saw it then¡ªgrief etched into Yun Jin¡¯s face. Death had once been a rare sight in Yun Jin¡¯s peaceful world. But here, three people had died fighting to stop a dungeon¡¯s expansion.
It made Yun Jin sad.
[Encounter Complete]
[Completion Level: Perfection]
[You have been awarded 20 Completion Points.]
--
The town stared in shock at the sight¡ªa man in bloodstained, tattered clothes carrying three lifeless bodies, a golem bearing a wounded woman.
The sorrow on Yun Jin¡¯s face weighed heavier than the bodies in his arms, and the townsfolk instinctively stepped aside, their voices hushed in the presence of such raw grief.
At the church, a fiery-haired sister greeted them¡ªbut without hesitation, she rattled off a price list in a practiced, impassive tone.
"Corpse disposal: 50 gold each. Ceremony: 200 each. Cremation: 500. Burial: 1,500."
The words rang cold and mechanical, as if she were discussing goods rather than lives lost.
A sudden sharp pain struck her neck. She instinctively reached up, her fingers trembling, as she met Yun Jin¡¯s cold, unyielding stare. His gaze was like a sharpened blade pressed against her throat, his expression unreadable yet heavy with restrained fury. Her face turned as pale as the corpses he carried.
Before the tension could escalate, a calm yet commanding voice broke through the silence. Mother Venara stepped forward, her presence serene yet firm, and bowed slightly in apology.
"Forgive her bluntness," Venara said, her voice warm but laced with exhaustion. "Times are difficult, and kindness has become a luxury some of us can no longer afford. Merlin, take the girl inside for treatment."
Yun Jin exhaled slowly, his emotions stirred by the quiet understanding that lingered behind Venara¡¯s blindfolded gaze. There was no false sympathy in her words¡ªonly the weight of someone who had seen too much suffering.
"What is it that you truly wish for them?" she asked softly.
Yun Jin bowed his head. "I want their families to mourn their deaths." The words felt heavier than he expected.
He had said them instinctively, but as they left his lips, a quiet ache spread in his chest.
If he had to sell the Dryad''s heart, the Treant¡¯s remnants, or anything else to ensure these fallen warriors returned home, he would do so without hesitation.
Still, the thought unsettled him. Would he truly be able to afford it? If not, was he willing to carry the body himself across miles of road?
The thought lingered¡ªhe had never been able to mourn his own family. After the massacre, he had never seen them again, never had the chance to grieve, never had the closure of a proper farewell. He refused to let that happen to others.
He had never been able to mourn his own family. After the massacre, he had no graves to visit, no remains to honor. Just an empty void where his past once stood.
Would these people¡ªstrangers to him¡ªat least have that closure?
Mother Venara regarded him with quiet understanding, but her expression turned solemn. "We will notify their families where we can, but for those from outside this town, the responsibility falls to you."
Yun Jin hesitated before handing over the adventurer cards. She retrieved an orb from her robes¡ªsimilar to the ones used by the Adventurer Guild¡ªscanning each card with practiced ease. "Two of them are from this town. We will inform their families free of charge. The last one... you''ll have to decide whether to send a letter or bring him home."
Yun Jin¡¯s grip tightened. A letter might never reach its destination, and even if it did, how many would come to claim the fallen? He knew the answer. He had no intention of leaving it to fate.
Venara sighed, knowing the burden he had just placed upon himself. "Transporting a body is costly. No merchant will want to carry the dead, and hiring a private escort will be no less than 2,000 gold."
"I''ll take him home myself."
Yun Jin exhaled. His mind raced. He thought about selling the Dryad¡¯s heart and whatever spoils they had recovered. If it wasn''t enough, then he would carry the body himself, step by step, if that was what it took.
Yun Jin exhaled, pushing the weight of his thoughts aside. He would figure it out. He always did.
Then, a deep, refined voice cut through the somber air.
"Consider it paid, Mother Venara. The fastest you can arrange."
An elegant silver-haired man in a formal suit strode forward, his presence effortlessly commanding. The chest of his coat bore a familiar emblem¡ªthe same one Harun had given Yun Jin.
A small smile tugged at his lips as he observed the young warrior.
"Nice to meet you, warrior. Or should I say... Yun Jin?"
Chapter 18: Ardent Altheron
Lady Venara gave a quiet command to the other sisters, who immediately moved to carry the corpses away
for preservation. They would be prepared for ritual, and their families would be contacted as soon as possible. She then turned to Yun Jin. "You should rest. Let us treat your wounds."
But Yun Jin shook his head. "I just need a moment to sit."
He made his way into the quiet hall of the church, finding an empty pew and lowering himself into it. The flickering candlelight cast long shadows against the stone walls, and the faint scent of incense lingered in the air. He exhaled slowly, allowing himself a brief respite from the burden of the dead.
A soft shuffle of footsteps announced another presence. An older man settled into the seat across from him, his silver hair catching the dim light. His presence was calm, unassuming, yet undeniably powerful. Ardent Altheron.
"I suppose I am someone you were looking for," he said, his voice smooth, laced with quiet amusement. "My apologies for the late introduction. It seems you encountered the wrong people before mine could find you."
Yun Jin remained silent for a moment, then asked, "Is this place meant to worship a god?"
Ardent tilted his head slightly, curiosity sparking in his sharp gaze. "It¡¯s rare to hear that question. You speak our language eloquently, yet you don¡¯t seem to know of our world¡¯s faith."
"And your answer?"
"Yes, we believe in a god. Or rather, we must. Without a higher power watching and punishing, men turn to savagery." He smiled faintly. "People are foolish. Citizens fear the government, governments fear the royal family, the royal family fears the church, and the church fears God. Without a force above, greed would consume all."
Yun Jin nodded slowly. "It was like that before my master came along."
Ardent¡¯s eyes gleamed with intrigue. "A self-principled righteousness? Then your master must be a great person. Not only did you clear a dungeon gate alone, but you carry the fallen without hesitation and uphold honor above all else. For such a warrior to seek me out¡ªI should apologize for my lateness."
Yun Jin chuckled, shaking his head. "You must be one of those people, aren¡¯t you?"
Ardent smirked. "What kind? I¡¯m curious."
"The kind that weaves words carefully¡ªyet laces them with poison underneath."
Their gazes met, sharp and unreadable, the weight of unspoken words passing between them.
Then, Yun Jin sighed. "But I¡¯m not interested in politics. It fills my head with pointless matters. My goal in finding you is simple¡ªI need a way to reach the Imperial Academy. Do you have one?"
Ardent leaned back slightly, his expression thoughtful. "That could be arranged. A normal merchant caravan would take a year to reach it from here. However¡"
"What?"
"I am an old student of the Academy myself, which grants me access to teleportation coordinates." He tapped a finger against the wooden pew. "Unfortunately, due to the current situation, it would require a significant amount of resources to activate."
Then, he extended a finger, pointing directly at Yun Jin. His lips curled slightly.
"Even if you did save my friend¡¯s life."
A sudden whispered voice echoed in Yun Jin¡¯s ears. He stiffened, momentarily caught off guard. A technique similar to Murim¡¯s voice transmission?
Before he could react, Ardent raised a hand slightly, silencing him before he spoke. "It¡¯s just communication magic. The only way others can¡¯t overhear. The current situation in town isn¡¯t ideal."
Yun Jin¡¯s gaze flickered around, catching glimpses of peering eyes and cautious whispers. He inhaled slowly before responding, yet made no movement¡ªhis voice instead reaching only Ardent¡¯s ears.
"I see," Yun Jin murmured, using the voice transmission technique to ensure only Ardent could hear.
Ardent¡¯s brows lifted slightly at the seamless transmission of words. Surprise flickered across his face, but he knew better than to pry. Some secrets were not meant to be asked about.
After a moment, Ardent¡¯s tone shifted, measured and deliberate. "What if I asked you to kill someone?"
Yun Jin¡¯s gaze sharpened. "I am no assassin for hire," he said flatly. "I¡¯d rather walk." His voice carried a tinge of disappointment. "To think that Harun¡¯s friend would ask this of me."
Ardent remained unruffled. "And what if that someone is the reason for all the suffering in this town? What would you consider then?"
Yun Jin narrowed his eyes, skeptical. "Go on."
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Ardent leaned back against the pew, his fingers tapping idly. "This town harbors two major threats¡ªa criminal syndicate and a dangerous cult. They fester beneath the surface, unchecked. If either leader falls, I can eliminate the remnants myself. One death, and the city breathes freely again."
Yun Jin sighed and leaned back. "Didn¡¯t you see how damaged I am? If the town¡¯s forces can¡¯t handle them, what makes you think I can? I enjoy a challenge, but this sounds like suicide."
Ardent¡¯s smirk returned, calculated. "Perhaps. But I can assist. And before you dismiss my offer outright, let me remind you¡ªpower is not simply about how strong you are in the moment. It is about what resources you have access to."
His voice lowered. "I¡¯ve sensed the artifacts you carry, and your companion seems quite capable. If nothing else, perhaps a visit to my grand library might be of interest to you?"
The word library made Yun Jin¡¯s ears twitch in excitement. He covered his reaction with a small, amused smile.
"Well," Yun Jin mused, "if you can prove to me that they are the ones truly causing trouble and grant me access to this library of yours, then I might consider it."
Ardent exhaled a quiet chuckle. "A fair bargain. I respect a man who weighs his choices. I¡¯ll have the proof for you soon enough."
After a short pause, the heavy doors of the church creaked open. Merlin strode in, his minor wounds now treated. Yun Jin looked up and gestured towards Ardent. "We found him."
Merlin quickly bowed in greeting, but as he straightened, a shiver ran through him. The moment he stepped closer, he felt it¡ªa dense, overwhelming presence of mana radiating from Ardent. It was subtle, yet vast, disguised beneath a composed smile.
Ardent waved a dismissive hand, but his gaze sharpened slightly as if noticing Merlin''s reaction. His expression shifted¡ªbriefly intrigued, as if assessing something unseen. "No need for such formalities. I am just an old man asking for help. My name is Ardent Altheron."
Merlin hesitated for a moment before replying, "My name is Merlin. Nice to meet you, sir."
Ardent¡¯s silver eyes glimmered with curiosity. "Ah, Merlin¡ªa name with weight. Named after the ancestral Grand Mage himself, are you? Your parents must be from a lineage of mages with deep history. Few would dare name their child after such a figure unless they carried great expectations."
Merlin swallowed. "Something like that." He forced himself to maintain composure, but the way Ardent was studying him made him uneasy. There was no hostility in the noble¡¯s eyes¡ªonly interest, curiosity layered with a subtle weight that made it clear he was already trying to figure Merlin out.
Ardent then gestured toward the doors. "Come, both of you. My carriage awaits."
As they stepped outside, Ardent handed a heavy pouch of gold to one of the priests, a sum large enough to cover the corpses¡¯ preservation, their burial rites, and Seraphine¡¯s full recovery. Yun Jin watched the exchange with quiet interest before commenting, "A generous act."
Ardent merely smiled. "It is the least I can do for those who put their lives on the line to protect this town."
They climbed into the luxurious black carriage, its interior lined with velvet cushions. As the horses began to move, Ardent gazed out the window, his expression darkening. "Years ago, before corruption took root, this town supported its adventurers with everything they needed¡ªsubsidies, training, even prepaid burial rites for the departed. Back then, no one had to wonder if their sacrifice would be remembered."
Yun Jin listened carefully, noticing the subtle shift in Ardent¡¯s tone. Beneath the measured words, there was anger¡ªtoo much anger. A stark contrast from the man¡¯s composed demeanor just moments before. Was he telling the truth, or was he weaving the story to his benefit?
"But then," Ardent continued, his fingers tapping against the carriage¡¯s wooden frame, "the wretched got their claws into our town. A syndicate draining our wealth, a cult siphoning away both coin and manpower for their greed. Our resources dwindled, our stability rotted from within."
Yun Jin noted the tension in his words, the bitterness bleeding through. For a man of such control, this topic unsettles him.
After some time, the carriage rolled to a stop before a colossal manor nestled within the heart of the town. Grand iron gates adorned with intricate sigils parted as they approached, and waiting for them at the entrance was a pair of dignified figures¡ªa maid in an immaculate uniform and a butler standing with military posture.
Ardent stepped out first, nodding at them. "These two are esteemed guests. Treat them as you would treat me."
The maid and butler bowed in perfect synchronization. "Understood, my lord."
Merlin barely suppressed a gasp as he took in the estate. The towering marble columns, the glowing chandeliers that floated without support, and the intricate crimson carpets embroidered with arcane sigils were unlike anything he had ever seen. Even Yun Jin had to admit¡ªit was an architectural marvel. A blend of classic grandeur and magical artistry that exuded both history and refinement.
"This place is incredible¡" Merlin murmured in awe, his eyes darting across the enormous hall lined with paintings, floating orbs of light, and bookshelves that stretched to the second floor balcony.
"Not bad, is it?" Ardent smirked, leading them deeper inside. "Though a house is just a house¡ªwhat truly matters is what lies beneath it."
They arrived at a seemingly plain stone wall. Ardent pressed his palm against it, and a faint pulse of mana spread across the surface. Before Yun Jin could ask, Merlin narrowed his eyes. "That¡¯s not just a simple unlocking spell¡ that¡¯s a layered security enchantment, bound to your blood and mana signature. A delicate system."
Ardent raised a brow, impressed. "Not many can discern that at a glance."
With a low rumble, the wall parted, revealing a spiraling staircase leading deep underground. They descended into a vast, dimly lit chamber¡ªone that sprawled out like a subterranean fortress.
Yun Jin took in the sight. It was something straight out of a warlord¡¯s fantasy¡ª tomes lined endless bookshelves, alchemical vials bubbled in corner workstations, and large surveillance crystals floated, projecting images from across the town. But despite the mystical grandeur, the cavern held a sense of practicality. This was no mere library or laboratory¡ª
This was a control center.
Yun Jin crossed his arms. "If you have all this, why do you need us?"
Ardent let out a weary sigh and extended a hand, summoning a glowing board into existence. A series of moving portraits appeared, flickering with different faces. "Because what I lack¡ is firepower."
The images solidified, revealing ten individuals¡ªtheir descriptions listed below in runic text.
Ardent gestured toward them. "Meet the Anomalies¡ªthe ones who hold this town hostage. Eight individuals, each an obstacle to peace."
Then, Yun Jin¡¯s eyes narrowed. Two of the portraits¡ belonged to him and Merlin.
Chapter 19: The Phantom鈥檚 Veil
Ardent took a step forward, waving a hand as the floating board adjusted. The flickering images of ten individuals expanded. Their portraits hovered in mid-air, each one accompanied by detailed notes and records.
"These are the Ten Anomalies of this town," Ardent declared, his tone even but firm. "Each one holds influence¡ªsome lead factions and some are their dangerous followers, others are rogue powerhouses. And then... some are merely visitors, hopefully."
Yun Jin''s gaze swept across the faces, absorbing the names and affiliations. Crime lords, cultists, independent warriors, and even scholars¡ªall standing at the crossroads of power in this fragile city. But what caught his attention most was his own face, along with Merlin¡¯s, among them.
Merlin blinked, startled. "Wait¡ªus?!"
Ardent nodded. "Of course. You two are outliers. A powerful swordsman and a prodigious mage, appearing in town just as chaos brews? Naturally, you''re being watched. Some might already see you as threats."
Yun Jin smirked at the explanation, crossing his arms. "Fair enough. I wouldn¡¯t expect anything less." A quiet sense of pride stirred within him¡ªif he had already earned a spot among the city''s most dangerous individuals, then he was making an impact.
Still, he narrowed his gaze. "But if you want me to act against them, I need proof that some of these people are truly responsible for the town¡¯s suffering."
Ardent inclined his head slightly. "A reasonable request. And one I can fulfill."
He tapped the board, and the images vanished. "Tomorrow, you¡¯ll see it for yourself. I will arrange an invitation¡ªa firsthand look at their operations." He glanced at Yun Jin¡¯s battered form, the evidence of his battle still visible. "But for now, you¡¯re in no condition to investigate anything."
Ardent gestured to one of his attendants. "You will both have rooms prepared, along with fresh clothing. We begin tomorrow."
Merlin immediately accepted the offer, fatigue pressing heavily upon him after exhausting his mana reserves.
But Yun Jin, though weary, wasn¡¯t quite ready for sleep.
"I¡¯d rather explore your library," Yun Jin said. "If you can spare a few books."
Ardent raised a brow. "Looking for anything in particular?"
"Information on monsters, especially Fae-types." Yun Jin¡¯s thoughts lingered on the Dryad¡ªthe way it fought, its unnatural presence, and how it seemed to exist beyond the normal rules of combat. All his life, he had trained to fight humans¡ªwarriors, assassins, and the occasional sorcerer and their minions.
But these creatures? They were even more deadly and insidious.
Ardent, however, shook his head. "Unfortunately, I still have work to tend to tonight. I can¡¯t personally assist you."
Instead, he turned slightly and spoke in a low, commanding tone. "Selene."
From the dim edges of the chamber, a tall, lithe figure in black robes materialized from the shadows. Even Yun Jin, with all his sharp senses, had not noticed her presence before. Her movements were fluid, like water, as if she had been a part of the darkness itself.
The figure neither spoke nor made any unnecessary movement.
Ardent gestured toward her. "This is my secretary and most trusted guard. If you need anything, you may ask her."
Yun Jin studied the woman with interest. She neither flinched nor reacted, her posture flawless, her presence restrained to the point of vanishing if one did not focus on her.
A shadow given form. He could sense the faintest whisper of mana around her, controlled so precisely it barely existed.
She met his gaze briefly¡ªsharp, intelligent, unwavering¡ªbefore lowering her head slightly, acknowledging his scrutiny but offering no invitation for further conversation.
Selene turned and gestured for Yun Jin to follow.
Yun Jin scanned the shelves before selecting several books on monsters, particularly Fae-type creatures. He took a seat at a nearby desk, flipping through the pages while Selene remained standing, her presence watchful yet unobtrusive.
As he read, Yun Jin¡¯s expression darkened. These creatures were far trickier than he had imagined. Many possessed abilities that could kill him outright if he had faced them unprepared. Some could invade the mind, twisting perception and reality itself. Others were immune to conventional attacks, requiring obscure weaknesses to be exploited.
If I had fought certain ones without knowing this¡ I¡¯d be dead already.
He shut the book and exhaled slowly. Preparation truly was everything.
After a pause, he glanced at Selene. "Do you have anything on Light Magic?"
Selene extended her shadow outward, a dark tendril slipping through the shelves. Without hesitation, it plucked a single book and placed it neatly in front of him.
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Basic Light Element.
Yun Jin flipped it open, skimming through the sections. It described the four fundamental spells of the Light element:
-Manipulation ¨C The ability to bend and shape light, allowing minor illusions, refractions, or dimming and brightening surroundings
-Flashbang ¨C A concentrated burst of light to blind enemies and disrupt other light-based magic or illusions.
-Light Ray ¨C A focused beam of radiant energy that burns through shadows and weakens dark-aligned entities.
-Radiant Ward ¨C A defensive spell that creates a barrier of light, nullifying weaker spells and repelling creatures sensitive to illumination.
Yun Jin leaned back, tapping his fingers against the table. A small smile crept onto his face, excitement bubbling beneath the surface. But as he continued reading, his expression shifted¡ªhis brows furrowed. He understood the words, but not the methods. The descriptions were clear, yet they lacked the practical explanations he needed to apply them.
His gaze flicked to Selene. "Can you teach me about Light Magic?"
She shook her head without hesitation.
Maybe it¡¯s time for Merlin to teach me.
Yun Jin exhaled, giving up on the idea for now.
Instead, he placed the book aside and called for more materials¡ªhistory, monsters, dungeons, and anything related to the system itself.
As he read, he learned something unexpected¡ªthe country he now stood in, Velmoria, had once been a major battleground in World War II, seventy-four years ago. The war left deep scars, and in the aftermath, power vacuums formed, allowing various factions to rise and shape the modern world. Political instability, new magic discoveries, and shifting alliances¡ªeverything traced back to those events.
Yun Jin exhaled, his gaze lingering on the aged pages. So war, huh? Even this world has them too. He had imagined this land as something beyond his own world''s conflicts, but in the end, life repeated itself.
He turned the page, shifting his focus to the system information. The various books explained that the system would appear as proof of one touching mana¡ªa manifestation of an individual¡¯s connection to the world''s magical fabric.
However, not all records aligned. Some described the system as a natural phenomenon, an inevitable evolution of magic itself, while others hinted that it was an external force, something introduced rather than discovered.
One particular text, far older than the others, suggested that the system had not always existed.
Yun Jin found conflicting theories¡ªsome claimed it was granted by divine beings, others said it was an artifact embedded into the world long ago, and a few even questioned whether it was a curse disguised as guidance.
Yun Jin narrowed his eyes. Then how did the system first appear?
He closed the book, his curiosity still unsatisfied. Pushing himself up from his seat, he took a slow walk around the study, his eyes scanning for anything hidden¡ªsomething that might reveal Ardent¡¯s true intentions. He traced his fingers along the bookshelves, checked the placement of certain tomes, and even examined the desk for false compartments or arcane seals. But to no avail.
This man hides things very well.
Eventually, his wandering led him into a sprawling underground training hall. Wide, open spaces, reinforced stone flooring, and enchanted barriers lined the perimeter. Yun Jin turned to Selene, smirking. "Feel like sparring?"
She gave a small shake of her head in decline.
Yun Jin chuckled, stepping forward. "Sure."
He hopped into the training ring, rolling his shoulders before gripping his sword. He exhaled slowly, then¡ª
[Activate: Aura Blade]
A faint hum filled the air as his sword pulsed with energy, the blade glowing with a refined, sharper intensity. Ever since he left the dungeon, the skill had ranked up¡ªand now he wanted to test the difference.
Immediately, he noticed the change. The energy circulation into his weapon was smoother, more precise, enhancing his control. His passive ability, [Weapon Mind], helped him understand the subtle improvements¡ªhow the mana reinforced his strikes, how the sword now felt almost weightless in his grasp.
He swung his blade, moving through the Light Blade Sovereign Style, testing the ease of control. Each cut felt sharper, cleaner¡ªlike the mana itself was guiding his movements.
Then he paused.
Something from the Light Ray spell description resurfaced in his mind. The text had described condensing magic into a singular point before releasing it in a burst. He glanced at his sword.
Well, you never know until you try.
Yun Jin concentrated, channeling his Aura Blade further. He condensed more energy into the blade, his control tightening. A faint ripple appeared along the sword¡¯s edge.
Then he slashed.
[You have unlocked a skill: Sword Wave (Rank D-)]
A crescent-shaped arc of light energy blasted outward.
The air trembled as the wave shot forward, its edge refined so sharply that it barely made a sound¡ªcutting through the air like a whisper of death. It struck the arena¡¯s protective barrier, and for a brief moment, Yun Jin saw it: a sliver-thin gap carved into the magic itself.
Selene reacted instantly. Her shadow surged forward, forming a dark barrier to intercept the attack. The moment the energy collided, her shadow shuddered and frayed, struggling to hold before it finally dissipated under the force.
Behind it¡ªthe thin portion of the arena¡¯s defense had been cut.
Her reaction hadn¡¯t been mere instinct. She had blocked it because she had to.
And for the first time¡ª
Yun Jin saw her clearly.
A woman with long, flowing black hair that shimmered faintly under the light, cascading like liquid shadow over her shoulders. Her eyes glowed with an ethereal luminance, catching Yun Jin in their piercing depths¡ªan unsettling mix of cold allure and mystery.
The dim lighting highlighted the delicate yet impossibly sharp features of her face, giving her an almost surreal beauty. Her robe, form-fitting beneath the flowing dark fabric, hinted at a lithe yet curvaceous figure.
But more than that, something flickered above her head.
[Phantom LV. 27]
Chapter 20: The Phantoms Trial
The torches flickered violently, shadows stretching unnaturally.
From within Selene¡¯s darkness, something monstrous stirred. A great form began to rise, its limbs twisting and stretching as if pulling itself free from the abyss.
The light dimmed further, feeding the thing¡¯s growth, its mass expanding toward the ceiling like a nightmarish specter.
Selene said nothing.
Yun Jin¡¯s patience snapped. He surged forward, executing Light Blade Sovereign Style: First Form ¨C Arc Lightning, his sword crackling with energy as he struck¡ª
But in that instant, she vanished.
And the world collapsed into darkness.
A silence more oppressive than any battlefield swallowed him whole. No light. No sound. No ground beneath his feet. Only an endless void.
Yun Jin gritted his teeth and activated [Mana Eyes].
Nothing.
Unlike the Dryad, unlike any enemy he had fought before, there was no core, no vital presence to strike. The only thing visible in the abyss was his sword, faintly gleaming like the last star in a dying sky.
Then, a disturbance.
Mana condensed, rushing toward him in an unseen wave. He twisted aside, slicing through the mass¡ªonly for another to surge from behind. Then another. And another.
He was being hunted.
Forced into constant movement, he dodged, deflected, struck at shadows that never truly took form. He needed to find the source¡ªbut there was none.
Then, a voice. Clear, smooth, and undeniably feminine.
¡°If you can land a single hit, I¡¯ll answer one question.¡±
Yun Jin smirked, breath steady. "Finally open to talking, huh? Fine. I accept your bet."
The attacks intensified. He tried [Mana Eyes] again¡ªstill useless. He closed his eyes, relying instead on the flow of energy itself¡ª
A sensation clicked into place.
[You have unlocked a skill: Mana Sense (Rank C-)]
Now, he could feel the shifting currents, the difference in density. Each movement of mana left a trail, a signature he could track.
His blade moved¡ª
A powerful [Sword Wave] slashed outward, cutting through the darkness. For a split second, the void parted¡ªbut just as quickly, it surged back, swallowing everything once more.
But he had seen it.
A faint inconsistency. A ripple in the fabric of shadow. A moment of imperfection.
Yun Jin lunged at that point, his sword descending¡ª
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A wall of darkness formed in response, Selene¡¯s first true defense. It was hastily constructed¡ªan instinctive reaction rather than an anticipated block.
He grinned. "Got you."
A split second later, she formed a spear of pure darkness, aiming straight for his heart.
But Yun Jin was faster.
Lightning crackled along the edge of his blade, illuminating the dark space with brief, flickering arcs of energy as he executed Light Blade Sovereign Style: First Form ¨C Arc Lightning, slamming the energy into the shadows as his sword met the unseen barrier¡ª
And then, his blade was at her throat.
Selene chuckled softly, unfazed. With a single gesture, she motioned for him to look around.
Yun Jin turned¡ªand his smirk faded slightly.
Hundreds of dark spears surrounded him, each aimed at his vital points. A silent checkmate.
Selene raised a finger to her lips. ¡°Shh.¡±
Then she stepped back into the darkness, dissolving into shadow. ¡°You can try again next time.¡±
But before he could move, she reappeared behind him, her presence silent as the void itself. A chill brushed against his skin as her arms wrapped around him in an eerie embrace, her voice a whisper against his ear.
¡°Sleep.¡±
A sudden wave of numbness spread through his body, his limbs growing sluggish, his vision blurring at the edges. His mind screamed at him to resist, to shake off whatever spell she had woven, but his body refused to obey.
A growl of frustration rumbled in his chest. Damn it! This wasn¡¯t just an illusion¡ªthis was something deeper. A mental attack. And he had no proper defense against it. His frustration burned as realization set in: he couldn¡¯t counteract this effectively. Not yet.
I¡¯ll need Merlin¡¯s help with this. Yun Jin forced his mind to carve the lesson into his memory. If he didn¡¯t find a way to resist this kind of attack, it would be his undoing one day. He was sure of it.
Later that night, as he soaked in a warm bath, he traced his fingers over a faint scar on his arm¡ªa reminder of the battle. His grip tightened into a fist, but his lips curled into a grin.
This world¡ I¡¯ll use every danger within it to sharpen my blade.
One day, he would surpass even his master.
A knock at the door pulled him from his thoughts. He wrapped a cloth around himself and opened it to find a messenger, bowing as he handed Yun Jin a sealed letter.
Ardent had sent for him.
¡°Your invitation has been accepted. Tomorrow night, you enter the undercity.¡±
Yun Jin unfolded the letter, scanning its contents.
"A tournament? Hahaha!" Yun Jin laughed, the excitement bubbling within him. As a martial artist, there was no place more familiar, no battlefield more natural than a fighting arena.
The rush of combat, the thrill of facing new opponents¡ªthis was what he lived for.
But this was no ordinary tournament. The stakes were higher, the dangers greater. If he misstepped, it wouldn¡¯t just be a loss¡ªit could be his death. And yet, that only made the prospect more exhilarating.
The Syndicate¡¯s underground arena was hosting a bloodsport tournament, a place where mercenaries, criminals, and desperate warriors fought for gold and power.
His target¡ªone of the Ten Anomalies¡ªwas overseeing the fights.
To get close, Yun Jin would have to enter as a fighter.
But there was a catch¡ªit was a barehanded tournament. No weapons allowed.
Yun Jin let the thought settle before smirking. "Now this... is getting interesting."
Chapter 21: Starving Reality
The morning sun filtered through the grand windows of House Altheron, casting a golden hue across the polished floors. Yun Jin stretched as he stepped out of his room, feeling refreshed after a night of rest. Laid out for him was a new shirt¡ªsimple in design, yet the fabric was soft, refined, and tailored for ease of movement.
He pulled it on, adjusting the fit. As he walked, he noticed a subtle breeze against his skin, cooling him lightly.
"This... feels different," he murmured, running his hand over the cloth.
Elara, who had been waiting outside, stepped forward with a small nod. "It is a magic garment, Master Yun Jin. It has an inscribed diagram that improves airflow, keeping the wearer cool while also subtly enhancing energy recovery over time. A gift from Lord Altheron."
Yun Jin frowned slightly, inspecting the fabric more closely. His fingers traced the fine seams, feeling the almost unnatural lightness of the material. "Magic, huh?" He glanced at her, his expression questioning.
Seeing his curiosity, Elara gave a small smile and bowed slightly. "Ah, I have yet to introduce myself. My name is Elara, a personal attendant under Lord Altheron¡¯s house. If you have any questions during your stay, you may ask me."
Yun Jin nodded, rolling his shoulders and testing the comfort again. "Not bad."
Next, he made his way to Merlin¡¯s room. Knocking on the door, he called out, "Merlin, it¡¯s time to go."
A pause. Then a flustered voice from inside. "J-Just go ahead! I-I¡¯ll catch up!"
Yun Jin frowned. He needed Merlin¡¯s help today. "I¡¯ll wait."
Moments later, the door creaked open just a fraction, revealing a reluctant Merlin. Yun Jin¡¯s eyes widened slightly. The robe Merlin wore was more elaborate than usual, the fine silk flowing gently with his movement, its form-fitted design accentuating his delicate features. For a fleeting moment, Yun Jin could only think¡ª
He looks... beautiful.
Some angles made Merlin appear almost like a young noble girl, the feminine cut of the garment highlighting his youthful elegance.
Merlin immediately noticed the look in Yun Jin¡¯s eyes and scowled, his face turning bright red. "S-Stop staring! It was the only thing they had with my size!"
Yun Jin grinned, clearly enjoying Merlin¡¯s discomfort. "Oh? It suits you surprisingly well. Maybe we should get you a matching hairpin? I hear noble daughters accessorize well."
Merlin¡¯s blush deepened as he shoved Yun Jin back, flustered. "Shut up! Just¡ªwhere are we going?!"
Still smirking, Yun Jin let him change the subject, his amusement lingering as they climbed into the carriage prepared for them.
The carriage rocked gently as they traveled through the bustling streets, Yun Jin¡¯s stomach growled audibly. He realized he hadn¡¯t eaten properly in days¡ªhis last full meal had been with Baek Tianjun before his arrival, and aside from a few skewers upon entering Terrilstead, he had gone without food.
Though cultivators required far less sustenance than normal people, they still needed to eat, especially after extended battles. Even someone at Baek Tianjun¡¯s level still ate at least once a year. For Yun Jin, who had fought continuously in the past few days, the hunger was beginning to gnaw at him.
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"Find me something to eat," he ordered.
Elara simply smiled¡ªa subtle shift in her expression, but Yun Jin caught it, his brow raising slightly. "You seem amused by something," he remarked, his tone edged with curiosity.
Elara met his gaze with practiced composure. "Nothing, let me show you somewhere. It¡¯s a local secret."
Yun Jin clicked his tongue, not entirely convinced, but let the comment pass.
She led them away from the central streets toward a quieter part of town.
As they traveled, Yun Jin became keenly aware of the atmosphere changing.
The lively market noise faded, replaced by muffled conversations, distant scuffles, and whispered dealings. The people here walked with their heads low, their eyes sharp, and the air carried a weight of unease. Shady transactions happened in the alleys, and some men openly beat another against a crumbling wall.
Yun Jin stepped forward, but Elara held up a hand. "I suggest you do not interfere."
Yun Jin¡¯s eyes narrowed. "And why is that?"
"Because they may not be innocent either," Elara answered coolly. "This district is... survival-based. If you act, the true big fish might slip away."
Yun Jin clicked his tongue in irritation but understood the reasoning. Still, he couldn¡¯t stand idle.
His foot nudged against a small pebble on the ground. Channeling a precise amount of Qi, he flicked it forward¡ª
Two of the three aggressors collapsed instantly, unconscious before they even knew what hit them. The remaining man froze, now faced with a one-on-one fight.
"That¡¯s the least I can do," Yun Jin muttered.
Elara said nothing but gave Yun Jin a knowing glance.
They soon arrived at a small, family-owned restaurant tucked away in the district, noticeably quieter than the surrounding chaos.
The moment Yun Jin and Merlin stepped down, a young girl in tattered brown clothing rushed out to greet them, her face bright despite her worn attire.
"Welcome! Please, come in!"
Elara stopped at the entrance. "I will remain outside. The carriage cannot be left unattended, or it may... disappear."
Yun Jin and Merlin entered the establishment, where an old man with a scarred, weathered face studied them from behind the counter. His gaze was sharp, his body marked by years of hardship.
"Fancy folk like you don¡¯t belong in this part of town," the old man muttered. "What¡¯s your business here?"
Yun Jin met his gaze evenly. "I just want to eat. And now I¡¯m here."
The old man narrowed his eyes. "What do you want?"
Yun Jin shrugged. "What do you have?"
The old man¡¯s scowl deepened. His grip on the counter tightened slightly.
Before tension could rise further, Merlin stepped forward, hands raised in a placating manner. "Anything is fine. We¡¯re just travelers passing by¡ªwe only wish to try some local cuisine."
The old man studied them both for a long moment before sighing. "Fine. Take a seat."
As they sat, Yun Jin leaned back, absorbing his surroundings. The restaurant was old, its furniture worn but well-kept. The air smelled of simmering broth, a stark contrast to the tension outside.
Still, Yun Jin couldn¡¯t shake the feeling that they were being watched.
A moment later, the sound of wheels rolling across the wooden floor filled the quiet space. From the back of the restaurant, a woman in a well-worn but neatly kept dress maneuvered herself forward in a wheelchair, her sharp eyes landing immediately on the old man. Her tone was firm yet affectionate as she scolded him.
"You¡¯re scaring the customers again, dear! Is that any way to treat paying guests?"
The old man grumbled under his breath but turned away, stomping toward the kitchen. "Fine, fine. I¡¯ll cook."
The woman sighed before shifting her attention back to Yun Jin and Merlin, her expression softening. "I do apologize for my husband¡¯s attitude. He means well, but he¡¯s a stubborn one."
She gave them a warm, practiced smile. "Welcome to our humble establishment. I¡¯m Mara, and that grumpy man is my husband, Hagan. And this¡ª" she gestured toward the young girl who had greeted them earlier "¡ªis our daughter, Lina. She helps out when she can."
Lina beamed. "Nice to meet you!"
Mara clasped her hands together. "Now then, what would you like to eat? I promise, despite his temper, my husband¡¯s cooking is some of the best you¡¯ll find in these parts."
Chapter 22: Changing Roles
Yun Jin and Merlin sat at a wooden table in the dimly lit restaurant, their meals set before them. The warm aroma of broth and roasted meat filled the air, yet a lingering tension pressed against the walls like an unseen force. Mara, the restaurant¡¯s owner, sat nearby, her fingers anxiously tracing the worn edge of her wheelchair¡¯s armrest.
She sighed heavily. "This city wasn¡¯t always like this, you know. There was a time when adventurers came here to find work, trade flourished, and people lived without fear. But now..." Her voice trailed off, eyes dark with old wounds. "Now, people like us are nothing more than prey."
Elara stood silently near the entrance, hands folded, watching Yun Jin¡¯s reaction carefully. Hagan, Mara¡¯s husband, grumbled under his breath, shaking his head. "This place was once for warriors and explorers. Now it¡¯s just another den for parasites."
Merlin, between bites, raised an eyebrow. "Why hasn¡¯t anyone stopped them?"
Mara¡¯s lips tightened. "Who¡¯s left to fight them? The ones with the power either work for them or have already been buried. And the ones that do fight them... they have to maintain a delicate balance. If they take too many risks, everything collapses."
She sighed, her gaze drifting toward Elara, who stood silently outside, her posture still and composed. The unspoken weight behind Mara¡¯s words hung in the air.
then suddenly The restaurant¡¯s door slammed open, sending a sharp gust of air rippling through the small space. Three men strode in with the swagger of those who believed they owned everything in sight, their rough features marked by tattoos and battle-worn armor. The leader, a stocky brute with a jagged scar carved across his cheek, sneered at Hagan.
"Time¡¯s up, old man. Payment¡¯s due. And you know damn well we¡¯re not here for coin."
Mara paled, gripping her chair tightly. "Hagan still isn¡¯t fully recovered! You can¡¯t make him fight!"
Yun Jin¡¯s eyes narrowed. Fight?
Hagan exhaled heavily, pushing his plate aside. "I don¡¯t have a choice."
The gang leader smirked, slamming a heavy hand against the counter. "Oh, you do. Either you step into the ring tonight, or we take your wife and daughter instead."
Mara stiffened, her hands trembling. "You wouldn¡¯t dare."
The gang leader chuckled darkly. "Wouldn¡¯t we?"
At that moment.
Before anyone could react, Yun Jin moved.
A single open-handed strike landed squarely on the thug¡¯s throat. A sickening crack filled the restaurant. The leader collapsed instantly¡ªdead before he hit the floor.
The remaining two thugs stumbled back, their faces pale with shock.
Yun Jin dusted his sleeve. "I offered to take his place in the ring. That should be acceptable, shouldn¡¯t it? Or... would you rather refuse?"
They gulped, scrambling to hand him the fighter¡¯s invitation card¡ªthe one meant for Hagan. They muttered hurried excuses before dragging their dead comrade out the door, vanishing into the street.
The tension in the room didn¡¯t ease. Mara covered her mouth, shaking. Hagan clenched his fists, staring at the invitation in Yun Jin¡¯s hands.
"You don¡¯t know what you just signed up for," Hagan muttered. "This isn¡¯t just a fight¡ªit¡¯s a death sentence."
Yun Jin raised an eyebrow and pulled out his own invitation card, comparing it to the fighter¡¯s card in his other hand. The details were exactly the same, except for one difference¡ªhis role. His fingers tightened around the parchment, realization settling in.
"Twelve rounds, right? And then the champion? Sounds interesting."
Hagan let out a bitter laugh. "You think this is a game? That last match¡ªit¡¯s a bloodbath. They call it the Death¡¯s Throne event. No one walks away from it. No one except the champ..."
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He turned away, jaw clenched. "I was a fighter once, just trying to save some coin for my family. At first, it was just another gig... but then they came. They scared customers away, forced me to rely on them. Tied my hands. And when I tried to leave¡ª"
His gaze flickered to his wife''s crippled leg. "They made sure I couldn''t."
Yun Jin reached out, placing a hand on Hagan¡¯s shoulder. The moment their Qi connected, Hagan¡¯s body trembled¡ªa deep warmth flooding through him, his old wounds tingling as something long dormant stirred inside him.
Hagan¡¯s eyes widened as a system notification flickered before him, something he had never seen before. His bruised skin rapidly healed, the pain in his joints fading like morning mist. Mara gasped, her hands flying to her mouth, and their daughter stepped closer, eyes round with shock.
