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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: bchen3
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-Depending on the circumstances, it could be quite helpful.
Someone’s words.
With that statement, I realized I was dreaming.
‘At some point, I haven’t had a dream even once.’
I guessed it was since the unimplemented characteristic had manifested.
I would simply fall asleep when I closed my eyes, and it would be morning when I opened them.
At first I found it strange, but now I didn’t even care.
‘Because now I know what happens in between.’
But right now, I couldn’t do that.
It wasn’t just that I was aware of being in a lucid dream.
The reason was none other than the scene unfolding before my eyes.
‘This place…’
As if watching a scene from a movie, my vision gradually recovered.
First, I saw the interior of a dilapidated building.
Then, I noticed the back of an aged man standing alone in the center.
When he turned around, his intense appearance was revealed.
‘One arm is missing…?’
The place where his left arm should have been was completely empty.
Not only that, but his right eye was also covered with terrible scars.
A one-armed, one-eyed man.
Who on earth was he, and why had he appeared in my dream?
Before I could even ponder these questions, the man opened his mouth.
-What do you want me to teach you? And not even ……, but how to kill such trash?
A voice like scraping metal.
Perhaps due to the noise interference, I heard some words being omitted.
Moreover, the man’s grumbling tone seemed somehow directed at me.
While I was feeling perplexed.
-Good grief, do I have to play the role of …… even in these end times? And to such a dark fellow at that?
-Fine, I’ll teach you. But first, show me your skills.
Suddenly, the aging man lunged at me.
My vision flipped dynamically, feeling exactly as if I were experiencing it myself.
Only after that continued for about a minute did the man step back.
Then he slowly opened his mouth.
-You’re terrible. Well, is that to be expected?
A merciless assessment.
But his following words had a somewhat different nuance.
-However, you do have judgment and sense. Is it because you’ve lived as a …… for so long?
He pointed out flaws but acknowledged strengths.
It was different from the impression that he would be stingy with praise.
Soon, as if doing me a favor, he twisted up the corner of his mouth and said.
-Well, fine. As it happens, I’ll teach you a combat method that’s perfect for you.
A combat method that’s perfect for me.
Even though the words weren’t meant for me, I was intrigued.
As I listened carefully, the man’s mouth slowly opened.
-I don’t have a habit of explaining things twice, so listen well. When dealing with trash, that is, multiple opponents…
Just before the main point was about to come out.
“…i!”
A voice faintly reached my ears.
The sound rapidly grew louder.
“Ilhan-i! Wake up, it’s morning! You’re going to be late!”
It resonated loudly in my ears.
None other than Im Gangcheol.
Only then did I wake up from my dream.
At the same time, I realized.
That there were only about 3 minutes left until the start of first period.
‘I’m definitely going to be late.’
I bounced up from my bed.
…
…
…
A little while later.
“A-are we safe?!”
“You’re out, you fools!”
Im Gangcheol flinched at the professor’s scolding who was in charge of the first period.
In the end, we were inevitably late.
Fortunately, the professor let it go with a warning and continued the class.
Soon after, Im Gangcheol:
“Puhwahaha-!”
Fell asleep at the speed of light, as always.
Since I was now used to this state, I paid no mind and turned my attention elsewhere.
‘What was that dream I had today?’
An unfamiliar space and an elderly man I had never seen before.
Asking for his teachings, and receiving his guidance.
These were all scenes I had no memory of.
‘I don’t remember it. Then perhaps…’
The Shadow. Could it be his memories?
That thought suddenly occurred to me.
‘Could this also be part of a new function?’
As soon as I considered the possibility, I checked my status window.
Among everything, I first looked at the synchronization rate.
[Characteristic]
-Shadow of ????
Synchronization rate 20%
Succession Stage 1 -Weak Link-
As expected, unlike yesterday’s 19%, it had risen to 20%.
But what really caught my eye was something else.
[Succession Stage 1 -Weak Link-]
A phrase I had never seen before had been added below the synchronization rate.
‘Succession Stage 1? Weak Link…?’
What was being succeeded?
What was a link, and how did it function?
Due to the complete lack of clues or explanations, I couldn’t figure it out at all.
One thing was certain:
‘So that dream is related to him after all.’
