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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: FusionX
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“…Mister, where are you going?”
“For a night stroll.”
Hye-ryeong looked at me as if I was about to do something wrong, then glanced at Mokgyeong.
He was fast asleep, so still he seemed almost lifeless.
“…I want to come too.”
“…It’s just a walk around the village.”
“Still.”
If Hye-ryeong wanted to come, I wouldn’t stop her.
I nodded, and we carefully opened the door.
The old door creaked, but it wasn’t difficult to leave without waking the owner.
The village head wasn’t a martial artist.
“Mister, are you really just going for a walk?”
I couldn’t deceive Hye-ryeong completely.
I paused for a moment, gathering my thoughts, then shared as much information as I could.
“…I wanted to practice the Arrow-Swift Steps.”
“Do you have to do it here?”
Hye-ryeong tilted her head, questioning me.
“I have a good feeling about this place.”
“I’m not sure about watching you train…”
“You can watch if you want. It’s a concept you’re already familiar with.”
According to the manual I had read several times on our journey, it wasn’t a particularly special technique.
It simply described the principles and applications of a basic footwork technique in detail.
To Hye-ryeong, who had learned the Gentle Cloud Steps, it would probably seem like child’s play, so there was no harm in her watching.
She might even offer some helpful advice.
“Then I’ll watch you train, Mister.”
“Let’s find an open space.”
We walked through the dark village, searching for a suitable area. We soon concluded that it would be better to practice in the mountains.
“We might get lost.”
“Don’t worry. I have a good sense of direction.”
Hye-ryeong puffed out her chest, confidently placing her hands on her hips.
“Alright, let’s go.”
The path to the mountains was dark, but we were martial artists.
We could leap thirty feet, shatter rocks with our fists, and eavesdrop on whispers from afar.
Mere darkness couldn’t stop us.
“This should be good enough.”
“I’ll sit over there.”
I watched Hye-ryeong settle down on a nearby rock, then turned my attention forward and closed my eyes.
My true purpose was to search for traces of the Blood Wolf Gang, but since I couldn’t reveal that, I had to at least pretend to practice.
I focused my senses, recalling the principles of the Ultimate Footwork Techniques.
A footwork technique that propelled you forward using the momentum of bending and extending your back leg.
It wasn’t difficult to execute or master.
It was essentially the same technique I used, just without aura. But footwork was all about the movement of your feet.
To develop proper footwork, I needed to refine my footwork techniques.
I moved back and forth across the clearing, practicing the Arrow-Swift Steps.
A crude, unrefined footwork technique, devoid of the flashiness of advanced techniques. But it was exactly what I needed.
I needed a footwork technique I could use while wearing armor.
While it might seem anachronistic, there was a reason for the saying “simple is best.”
Simple and fast.
Therefore, even more suitable.
I would create…such a footwork technique.
“Mister, shouldn’t you relax your legs a bit?”
“Should I?”
“Master used to say that you shouldn’t put too much force into your legs when moving. Too much force disrupts the flow of the footwork.”
“In other words, don’t waste energy.”
“Exactly.”
“Thank you.”
“Hehe…”
Was she that happy about being thanked?
I turned my attention away from the beaming Hye-ryeong and resumed practicing the Arrow-Swift Steps.
Until I perfected this simple movement.
“You want to stay a few more days?”
“Don’t worry about the meals. We brought our own food.”
“I can’t treat guests like that. I’ll provide meals. I can’t offer anything extravagant, but…I must at least offer food to my guests.”
“We’ll pay you.”
“No need. What use does this old man have for money?”
His words made me feel guilty.
While my purpose was to protect this village from a madman, staying here under the pretense of training was undoubtedly a burden.
“Thank you, Elder.”
“Thank you, Elder.”
“Thank you for allowing us to stay.”
“It’s nothing. I have nothing else to do…I’m just lonely. I’ll go prepare breakfast, so rest well.”
The elderly man left the room. We watched him go, then sat down in the corner and closed our eyes.
“Hye-ryeong, Mokgyeong, I’ll be meditating, so please keep watch.”
“Okay~”
“Understood, Benefactor.”
Good. Then, let’s refine the information I have while meditating.
I sank into thought, feeling the stirring within my mana core.
First…when would the Blood Wolf Gang appear?
Based on the original story, the village was attacked sometime after the tournament, so it should be within a few days.
It could be sooner or later than I expected, but it was likely to happen within my estimated timeframe.
The incident occurred shortly after the tournament.
So, it was wise to wait here for Gwak Mu-sam of the Blood Wolf Gang.
Even if the original story had changed, the Blood Wolf Gang’s actions shouldn’t have.
…Unless something unexpected happened?
While it was unlikely that their plans had changed, I couldn’t shake off my unease.
Life rarely went according to plan.
So, all I could do was my best.
Just like on the battlefield.
“…I’m done. Hye-ryeong, it’s your turn to cultivate.”
“Then please keep watch!”
“Of course.”
I readily agreed to Hye-ryeong’s request. It was common courtesy to return the favor.
I leaned against the wall and watched Hye-ryeong meditate.
Seeing her with such a serious expression was a strange feeling.
“…Hehe. I can’t concentrate with you staring at me like that.”
“Sorry.”
“It’s okay.”
I turned my gaze towards the window.
The weather was perfect. If I didn’t have a reason to stay, I would have continued my journey.
I listened to the surrounding sounds as I waited for Hye-ryeong to finish cultivating.
The rustling of household items. Hye-ryeong’s steady breathing. The chirping of sparrows in the distance.
Nothing unusual. Should I just space out?
Or think about how to integrate the Arrow-Swift Steps into my Arts?
As I idly passed the time, Hye-ryeong opened her eyes.
“Mister, I’m done!”
“Good. Mokgyeong’s turn next.”
“I’m fine.”
“Really?”
“Yes.”
If he said so.
“Are you awake?”
“Yes, Elder.”
“Come this way. I’ve prepared lunch.”
“Alright.”
We got up to eat a slightly early lunch.
“…They should be here soon.”
It had been three days, and there was still no sign of them.
Did I miscalculate the timing?
“Huh?”
“It’s nothing.”
I looked up at the night sky.
The full moon caught my attention.
Seeing the full moon in autumn made me think of Chuseok, the Korean Thanksgiving.
Though it didn’t exist here…
Wait,
A full moon?
A sudden thought struck me.
I pressed my fingers against my forehead, unraveling the threads of my memory.
“…Is it today?”
Why had I forgotten?
In the beginning of the original story’s episode, the villager who informed the Patrol Unit mentioned the night of the full moon.
I just had to wait for the full moon.
A mix of frustration and excitement washed over me as I picked up my longsword.
If they appeared tonight, where would they appear?
The original story didn’t specify where the Blood Wolf Gang attacked the village. I just assumed they came from the mountains.
“…I can’t just wait here.”
“Mister? What’s wrong?”
“Hye-ryeong, Mokgyeong, let’s go outside.”
“In the middle of the night?”
“Seeing the full moon makes me want to hunt.”
“Hunt?”
“Hunt…?”
They both tilted their heads, puzzled by my words.
But I couldn’t explain the reason, so I spoke firmly.
“I have a bad feeling, so I’m going to investigate. Follow me. If you don’t trust me, you can stay here.”
“I’ll follow you, Mister.”
“I will follow you as well, Benefactor.”
Hye-ryeong and Mokgyeong strapped their swords to their waists and stood behind me.
I would finish this quickly and get back to sleep.
I quietly opened the door and left the village head’s house.
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