Hagan flexed his hands, his fingers no longer stiff and swollen. The sensation was unreal, like stepping into a younger version of himself. He turned his arms over, running his fingertips along skin that had been bruised moments before.
A slow smirk curled at Yun Jin¡¯s lips. "Would you look at that?"
Hagan, however, was still staring at his hands, disbelief settling in as he flexed his fingers again. His bruises had disappeared entirely, his body no longer aching from old wounds. But despite the miraculous recovery, Yun Jin¡¯s expression grew serious.
"Don¡¯t get any ideas," Yun Jin said, pressing a hand against Hagan¡¯s shoulder again, grounding him. "You might feel like a new man, but your internal body is a mess. You only lived this long because you already had a strong foundation, but your meridians are still adjusting. Let the power settle before you even think about fighting."
Hagan gritted his teeth. He wanted to argue, to say he could still stand, still fight¡ªbut deep down, he knew Yun Jin was right. He exhaled sharply. "Damn kid, talking like you¡¯ve known me for years."
Yun Jin chuckled. "I just know warriors. And you? You were a real one." He folded his arms. "Once you fully recover, I believe you¡¯ll be a formidable fighter again¡ªone that no one will dare to confront. But until then, you rest."
Hagan was quiet for a moment, then let out a low chuckle, shaking his head.
Yun Jin then glanced across the room, spotting Merlin playing with Lina, conjuring little dancing rock golems that twirled around the girl, making her giggle. A small smile tugged at Yun Jin¡¯s lips as he approached them, reaching out to ruffle Merlin¡¯s hair.
"Good boy."
Merlin immediately pouted, swatting Yun Jin¡¯s hand away. "I¡¯m not a dog!"
Yun Jin laughed. "Then stop acting like a puppy who gets distracted so easily."
She waved back, grinning. "Bye, big sister!"
Merlin huffed but reluctantly dismissed the golems, giving Lina a quick wave. "Bye, Lina! Wait..."
Yun Jin turned back to Hagan, his expression steady. "You don¡¯t have to worry now. I will take care of everything. Expect good news."
Without another word, he stepped outside, where Elara stood waiting by the carriage. He turned to her and said, "Pay the bill."
Elara bowed slightly before stepping into the restaurant, handing a gold bar to Mara. The woman¡¯s eyes widened in shock, her lips parting as if to protest, but Elara simply nodded before returning to Yun Jin¡¯s side.
As she climbed into the carriage, she looked back at Yun Jin. "Where would you like to go next?"
Yun Jin exhaled, stepping inside. "Take me wherever Ardent told you to."
Elara¡¯s lips curled into a small smile. "Very well, sir."
--
Laughter echoed through the grand halls of a lavish estate, where noblemen and criminals alike sipped their expensive wines and exchanged whispers about the upcoming Death¡¯s Throne event.
At the center of it all sat a woman draped in silk, her raven-black hair cascading over her shoulders. She leaned back on a luxurious couch, laughing as she swirled her wine. "I despise that filthy pit of a ring," she mused, her voice sultry yet edged with venom. "The stench, the noise¡ªnone of it suits my taste. But the money... well, that¡¯s another story."
Beside her, a towering man covered in scars leaned back, a massive keg of ale in his grasp. The reigning champion of Death¡¯s Throne. Women surrounded him, their hands tracing over his bulging muscles as he chugged the alcohol in deep gulps.
One of the nobles scoffed. "If you let that brute get drunk before the tournament, we¡¯ll all lose money. The entire operation depends on him winning."
The champion, overhearing the remark, slammed the keg down, his scarred face twisting into a smirk. He stood, towering over the nobles, casting a long, menacing shadow over them.
The noblemen tensed, some shrinking back. The woman in silk, however, merely chuckled. "Careful, dear," she cooed.
One of the knights, mistaking her amusement for an opening, stepped forward to mediate. "Let¡¯s not cause trouble¡ª"
The champion¡¯s fist struck like a thunderclap, and in an instant, the knight collapsed into a pile of crushed flesh and bone¡ªhis body mangled beyond recognition.
The room fell into dead silence.
The champion rolled his shoulders and cracked his knuckles. "You still want to doubt, mister?"
The noblemen exchanged terrified glances.
The silk-draped woman merely smirked, raising her glass as if to toast the moment.
"Enjoy the show, gentlemen."
Chapter 23 Rule No. 1 of Fight Club
Yun Jin sat cross-legged in quiet meditation, focusing on controlling his Qi. Across from him, Merlin did the same, his expression tight with concentration. Their private chamber was silent except for the faint flicker of a lantern, casting long shadows on the walls. Standing nearby, Elara kept watch, her stance rigid and unwavering, her eyes sharp as ever, scanning the room in a way that suggested she was ready to move at a moment¡¯s notice.
Minutes passed in stillness, then Yun Jin slowly opened his eyes and exhaled. "Thanks," he said, nodding at Merlin. His muscles, sore from the previous battles, felt slightly refreshed, though he knew he wasn''t at peak condition just yet.
Merlin hesitated before speaking. "Are you sure this is enough? We could keep going."
Yun Jin stretched before rising to his feet, rolling his shoulders. "It¡¯ll be useful if we need it. Let¡¯s just hope we don¡¯t."
He stepped toward the window and pulled the curtain aside. The sun had dipped below the horizon, staining the sky in hues of crimson and deep violet. The moon loomed over the distant rooftops, half-shrouded in mist. He turned to Elara, and without a word, she moved to the door, pushing it open for them. Their carriage awaited.
The ride was quiet, the clip-clop of the horses echoing through the dimly lit city streets. Flickering lanterns illuminated the old stone walls and paved roads as they passed through winding alleyways. The faint chatter of the city''s nightlife buzzed in the distance, but here, in the carriage, it was oddly serene.
Elara eventually pulled the reins and slowed the carriage, bringing it to a stop a few blocks from their destination. "This is as far as I go," she said. "I¡¯ll wait here. If anything happens, get back to me."
Yun Jin hopped out, landing lightly on his feet. Merlin hesitated for a moment longer. "If something goes wrong, I can¡¯t just leave you."
Yun Jin turned and placed a firm hand on Merlin¡¯s shoulder. "You can, and you will. If anyone in this world should know how strong I am, it¡¯s you. Trust me."
Merlin frowned but sighed, nodding reluctantly. "Fine. But be careful."
Elara watched them for a moment, her eyes unreadable. "I¡¯ll be here when you return."
Without another word, she disappeared into the shadows, vanishing as if she had never been there.
The plan required them to split up. Merlin, posing as a VIP guest, would enter through the exclusive entrance. Yun Jin, taking Hagan¡¯s place as a fighter, would go through the standard entry. Before they parted, Merlin attempted to cast a communication spell, but Yun Jin shook his head.
"Too risky. They might detect it."
Merlin sighed and relented. With a final glance at each other, they separated.
--
Yun Jin stepped into the vibrant, smoke-filled club.
The lower-tier fighter¡¯s entrance differ from their original rank, which Hagan being normal person isn''t that high, his purpose was to be a victim before Yun Jin replace him.
This place reeking of sweat, stale ale, and unwashed bodies. The flickering lanterns barely held back the oppressive gloom, casting jagged shadows over broken tables and cracked walls. The air was thick with the scent of spilled beer and cigar smoke, mixing with the distant metallic tang of blood.
In the center, a makeshift fighting pit dominated the room.
Two brawlers, their bodies bruised and battered, traded vicious blows while a drunken crowd hollered, placing bets with crumpled bills and clinking coins.
Every cheer shook the floorboards, and the rhythmic pounding of fists against flesh was punctuated by the occasional dull thud of a fighter collapsing.
Yun Jin walked forward, ignoring the leering glances and rough laughter, eyes set on the bar at the far end of the room.
He ignored the chaos and strode toward the bar, where a towering bartender, a woman with arms like steel cables, cleaned a glass with an old rag. She barely looked up as he slid his fighter¡¯s invitation onto the counter.
She gave it a lazy glance, then scoffed before tossing it back at him. "Never seen you before. Lineup¡¯s full. Come back tomorrow."
Yun Jin didn¡¯t move. He let a beat of silence settle before speaking. "I¡¯m Hagan¡¯s replacement."
The entire club froze.
Laughter and drunken banter cut off instantly. Fighters, gamblers, and shady figures turned to stare, their expressions shifting from idle curiosity to something far more hostile. Yun Jin could feel the weight of their gazes¡ªa silent, collective challenge. They weren¡¯t just skeptical; they were offended.
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The bartender leaned forward, resting her elbows on the counter with a smirk. "You?" She eyed him up and down before barking out a laugh. "A scrawny little thing like you, replacing Hagan? That¡¯s gotta be a joke."
The club erupted into laughter, some banging their mugs on the tables, others hurling slurred taunts.
One particularly large drunk, his face red from too much ale, grabbed a jug of beer and flung it straight at Yun Jin.
Without hesitation, Yun Jin flicked his wrist.
The jug stopped mid-air¡ªthen shot back with crushing force. It slammed into the thrower¡¯s face, bones cracking as blood splattered across the table. The man dropped like a sack of bricks, unconscious before he even hit the ground.
The club went dead silent.
The bartender''s smirk twitched.
Yun Jin met her stare, tilting his head slightly. "Any more questions?"
Meanwhile, Merlin¡¯s entrance was far more elegant. He approached an illusion-coated gateway, where two imposing guards stood like statues. Their presence alone was oppressive, each radiating an aura of raw power that sent shivers down his spine.
"Invitation."
Merlin handed over the card. One of the guards inspected it before handing him a mask. "Wear this inside."
The moment he stepped through the gate, the illusion flickered. When it cleared, he found himself in a lavish ballroom.
The atmosphere was suffocating. Masked nobles mingled under golden chandeliers, laughter mixing with the delicate notes of a string quartet. Tables overflowed with extravagant dishes, yet the conversations were anything but pleasant. Business deals, bribes, slavery auctions¡ªdiscussions carried out as if they were mere casual exchanges.
As Merlin walked further in, he was intercepted by several nobles who mistook him for a delicate noblewoman. They leaned in too closely, their breath thick with wine and their words coated in empty flattery and veiled intent.
"Such a rare beauty among these halls," one of them murmured, fingers brushing against Merlin¡¯s wrist. "Are you enjoying the festivities, my dear? Perhaps we can make your visit even more memorable."
Merlin resisted the urge to recoil, keeping his expression neutral. Another noble, older and more brazen, chuckled as he traced a finger along the collar of Merlin¡¯s outfit. "No need to be shy, little flower. The night is still young."
Before Merlin could react, a firm hand clamped down on the noble¡¯s wrist, wrenching it away from him.
A cold voice followed. "Step back."
Merlin turned sharply to see an imposing male guard come to his rescue. He stood between Merlin and the nobles, his grip on the older man¡¯s wrist strong enough to make him wince.
The nobles hesitated, their amusement fading into thinly veiled wariness. "A bit overprotective, aren¡¯t you?" one muttered.
The guard didn''t answer. Instead, he released the noble with a subtle shove and gestured for Merlin to follow. The tension in the air lingered, but the nobles chose not to press further.
Merlin swallowed hard. He had sensed it the moment he touched the noble¡ªhis mana signature.
Or rather, HER mana signature.
It¡¯s her... His thoughts raced. She¡¯s the same as that woman we met when we first arrived in Terrilstead.
His pulse quickened, and for a moment, he considered using a spell to flee, but Yun Jin¡¯s words echoed in his mind. ¡°If anything happens, you can run.¡± The guard glanced at him but said nothing.
She glanced at him with an unreadable expression before speaking. "You must be new here. Allow me to accompany you while you''re here."
Before Merlin could respond, she gestured toward a grand dining area, leading him through the hall with measured steps.
Merlin grabbed some food from the table, chewing slowly as the guard leaned slightly closer, her voice smooth yet carrying an undeniable weight. "This place was not always an arena," she said. "Long ago, it was a hidden meeting ground for an ancient mage society. They gathered here in secret, wielding power and influence that shaped the course of history. But like all things, they faded, leaving only ruins and forgotten spells behind."
She tapped the rim of her glass, letting the liquid swirl. "Then the Lady came. She repurposed it, gave it a new purpose." She gestured toward the arena. "Money. Fame. Fortune."
Merlin swallowed another bite, his appetite dimming as he glanced at the enchanted mirrors showing live matches. Fighters clashed, some ending in quick knockouts, others with more gruesome conclusions. The crowd roared in delight when one man''s head hit the ground, lifeless. Merlin stiffened.
She chuckled, catching his reaction. "Unsettling? For some, maybe. But for others, this is opportunity. Many come here for battle, some for fame¡ªbut most of all, for money. Fighters put their lives on the line, and the wealthy bet fortunes on their success or failure. It¡¯s an economy built on violence."
Merlin shifted uncomfortably. "And the Death Throne?"
"Ah." She smirked, tilting her head as if waiting for that very question. "That¡¯s something special. Held only once every six months, the Death Throne is unlike anything else. It''s not for just any fighter. Only those with enough reputation, skill, or notoriety receive an invitation. The rules are simple: step into the arena, fight through every challenger, and claim victory."
She lifted her glass, watching him over the rim. "And unlike these warm-up matches¡ the Death Throne has no mercy. There are no doctors waiting ringside. No chance for surrender. Only one fighter walks away."
Merlin¡¯s grip tightened on his fork. "And the rest?"
She smiled. "They become part of the show.""
She swirled the wine in her glass, watching Merlin carefully. "If you think this is horrifying, I wonder¡ what will you think when you see the real thing?"
As he ate, his eyes wandered toward a group of masked figures gathered around a magical mirror. Inside, brutal fights played out, some ending in knockouts, others in far bloodier finishes. A particularly violent moment¡ªsomeone¡¯s skull caving under a savage blow¡ªmade Merlin''s stomach churn.
His escort smirked at his reaction. "This? This is just the warm-up," she said smoothly.
"We hope we can assure you of the highest form of entertainment."
"But first," she whispered before shoving him into a dark corner, pressing a blade against his throat.
"What is your reason for being here? Did you really think I wouldn''t remember you?"
Chapter 24: Ill give you one strike!
Yun Jin sat in the fighters¡¯ waiting room, surrounded by nearly a hundred warriors, each radiating an intense presence. The sheer concentration of power in the air felt suffocating. More than half of those present exuded a distinct aura¡ªclear evidence of warriors who had pushed their strength beyond the ordinary. A select few even matched Yun Jin in raw power, and some, he suspected, surpassed him.
A voice called out, directing the combatants.
¡°Arena 7.¡±
Yun Jin surveyed the scene. The fighters had been split into ten groups, each labeled from 1 to 8. Every group contained at least ten members, their expressions ranging from stoic calm to barely contained bloodlust.
Despite the waiting room¡¯s spaciousness and the lavish platters of untouched food, the tension remained thick. Only a handful bothered with refreshments; most stood tall, eyes locked on the coming battles.
Yun Jin moved toward Group 7, his assigned arena.
The moment he arrived, a series of hostile stares met him, tinged with unspoken resentment.
¡°So you¡¯re the one replacing Hagan?¡± someone sneered, voice dripping with disdain.
Hagan was well-known among them: an outsider who ridiculed the fighters¡¯ circuit as ¡°uncivilized.¡± Yet he had earned a high rank, which many here resented. Some loathed his arrogance, others still harbored personal grudges they¡¯d never settled.
For them, Hagan¡¯s attitude was an unforgivable insult.
Yet these same fighters were here for myriad reasons¡ªsome coerced, some desperate for money, others chasing a dream they simply couldn¡¯t afford to lose.
A broad-shouldered brute stepped forward, his voice dripping with warning.
¡°You have no idea what you¡¯ve walked into, kid.¡±
Yun Jin smirked.
¡°Calling fighting ¡®uncivilized¡¯ may have been over the top, but wanting to kill a man just because of his words¡ Well, it makes me rethink showing you any mercy.¡±
The atmosphere grew heavier.
They could sense the condescension behind his gaze. Whispers of anger flared, accompanied by clenched fists.
¡°There¡¯s a strict no-fighting rule in the lobby,¡± one growled, though his killing intent was obvious. ¡°But once we¡¯re in the ring, I¡¯ll make you beg for your life.¡±
Yun Jin tilted his head, his smirk deepening.
¡°Try me.¡±
Another fighter, built like a living wall and radiating nearly as much mana as Yun Jin, laughed darkly.
¡°Smart. If I fight you now, we¡¯d both be disqualified. We¡¯d get kicked out instead of dying in the arena. Not a bad deal, right?¡±
Yun Jin¡¯s eyes gleamed with certainty.
¡°You¡¯re half right. Only one of us would be forced to leave. And trust me, it¡¯s not going to be me.¡±
A towering brute with arms like tree trunks grabbed Yun Jin by the collar and yanked him forward, frustration burning in his breath.
¡°You wanna go? Right here, right now!?¡±
Yun Jin exhaled softly, the corners of his mouth curling upward in amusement.
¡°It¡¯s only considered a fight if I strike back. So go ahead¡ª¡± he said, raising his arms in invitation. ¡°I¡¯ll give you one free shot.¡±
Veins popped in the brute¡¯s forehead.
¡°Fine!¡±
He threw a full-force punch, his knuckles whistling through the air with bone-shattering power.
BANG!
The impact shook the room.
All eyes turned to witness the result of the devastating blow¡ªonly to witness the impossible. The brute¡¯s arm was twisted backward at a grotesque angle.
With a strangled cry of agony, he dropped to his knees, his body trembling in shock.
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As for Yun Jin? He stood unharmed.
A stunned silence enveloped the group.
Shaolin Technique: Invincible Virtue.
By tensing his muscles and channeling Qi at the precise moment of impact, Yun Jin had hardened his body to the density of steel. He hadn¡¯t mastered the technique completely¡ªit demanded absolute stillness and exact timing¡ªbut its effectiveness was indisputable.
In a real battle, it would be impractical, clashing with his fluid, adaptable fighting style.
But for moments like this?
It was perfect.
Yun Jin lowered his arms, casting a bored glance at the defeated fighter.
¡°That was your one shot.¡±
The rest of Group 7 froze, their bravado tainted by a flicker of fear.
Yun Jin crossed his arms, scanning the remaining fighters.
¡°If any of you want out, now¡¯s the time. The tournament¡¯s rules won¡¯t bend for me, so if you value your life more than whatever brought you here, walk away.¡±
A tense silence followed. Some fighters exchanged uneasy looks. After a moment, several stepped back, signalling their surrender.
An official promptly took note.
¡°Anyone who surrenders now is free to leave¡ªbut you will be banned from ever entering another tournament hosted by the House.¡±
A few hesitated but ultimately turned to go. In the end, three fighters remained, resolute despite the fear and despair in their eyes. Yun Jin sensed their turmoil¡ªfear, hesitation, and even contempt, as though they were already resigned to their fate.
Leaning forward, his expression unreadable, he spoke to them via Qi Transmission, ensuring only they heard:
¡°Leaving is fine. Whatever¡¯s forcing you to stay, I¡¯ll handle it. Go to the alley out back. Find a shadowed corner and call for a woman named Elara. Tell her¡¡±
--
¡°LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, WELCOME TO DEATH THRONE!¡±
The announcer¡¯s voice reverberated through the enormous arena, igniting the crowd into a collective roar. In both the open stands and the exclusive VIP lounges, cheers erupted in a thunderous wave.
¡°Tonight, warriors from across the land step into the ring to fight for honor, glory, and fortune! Only one shall rise¡ªand the rest will DIE¡ªuntil a single champion claims the Throne!¡±
As the stadium¡¯s uproar gradually subsided, magical projections flickered overhead, displaying live footage from each of the arenas.
Arena 2: A lanky, wiry man moved like a ghost, each attack slipping past him as though his body contained no bones at all. Whenever his opponent missed, he contorted impossibly, evading effortlessly. Then, with viper-like speed, he latched onto the man¡¯s shoulder. A heartbeat later¡ªCRACK¡ªthe shoulder dislocated with a sickening pop, drawing gasps from the audience. Grinning, he shoved his crippled foe away, prompting the referee to halt the match.
Arena 4: A tall, lean woman with sculpted limbs fought like a wild predator, a blur of terrifying speed and power. She darted around her opponent, seeming to appear in multiple places at once. In a flash, she materialized behind him, landing a devastating axe kick that knocked him unconscious before he even hit the ground.
Arena 5: A behemoth of a man stood unmoving, his colossal muscles resembling an unyielding statue.
The arena trembled beneath his weight. His opponent froze for just an instant¡ªand that was enough. With a single casual backhand, the giant sent him flying across the ring. BOOM! The hapless fighter slammed into the arena wall, leaving a spiderweb of cracks behind him.
The crowd roared in a mixture of horror and amazement as the fighter lay motionless. In Death Throne, however, being merely unconscious wasn¡¯t a reprieve; only the referee¡¯s confirmation of death allowed a competitor to exit the arena. If an opponent still breathed, they were thrown back into the fight.
Soon, the projection shifted again, this time focusing on Arena 7, which stood silent¡ªno battling fighters, no struggling combatants.
A ripple of confusion spread through the spectators. The announcer strode into the ring and confronted Yun Jin directly.
¡°What happened to your opponents?¡±
Yun Jin took the microphone, his calm voice resonating throughout the stadium.
¡°I scared them off.¡±
Disbelieving laughter rippled through the onlookers. Some jeered at his presumed arrogance, while others quietly speculated about who he might be. Even the nobles in the VIP seats leaned forward with sudden interest.
Then Yun Jin¡¯s expression hardened. He lifted the microphone again, his voice echoing powerfully:
¡°This is my final warning. If you still value your life, leave now.¡±
Fighters in the neighboring arenas scoffed at what seemed like a blatant challenge. Spectators shook their heads in amusement, entertained by his boldness.
When the other matches concluded, Yun Jin returned to the waiting area. Only seven fighters remained.
He arched an eyebrow at the assembled warriors.
¡°One of them left?¡±
A formidable-looking female fighter with a confident smirk replied,
¡°Arena 1 had the reigning champion. He¡¯s gone to his room.¡±
She folded her arms and stepped closer, eyeing Yun Jin with an almost playful glint.
¡°You must be that loudmouth who told everyone to run. I hope you have the fangs to back up your roar.¡±
She leaned in, her tone bordering on flirtation.
Yun Jin flashed a grin, returning her challenging stare with a lazy smile.
¡°And I hope you live long enough to find out.¡±
Chapter 25: First Tournament!
The waiting area had grown eerily quiet, the number of contenders dwindling to only seven. Each of them was a step away from the final round, their eyes sharp, bodies tense. Even the air itself seemed heavier, charged with the presence of warriors who knew this was no longer just a competition¡ªit was survival.
Yun Jin and the girl kept locked eyes, the intensity between them undeniable. Neither spoke, yet the tension hung thick in the air, both silently measuring the other.
Before the moment could escalate further, a crude voice interrupted them.
"Tch. Young ones these days¡ªso full of fire, always eager to clash. Makes me sick."
A lanky, flexible man strolled toward them, his voice oozing with mockery. His posture was relaxed, but his eyes were calculating, filled with an unsettling hunger.
The girl sighed and took a step back. "Well, I guess it¡¯s only fair to introduce myself. The name¡¯s Reva, I¡¯m here representing Lord Berenholt." She tilted her head. "And you?"
Yun Jin met her gaze. "Yun Jin, House Altheron."
The moment the name left his lips, the room went deathly silent.
Every fighter stiffened. Even those who weren¡¯t paying attention now turned their heads, their expressions unreadable.
Fighters or not, they weren¡¯t fools. They knew that House Altheron was one of the strongest opposing forces against the Death Throne¡¯s hosts. To declare himself as part of their side, in the middle of enemy territory, was either an incredible flex¡ªor pure stupidity.
The tournament announcement boomed through the waiting hall, calling the matches.
Fighters exchanged glances, some adjusting their stances in quiet anticipation.
"Who is Kieran?" Yun Jin questioned, glancing between the others after seeing his opponent¡¯s name.
A sickening chuckle escaped from the lanky man¡¯s lips, his grin widening into something almost diabolical. "Oh?"
His eyes locked onto Yun Jin¡¯s with an eerie glow. He slowly tilted his head, taking a casual step forward.
"That would be me."
Then, he extended his hand for a handshake, his fingers long and unsettlingly steady.
Yun Jin clasped it, and the moment their palms met, he felt the pressure. Kieran was testing him, his grip gradually tightening, a silent challenge.
Yun Jin smirked and returned the favor, increasing his own strength to match. Their muscles tensed, fingers digging in, neither willing to give an inch. The tension crackled between them like an unspoken promise of battle.
For a few moments, they were deadlocked, both gauging the other''s raw strength.
Then Kieran¡¯s grin widened. "Good. I anticipated this fight."
A deep rumbling voice cut through the moment. "Be careful around that one."
Yun Jin turned, facing the giant warrior, who now watched them with a calm yet knowing gaze.
"That man is no ordinary fighter," Olag continued. "He¡¯s a serial killer from the East Coast. Got caught, sold, and now fights for the amusement of merchants. A real monster, that one."
Yun Jin studied the lanky man once more. There was no denial, no shame¡ªjust a sharp grin.
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"What can I say?" Kieran shrugged. "The thrill of the hunt never dies."
Yun Jin turned his attention back to Olag, noticing something different about him now. Despite his towering size and hardened features, his eyes held serenity, and wisdom.
"And you?" Yun Jin asked, intrigued.
Olag exhaled, his voice steady. "Olag."
Before he could say more, Reva¡¯s eyes widened in shock. "Wait¡ Olag? The Olag? The glacier holder?"
Olag gave a slow nod, his gaze steady. "And you¡ you''re from one of the fighter clans of Sun Bird Valley, aren¡¯t you?" His voice carried a knowing weight as his eyes flicked toward the small tattoo on Reva¡¯s neck.
Reva tensed slightly, instinctively brushing her fingers over the marking. "Tch. So you know your history."
"I know more than history," Olag replied. "I know the kind of warriors your clan produces. That¡¯s why I¡¯m surprised to see you here."
Reva hesitated for a moment before folding her arms. "That makes two of us. What¡¯s a fallen king of the north doing in a place like this?"
Olag exhaled, his broad shoulders rising and falling. "Same as that guy. I am no longer a king. I am just another fighter¡ or rather, a slave now."
Before anyone could respond, a sharp voice rang through the waiting hall. "First match, Yun Jin versus Kieran! Fighters, prepare yourselves. You have five minutes."
The tension shifted immediately. Conversations halted, and all eyes turned toward Yun Jin and Kieran. The lanky man¡¯s grin widened, an eerie light flickering in his eyes as he took a step back. He cracked his knuckles, each pop echoing through the now-silent chamber.
A thunderous roar erupted through the grand arena as the announcer¡¯s voice boomed across the stadium. The arena was massive, a colosseum carved into the earth, its fighting pit stretching wide enough to host battles of grand scale. The stands above were packed with spectators, their eager chatter filling the air. Rows upon rows of figures leaned forward in anticipation, their faces shadowed beneath the torchlight that flickered along the arena¡¯s stone walls.
Above them, in the VIP section, masked elites sat in their private booths, watching the event with quiet amusement. Their faces were obscured, but their presence alone was enough to send a chill through any fighter who knew the true weight of their influence. These were the real power players, the ones who dictated the fates of warriors and wagers alike.
"AND NOW¡ªTHE FIRST MATCH OF THE ELIMINATION ROUNDS!" The crowd¡¯s anticipation crackled through the air.
"Confirmed kills: 124. Death sentences evaded: 56. Former head assassin of the Jade Fang Syndicate. Sold into the underground after got caught trying to slaughter an entire noble estate overnight. A man who has never been struck in a tournament match! Can his opponent break the streak, or will he, too, fall to the shadows? THE PHANTOM SERPENT! KIERAN!!!"
The audience roared as Kieran glided into the ring, his movements eerily fluid, his body stretching in unnatural ways. He moved like water, a living shadow slipping through cracks in reality.
"And his opponent! A warrior from beyond these walls, a name whispered in defiance of those who run this tournament! The man who stands in open opposition to the hosts of the Death Throne, hailing from House Altheron! The challenger who either holds boundless confidence or suicidal audacity¡ªYUN JIN!
The crowd¡¯s response was immediate¡ª
A wave of deafening boos erupted from all sides, hostility radiating from the spectators. Yun Jin smirked at their reaction, unfazed. He had expected no cheers in a den of his enemies. The announcer, though slightly smug at the reaction, quickly reassured the spectators.
"Now, now! Regardless of politics, we promise a fair fight for the sake of our honored guests! So, will this so-called warrior prove himself in the ring, or will he be torn apart before he ever reaches the next round?!""
As Yun Jin stepped forward, the cheers mixed with murmurs. His earlier bravado had painted him as either a legend in the making or a fool doomed to die.
Yun Jin rolled his shoulders and took a step forward, his eyes narrowing as he studied Kieran¡¯s unnatural stance. "That movement of yours... what kind of technique is it? Might be worth noting."
Kieran chuckled, stretching his arms in an almost inhuman way. "Even if you knew, you couldn''t train it. It takes years of vigorous conditioning¡ªbreaking and reforming muscle over and over until the body bends beyond normal limits."
Yun Jin let out a laugh, shaking his head. "Don¡¯t talk to me about vigorous training. What I¡¯ve been through is far beyond that."
Kieran¡¯s smirk twitched as he observed Yun Jin¡¯s stance¡ªone he had never seen before. A style unfamiliar even to an assassin like him. Likewise, Yun Jin narrowed his eyes as he noticed Kieran¡¯s body shift, his limbs stretching unnaturally, curling like a serpent poised to strike.
"I¡¯ll give you a promise," Kieran said, his voice smooth yet menacing. "I won¡¯t make it quick."
Yun Jin¡¯s grin widened. "I sure hope not. Don''t die before I crack that technique of yours."
The announcer raised his hand high. "Fighters ready!"
Both nodded.
Then¡ª
"Match¡ªBEGIN!"
Chapter 26: To Kill An Assassin
Yun Jin surged forward, closing the distance in a single step, his movements calm and measured despite facing an opponent unlike any he had fought before. He''s fast... unnaturally so. His fist snapped out with the force of a lightning strike. But the moment he committed to the attack, he realized his mistake¡ªKieran was no longer in front of him.
The assassin twisted away, his body bending unnaturally, avoiding the strike with an eerie smoothness. His movements were unlike any Yun Jin had encountered before, not simply quick but fluid, slipping past attacks like a shadow avoiding the sun. Before Yun Jin could reorient himself, Kieran retaliated.
A whip-like kick lashed out, aiming straight for Yun Jin¡¯s ribs. He barely managed to twist his torso, evading the full brunt of the blow, but the wind pressure alone sent a sharp sting across his skin.
Kieran smirked, his voice dripping with mockery. "Slow."
Yun Jin narrowed his eyes, recalculating. Kieran wasn¡¯t just fast¡ªhe was reading him, anticipating his every reaction with an almost unnatural precision.
This guy really is an experienced assassin. How troublesome...
Yun Jin exhaled, his breathing steady. He had faced countless warriors before, but only a few were like this. Instead of being unnerved, he studied Kieran carefully.
A blur of motion. Kieran surged forward, his fingers stretching unnaturally toward Yun Jin¡¯s vital points, aiming for a quick, decisive takedown.
He''s very fast!
Yun Jin barely managed to parry, shifting his weight in time to deflect the strike, but the sensation of Kieran¡¯s fingers brushing against his arm sent a chill through him¡ªfollowed by a sharp pain.
A thin gash appeared on the side of Yun Jin¡¯s arm¡ªthe price of deflecting what felt like a whip with a knife¡¯s edge.
The crowd erupted into a frenzy, energy crackling in the air as they witnessed something unexpected¡ªYun Jin, forced onto the defensive.
Yet, he remained calm, his eyes sharp and calculating.
His style relies on unpredictability, but people always have patterns. I just need to find them.
Then, he sensed something. A faint pulse of mana energy coursing through Kieran¡¯s limbs. Narrowing his eyes, Yun Jin activated [Mana Eyes], and suddenly, the mystery unraveled before him.
A slow smirk formed on his lips. I understand it now!
Through his enhanced vision, he saw the truth¡ªKieran¡¯s elongated movements weren¡¯t merely the result of extensive training or unnatural flexibility. Those were just the basics. The real key lay in how he used his magic.
Kieran wasn¡¯t merely contorting his body¡ªhe was dislocating his joints at will, using mana as a flexible framework to hold himself together. His limbs weren¡¯t constrained by bones in the conventional sense. Instead, they were woven with dense mana, allowing him to extend, twist, and snap back into form with unnatural ease.
So that''s his trick. Attacking him where he can move is pointless¡ªI need to aim for the hard parts instead!
Yun Jin took a deep breath. He had seen all he needed.
His strategy shifted instantly.
Instead of pressing forward, he did something unexpected¡ªhe stopped.
To try and stop Kieran from being the aggressor was pointless since their fighting styles were too different. Instead, Yun Jin retreated slightly, shifting into a more defensive stance.
If I rush in blindly, he''ll slip past me again. I need him to make the first mistake...
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Kieran flickered with intrigue. "Hmph. Giving up?"
Yun Jin didn¡¯t answer. He simply waited, his stance relaxed.
Kieran hesitated for a fraction of a second, eyes narrowing as he tried to decipher Yun Jin¡¯s plan.
He was no fool. He understood that Yun Jin¡¯s fighting style relied on speed and fluidity, but since his own uniqueness prevented Yun Jin from utilizing his strengths, Yun Jin had shifted tactics. He knew it was a trap, but standing still wasn¡¯t an option.
This kid... The assassin¡¯s smirk twitched. He couldn¡¯t afford to wait. The longer he did, the worse it would get. Even though Yun Jin just stood there, something about it made him feel on edge.
If Yun Jin refused to act, then Kieran would force him to!
Yun Jin stood his ground, watching carefully as Kieran prepared to strike.
Kieran¡¯s body tensed like a drawn bowstring, the ground beneath him cracking violently from the force being accumulated.
His opponent¡¯s unpredictable movements gave him the advantage, but Yun Jin knew that meant Kieran also relied on others struggling to react.
I have to take the risk.
He exhaled slowly, reading the flow of mana as Kieran lunged forward.
BOOM!
Yun Jin threw a sudden straight punch¡ªfast enough that most would struggle to react.
Kieran, however, evaded like a snake, his body twisting away in an impossible motion. A grin spread across his face. "I got you now!" His fingers, sharpened like claws, shot forward, aimed directly for Yun Jin¡¯s eye.
Just as they were a hair¡¯s breadth away, Yun Jin snapped back his elbow.
Shaolin Technique: Bounder Crush.
BANG!
His elbow struck Kieran¡¯s jaw with pinpoint accuracy, sending the assassin flying to the side.
Kieran tumbled, rolling over and over across the arena floor before planting his hand against the ground and flipping himself upright. Yun Jin didn¡¯t waste a second¡ªhe rushed forward to press the advantage.
As Yun Jin launched a follow-up kick, Kieran¡¯s body suddenly retracted, compacting in on itself. Instead of meeting flesh, Yun Jin¡¯s strike connected with something unnaturally solid, a sensation akin to kicking a block of iron.
What the¡ª?!
Pain shot through Yun Jin¡¯s foot, forcing him to retreat, his ankle nearly dislocated from the impact. He instinctively stepped back, eyes narrowing as he activated [Mana Eyes] again.
Kieran¡¯s mana had shifted.
Instead of the elongation technique he had used before, his energy had now condensed into a hyper-dense form. His entire body had become a living fortress, reinforcing his structure like hardened steel.
Kieran grinned and stood back up quickly, pressing his hand against his dislocated jaw before snapping it back into place with a sickening crack. Yun Jin''s eyes narrowed.
Even now, he''s smiling? No... he''s enjoying this.
Kieran clicked his teeth to check his jaw condition, then let out a chilling smile.
"Damn, that really hurt! Kid, how the hell did you learn so quickly? That almost frightens me. You even started aiming for my hardened bones, didn¡¯t you? Most never even figure that part out. They usually try attacking the joints... which is pointless since I don¡¯t really need those anyway."
His expression darkened. He had initially dismissed Yun Jin as some arrogant upstart, but now he knew¡ªYun Jin was dangerous.
"You understand magic too. A magic warrior like me. But even I don¡¯t have those eyes."
Yun Jin adjusted his stance. "Not quite. I¡¯m still a novice when it comes to magic. I only understand the basics."
Kieran let out a slow breath, one that carried unnatural heat. "Someone with [Mana Eyes] calls themselves a novice? Don¡¯t insult me. I¡¯ve killed enough esteemed mages to know how dangerous that ability is in the right hands. And you¡ª" he ducked low, pivoting around Yun Jin¡¯s strike, "¡ªare one of them."
The crowd murmured among themselves.
[Mana Eyes]¡ªan ability that separated an ordinary magic user from a true mage. It allowed one to perceive and deconstruct mana flows in real time. For a fighter to possess such a skill meant he was no ordinary warrior.
Whispers rippled through the arena. "Who the hell is Yun Jin?"
But Yun Jin ignored them. He had no time to indulge the spectators¡¯ curiosity; his focus remained solely on his opponent.
Not only do I have to target his hard bones to deal real damage, Yun Jin thought, but I also have to be wary of that reinforcement technique. Even when I faced Shaolin monks, I only had to worry about the latter.
Yun Jin¡¯s stance tightened, his expression sharpening.
Kieran¡¯s aura flared once more, his grin widening. "Enough chitchat. Let¡¯s see if you can keep up when I get serious."
Yun Jin felt the heat rise around him.
A surge of mana erupted from Kieran¡¯s body, intensifying the heat to near-unbearable levels.
"Let¡¯s see if you¡¯re truly strong!"
Chapter 27: Aura Surge!
¡°Nervous, little warrior?¡± Kieran hissed, his lips curving into a bloodthirsty grin. ¡°I can smell your fear. Let me taste it¡¡±
Yun Jin merely exhaled through his nose and settled into his stance. His muscles coiled beneath his skin, ready to spring into action at any moment.
The heat rose sharply as Kieran¡¯s mana flared anew. The arena floor cracked beneath his feet, glowing a molten red.
This level of heat¡ Yun Jin¡¯s flesh burned, and his veins hummed with pain. But the exhilaration of combat overshadowed it all.
He¡¯s pushing his body past its limit, Yun Jin noted, eyes glowing faintly as he observed the currents of mana roiling through Kieran.
Kieran let out a harsh, mirthless laugh. ¡°Come on, fight me properly! If you can¡¯t handle the heat, I¡¯ll just incinerate you!¡± His voice rose in an unhinged cackle that echoed around the arena.
Then, before Yun Jin could fully decipher the chaotic mana pattern, Kieran vanished.
BANG!
Kieran rocketed forward with terrifying speed, propelled by heat-based magic that amped his blood flow, unnaturally stretched his muscles, and magnified his strength and speed to insane levels. Yun Jin¡¯s eyes widened as Kieran¡¯s figure blurred.
Reacting on instinct, Yun Jin realized there was no way to completely evade the blow. He activated Shaolin Technique: Invincible Virtue, though some of Kieran¡¯s raw power tore through his defenses, sending a punishing shockwave through Yun Jin¡¯s torso.
BOOM!
The impact blasted Yun Jin off his feet. He crashed into the stone wall, pulverizing a section of it with an explosive crack. Pain throbbed along his ribs, and his lungs seized in a ragged gasp, forcing a sputtering cough.
If not for Invincible Virtue, his organs would¡¯ve ruptured on the spot.
Kieran¡¯s laughter rang out once more, echoing around the arena. ¡°How¡¯s that, kid?¡± he taunted.
That speed¡ even the assassins in the imperial palace weren¡¯t this fast, yet he¡¯s just a slave here? Yun Jin felt the corners of his mouth twitch with excitement, igniting his fighting spirit. He shoved away the rubble, chest heaving, and locked eyes with Kieran.
Kieran was already a blur at close range, his arm elongating unnaturally. He thrust it at Yun Jin¡¯s throat with blistering speed. Yun Jin dove aside, narrowly avoiding the strike. The second blow crashed into the ground, shattering the stone where he¡¯d been standing moments before.
He¡¯s even faster than before! Yun Jin marveled, but also realized something crucial: the faster Kieran moved, the more telegraphed his path of attack became.
