Chapter 495
When you’re an infant, it’s normal not to control your bladder. At seven years old? It’s understandable for a kindergartener. If you’re in elementary school, it might be a little embarrassing, but for younger students, it’s not unheard of.
But I’m twenty-seven.
In the 21st century, modern media hails me as a new hero, and the warriors of Murim call me the successor of the Fire King, a rising star destined to reshape the martial world.
And yet…
‘Shit.’
I just let it all out.
At twenty-seven.
And it wasn’t just urine—it was the other thing.
Right in front of Moon Kyung.
“Ah, Anatasia…!”
“…Take your time cleaning up.”
Moon Kyung, who had been silent for a long while, left after saying just that. He didn’t seem particularly sympathetic—rather, it looked like he was more worried about his precious sword getting tainted by the mess.
Damn old man.
Every time I recall what just happened, I want to log out and never return to this godforsaken world.
‘Maybe I should just quit Murim entirely.’
As I sat by the water, seriously contemplating my life choices, a familiar face approached me with a grin.
“Captain, what are you doing here alone…?”
The moment I recognized him, I cursed from the depths of my soul.
“Hyeok Mu-jin, you son of a bitch.”
“Wait, why the sudden insults?”
“Just stay out of my sight for a while. Please.”
“No matter how much you’re my captain, isn’t it too much to spit on someone who’s smiling?”
“Kak, ptooey!”
“Ugh!”
Hyeok Mu-jin barely dodged my spit and looked at me like I was some kind of lunatic.
“What the hell happened to you?”
“Nothing. Just shut up and get lost.”
“You’re not making any sense.”
“Want me to rearrange your limbs to make it make sense?”
That bastard was the reason I lost my stats and, more importantly, my dignity as a human being.
I knew the real culprit was Moon Kyung, but I was barely holding back my fists.
Completely oblivious to my inner turmoil, Hyeok Mu-jin stared at me in confusion.
“Geez. If anyone saw this, they’d think I made you shit your pants or something.”
“…A?”
“What’s with that reaction?”
“…Nothing. Why are you here?”
Still looking at me with suspicion, Hyeok Mu-jin pointed toward a group of people in the distance.
“We’ve roughly finished sorting things out, but something seems off.”
“Off? How?”
“The amount of bones and scales from the Imoogi is much less than expected. I think you need to check it out yourself, Captain.”
“Really?”
“Yes. Given the Imoogi’s size, the amount recovered seems unusually low. Hyun Gong Jin is currently flipping the entire area upside down in a fit of rage. He swore on the honor of Wonsicheonjon that he’ll find the culprit if someone stole them.”
What is he, some kind of detective?
This guy personally helped retrieve the bones, even going so far as to use the Taiji Enlightened Sword. But now that he suspects someone took them, he’s completely losing his mind.
I couldn’t help but scoff as I asked Hyeok Mu-jin,
“How the hell would someone even steal that much? And it’s not like the missing amount is small—it should be at least a thousand jins. How would anyone sneak that past us?”
“Exactly. Plus, only a handful of people even knew about this location in the first place—”
Hyeok Mu-jin stopped mid-sentence and suddenly looked at me.
“Wait… how did you know the missing amount was over a thousand jins?”
“Huh?”
“You just said that. How did you know?”
“I just made a rough guess. The area’s been noisy about it since earlier.”
I tried to sound casual, but I felt my stomach drop.
Because…
‘Damn it, he’s sharp. I need to watch what I say.’
After all, the culprit Hyun Gong Jin was searching for… was me.
Every time I thought about the pile of stolen materials sitting safely in my inventory, I felt a deep satisfaction.
‘Yeah… I really did take a lot.’
It was easier than scrolling through my phone in bed.
The Imoogi’s corpse was massive, and since I handled most of the processing, I had first dibs on the best parts. I swept them into my inventory without hesitation—
The sharpest tailbone, the toughest scales from the neck, and even some meat just in case.
If I were to pile everything I took in one place, it would be big enough to overshadow most mansions.
“…Why do you look so pleased with yourself?”
“Me? What are you talking about?”
“Just now. You looked really shady.”
It seemed my satisfaction had unintentionally shown on my face.
I quickly schooled my expression.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Whatever. Anyway, don’t worry about that mess over there. Just start getting ready.”
“Ready for what?”
“We’re leaving. Or do you plan on living here forever?”
The sorted remains of the Imoogi would be discreetly transported by reliable people.
Most of it would end up in the hands of the Taewon Family.
‘This will be a huge asset for the upcoming battles.’
With that thought in mind, I stood up.
I watched Hyeok Mu-jin sprinting off into the distance and murmured to myself,
‘Open Inventory. Summon.’
Swoosh.
At my command, the Imoogi’s bones, scales, and even its meat appeared in my hands. A satisfied smile spread across my face.
‘Item Appraisal.’
Ding!
[Imoogi’s Bone]
– Type: Material
– Grade: Supreme
– Restriction: Only a master craftsman can refine it.
– Description: The bone of an Imoogi that has lived for centuries. It possesses extreme durability and an unknown mystical energy. If refined by a skilled artisan, it can unleash its true power.