It was only that it was related to the Shadow.
However, this phenomenon felt somewhat different.
While new phenomena generally brought beneficial results.
This time, it was difficult to gauge.
For now, I put my doubts aside and moved on to the next check.
‘Let’s see if there will be any changes in behavior.’
The moment I played the video, something strange caught my eye from the start.
He was standing there for a while, muttering something.
Upon immediate inspection:
-Whatever you see, face it squarely.
-Depending on the circumstances, it could be quite helpful.
I could tell that this was what I had heard just before dreaming.
‘Face it squarely? What does it mean that it could be helpful…’
Unable to understand the meaning, I continued watching the video for now.
His behavior was also different from before.
He was heading to the magic training room instead of the weapon training room, and engaging in magic training rather than the Nine Demon Subduing Fists.
Unlike my earlier question, this part made some sense.
‘Because I finished mastering it last night.’
Toward the end of the private lesson, Instructor Go Taesik had said:
It was about time, he said.
Since I had been feeling the same, I tried without delay that evening.
As a result:
-Nine Demon Subduing Fists (B)
Nine fists that subjugate demons
I had acquired my second B-grade skill following Hyeoncheon Ganggi.
‘The instructor said it was at least C-grade, so I wondered if maybe…’
And it actually happened.
The martial art, Nine Demon Subduing Fists, which sounded extraordinary from its name, was of the uncommon B-grade.
Perhaps because I recalled this.
My interest in the previous questions naturally diminished.
‘Thinking about it now won’t give me any answers anyway.’
The Nine Demon Subduing Fists, on the other hand, were different.
Not only could I use it, but I would soon be able to confirm its power.
‘Since today marks the start of proper practical sparring.’
The true value of the Nine Demon Subduing Fists as a skill.
Just how powerful would it be?
With anticipation, I waited for the 7th period, the practical sparring session.
* * *
7th period, Advanced Weapon Skills class.
As soon as it began:
“Hey, youngsters! Come here quickly!”
Instructor Go Taesik called out to me and Im Gangcheol.
Then:
“We’re done with the lessons on how to take hits, from today we’re moving on to lessons on how to give them.”
He relayed to Im Gangcheol exactly what he had told me yesterday.
“Ohh-!”
Im Gangcheol also showed a reaction not much different from mine.
Addressing both of us, Instructor Go Taesik added a brief explanation:
“The format is practical sparring, and your opponents are……”
Then he immediately turned his head and:
“You three, come over here!”
He shouted toward the course for experienced students.
While most students flinched:
Three cadets hurriedly began to run over.
‘Could it be them?’
They somehow looked familiar.
With such thoughts, as I was looking around the experienced course, I suddenly made eye contact with someone.
‘…Sim Inuk, ah.’
Only then did I remember.
The fact that the three who had just been called were those who hung around with Sim Inuk.
‘Jin Changsik, Eom Juntae, and Son Giuk, was it? But why three? There are only two of us.’
While I was thinking that, the three had already approached Instructor Go Taesik and lined up.
He glanced at the three, then continued his explanation to us.
“These guys are your sparring partners. Im Gangcheol, you’ll take one. And An Ilhan!”
“Yes.”
“You’ll take two.”
“…What?”
“Two, I said. It’s 2 against 1.”
Only then did I realize why he had called three people.
Regardless, I was left speechless.
But before I could object, he preempted me.
“Im Gangcheol, that kid only has basic skills. But what about you?”
Black Shadow Step and Nine Demon Subduing Fists.
Having C-grade and B-grade skills, naturally the difficulty should be different.
That’s how it came across.
Instructor Go Taesik’s words didn’t end there.
“Besides, it seems you’re quite eager for victory.”
“…That’s right.”
“Sim Inuk, do you want to beat that kid?”
“…!”
My eyes widened at his tone, which seemed to see right through my inner thoughts.
But his next words made me frown.
“With that attitude, you’re not thinking of building up your skills sluggishly like a sloth, are you?”
“…Well.”
“If you do that, you won’t even be able to compete with him, let alone surpass him, for your entire life.”
The moment I heard that:
“I’ll do it, 2 against 1.”
I answered reflexively.
In reality, Instructor Go Taesik’s words were true.