Kieran let out a feral growl, shaking the rubble off his molten arm. ¡°Stop squirming! I want to watch your arrogant eyes go cold!¡±
He swept his leg at Yun Jin with a scorching trail of mana. Yun Jin deflected the blow with a circular motion, redirecting it away from his body. The heat seared the skin on his forearm, and smoke rose from the contact.
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He¡¯s fast, flexible, and tough as steel. Yun Jin¡¯s gaze flicked to Kieran¡¯s shoulders, noticing how the surging mana was wild and inefficient.
Every magic needs some sort of system, he remembered Merlin saying.
That¡¯s his weakness! His magic relies on heat to loosen muscle fibers and boost blood flow, which increases his strength and speed. But he¡¯s burning his mana reserves at an alarming rate. If I stall him, he¡¯ll tire.
But that¡¯s how losers think.
Refusing to cower or prolong the fight, Yun Jin dashed forward, hoping to seize the initiative.
Kieran roared with glee. ¡°Yes! Show me that neck¡ªI¡¯ll tear it open!¡± He whipped his elongated arm toward Yun Jin¡¯s exposed throat instead of dodging.
The molten arm lashed out like a burning whip¡ªdeadly and precise. But Yun Jin had planned this.
He was purposely dropped his guard to lure Kieran into a reckless counter.
Shaolin Technique: Throwing Willow.
He caught Kieran¡¯s extended arm mid-swing, pivoting smoothly and using the assassin¡¯s own momentum.
Kieran slammed face-first into the stone floor with a jarring impact. Bits of shattered tile flew in all directions, and a grunt of pain tore from Kieran¡¯s lips.
A malevolent hiss escaped him as he struggled to rise. ¡°I¡¯ll kill you!¡± He tried to yank his arm free, but Yun Jin instantly seized another opening.
A swift, gentle strike to Kieran¡¯s shoulder caused his entire left arm to go limp.
Kieran howled in fury. ¡°What¡ what did you do to me?¡± His eyes glowed with murderous intent, but now also held a trace of panic.
Yun Jin flexed his fingers. ¡°Qi blocking. It¡¯s a medical technique, not combat. I severed the mana flow to your limb.¡± His gaze sharpened. ¡°I learned it from a doctor who could cure anything.¡±
Kieran¡¯s eyes flashed with horror. ¡°You¡ you attacked my mana veins directly?¡±
¡°Exactly. It doesn¡¯t matter how tough your joints are if the energy flow is cut off at the source.¡±
¡°You¡ you just revealed your secret?¡±
Yun Jin chuckled. ¡°Yes. Consider it payment.¡±
¡°Payment for what?¡± Kieran growled, eyes still wild with bloodlust.
Yun Jin¡¯s voice dropped to a near whisper. ¡°For this.¡±
Mana flared around Yun Jin¡¯s body. The air shimmered with heat as he adapted Kieran¡¯s principle of heat circulation to his own qi pathways.
Kieran¡¯s face twisted. ¡°You¡¯re copying my technique?¡± he spat, disbelief and rage battling in his expression. ¡°Impossible!¡±
BOOM.
Yun Jin¡¯s feet sank into the ground as raw power surged through him. A faint glow licked across his skin, resembling Kieran¡¯s flames¡ªexcept Yun Jin¡¯s aura burned with calm, refined precision rather than chaotic fury.
[You have unlocked a skill: Aura Surge (Rank D+)]
Kieran let out a ragged roar. ¡°You¡ª!¡± But his shout broke off as Yun Jin vanished from sight.
Light Blade Sovereign Style: First Form ¨C Arc Lightning.
Yun Jin reappeared mid-strike, his fist hammering into Kieran¡¯s chest with surgical accuracy.
CRACK.
Bone fractured under the blow, and the assassin¡¯s magic circuit broke. Kieran gasped, blood misting the air as he collapsed. His breath caught in his throat with a horrible rattle.
A hush descended over the crowd. Moments later, the announcer¡¯s voice cut through the silence:
¡°Winner: Yun Jin of House Altheron!¡±
The stands erupted into a cascade of boos and jeers. Far above, noblemen watched with curious disdain; commoners gawked in shock.
Yun Jin straightened, chest heaving, a savage grin etched into his features. He stared down at Kieran¡¯s broken form.
This world really is full of fun!!
Chapter 28: A gift from the Fallen King
The air in the fighters¡¯ resting area was heavy with tension and the lingering heat from Yun Jin¡¯s last match. He eased himself down on a rough wooden bench, muscles sore and qi pathways still humming with the residual warmth of his newly learned technique. It had tripled his strength in a flash, but that sudden surge of power was a struggle to control. Even so, the corners of his lips curved into a weary grin¡ªhe¡¯d accomplished one of his key goals.
The first: to eliminate those who preyed on the innocent.
The second: to face skilled warriors of this world, learning how they merged magic and martial arts.
A stiff silence gripped the lounge, broken only by the occasional scrape of weapons being cleaned and the ragged breathing of exhausted fighters. Yun Jin sensed the weight of dozens of eyes upon him¡ªsome fearful, some uneasy, others coldly calculating. They¡¯d witnessed his astounding strength and were now reevaluating their odds against him.
Suddenly, a sharp voice cut through the hush:
¡°I¡¯m coming for your throat next.¡±
Yun Jin turned his gaze to see Reva, standing firm beside another fighter. Her fierce eyes lingered on him for a heartbeat, then she pivoted and walked off without waiting for a reply.
Yun Jin let out a soft chuckle, shaking his head. ¡°I¡¯ll be waiting,¡± he murmured as she disappeared into the corridor.
¡°You really shook them,¡± came a deep rumble from behind him.
He glanced over his shoulder to see Olag, the towering northern warrior. A half-empty flask dangled from his massive hand, a grin twisting his scarred features.
¡°Mind if we share a drink? Talk a bit?¡±
Yun Jin arched a brow. ¡°We might have to kill each other soon. Doesn¡¯t that make things¡ complicated?¡±
Olag shrugged, tapping the side of his flask. ¡°True. But this might be the last chance we get to know each other.¡±
¡°Fair enough.¡±
They moved to a quieter corner. Olag unhooked a second flask from his belt and poured its contents into two battered metal cups. He downed his in one gulp, while Yun Jin took a more cautious sip. The liquor burned sweetly, leaving a pleasant smoky aftertaste.
¡°Sweeter than anything I¡¯ve had before,¡± Yun Jin noted, rolling the taste on his tongue. ¡°And smoother.¡±
¡°I had better,¡± Olag replied, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. ¡°Not half bad for a king last drink.¡±
Yun Jin studied Olag¡¯s somber expression. ¡°Why so sure it¡¯s your last? From what I¡¯ve seen, you¡¯re the strongest fighter here.¡±
Olag let out a low chuckle. ¡°Not counting you, I assume.¡±
¡°Obviously,¡± Yun Jin said, only half-joking.
Olag¡¯s sharp glance flicked to Yun Jin¡¯s hands, lingering on the subtle calluses and positioning of his fingers. In an instant, he seemed to read Yun Jin¡¯s specialty¡ªswordsmanship. His eyes gleamed with the kind of wisdom and experience that only came from countless battles.
¡°Haha, who knows?¡± Olag teased. ¡°Maybe if you had your blade with you, the odds would even out.¡±
Yun Jin¡¯s face twitched in surprise at how quickly Olag read him. Then he regained his composure with a tight smile.
¡°But that¡¯s only because you¡¯re crippled,¡± Yun Jin said, though his tone was somber, not mocking. ¡°If you were at full strength, I¡¯d probably be the one losing.¡±
The grin disappeared from Olag¡¯s face, replaced by a flicker of pain. ¡°You noticed.¡±
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Yun Jin¡¯s gaze drifted to the jagged scars crossing Olag¡¯s torso. ¡°Someone I knew¡ªMerlin¡ªhad a fractured mana signature, too, but his was more like a small dam with a large valve; as long as he channeled carefully, he could keep it from overflowing.¡± He paused, voice dropping. ¡°Yours is different. You¡¯re like a huge dam that¡¯s fractured in a dozen places, holding back a tidal wave that crashes every second. You have no choice but to endure or burst.¡±
Olag gave a resigned sigh and lifted the hem of his shirt, revealing a long, uneven scar. The skin around it was pale, with dark veins snaking beneath the surface¡ªvisible proof of the poison that coursed through him. Further along his sides, more black veins traced a web of old wounds.
¡°After the Unification War, they captured me,¡± Olag said quietly. ¡°Didn¡¯t kill me¡ªtoo merciful, I suppose. Instead, they poisoned my organs and mana circuits, then paraded me around the north like a trophy before finally selling me as a slave.¡±
Yun Jin felt his jaw clench. He¡¯d heard rumors of brutal conquests, but never something so sadistic. ¡°You survived all these years¡ for revenge?¡±
Olag let out a bitter chuckle. ¡°No. I¡¯m not as strong as you think. I wanted to die every day after losing everything. But a slave curse forces me to keep living, no matter how broken I become. Whenever a master tries to kill me, the curse turns on them instead.¡±
¡°So that¡¯s why you¡¯re here¡?¡±
Olag nodded. ¡°I begged my current master to send me to the Death Throne. It¡¯s a sanctioned bloodsport¡ªif I die here, maybe the curse will finally let go. That¡¯s all I want now.¡±
A weighted silence settled over them, each man absorbing the other¡¯s story. To Yun Jin, Olag looked like a dead man walking, a warrior whose soul had given up long before his body would let him go.
¡°Is there anything I can do for you?¡± Yun Jin asked quietly. ¡°I have a friend who¡¯s a mage¡ªmaybe he could lift that curse.¡±
For a moment, Olag¡¯s eyes shone with hope. ¡°I¡¯d appreciate it, truly. But don¡¯t risk your own life for me. I made my choice long ago.¡±
¡°We¡¯ll see,¡± Yun Jin said, already trying to think of a way around such dark magic.
Olag forced a grin, hoisting his flask. ¡°Enough grim talk. I have something for you.¡± Without warning, he opened his mouth and, with a nauseating crunch, pulled out what appeared to be one of his own teeth. Yun Jin¡¯s stomach turned, but he kept his face neutral. The object wasn¡¯t a tooth at all¡ªit was a small, roughly cut stone etched with strange carvings.
¡°What is that?¡± Yun Jin asked, eyes narrowed.
Olag dropped the stone into his half-empty cup. The liquor hissed and turned an inky black. After a few moments, he fished out the stone, wiped it clean with a rag, and handed it to Yun Jin.
¡°A shard of my homeland,¡± he said, voice quiet. ¡°Nothing I need anymore, but you might.¡±
The instant Yun Jin¡¯s fingers closed around the stone, a faint blue interface shimmered before his eyes:
[Rune of the Glacier Lord (Rank A): A shard imbued with ancient northern frost magic. When integrated into a weapon or body, it grants enhanced resistance to heat-based attacks and boosts cold-based abilities. Can be consumed to receive Ice Affinity but will also link you to the tribe¡¯s spirit realm.]
Yun Jin¡¯s heart thumped once. ¡°Olag¡ this is priceless.¡±
The warrior shrugged. ¡°Not to me. I¡¯m a failed king, worth less than nothing. But you¡ªI suspect you have a real purpose here.¡± He gestured around at the room to all other wary fighters.
¡°My life is destined to end among slaves, scum, and killers. That¡¯s my fate.¡±
Yun Jin¡¯s eyes flickered with determination. ¡°I promise to use it well.¡±
Without hesitation, he brought the shard to his lips and swallowed. Immediately, a surge of icy energy raced through his veins, and a frost-laced aura coiled around his body.
[Ice Affinity (Rank C) Acquired]
He winced at the shock of cold, but in that moment, the burning soreness in his muscles receded. A soothing chill took its place, offering momentary relief from his battered state.
Before Yun Jin could say more, Reva reentered the room. Her hair was matted with sweat, her arms streaked with bruises and cuts. She slumped into a nearby chair, breathing in sharp, ragged bursts.
¡°You look like hell,¡± Yun Jin remarked, though the concern in his voice was genuine. Reva shot him a glare that clearly said, Not now.
Olag rose to his full height, rolling his shoulders until a series of pops echoed through the quiet space. ¡°My turn,¡± he said simply, striding toward the arena gates.
Just then, a voice crackled over the arena¡¯s announcement system:
¡°Presenting Olag, the fallen king of the barbarian north! Once a warlord who led armies, now stepping into the Death Throne! And his opponent¡ our reigning champion!¡±
Yun Jin watched Olag¡¯s massive form recede into the corridor, a knot of respect and sadness tightening in his chest.
In that stillness, a memory of his master¡¯s words rang clear in his mind:
Life as a warrior is brief and sorrowful.
Remember that the person you cut down may carry an entire library of untold stories.
Choose carefully, for once you take their life, the world will never hear their tale again.
Chapter 29: Cursed Beast King
A hush fell as Olag, the Fallen King of the Barbarian North, emerged first.
His massive frame bore the scars of countless battles, and he walked with the stiff dignity of a wounded predator¡ªshoulders squared, stride steady. Yet, a quiver ran through his limbs. The slave curse seared through his circuits, and poison coursed through his veins.
From the other gate stepped Kravtsov, the Iron Maul¡ªthe reigning champion. Nearly as large as Olag, with thick arms crackling with arcs of lightning, he exuded cool confidence.
A magically amplified voice boomed from above:
¡°Presenting Olag, the fallen king of the Barbarian North! Once a warlord who led armies, now stepping into the Death Throne! And his opponent¡ªour undefeated champion¡ªKravtsov, the Iron Maul, wielder of lightning¡¯s fury!¡±
A roar rattled the stands. Some spat curses at Olag, calling him a barbarian. Others cheered on Kravtsov with fervent loyalty.
Lightning danced around Kravtsov¡¯s forearms as he strode forward and tossed a length of chain aside. ¡°So, you¡¯re the ¡®Barbarian King,¡¯¡± he said in a gravelly accent. ¡°I expected someone more¡ alive.¡±
Olag¡¯s rugged face betrayed no emotion, though he dropped into a low, defensive stance¡ªwell-suited to counters and grapples.
Kravtsov sneered, short arcs of electricity sparking around his fists. ¡°Fight me like a warrior,¡± he spat. ¡°Have some spirit¡ªwe¡¯ve got a show to perform.¡±
¡°Just shut up and kill me,¡± Olag replied, his voice hollow. ¡°Or I¡¯ll make it someone else¡¯s job.¡±
His eyes were empty, yet the sheer focus in his gaze set Kravtsov on edge. This was no mindless brawler.
¡°START!¡±
The gong¡¯s reverberation sent a ripple of anticipation through the crowd.
Olag lunged forward, his cursed body ignoring the burden of decay. He feinted high, forcing Kravtsov to raise his guard, then abruptly dropped low, sweeping at his ankles. The champion faltered. Olag seized the opening, driving his shoulder into Kravtsov¡¯s midsection. The impact sent the larger man staggering back.
¡°That all you got?¡± Olag growled. He hooked an arm around the champion¡¯s torso and wrenched him off-balance, his grip ironclad.
Gasps rippled through the audience. Olag pivoted, slamming Kravtsov face-first into the dirt.
The champion snarled, muscles bulging as he thrashed free, raw power shattering Olag¡¯s hold.
Both fighters rose, eyes locked.
¡°You¡¯re¡ better than you look,¡± Kravtsov admitted, wiping the dust from his face. A thin trickle of blood ran from his lip.
Kravtsov cracked his knuckles and surged forward, fists swinging like wrecking balls. Olag met the charge without hesitation. He sidestepped a wild hook, then twisted, catching Kravtsov¡¯s wrist mid-swing. With a grunt, he yanked Kravtsov forward and ducked low. His knee shot up, hammering into the man¡¯s gut.
Kravtsov coughed, doubling over. Olag hooked an arm under his opponent¡¯s armpit and threw him over his shoulder. The ground shook as Kravtsov slammed into the dirt.
The champion rolled to his feet. ¡°Lucky... shot,¡± he rasped.
Olag¡¯s expression remained empty. ¡°I don¡¯t have luck.¡±
Kravtsov lunged again, fists becoming a storm of strikes. Olag caught the first punch mid-swing¡ªan iron grip locking around Kravtsov¡¯s wrist. The champion¡¯s eyes widened, shock flickering across his face.
"Wha-"
Before he could react, Olag yanked him in and drove a brutal knee into his gut. A violent cough burst from Kravtsov¡¯s lips as air fled his lungs. Olag didn¡¯t hesitate. He latched onto the champion¡¯s waist like a steel vice. The crowd barely had time to gasp before he hoisted Kravtsov off his feet and slammed him into the ground with a bone-crunching suplex.
Kravtsov groaned but instinctively swung a fist at Olag¡¯s temple. It connected with a sickening crack, sending Olag sprawling sideways. The crowd cheered the show of brute strength.
But Olag was already rolling to his feet.
Kravtsov charged with a roar, hands raised for a hammer blow. Olag darted in, slipping under the strike. His hands shot out, one gripping the champion¡¯s wrist, the other snaking around his throat. The pivot was seamless. Kravtsov found himself airborne again, flipped over Olag¡¯s hip and slammed into the ground.
Realizing brute force alone wouldn¡¯t win, Kravtsov kindled arcs of lightning around his arms. Sparks danced at his knuckles, crackling with pent-up mana.
BANG!
A shock burst forced Olag to disengage, leaving a scorched mark on Olag''s chest.
¡°You don¡¯t disappoint me,¡± Kravtsov rumbled. ¡°You¡¯re strong. Now it''s time for me to repay your strength!¡±
He lunged, propelled by a burst of lightning. Olag attempted to parry, but Kravtsov¡¯s crackling fist smashed his defense aside.
SLAM.
A jolt of electric force surged through Olag¡¯s body, locking his muscles. He staggered back as Kravtsov unleashed a flurry of blows, each flickering with blue-white sparks.
THUNDERCLAP.
BOOM!
Olag coughed, the shock lingering in his ribs. He recognized he was slipping behind in raw speed.
Pain flared inside him, fueling the dark magic of his curse.
Still determined, Olag exploited a narrow opening to clinch with Kravtsov.
If he could force the champion into a close-quarters hold, he might negate those devastating bursts of lightning-fueled strikes. He hooked an arm around Kravtsov¡¯s waist, trying to drive him down.
This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.
Kravtsov retaliated with savage body shots that crackled with electricity, each punch slamming into Olag¡¯s side. Olag gasped, forced to let go. For a fleeting moment, Kravtsov wavered¡ªnearly trapped by Olag¡¯s skillful lock¡ªbut escaped through brute strength.
¡°That all you got?¡± Kravtsov growled. ¡°You had me worried for a moment. Keep fighting!¡±
Dark veins bulged under Olag¡¯s skin as the slave curse flared, granting him unnatural stamina even as it eroded his mind. A faint snarl tore from his lips.
Not yet¡ let me stay in control¡
Summoning all he had, Olag ducked Kravtsov¡¯s next lunge and caught the champion off-guard with a brutal elbow to the jaw. The lightning arcs flickered out momentarily, and Kravtsov reeled, blood splattering onto the arena floor.
¡°You¡ look like you still have it in you after all!¡± the champion spat, blood dripping from his mouth, thunder rumbling around his fists once more.
With a desperate pivot, Olag slammed his forearm into Kravtsov¡¯s torso, forcing a painful grunt from the champion. The crowd roared in shock at the sight of Kravtsov truly hurt.
But the champion grit his teeth, fury burning in his eyes. Kravtsov channeled a burst of lightning around his body, forcibly blasting Olag away.
The fallen king was hurled backward, tumbling across the ground until he crumpled against the arena wall.
Trying to stand, Olag tasted blood in his mouth, limbs shaking. A savage darkness clouded his vision. Each attempt to breathe stoked the curse deeper, forcibly knitting broken bones and scorching away rational thought.
Kravtsov approached, arcs of lightning crackling with renewed vigor.
¡°You¡¯re good, Barbarian King. Shame I never got to meet you in your prime. That would''ve been a real fight,¡± he muttered, stepping in for the final assault.
Olag coughed, forcing himself upright. His mind frayed, instincts creeping in. He was losing himself.
I knew this was coming when I stepped into the ring¡
He wished he could die as himself. Not as this¡ thing.
Seeing Kravtsov closing in, a single thought crossed his mind.
What was that boy''s name again?
Ah... Yun Jin. At least my legacy is in a worthy warrior''s hands¡
CRACK.
Kravtsov¡¯s strike shattered Olag¡¯s guard, smashing into his collarbone. Pain ricocheted through his chest. Blood splattered across the arena floor as his vision darkened.
The slave curse surged to keep him standing. But Olag was already gone.
From this moment on, Olag was dead.
Kravtsov saw the shift.
¡°Don¡¯t you fade on me now!¡± he snarled, launching another strike.
But Olag¡¯s eyes were vacant. Primal instincts hijacked his limbs.
Olag¡¯s eyes clouded over, the last shreds of reason dissolving beneath the oppressive weight of the slave curse.
His breathing grew ragged, chest heaving as his body contorted unnaturally. Dark veins bulged under his skin, pulsing with malignant energy.
The grounded fighter who had once commanded armies was gone; what remained was raw instinct¡ªa creature driven solely by pain, survival, and bloodlust.
Kravtsov took a cautious step forward, the arcs of lightning crackling around his fists faltering as he registered the change.
"What the hell..." he muttered. The man''s body language had shifted entirely; the stillness of a predator replaced by the spasmodic tension of a cornered animal.
His body lurched, muscles spasming with each twitch. The crowd fell into a stunned silence, held captive by the grotesque transformation of the fallen king.
Kravtsov widened his stance, drawing lightning into his core. "You still want to fight? Fine. Come get me."
The moment the words left his mouth, Olag charged.
Not with the disciplined footwork of a grappler, but in a staggering, four-limbed sprint.
Kravtsov swung, a right hook crackling with electric force aimed at the oncoming threat. Olag didn¡¯t dodge. He took the blow to his temple with a sickening crack¡ªbut instead of falling, he latched onto Kravtsov''s extended arm with both hands.
"Damn it!" Kravtsov cursed, electricity surging along his limb in an attempt to break free.
But Olag held on, lips peeling back further as he lunged with sudden, terrifying purpose.
His jaw snapped shut around Kravtsov¡¯s neck.
The champion''s eyes bulged. The searing agony of flesh being pierced sent shockwaves of pain through him. Olag¡¯s teeth tore through skin and muscle, blood spilling over his face as he clamped down harder, shaking his head like a rabid wolf.
The crowd erupted into horrified shrieks. The calculated duel they had cheered for had devolved into savage brutality.
Kravtsov roared, electricity crackling wildly across his body. He hammered his fists against Olag''s ribs, but the cursed warrior refused to release his grip.
The veins along Olag¡¯s neck bulged further as he bit down with renewed force. Bones ground beneath the pressure. Kravtsov''s legs wobbled; his vision swam.
"Enough!"
The champion drew on his mana reserves, summoning every last volt of power. Lightning surged outward in a crackling sphere that blasted Olag away.
The force launched the fallen king across the arena, his body skidding through the dirt and crashing against the stone wall with bone-crunching force. Smoke rose from his charred skin, his limbs twitching.
Kravtsov staggered back, clutching the wound at his neck. Blood streamed between his fingers, and a jagged crescent of torn flesh throbbed beneath his grip.
"You crazy bastard," he gasped.
Across the arena, Olag stirred. He pressed his hands against the ground, struggling to rise. His eyes were vacant, lips flecked with blood.
The curse had stripped him of everything but one instinct: escape.
With a strangled, animalistic whimper, Olag turned and fled, limping toward the edge of the arena. His broken limbs jerked with each step, his breaths rattling with panic.
The crowd¡¯s confusion melted into disgust.
"He''s running!"
"Coward!"
"Kill the beast!"
Olag didn¡¯t hear them. There is no Olag here.
It only heard the primal command echoing in his shattered mind.
Survive.
He reached the stone barrier and clawed at it desperately, broken nails scraping across the surface. A deep, guttural growl rumbled from his chest as his body fought to climb the impossible wall.
Behind him, Kravtsov wiped the blood from his chin and set his jaw. He stalked forward, the arcs of lightning reigniting along his arms.
WHAM.
He seized Olag by the back of the neck and slammed him into the dirt. The beast groaned, limbs flailing uselessly.
Kravtsov raised his boot.
CRACK.
The sickening sound of bone shattering silenced the colosseum.
Olag''s body went still. Blood pooled beneath his skull. The dark veins receded; the curse finally extinguished.
The champion stood over the lifeless corpse, breathing heavily.
"What a waste," he muttered.
Chapter 30: Not Fast Enough
Yun Jin sat still, his gaze locked on the lifeless form of Olag as the body was dragged from the arena floor. The once-mighty warrior, the man who''d shared his story and entrusted him with a shard of his homeland, now reduced to a broken husk beneath the champion''s heel. The distant echo of the crowd''s jeers lingered like a foul taste on the air.
Without a word, Yun Jin reached into his pocket and pulled out the rune stone Olag had given him. The rough surface of the carved stone felt cold, its faint magical resonance pulsing with a steady rhythm against his palm.
For a moment, he rubbed his thumb across the etchings, then carefully tucked it back into his pocket, and the unspoken responsibility that came with it.
That look in his eyes before the fight... Yun Jin closed his own. Olag had known his fate from the start. The look of a man who''d already made peace with death¡ªno, not peace. Desperation. The kind of desperation that made him choose Yun Jin, a stranger, as the bearer of his tribe''s legacy.
I feel... complicated about this. He rubbed his temple, the dull ache of conflicting emotions pressing down on him.
The North... Yun Jin exhaled slowly. Maybe I should visit one day. See the land that forged a warrior like him.
But right now, there was no time to dwell on sentiment.
His attention shifted toward the champion''s retreating figure. Kravtsov moved with the heavy, unhurried steps of a predator after an unsatisfying kill. The residual sparks of his lightning magic crackled softly around his arms, dissipating into the air like restless spirits.
Yun Jin''s eyes narrowed. That power... Olag had landed multiple clean hits. He''d slammed the champion with counters that would''ve broken lesser fighters. Yet aside from the bruises and that single deep bite wound, Kravtsov had walked away virtually unscathed.
It''s not just strength. His magic enhances his entire body¡ªmakes him faster, tougher. The force of his strikes alone could tear through solid stone. If I have to fight him... I''ll need more than brute force.
The weight of his musings kept him rooted in place, shoulders tense and brow furrowed.
"Oi."
The sharp voice barely registered at first. Yun Jin remained fixated on the champion, his mind already dissecting possible counters.
"Oi! Are you even listening?" Reva''s voice cut through his thoughts like a dagger.
He turned, eyes briefly flicking to her. She stood just a few feet away, arms crossed, a bruise blossoming along her jaw from her earlier match.
"You''re really something, you know that?" Reva''s eyes glinted with irritation. "Staring at the champ like you''re already planning your victory lap. It''s like I don''t even exist."
Yun Jin''s lips twitched into the faintest of smiles. "I''m sure you exist. And I know our fight will be enjoyable. But..."
Her jaw tightened, fists clenching. The wiry fighter laughed from the sidelines.
"Damn," the man sneered. "That''s cold."
Yun Jin sighed and straightened, looking directly at Reva. "It''s not that I''m underestimating you," he said, voice level. "But I need to focus right now."
Reva faltered for a moment, then let out a soft huff. "Fine. I get it."
She turned to leave, glancing over her shoulder once. "I''ll prepare too. I want to fight you at your best."
The other fighter, after a long pause, gave a nod and walked off as well. The three competitors separated, each heading to a different corner of the lounge.
Yun Jin sat back down, closing his eyes to concentrate.
Kravtsov¡¯s power¡ Yun Jin thought. Lightning magic to increase burst power and reaction speed. His endurance is absurd. Taking his hits, even with Invincible Virtue, would be risky.
Yun Jin opened his hand and summoned his system interface. The translucent blue panel shimmered into view.
--
[Status Window]
Name: Yun Jin
Title: The First Forerunner (Rank EX)
Chosen by the system for a new world. Greatly increases the chance of encountering special events.
Level: 14
Qi Realm: Core Qi Mastery (Rank C+)
Highly refined and condensed qi. Supports advanced techniques, external projection, and body reinforcement.
Mana Circuit: Initialized (Rank E-)
Basic mana manipulation established. Low efficiency and limited reserves.
[Techniques]
[Light Blade Sovereign Style]
First Form ¨C Arc Lightning: High-speed dash and leap strike.
Second Form ¨C Thunder Break: Stationary, high-powered downward strike.
Third Form ¨C Dance of the Firefly: Momentum-based rapid strikes.
Fourth Form ¨C Gale Rend: Rotational burst strike with cutting wind.
Thirteenth Form ¨C Vector to Heaven: Motionless, perfect execution strike.
[Shaolin Techniques]
Invincible Virtue: Qi-hardens muscles for brief, high-impact defense.
Throwing Willow: Leverage-based redirection throw.
Bounder Crush: Precision elbow strike targeting joints.
[Wudang Techniques]
Flowing Wind: Harnest momentum force into your own strike
Redirecting Water: centered on deflecting incoming blows with minimal effort and turning the attacker¡¯s own momentum against them
[Undefined]
Qi Blocking: Medical qi technique to block mana and movement via pressure strikes.
[Skills]
Aura Blade (Rank D): Merges qi and mana to enhance weapons¡ªboosting sharpness, durability, and energy output.
Aura Surge (Rank D+): Sudden burst of energy for explosive movements or strikes.
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Sword Wave (Rank D-): Releases a ranged aura strike with a cutting edge.
Mana Manipulation (Rank E): Basic control of mana currents and external flow.
Weapon Mind (Rank B): Synchronizes with wielded weapons to unlock hidden potential and enhance combat synergy.
Mana Eyes (Rank D): Reveals mana structures and their flow patterns.
Mana Sense (Rank C-): Detects nearby mana signatures without direct line of sight.
[Elemental Affinities & Spells]
Ice Affinity (Rank C): Medium attunement with ice element, increasing spell efficiency and control.
Light Affinity (Rank E-): Limited resonance with light element.
-Minor Light Conjuring (Rank E-): Create and shape small, luminous constructs.
[Completion Points]: 45
---
He scanned the list of skills, searching for the best tools he had to counter the champion¡¯s magic. Let''s see what cards I have up my sleeve.
As he read, he noticed something different. The system interface had changed from the last time he checked.
The display was more detailed, with new subsections that hadn''t been there before. His techniques, which previously hadn''t been recorded, were now listed with precision.
"It''s evolving," Yun Jin murmured, a flicker of concern tightening his chest. The system adapting itself without his input unsettled him.
Still, he turned his focus back to his preparations.
Let''s try this new affinity.
Yun Jin closed his eyes and concentrated on the faint chill lingering in his veins since consuming Olag''s essence. He pushed mana through his circuits the same way he''d done with light magic¡ªforcing it outward with sheer will.
The air around him shifted. A cold wind burst from his body, rippling across the lounge. Frost coated the nearby table, and a cup of liquor cracked with a sharp snap as ice spread over its surface.
"Hey!" Reva called from across the room, her hand igniting with orange flame to counter the spreading chill. "Control your power, genius."
"Sorry," Yun Jin muttered, blinking as he examined his outstretched palm. Tiny ice crystals still clung to his skin, sparkling like miniature diamonds. He willed the frost to concentrate, mimicking the shape of a simple dagger.
The mana responded far more easily than expected. A sleek, translucent ice blade formed in his hand within seconds. Ice magic is¡ simpler? More intuitive than light magic. Curious.
He ran his finger along the blade''s edge. It was sharp. Lethally sharp.
Yun Jin gripped the dagger for a moment, then let it melt away.
No. That''d be cheating. He shook his head. He hadn''t come here to rely on magic weapons or cheap tricks. He''d come for the challenge.
Restraint sharpens the blade. The words of his master echoed in his mind. If you take shortcuts, you dull yourself.
He dismissed the ice, turned back to the interface, and tapped the section for completion points. A list of appeared¡ªthe unbought item of his totourial shop still all here, waiting. Many were tempting, but Yun Jin resisted. He hadn''t yet fully mastered his existing skills. More wasn''t better.
First, master the tools I have. Then expand. The system gave a lot, I can be viewed as generous, but I think it dangerous.
Before he could delve deeper into his analysis, the crackling voice of the announcer echoed through the lounge.
"Semi final! Yun Jin versus Reva. Fighters, please make your way to the arena floor within five minutes."
Yun Jin exhaled and stood, rolling his shoulders.
"Smug bastard," Reva teased as she passed by him. "I''m gonna wipe that grin off your face."
Yun Jin smiled, falling into step beside her. "You can certainly try."
---
The arena roared as the announcer''s voice crackled through the magic-enhanced speakers.
"First, from the valley of flame! Reva, rumored to be the daughter of the Warchief of Sun bird valley! It is said that her blood carries the essence of the mythical Sun Bird¡ªa blazing rebel of the skies!"
The crowd erupted into cheers, chanting her name. Reva raised her fists high, basking in the attention. Her sun-kissed skin glistened beneath the glow of the enchanted lights, the swirling tattoos along her arms resembling phoenix wings as flames danced across her fingers. Her figure, lean and muscular, moved with the coiled tension of a predator prepared to strike.
"Burn him to ash, Reva!" someone shouted.
"Show him what a valley girl can do!" another voice joined.
Reva laughed, sending a jet of fire spiraling into the air. The heat shimmered above her like a mirage, casting dancing shadows across the arena floor. The spectators responded with renewed vigor.
"You see that?" she called to Yun Jin across the field, voice crackling like a fire''s whisper. "That''s the roar of people who believe in me."
The announcer''s voice shifted to a more hostile tone. "And her opponent... representing the despised House Altheron... a foreign fighter! The so-called prodigy with unnatural skills¡ªYun Jin!"
The moment Yun Jin stepped onto the arena floor, the cheers turned into jeers.
"Bastard cost me fifty gold!"
"Die, Altheron dog!"
"Boo!"
The voices were sharp and biting, yet they barely registered in Yun Jin''s mind. He stood calm, drawing a long, steady breath as he centered himself. He felt the weight of the arena pressing down on him, the charged energy of the crowd an almost tangible force. It didn''t bother him; it sharpened his focus.
Reva cracked her knuckles, flames licking along her arms with each motion. "You better not try to copy my technique," she taunted, her grin sharp and confident. "I''ll finish this before you can."
Yun Jin''s lips twitched. "We''ll see."
He closed his eyes.
"Hey! I''m talking to you!" she snapped, frustration flickering in her voice.
The announcer raised his hand. "Fighters ready?"
Mana flared across the arena, crackling like dry leaves in a firestorm. The air shimmered with Reva''s heat, causing Yun Jin''s hair to sway slightly.
"Fight!"
Reva exploded forward in a burst of flame, the air distorting with shimmering waves of heat. The stone tiles beneath her scorched instantly, leaving a charred trail in her wake.
Phoenix Flash.
She blurred toward him, a streak of fire with a heel aimed directly at his throat.
Yun Jin''s eyes snapped open, mana shimmering faintly within his irises.
[Mana Sense] [Mana Eyes] [Mana Manipulation]
To the crowd, it looked like he reacted impossibly fast.
To Yun Jin, it was slow motion.
The surge of fire mana coalesced around her leg, twisting through channels within her muscles and joints. He tracked the flare of energy along her shin as it accelerated toward his neck.
Fast. The precision of her mana control impressed him. Her form was sharp, honed through years of discipline. But not fast enough.
He shifted half a step back, exhaled slowly.
Her blazing leg cut through the air like a comet, but he able to caught it mid-strike.
The crowd gasped as Yun Jin''s hands clamped around Reva''s calf. The flames failed to scorched his palms despite the intense heat.
He held firm. The shock in her eyes reflected the first crack in her confidence.
Wudang Technique: Redirecting Water
He pivoted smoothly on his heel, redirecting the kinetic force of her momentum and stealing it into his own.
[Aura Surge!]
The qi in his muscles surged like a dam releasing a flood. The familiar hum of power vibrated through every fiber of his body. And in that moment, everything narrowed to a single point.
Light Blade Sovereign Style: Second Form¡ªThunder Break.
His palm, reinforced with condensed qi and mana, struck her chest with the force of a battering ram.
BANG!!
The impact reverberated across the arena like a muted explosion.
Reva''s eyes widened, mouth parting in a soundless gasp as the flames around her body sputtered and died. The tattooed wings along her arms darkened to black as the mana fueling them vanished.
Her heart stopped mid-beat.
Yun Jin caught her body and used his fingers to close her eyes, then gently lowered her to the floor.
The arena fell silent.
He brushed his lightly burned palms together and turned away.
"You could have been a challenge," he murmured, voice low but resonant. "If we''d met sooner."
The announcer''s voice cracked through the silence. He hurried into the ring, placing his fingers to her neck and then to her wrist. When he found no pulse, he stood up and raised his hand.
"Winner: Yun Jin!"
Chapter 31: Her side of the story.
The air in the VVIP lounge was thick with the scent of incense and rare herbs, a fragrance so dense it made Merlin lightheaded. Unlike what he expected after being captured, there were no shackles, no ropes, no immediate threats. Instead, the woman who had led him here now stood at attention by the door, blade drawn but relaxed, watching him with calculating eyes.
Across the lavish room, seated atop a plush crimson couch lined with golden embroidery, was the woman in charge.
Madam Veyra.
Draped in flowing silk that shimmered under the enchanted lights, her deep red lips curled into an amused smile as she leaned forward, examining him like an artist appraising a rare jewel. Her sharp, feline eyes glinted with intrigue as she reached out, her perfectly manicured nails tracing over the edge of his cheek.
¡°My, my¡¡± she purred, her voice like warm honey laced with something venomous. ¡°I assumed my people were exaggerating, but look at you¡ A delicate face, skin soft like fresh snow, and those eyes¡ªso bright, like polished sapphires.¡±
Her breath carried the potent scent of crushed herbs and exotic spices, an overwhelming wave of perfume that made Merlin¡¯s head spin. His stomach twisted, but he kept his expression neutral, unwilling to give her any satisfaction.
¡°Is he restrained?¡± she asked, not looking away from him.
The woman at the door¡ªHazel¡ªgave a sharp nod. ¡°No need. If he tries anything, I¡¯ll cut him down before he blinks.¡±
¡°Mm. That¡¯s not necessary. I much prefer having pleasant company.¡± Veyra¡¯s fingers slid away from his face, though her presence lingered like a ghostly caress. She gestured toward the luxurious couch beside her. ¡°Come, sit. We¡¯ll watch your master together.¡±
Merlin¡¯s brows furrowed, and he responded firmly, ¡°He¡¯s not my master. He¡¯s my partner.¡±
Veyra paused for a moment, then let out a soft, amused laugh. ¡°How adorable.¡±
Merlin hesitated, his mind working through a dozen different possibilities. If he sat beside her, he¡¯d be within perfect range to annihilate everyone in the room¡ªincluding himself. His mana was already primed, just a thought away from setting off a catastrophic chain reaction.
But then Yun Jin¡¯s words echoed in his mind:
No matter what happens, don¡¯t give your life up. Trust me.
Merlin clenched his fists in his lap, exhaling slowly through his nose. He wouldn''t throw away his life so easily. Not when Yun Jin had promised to come back for him.
He swallowed his pride and stepped forward, lowering himself onto the couch next to the madam. Her perfume curled around him like a snake, and he fought the urge to recoil.
¡°Good boy.¡± She smiled, resting a single hand on his knee, her long nails pressing lightly into the fabric of his robes. ¡°Now, let¡¯s see how your partner fares, shall we?¡±
Her attention turned back to the large enchanted mirror across the room, where Yun Jin¡¯s match was beginning.
Merlin exhaled silently and followed her gaze, eyes narrowing as he watched his partner step into the arena. Meanwhile, Veyra tilted her head slightly, then turned to the man standing beside her¡ªher champion, a towering figure wrapped in a regal, dark cloak. "What do you think of him?" she asked, her voice carrying a note of curiosity.
The champion barely spared Yun Jin a glance before scoffing. "He''s nothing. That boy doesn''t interest me." He waved dismissively toward the arena. "The one in Arena Five, however... Now he''s worth something. A real warrior."
Veyra traced a finger along the rim of her wine glass, her eyes flickering with recognition. "Ah, you mean Olag? One of our VIP guest¡¯s prized slaves? His master is quite the wealthy patron¡ªso do try to make this event worth his investment. But Kravtsov, my dear champion, don''t underestimate the newcomer."