The system’s description for the scales was nearly identical—extreme durability, imbued with mystical energy, and classified as supreme-grade material.
As for the meat, consuming it over time could boost my internal energy and stats.
‘This is basically winning the lottery.’
But the real jackpot was yet to come.
If the bones and scales were like hitting the lottery, and the meat was a pension plan, then this was the Super Bowl grand prize.
With a pounding heart, I pulled it out from my inventory.
‘Item Appraisal.’
Ding!
[Imoogi’s Core]
– Grade: None
– Restriction: None
– Description: A purified core extracted from an Imoogi that lived for countless years. Though slightly damaged by magic, it still contains an immense amount of pure energy. Unlike ordinary elixirs, its effects are on a completely different level. However, if one fails to withstand its energy… [Further details omitted.]
‘This is insane.’
I carefully caressed the [Imoogi’s Core] in my hands. The last line of its description was ominous, but this was undoubtedly the greatest reward from my journey to Hubei.
‘Unlike ordinary elixirs… Just how strong is it?’
Since it had been tainted by magic, the energy it originally possessed was probably diminished, but even so, it was still an incredible find.
The Imoogi had lived for over five hundred years. Even with a rough calculation, that meant it had accumulated at least the energy of ten full lifetimes.
In that sense, the weakening of the Core might actually be a blessing in disguise.
‘If the vessel is too small, the water will overflow.’
Just as the item description warned, even for someone like me, absorbing that much energy at once would likely make me explode like a balloon.
‘The real question is when and where to use it.’
Several faces flashed through my mind.
But one in particular, an elderly one, kept appearing.
‘Old man…’
It wasn’t just because Jeok Cheon-Gang was old.
Rather, it was because of Moon Kyung’s poison.
After suffering from the aftermath of Seven-Step Soul Chasing, I had lost ten whole points of my stats, and worse, I had ended up shitting myself from the severe abdominal pain. That made me wonder—
‘If Seven-Step Soul Chasing was this bad… what state is the old man in after being poisoned by the Formless Supreme Venom?’
Seven-Step Soul Chasing was indeed a deadly poison, but it wasn’t lethal enough to threaten the life of a Peak Grandmaster martial artist.
However, the Formless Supreme Venom, which Jeok Cheon-Gang had been poisoned with in Henan, was on an entirely different level.
Even Luoyang’s Mad Doctor, one of the greatest medical experts in the world, couldn’t find a cure and had recommended seeking out Divine Healer instead. And even he had required the Ten-Thousand Poison Pill due to how deeply the venom had spread.
‘Thankfully, the Thousand-Year Snow Ginseng was enough to cure him… but was he really healed without any lasting effects?’
I stared at the [Imoogi’s Core] with a mix of doubt and concern.
Perhaps… this item had already found its purpose.
“Kid!”
“Open Inventory. Store.”
Hearing Jin Wi-gyeong’s voice from behind, I quickly stashed away the [Imoogi’s Core] and turned around with a forced smile.
“Yes, I’m coming!”
Today had brought many satisfying gains.
Yet, for some reason, there was a weight in my chest, and an unshakable discomfort twisting in my gut.
Rumble~
“…Damn it.”
The status ailment still hadn’t worn off.
—
Finding a water source to settle near wasn’t an instinct exclusive to humans. It was the same for animals in nature.
Birds nested along the cliffs following the great Dongting Lake, while wild boars, foxes, wolves… and even tigers roamed the area.
If the lake below the cliffs belonged to humans, then the land above was the domain of beasts.
A peaceful space untouched by human footsteps.
That was why The Great Tiger, the king of this land, was none too pleased by the sudden arrival of an intruder.
—Grrr.
A low growl rumbled between its sharp fangs, clearly conveying its irritation.
Its nose twitched, still tracking the lingering scent of a human presence.
It didn’t take long for its keen senses to locate the source.
—Grrrk.
At the edge of the sheer cliff, the Great Tiger snorted upon spotting the trespasser.
So this was the bold fool who had wandered in?
The moment it laid eyes on the intruder, the tiger’s expectations plummeted.
The human was smaller and frailer than anticipated—an old man, barely even a mouthful.
Ssshhhk.
The tiger, weighing hundreds of jins, moved nimbly toward the elderly man.
But just as it was about to strike—
“You’re a tiger, I see.”
The Great Tiger’s steps faltered.
The old man had already risen to his feet, his short legs steady as he stared back.
“You’re old as well.”
—Grrr.
The tiger bared its fangs in response.
But the old man simply chuckled.
“Don’t make a fuss. Come here and keep an old man company.”
—Kraaaa!
“You striped bastard, you trying to die? I said come here.”
Flinch!
For some reason, the tiger’s fur stood on end as a chill ran down its spine.
Before it even realized it, its body hesitated, then hesitantly stepped forward.
When the wrinkled hand scratched under its chin, an involuntary sense of pleasure rippled through its body.
—Grroooowl.
Watching the tiger purr contentedly, the old man—Fire King Jeok Cheon-Gang—muttered softly,
“…Yes, we’re both old now.”
The sky above the cliff was clear.
But his heart remained heavy.