‘He’s already far ahead of me.’
In such a situation, to chase after him and eventually catch up, ordinary methods wouldn’t suffice.
Whether it’s 2 against 1, or 3 against 1.
Only by aiming for the extraordinary beyond the ordinary could there be any possibility.
And by getting stronger that way:
‘I’ll be able to take a big step closer to my goal.’
By the time I had completely made up my mind:
“That’s how you should respond!”
Instructor Go Taesik’s lips twitched.
From what I’d observed so far, that expression meant he was quite pleased.
When the preparations for the sparring were complete:
“Then Im Gangcheol, you start first. Your opponent will be Jin Changsik.”
Instructor Go Taesik paired up Im Gangcheol with his sparring partner.
My opponents naturally became the remaining two, Eom Juntae and Son Giuk.
Upon confirmation, I turned my head and suddenly felt gazes from the surroundings.
All the cadets were focusing their attention on the different teaching method.
Among them:
“……”
Sim Inuk was included.
While I was calmly receiving his displeased gaze:
“Then begin!”
The first practical sparring session began.
Im Gangcheol was the first to move.
Tadat-
A truly ferocious charge.
His opponent, seemingly flustered, belatedly assumed a stance.
As a slugfest began:
The styles of the two people diverged dramatically.
Jin Changsik, who belonged to the course for experienced students.
His footwork and martial arts had quite a refined feel.
As for Im Gangcheol?
“Hyaaaaap!”
The Three Calamities Step and Six Harmonies Fist.
Being basic skills, they were crude and simple.
At a glance, Im Gangcheol seemed to be at a disadvantage in terms of power.
But:
“This level is merely ticklish!”
A reckless offensive that disregarded damage.
Plus his wild movements.
Im Gangcheol fully utilized what he had to somehow bridge the power gap and engaged in a close match.
After about 5 minutes had passed:
“Enough!”
Instructor Go Taesik ended the sparring.
Then, with a rather dissatisfied tone, he began to speak.
“If I were to score, you’re both a mess, so I’ll go straight to the evaluation. First, Jin Changsik!”
“…Yes!”
“Your basics and understanding are passable. But your judgment is trash. You had a good weapon but got swept up by your opponent, that’s why it turned out this way!”
Perhaps because he had been caught up in Im Gangcheol’s pace and engaged in a close-quarters slugfest.
Jin Changsik hung his head at the merciless evaluation.
He then shouted at Im Gangcheol:
“Youngster!”
“Yes sir!”
“Your posture, power distribution, everything is a complete mess!”
An even more merciless evaluation.
But his expression was different.
Especially his lips, which were twitching uncontrollably.
As if to prove this:
“But your strategy wasn’t bad! Just focus on minimizing wasted movements from now on!”
“Yes sir, I’ll work hard-!”
He concluded with detailed praise.
After the unexpectedly solid feedback:
“Next, An Ilhan! And the rest of you, to your positions!”
My turn approached.
Facing the two cadets.
They were glaring at me as if they wanted to kill me.
Not only that:
“2 against 1? There’s a limit to being arrogant!”
“If you think you can rampage like that pig-like guy, you’re in for a big surprise!”
They openly exuded hostility.
My head tilted involuntarily at that sight.
‘…What did I do? Or is it because Im Gangcheol performed well?’
Regardless of my confusion, it didn’t particularly matter.
Hostility, killing intent, and other malevolent energies were the antithesis of the Nine Demon Subduing Fists.
They were merely prey.
I gladly accepted it and responded with a smile.
“H-he’s smiling?! This guy…!”
Just as the two were about to unleash harsh reactions:
“That’s enough, now begin!”
Instructor Go Taesik intervened.
At his command, the two, rendered speechless, momentarily flinched, then:
Tadat-
They simultaneously rushed at me.
‘Even though the Nine Demon Subduing Fists excel at sensing killing intent.’
1 against 2, sparring against multiple opponents was a first for me.
Therefore, I was planning to aim for counterattacks rather than initiating.
Just as I was about to carefully deploy the Nine Demon Subduing Fists that had become a skill:
-Listen well. When dealing with multiple opponents, there’s one key.
Suddenly, a voice like scraping metal echoed in my ears.
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