Kravtsov scoffed but then crossed his arms, his sharp gaze lingering on Yun Jin. "I''ll admit, the boy has potential. Give him a few more years, let him level up a bit, and he might be someone worth my time." His voice turned more serious, the arrogance still present but tempered by experience. "I¡¯m no fool, Veyra. I know a genius when I see one. But right now? He¡¯s just another hopeful stepping into a world beyond him."
Veyra then turned to Merlin with a sly smile. "You heard the man. Your friend won''t be able to win. So I''ll give you a little offer."
Merlin''s eyes narrowed. "I won''t deal with someone like you, especially after you threatened an innocent family."
Veyra laughed, shaking her head. "Innocent? You mean Hagan?" She leaned in, her emerald-green eyes glimmering with amusement. "Do you know how many lives that man has taken? Likely more than mine."
"I''m sure it is different! You''re a criminal!" Merlin snapped.
"Oh?" Veyra tilted her head, a slow, dangerous smile forming. "Tell me, little mage¡ªhow exactly is it different?" Her voice coiled around him like a velvet noose, her gaze hypnotic, shifting like a predator ready to pounce.
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Merlin¡¯s thoughts grew hazy. Something was pushing against his mind, slithering through the edges of his thoughts like a serpent wrapping around its prey. His heart pounded as he realized¡ªshe was trying to charm him.
With sheer skill, he pushed back.
A sudden surge of mana crackled around him, and in an instant, Veyra¡¯s expression faltered. A sharp recoil, a flicker of surprise in her gaze.
For a single second, her focus slipped.
She blacked out.
Hazel reacted instantly¡ªher blade flashed, a glint of steel aiming straight for Merlin¡¯s throat.
But before the attack could land, Merlin¡¯s mana exploded outward, an unrefined wave of force that sent the assassin stumbling back. The entire room vibrated with pressure, loose objects shaking from the force of his raw magical output.
Even Kravtsov tensed, his body coiling with instinct.
And then¡ª
"STOP."
Veyra¡¯s voice cut through the air like a whip. All movement ceased. The tension in the room crackled like static, everyone frozen mid-action.
She exhaled, her composed smile returning as she flicked her fingers, brushing aside a stray strand of hair. Her emerald gaze locked onto Merlin, filled with newfound interest.
"...I see. How fascinating."
She leaned back, elegantly crossing one leg over the other. "It seems we may have underestimated you, little mage."
Merlin remained on high alert, his mana still swirling, ready to erupt at a moment¡¯s notice. His breathing was out of control, and his heart was hammering.
Veyra merely smirked. "But let¡¯s not get too bold. If you try anything reckless, everyone in this stadium will make sure your friend¡¯s head hang from a noose and paraded around town. And even that slippery old man won¡¯t be able to save you."
Merlin¡¯s mana crackled. "Liar!"
Veyra chuckled. "Oh? I even know about Ardent¡¯s little pet. What was her name again? Ah, yes¡ Elara." She watched as Merlin hesitated¡ªan opening Hazel took advantage of, pressing her blade to his neck, drawing a thin line of blood. "Shall I continue?"
Then Veyra¡¯s gaze darkened, a slow smirk curling her lips. She leaned in slightly, her voice dropping to a whisper, just loud enough for Merlin to hear. "And what about Hagan¡¯s family? His wife is quite the beauty¡ unfortunate, really, that her legs no longer work. But you¡¯d be surprised, dear boy¡ªsome people find that kind of trait¡ appealing. And the girl, well¡ª"
The moment she spoke, the energy around Merlin cracked like glass. The sheer force of his restrained magic warped the air, sending a shockwave rippling through the lavish room. Even Kravtsov, the seasoned champion, took an instinctive step back, his muscles coiling with tension.
Hazel¡¯s blade twitched at Merlin¡¯s throat, but for the first time, hesitation flickered in her sharp eyes. The weapon in her grasp, once pristine steel, began to glow red-hot, the sheer intensity of Merlin¡¯s magical pressure warping its structure. Within seconds, the metal groaned and melted, dripping molten droplets onto the floor.
Hazel quickly withdrew what remained of her blade, eyes widening as she realized the true extent of the power restrained before her.
Then, as suddenly as it came, the explosion of magic stilled. Merlin took a deep, shuddering breath, forcing himself to reign in his fury. His eyes burned like sapphire embers as he glared at Veyra.
"I''m having none of this," he hissed, voice trembling with rage.
Kravtsov, sensing the storm still lingering beneath the surface, clicked his tongue and turned to Veyra. "I¡¯m going to prepare for my fight," he muttered, clearly uninterested in whatever power games she was playing. "Keep your pet on a leash."
He strode toward the exit, throwing the doors open with a firm push. Hazel cast one last glance at Merlin before following, blade still in hand but no longer pressed to his skin.
Veyra, however, simply smiled, a gleam of caution in her emerald gaze. "Before we get off on the wrong foot any further, why not hear what I have to say first? Then, if you still want to explode, that will be your business."
She leaned back, swirling the wine in her glass before bringing it to her lips. "You see, I saw the potential of this city long before anyone else did. It may not have the perfect location, but it is desirable. So much untapped potential. Do you even know what this place was like three years ago, before I arrived? A poor rural town, barely surviving. Even their irrigation worked only half the time. But now? You¡¯ve seen it with your own eyes."
Merlin frowned, his mind piecing together the fragments of what he''d observed. "Then why does every honest business seem to be struggling? The church, the family restaurant¡ even basic supplies seem to be in shortage."
Veyra tilted her head, a slow smirk forming. "And yet, did you not see the liveliness on your way into town? Who do you think invited all those merchants and travelers here? Who do you think made this place a hub for business? Me." Her voice held a note of pride, but also something else¡ªconviction.
Her fingers drummed lightly on the armrest as she continued, "Ardent may have whispered many unflattering things about me, but you can¡¯t deny the evidence before you. This arena, these VIP guests¡ªnone of them came because of him. They came because I created value. That old snake? He hoards his wealth, keeps his knowledge locked away. I build. I create. That¡¯s the difference between us."
Merlin¡¯s eyes narrowed. "And how do I know you¡¯re not just lying?"
Veyra chuckled, sipping from her glass before setting it down. "You don¡¯t. But tell me, did that old man even offer you the chance to decide for yourself? Or did he spin tales of cults and conspiracies, expecting you to fall in line?"
Merlin hesitated, his breath catching. That was exactly what had happened.
Veyra¡¯s smile widened slightly as she caught his reaction. "So why not hear my side of the story too? Hear what I¡¯ve built, what I¡¯ve done. Then, and only then, decide for yourself."
Merlin¡¯s jaw tightened. His instincts screamed at him not to trust her. But at the same time¡ he wanted to know. "Fine," he said at last.
"Then tell me. Let¡¯s hear your side of things."
Chapter 32: And This Is To Go Even Further BEYOND!!!
The moment Yun Jin returned to the fighters'' lounge; he wasted no time.
He sat cross-legged on the cold stone floor, shutting out the world around him. His breathing slowed, deep and measured, as he focused inward.
Qi circulation. Injury recovery. Absolute mental clarity.
The dull ache of bruises and the burnt faded as Qi Breathing took effect
With each controlled breath, his body repaired itself, cells knitting back together, muscles restoring their prime condition. The exhaustion from previous fights ebbed away, leaving behind only calm¡ªthe stillness before a storm.
But Yun Jin¡¯s mind was far from still.
His thoughts replayed every second of Kravtsov¡¯s fight against Olag, breaking it down with merciless precision.
The Champion¡¯s Strengths:
-Lightning Knuckle¡ªcharged strikes with devastating concussive force.
-Explosive Speed¡ªhis footwork, enhanced by controlled bursts of lightning, made him faster than he looked.
-Monstrous Durability¡ªeven Olag¡¯s best counters barely left a lasting mark.
-Relentless Offense¡ªhe never let up, always pressing forward, never defensive.
Yun Jin imagined himself in Olag¡¯s place. Dodge left? No, caught by a follow-up punch. Block? Not enough¡ªKravtsov¡¯s power was too much even for Invincible Virtue. Counter? His durability would absorb the damage.
No matter how I fight, the outcome is the same.
Every scenario he played out in his mind ended with him being overwhelmed, caught, or outright killed.
Yet, instead of frustration or fear¡
Excitement bloomed in his chest.
This. This was exactly why he had accepted the deal with the system in the first place. Not just to grow stronger¡ªbut to face fights where no path to victory was clear. A battle that pushed him beyond his limits.
He grinned.
Unlike Baek Tianjun, this time, he had a chance.
It wasn¡¯t obvious yet. But he knew it was there. Somewhere in the infinite possibilities of battle, there was a way to win.
All he had to do was find it.
His mind sharpened. New ideas, tricks, contingency plans¡ªevery angle, every strategy that could tilt the fight in his favor. Even considering a last resort option, conjuring an ice blade to fight with.
But no.
That was a shortcut.
If he was going to win, it wouldn¡¯t be with borrowed strength. It would be with his own fists, his own skill, and his own mastery of combat.
Time passed in deep focus. His wounds had fully healed. His Qi and Mana flowed perfectly, his body in prime condition, his mind filled with battle plans waiting to be tested.
Yun Jin exhaled, standing up. He rolled his shoulders, feeling the smooth flow of energy within him.
"No point in thinking anymore. Time to test it all and see."
--
The moment they stepped onto the grand arena stage, the atmosphere exploded. The air buzzed with energy, the anticipation thick enough to taste.
The announcer¡¯s voice thundered, carrying across the massive coliseum:
"LADIES AND GENTLEMEN! The moment you''ve been waiting for! In the final match of the Death Throne, we present¡ª"
The stadium rumbled as the crowd erupted.
"THE CHAMPION! Undefeated, a soldier from the Northern Empire, a man who once toppled kingdoms at the frontlines with his raw power¡ªKRAVTSOV!!"
A wave of deafening cheers, chants, and stomping feet shook the very foundation of the arena. The moment Kravtsov stepped forward, he basked in the adoration of the audience.
The towering warrior rolled his shoulders, letting out a slow exhale before raising one massive fist into the air. Lightning crackled at his knuckles, flashing with blinding arcs as he smirked down at Yun Jin.
And the crowd lost their minds.
Fans of the champion chanted his name in a frenzied rhythm, others jeered and mocked Yun Jin, calling for his death. Some of Reva¡¯s supporters clamored for vengeance, screaming for Kravtsov to break Yun Jin apart.
With the confidence of a showman, Kravtsov stretched his arms wide, absorbing their roars. His deep voice boomed across the arena, effortlessly cutting through the chaos.
"You want a fight?!"
YES!!
"Who wants to see blood?!"
US!!
"And who will win?!"
YOU!!
Electricity erupted from his body, arcs of lightning snapping and crackling along his skin, forming a pulsing aura of raw power. The static in the air made the hairs on Yun Jin¡¯s arms stand on end, the entire arena charged with anticipation.
Kravtsov threw his arms wide, laughing like a man possessed, fully immersed in the energy of the moment. He stomped once, the force shaking the arena floor. The electricity around him surged brighter, a violent tempest of power.
He turned toward Yun Jin, his grin widening with pure, unshaken confidence.
¡°YOU DAMN RIGHT!! And when I¡¯m done, remember to come back next season! Death Throne will always welcome you with another grand spectacle!¡±
The crowd roared even louder, swept up in his overwhelming charisma and dominance. Coins and betting slips were tossed into the air in celebration, the arena bursting with an uncontrollable frenzy.
And then¡ª the announcer turned toward Yun Jin.
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"AND HIS CHALLENGER! A warrior whose limits KNOW NO BOUNDS! Again and again, he has shattered expectations, RISING where others would fall! Fighting his way to the final round against ALL ODDS¡ªYUN JIN!!"
The reaction was instant.
A wave of jeers, boos, and curses filled the air. Yun Jin expected it. They hated him¡ªnot just for standing against their beloved champion, but for making them lose their bets against Kieran.
And yet¡ª
None of it mattered.
Yun Jin tuned them all out, his focus solely on Kravtsov.
The Northern Empire soldier was massive, built like an iron fortress, his presence radiating overwhelming power. Not just raw strength¡ªbut experience, discipline, and a fighter¡¯s instincts honed through countless wars.
The champion wasn¡¯t just strong¡ªhe was dangerous.
And Yun Jin couldn¡¯t be more thrilled.
He stepped forward, standing unshaken under the sheer weight of pressure from the crowd. Then, raising his voice just enough for Kravtsov to hear, he said:
"I know you¡¯re strong. No need to hold back."
Kravtsov¡¯s brows lifted in mild surprise before his smirk widened. He laughed.
"Hah! No need to tell me, kid." His knuckles crackled as he raised his fists, stepping into his battle stance. "I saw what your little friend could do."
The words made Yun Jin¡¯s blood run cold.
His heart sank.
"Merlin¡ They got him."
His expression darkened, his stance tightening. The casual amusement in Kravtsov¡¯s tone told him everything he needed to know.
Yun Jin clicked his tongue. Tsk¡
His focus narrowed.
If he was serious before, now he was deadly.
No more games. No more holding back.
"Now that both fighters are ready, the final match of Death Throne BEGINS!"
The fight began with a roar of thunder!
Kravtsov lunged forward like a streak of lightning, his body a blur of raw power and speed.
Yun Jin reacted instantly, activating [Aura Surge] just in time to propel himself upward, narrowly evading the champion¡¯s opening strike. As he flipped mid-air, he brought his hands together, channeling a precise surge of Qi into his limbs.
Light Blade Sovereign Style: Second Form ¨C Thunder Break!
Yun Jin¡¯s fist came crashing down, aimed squarely at Kravtsov¡¯s broad shoulder.
A deafening impact rippled across the arena floor as his strike connected¡ªbut instead of a devastating blow, Kravtsov merely staggered, taking a single step back as a faint bruise formed where Yun Jin¡¯s attack had landed.
The champion grinned, barely fazed. "Not bad, kid. But you¡¯re going to need a lot more than that!"
Lightning crackled up his arms as he clenched his fists, each movement sending ripples of raw power through the air.
The sheer force of his energy caused the ground beneath them to tremble, faint sparks dancing across the cracked stone.
Kravtsov spun his body and brought his arms together in a thunderous clap.
The sheer force of the impact sent shockwaves rippling through the air. Yun Jin barely had a moment to react before the shockwave hit him like a battering ram, forcing him to activate [Invincible Virtue] at the last second.
Even with the reinforcement, the sheer force blasted him across the arena, slamming him into the stone wall. A deep crack echoed as the impact spider-webbed fractures across the structure.
Pain shot through his ribs, his organs vibrating from the impact. But Yun Jin gritted his teeth, forced his footing against the wall, and launched himself forward.
Light Blade Sovereign Style: First Form ¨C Arc Lightning!
A streak of white-hot motion cut through the air as Yun Jin flashed toward Kravtsov, his fist crackling with Qi. He swung his strike toward the champion¡¯s ribs¡ªonly to feel his attack abruptly halted mid-air.
Kravtsov had caught his fist.
"Nice trick," Kravtsov grinned, his grip tightening like a vice. "But I already saw that move."
Yun Jin¡¯s eyes widened as Kravtsov pivoted, using his sheer strength to hurl him across the ring. Yun Jin twisted mid-air, managing to land on his feet¡ªbut the moment his boots touched the ground, Kravtsov was already in front of him.
A devastating, thunderous punch!
Yun Jin barely managed to raise his guard, channeling [Redirecting Water] to deflect the force. But Kravtsov¡¯s movements weren¡¯t linear¡ªhe adjusted instantly, shifting his weight and following up with a brutal jab before Yun Jin could reset his stance.
The punch caught him square in the chest, knocking the air from his lungs and sending him staggering.
Before he could recover, Kravtsov¡¯s hand lashed out, seizing him by the face.
SLAM!
The champion drove Yun Jin into the ground, the arena floor cratering beneath them.
The crowd erupted into a frenzied roar, the sheer dominance of Kravtsov sending waves of excitement through the spectators. Yun Jin lay in the crater, gasping for breath, his vision briefly blurring from the impact.
But instead of panic, a grin slowly crept onto his lips.
Now this¡ this was what he wanted!
Yun Jin gritted his teeth, his body screaming from the brutal impact, but he refused to stay down. As Kravtsov loomed over him, ready to deliver another devastating blow, Yun Jin''s eyes flickered with a dangerous glint. He moved fast¡ªfaster than Kravtsov expected.
His hand shot out, latching onto the champion¡¯s outstretched fingers. Before Kravtsov could react, Yun Jin ignited his Qi, sending a powerful thunderous surge crackling through his opponent¡¯s hand.
The air popped with raw energy as Yun Jin wrenched Kravtsov¡¯s finger outward with brutal force.
A sharp snap echoed through the arena.
"AUGH!!!"
Kravtsov roared in agony, his scream piercing through the electrified air as his fingers twisted unnaturally.
Yun Jin didn¡¯t waste a second¡ªhe drove a lightning-fast knee directly into Kravtsov¡¯s groin, a ruthless strike meant to buy time. The champion let out a choked gasp, his massive frame recoiling in instinctive pain.
Yun Jin took the chance to create distance, his breath coming in ragged gasps.
His vision swayed slightly¡ªhis stance unsteadies, his body battered. The concussion in his head throbbed like a drum, but his resolve remained unshaken.
If he can''t kill then he needs to break, if he can''t break then he will rip, pieces by pieces until it DONE!"
And to do that He had to keep moving.
"YOU DARE PLAY DIRTY?!"
Kravtsov was furious. His anger fueled his lightning, snapping his broken finger back into place. The electric field around him surged, crackling thunder zapping the ground to dust
"It¡¯s not dirty if it¡¯s not against the rules!" Yun Jin can feel the mana condense around him; it starts to hurt his mind even try to felt the energy with [mana sense].
So, this is what true strength in this world looks like. How fascinating!
Yun Jin cracked a wide smile.
"If you want to play it like that, FINE!"
Then, with a deafening boom, Kravtsov erupted in a storm of lightning. Sparks crackled along his skin, the air around him distorting from the sheer intensity of his power.
The electrified aura enveloping him pulsed like a living thing, tendrils of lightning whipping out and searing the arena floor.
Yun Jin felt it instantly. He sharpened his focus, activating [Mana Eyes]¡ªand what he saw made his breath hitch. This wasn¡¯t just wild, uncontrolled energy¡ªthis was [Aura Surge], a much more powerful Kieran''s version of the skill.
But Yun Jin had an answer.
With a deep breath, he ignited his own Qi. A white radiance unfurled around him, a stark contrast to Kravtsov¡¯s violent storm. The energy that pulsed from Yun Jin wasn¡¯t untamed¡ªit was measured, precise.
His own [Aura Surge]!
The arena trembled as the two forces clashed¡ªone a furious tempest of destruction, the other a calm, radiant force of controlled devastation. Lightning roared against light, raw power against refined mastery.
Like a lighthouse shining in a thunderstorm, Yun Jin did not waver.
Kravtsov''s lips curled into a savage grin. "Good," he growled, the thrill of battle igniting in his eyes.
"If you seek a battle of life and death, without rules or restraint, then come at me with all your might!!"
Chapter 33: Surpassing LIMITS!!
The moment Kravtsov moved, the world ignited in lightning.
A thunderclap shattered the silence, and in an instant, he was gone¡ªhis body a blur of flickering afterimages, each step leaving arcs of electricity crackling through the ruined arena. His speed was beyond sight, beyond reaction.
Only pure instinct could save Yun Jin now.
But Yun Jin¡¯s eyes were already glowing.
[Mana Eyes].
He activated it to the absolute limit, veins bulging against his temples as blood trickled from his eyes.
His body screamed in agony, but he ignored it
He wasn¡¯t tracking Kravtsov¡¯s movements. He wasn¡¯t chasing the attack.
He was reading the mana itself.
And in that frozen second of clarity¡ª
He saw it.
Everything.
The precise surge of lightning before movement. The shift in internal flow. The heartbeat before the attack.
There!
BOOM!
The sound reached him the moment the strike did.
Kravtsov was already in front of him, his fist tearing through the air like a thunderbolt splitting the heavens. Yun Jin¡¯s body moved before his mind could fully register it, instinct overriding thought as he activated [Invincible Virtue] at the precise instant of impact.
CRACK!
A shockwave blasted through the arena. Yun Jin skidded backward, feet carving deep trenches into the fractured stone as his entire body trembled from absorbing the force. His arms ached, his bones rattled, but he had blocked it.
Kravtsov grinned. ¡°Not bad.¡±
The next attack followed without pause.
Yun Jin met it head-on, exhilaration burning in his veins. This was the battle he had been waiting for. No room for hesitation. No time for mistakes. A single misstep meant death.
Lightning roared as they clashed again, tearing through the battlefield with every collision.
"HAHAHA! MORE!" Kravtsov¡¯s laughter was like thunder, rolling across the ruins of the arena.
Yun Jin¡¯s breath came ragged, his vision blurred from overusing [Mana Eyes], but his movements remained sharp. He wove between each strike, redirecting the force with [Redirecting Water], his counterattacks aimed at Kravtsov¡¯s weak points¡ªjoints, fingers, eyes.
Then he layered his techniques.
[Aura Surge] flooded his body, amplifying his strikes. Qi-sealing techniques disrupted Kravtsov¡¯s energy flow. Light Blade Sovereign Style honed every movement into something razor-sharp, each attack forcing the champion to react with precision rather than brute strength.
Kravtsov began to shift, dodging, blocking.
They clashed, strike for strike, blow for blow. The sheer force of their battle cracked the earth beneath them, sending shockwaves rippling through the air. Lightning clashed against light, raw power against absolute control. Their speed had reached a level where only the strongest guests in the crowd could follow the battle.
Then Kravtsov stopped.
Not out of exhaustion, but something else.
He stood firm, lightning crackling around his body, and exhaled. "I acknowledge you, young one," he said, voice steady despite the electricity surging in his veins. "But let¡¯s see how you handle this."
Lightning condensed within his body, the charge building to a level that sent Yun Jin¡¯s instincts screaming in alarm.
Dodge!
Yun Jin¡¯s body reacted before he could think.
Kravtsov raised his hand, his palm glowing with pure energy, and fired.
A beam of lightning streaked toward Yun Jin¡¯s heart.
Too fast!
He twisted¡ªjust barely avoiding a fatal hit¡ªbut the beam still grazed him.
SHHK!
A searing pain tore through his right arm as the attack burned deep into his shoulder. Agony shot through his body, nerves locking up from the aftershock.
His limbs froze¡ª
Just for an instant.
But an instant was too long.
Kravtsov was already upon him.
"DIE!"
Yun Jin forced [Invincible Virtue] to activate, but the timing was off.
The full force of Kravtsov¡¯s thunderous uppercut crashed into him, sending him flying toward the ceiling like a shooting star.
BANG!
Stone shattered as he struck the roof, debris and dust raining down. Pain flared through every inch of his body, but he refused to fall. Fingers gripped onto the fractured ceiling, keeping him steady as he forced himself back up. His breath was uneven, his muscles screamed in protest, but his mind was sharper than ever.
And still, he smiled.
Memories surfaced¡ªhis master¡¯s voice, calm, unwavering.
"The only thing you lack, Yun Jin, is a worthy opponent. Someone truly trying to kill you. Few would dare while I still breathe. But if you stand before death itself, then in that moment, your blade will sharpen beyond its limits."
Yun Jin exhaled, rising to his feet.
"I understand now. I¡¯ll admit it¡ªyou¡¯re stronger than me."
With his uninjured arm, he raised his hand, mana coalescing into form. Ice spread from his fingers, condensing into the shape of a blade.
"So I¡¯ll use everything to win!"
The crowd gasped.
The announcer¡¯s voice rang in protest. "That¡¯s against the rules¡ª!"
From her private balcony, Madam Veyra raised a single hand.
"Quiet. Let him fight." A smirk tugged at her lips. "I want to see where this goes."
Yun Jin barely heard them. His focus had narrowed to a single truth.
I will kill him with everything I have.
[Aura Blade].
The ice sword pulsed as energy surged into it, [Aura Surge] amplifying the excess aura and transforming the blade into something beyond mere ice. Light gathered along its length, burning like a captured star, its radiance illuminating the battlefield.
Kravtsov narrowed his eyes, but his grin remained.
He charged another lightning blast.
He fired.
But this time, Yun Jin didn¡¯t dodge.
Light Blade Sovereign Style: First Form ¨C Arc Lightning
His body shot forward, slicing through the energy beam mid-air as if it were nothing.
Kravtsov¡¯s eyes widened in shock.
"You¡ª!"
But Yun Jin was already in front of him.
Light Blade Sovereign Style: Second Form ¨C Thunder Break.
A single, devastating strike aimed directly at one of the body¡¯s weakest points¡ªthe eyes.
Kravtsov¡¯s instincts screamed at him. At the last possible second, he twisted, raising his arm to block, but it wasn¡¯t enough.
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The blade bit deep, cutting through reinforced lightning armor, drawing blood for the first time in the fight.
A deep, rumbling laugh escaped Kravtsov, thick with exhilaration. "So you get it!"
The battlefield crackled as his aura surged, a raging storm of pure power. Lightning coiled around him, flickering like a tempest contained within flesh. He clenched his fist, and the raw energy burned through the wound Yun Jin had inflicted. With a single pulse, the searing heat cauterized the gash shut, sealing the injury in an instant.
But before he could regain his breath¡ª
SHING!
A new blade materialized from nothingness.
Yun Jin¡¯s focus never wavered. His body moved with instinctive precision, his mind sharper than ever. In his hands, another sword of ice manifested in the blink of an eye.
This time, his stance shifted.
Light Blade Sovereign Style + Wudang Sword Technique¡ªGrave of the Firefly!
The rhythm of battle changed. No longer flowing like water, no longer darting in and out¡ªYun Jin stood firm. His strikes became relentless, each swing heavier than the last, each movement carrying the weight of inexorable force.
The afterimages of his sword burned in the air like fleeting fireflies.
His blade did not dance¡ªit consumed.
Kravtsov¡¯s brows furrowed. He gritted his teeth, his arms crossing defensively as he tried to endure the onslaught. Every block sent sharp tremors through his bones.
A deep cut formed across his forearm.
A gash along his ribs.
A strike shattered through his lightning-coated defense, tearing flesh as it left a freezing trail of raw pain behind.
The crowd fell into hushed awe.
For the first time, the champion was being overwhelmed.
Kravtsov growled, stepping back. He threw a counterpunch, his fist coated in thick lightning¡ªbut Yun Jin¡¯s blade met it mid-air. A streak of ice surged across Kravtsov¡¯s knuckles as his attack was redirected, nullified, and punished in one swift motion.
His muscles tensed. This level of technique¡!
Kravtsov¡¯s eyes widened in disbelief. "So¡ you were a sword master all along?"
A manic grin stretched across his face. He threw his head back and roared with laughter.
"I CAN''T BELIEVE IT! YOU¡¯VE BEEN HOLDING BACK AGAINST ME!?"
His blood dripped onto the stone, sizzling from the lingering frost. He lifted his arms again, breath ragged but thrilled beyond measure.
"FINE!"
His gaze locked with Yun Jin¡¯s¡ªall doubt erased.
A slow, hungry grin spread across his face. "I ACCEPT YOU AS A TRUE WARRIOR!"
His aura flared with renewed ferocity.
Lightning surged around him, the crackling arcs now golden-white, as if the very air bent to his wrath. The air itself distorted, warping as he condensed every ounce of power into his next transformation.
"This¡" His voice came out as a growl, vibrating through the battlefield. "I was saving this for Olag, but you''ve earned it too!"
Then¡ªhe unleashed everything.
A wave of pure lightning erupted outward.
The sheer force sent shockwaves ripping through the ruins of the arena. The broken stone beneath him shattered into dust, the ground caving beneath his might. Lightning did not leave him¡ªIT BECAME HIM.
His form blurred, a living storm made flesh. The air itself crackled with overwhelming charge, arcs of golden lightning branching out, striking randomly across the battlefield.
The audience shielded their eyes as a deafening surge of energy rocked the ruined battlefield. The very barriers meant to protect the spectators cracked, their magic barely holding against the magnitude of Kravtsov¡¯s unleashed power.
Yun Jin squinted through the storm of lightning, his breath steady despite the chaos. This was it.
This was the true form of the Champion.
Kravtsov hovered above the shattered ground, arcs of golden lightning coiling around his body like living tendrils. His muscles, already thick with war-hardened strength, pulsed with condensed power, his entire being a conduit of devastation.
Then¡ªhe vanished.
"VALKYRIE DROP!!"
Kravtsov descended like a god of thunder, his fist a bolt of destruction, crashing down with an impact that could shatter mountains.
For a single breath, silence reigned.
Then¡ªlight flickered. A faint, ethereal glow pulsed from the heart of the devastation.
Light Blade Sovereign Style: Thirteenth Form ¨C Vector to Heaven.
[Sword Wave] cut through the thunderstorm.
BOOOOM!!
A cataclysmic explosion erupted as thunder and light collided, tearing through the battlefield and obliterating what remained of the arena.
The sheer magnitude of the clash sent a shockwave across the ruins, toppling the last standing pillars of the battlefield.
Dust and rubble rained down as the stadium trembled under the force of the collision.
The audience stood frozen.
Then, someone whispered.
¡°¡He¡¯s still alive?¡±
As the dust settled, the battlefield came into view.
There, half-standing, swaying yet unbroken¡ªstood Yun Jin.
His right arm hung limply, shattered beyond recognition. One of his legs barely supported his weight. His body was scarred, bloodied, and bruised, but his eyes¡ªhis eyes still burned with fighting spirit.
The arena was gone.
The watching stands lay in ruin.
The high-ranking guests had already begun fleeing.
There was no more battlefield.
Only the two of them.
And Yun Jin wasn¡¯t the only one injured.
Across from him, Kravtsov clutched his shoulder¡ªwhere his left arm used to be.
For a moment, he stared at the severed limb on the ground, his breath steady as the realization sank in.
His expression twisted¡ªnot in pain, but in sheer admiration.
"HAHAHAHAHA!!"
Kravtsov¡¯s laughter echoed across the ruins.
Blood dripped from his wound, sizzling as it touched the scorched stone. He pressed a hand against the bleeding stump, releasing a pulse of heat that cauterized the injury in an instant.
Yet even through the pain, through the loss of a limb, his grin remained.
He understood exactly what had happened.
This kid¡ he planned it?!
Kravtsov replayed the last exchange in his mind.
Vector to Heaven¡ªa strike that required immense energy, a technique meant to finish fights in a single motion.
Yun Jin had known he couldn¡¯t endure or dodge Valkyrie Drop.
So instead of trying to block or dodge, he sacrificed his own arm, aiming for the moment Kravtsov¡¯s mana surged at its peak.
By severing his arm, Yun Jin had disrupted his energy flow, forcing his condensed power to rebound against him.
Kravtsov stared at Yun Jin and grinned.
"You crazy little bastard¡"
Even through the pain, even through the cost, he couldn¡¯t help but admire it.
Genius. Pure, instinctual combat genius.
"But you paid a steep price, huh?" Kravtsov smirked, his gaze sweeping over Yun Jin¡¯s battered form.
His body was wrecked, his internal circuits strained beyond reason.
Yet Yun Jin¡¯s expression was pure joy.
His breathless laughter came in ragged gasps, his entire body screaming in agony, but his spirit soared.
He had grown stronger.
Not because of the system. Not because of levels or gifted skills. He had grown through his own will, through battle, through the sheer force of pushing himself beyond his limits¡ªboth as a warrior and as a person.
And that was all he had ever wanted.
The two warriors exchanged glances.
No more words were needed.
They knew.
This fight would end with flesh, blood, and bone.
A final test of skill. An eye for an eye.
They lunged at each other at the same time, bodies colliding in a violent exchange of blows.
Kravtsov¡¯s fist slammed into Yun Jin¡¯s ribs, sending a deep shock of pain through his core.
Yun Jin retaliated with a sharp elbow to the jaw, the impact cracking like a whip through the ruined arena.
A knee struck his stomach. A spinning kick slammed into his side.
Neither of them relented, their movements fueled by sheer will.
Flesh clashed against flesh. Blood splattered across the fractured ground. Bones cracked under the force of their strikes. There was no more technique, no strategy¡ªonly raw instinct guiding their every motion.
The arena had long since crumbled, yet the battle raged on.
Yun Jin¡¯s body screamed with every movement, his limbs heavy, his qi frayed, but his mind had never been clearer. His instincts sharpened past exhaustion, his vision cutting through the chaos. And in that instant, he saw it¡ª
A single vulnerability. A gap so minuscule it barely existed.
He didn¡¯t hesitate.
His fist clenched, qi surging in a final, decisive flood. [Aura Blade] ignited, not through steel, but through flesh, his arm itself becoming the conduit of his will. Every last drop of energy compressed into one motion, one strike meant to end it all.
But Kravtsov saw it too.
A lifetime of battle-hardened instinct screamed at him. He had overcommitted, left himself open at the worst possible moment. But he wasn¡¯t done yet.
With a roar that shook the broken battlefield, he forced his body beyond its breaking point.
His circuits were damaged, his energy flow shattered by the backlash of Vector to Heaven, but he refused to accept it.
His magic circuit burned in open rebellion, his body on the verge of collapse, but sheer willpower crushed all hesitation.
If this was his final moment, then he would break past his own limit.
Lightning roared across his arm, golden arcs twisting, spiraling, compressing into something denser, sharper. His fist didn¡¯t just charge¡ªit supercharged, the sheer force warping the air itself. And for a fraction of a second, before Yun Jin could fully unleash his counterattack¡ª
Kravtsov¡¯s fist moved!
For that fleeting instant, he surpassed himself.
But Yun Jin was already beyond him.
His vision blurred, his body teetering at the edge of collapse, but he refused to let it end here. Just a little more. A fraction of an inch. A single breath past the self he was a second ago.
[Sword Wave]!
A thin, radiant arc of light shot forward, not as a mere extension of his blade, but as the very essence of his will.
Kravtsov¡¯s eyes widened.
And then¡ªhis body split apart.
Chapter 34: The Victor (End of Act 1)
Among the shattered ruins of the arena, the garbled voice of the announcer crackled weakly through the broken sound system. The device, damaged beyond repair, struggled to project the final result.
"The victor... Yun Jin!"
The words barely reached the audience before the system fizzled out entirely. Yet, the message had been delivered. The battle had ended. Kravtsov, the Champion, had fallen.
From the high balcony, Madam Veyra observed the aftermath, her form wreathed in the soft glow of emerald-like mana crystals that shielded her from the debris. She had anticipated Yun Jin¡¯s strength¡ªhad even accounted for his potential as a rising star. But this?
This outcome should have been impossible.
By all logic, Kravtsov should have crushed him.
And yet, as always, what truly mattered was crowd retention.
Despite the devastation, the surviving guests did not scream in outrage. Many had come expecting brutality, wagering fortunes on the match¡¯s outcome. They had lost money, lost fighters, but what they had gained in return was something far more intoxicating¡ªthe thrill of witnessing an impossible battle.
The silence fractured as one voice cried out:
"YUN JIN! YUN JIN!"
More followed. The chant surged through the coliseum, the crowd erupting in thunderous applause, reveling in the spectacle they had just witnessed.
Yun Jin barely heard them. His body¡ªhalf-dead, numb, and battered beyond recognition¡ªknelt amidst the rubble. Blood dripped from his wounds, pooling beneath him. His mind teetered on the edge of unconsciousness, the sheer weight of exhaustion dragging him under.
Then, a voice¡ªurgent, frantic.
"Yun Jin! Hold on!"
Merlin rushed to his side, his golden hair disheveled, panic flashing in his blue eyes. His hands glowed faintly as he cast a minor healing spell, stabilizing Yun Jin¡¯s injuries, but the damage was too severe. The spell couldn¡¯t fully heal him¡ªonly sustain him.
A shadow loomed over them.
Hazel, daggers at her side, watched in silence as Madam Veyra¡¯s attendants moved in, surrounding them.
Veyra¡¯s lips curled into an amused smirk. ¡°Congratulations, dear winner,¡± she mused, her tone layered with intrigue. ¡°You fought fair and square. So tell me¡ªwhy do you look so confused?¡±
Yun Jin exhaled, his breath ragged. He had given everything. And yet, they cheered him?
A breathless chuckle escaped him.
"Why are you people even celebrating?"
Veyra merely shrugged. "Because a fight is a fight. And nothing matters more than the outcome."
The announcer hesitated, clearing his throat, "Actually, there¡¯s the matter of the¡ª"
Veyra¡¯s sharp gaze snapped toward him.
He shut up immediately.
She turned back to Yun Jin, her voice smooth as silk.
"Technically speaking, you didn¡¯t break any rules."
Yun Jin lifted an eyebrow. "I literally brought a sword into the fight."
Veyra smirked. "No, you didn¡¯t. That was your own magic conjuring a weapon. The rules state fighters can¡¯t bring weapons or an arcane focus into the arena. It never said you couldn''t use what you manifest in battle."
She reached into her sleeve and flicked something toward him. A black card, etched with a green rose insignia, landed by his side.
¡°Your prize.¡±
Yun Jin looked at the card.
Then spat on it.
Veyra laughed, unbothered by the disrespect. She turned her attention to Merlin.
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"Now that this is out of the way... Merlin, what will you choose?"
Her attendants subtly shifted, their presence growing more aggressive, expectant.
"I¡¯ll give you both an offer," Veyra continued, her voice a perfect mix of allure and authority. "Work for me, and we all profit. Or struggle with the old relics of this city and face the inevitable."
Yun Jin stumbled to his feet, his breath wheezing, his body screaming for rest.
Still, he moved.
With slow, deliberate motion, he raised his arm¡ªthe same arm that should barely function¡ªand conjured a simple ice sword.
It wasn¡¯t much.
But the message was clear.
"Support me, Merlin."
Merlin swallowed, then nodded. He reached out, channeling his mana. A faint blue glow enveloped Yun Jin as buff spells activated, pushing what little strength he had left just enough to stop him from blacking out.
Yun Jin steadied his breathing. "I know I might not win against all of you. But I can still kill one of you."
The room tensed.
Hazel took a step forward, her twin daggers catching the dim light.
Yun Jin¡¯s gaze snapped to her. His expression sharpened. "You. You were the one who tried to deceive me."
A pause. Then a low chuckle from Veyra.
"So, you noticed?"
Hazel¡¯s cold voice cut through the air. "You said that the next time we met, you¡¯d attack first. Do it, and it will be your last."
Yun Jin exhaled, his grip on his ice sword tightening.
"Oh, girl¡ I already did."
Light flared. Merlin, already familiar with what came next, shut his eyes instinctively.
A blinding white flash engulfed the room.
By the time it faded¡ªYun Jin and Merlin were gone.
The only thing left behind was a single, flickering shadow at their feet.
Veyra¡¯s brow twitched.
"That shady old man¡" she muttered, exhaling. Even so, a smirk crept onto her lips.
"Well, no matter. I¡¯ve already planted the seed. Business still profits." She turned to her attendants. "Find me a new champion. And clean this place up."
Then her gaze settled on Hazel.
"And as for you¡ this is the second time you¡¯ve failed. There won¡¯t be a third."
Hazel bit her lip.
Then, bowing her head, she whispered, "Understood, madam."
But the moment she turned away, her walk became a sprint.
She raced underground, storming through the hidden corridors until she reached a locked chamber.
Her voice cut through the silence.
"Gret! I told you to keep that woman locked up! What did you¡ª"
She stopped.
Inside the cell, a corpse hung from the ceiling¡ªher brother, Gret.
Brutally slain.
On the ground, written in blood, were three words.
"That was for Elara."
Back at Altheron Mansion, a shifting pool of shadow wobbled in one of the grand halls.
Then, three figures emerged.
Selene. Yun Jin. Merlin.
The moment they arrived, Yun Jin collapsed.
Ardent¡¯s medical team rushed forward, lifting his unconscious form while Merlin remained standing, watching over him.
Ardent Altheron stepped forward, his expression unreadable.
"Go rest, Merlin. We¡¯ll discuss everything later."
For now, the night was over.
When Yun Jin awoke, the first thing he saw was Merlin asleep beside him, using his arm as a pillow.
A rare moment of peace.
Gently, Yun Jin placed a hand on Merlin¡¯s head, ruffling his hair. "Wake up."
Merlin stirred, blinking groggily before his eyes widened. "Are you okay!?"
Yun Jin closed his eyes, focusing inward. His qi had taken a heavy toll, but with rest, he would recover.
And yet¡ as he flexed his hand, as he stared at his damaged arm, a single thought echoed in his mind.
That fight¡ made me stronger.
For the first time in years, he could feel the step forward he had taken.
So this is what the old man meant. The only way to truly grow stronger¡ª
¡ªis to fight those worthy of killing you.
Excitement surged within him. He needed more battles. More challenges.
"Merlin," Yun Jin grinned. "Once I recover, we¡¯re clearing dungeons and getting stronger. It¡¯s time to level up!"
[Encounter Complete]
[Completion Level: Perfection]
[You have been awarded 100 Completion Points.]
Chapter 35: Fact checking.
After recovering enough to walk, Yun Jin and Merlin made their way to the dining hall of Altheron Mansion.
The room was massive, a grand hall with high ceilings and an impossibly long table stretching down its center. Yet, despite the space, only one plate was set.
Ardent Altheron sat alone at the head of the table, calmly eating his breakfast.
Yun Jin raised a brow at the sight. His first words came with a teasing smirk.
"So, you do have breakfast. Then why did I have to walk all the way to Hagan¡¯s place yesterday?"
Ardent didn¡¯t react at first, simply setting his fork down on his plate before meeting Yun Jin¡¯s gaze.
"To show you our situation, of course."
Yun Jin scoffed, shaking his head in mild amusement. "You sure are bolder than I thought."
At first, he had only meant to take a jab at Ardent¡¯s blatant attempt to manipulate him¡ªsending him to Hagan¡¯s place to force him into empathizing with his side.
But for Ardent to openly admit it was intentional?
That was unexpected.
Ardent smiled back, gesturing with a casual wave. "Take a seat. The maids will accompany you shortly."
Yun Jin and Merlin nodded politely, taking their places at the table. Merlin, however, could feel it¡ªthe tension between the two men.
Ardent leaned forward slightly. "So, is there anything you''d like to discuss before the food arrives?"
Then, without pause, he added¡ª"Was it worth more than Elara¡¯s life?"
The words dropped into the air like a weight.
Merlin stiffened. Yun Jin¡¯s expression remained neutral, but his fingers subtly curled against the table.
Ardent continued. "The first round of the tournament¡ªyou scared those people away. Every single one of them ended up going to Elara instead."
A slight pause.
"Among them was one of Veyra¡¯s elite guards. His name was Gret. He tortured Elara in the basement cell, trying to get information out of her¡ but he already paid the price."
Yun Jin¡¯s gaze sharpened. "...You mean the monsters under your control?" His voice was cold. "Like Selene?"
He had known Elara wasn¡¯t human¡ªshe was one of the disguised monsters, just like Selene. He might not have known the full extent of what she was, but at the time, he made the best choice available.
Because once he understood how dangerous his mission truly was, he knew that if something happened to him, Elara wouldn¡¯t be able to help him.
Which meant he had to force Ardent¡¯s hand¡ªto send Selene instead.
Ardent let out a slow breath, an exhale laced with something between amusement and resignation. "So you knew."
For the briefest moment, Ardent¡¯s expression wavered, like a mask cracking just enough to reveal the man beneath.
But in the next breath, it was gone¡ªreplaced by composed curiosity.
A hint of impressed flickered in his eyes.
Yun Jin smirked. "Once I saw the veil break, I knew I could see through it again."
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Ardent tilted his head slightly, considering Yun Jin¡¯s words. "Interesting. You¡¯re colder than I thought."
Merlin shifted uncomfortably, watching the exchange.
Yun Jin spoke without hesitation. "Everyone with a level over their head is either an enemy or an invader."
Ardent nodded slightly, then prompted, "Except?"
Merlin hesitated before answering. "In special cases¡ªpacts with demons, tamed beasts¡ or forced contracts." His voice dipped slightly. "Sorry, I should¡¯ve explained everything upfront."
Yun Jin¡¯s expression hardened. "So what was Elara¡¯s situation?"
Ardent answered without hesitation. "A demon under my pact. Same as Selene. And a few others." He met Yun Jin¡¯s gaze evenly. "I know you come from far away, so you might not be familiar with how our magic works."
Yun Jin stilled.
Then, without a word, he closed his eyes and focused.
In his battles, he had sensed Selene, but never detected her¡ªas if she were a shadow beyond perception. But now, within this very room, among every flickering shadow, he felt countless traces of mana.
This place was crawling with them.
Ardent spoke again, unfazed. "Still, you killed Kravtsov, and with only Elara¡¯s sacrifice. I count that as a profit."
Yun Jin exhaled through his nose, unwilling to agree or disagree. He simply listened.
Ardent then turned to Merlin. "And about your friend. I heard something unexpected happened? Mind elaborating?"
Merlin flinched slightly at the direct question but nodded, explaining what had transpired during his capture.
"Veyra told me her side of the story," Merlin began.
"She was the daughter of a wealthy noble in the Imperial City. But due to internal conflicts, her family was ruined. She had to flee to this town. Seeing its potential, she decided to take control of its underworld, raising the funds she needed to exact her revenge."
Yun Jin¡¯s brows furrowed. "Wait¡ªso all of this... is because of some personal vendetta?"
He couldn¡¯t believe it. More than that¡ªhe couldn¡¯t believe she actually told Merlin this.
Merlin nodded. "She said that her goal simply aligned with the town¡¯s best interests. Even if she failed her revenge, the town would already be prospering under her rule."
Ardent, leaning back in his chair, confirmed it.
Yun Jin and Merlin both turned to him, surprised.
Ardent exhaled. "It¡¯s true."
A heavy silence.
Then¡ª"I¡¯ve known that girl since she was little," Ardent admitted. His voice was calm, but there was something deeper buried beneath it¡ªregret.
"I was the one who helped her escape. But her vision for this town is different from mine. So, she did what she wanted, and I have to do what¡¯s necessary."
Yun Jin watched him carefully.
He saw it. The regret. The sadness. The burden of choices already made.
But he also saw something else.
Determination.
Ardent had already accepted the cost of his decisions.
Ardent suddenly clapped his hands together, breaking the heavy mood. "Enough of this somber talk."
A faint smirk played on his lips. "The doctor already told me your body has an incredible healing rate. You¡¯ll be back on your feet within a week."
As if on cue, the maids entered, setting plates of fresh food before them. The scent of grilled meat filled the air.
"I hope your homeland has steak."
Yun Jin took a bite. The texture was a bit chewy, but the flavor was strong, rich, and satisfying. He nodded in approval.
"If you fed me like this every day, I¡¯d recover in three days."
Ardent let out a genuine laugh. "Good to hear."
But then, his eyes flicked toward Merlin, who was still quiet.
"Why the long face, little one?" Ardent mused. Then, after a pause¡ª"She said something else, didn¡¯t she?"
Merlin hesitated, glancing toward Yun Jin.
"I want to discuss it with Yun Jin first before telling you. Can I?"
Ardent¡¯s response was immediate. "Of course. Everyone has the right to make their own decisions."
Merlin¡¯s face lit up slightly, the tension in his shoulders finally easing. He nodded, shaking off his doubts.
Then, at last, he picked up his fork and began to eat.
For now, at least, they could afford a moment of peace¡ªto eat, to rest, and to recover.
Chapter 36: Absolute GENIUS!
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Chapter 37: Assemble!
The carriage rolled to a slow stop in front of the Adventurer¡¯s Guild, its polished black lacquer gleaming beneath the morning sun. Etched into its doors¡ªthe unmistakable green rose sigil of House Altheron.
A symbol that had, by now, become impossible to ignore.
Even those unfamiliar with politics or noble houses understood its significance.
That crest was everywhere¡ªhanging from banners, stamped on documents, even carved into the guard stations around the city. It was power. Influence. A silent declaration of control.
So when the door swung open and a young swordsman in black robes stepped out, the entire courtyard seemed to still.
Even before anyone recognized his face, they felt his presence¡ªcalm, composed, and undeniably dangerous.
Then their eyes shifted¡ª
From the imposing figure of Yun Jin¡
To the golden-haired beauty who followed behind him.
A ripple of hushed murmurs spread through the gathered adventurers.
"Who is she?"
"She¡¯s gorgeous!"
"Wait¡ªwhy does she look familiar?"
Some of the more observant guild members felt a creeping sense of recognition, but before they could place it¡ª
"Oh no. It¡¯s him."
A few people immediately averted their gazes, pretending not to notice Yun Jin at all. Some had witnessed his brutal performance in the Death Throne Arena. Others had only heard the rumors. But all of them came to the same conclusion¡ª
It was safer not to get involved.
Meanwhile, the majority of the attention remained fixated on the golden-haired ¡°lady¡± beside him.
"Who is she?"
"She arrived in Altheron¡¯s carriage¡ªis she a noblewoman?"
"No way¡ªlook at her posture. That¡¯s not some pampered noble. She¡¯s got presence."
And then, from somewhere within the murmurs¡ª
"See? I told you they were dating."
THWACK.
A loud chop to the back of the speaker¡¯s head sent him face-first into the dirt.
The guild receptionist sighed, dragging him away by the collar. "That is NOT how you greet customers!"
Yun Jin, who had definitely heard it, barely reacted. He simply exhaled through his nose and walked inside.
Merlin, on the other hand, was twitching.
The moment Yun Jin stepped into the guild, the energy inside shifted.
Conversations quieted. More than a few people glanced his way, then quickly looked away.
Yun Jin paid them no mind. He was here for a reason.
His gaze swept across the quest board, scanning through the posted jobs with a casual, calculating air.
Plenty of Rank D missions¡ªthe usual. Nothing challenging.
His eyes moved past them instantly.
Then, he found something that caught his attention¡ªa Rank C- mission.
Merlin, who had just caught up, immediately spoke up. "You¡¯re still injured. You should stick to something easier."
Yun Jin smirked. "Did we ever say we were going alone this time? No. We''re going to find more people to join us on this journey."
Merlin narrowed his eyes, folding his arms. "So¡ a party?"
Yun Jin shrugged casually. "Yeah? So, that¡¯s what you call it around here..."
Yun Jin ignored him and activated [Mana Eyes].
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A faint glow flickered behind his irises as he scanned the room, searching for someone¡ interesting.
Then¡ªhe found it.
And at that exact moment¡ª
Someone found him.
"YOU!!!"
A shout rang through the entire guild, loud enough to make every single person freeze.
Yun Jin barely had time to turn before a blur shot toward him.
Then¡ª
STUMBLE.
The figure¡¯s foot caught the ground at the last second, sending them tumbling forward.
Yun Jin¡¯s hand snapped out instinctively, catching her by the waist.
A familiar warmth. A familiar presence.
Yun Jin grinned. "If you wanted to hug me that badly, you could¡¯ve just asked, Reva."
Reva, now firmly in Yun Jin¡¯s grasp, went beet red.
Then, in an instant, she shoved him away, planting her feet.
Her fists clenched. Her body trembled¡ªnot from weakness, but from frustration.
"YOU!" she shouted. "How dare you disrespect our fight?!"
Yun Jin raised an eyebrow. "Disrespect?"
She stepped closer, voice rising. "Why didn¡¯t you kill me!?"
For a moment, the room went silent.
Then, someone whispered.
"¡Love quarrel?"
Yun Jin sighed heavily.
"No."
He turned back to Reva, expression calm. "I didn¡¯t disrespect our fight. I went all out."
Reva¡¯s jaw tightened. "Then why did you spare me?"
"Because I don¡¯t take innocent blood," Yun Jin said smoothly. "My target wasn¡¯t you."
A pause. Then¡ªa casual shrug. "I just stopped your heart for a minute or two so the announcer would let you go."
He grinned. "Honestly, you should be thanking me."
Reva¡¯s anger surged¡ªthen faltered.
She exhaled, stepping back, shoulders lowering slightly. "I¡ apologize."
Then, after a pause¡ª"But why are you still here? If they see you alive¡ª"
"I lied."
Yun Jin blinked.
Reva crossed her arms, looking away slightly. "I told them it was my bloodline¡¯s ability. A ¡®gift of revival.¡¯ They let me go."
A pause.
Then, a bit quieter:
"But¡ I have no money left."
Yun Jin watched her for a moment, then smirked.
"Join my party, then."
Reva¡¯s head snapped toward him. "Are you sure?"
But before Yun Jin could answer, he noticed something strange.
The adventurers around them¡ª
They were uncomfortable.
Subtle shifts in posture. Averted gazes. Some even muttering under their breath.
Yun Jin¡¯s brows furrowed slightly. "What¡¯s the problem?"
One of the nearby adventurers finally spoke up.
"She¡¯s from the North."
Yun Jin raised an eyebrow. "And?"
The adventurer hesitated, then spoke in a lower tone.
"They eat people."
Reva immediately bristled. "WE DO NOT!"
But the skepticism remained. Muttered remarks. Disapproving glances.
One voice even called out¡ª"Get back to the mountains where you belong!"
The frustration boiled in Reva¡¯s chest.
But before she could lash out¡ª
"It¡¯s fine."
Yun Jin spoke smoothly, cutting through the tension.
He looked at Reva, unbothered. "You can¡¯t kill me even if you tried."
Reva¡¯s jaw clenched. "Tch¡ª!"
But despite her frustration, a flicker of gratitude crossed her face.
And then¡ª
A voice rang out.
"If you¡¯re looking for a party member¡ª"
Yun Jin turned first, his sharp gaze locking onto the newcomer.
Recognition struck instantly.
Standing at the entrance of the guild, clad in the flowing white-and-gold robes of a priestess, a faint divine glow tracing the delicate patterns along the fabric, was a woman he hadn¡¯t expected to see again so soon.
Seraphine Lysval.
The girl he had saved from the Dryad¡¯s dungeon.
A magical bracelet gleamed on her wrist, faint traces of mana pulsing within its intricate design¡ªan artifact rather than mere ornamentation.
Merlin turned a second later, eyes widening in recognition.
Seraphine met Yun Jin¡¯s gaze evenly, her expression calm, composed¡ªyet there was something beneath it, an unspoken weight in her voice as she took a step forward.
"May I join you, sir?"
Chapter 38: Rank C- Dungeon Rift
Seeing Seraphine standing before them, alive and well, brought a rare moment of relief to both Yun Jin and Merlin.
Merlin, in particular, looked almost giddy. "You made it," he breathed, taking a step forward as if to confirm she was real.
Seraphine nodded with a small, composed smile. "I did. Thanks to you."
Yun Jin chuckled. "Well, it¡¯s good to see you in one piece."
Now that he got a closer look, he noticed that her outfit had changed. Gone was the practical battle gear she had worn in the dungeon. Instead, she was now dressed in the flowing white-and-gold robes of a priestess, the symbol of the church embroidered over her chest.
Merlin caught it too. "You¡ joined the church?"
Seraphine inclined her head. "After surviving that dungeon, I took it as a sign. A divine omen. I believe I was spared for a reason, and so I decided to dedicate myself to a higher path."
Yun Jin blinked. "...Huh."
Something about that made him feel a little uneasy. He had fought, bled, and risked his life in that dungeon¡ªyet now, somehow, his accomplishment was being attributed to divine will?
Well, whatever made her happy. He wasn¡¯t about to argue.
"Now that we have four people, this should be enough for a proper party," Yun Jin said, shifting the topic. His gaze turned toward Seraphine. "By the way, what rank are you now?"
He already knew Merlin was a Rank B adventurer, and last time he saw Seraphine, she had been Rank D.
Seraphine smiled faintly. "Still D, I haven¡¯t taken the advancement test yet."
Yun Jin nodded, then turned to Reva. "And you?"
Reva crossed her arms. "B-rank."
That got his attention. "Not bad," Yun Jin mused. "I¡¯m C-rank myself. Guess I should take the full exam at some point."
Reva raised an eyebrow. "Wait, you¡¯re C-rank?" She frowned slightly. "But you beat me in one punch¡"
Yun Jin smirked. "So you lost despite having more raw power than me."
Reva¡¯s eye twitched. "What level are you?"
"Fourteen."
A beat of silence.
Reva¡¯s expression stiffened. "¡You¡¯re joking."
"Nope."
Seraphine, who had been listening quietly, spoke up. "I¡¯m Level 11."
Reva¡¯s hands curled into fists. "Unbelievable." She muttered under her breath before exhaling sharply. "I¡¯m Level 19. You mean to tell me I lost to someone five whole levels below me!?"
She stared at Yun Jin in disbelief, her pride clearly shaken.
Merlin chuckled. "It¡¯s not that surprising. Yun Jin is¡ªwell, let¡¯s just say he¡¯s an exception to normal standards. You can¡¯t measure his strength by levels or rank alone."
Reva turned to him, skeptical. "Then what level are you?"
Merlin¡¯s chest puffed up slightly. "Twenty-five."
Reva¡¯s jaw nearly dropped.
"Wait, hold on. Every ten levels is a major threshold in power," she muttered, mind racing. "The difference between 19 and 20 is massive. You can¡¯t just bridge that with skill alone."
She stared at Merlin, only now realizing what she was dealing with.
Merlin, now pleased with himself, added, "Oh, and I¡¯m also a B-rank adventurer. That makes us equals!" He grinned, extending a hand.
Reva blinked, still processing, before breaking into a wide smile. "I guess that means I¡¯m strong too!"
Without warning, she grabbed Merlin¡¯s hand and shook it¡ªtoo hard.
Merlin yelped as his feet left the ground, his entire body lifted slightly off balance from the sheer difference in physical strength.
The moment their hands met, Reva frowned slightly. Something felt¡ off. His grip wasn¡¯t quite what she expected.
She narrowed her eyes. "Wait. Are you a boy?"
Merlin froze.
His ears turned red. "Y-Yeah."
Reva blinked. Then a delighted grin spread across her face. "Ohhh." Her eyes sparkled with amusement. "Who was the genius that dressed you like this?"
Merlin shrank slightly. "It was¡ª"
"Me," Yun Jin cut in, smiling smugly.
Reva exhaled in disbelief. "Unbelievable. I can¡¯t believe I just complimented this guy." She shook her head, muttering under her breath.
Yun Jin simply chuckled and gestured for the group to follow. "Alright, let¡¯s get this over with. We need a mission."
This narrative has been purloined without the author''s approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.
¡ª
At the guild counter, Yun Jin browsed the available jobs, eventually settling on a C- Rank Rift.
"Since it¡¯s hard to find scouts for C-Rank gates in this town, we don¡¯t have much information on it," the receptionist explained. "That¡¯s why the reward is higher."
Yun Jin frowned. "Higher?"
The receptionist pointed toward the bottom of the mission posting, where fine print detailed the payment.
5,000 gold.
Yun Jin¡¯s brow twitched. "Wait¡ so I missed out on the reward last time?"
He hadn¡¯t even thought about it. After clearing the last rift, he had rushed to save Seraphine, then got tangled up with Ardent. He never came back to claim his payment.
It didn¡¯t even occur to him that dungeon-clearing gave out gold.
His priorities had been focused solely on the challenge.
The receptionist gave him a knowing look. "You need to be careful, though. If you clear the rift without our confirmation, then there¡¯s no reward. Only one party can accept the mission at a time, and if eight hours pass without completion, another team can take it."
Yun Jin nodded. "Got it. I¡¯ll be sure to claim the gold next time."
He turned back to the others. "Let¡¯s go."
Seraphine hesitated. "Wait." She bit her lip slightly. "Because of me¡ you lost the last reward."
Yun Jin glanced at her. "Don¡¯t worry about it."
"But¡ª"
She looked genuinely troubled. "How much was it? I can pay you back."
Her soft, guilty expression made Reva sigh. "Oh, for¡ª"
She elbowed Yun Jin lightly. "Don¡¯t think anything weird."
Yun Jin exhaled sharply, rubbing his ribs where she had hit him. "Ow. What the hell? I was just trying to remember how much that quest paid out."
"You were staring at her!"
"I was thinking!"
"You¡¯re the one with the dirty mind!"
The back-and-forth bickering had Merlin barely holding back laughter.
Seraphine, meanwhile, had gone completely red, looking between the two in confusion. "I¡ªwhat?"
Reva sighed, shaking her head. "Never mind." She quickly changed the subject. "Anyway, I still can¡¯t believe you¡¯re actually representing House Altheron."
She motioned toward the carriage they had arrived in.
"Yesterday, I thought you were just joking when you announced that in the arena. And now, here you are, riding around in their fancy carriage, representing a rival faction, killing their champion, destroying half the coliseum, and then escaping like it was nothing!"
Yun Jin simply smirked. "Yes, I am."
--
The carriage rolled to a smooth halt in a secluded clearing at the outskirts of town, the soft rustling of trees the only sound accompanying the faint hum of mana in the air.
Yun Jin stepped out first, his sharp gaze sweeping the surroundings. The magic in the atmosphere was dense, like a pulse just beneath the skin of reality¡ªa telltale sign of a rift¡¯s presence.
The entrance itself shimmered a few meters away, its surface rippling with unstable energy.
Wallace followed closely behind, stepping down with practiced ease.
Before Yun Jin could say anything, the butler had already begun setting up. With a simple movement of his fingers, a golden sigil spread across the ground, unfolding into a fully arranged basecamp¡ªsheltered resting areas, a small fire pit, and even a table neatly prepared for use.
¡°I will remain here,¡± Wallace said simply.
Yun Jin turned to the others. ¡°Anyone hungry before we head in?¡±
Seraphine shook her head. ¡°I ate before leaving the church.¡±
Merlin, too, had eaten that morning. And Yun Jin himself rarely felt the need to eat more than necessary, especially before a fight.
Then, a faint sound.
A low, nearly imperceptible growl.
Yun Jin¡¯s smirk widened as he turned.
Reva had her arms crossed stiffly, her face carefully neutral.
¡°¡That wasn¡¯t me,¡± she muttered, her voice just a bit too defensive.
¡°Oh?¡± Yun Jin tilted his head slightly, amusement creeping into his tone. ¡°We can wait.¡±
Reva bristled. ¡°It¡¯s just¡ªyour damn punch yesterday. My ribs are still sore.¡±
Merlin, already digging through his bag, pulled out a neatly wrapped sandwich from Wallace¡¯s supplies. He unwrapped it slightly, revealing the thick slice of roasted meat nestled inside, the juices glistening under the sunlight.
¡°Here,¡± he said, holding it out.
Reva hesitated for all of two seconds before snatching it.
¡°¡Thanks,¡± she muttered, before devouring the entire thing in under a minute.
¡°Alright. Now we go.¡± Reva, now fully reinvigorated, didn¡¯t wait for further discussion. Without hesitation, she spun on her boots and strode straight toward the rift.
"Hey!" Yun Jin¡¯s hand shot out instinctively, fingers brushing against her wrist¡ª
But she was too fast.
She stepped forward without pause, disappearing into the swirling light of the portal before he could stop her.
Yun Jin sighed, shaking his head. "Impulsive," he muttered under his breath. Then, turning toward Merlin and Seraphine, he exhaled and gestured toward the rift.
"Buff inside. Discuss abilities once we''re in."
Merlin, standing beside Seraphine, gave an exasperated laugh. "Yeah, let''s get inside before she charges ahead and gets herself killed."
Seraphine merely nodded, securing her bracelet before turning back to Wallace one last time. The butler handed her a small pouch of extra rations, and with a respectful dip of her head, she accepted them before stepping toward the rift.
One by one, they entered.
The moment Yun Jin stepped into the rift, the sensation hit him.
A twisting pull, weightless yet forceful¡ªlike being drawn through space itself. He felt the unnatural ripple pass through his body, distorting everything for a split second before it settled.
It wasn¡¯t unfamiliar.
The first time, when he had first arrived in this world.
Then when he entered the rift that led to the Dryad.
But this time¡ªit was stronger than the Dryad¡¯s rift, still, it couldn''t compare to the first.
The moment his feet touched solid ground, he knew something was wrong.
[Title Effect: The First Forerunner has activated.]
[Anomaly detected.]
Then, in a single instant¡ª
The entire rift turned red.
Chapter 39: Red Rift
His [Mana Sense] immediately picked up on the shift in the current, the energy not just swirling but surging violently, like a storm barely contained within the boundaries of this dimension.
Around him, the others reacted with instinctive unease. Merlin stiffened, eyes darting around, his expression tight. Reva, battle-hardened as she was, clenched her fists, shifting her stance as if ready to fight. Even Seraphine, who had remained composed thus far, took a wary step back.
The red glow from the rift behind them pulsed ominously, sending arcs of red lightning flickering through the air.
"What shout we do?" Merlin muttered, his voice quieter than usual.
Yun Jin didn¡¯t answer. Instead of drawing his sword or bracing for combat like the others, he did something unexpected¡ªhe sat down.
Cross-legged, eyes half-lidded, he lowered his breathing, letting his awareness spread through the chaotic energy around him.
Reva blinked. "What the hell are you doing? This isn¡¯t the time to¡ª"
A sharp thunk cut her off.
Merlin had smacked the end of his staff against the ground. "Shhh. Let him focus."
Reva looked between the two, baffled, but Merlin¡¯s tone had an unusual edge to it¡ªso she reluctantly held her tongue.
Yun Jin exhaled deeply.
Instead of resisting the volatile mana, he welcomed it.
The dimension was in flux. This chaos¡ªthis instability¡ªit was an opportunity.
A natural disaster to most. A perfect cultivation field for him.
He let the dense, unstable mana flow into his body, guiding it with practiced ease into his spirit core. The energy burned, sharp like jagged lightning, but it also honed him, forcing his core to refine itself under the pressure. He pushed past the turbulence, bending it to his will.
The entire rift shuddered.
For a brief moment, everything seemed to shift¡ªnot physically, but in a way, Yun Jin could feel down to his very bones.
Then¡ª
[Unauthorized access to server structure detected.]
A flicker of something foreign brushed against his mind. Something vast. Something watching.
[Access denied.]
Yun Jin¡¯s eyes snapped open. A sharp laugh escaped him.
"So, this is how you want to play?"
Reva¡¯s eyes darted to him; confusion evident. "What¡ªwhat the hell did you just do?"
"I just tried to take a little extra from the rift," Yun Jin said, rising to his feet and dusting off his robes. He flexed his fingers experimentally. His body felt sharper¡ªhis spirit core denser than before.
Reva stared at him, frowning. "¡You were absorbing the mana?"
She had seen the faint traces of energy drawn toward him before it suddenly cut off.
Before the dimension seemed to reject him outright.
Merlin¡¯s gaze was distant, calculating. "That means¡"
Yun Jin turned toward the rift they had entered through. The crimson glow had darkened, shifting from red to a deep, midnight black. Yet, despite that change, the energy surging from it hadn¡¯t faded.
He reached a hand toward it¡ª
A violent arc of red lightning lashed out.
He withdrew his hand just in time to avoid the strike.
[Server disconnected.]
Yun Jin narrowed his eyes. The instant his fingers had brushed against the barrier, he had felt¡ nothing.
A vast emptiness.
Like reaching for something that should have been there, only to find a void in its place.
He slowly pulled his sword from his waist.
[Aura Blade] surged to life. [Aura Surge] flooded his muscles with energy.
Then, in one smooth motion, he executed Vector to Heaven.
The moment the blade slashed forward¡ª
A surge of red lightning exploded outward, meeting his strike with a force so overwhelming that his sword was ripped from his grip and sent flying several meters away.
Yun Jin¡¯s eyes widened slightly.
Everyone else¡ªfrozen.
Merlin, Reva, and Seraphine had just witnessed Yun Jin get disarmed.
It had happened so fast that even Reva, trained in speed combat, barely registered it before it was over.
The only ones who had ever disarmed Yun Jin before were¡ª
Baek Tianjun.
And no one since.
Merlin swallowed hard.
Then¡ª
[Warning: Until the anomaly is fixed, rejoining the server is impossible.]
Yun Jin let out a slow exhale. "So, we need to finish this rift first."
Merlin nodded grimly. "Yeah. And that¡¯s a problem."
Reva still looked tense. "How bad are we talking?"
Merlin hesitated. Then: "Red Rifts are extremely rare. Only about one in a hundred thousand rifts turns into one."
A heavy silence fell over the group.
"And?" Yun Jin prompted.
"And no one can leave until the dungeon is cleared."
Reva clenched her fists, inhaling sharply. "No way out. Great."
Yun Jin scanned their surroundings, assessing their options. "Anything else I need to know?"
Merlin shook his head. "Not much. Red Rifts aren¡¯t well-documented."
But then¡ª
"I know some details."
The voice belonged to Seraphine.
They all turned to her.
She cleared her throat, recalling the lessons from her adventurer orientation. "When a dimension rift turns red, it means the monsters inside become supercharged. Their strength, aggression, and overall power increase by roughly 1.5 times. More importantly, unusual enemies can appear¡ªones that normally wouldn¡¯t exist within the rank of the rift."
Yun Jin¡¯s expression shifted into a grin. "So, harder challenge, better rewards. Got it."
Reva blew out air, rubbing her temples. "This isn¡¯t funny. Not only are you and I injured, but we¡¯ve got an underranked priestess and a child on our team!"
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"For the record," Yun Jin said, raising a hand, "Merlin is the same age as me."
Before Reva could react to that, Yun Jin¡¯s head tilted slightly. His senses sharpened.
"The real problem," he murmured, "is that we have company."
Reva turned, following his gaze¡ª
And froze.
A dozen humanoid figures stood in the distance, spears in hand. Their heads were elongated, egg-shaped, with glowing red eyes that pulsed with an unnatural charge. They blinked sideways, a thin, almost membranous layer sliding over their gaze before vanishing beneath their translucent skin.
The flesh of their bodies was slick, faintly scaled, as if caught somewhere between fish and lizard. Though humanoid in shape, their limbs were too long, their fingers ending in webbed, claw-tipped appendages. Their movements jittery and unnatural.
Then, above their heads¡ª
[Abyssal Mermaid Lv.16]
Reva stiffened, instinctively shifting her stance. "¡What are those?"
The creatures didn¡¯t move immediately. They simply watched, alien eyes locked onto them, studying, assessing.
Then, Yun Jin moved.
He walked forward, grabbed his sword from where it had landed, and dusted it off with an easy flick of his wrist.
Rolling his shoulders, he sighed. "The name¡¯s clearly above their heads." He adjusted his grip, fingers tightening around the hilt. "But it doesn¡¯t matter."
He exhaled, his aura sharpening.
"They¡¯re in our way."
As soon as Yun Jin moved, the Abyssal Mermaids reacted unnaturally fast, their twitching bodies snapping into coordinated action as if driven by a shared consciousness. Without hesitation, their arms tensed, and jagged spears of bone and sinew grew from their flesh. The first one let loose its weapon, then another, and another¡ªtheir spears slicing through the air in quick succession.
Yun Jin shifted his stance, his sword flashing as he deflected the first projectile with ease. The second and third followed instantly, forcing him to twist his body mid-motion to knock them aside. The moment their weapons left their grip, their arms twitched and distorted, fresh spears pushing through their flesh like grotesque extensions of their bodies. Without pause, they hurled another volley, the cycle repeating with unnatural efficiency.
He narrowed his eyes, testing their movements. They weren''t just attacking randomly. Their spears weren¡¯t meant to kill outright¡ªthey were pushing him, measuring his reactions, herding him into a predictable rhythm. Each attack forced him to respond, and if he wasn¡¯t careful, they would eventually overwhelm him.
But Yun Jin had no interest in letting this drag on.
The next wave of spears shot toward him, but this time, instead of deflecting, he shifted forward. His body slipped between the incoming projectiles, boots skimming lightly across the ground as he advanced. The creatures reacted immediately, the spears in their arms vanishing as they closed the distance, their bodies bending into eerily uniform stances.
The moment they stepped into melee range, their weapons twisted, reshaping into serrated polearms, pulsating like living things. They struck together, perfectly synchronized, their jagged blades whistling toward him from multiple angles. Yun Jin ducked under the first, sidestepped the second, and caught the third along the edge of his blade, redirecting the force as he moved between them.
[Mana Eyes] flared to life, revealing the flow of energy in their bodies, the precise movements beneath their erratic twitching. Every attack followed a pattern, their strikes forming a deadly sequence that forced him into positions where the next blow was already waiting.
They adjusted unnaturally fast.
So, they were adapting.
Yun Jin exhaled sharply. If they wanted efficiency, he would show them real efficiency.
His grip tightened, qi surging beneath his feet. A blur of motion¡ªtoo fast for the creatures to react.
Light Blade Sovereign Style: Arc Lightning!
A single strike. Two Abyssal Mermaids froze, their heads sliding from their shoulders before black ichor sprayed from the severed flesh. Their bodies collapsed a second later, twitching as the last remnants of unnatural life left them.
The final one flinched, its movement breaking its otherwise perfect coordination.
Before Yun Jin followed, Reva moved.
She dashed forward, body twisting with the full force of her momentum, and drove a crushing kick into its torso. The impact tore through flesh and bone, its entire midsection rupturing as the force sent it flying back in two separate halves.
The battlefield fell silent. Only the sound of their bodies hitting the ground remained.
Yun Jin flicked the black ichor from his blade, his expression shifting into mild disappointment as he took a step forward. The fight had ended too quickly, the opponents falling apart with barely any resistance.
"Is this supposed to be the fearsome challenge of a red rift?" he asked, voice carrying an unimpressed edge.
But the moment those words left his lips, something in the air shifted.
A sickening squelch echoed through the battlefield as the scattered flesh and blackened ichor from the fallen Abyssal Mermaids pulsed unnaturally. Their severed limbs and torn torsos twitched, convulsing as if something beneath their ruined bodies was still alive.
The remnants of their flesh quivered; each broken piece drawn toward a central point by an unseen force. The red glow in their eyes did not fade. One by one, the orbs collapsed into each other, merging into a grotesque fusion of writhing tissue and pulsating veins.
Yun Jin¡¯s instincts flared¡ªbad.
A primal warning screamed through his body.
Kill it now!
He moved instantly. His qi surged as his body flickered, launching forward with Light Blade Sovereign Style: First Form¡ªArc Lightning. His blade became a streak of silver lightning, cutting toward the forming monstrosity before it could stabilize¡ª
Only for his sword to stop mid-swing.
A wet, slurping noise filled the air.
His blade had been caught¡ªnot by a solid block of flesh, but by a shapeless, writhing glob of meat. It was liquid and alive, gripping the steel as if it were sinking into tar.
Then it moved.
Fast.
An amorphous limb lashed toward Yun Jin with explosive force, a grotesque, half-formed appendage that moved like a whip, its mass folding over itself unnaturally.
Yun Jin barely had time to react. His instincts roared at him to evade, but the strike came too fast.
"God¡¯s Protect!"
A flash of golden light erupted in front of him as Seraphine¡¯s bracelet flared to life, conjuring a radiant shield between him and the attack.
At the same time¡ª
Yun Jin, acting purely on instinct, reinforced the barrier further by conjuring his own ice shield. The barriers layered instantly, forming a triple-layered protection.
"Glacial Wall!"
Merlin¡¯s mana surged, a thick block of ice forming as a second layer of defense.
The abomination¡¯s strike shattered the golden shield instantly, dispelling Seraphine¡¯s magic in a violent ripple. Yun Jin¡¯s own ice barrier followed next, exploding into shards, unable to withstand the sheer force.
Only Merlin¡¯s ice block remained standing, its reinforced density absorbing the final shockwave.
But the sheer pressure sent cracks sprawling across its surface.
Yun Jin clicked his tongue.
He barely had time to brace before the lingering force sent him flying. His body skidded across the dirt, momentum rolling through his frame as he twisted midair, adjusting his weight before landing in a crouch. Even so, his boots dug into the ground from the impact.
A system notification flickered in his vision.
[Mutated Abyssal Mermaid Lv.20]
He had already known. This thing was different.
Then, before Yun Jin could fully regain his stance, the monster opened its mouth.
Or at least¡ªwhat should have been a mouth.
A jagged, gaping hole stretched unnaturally wide, flesh splitting apart into an abyss of shifting tissue.
A soundless force rippled outward.
Yun Jin felt it¡ªpressure in the air. But nothing beyond that.
Then¡ª
"AGH! IT''S TOO LOUD! MAKE IT STOP!!"
Merlin screamed.
His body convulsed violently as he clutched his head, his knees buckling under an invisible weight. His face twisted in pain; his normally sharp blue eyes clouded, as if something was drilling into his skull.
Reva had already launched herself forward, her expression taut with focus, her body moving with explosive momentum, trying to save Merlin.
Yun Jin surged alongside her, his aura igniting in a crackling surge as his arm flickered with [Aura Blade].
The two warriors struck as one.
But before their attacks could land¡ª
Schlk¡ª!
A grotesque, squelching sound tore through the air as two massive arms erupted from the abomination¡¯s sides, forming in the span of a breath.
Not ordinary flesh.
The hardened remains of the Abyssal Mermaids had condensed into reinforced sinew, forming monstrous, impenetrable limbs that moved with unnatural precision¡ªeach motion flawless, adaptive, calculated.
The many red eyes embedded within its shifting mass flicked between Yun Jin and Reva, tracking their movements with eerie intelligence.
But neither of them faltered.
Reva¡¯s smirk sharpened, flames surging to life across her body, the fire roaring to existence.
"Ready?" she asked, heat radiating from her form in waves as she threw her fist forward, her flames consuming the mutated limb, burning it down to cinders in an instant.
Yun Jin didn¡¯t hesitate.
"Yeah."
He slashed, his hand cutting through the air in a blinding arc¡ª
[Sword Wave]
A crescent of pure energy tore through the second arm, cleaving through the thick, pulsing sinew in a single, precise strike.
The abomination let out a hollow, unnatural scream, a noise that echoed without sound¡ªreverberating through the air like a silent quake.
Yun Jin wasted no time.
His sword, now freed, snapped back into his grasp.
The moment his fingers closed around the hilt, his aura surged anew, the blade thrumming with power as he activated [Aura Blade] once more.
Chapter 40: Hunting in the Abyss
Yun Jin unleashed a series of [Sword Waves], the crescent arcs of energy streaking toward the abomination. Some cut deep, slicing through flesh and muscle, but others barely left a mark, skimming over its grotesque form as if striking reinforced hide.
Reva charged in immediately after, her fists wreathed in flame as she delivered a crushing blow to its side. The impact sent molten flesh splattering, burning away the outer layers to reveal something far worse beneath.
A twisted, deformed skeleton.
Her eyes narrowed. Even with the power behind her strike, it barely made a crack.
The monster retaliated in an instant. A massive, grotesque arm swung toward her like a falling boulder. Reva crossed her arms and braced, catching the blow head-on. The sheer weight of it forced her back, her boots digging trenches into the ground. Though she managed to absorb the worst of it, the force still left her muscles aching.
And then she saw it.
The wounds they had inflicted were already closing.
The Mutated Abyssal Mermaid convulsed, its grotesque body shifting unnaturally. A deep, warbling howl vibrated through the air.
To Yun Jin, it was eerie silence.
Then he caught sight of Merlin.
Blood ran from his ears.
His eyes sharpened.
Even if Yun Jin couldn¡¯t hear it, the effect was clear. Merlin¡¯s breath came in ragged gasps, his fingers gripping at nothing, his body trembling as if barely holding together.
This had to end now.
He activated [Mana Eyes], his vision sharpening as he studied the creature¡¯s internals.
There.
Three warped circuits of mana surged through its core, erratic and malformed, their unstable patterns barely holding together. If they weren''t destroyed, the thing would never die.
"Reva, guard me."
She wiped a trickle of blood from her mouth, rolling her shoulders before stepping forward. "Just say the word."
Flames erupted along her limbs, flaring wildly as she launched herself at the abomination.
It responded instantly, its massive arms collapsing toward her like a landslide. But Reva met them without hesitation.
Her fist crashed into the first arm, flames searing through the flesh, reducing it to cinders before it could regenerate. Twisting mid-step, she swung her leg up in a devastating arc, her heel slamming into the second. It shattered on impact, chunks of molten flesh and exposed bone scattering across the battlefield.
"Do it now!"
Yun Jin¡¯s stance shifted. He exhaled.
Light Blade Sovereign Style: Sixth Form¡ªStarlight.
In an instant, his blade became a silver blur, moving faster than the eye could follow. A series of precise thrusts struck each mana circuit in rapid succession, cutting through layers of flesh and hardened bone with precision.
The first core ruptured under the sheer force.
The second shattered as his qi-infused blade carved through its structure.
The last imploded, severed from the whole, leaving the monster convulsing violently as its body struggled to hold itself together.
He knew what was coming next.
"Fall back! Now!"
Seraphine reacted immediately. Her bracers flared with divine light, forming a golden barrier around herself and Merlin.
Reva gritted her teeth, her flames igniting further, wrapping around her body as she braced for impact.
Yun Jin conjured [Ice Shield], reinforcing his stance just as the monster collapsed inward.
A split second later, it detonated.
The shockwave ripped through the battlefield, a burst of raw, unstable mana flaring outward in a violent explosion. The sheer force sent them flying, bodies thrown backward from the blast.
When the dust settled, Yun Jin pulled himself up, fingers digging into the dirt to steady himself. His breath remained even, but he felt it.
That had cost him far too much.
Reva groaned as she pushed herself up, rolling her shoulder. "Tch. That wasn¡¯t too bad."
Yun Jin¡¯s jaw tensed.
"No. It¡¯s worse than I thought."
He checked his reserves. Thirty percent of his mana was gone.
On just one monster.
If this was the start of the rift, they were in trouble.
Then Merlin stiffened. His face went pale.
"We need to hide."
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Yun Jin turned to him sharply, his senses flaring.
Reva tensed beside him. "Incoming."
Without hesitation, she grabbed Merlin and Seraphine, hoisting them both effortlessly before springing into motion. The added weight barely slowed her as she darted across the terrain.
Yun Jin scanned the surroundings and spotted a formation of jagged rocks¡ªa small cavern nestled in the uneven landscape.
He nodded toward Reva, and she sprinted toward it. Yun Jin followed, slipping inside just as¡ª
A new group of Abyssal Mermaids arrived.
Their clicking filled the air, reverberating off the cavern walls.
Yun Jin stayed still, controlling his breath.
Something wasn¡¯t right.
The clicks weren¡¯t just meaningless noise. There was a pattern.
Through [Mana Sense], he felt it. Every single click sent out a pulse of mana, spreading through the environment like ripples in water, bouncing off objects before returning.
They weren¡¯t looking for them with their eyes.
--
Yun Jin remained perfectly still, his breath measured as he observed the Abyssal Mermaids beyond the mouth of the cavern. Their elongated fingers dragged across the rocky ground, their clicking noises bouncing off surfaces like ripples in a pond.
They were using sound to track their surroundings¡ªjust like bats.
But Yun Jin could tell it wasn¡¯t just ordinary echolocation. The mana infused within their pulses made their detection abilities far more refined than any natural beast. They weren¡¯t just sensing shapes; they were mapping every detail of the terrain, even detecting subtle shifts in the air.
His mind worked quickly, weighing his options as the creatures inched closer to their hiding spot.
Across the cavern, Reva crouched low, gripping both Merlin and Seraphine. Her expression was tense, but her body remained steady, ready to act at a moment¡¯s notice.
Merlin, on the other hand, was visibly struggling. His breathing was uneven, his fingers twitching slightly as he tried to steady himself. Seraphine did her best to remain still, but even she was beginning to tremble under the suffocating tension.
The Abyssal Mermaids weren¡¯t foolish. They didn¡¯t simply scan their surroundings and move on.
Instead, they began searching.
One of them picked up a rock, tossing it toward a dark corner of the cavern, listening for disturbances. Another began feeling along the ground, tapping its clawed fingers against the stone as if trying to find any irregularities.
They were thorough.
Yun Jin knew immediately¡ªit was only a matter of time before they were found.
His mind raced through possibilities. If they function like bats, then their weaknesses should be similar as well.
Light or sound.
Sound wouldn¡¯t work. Their own sonar pulses were far too strong¡ªoverwhelming any auditory interference he could create. It would be useless.
That left only light.
His decision was instant. Yun Jin turned toward Reva, his lips barely moving as he transmitted his voice through [Qi Transmission].
"Get ready. I¡¯ll draw their attention. Make sure to destroy their brains or sever their mana circuits¡ªdon¡¯t let them regenerate."
Reva¡¯s eyes widened slightly at the unexpected voice in her head, but she quickly nodded, her fists flexing in anticipation.
Unfortunately, it wasn¡¯t just her who noticed.
One of the nearby Abyssal Mermaids stiffened, its eerie, glowing eyes flicking toward their hiding spot.
Yun Jin didn¡¯t hesitate.
He surged forward, bursting out of cover as he activated [Blinding Flash] in his left hand.
A blinding explosion of light flooded the cavern, consuming the darkness in an instant.
The reaction was immediate.
The Abyssal Mermaids recoiled violently, their elongated heads twisting away from the searing brilliance. Their eerie red eyes weren¡¯t just vulnerable to light¡ªthey were hyper-sensitive. The sheer intensity of the spell didn¡¯t just blind them. It burned.
They screeched.
Yun Jin didn¡¯t let up. His sword crackled with qi as he invoked Light Blade Sovereign Style: First Form¡ªArc Lightning, his body flickering forward in a streak of blinding speed. His blade pierced straight through the nearest Abyssal Mermaid¡¯s mana circuit, the sheer force of the thrust sending a violent shockwave through its body.
Beside him, Reva followed through, her entire body igniting in a fiery burst. She slammed a flaming fist into another Abyssal Mermaid¡¯s skull, obliterating it in an instant.
The corpses twitched.
Yun Jin instinctively tensed, his grip tightening on his sword.
But then¡ª
They stopped moving.
He exhaled slowly.
As expected. If their brains were destroyed or their circuits severed, they wouldn¡¯t be able to merge and mutate like before.
The few remaining Abyssal Mermaids still standing opened their mouths wide¡ª
But no sound came out.
No clicking. No vibrations. Nothing.
Yun Jin immediately sensed the shift in mana and turned toward the other end of the cavern.
Merlin stood there, his staff raised, sweat trailing down his face. Seraphine knelt beside him, her hands glowing softly as she worked to heal his previous injuries.
A voice filled Yun Jin¡¯s head¡ªnot a sound heard by the ears, but a thought placed directly into his mind.
"I cast a silence spell over the area. Now they can¡¯t communicate¡ªor use their cursed sound against me anymore!"
Yun Jin grinned. "Nice!"
He didn¡¯t know if it was a two-way connection, but he sent the thought back regardless.
The Abyssal Mermaids weren¡¯t fools.
They saw Merlin casting, and in unison, they turned to attack.
A spear of hardened flesh launched toward him¡ª
But Seraphine was faster.
She raised her bracers, golden light flaring outward as she cast [Light Shield], blocking the projectile before it could reach Merlin.
Yun Jin and Reva seized the opening, closing the distance in an instant.
Their blades and fists struck true.
One by one, the remaining Abyssal Mermaids fell, their circuits shattered, their skulls crushed.
The cavern fell silent.
Yun Jin exhaled, wiping the ichor from his blade. As effective as their ambush had been, staying here for too long was too risky.
He turned to his party, gesturing with a sharp motion.
They needed to move.
The cavern stretched deeper ahead, winding into unseen depths.
Instead of waiting for the rest of the creatures to realize their scouting team was missing, Yun Jin took the lead, signaling for the others to follow.
Chapter 41: Abyssal Gathering
As they ventured deeper into the rift, the atmosphere grew heavier, the air thick with an almost oppressive dampness. The walls of the cavern twisted unnaturally, the faint glisten of moisture reflecting from their uneven surfaces. The only sound was the crunch of their footsteps against brittle ground¡ªuntil Yun Jin broke the silence.
"Merlin," he said, his voice calm but firm. "What happened back there? You looked like you were in agony when those things opened their mouths."
Merlin, still rubbing the side of his head, gave a weak chuckle before frowning. "Wait¡ You guys didn¡¯t hear that?"
The entire group shook their heads.
Merlin''s expression darkened. "It was¡ the worst sound I¡¯ve ever heard. Like someone stabbing a spear straight into my ear and twisting it around¡ª"
"Alright, alright!" Reva cut in, waving a hand to stop him. "No need to be that graphic."
Merlin groaned, lowering his hands. "Fine, but you get the point. It wasn¡¯t just loud¡ªit was¡ unbearable."
Seraphine, who had been observing quietly, stepped forward with a gentle touch, wrapping a thin cloth over Merlin¡¯s eyes as she began murmuring a soft incantation. A soothing light pulsed from her hands, weaving warmth through his body.
A moment later, the same soft glow spread outward, blanketing all of them. Yun Jin, Reva, and Merlin felt it immediately¡ªa wave of warmth that seeped into their limbs, a slow but noticeable restoration of their energy.
Seraphine lowered her hands, giving them a determined nod. "I may not be the strongest here, but I¡¯ll do my best to be useful."
Yun Jin nodded approvingly. "Your healing magic is already invaluable. If it wasn¡¯t for you, Merlin would still be out of commission."
Inside, he was thinking deeper¡ªIf even a Rank D enchanter could provide this much support, what kind of abilities did a master enchanter have?
His musings were interrupted when Merlin squinted at the cave walls, his brows furrowing. "Wait¡ this place doesn¡¯t look right."
"What do you mean?" Yun Jin asked.
Merlin gestured toward the uneven surfaces. "Look at the walls. Too many holes. The ground''s brittle, way dustier than a normal cave. And those jagged ridges? Too uneven. It reminds me of the coral my grandfather used to grow in tubes."
Reva, who had been leading at the front, suddenly stiffened. Her body tensed, eyes narrowing as she inhaled deeply.
"Stop," she commanded.
Yun Jin and the others immediately halted.
"What is it?" Yun Jin asked, lowering his stance.
"Heat signatures¡ a lot of them," Reva murmured, closing her eyes and sharpening her senses. "At least five¡ no, ten. And¡" her brows furrowed, her voice dropping, "something big. Below us."
Yun Jin¡¯s gaze sharpened. "How big?"
Reva exhaled slowly. "Big enough that I don¡¯t want to find out while we¡¯re standing out in the open."
From their vantage point, the cavern opened into a vast expanse below¡ªa settlement.
Unlike the chaotic, violent Abyssal Mermaids they had fought before, these creatures moved with purpose. The cave was structured, eerily organized.
[Juvenile Abyssal Mermaid LV.9]
At the center, juvenile Abyssal Mermaids trained with organic spears, their slitted pupils following each strike with precise, disciplined movements. Further out, a hunting party was returning¡ªcarrying the very corpses of their fallen kin, the ones Yun Jin and Reva had slain.
Yun Jin watched carefully as they moved with ritualistic precision, setting the bodies down.
The process began.
They drained the fluids first, filling carved-out rock basins with thick, black ichor. Half of the remains were split evenly among the Abyssal Mermaids, passed around their sattlement where they consumed their kin in eerie, synchronized unity.
The other half¡ªstill dripping¡ªwas tossed into a pool at the heart of the settlement.
It wasn¡¯t a lake. It was too small.
A well?
No.
A pit so deep, its bottom was shrouded in complete darkness.
The air vibrated.
Yun Jin turned his gaze toward the figure standing at the center of the sattlement.
[Elder Abyssal Mermaid LV.24]
It stood taller than the others, its lean frame exuding an unnatural presence. Where normal Abyssal Mermaids had glowing red slits for eyes, this one¡¯s had overgrown¡ªcrystallized into a jagged, pulsating ruby embedded in its face like a crown.
Similar shards jutted from its elongated arms, and in its grip, it held a staff adorned with the same shimmering crimson crystals.
The air trembled as the crystal pulsed, ringing out with a deep, bone-penetrating hum.
Instantly, every Abyssal Mermaid halted.
The cave fell into absolute silence.
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From the youngest juveniles to the seasoned hunters, every single one stopped what they were doing. Then, in perfect unison, they formed a circle around the pit and knelt.
The leader tilted its head slightly.
A deep, resonating hum emanated from its core, the red crystal embedded in its skull ringing like a tuning fork.
All at once, the gathered mermaids bowed lower, their bodies still slick with the blood of their fallen kin.
Then, without hesitation, they reached for their own arms¡ªslicing deep into their flesh with their claws.
Dark ichor flowed freely as they extended their arms over the abyss, letting their lifeblood drip into its endless depths.
The leader turned its crystalline head toward the pit, its elongated form eerily still. The blackened blood of its kin dripped from the sacrificial basin, staining the jagged red crystal embedded in its skull. The hum grew deeper, vibrating through the cavern walls like the beating of a war drum.
Then, with slow, deliberate purpose, it raised its staff higher.
The pit responded.
A low, guttural resonance rippled through the air, deeper and more primal than before. The vibration crawled over their skin, the mana in the atmosphere stirring unnaturally, drawn toward the abyss.
The very air trembled as something unseen stirred beneath the darkness.
Yun Jin¡¯s grip on his sword tightened.
The others exchanged tense glances, each of them understanding the same thing¡ªthey had to finish this quickly.
Merlin stepped forward, tapping his staff against the ground as mana flared from his fingertips. A surge of energy washed over Yun Jin and Reva, wrapping around them like a second skin. Reva''s eyes widened as she clenched her fists, feeling the explosive increase in her strength and speed.
¡°This is¡ insane.¡± She flexed her fingers, marveling at the power coursing through her. ¡°I feel twice as fast. Twice as strong.¡±
Seraphine, watching intently, furrowed her brows in awe. ¡°These buffs should only work on one person at a time¡ How are you maintaining them on both?¡±
Merlin smirked, barely winded. ¡°I¡¯m just that good.¡±
Seraphine responded with her own blessing, casting a thin, shimmering layer of holy energy over the party. Yun Jin felt it settle into his muscles¡ªan enhancement of endurance, along with a gentle, steady stream of regeneration.
With everyone prepared, Yun Jin turned to Merlin and gestured.
Merlin nodded, steadying his staff.
The humming below grew louder, its intensity warping the mana around them like a storm on the verge of breaking. But Merlin stood firm, his eyes sliding shut as he focused. The air around him shifted, magic circles blooming like ripples in water¡ªone, two, then three, each overlapping with the next.
More appeared, layering upon each other, weaving into a complex array of spiraling arcane script. The final circle formed directly above his staff, crackling with immense energy.
Then his eyes snapped open.
With a single movement, Merlin pointed his staff toward the center of the enemy gathering.
The Abyssal Mermaids turned in alarm¡ªbut it was already too late.
¡°Flame Comet!¡±
A massive spiral of fire roared to life, an infernal sphere streaking through the cavern like a blazing meteor. The impact detonated instantly, the explosion splitting apart into a violent vortex of flame. A firestorm erupted at the heart of the settlement, consuming everything in its path.
The juvenile Abyssal Mermaids never stood a chance.
Their shrieks of pain were lost in the inferno, their bodies reduced to charred husks before they could react. Even the larger ones collapsed, writhing in agony as their flesh blackened and peeled.
The leader, standing at the heart of it, emerged half-burnt, its flesh seared down to the bone. Its crystalline eye pulsed violently as it tried to scream¡ªa vibration so intense it should have deafened them all.
But Merlin had been prepared.
The silent field was already in place, suppressing the leader¡¯s accursed sound before it could take effect.
Yun Jin and Reva seized the opening.
Like a comet and a falling star, the two warriors shot forward, cutting through the burning battlefield. The remaining Abyssal Mermaids barely had time to react before Yun Jin¡¯s blade carved through their defenses, while Reva¡¯s flaming fists shattered their bodies into smoldering remains.
Amidst the chaos, the leader waved its staff, its movements frantic yet precise.
The half-dead Abyssal Mermaids¡ªthose barely clinging to life¡ªbegan convulsing. Their bodies twitched and spasmed before they lurched toward each other, merging into grotesque, shifting abominations.
Yun Jin gritted his teeth, recognizing the process. He tried to intervene, but only managed to cut down two of them before the transformation completed.
Four had attempted to fuse.
Two were destroyed.
Two remained.
[Mutated Abyssal Mermaid Lv.22]
[Mutated Abyssal Mermaid Lv.18]
Yun Jin¡¯s eyes flicked toward the leader, who had begun moving with purpose.
It opened its mouth¡ªnot in pain, but in command.
Even though no sound escaped, the mutated Abyssal Mermaids responded immediately, stepping between Yun Jin and their master, blocking his path.
¡°Tch.¡± Yun Jin narrowed his eyes. He moved to cut them down, but¡ª
¡°Not so fast!¡± Reva¡¯s voice rang out as she surged forward, flames igniting in her palms. She struck one of the mutated creatures with a devastating blow, her fire engulfing its body, but¡ª
It didn¡¯t fall.
The creature staggered but refused to collapse, its reinforced bones barely cracking under the force.
The leader took the opportunity to leap backward¡ªstraight into the pit.
Yun Jin¡¯s breath hitched. He dashed to the edge, his eyes straining against the abyss. But even with his sharp vision, he couldn¡¯t see anything beyond the black void below.
Then¡ª
The air exploded with an overwhelming, oppressive force.
A pulse of energy surged from the depths, raw and unrefined, its presence so massive it felt like the weight of an ocean pressing down on them.
A form began to emerge.
Towering. Writhing.
From the pit, a massive figure ascended, dragging itself into the cavern with a slow, agonizing movement.
The leader had not fled.
It had fused.
Now embedded into the upper half of a monstrous, abyssal form, the leader¡¯s elongated arms clutched its staff like a spear. Below it, the rest of its body had merged with something far worse¡ªa monstrous, thrashing being, its body wracked with unnatural convulsions, as though in constant agony.
Its stomach was a void.
Not empty, but an abyss darker than a moonless sky.
Yet scattered across its massive body, in stark contrast to the abyss, were glowing white lights¡ªlike distant stars against the night.
[Elder Abyssal Mermaid Lv.24]
[Baby Void Orga Lv.29]
Chapter 42: Surviving Against the Void Orga
The moment the Void Orga emerged from the abyss, a powerful shockwave blasted through the cavern, shattering Merlin¡¯s silence spell.
Then came the scream.
It was not a sound but a force¡ªan all-encompassing vibration that tore through the air, rattling bones and shaking the very walls of the cave.
Merlin dropped instantly.
His body convulsed as his eyes rolled back, blood seeping from his ears, nose, and the corners of his mouth. He barely had time to gasp before losing consciousness, collapsing against Seraphine¡¯s arms like a puppet with its strings cut.
Even Yun Jin and Reva felt it¡ªan unnatural force reverberating through their very organs. It wasn''t just sound; it was raw, destructive frequency, shaking them from the inside out.
If we take another hit of that, we''re done.
"I don¡¯t have time to deal with you!" Yun Jin gritted his teeth, eyes darting toward Merlin¡¯s limp form. His little companion was unconscious, his body barely clinging to life. He couldn''t let this drag out.
[Aura Surge] flared to life, amplifying his speed as he shot toward the closest Mutated Abyssal Mermaid.
[Mana Eyes] activated instantly.
He could see it¡ªevery weakness, every unstable core.
Light Blade Sovereign Style: Sixth Form¡ªStarlight!
His blade became a blur, piercing through all three of the monster¡¯s mana circuits in a single rapid succession. Its structural integrity collapsed in an instant.
One down.
But it didn¡¯t end there.
The [Elder Abyssal Mermaid] raised its staff, and the remains of the fallen creature trembled¡ªflesh and ichor rippling as they merged into another abomination. The still-living Mutated Abyssal Mermaid fighting Reva was pulled into the mass, its body forcibly consumed into something even more grotesque.
The new monstrosity barely held itself together, its rotting flesh dripping from its own malformed body. Its multiple mouths screamed without pause, its arms extending into grotesque, pulsing limbs that lashed out at Reva in an overwhelming flurry.
Seraphine gritted her teeth, forcing herself to maintain focus.
"I can only focus my healing on one person at this rate! I¡¯m sorry!"
"Then focus on them," Yun Jin said, his voice firm. "I¡¯ll handle this myself."
His gaze snapped toward the [Elder Abyssal Mermaid] and the towering [Baby Void Orga] under it, now eerily still.
The moment their eyes locked, the Orga¡¯s own massive, glowing red eyes flashed¡ªits body stiffening as the Elder exerted its influence.
It was controlling it.
[Mana Eyes] revealed everything.
The connection between them was incomplete. The Elder had forcibly rooted itself into the Orga¡¯s breathing hole, leeching from its very life force to establish dominance.
If Yun Jin could create an opening, the Orga would finish the Elder itself.
But the Elder saw through him.
The moment Yun Jin''s gaze flickered with understanding, the Elder¡¯s expression twisted.
It screamed.
And the Void Orga screamed with it.
A soundless, massive pulse of destructive vibration burst outward, obliterating the coral under Yun Jin¡¯s feet. He barely dodged, the attack missing him by a hair¡¯s breadth¡ªbut the sheer force carved through the terrain like a blade.
A single direct hit would rupture his organs instantly.
I need to be faster. This thing is built to fight in an open space, but we¡¯re underground. If I can use the terrain¡
The Elder wasn¡¯t reckless. Despite wielding the overwhelming power of the Orga, it didn¡¯t rush in. Instead, it maneuvered carefully, subtly herding Yun Jin into a corner.
He didn¡¯t even realize it at first.
But he was running out of room.
The Elder had lived in this cavern for an eternity. It knew every twist, every dead-end¡ª
And Yun Jin was walking straight into one.
The light around him dimmed as he moved further from the others, until only his [Aura Blade] remained to illuminate his surroundings.
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Shit.
Blast after blast tore through the air, each getting closer. The Orga¡¯s movements grew more coordinated, its attacks sharper¡ª
And then he saw it.
A solid, unscalable dead-end.
The Elder¡¯s crystalline eye gleamed as it let out a final, triumphant shriek.
The Void Orga¡¯s mouth opened, energy gathering within¡ª
And Yun Jin had nowhere left to run.
The Elder had made one mistake.
It assumed he would run.
[Ice Conjuring]¡ªinstant. A dozen ice swords materialized mid-air, launching toward the Elder.
It flinched.
For the first time, the Orga¡¯s attack faltered.
And that was all he needed.
Yun Jin exhaled. His sword pulsed with Qi.
He condensed his energy¡ªnot into a crescent blade, but into a singular, piercing line. He had studied Kravtsov¡¯s lightning ray, combined it with his own condensed strikes¡ª
And made it his own.
Light Blade Sovereign Style: Fifth Form¡ªMoon Piercer!
A blinding beam shot forward, slicing through the Elder¡¯s forehead by mere millimeters.
But it was enough.
A hairline fracture appeared in its crystal.
And then¡ª
It shattered.
A surge of mana erupted from the wound as the Void Orga convulsed violently, smashing itself against the walls, the ceiling, the floor.
The cavern trembled under its raw power.
Yun Jin¡¯s eyes narrowed. That thing could kill me in one hit.
He needed another shot.
But aiming a long-range attack without an opening was nearly impossible for him. His swordsmanship was precise, but he lacked experience in ranged combat.
He had to wait.
The Elder twitched, its fractured gem leaking mana uncontrollably. With an agonized expression, it yanked the remaining shard from its forehead, black ichor spraying from the wound.
Then, with shaking hands¡ª
It shoved the gem into the Orga¡¯s skull.
The Orga¡¯s body spasmed, its massive, whale-like form distorting as its eyes flashed red once more. Black tears dripped from its sockets as its very body began to melt, its form fusing grotesquely with what remained of the Elder.
For a moment, its control flickered. The two entities struggled for dominance¡ª
Yun Jin took his chance.
Light Blade Sovereign Style: First Form¡ªArc Lightning!
He dashed, blade aimed directly for the parasite-infested gem.
The Orga tilted its head¡ª
And blocked his strike.
Its skin was too dense. Oily, reinforced, protected by a thin magical barrier.
He couldn¡¯t cut through.
Gritting his teeth, Yun Jin grabbed onto the cracked gem, forcing his Qi into it to try and shatter it from within¡ª
But the Orga went berserk.
It slammed him against the coral wall. Then again. And again. Each impact sent waves of pain through his body, making it impossible to strike.
Then it suddenly stopped¡ª
And hurled him.
Yun Jin barely had time to react before his body was flung violently across the chamber. He stabbed his sword into the ground to slow his momentum, but his grip trembled from the sheer force.
And the Orga was already charging again.
Its massive maw opened wide, prepared to swallow him whole.
[Aura Surge]!
Yun Jin barely dodged, but his sword wasn¡¯t so lucky.
Steel crunched between the Orga¡¯s teeth, his weapon reduced to scrap metal in an instant.
Yun Jin landed, immediately opening his system menu¡ª
[System offline. Cannot connect to server.]
His stomach sank.
Shibai!
His hands clenched.
No sword. Almost out of Qi.
The Orga was overwhelming. Its strength was beyond anything he could physically cut through.
Unless¡ª
His mind raced.
What is its weakness?
He needed to break the gem. But he had no weapon that could pierce it.
Unless he didn¡¯t need a weapon.
Yun Jin exhaled sharply.
Merlin¡¯s words echoed in his mind.
"Mental attacks manifest through the force of one''s ego, imposing it onto another."
The Elder had done it so many times.
Which meant¡ªhe could too.
He stopped running.
The Orga lunged.
At the last moment, Yun Jin jumped, twisting mid-air¡ª
And grabbed the gem on its forehead.
[You have learned a new skill: Mind Attack (Rank D)]
Darkness consumed his vision.
Chapter 43: Abyssal Extinction
Yun Jin felt himself drifting, weightless. A strange sensation of detachment overtook him, like floating in a dream¡ªbut unlike a dream, his senses were sharp. Too sharp. His body wasn¡¯t entirely his, nor did he feel grounded in reality. There was no up or down, no direction to anchor himself.
Darkness stretched endlessly around him, an abyss without walls, without sky. It was the same sensation he had felt back in the Dryad Dungeon when he first glimpsed the void beyond comprehension.
Then, a sound.
Not a voice in the conventional sense, but something far greater¡ªa deep hum, the kind that seemed to reverberate through the very fabric of space. The vibration resonated through his bones, sinking into him like an undeniable force of the cosmos itself.
He shouldn¡¯t have understood it.
Yet, somehow, he did.
[ Abyssal Language Unlocked: Rank C ]
"Run."
The single word was neither warning nor plea. It was a command, raw and absolute.
Yun Jin''s eyes snapped open.
He was no longer drifting.
Instead, he was standing¡ªno, moving¡ªamidst a battlefield of impossible scale.
Vast, liquid darkness stretched as far as the eye could see, illuminated only by shifting waves of light that pulsed like an ocean caught in an unseen tide. It was beautiful, mesmerizing.
Then, his breath caught.
His entire body tensed in shock, maybe even horror.
Because above him, blotting out the sky, was something he could not comprehend.
A Void Orca.
Not just a baby. A true Void Orca, so colossal that its very body stretched across the heavens like a living galaxy. Its black, undulating skin shimmered, refracting waves of glowing light as it swam through the abyss. The currents of energy he had mistaken for simple light were, in fact, part of its celestial body, flowing across its form like the aurora over an endless night sky.
It was fleeing.
Yun Jin turned, his instincts screaming at him to assess the battlefield.
Behind the great Void Orca, monstrosities pursued.
A fleet of grotesque, living ships.
Their hulls were pulsing with sickly, shifting flesh, appendages growing and retracting at random as though the vessels themselves were alive. Some were the size of mountains, others smaller and dagger-like, darting between the larger entities in a formation that was both chaotic and terrifyingly precise.
And leading them¡ª
A titanic, planet-sized entity.
It hovered like a grotesque celestial body, an orb of writhing flesh and malformed orcans, pulsating like a living heart. Vast, jagged anchors trailed from its form, massive harpoons of abyssal steel, eerily similar to the glaive-spears of the Abyssal Mermaids Yun Jin had fought.
Then, realization struck him like a bolt of lightning.
He wasn''t seeing this battle from the perspective of an observer.
He was part of it.
His perspective shifted, and he became aware of his own form.
Not as Yun Jin.
But as a Baby Void Orca.
The immense mother Void Orca surged forward, pushing against the darkness, her celestial glow flickering. But even as she swam, the grotesque fleet closed in.
Then¡ªthe harpoons fired.
Massive, obsidian spears shot forth, piercing into her body.
The great mother Orca thrashed, her agony sending violent ripples across the abyss.
But she did not stop.
With one final, desperate act, she turned toward the enemy and opened her maw.
A wave of pure, condensed light erupted forth¡ª
The sheer force of the attack annihilated dozens of enemy vessels in an instant, tearing them apart as they burst into blinding explosions.
For a moment, it seemed as if she had created an opening.
But then, the planet-sized monstrosity absorbed the shattered remains of the fallen ships.
Its pulsing flesh expanded, mutated, feeding on the destruction to grow even larger.
Then, the outer layers of the grotesque orb peeled apart, revealing the red crystal buried at its core.
A crimson harpoon, massive and crackling with abyssal power, launched from its depths.
Yun Jin could only watch as it pierced through the mother Orca¡¯s chest.
The moment of impact sent a shudder through her being.
Then, corruption spread.
The luminous glow of her celestial skin began to darken.
She knew.
Her life was measured in mere seconds.
Yet she did not hesitate.
With her last remaining strength, the mother Orca turned¡ªand swam straight into the abyssal fleet.
One final wave of radiant energy erupted from her being, consuming everything in its path.
Collision.
The great entities collided in a cataclysmic explosion, a detonation so vast it swallowed all sight.
Heat and light surged through the abyss¡ª
And then¡ª
Darkness.
Yun Jin gasped.
The battlefield was gone.
He was himself again. His body was intact, standing within an expanse of nothingness.
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Yet, as he steadied his breath, he realized¡ªhe was not alone.
In front of him, a cage of crimson energy crackled violently.
Suspended within its depths, a Baby Void Orca thrashed, trapped within the blood-red chains of an unknown power.
Yun Jin''s gaze narrowed. His instincts screamed at him, and he turned¡ª
Standing before the cage, staff in hand, was the Elder Abyssal Mermaid.
Its grotesque form loomed in the void, and embedded deep within its forehead, the crimson gem pulsed ominously.
Slowly, it turned toward him.
Its abyssal voice reverberated through the emptiness.
"You, lander¡ªhow dare you step foot into this sacred place?!"
--
Yun Jin¡¯s gaze swept across the endless void, his expression unreadable. He stood firm, feet planted on a surface that did not exist, surrounded by nothing but the abyss.
His voice was steady. ¡°Sacred? This isn¡¯t even a place.¡±
The Elder Abyssal Mermaid¡¯s form rippled, its jagged crimson crystal pulsating with fury. Its voice, layered with contempt, rang out in the airless expanse.
"You speak our language? Foul! How dare you?"
A deep, resonating hum vibrated through the void, sending unseen ripples outward. "This is not a place. This is our mind¡ªour sea of birth, the wave of origin, the very current of our souls. How dare you enter? Get out now!"
Yun Jin¡¯s expression remained cold. He took a step forward, feeling the weight of something unseen pressing against him. His body, though sluggish, was slowly acclimating to the strange rules of this realm.
¡°So you¡¯re the one controlling that innocent creature.¡± His fingers curled into a fist. ¡°No.¡±
The Elder scoffed. "This beast belongs to me! It is our slave, our pet! What do you know, outsider?" The contempt in its voice sharpened. "If our civilization had not fallen, filth like you wouldn¡¯t even be worthy of gazing upon us!"
Yun Jin¡¯s eyes flickered. ¡°A failed civilization?¡±
The Elder let out a slow, derisive chuckle. "So ignorant. So blind. And yet you stand before me, daring to question what you could never comprehend."
The void trembled as the creature''s rage built, its grotesque form stretching, expanding, no longer bound by its weakened physical state.
"Do you even understand what you face? I am the last of my kind! The remnants of a once-glorious empire! And yet I am forced to speak to a mere hairless primate! If my people still reigned, you¡¯d be nothing but a tile beneath our feet!"
Yun Jin ignored the words. His focus sharpened. The longer he stood here, the more control he gained over his body. He raised a hand, palm facing outward, as an icy mist swirled around him.
¡°My task here is to kill you.¡±
His qi surged.
[Ice Conjuring]
A sword materialized in his grip, forged from his own will¡ªa blade of ice, different from any weapon he had wielded before. The double-edged design mirrored the weapons of his home world, its crystalline edge gleaming with unyielding purpose.
The Elder Abyssal Mermaid sneered. "You?"
It laughed, a hideous, reverberating sound that made the very air distort. "You, who don¡¯t even know how to fight within the soul? You, who stand before one who has conquered it?"
The void itself rippled, responding to the Elder¡¯s will.
Abyssal energy surged around it, its body growing a hundredfold in an instant. The pitiful, starving husk of a refugee was gone. In its place stood a towering, ancient horror¡ªan Elder Abyssal in its full, terrifying glory.
It raised its arm, claws extending into spears of blackened bone, pulsating with malice.
"If not for the system¡¯s restrictions, you would have been erased the moment you set foot here!"
Then it attacked.
Yun Jin moved instinctively, raising his blade just as the first strike came.
A black tendril lashed toward him, slicing through the air like a falling meteor. He twisted his body, barely dodging, the force alone splitting the void behind him.
He countered, his sword flashing with frost.
[Sword Wave]
A crescent arc of ice shot forward, slicing through the abyss. It struck the Elder¡¯s form¡ªbut the wound sealed instantly, its flesh reforming as if his attack had never landed.
The Elder grinned. "Useless."
Another strike.
A clawed hand raked through space, forcing Yun Jin to parry. The impact sent a shudder through his entire body.
The Elder¡¯s soul wasn¡¯t bound by flesh. Every part of it could shift, twist, regenerate in ways he couldn¡¯t fully predict. Every strike he landed was undone in seconds.
His breathing grew heavier.
He was losing.
The Elder loomed over him, its eyes gleaming. "This is the difference between us. Your soul is still weak. Mine is eternal."
Yun Jin tensed as the next attack came, a strike he knew he wouldn¡¯t be able to dodge¡ª
And then¡ª
A wall of ice erupted between them.
A freezing storm swept through the battlefield, halting the Elder¡¯s advance.
Yun Jin¡¯s eyes widened as a familiar presence emerged from the frost.
A towering, ghostly figure¡ªbroad-shouldered, thick-bearded, exuding an aura of sheer, unshakable might.
Olag.
The spirit warrior turned to Yun Jin, smirking. "Show it what you¡¯ve got, young warrior."
Then, just as suddenly, he was gone, his presence fading like melting snow.
But Yun Jin understood.
He tightened his grip on his sword.
He could feel it now¡ªthe truth Merlin had spoken of.
This wasn¡¯t a battle of might. It was a battle of will.
If the Abyssal Mermaids could manipulate their own mass, shape their bodies at will¡ªthen he had to do the same.
He focused.
This wasn¡¯t about just fighting a monster. This was about defining his own existence.
His sword shifted.
The ice reshaped, transforming¡ªnot just a weapon, but a declaration.
The hilt curved, its edge sharpened.
The Heaven-Ruling Blade.
The sword of his master.
The Elder Abyssal snarled. "Cheap tricks won¡¯t save you!"
It lunged.
Yun Jin moved.
Light Blade Sovereign Style: Thirteenth Form¡ªVector to Heaven.
A single strike.
Space itself split apart.
The Elder Abyssal Mermaid froze mid-motion. A thin line of radiant energy ran down its form¡ªbefore, slowly, its body split apart.
It howled, but its voice was fading, its very essence unraveling.
In its final moments, it glared at Yun Jin.
"Damn you! Why couldn¡¯t you just look away?! Why do you force us to fight?! SYSTEM¡ª!!"
The scream ended.
Its form dissolved into nothing.
The cage surrounding the Baby Void Orca shattered.
Freed, it flickered for a moment, then turned, swimming downward¡ªdeeper into the abyss in fear of being caged again.
Yun Jin reached out instinctively. "Wait¡ª!"
Then¡ªa rupture.
A horrifying, otherworldly presence stirred from the deep.
[WARNING! OUTSIDE INFLUENCE DETECTED. DEPLOYING PROTECTION.]
[PROTECTION FAILED.]
A monstrous tentacle surged from the abyss, latching onto Yun Jin and the Void Orca.
Pain.
Unimaginable, incomprehensible pain.
Yun Jin screamed, his mind burning, his soul tearing apart¡ª
Then¡ª
A hum.
A soft, reverberating sound, vast as the cosmos itself.
A wave of shimmering light erased the tentacles from existence.
He looked up.
A vast, celestial figure loomed above¡ªthe Void Orca Mother.
She gazed at him with timeless, majestic eyes.
A current of radiant energy washed over him, flowing through his body. Warm. Kind.
[Your Light Affinity has been upgraded to Rank C.]
She turned.
With slow, graceful movements, she swam deeper into the abyss¡ªvanishing into the endless darkness.
Yun Jin held the baby Void Orca close, carrying it upward¡ªtoward the light above.
Chapter 44: Red Rift Cleared
A sharp pain pulsed through Yun Jin¡¯s body as he stirred awake, his mind sluggish yet aware. The first thing he noticed was the system notification lingering in his vision.
[You have unlocked a skill: Soul Link (Rank B+)]
His vision refocused, and he found himself lying on something firm yet oddly warm. He blinked.
¡°A brick¡¡± he muttered under his breath.
A scoff followed. "Sorry for being well-trained," Reva huffed, her voice carrying its usual sharpness, but the way she turned her head slightly betrayed the faintest hint of embarrassment.
Despite the soreness in his muscles, Yun Jin pushed himself up. Whatever lingering pain he had was already fading, his body''s natural resilience kicking in. He steadied himself and glanced around, taking in his surroundings.
Suspended in the air not far from them, the baby Void Orga remained in deep slumber. Its form barely stirred, weightless as it floated.
Reva eyed it warily. "I¡¯m not touching that thing," she muttered. "If it wakes up and decides to kill us, I wouldn¡¯t be able to stop it."
But Reva wasn¡¯t pointing at the Void Orga. Instead, she gestured to something else.
"That¡¯s not what you should be worried about."
Yun Jin followed her gaze¡ªand his expression darkened.
Lying on Seraphine¡¯s lap was Merlin. His small frame looked far too still, his usually bright blue eyes shut tight. Seraphine¡¯s hands hovered over him, a soft golden glow emanating from her fingertips as she poured her magic into him.
But Yun Jin could feel it.
Or rather¡ªhe could feel its absence.
Merlin wasn¡¯t breathing.
Without hesitation, Yun Jin rushed to his side, pressing a hand to Merlin¡¯s chest as he expanded his qi. His senses dove deep, scanning every part of the boy¡¯s body.
And what he found made his stomach drop.
Merlin¡¯s insides were shattered.
His mana circuits, forcibly severed, were now hemorrhaging unstable energy, leaking dangerously into his body. Worse¡ªthis excess mana was dampening Seraphine¡¯s healing magic, forcing her to use even more energy just to keep his condition from worsening.
His ears and eyes had ruptured from the sound-based attack. He was blind. Deaf.
His heart, brain, and lungs had all sustained severe damage. Under normal circumstances, even the greatest warriors of Yun Jin¡¯s world would have already died.
Yet Seraphine had managed to seal the wounds, keeping him from immediate death.
But with this kind of injury, Merlin was still dying.
Seraphine¡¯s voice was strained. "I¡¯ve done everything I could, but my mana is running low. If I stop¡ªhis body will start decaying. His brain will die. And that will be the end."
Yun Jin didn¡¯t respond immediately.
Instead, he activated [Mana Eyes], his vision sharpening as he examined Merlin¡¯s circuits with absolute precision.
And what he saw made the situation even worse than Seraphine had thought.
His circuits weren¡¯t just damaged¡ªthey were on the verge of collapse. If he made even a single mistake while treating them, the backlash would be catastrophic.
Compared to Yun Jin¡¯s own qi circulation, which was as simple as drawing water from a well, Merlin¡¯s mana circuits were a vast and intricate network¡ªmore akin to a colossal dam that nourished an entire civilization.
One wrong move, and that dam would burst.
Time slowed.
Yun Jin¡¯s body trembled as blood began dripping from his eyes, but he kept going.
Step by step, he guided the overflowing mana out of Merlin¡¯s circuits, carefully integrating it with his own qi, redirecting it into safer channels.
Seraphine¡¯s expression remained tense, but as soon as Merlin¡¯s mana flow stabilized, she let out a small breath of relief.
"His mana isn¡¯t fighting back anymore. I can sustain him now."
Yun Jin wiped the blood from his face, but his hands remained steady. They needed to do more.
So, he did something that even Seraphine, a trained healer, had never seen before.
He forced his qi into Merlin¡¯s chest¡ªand manually restarted his heart.
Seraphine gasped. "Impossible¡!"
A warrior, controlling his energy with such delicate precision? Even for mages specializing in healing, this level of mana manipulation was unheard of.
And yet, Yun Jin did it.
Merlin¡¯s chest rose. His pale face regained color. His breathing returned.
He was still unconscious, but he was alive.
Yun Jin exhaled, exhausted but satisfied. "This is as far as I can take him."
Seraphine placed a hand over Merlin, nodding firmly. "If it¡¯s just supplying mana to keep his body going, I can do it for as long as necessary."
What Yun Jin had done reduced the amount of mana she needed to keep Merlin stable¡ªbringing it down to a point where her natural regeneration could sustain him indefinitely.
Reva had been silent for a while, watching everything unfold.
Finally, she lowered her head. "I was useless, wasn¡¯t I?"
Yun Jin glanced at her. "Did you kill the fused Mutated Abyssal Mermaid?"
She nodded hesitantly.
A small smile tugged at his lips as he reached out, patting her head gently.
"Then you did enough."
Reva¡¯s face immediately turned red, her usual confidence vanishing in an instant. She pulled back with a flustered scoff. "Tch. It was part of the job! We just had bad luck!"
But Yun Jin wasn¡¯t smiling anymore.
His gaze shifted downward, bitterness creeping into his expression.
If only he had been stronger, Merlin wouldn¡¯t have ended up like this.
Reva noticed his change in demeanor. "Where are you going? That Orga is too dangerous¡ª"
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"The goal of a Rift is to destroy the core, isn¡¯t it?" Yun Jin interrupted. His voice was calm, but his eyes were firm. "If the Orga is asleep, let it be."
Then, without another word, he turned and jumped into the depths that had once been the Abyssal Mermaids'' ritual well.
The darkness swallowed him.
Using his qi, Yun Jin slowed his descent, landing gracefully at the bottom of the abyss.
And as expected, there it was.
The Dungeon Core.
Last time, when he fought the Dryad, it had been destroyed by Merlin''s fireball, leaving him without a chance to see it. But now, for the first time, he stood before one.
Supercharged with mana, its red glow pulsed ominously, casting eerie shadows across the chamber. Around it, the corpses of Abyssal Mermaids lay strewn across the ground¡ªonce both sustenance and a tool to corrupt the orca''s mind.
Without hesitation, Yun Jin stepped forward. He conjured an ice-forged sword and slashed straight through the core.
It shattered instantly.
[System Alert: The dungeon core has been destroyed.]
[Dungeon cleared.]
A glowing panel appeared in front of him, listing contribution points from the battle.
[A very large amount of residual energy remains in the dungeon.]
[As the highest contributor, you have the right to decide its fate.]
[Option 1: Convert the remaining energy into material rewards.]
[Option 2: Absorb the energy to strengthen you only]
[Option 3: Distribute the energy among surviving contributors.]
Yun Jin chose to share the rewards.
[Level Up: Level 14 ¡ú Level 19]
[Aura Blade: rank up! D ¡ú D+]
[Sword Wave: rank up! D- ¡ú D]
[Mana Eyes: rank up! D ¡ú D+]
[Reward Distribution Completed]
[Obtained: tear of void orca (Rank S)]
When he returned to the group, Seraphine blinked in surprise. "You¡¯re sharing the loot? Even when the contribution levels were so different?"
The common rule among adventurer parties was that if one person contributed more than 50%, they would receive the entire system reward, as it was considered carrying the party. Only external loot would be shared among the group.
Seraphine was even more shocked when she noticed her level had shot up by two!
Not to mention the loot she received¡ªit was far too much considering how little she had contributed.
Yun Jin nodded. "Everyone played their part. Without any of you, I wouldn¡¯t have survived this. Thank you."
He bowed deeply.
Reva immediately recoiled, waving her hands. "Ugh¡ªdon¡¯t do that! It was just the job! We just got unlucky, that¡¯s all!"
Seraphine shook her head, a soft smile forming on her lips. "It¡¯s not equal to my life that you saved. I don¡¯t need this. Just gaining levels is more than enough."
Without hesitation, both of them returned their rewards to Yun Jin.
Seraphine handed back the Dimension Shard (Rank B), while Reva placed the Soul Stone (Empty) (Rank A) in his palm.
Yun Jin hesitated, his fingers tightening around the rewards. He wasn¡¯t the type to take what wasn¡¯t his, especially after making a decision to split everything.
But both Seraphine and Reva were adamant, their expressions leaving no room for argument.
"Just take it," Reva huffed, crossing her arms. "You earned it more than we did."
Seraphine simply smiled, her tone gentle but firm. "It¡¯s better this way."
Seeing no way to refuse, Yun Jin let out a small sigh and reluctantly accepted their decision.
And then, the baby Void Orga stirred.
Reva and Seraphine tensed.
But Yun Jin simply raised a hand.
The creature floated toward him, nudging its head against his palm.
He stroked it gently. Then he turned to the others.
"Let¡¯s go."
The gate shimmered, its once-bloodred glow fading into a serene blue¡ªthe universal sign of a cleared Rift.
Yun Jin exhaled slowly. "Alright, you all go ahead first. I need to check something."
Reva frowned. "The hell you do. We should all just get out of here."
Seraphine, more composed but equally concerned, hesitated. "Are you sure?"
He nodded. "Just go. I¡¯ll be right behind you."
Still reluctant, Reva and Seraphine exchanged glances before stepping through the gate. The moment they touched its surface, they vanished in a ripple of energy.
Then, Yun Jin turned to the Void Orga.
The creature floated silently, watching him.
Slowly, it drifted toward the gate¡ªonly for an invisible force to slam it backward.
It let out a distressed clicking noise, its massive eyes filled with confusion.
Yun Jin¡¯s expression remained unreadable.
"As expected."
His worry had been confirmed.
If dungeon creatures could simply walk out of a Rift, it would throw the entire world into chaos. Whatever higher laws governed the existence of dungeons, they did not permit something like the Void Orga to leave.
The young creature gave another soft, mournful click before swimming behind Yun Jin, nudging his back as if gently trying to push him toward the exit.
He sighed. "Stop that. I''m not leaving you behind."
The Orga stilled, watching him intently.
Yun Jin lifted his hand, opening the System Shop.
His gaze flicked through the options until he found it¡ªthe item that might just be the solution.
[Fragment of the Fallen World (Rank S ¨C 100 Points): A fragment of a destroyed world core, capable of creating a personal dimensional space tied to the user¡¯s soul.]
A shard of pure enigma, pulsing with a condensed, unfathomable amount of spatial energy¡ªso intense that it even surpassed the Rift¡¯s own dimensional laws.
The moment Yun Jin purchased it, the fragment materialized in his grasp.
It was a strange, obsidian-like stone, yet the longer he stared at it, the more it seemed to shift between states of existence, flickering between solid, liquid, and something wholly unrecognizable.
The system prompt appeared.
[Would you like to consume the fragment?]
[Benefits: Grants the user Spatial Affinity (Rank E) and binds the power to the user¡¯s soul.]
Yun Jin didn¡¯t hesitate. "Consume."
The shard dissolved into pure energy, flowing into his chest as if pulled into a black hole.
For a brief moment, his entire body shuddered, a foreign force seeping into his being. Then¡ªunderstanding followed.
[Spatial Affinity (Rank E) Acquired]
[You have unlocked a skill: Inner World (Rank S).]
A new ability. And one that felt¡ natural.
Yun Jin didn¡¯t need instructions. He already knew how to use it.
Turning toward the Void Orga, he reached out his hand.
The creature hesitated for only a moment before closing its eyes, accepting whatever Yun Jin was about to do.
A faint, silver light surrounded them both¡ªbefore the Orga¡¯s massive form began to fade.
It dispersed into particles of light, flowing into Yun Jin¡¯s palm as if being absorbed into something beyond the physical world.
And just like that¡ªit was gone.
But Yun Jin could still feel it.
It was no longer bound to the Rift.
It was within him.
He clenched his fist slightly, feeling the new connection settle before exhaling.
"Now, the moment of truth."
He turned and walked through the gate.
The instant Yun Jin stepped out of the Rift, his senses were assaulted by a flurry of activity.
He emerged into a fully prepared battlefield.
Shadow demons lurked at the edges of the light, their amorphous forms flickering like living darkness, poised to strike at a moment¡¯s notice. Battle-ready personnel stood in rigid formation, clad in full combat gear, weapons primed for an attack that had never come.
Near the center, a group of medics worked swiftly, tending to Reva, Seraphine, and Merlin. Their hurried movements and whispered exchanges made it clear¡ªMerlin¡¯s condition was critical.
And standing among them, overseeing everything with a sharp gaze, was Ardent Altheron.
For a brief moment, Yun Jin caught something unexpected in the older man¡¯s expression¡ªconcern. Genuine relief flickered across his face when Yun Jin stepped through the portal, alive and whole.
He actually cares? Yun Jin was surprised.
Their eyes met.
Ardent¡¯s calculating gaze swept over him, as if assessing his condition, taking in every detail. There was curiosity there, a flicker of intrigue behind his otherwise composed features.
Then, with an air of practiced ease, Ardent spoke.
"You may rest now. I¡¯ve got this covered."
Yun Jin smirked slightly, rolling his shoulders as the tension finally bled from his body. He had fought, endured, and survived.
Now, for the first time since entering the rift¡ªhe could rest.
[Encounter Complete]
[Completion Level: Great]
[You have been awarded 15 Completion Points.]
[Completion Points: 60]
Chapter 45: Black Moon Auction House
Two days had passed since the Red Rift incident.
Yun Jin awoke in the Altheron estate, his body fully healed, but his mind weighed down by the lingering consequences of battle. The room was quiet, save for the faint rustling of curtains swaying in the morning breeze.
Beside him, Merlin remained unconscious.
The boy lay motionless, his usually sharp and mischievous features unnaturally still. His pale face was framed by pristine white sheets, his breathing so faint that, for a moment, Yun Jin felt an unsettling fear creep into his heart.
His jaw clenched.
Despite all the healers Ardent had summoned, no one had been able to wake him. They had tried every conventional remedy, examined his mana circuits, even employed rare elixirs¡ªand still, nothing.
Yun Jin couldn''t escape the truth.
This was his fault.
If he had trained harder, mastered magic alongside his swordsmanship, he might have been able to prevent the Elder Abyssal Mermaid from merging with the Baby Void Orga.
If he had abandoned his pride and embraced magic as an equal force to qi, he might have ended the battle before it reached this point.
For all his mastery in the Light Blade Sovereign Style, for all his confidence as the so-called Limitless Blade, he had made one crucial mistake¡ªhe had underestimated magic.
Yun Jin''s fingers curled into a fist.
''This changes today!''
Without hesitation, he pushed himself off the bed and strode toward Ardent¡¯s office.
Ardent was seated at his desk, calmly sipping wine as he flipped through a stack of parchment. Letters from powerful figures, notifications of increased revenue, and numerous financial reports covered his workspace. His usual composed smile deepened as he processed the latest news.
Then came the knock.
¡°Who is it?¡± Ardent asked without looking up.
¡°It¡¯s Yun Jin.¡±
Ardent raised a brow before setting down his wine. "Come in."
As Yun Jin entered, Ardent leaned back in his chair, already smirking. "I heard your injuries are already healed. If you can teach me that technique one day, I''d be very appreciative."
Yun Jin met his gaze. "For a price."
Ardent let out a chuckle, but his eyes sharpened. "A price, huh? And here I thought we were building a bond of trust."
Still, he didn''t hesitate. "How much?"
Yun Jin folded his arms. "I don¡¯t know. You tell me."
That alone made Ardent pause.
Most people would have made an outrageous demand. But Yun Jin genuinely didn¡¯t know the worth of his own power.
Ardent exhaled before giving a knowing smile. "You need money. I presume it¡¯s for Merlin¡ and for power."
Yun Jin remained silent.
He had never liked how perceptive Ardent was.
Ardent chuckled. "Oh, I know that look too well. Alright, let¡¯s make this fair. How about this¡ª" He placed his glass down and gestured to the room. "20,000 gold for the secret of your rapid recovery... PLUS 50,000 gold for Kravtsov''s life. How does that sound?"
Yun Jin''s eyes narrowed. "I don''t know if that¡¯s a lot or a little, but I¡¯ll take it."
Ardent smirked at his honesty. "In truth, it¡¯s not nearly enough. If you had simply took reward from Death Throne, you''d have walked away with much more."
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He leaned forward, his eyes gleaming. "But... since I have a budget to spend, I promise you¡¯ll find it worth the wait."
"I hope so." Yun Jin replied.
Ardent reached into his desk, flicking two cards across the surface toward Yun Jin.
One was a gold-marked card displaying the number 70,000. The other was a sleek black card, stamped with a crescent moon sigil.
¡°Black Moon Auction House?¡± Yun Jin read aloud.
Ardent nodded. "Veyra is a businesswoman first, a crimelord second. She personally invites me to all of her auctions¡ªso if you¡¯re looking for rare goods, that place is your best bet."
"Sounds useful, but isn¡¯t it dangerous?" Yun Jin asked, arching an eyebrow.
Ardent waved a hand dismissively. "She wouldn''t risk her reputation by harming a guest. Even she has rules. And if anything does happen, your escort for tonight will make sure you leave in one piece."
He snapped his fingers.
From the shadows, a figure emerged.
At first glance, it was Wallace. The familiar butler''s poised stance, the same tailored uniform¡ªevery detail was exact. But Yun Jin¡¯s instincts told him otherwise.
This wasn¡¯t the real Wallace.
It was a Shadow Demon, flawlessly mimicking his appearance.
Ardent smirked at Yun Jin¡¯s realization. "It¡¯s not as strong as Selene, but it possesses shadow realm abilities. If things take a turn for the worse, it¡¯ll ensure your escape."
Yun Jin studied the Shadow Demon for a moment before nodding. "I¡¯ll keep that in mind. Thanks." He pocketed both cards before glancing back at Ardent. "So, when do you want to learn the recovery technique?"
Ardent leaned back slightly, considering. "This noon. I have business to attend to first. Besides, you seem to be in more of a hurry than I am."
"Fair enough." Yun Jin inclined his head. "See you later."
With that, he turned and exited.
Once the door shut behind him, Ardent let out a deep sigh, rubbing his temples. The sharp, calculating glint in his eyes faded, replaced with something far more tired.
¡®Keeping everything in a grey area is such a damn headache¡¡¯
His fingers drummed lightly against the desk before he exhaled.
"I hate politics," the old noble muttered.
Using the map embedded in the invitation card, Yun Jin followed its directions through the bustling streets of Terrilstead.
Eventually, he arrived before a massive, towering structure.
The building exuded wealth.
The Black Moon Auction House stood tall, adorned with dark obsidian stone and intricate golden carvings. A stream of high-class merchants, nobles, and renowned adventurers entered its grand doors, dressed in fine silks, enchanted armor, and flowing robes of status.
Yun Jin approached the entrance.
The heavy double doors swung open automatically, a subtle display of magical convenience.
Stepping inside, he approached the concierge counter.
The well-dressed attendant gave him a single glance¡ªthen, without hesitation, sneered slightly at his simple shirt.
"Apologies, sir, but this establishment caters to distinguished guests. If you are lost, I can direct you elsewhere."
Despite his respectful words, the mockery in his tone was unmistakable.
Yun Jin remained silent.
Then, he pulled out his invitation card and placed it on the counter.
The moment the concierge laid eyes on it, his entire demeanor shifted.
His face drained of color. His back stiffened.
And in an instant, he bowed deeply, sweat forming on his brow.
"My sincerest apologies, esteemed guest! Please¡ªallow me to escort you at once!"
He pressed a button, and immediately, an elevator door slid open.
Yun Jin stepped inside. The moment the invitation card tapped against the scanner, the lift shot upward¡ªstraight to the highest floor.
When the doors opened, Yun Jin stepped into a grand hall filled with elites.
Noble lords. Legendary adventurers. Mysterious figures draped in enchanted cloaks.
A young woman in an elegant black-and-gold uniform stepped forward, bowing.
"Welcome, esteemed guest. I am Ashley, your guide for the evening. Shall I assist you?"
Yun Jin nodded, allowing her to lead him toward two massive boards filled with auction listings.
One displayed fixed-price exclusive items, available only to VIPs.
The other listed rare auction items, set to be bid on later.
As Yun Jin studied the list, Ashley leaned in, whispering¡ª
"There are three unlisted ''special items'' that will be revealed during the auction. You might find them... interesting."
Yun Jin¡¯s expression didn¡¯t change, but his curiosity stirred.
With his newfound wealth, it was time to see what this auction truly had to offer.
Chapter 46: Up for Sale
The auction lounge was a gilded nest of excess, with lavish carpets woven with silk and gold-thread, incense lingering with a soft, intoxicating scent, and servants moving swiftly between guests, ensuring wine never stopped flowing.
It was a place for the elite, where nobility and wealth mingled, measured by the weight of their purses and the arrogance of their smiles.
It didn¡¯t take long before trouble found him.
A voice¡ªsharp, high-born, and laced with a veneer of contempt.
"Tch, a beggar found his way in? How unsightly."
Yun Jin turned slightly, his eyes settling on the speaker.
A young man, flawless blonde hair, meticulously styled, gleaming under the chandelier light like spun gold. His clothes were an embarrassment of luxury, deep sapphire robes woven with streaks of gold, encrusted with embedded gems, each one probably worth the price of a small estate. The sheer extravagance of his outfit made it clear¡ªhe wasn¡¯t simply wealthy.
He wanted everyone to know he was.
Luthier Veldorne.
Yun Jin knew his name because of the giant gold necklace he was wearing.
Luthier¡¯s eyes, a piercing icy blue, narrowed with poorly concealed irritation as he took in Yun Jin¡¯s simple, travel-worn garb.
"I knew this auction had lowered its standards, but this is a new low." He scoffed. "Do you even have an invitation? Or did you crawl in through the back door like a rat?"
Yun Jin barely spared him a glance.
"I¡¯m here to buy things. If you have a problem, ignore me. Was that so hard?"
The sheer indifference in his tone sent a visible twitch through Luthier¡¯s jaw.
"You¡ª!"
A hand rested lightly on Luthier¡¯s shoulder.
"Young Master, this is neither the time nor place."
The bodyguard.
A woman stood beside him¡ªtall, armored, and visibly dangerous.
Her presence contrasted starkly with Luthier¡¯s excessive luxury. No silk, no unnecessary embellishments. Just practical silver armor, form-fitting but maneuverable, built for function over flair. A heavy, serrated greatsword rested against her back, the hilt worn from use rather than decoration.
Her ashen-gray hair, tied in a high ponytail, swayed slightly as she shifted her stance¡ªrelaxed, but coiled with quiet readiness. Unlike Luthier, she wasn¡¯t underestimating Yun Jin.
Luthier, ignoring her silent warning, let out an irritated breath.
"You¡¯re ruining the atmosphere just by standing there."
Yun Jin tilted his head.
"Then turn around."
The words were delivered with perfect calmness, but the smirk in his tone was impossible to miss.
"If you don¡¯t want to see me, just look away."
Luthier¡¯s expression cracked.
"You¡ªDo you even know who I am?!"
Yun Jin¡¯s brows twitched.
The sentence.
It always came down to this sentence.
Do you know who I am?!
From noble heirs, prodigies, arrogant young masters¡ªit was a line that seemed ingrained in their very being.
Many of the surrounding nobles were already shaking their heads, their gazes full of mockery and disdain as they sided with Luthier.
Yun Jin exhaled.
He had been in too many of these encounters to entertain them anymore. He glanced around, considered his options, then did the most effective thing he could do in this situation.
He walked.
Without a word, without even acknowledging Luthier¡¯s outburst, he simply turned his back and walked away.
"Hey! Where the hell are you going?!"
Yun Jin didn¡¯t bother looking back.
First, they wanted him gone. Then, they were upset when he actually left.
Luthier¡¯s hands curled into fists, his expression darkening.
"Find out who he is. I¡¯ll teach him a lesson later."
Serra¡¯s eyes flickered with hesitation.
"Young Master, this is an auction event. This isn¡¯t the best place¡ª"
"Do you know who I am?!" Luthier snapped, his voice rising. "I am Luthier Veldorne! Son of one of the Great Seven Merchants!"
Serra let out a quiet sigh before giving a small bow.
"Then we¡¯ll handle it after the event."
--
The sheer extravagance surrounding him was beginning to sink in.
The price of some of the exilir placed on the shop listing are even on the 50,000 to 1,000,000 called froze dragon tear elixir rank A.
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Do I even have enough to bid on anything valuable?
More concerning was the possibility that something truly important¡ªsomething that could help save Merlin¡ªmight show up in this auction. If that happened¡
He needed more funds.
Without hesitation, Yun Jin turned and walked back to Ashley.
She noticed him approaching and gave a polite, professional smile.
"Can I register items for auction?"
Ashley blinked before responding cheerfully.
"Of course! The auction is still open for entries. You can register items up until it officially begins."
Then she added, almost as an afterthought:
"But we only accept items ranked C or higher."
Yun Jin nodded.
"That¡¯s fine."
He reached into his pocket¡ªat least, that¡¯s what it looked like.
In reality, he was pulling from his storage space, but to any observer, it appeared as though he simply retrieved a small item from his sleeve.
With a swift motion, he presented [Soul Stone (Empty) (Rank A)], [Dimension Shard (Rank B)] he had acquired yesterday.
Ashley raised an eyebrow, but before she could say anything, he considered for a moment¡ªthen reached into his storage again.
A second item appeared in his hand.
[Tear of the Void Orga (rank S)]
Ashley¡¯s face drained of color.
She stared at the shimmering black-and-silver droplet, suspended in an almost ethereal glow, before her eyes flickered back to Yun Jin.
"A-Are you sure?"
There was a hesitation in her voice now¡ªa nervous tremor.
Ashley had seen powerful artifacts before. She had appraised treasures that could alter a person¡¯s destiny. But to see these items, presented so casually¡
She swallowed.
At its core, the auction¡¯s trade structure divided all items into three classifications:
Materials ¨C Raw ingredients, essential for crafting, alchemy, or blacksmithing. The most common and generally the cheapest category.
Consumables ¨C Items with direct effects on the user¡ªelixirs, enchanted stones, high-grade pills. Their price varied wildly based on their potency and scarcity.
Equipment ¨C Weapons, armor, and artifacts. The most expensive, as they held permanent value and could define a wielder¡¯s strength.
Even within the same rank, prices fluctuated dramatically depending on usability, rarity, and demand.
And Yun Jin had just casually placed three items in front of her that could ignite a war.
Ashley¡¯s fingers traced the gleaming silver shard, its jagged edges shimmering with faint, translucent light.
[Dimension Shard (Rank B)]
Her breath hitched. A spatial magic material.
If this were just a Rank C shard, it would be valuable enough for minor teleportation formations or space-pouch enchantments. But at Rank B¡
This was not just a commodity¡ªthis was an artifact component.
Crafter obsessed over storage rings, spatial artifacts, portable strongholds¡ªand this shard was an irreplaceable ingredient in their creation.
At Rank B, it wasn¡¯t just capable of forming a pocket of space¡ªwith the right forger, it could construct a portable house.
Enchanters, blacksmiths, artifact crafters¡ªevery major trade faction would fight for this.
It was already enough to draw powerful bidders.
But it was the second item that made her hands shake.
Ashley¡¯s fingers hovered just above the jet-black stone, a deep, glassy sheen reflecting the candlelight.
She didn¡¯t need to touch it to know what it was.
[Soul Stone (Empty) (Rank A)]
A vessel for souls.
Her throat felt dry.
Soul Stones were among the rarest crafting components in existence. They weren¡¯t just a summoning ingredient¡ªthey were the foundation of sentient magic weapons.
And this stone was empty.
That made it even rarer. A blank slate for a new soul imprint.
Half the cost of any high-rank enchanted weapon came from Soul Stones alone.
Her fingers twitched. She had already been thrown off balance by these two items.
And then he had placed a third.
The final object shimmered with a faint, celestial glow¡ªan iridescent droplet, suspended in air as if resisting gravity itself.
For a moment, Ashley¡¯s vision blurred.
Her breath caught. She blinked, forcing her gaze to refocus, but the artifact¡¯s presence felt almost too vast for her to fully grasp.
She exhaled slowly.
[Tear of the Void Orga (Rank S): Instantly upgrades a Light Affinity by 1 rank.
If the user has no Light Affinity, they immediately acquire Rank C Light Affinity.]
A cold chill ran down her spine.
This wasn¡¯t just a treasure.
This was an artifact.
An artifact capable of awakening Light Affinity¡ªwidely considered the rarest affinity of all?
That alone would make it priceless.
But then¡ªthere was the second effect.
[If used on someone who already possessed Light Affinity, it would upgrade it by one full rank.]
Her pulse quickened.
Affinity-enhancing items were exceedingly rare, their existence more myth than reality. Most people spent a lifetime refining their elemental affinities, struggling for even the smallest improvement.
This wasn¡¯t just a rare artifact¡ªthis was a game-changer.
A Rank A Light Affinity user¡ could ascend to Rank S.
And Rank S?
This was the kind of item that transcended personal ambition.
It wouldn¡¯t just attract mages, priests, or scholars.
It would draw entire factions. Kingdoms. Shadow organizations willing to kill for it.
Ashley¡¯s fingers tightened against her clipboard as a realization sank in¡ª
The kind of chaos this artifact would unleash would be catastrophic.
Ashley stared at him, still pale.
She didn¡¯t dare voice just how ridiculous this offering was. If word got out that someone had casually handed these items over¡
''Who just sells something like this?!''
She had met many powerful figures before arrogant nobles, wizard prodigies, even imperial family.
But Yun Jin?
He was¡ different.
There was no hesitation in his decision. No signs of reluctance. He had powerful artifacts in his hands, ones that could shake entire factions, and he handed them over as if they were nothing.
Ashley had no words.
She could only force herself to remain professional, though she still couldn''t hide the slight tremble in her hands as she reached for the items.
"Are you absolutely sure you want to put these up for sale?"
Yun Jin, calm as ever, nodded.
He wasn¡¯t unaware of the value of these items.
But he had his own reasoning.
I already have my own living Void Orga.
Compared to that, a single tear meant little.
Besides¡ª
If he wanted to make sure Merlin woke up, he needed resources. He was willing to lose a short-term fortune if it meant securing the means to help his friend.
Ashley¡¯s fingers trembled slightly as she secured the three items in a protective barrier.
Then, without wasting a second¡ª
"Wait here."
She immediately turned and strode off.
Less than a minute later, two figures entered.
The first was an elderly man, dressed in deep crimson robes, his eyes shrewd and piercing¡ªone of the auction house¡¯s head appraisers.
The second was a masked woman in a midnight-blue gown, her aura suffocatingly heavy¡ªsomeone with real authority.
The woman¡¯s gaze locked onto Yun Jin with sharp intensity.
She hadn¡¯t even introduced herself yet.
But Yun Jin could already tell¡ªthis was the person truly in charge.
Chapter 47: Could you please speak to the manager?
The elderly appraiser took a slow, measured breath as he examined the Tear of the Void Orga under the lamp¡¯s glow. The artifact¡¯s faint, shifting light reflected in his aged eyes, but as the seconds passed, his expression turned rigid.
Then, his fingers visibly trembled.
His grip on the artifact faltered for a brief moment before he abruptly handed it off to the masked woman standing beside him, as if holding it for any longer would burn his hands.
¡°It¡¯s real.¡±
His voice was barely above a whisper, but the room felt quieter for it.
¡°It¡¯s really real.¡±
A murmur rippled through the nearby staff, a few exchanging looks of disbelief. Some stole glances at Yun Jin, as if trying to reassess the kind of person who could produce something this rare.
The masked woman¡ªthe manager¡ªremained composed, though Yun Jin noticed the way she adjusted her grip on the artifact. A small detail, but enough to tell him that even she wasn¡¯t entirely at ease holding it.
She studied him briefly before speaking.
¡°We were already aware of your identity.¡±
Yun Jin said nothing, simply watching.
She continued, her tone even and professional.
¡°Before we go any further, I want to clarify something. While I oversee the operations of this branch, the Dark Moon Circle extends far beyond this city. We have multiple branches across different regions, and our neutrality is what keeps us in business.¡±
A pause, then:
¡°While you are here, we can guarantee both the fairness of your transactions and your personal safety.¡±
Yun Jin wasn¡¯t entirely convinced, but he could see why she said it.
It was less a reassurance and more a way to establish where they stood.
He gave a slight nod, showing he was willing to listen.
¡°Go on.¡±
The manager didn¡¯t waste time.
¡°Your [Dimension Shard] and [Soul Stone] will be auctioned today.¡±
That much was expected.
But then she hesitated¡ªonly for a fraction of a second¡ªbefore continuing.
¡°However, regarding the [Tear of the Void Orga]¡¡±
Even just saying its name made her pause slightly. Yun Jin caught it, subtle as it was.
Even seasoned merchants found it difficult to speak of its rarity without hesitation.
So it really is that rare.
She moved forward, choosing her words carefully.
¡°Today¡¯s event might be too small for an item of this scale. Even the most exclusive buyers attending may not be prepared for something like this.¡±
She let that sink in before adding:
¡°We need to cultivate the right environment, stir interest among the highest bidders before introducing it in a later auction.¡±
Then came the offer.
¡°We¡¯re prepared to provide an estimated upfront payment of 1,000,000 gold.¡±
¡°Additionally, you will receive 90% of the final bid price when the artifact is auctioned at a later event.¡±
That was a substantial offer. A guaranteed million upfront plus a percentage later meant they expected this to fetch an absurd price.
Still, Yun Jin wasn¡¯t about to agree without hearing their expectations.
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¡°And how much do you think it will actually sell for?¡±
The manager exhaled before answering.
¡°Hundreds of millions.¡±
Even she sounded reluctant to say it aloud.
But then¡ª
"B-Billion¡"
Old man¡¯s voice was barely a whisper.
Silence stretched between them.
Then Yun Jin gave the smallest of smirks.
"Interesting."
But he wasn¡¯t done yet.
His gaze settled back on the masked manager, his voice casual, but carrying an edge beneath it.
¡°And how do I know this transaction will actually come through?¡±
The woman tilted her head slightly. ¡°What do you mean?¡±
¡°Simple.¡± Yun Jin¡¯s fingers tapped lightly against the armrest of his chair. ¡°You could just take the Tear and never pay me. What¡¯s stopping you from stealing it?¡±
A few of the surrounding staff stiffened at his words.
The manager, however, only let out a small chuckle.
"A fair concern. But we have safeguards in place for situations like this."
With a flick of her wrist, she retrieved a rolled-up parchment and held it out to him.
¡°This is a [Soul Pact].¡±
Yun Jin took the scroll and unfolded it, his eyes scanning over the carefully inscribed runes.
[Soul Pact (Rank A)]
Upon mutual agreement, both parties sign this contract. The terms must be upheld by both sides. If the contract is violated, punishment will be carried out accordingly.
The woman gestured to the text.
¡°This contract ensures absolute compliance. Should we fail to deliver on our agreement, the consequences will activate immediately.¡±
Her voice remained steady as she added,
¡°You can impose any punishment upon me should we break our end of the deal. Furthermore, this contract is signed using our own special ink¡ªif we were to betray you, this document alone would be enough to shatter our credibility permanently.¡±
Yun Jin raised a brow.
¡°Anything?¡±
The woman, for the first time, hesitated.
"Y¡ªyes."
She cleared her throat, visibly composed herself, then quickly added,
¡°Of course, within reasonable terms. Standard contractual penalties usually involve financial reimbursement or, in extreme cases, personal compensation. However, I must insist that we keep this professional. There¡¯s no need for¡ extreme measures.¡±
Her gaze flickered slightly under his scrutiny.
Yun Jin hummed.
¡°Death wouldn¡¯t be fair¡ªyou''re just an employee.¡± He tapped the scroll lightly. ¡°Instead, I¡¯ll add this: should the contract be violated, you will be held personally responsible for compensating my losses, regardless of the circumstances. Even if unforeseen events occur, you will be obligated to assist me in recovering what I am owed.¡±
A brief silence followed.
The manager¡ªAnesa¡ªexhaled through her nose before nodding.
"That¡ is acceptable."
Then, without further hesitation, she pricked her fingertip with a small iron needle and pressed it against the contract.
Yun Jin activated [Mana Eyes], watching as a faint thread of magic coiled around her bloodstream, interweaving itself with the natural circuits of her body.
So the moment she breaks the contract, the spell activates immediately.
Satisfied, he pressed his own finger to the parchment.
A faint pulse of mana rippled through the air as the contract sealed itself.
Finalizing the Deal
Anesa quickly withdrew her hand, flexing her fingers as the residual energy faded.
¡°Now that it¡¯s settled, we¡¯ll process your auction entries. The Tear will be reserved for a later event, while the Dimension Shard and Soul Stone will be auctioned today.¡±
She straightened, glancing at the nearby staff.
¡°I¡¯ll handle the final preparations. In the meantime, please provide your payment card so we can transfer the upfront amount.¡±
Yun Jin retrieved his gold card, its balance sitting at 70,000 gold.
Anesa produced a yellow-gold card, its value unseen.
With a simple tap against his own card, the numbers shifted instantly.
[Your balance: 1,070,000 gold.]
A quiet chime confirmed the transaction.
Anesa gave a slight bow.
¡°Pleasure doing business with you.¡±
She turned slightly, gesturing toward the elderly appraiser and Ashley.
¡°For today¡¯s event, Mr. Henrik will be personally assisting you. Should any particular item or client interest you, He will provide the necessary details.¡±
Yun Jin nodded.
¡°Understood.¡±
Anesa offered one last professional smile before excusing herself, stepping toward the back office to finalize the auction listings.
The deal was sealed.
Now, all that remained¡
Was the auction itself.
Chapter 48: Marked by fool
The auction hall opened with the soft chime of enchanted bells, signaling the start of the evening''s main event.
Yun Jin followed Henrik through the upper corridors, past the velvet-draped walkways that led to the VIP booths.
From his vantage point, he looked down at the vast floor below¡ªrows of cushioned seats arranged in an arc facing the stage, already filling with merchants, nobles, and influential figures.
Here in the VIP section, however, things were different.
Unlike the common guests below, the ones seated here were the real power players.
Many wore elaborate masks, hiding their faces behind finely crafted silver, gold, or gemstone-studded visors. Others, however, chose to show their identities openly.
Yun Jin leaned back slightly, observing the mix of hidden and unhidden faces, before turning to Henrik.
¡°Why don¡¯t some of them wear masks?¡±
He gestured slightly at the guests seated across from them. ¡°If I¡¯d known, I would¡¯ve brought one myself.¡±
Henrik chuckled, adjusting his seat before answering.
¡°Because this isn¡¯t a grand event.¡±
He gave a small shrug, speaking with the casual ease of someone familiar with the workings of high society.
¡°For more prestigious auctions, anonymity is highly valued. But in gatherings like this? Most people don¡¯t care. In fact, some want others to know exactly what they¡¯re bidding on.¡±
Yun Jin smirked.
¡°To show off, huh? Got it.¡±
An Unwanted Guest
Just as he settled into his seat, a sharp, familiar voice cut through the air.
¡°You! How dare you be here? Have the standards of this place fallen so low?! I will tell my father about this!¡±
Yun Jin sighed, already recognizing the voice before even turning.
Sure enough, standing at the entrance of the VIP booths was Luthier Veldorne, his face twisted in outrage, and at his side¡ªhis ever-present knight, Serra Aegis.
Henrik glanced at the approaching noble and remained calm, his posture unchanged. When he spoke, his tone carried the quiet confidence of someone who wasn¡¯t easily pressured.
¡°Mister Yun Jin is now an esteemed VIP guest, the same as you, Mister Luthier.¡±
Luthier froze for a split second, his mouth opening¡ªthen closing¡ªas if struggling to process those words.
Yun Jin, for his part, had been about to walk away¡ªbut now, watching Luthier¡¯s face turn a deep shade of red, he decided to stay.
He rested his arm against the table and watched in amusement as Luthier¡¯s frustration boiled over.
"You¡¯re just an old man! How dare a mere auction appraiser speak to me this way? Where is the manager?!"
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Henrik didn¡¯t flinch.
Instead, he adjusted his gloves and responded with the same calm, measured tone.
¡°Apologies, but our manager is currently occupied with tonight¡¯s preparations. The items Mister Yun Jin has provided are too valuable for her to divert her attention to trivial matters.¡±
Then, with a pointed glance, he added,
¡°So please refrain from harassing other guests.¡±
A beat of silence.
Then¡ª
¡°Or I will be the one to speak with your father.¡±
Luthier visibly twitched.
¡°YOU¡ª!¡±
Just before he could burst into a full tantrum, Serra stepped forward, placing herself between him and the others.
She bowed slightly toward Henrik and Yun Jin.
¡°Apologies.¡±
Then, in a quiet voice meant only for her master, she spoke:
¡°Young Master, there¡¯s no need to waste your breath on them. Let¡¯s focus on the auction instead. The poor will never be able to afford anything of true value, anyway.¡±
Her tone was soft but firm¡ªnot so much advising him, but playing into his ego.
Luthier exhaled sharply, clearly wanting to argue, but in the end, he sighed and straightened his coat.
¡°Hah! You¡¯re right.¡±
He gave Yun Jin a mocking smirk before turning away.
¡°They won¡¯t be able to buy anything anyway. Let¡¯s go.¡±
As he strode toward his seat, Yun Jin barely moved¡ªbut his lips curled slightly.
Just as Serra passed him, he used Voice Transmission, his voice slipping directly into her ears.
¡°I know you didn¡¯t mean that.¡±
Serra paused mid-step.
For a brief moment, she hesitated, then glanced at him.
Instead of speaking, she gave a small, almost imperceptible bow before continuing on.
Yun Jin chuckled.
Settling In ¨C A Conversation Over Wine
Yun Jin finally sat down, Henrik taking the seat beside him.
From their vantage point, they had a full, unobstructed view of the auction stage.
As they settled in, a young woman approached, carrying a silver tray adorned with finely crafted glasses.
¡°Welcome, esteemed guests. Tonight, we offer a selection of rare wines and liquors.¡±
She carefully set the tray down, revealing a deep red vintage bottle, its label marked with golden runes.
Yun Jin barely glanced at it before waving a hand dismissively.
¡°Just bring me water.¡±
Henrik chuckled.
¡°You do realize that¡¯s a 200-year-old vintage, right?¡±
Yun Jin shrugged.
¡°I only drink with one person¡ªmy master.¡±
Henrik raised a brow at that, intrigued.
¡°Even someone like you has a master, huh?¡±
He studied Yun Jin for a moment, then glanced toward the auction stage.
So that must be where those items came from.
¡°Don¡¯t worry.¡± Yun Jin smirked slightly. ¡°I didn¡¯t steal anything from my master. Everything I sell is mine.¡±
Henrik let out a tired sigh, feeling as though his thoughts had been seen through completely.
¡°Well, that¡¯s good to know.¡±
The Secret Auction Items
As they waited for the event to begin, Henrik leaned slightly toward Yun Jin and lowered his voice.
¡°Since you just arrived, you may not be aware of tonight¡¯s special items.¡±
¡°Special?¡± Yun Jin¡¯s eyes flickered with interest.
Henrik held up three fingers.
¡°There are three major prizes being auctioned tonight.¡±
¡°The first¡ªa legendary elixir said to cure any illness.¡±
¡°The second¡ªan ancient artifact that enhances magic.¡±
¡°And the third¡ªa masterfully crafted sword, unlike any seen in decades.¡±
He gave Yun Jin a knowing smile.
¡°But a mage like you is probably only interested in the second one, huh?¡±
Yun Jin paused for a beat, then murmured,
¡°¡Yeah. A mage.¡±
Technically, Henrik wasn¡¯t wrong.
His expression remained neutral as he leaned back in his seat as the auction was about to begin.
Chapter 49: Master Baiter
The soft chime of enchanted bells rang once more.
The auction was officially underway.
A staff member stepped forward, carrying a long, elegantly wrapped box, which he carefully placed on a velvet-lined pedestal at the center of the stage. The crowd quieted, eyes locking onto the item as the auctioneer lifted the lid.
Inside, nestled in layers of protective silk, lay a pristine magic wand, its shaft shimmering with a delicate blue glow, as if infused with the very essence of the ocean.
¡°Our first item of the evening¡ª¡± the auctioneer¡¯s voice rang clear across the room, ¡°¡ªa wand crafted from a crystallized mermaid¡¯s tear. A Rank B water-elemental artifact, once wielded by a powerful water mage.¡±
Soft murmurs rippled through the audience.
Henrik, seated beside Yun Jin, leaned slightly closer.
¡°This used to belong to a mermaid rights activist.¡±
Yun Jin, who had been watching the auctioneer, stiffened slightly at the word mermaid.
A faint shiver ran down his spine.
¡°¡Who wanted to help mermaids?¡±
His voice was casual, but his expression wasn¡¯t.
¡°Aren¡¯t those things monsters?¡±
Henrik raised a brow, his historian¡¯s curiosity piqued.
¡°Oh? You¡¯ve encountered mermaids before?¡±
Yun Jin didn¡¯t answer right away.
The memories weren¡¯t pleasant.
Henrik let out a small chuckle before shaking his head.
¡°Not these ones. The beings you¡¯re thinking of are something entirely different.¡±
Yun Jin gave him a skeptical glance.
¡°Then why do people call them mermaids?¡±
Henrik sighed.
¡°Because people don¡¯t care about accuracy.¡±
He leaned back slightly before explaining.
¡°The mermaids in question¡ªour native species¡ªwere once a thriving civilization. But due to long-standing discrimination, they were falsely associated with monsters you¡¯re thinking of. That label stuck, and over time, they were reduced to second-class citizens.¡±
¡°Their civilization was betrayed and fractured. They¡¯ve been in hiding ever since.¡±
Yun Jin frowned.
"So they¡¯re still out there?¡±
Henrik nodded.
¡°Yes. And the only reason landers still turn a blind eye to their ships is because they continue guarding the underwater world from deep-sea rifts.¡±
Yun Jin¡¯s brows furrowed.
Deep-sea rifts?
It was the first time he had heard of them.
And it made him think¡ª
Most dungeon rifts he had encountered conveniently appeared on land. Easy to access.
But if dungeons were invasions, then why would they appear in locations that were convenient for people to enter?
It didn¡¯t make sense.
¡°There are rifts in the ocean?¡±
Henrik gave a slow nod.
¡°Yes. Although they¡¯re rare, they exist. And they¡¯ve caused major tragedies in the past.¡±
He exhaled, rubbing his temples slightly.
¡°It wasn¡¯t until recent advancements in underwater travel¡ªcombined with the rise of strong water mages¡ªthat landers finally gained the ability to handle them. But even now, many still remain. And despite everything, the mermaids continue protecting us, even though we treat them as outcasts.¡±
Yun Jin didn¡¯t respond immediately.
Instead, he leaned forward, resting an elbow on the table.
At first, when he arrived in this city, he had noticed some half-human, half-other species walking around near the Adventurer¡¯s Guild¡ªbeastkin, lizard folk, and other mixed-blooded individuals.
But now?
Now that he was mingling with the city¡¯s elites, he realized something.
He hadn¡¯t seen a single one of them in this part of town.
The divide was clear.
The auctioneer struck the gavel lightly against the podium, signaling the end of the first bid.
¡°Sold! For 120,000 gold.¡±
Soft applause rippled through the hall, but the real interest came when the buyer stepped forward to claim the wand.
A woman in a flowing white dress strode onto the stage, her movements precise and controlled. She had long, straight blue hair that shimmered beneath the auction¡¯s enchanted lights, her pearl-like complexion further accentuating her striking appearance.
For a moment, the auction hall grew quiet as people took her in.
¡°That¡¯s her¡ the Frostflow Prodigy.¡±
¡°Second strongest among the rising mages.¡±
¡°I heard she reached her current level before turning twenty.¡±
Her reputation was well known among the city¡¯s magical elites.
Yun Jin, however, wasn¡¯t impressed by rumors and titles.
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His [Mana Eyes] activated, a faint shimmer of light crossing his pupils as he glanced through her aura.
Not bad¡ but still far from Merlin¡¯s level.
She had talent, but there was a ceiling to it.
Still, as he was making his assessment, he noticed something.
Her eyebrows twitched, her lips subtly pressing together as if irritated by something.
Then, suddenly, she snapped her gaze toward him.
Yun Jin¡¯s mind moved instantly.
She can feel it?
Without missing a beat, he smoothly raised his hands and gave a respectful bow, pressing his palms together in an apologetic gesture.
The woman narrowed her eyes for a moment before turning away, stepping down from the stage with the wand in hand.
So competent mages can sense [Mana Eyes] watching them. Noted.
Yun Jin made a mental note to be more careful next time.
As the woman exited, the auctioneer gestured dramatically toward the next pedestal, where a new object was being carefully unveiled.
The room buzzed with anticipation.
"Ladies and gentlemen, the next item is one of tonight¡¯s most sought-after treasures¡ª"
The silk covering was lifted, revealing a crystal vial filled with a softly glowing liquid. The golden shimmer within it pulsed faintly, as if carrying a heartbeat of its own.
"[Elixir of Life] (Rank C): Capable of curing any illness and curse of Rank D+ and below, while also restoring organic matter."
The moment the description was given, murmurs spread through the room.
Yun Jin himself frowned slightly. Something felt off.
He turned toward Henrik.
¡°Why is this only Rank C?¡±
Henrik chuckled, shaking his head.
¡°I suppose you haven¡¯t dealt much with high-grade artifacts.¡±
Yun Jin stayed silent, waiting for the explanation.
Henrik leaned back slightly, gesturing toward the elixir as he spoke.
¡°Ranks aren¡¯t determined by a single factor. It¡¯s not just about effectiveness but also scope, versatility, and limitations. This is an Elixir of Life, yes, but there exist higher-ranked versions that do much more.¡±
He continued, voice calm and patient.
¡°There are lesser-ranked versions that heal only minor wounds, while the most powerful ones can even extend one¡¯s lifespan.¡±
Yun Jin nodded slowly.
Makes sense. They know more about the inner workings of the system than I do.
It was another reminder¡ªhe had power, but that didn¡¯t mean he knew everything about this world.
Curious, he turned back to Henrik and asked,
¡°What level are you?¡±
Henrik blinked.
Then he let out a cough, straightening his posture.
"Ahem. Asking for someone¡¯s level outright is considered rude, you know."
Yun Jin raised a brow, but Henrik only sighed.
"I can tell you¡¯re not from around here, so I won¡¯t judge you for it. But next time, refrain from asking so casually.¡±
Then, after a pause, he added,
¡°As for my level¡ simple. I¡¯m Level 10.¡±
The auctioneer didn¡¯t waste time.
¡°The starting price for the Elixir of Life is 100,000 gold.¡±
A hand immediately shot up.
¡°110,000.¡±
¡°130,000.¡±
¡°160,000.¡±
Within moments, the bids shot up to 300,000 gold¡ªand they were still climbing.
Henrik let out a soft chuckle.
"Now, let¡¯s see who really wants it."
The air inside the auction hall grew heavier the moment Yun Jin casually lifted his hand.
"Three hundred and fifty thousand."
A quiet ripple passed through the audience.
The bidding war had begun.
Henrik, seated beside him, let out a small hum.
¡°That¡¯s within reason. Its usual market value hovers around 500,000 gold. Anything above that would be considered overpaying.¡±
Yun Jin gave a small nod, eyes locked on the stage.
But then¡ª
¡°400,000.¡±
A new voice rang out, loud and arrogant.
Yun Jin sighed.
He didn¡¯t even need to turn to know who it was.
It was Luthier Veldorne.
Still, Yun Jin wasn¡¯t about to play around.
Without hesitation, he raised his bid immediately.
¡°500,000.¡±
Gasps erupted across the room.
¡°What?!¡±
¡°He just jumped straight to the appraised price!¡±
¡°No hesitation at all?¡±
Luthier¡¯s smirk widened, but there was a flicker of something in his eyes¡ªuncertainty.
Then he scoffed and raised his sign again.
¡°520,000! My mother will be pleased for such a gift.¡±
His words were deliberate.
By invoking his mother, Madam Veldorne¡ªone of the most influential figures in the region¡ªhe was sending a clear message:
If you outbid me, you''re declaring you don¡¯t care about staying on my family¡¯s good side.
It was a calculated threat, meant to make others hesitate.
But Yun Jin? He couldn¡¯t care less.
¡°600,000.¡±
The hall fell silent.
Luthier¡¯s expression stiffened slightly.
¡°He¡¯s serious¡¡±
The murmurs in the audience shifted.
"Wait¡ is that why Luthier''s here? Not for the other rare items, but for this?"
"It must be important to his family..."
Yun Jin caught the whispers drifting through the auction hall.
He smirked.
So, he was after something else, huh?
Luthier, jaw tightening, adjusted his posture before flicking his sign again.
¡°650,000. But if you beg, maybe I¡¯ll stop raising the price.¡±
Laughter rippled through the crowd, though some nobles shook their heads.
¡°He¡¯s playing his usual games.¡±
¡°If the other guy gets emotional, he¡¯ll lose control of the bid.¡±
But Yun Jin didn¡¯t react.
Instead, he raised his sign.
¡°670,000.¡±
Luthier twitched.
Tsk.
¡°700,000! I know you don¡¯t have more than this.¡±
Yun Jin leaned back, his expression relaxed.
¡°800,000. You can give up if you can¡¯t afford it. I don¡¯t really care.¡±
That tone¡ªso indifferent, so dismissive¡ªmade Luthier¡¯s face darken.
Then, in a flash of frustration, he shouted.
¡°900,000!! GOLD!!¡±
A wave of murmurs crashed through the room.
¡°It¡¯s almost double the market price¡¡±
¡°He¡¯s pushing too hard.¡±
¡°Is he really that desperate?¡±
Henrik turned toward Yun Jin, his voice even.
¡°You should think carefully. Blowing all your budget here might not be the best move.¡±
Yun Jin exhaled slowly.
Even if he went over a million, he could tell¡ªLuthier would stop bidding.
He would win.
But the real problem wasn¡¯t just the price.
It was the uncertainty.
Would the elixir even work for Merlin?
Was it worth this much risk?
No.
He was willing to find another Elixir of Life or an alternative solution. With this kind of money, he could search elsewhere, even pay the million-gold price if it came with a guarantee. Money was just a means to an end¡ªhe could always make more.
But Yun Jin had a way to take both the elixir and keep his gold.
¡°900,000! Sold!¡±
The auctioneer struck the gavel down, sealing the transaction.
Luthier¡¯s face was pale, but he quickly forced a smile, adjusting his robes as he walked down to claim his prize.
The Elixir of Life was placed into his hands, but his fingers gripped it a little too tightly.
His knight, Serra Aegis, stepped closer, her voice quiet but firm.
¡°Young Master, are you sure? The budget your father gave you may not be enough for the sword now.¡±
Luthier¡¯s smirk faltered for just a second.
But then, with a haughty wave of his hand, he scoffed.
¡°Hmph! The Veldorne family can afford everything. Just you watch.¡±
Chapter 50: Skyborn Mantle
The auction continued in a graceful, rhythmic surge of bids and counterbids, each rise and fall weaving through the grand hall like an orchestrated dance of wealth and desire. Yun Jin sat quietly beside Henrik, listening to his explanations and letting the numbers climb and descend around him like waves crashing against stone.
An Observer¡¯s Calm
Although several items caught Yun Jin¡¯s eye¡ªartifacts imbued with ancient spells, potions brewed from rare ingredients, and armor that turned blades as effortlessly as water parted around steel¡ªnone of these truly moved him to bid.
He did not raise his hand. He did not react when a particularly rare ring pushed past its expected price, nor did he glance at the nobles whispering about an arcane amulet said to shield its wearer from illusions.
At last, Henrik¡¯s soft chuckle broke the moment.
¡°I have to say, most people in your position would¡¯ve placed at least one bid by now¡ªif only for the thrill.¡±
Yun Jin offered a faint smirk.
¡°Temptation is powerful.¡±
His fingers drummed the seat¡¯s armrest in a slow, thoughtful rhythm.
¡°I won¡¯t lie¡ªI want them. But when I focus on what I need, I stop wanting them.¡±
He nodded toward the stage, where an assistant placed the next item on a velvet stand.
¡°It¡¯s a trick my master taught me.¡±
Henrik stroked his beard with a measured nod.
¡°Your master must be very wise.¡±
Yun Jin¡¯s smile shifted into something more genuine.
¡°Yeah. He is.¡±
The auctioneer moved on to the following item, and Yun Jin recognized it immediately: the [Soul Stone (Rank A)] he had consigned for sale.
Carried under soft lights, the stone¡¯s deep black surface shimmered. A hush fell across the hall as its details were announced.
¡°A Soul Stone? They¡¯re getting harder to find these days.¡±
¡°I heard a recent shipment was intercepted.¡±
¡°This could fetch a high price.¡±
Henrik tilted his head toward Yun Jin.
¡°Putting the stone up was smart. Normally, a Rank A stone goes for about 200,000 gold, but with the current scarcity¡¡±
¡°¡The price might double.¡±
It did. Bids climbed at a dizzying pace¡ª250,000, 300,000, 350,000¡ªuntil the gavel came down on:
¡°Four hundred thousand!¡±
¡°Sold for 400,000 gold!¡± announced the auctioneer.
As the winning bidder stepped forward, Yun Jin tilted his head. It was the same blue-haired mage who had bought the water-elemental wand earlier:
Lirien Aetheris¡ªthe Frostflow Prodigy.
Henrik caught Yun Jin¡¯s glance and leaned in.
¡°Lirien Aetheris. And her master¡¡±
He lowered his voice,
¡°¡is none other than Elarion Duskbane.¡±
Yun Jin¡¯s fingers went still at the name. Elarion Duskbane¡ªone of the Ten Anomalies, and dangerous even among them. Letting out a slow breath, Yun Jin reminded himself that at least, for the moment, they were neutral.
Elsewhere in the VIP section, Luthier Veldorne sat with a deliberate stiffness, his eyes no longer tracking the stage or the bidders. Even the nobles seated around him had begun to notice.
¡°Lucky for us he blew all his gold on that elixir.¡±
¡°Now he can¡¯t outbid us for anything else.¡±
¡°Serves him right.¡±
The whispers dug under Luthier¡¯s skin, but he forced his breathing to remain steady.
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I don¡¯t care about these worthless trinkets.
Only one item mattered to him: the true reason he came to this auction. So long as he acquired it, he could recover his losses. And once the time was right¡
I¡¯ll make Yun Jin regret crossing me.
The auctioneer¡¯s tone deepened, signaling the arrival of something more substantial. Two assistants carefully carried a long, ornate chest onto the stage. Even before it was opened, a tangible shift coursed through the room.
Then the lid rose, uncovering an exquisite white-and-gold robe, faintly shimmering as though woven from threads of pure light.
[Skyborn Mantle (Rank A+)]
A robe crafted from the feathers of the Northern Wind Deity. Enhances ice recovery and grants temporary flight (one minute per day).
A stunned hush descended.
¡°A robe from a demi-god¡¯s feathers?¡±
¡°That¡¯s a divine-class relic¡¡±
¡°Flight magic is rare enough¡ªthis one doesn¡¯t even cost mana!¡±
Henrik whistled in admiration.
¡°Now this¡ this is worth watching.¡±
Yun Jin watched calmly as the auctioneer announced,
¡°Bidding starts at 300,000 gold.¡±
Before anyone else could react, Luthier raised his hand.
¡°350,000.¡±
A ripple of talk spread through the crowd.
¡°He¡¯s still in the game?¡±
¡°I thought he had no gold left.¡±
¡°Guess even he couldn¡¯t resist.¡±
Luthier hadn¡¯t come for this robe; that was obvious. But temptation was like a hidden pit¡ªone step off the path, and you were snared.
Yun Jin dipped his head in acknowledgment, then lifted his own paddle.
¡°360,000.¡±
Luthier¡¯s face tightened as he turned to glare.
¡°You again.¡±
Yun Jin smirked.
¡°Something wrong?¡±
Scoffing, Luthier straightened his robe.
¡°370,000.¡±
Without a heartbeat¡¯s delay¡ª
¡°380,000.¡±
The increments were small but purposeful. Luthier realized Yun Jin was methodically bleeding him dry, forcing him to spend more than he could afford.
Yet Luthier refused to bow out, raising once more:
¡°390,000.¡±
Yun Jin responded in that same level tone.
¡°400,000.¡±
And Luthier froze.
His fingers clenched around the armrest. Another bid could leave him with nothing for the item he truly needed. He had let temptation override sense, gambling on a relic he hadn¡¯t even wanted.
His loss became clear as the auctioneer¡¯s voice rang out:
¡°400,000! Going once¡ªtwice¡ªsold to Mister Yun Jin!¡±
The gavel struck.
Luthier released a ragged breath, pointedly looking away. Meanwhile, Yun Jin leaned back, still wearing that quiet, maddening smirk of satisfaction.
Henrik, still chuckling, watched as Yun Jin examined the Skyborn Mantle.
¡°You realize that price was a steal, right?¡±
Yun Jin arched a brow.
¡°Oh?¡±
Henrik drummed his fingertips on the table.
¡°That robe could have gone for at least 600,000 gold¡ªperhaps more, given its rarity.¡±
His gaze scanned the crowd.
¡°But your intended rival already blew her budget, and everyone else decided flight alone wasn¡¯t worth that cost.¡±
Yun Jin¡¯s eyes narrowed. Something in this scenario didn¡¯t line up.
¡°¡You only brought out this item for Lirien Aetheris?¡±
Henrik gave a hearty laugh.
¡°Half-correct. We hoped to lure out Elarion Duskbane, but looks like that didn¡¯t work.¡±
The name hung heavily in the air. They hadn¡¯t been after a mere profit; it was bait for a bigger fish. Yet that fish never bit.
Yun Jin shook his head in mild disbelief.
¡°You people play dangerous games.¡±
Henrik laughed harder.
¡°Considering your recent antics, I¡¯d say this pales in comparison. Hahaha!¡±
Yun Jin leaned back in his seat.
¡°Fair point.¡±
As the auction continued, Yun Jin noticed a pattern: the true heavy-hitters in the room had barely stirred all evening. Despite a few rare items and brief flurries of bidding, the masked VIPs¡ªthose projecting real authority¡ªremained silent.
¡°What¡¯s the final rare item tonight?¡± he asked Henrik casually.
Henrik¡¯s returning glance carried a hint of anticipation.
¡°Curious, are we?¡±
Yun Jin merely smiled.
¡°I find it strange¡ªplenty of strong, influential figures here, but they¡¯ve hardly moved. They haven¡¯t contested any of the mid-tier pieces, nor did they fight for the Mantle.¡±
Henrik shrugged, adjusting his cuffs.
¡°Most of these people, impressive though they may be, don¡¯t have wealth on the level you¡¯re imagining. Luthier stands out among them, and if all your items sell¡ªeven at half their estimated price¡ªyou¡¯ll surpass them all combined.¡±
The realization struck Yun Jin. His assets could dwarf the fortunes of everyone present.
¡°So, this is just a small auction, then?¡±
Disappointment tinged his voice. Henrik unleashed a booming laugh.
¡°In the grand scheme? Yes. This is like a farmer¡¯s Tuesday market next to an emperor¡¯s coronation. The big players aren¡¯t here.¡±
Yun Jin sighed, leaning back with arms crossed.
Maybe I really do need to figure out how to make my money work for me¡ but how?
He pushed aside the thought for later. Because the final item of the night was about to appear, and if the rumors were true, it would eclipse everything that came before.
Chapter 51: The IRONy
As the next item was prepared, Yun Jin noticed something different¡ªa magical barrier shimmered to life across the stage, thick and luminous, cast by a powerful mage whose robes bore the seal of the Artisan Guild.
He narrowed his eyes.
"Why is the security so different this time?" he asked Henrik. "Is the item that valuable?"
Henrik gave a quiet nod. "Half of the reason, yes. It¡¯s one of the most valuable items we¡¯ve ever handled..." He paused. "...but also the most dangerous."
The atmosphere shifted. The audience sat straighter. Idle chatter died.
And then¡ªAnesa, the auction house manager herself, wheeled the item onto the stage. The first time she''d stepped forward all evening.
It was a sword.
Its design was unassuming¡ªa plain iron blade, a golden hilt, and a single gem embedded at the guard. It lacked embellishment, lacked grandeur. But the moment it was revealed, even behind reinforced barriers, Yun Jin felt it.
A presence.
It pressed into the room like gravity, like a heartbeat felt through the soul.
This feeling...
All the muscles in his body tensed¡ªnot in fear, but in excitement. His very cells responded.
He had felt this kind of presence only twice in his life:
The Blood Sword of Cheonma. The Heaven-Ruling Blade of his master.
Though fainter than those two, this sword carried the same divine resonance.
A Divine Blade... even a shadow of one is enough to stir me like this.
Anesa stepped forward, her voice steady, hands resting on the pedestal.
"This is a ten-percent replica of the Legendary Hero¡¯s Sword¡ªverified by Master Henrik himself and the Imperial Artisan Guild."
A collective intake of breath swept the hall.
"Starting bid: one million gold."
The first paddle rose within seconds.
Then another.
The number leapt violently: 1.2 million. 1.5. 1.8. 2 million.
The previously restrained hall erupted into a frenzy.
Warriors, nobles, elite adventurers¡ªthose who had stayed quiet all evening¡ªnow joined the fray.
Luthier Veldorne''s paddle rose again and again, his eyes locked on the blade with a near-obsessive gleam. He wasn''t backing down.
Yun Jin leaned toward Henrik. "What does ''ten-percent replica'' even mean? And why is everyone losing their minds over it?"
Henrik looked at him as though he''d grown a second head. "...You don''t know about the Hero?"
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Yun Jin tilted his head. "Should I?"
Henrik sighed. "Three thousand years ago, this world faced its greatest crisis. It wasn¡¯t just war¡ªit was near extinction."
"He was the Lord of All Evils¡ªthe Demon King. And the world would''ve ended if not for them."
His voice dropped, reverent.
"Six heroes. Chosen by the world itself. The swordbearer, wielder of the legendary blade. A loyal high-elf ranger. The deadliest assassin from the Shadow Order. The youngest archmage in recorded history. And our nation¡¯s own princess¡ªthe Grand Priestess herself."
"All born in the same era. A miracle. But one we needed."
Yun Jin''s eyes widened, and for a moment, the awe broke through his calm facade. "They sound... strong," he murmured, voice tinged with admiration and a hint of disbelief.
"Each one could''ve been the strongest of any age," Henrik said. "But together, they saved everything."
Yun Jin nodded slowly. "So what''s the deal with replicas? If this one''s only ten percent, why''s it worth so much?"
Henrik''s tone shifted, more technical. "Some were forged using fragments of the original blade. Others by smiths who once repaired the sword and passed down the designs. Sometimes, the system itself grants the blueprint."
"But here''s the catch: unless the weapon matches the original closely, the system labels it as a zero-percent replica. That label becomes permanent."
"So... it''s a gamble?"
Henrik nodded. "A big one. If you fail, it''s worthless. But if you''re right? You have something legendary. The highest confirmed replica is forty-five percent. It belongs to the commander of the Royal Knight Corps. Closest after that? Twenty-seven percent."
Yun Jin was quiet. "The system can compare something you''ve never seen?"
"With the right skill, yes. It''s terrifying, isn''t it?"
Back on stage, the numbers continued to climb: 2.2 million. 2.5. 2.8. 3 million.
The bidding began to slow.
Only two contenders remained.
Luthier Veldorne. And a mysterious figure cloaked in black robes. Their identity was hidden, even their voice distorted by magic.
"Four million," said the cloaked figure.
Luthier snapped up his sign. "Four-point-two million!"
Gasps rippled across the hall. The remaining guests had fallen silent, either stunned or watching in awe. None dared to interrupt the duel.
The sword was no longer just an artifact. It had become a symbol.
"Five million!" Luthier barked, his voice cracking. He glared at the cloaked bidder. "I don¡¯t care who you are. Bid higher, and I¡¯ll kill you and take the sword from your corpse."
A wave of unease spread.
Then, with chilling calm, the black-robed figure raised their sign. "Five-point-one million."
Luthier froze.
He glanced to the staff. Panic etched into his face.
"Five-point-two million!"
Anesa raised her hand. "I''m sorry, Young Master Veldorne. That exceeds your credit limit."
"I¡¯m the heir of Veldorne! I don¡¯t have a limit!"
"You do. Even the Lord of Veldorne has a credit limit here. Please don¡¯t embarrass yourself."
The room turned colder.
"You''ve already been granted leniency. Threatening another guest alone warrants removal. Do not overstep, dear guest."
Even Serra, his knight, stepped forward.
"Young Master... please. Even I cannot fight the full might of the Black Moon Auction House."
Luthier''s jaw clenched. He knew.
They knew.
That his position as heir was faltering. That his father planned to name his younger sister in his place. This sword was supposed to save him. Restore him. Prove him.
But he hadn''t counted on the price.
I was supposed to win.
Then a calm voice echoed from across the VIP section.
"Hey."
Luthier turned.
Yun Jin.
Seated with relaxed ease, wearing a smile that wasn¡¯t quite kind.
"If you''re in a pinch," Yun Jin said smoothly, "I''ll buy the elixir back. Market price¡ª500,000 gold."
Gasps followed.
The very elixir Luthier had overpaid to spite him.
Yun Jin smiled wider.
"You overpaid out of revenge, and now you can¡¯t afford what you truly wanted. Isn''t that... ironic?"
Chapter 52: The 90% cursed sword
Luthier seethed at the mockery playing across Yun Jin¡¯s face¡ªbut he wasn¡¯t a fool. Immature, yes. Prideful, certainly. But even through his humiliation, he could admit one thing: Yun Jin had offered him a fair price. That, at least, deserved a sliver of respect.
After a long moment, Luthier gave a short nod. He passed the Elixir of Life to Serra, who in turn brought it to Yun Jin.
Yun Jin retrieved his card and looked at Henrik. ¡°How do I transfer the gold?¡±
Henrik chuckled and walked him through the process. A light tap of their cards together, a flick of a rune, and the transaction was complete.
¡°Five hundred thousand, as promised,¡± Yun Jin said, accepting the Elixir of Life from Serra with a brief nod. She bowed in return, before turning silently to return to her master¡¯s side.
Luthier remained silent. He took back his bidder''s card, his jaw tight and eyes burning¡ªnot with shame, but with a resolve hardened by desperation. Without missing a beat, he raised the card high.
"Five-point-two million!"
For the first time, the cloaked figure made no counter.
¡°Sold!¡± the auctioneer announced, and the crowd murmured with surprise. The sword now had its owner.
Henrik leaned toward Yun Jin. ¡°You could¡¯ve bought it back for even less, you know.¡±
Yun Jin gave a half-smile. ¡°Do you think I enjoy humiliating others, Mister Henrik?¡±
¡°Ah¡ªno, of course not. But considering how Luthier treated you earlier¡ I figured a bit more punishment was in order.¡±
Yun Jin chuckled, his gaze still lingering on Luthier. ¡°Yes, but teasing him was enough. Going further would¡¯ve been unneeded violence, don¡¯t you think?¡±
He folded his arms. ¡°I¡¯ve dealt with many young masters. Best option is to ignore them. Second best? Teach them something small.¡±
His tone shifted, thoughtful. ¡°These people never learn that respect is earned, not given. But that also means we must earn it from them too. Otherwise, it¡¯s hypocrisy. I was lucky to be in the right this time.¡±
Henrik looked at him, impressed. ¡°That¡¯s a wise perspective. Your master must be quite the teacher.¡±
Yun Jin nodded slowly. ¡°He is. Though¡ I¡¯m not sure if I¡¯ll ever see him again. But if I do, and the chance comes, I¡¯ll bring you along.¡±
¡°That¡¯s enough for me,¡± Henrik said with a smile.
A hush fell over the room again.
All eyes turned to Luthier as he descended from the VIP platform. Mages encircled him, weaving a reinforced barrier around him. Then they extended a second barrier to bridge the distance between him and the stage¡ªensuring no interruption, and no destabilization.
Anesa stood by the pedestal, calm and composed. ¡°Are you certain, Mister Veldorne?¡±
¡°Yes.¡±
This time, there was no arrogance in his voice. Only resolve.
From where he sat, Yun Jin blinked.
This guy¡
Anesa gave him a small nod. ¡°Then I wish you luck.¡± She stepped back, conjuring her own barrier before retreating behind layers of magical defense.
Yun Jin frowned and leaned toward Henrik. ¡°Even she needs a barrier? Isn¡¯t the stage warded well enough?¡±
Henrik¡¯s expression turned serious. ¡°The blade may be a ten percent replica¡ but the other ninety percent is still a mystery. These weapons are tied to forces we don¡¯t fully understand. The sword may respond to its wielder¡ªor reject them.¡±
Yun Jin¡¯s gaze flicked back to Luthier.
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Henrik continued, ¡°If you¡¯re lucky, the sword will just push you away. If not¡ possession isn¡¯t unheard of.¡±
The entire hall held its breath as Luthier reached forward.
And placed his hand upon the hilt.
Yun Jin¡¯s curiosity burned as the process unfolded.
Activating [Mana Eyes], his vision adjusted¡ªpeeling back layers of arcane energy that shrouded the stage. He saw the dense weave of mana forming the barriers, warding off interference. But with added focus, he glimpsed something deeper: the sword¡¯s internal energy interacting with Luthier¡¯s aura.
Something was wrong.
A distinct, alien current within the blade began to stir. It seeped outward, latching onto Luthier¡¯s flow like a parasite. At the same moment, blood trickled from Luthier¡¯s nose. Anesa raised her hand, ready to intervene, but Luthier roared out, ¡°Don¡¯t!¡±
Foolish.
The ominous energy surged, erupting from the sword in a dark wave. The entire hall felt it¡ªa pulse of dread that chilled the spine.
¡°Demonic energy!¡± Henrik shouted.
Luthier¡¯s eyes turned pitch black.
With a snarl, he launched forward. Anesa barely had time to raise her barrier before it was sliced through by a single, terrifying arc of the hero sword. She stumbled back, attempting to summon wind magic, but Luthier¡¯s advance was unrelenting.
Before the strike landed, Serra appeared in a flash, intercepting the blow. Her sword shattered upon impact, but the deflection was enough. Both she and Anesa retreated.
Black Moon Auction¡¯s guards stormed the stage. But Luthier¡ªpossessed, blood-eyed, voice distorted¡ªwas no longer human in his movements. He tore through their formations, magic and steel useless against him. The sword absorbed the blood spilled, each drop fueling his rampage.
Anesa¡¯s voice rang with grim authority. ¡°Luthier Veldorne is declared fallen. All forces¡ªkill him.¡±
¡°No¡ªplease!¡± Serra shouted, stepping in front of her master. ¡°He¡¯s still in there! Just give me a moment!¡±
Anesa¡¯s jaw clenched. ¡°You know the law. A host of demonic influence must be destroyed before the corruption spreads.¡±
¡°Please!¡± Serra¡¯s voice cracked. ¡°Master Luthier! You¡¯re not like this! Let go of the sword! Forget the heirship¡ªjust come back!¡±
Luthier twitched. One eye, for a fleeting second, returned to normal.
He spoke¡ªbroken, torn, but human.
¡°I¡ remember¡¡±
The hall froze.
Everyone knew: if they killed Luthier now, the Veldorne family would retaliate. His survival mattered more than just one life.
Serra pressed on, her voice trembling. ¡°Please¡ you don¡¯t need the sword. Just come back to me.¡±
Luthier¡¯s breathing grew ragged. He looked down at the blade¡ªand howled. Darkness flared again as he charged toward Serra, sword raised to strike her down.
She didn¡¯t move.
Tears streamed from her eyes as she closed them, choosing memory over survival.
¡°That¡¯s enough.¡±
A flash of light.
The sword flew from Luthier¡¯s grip. He collapsed, unconscious, blood dripping from countless wounds.
Yun Jin stood between them, his knuckles bruised but his expression calm.
He looked down at the fallen heir, thoughts swirling.
It amplifies the wielder¡¯s body¡ but drains aura faster than it can be controlled. Just like¡ Merlin?
Serra scrambled to Luthier¡¯s side, shaking him.
¡°Master! Wake up¡ªplease!¡±
She looked up at Yun Jin, desperate.
¡°Please¡ your elixir¡ª¡±
But Yun Jin didn¡¯t move. He sat cross-legged beside the body, calm and practiced. He¡¯d seen this before. He knew what to do.
With precise control of Qi, he stabilized Luthier¡¯s frenzied aura, guiding it back into alignment. Slowly, the chaotic energy subsided.
Luthier¡¯s expression eased. His eyes fluttered open.
¡°If you want to start using weapons,¡± Yun Jin said, ¡°I suggest a spear. Much easier for beginners.¡±
Luthier looked away, ashamed. But in his mind, he remembered: the sword slipping from his grasp, Yun Jin catching it mid-swing, swatting it away like a toy. The difference in skill had been insurmountable.
¡°¡Thank you.¡±
It was grudging¡ªbut sincere. He took Yun Jin¡¯s hand.
Serra embraced him tightly, sobbing in relief.
¡°I¡¯m sorry,¡± Luthier whispered. This time, he meant it.
Yun Jin turned to Anesa. ¡°So¡ what do we do with the sword now? It¡¯s worth a fortune, isn¡¯t it?¡±
¡°Per auction rules, it now belongs to mister Luthier,¡± she replied, tone neutral.
The hall whispered in surprise.
Luthier slowly stood, eyes on the blade. ¡°I don¡¯t want it. Dispose of it.¡±
Gasps. Murmurs.
He was discarding the very item he¡¯d spent everything to obtain.
Anesa nodded, moving forward with magic to reclaim the blade.
But before she sealed it away¡ª
¡°Can I have it instead?¡±
All eyes turned.
Yun Jin¡¯s gaze was calm, but sharp.
A new ripple spread through the crowd.
What¡ did he just say?
Chapter 53: The 10% Legendary Sword
Yun Jin smiled calmly, turning to face the tense crowd. "Yes," he said, his voice steady and unwavering. "I know exactly what I''m doing."
A hush fell as another figure stepped forward from the crowd. Cloaked in heavy, pitch-black robes, the stranger¡¯s presence didn¡¯t just announce itself¡ªit invaded the space. The air thickened with tension, a primal instinct telling everyone: danger.
¡°If you fail, I get it next,¡± the figure said, voice distorted like a broken instrument¡ªneither male nor female, only raw, warped intent.
Even the manager, composed through most of the evening, faltered. She tugged lightly at her collar, eyes narrowing. ¡°For safety reasons, this is no longer permissible,¡± she said, though the strain in her voice betrayed the tremble beneath.
Then the figure turned.
Not with haste. Not with anger. Just a glance. But it was enough.
A wave of spiritual force exploded outward¡ªsilent but absolute. It slammed through the room like an invisible avalanche. Guests gasped, many collapsing into their seats. Mages staggered. Faces paled. Sweat ran down brows like melting wax.
Only Yun Jin remained standing.
But to say he was untouched would be a lie.
Fear clawed up his spine and coiled in his gut
He swallowed hard. Whoever this figure was, they were on a level far beyond him.
The manager¡¯s knuckles whitened around her clipboard. ¡°Proceed, then.¡±
The cloaked stranger gave a slight nod to Yun Jin, a gesture that somehow held both patience and power. Yun Jin responded with one of his own, more cautious than confident.
He inhaled deeply, steadying his nerves. Gathering his Qi, he summoned [Aura Blade]. Light poured into form at his palm, dancing in golden arcs, shimmering like liquid starlight. A few in the crowd let out soft gasps.
Then, he reached out.
The moment his fingers touched the hilt of the sword, energy surged into him.
This energy... so pure.
It flowed into his body like divine water¡ªcleaner than any spring, clearer than ice-cold air atop sacred peaks.
But beauty never came without danger.
Something else stirred.
An oily presence slithered up from the blade. It wormed its way through his arm and into his chest.
Then the sickness hit.
Yun Jin¡¯s gut twisted. His breath caught. A wave of nausea washed over him¡ªnot of the body, but the soul. Whispers slithered at the edge of his hearing. The room spun. Madness clawed at his mind with poisoned talons.
Rage flared. Hunger. Bloodlust.
He tried to resist, but it was like drowning in dark water. His awareness remained intact¡ªhe knew what was happening¡ªbut he couldn''t stop it. He couldn¡¯t move. He couldn¡¯t breathe.
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So this is corruption... he realized.
The sword¡¯s presence was no longer dormant. It was alive. And it wanted a host.
Just as he felt himself slipping into that abyss¡ª
A hand pressed gently to his back.
"Focus on your soul. Not your mind."
The voice was clear. Pure. No longer masked by distortion. It rang in his head like a bell forged from starlight.
Clarity.
Without hesitation, Yun Jin activated [Soul Link].
The world vanished.
And he was in the soul realm.
The sky stretched overhead, dark and brooding. Before him, a dawning light struggled to shine, streaming toward him like a promise half-broken. But massive clouds loomed above, suffocating that light.
The shadows noticed him.
They struck.
Yun Jin didn¡¯t flinch.
With practiced intent, he summoned the Heaven-Ruling Blade.
In a single stroke, he slashed through the sky itself.
The clouds parted like torn paper.
Light flooded the realm.
And the corruption fled.
His eyes opened. The energy was gone. The sword lay silent. The cloaked figure¡ªgone.
The auction hall was dead silent. Dozens of spells and weapons pointed at him.
Yun Jin blinked.
Then, with a grin, he moved.
In a flash, he raised the sword and slashed the air.
¡°NOW!!¡± someone yelled.
A storm of magic and steel hurtled toward him.
Light erupted.
Light Blade Sovereign Style: Fourth Form ¨C Gale Rend.
A spinning arc of blinding energy tore through the oncoming attacks. Magic was devoured, arrows shredded mid-flight. A burst of golden wind blew through the fog, parting it like a curtain.
And then he stood alone. Sword drawn. Not a scratch on him.
¡°Wait! WAIT! It¡¯s okay now!¡± Yun Jin shouted, waving one hand.
The crowd froze.
He lowered the sword carefully. Then, with both hands, bowed deeply. ¡°Apologies. I needed to be certain.¡±
The tension didn¡¯t vanish, but it eased¡ªjust a bit.
Slowly, Yun Jin raised the sword to display it.
[The Legendary Sword (10% Replica) (Rank A+): A blade forged to emulate the weapon of the Hero of Ages. Contains innate resistance to magic.]
--
Elsewhere, far from the chaos of the auction house¡ª
Within the Ardent¡¯s mansion, in the deepest level of the estate¡¯s medical wing, Merlin lay silent upon a crystal bed. Soft lights pulsed around him, suspended in stasis.
And then, a figure emerged from the shadows, darker than night. A silhouette wrapped in a cloak that drank in all light, leaving no edge, no detail¡ªonly absence.
The wind did not move. The light did not shine.
The being extended a pale, porcelain-like hand toward Merlin, brushing his cheek¡ªnot with care, but confirmation.
Nothing sensed them. Not the security wards. Not the servants. Not even the shadows kept by Ardent himself.
"Hero candidate... and a perfect me," the figure whispered, envy and malice coating each syllable.
In the next breath, they vanished¡ªblinked from the room like a passing thought.
A heartbeat later, they stood atop the city wall.
One glance.
That was all they needed.
Eyes like pits of infinity swept across the capital, peeling back illusions and secrets. They saw the cult¡¯s twisted rituals brewing in hidden chambers. The shadow demons slithering through alleyways. The masked hands of nobles playing dark games of power.
Strong individuals roamed the city. Warriors. Mages. Assassins.
But none interested the figure.
None, except one.
Their gaze paused in the direction of the auction house.
On Yun Jin.
They lingered only a moment.
Then they were gone.