Solo Max-Level Newbie - Chapter 388: Two Masters, Two Disciples (1)

Among those residing in the Tower, there are those who have amassed countless achievements and legends, earning them the title of “heroes.”

“Lü Bu…”

Jinhyuk’s gaze narrowed.

Though he wasn’t a grand hero like Hercules or Siegfried, it was only because he hadn’t had the opportunity to forge such a legendary path.

Lü Bu Fengxian was an unmatched warrior when it came to sheer strength.

Various factions had made all sorts of efforts to recruit him, with Olympus and Ragnarok taking particularly active steps to bring him into their fold.

Of course, Lü Bu rejected all offers and joined the administrators, ultimately taking the position of the Labyrinth Lord.

*Having a hero-level resident as the Labyrinth Lord granted him a unique boost, putting him a level above heroes of the same rank.*

For that reason, Jinhyuk and Chun Yoosung were sparring intensely with the owl right after entering the labyrinth.

More specifically, they were training to raise Chun Yoosung’s level so he could handle Lü Bu’s troublesome lieutenants.

*Boom!*

*Clang! Clang!*

Flames erupted in all directions.

Chun Yoosung swung his sword wildly.

His sharp sword strikes poured down like a storm.

Yet the owl deflected every slash with just a single thin sword, intercepting every trajectory.

“Ugh! What the…!”

A sigh of disbelief escaped Chun Yoosung.

A sword he had honed all his life was being read so effortlessly—of course, he was stunned.

“Hmm, you’re fairly decent, but it’s a bit disappointing. You could handle the sword more naturally. Didn’t anyone point that out to you?”

“What do you mean?”

“Try using your left hand for the sword.”

“With… my left hand?”

Chun Yoosung hesitated, gripping his sword with both hands.

He had always primarily used both hands and occasionally his right hand, but he had never thought of using his left hand as his dominant hand.

Logically…

How could something unfamiliar surpass a hand trained over many years?

“Yes, let me show you how it’s done. Like this.”

The owl stepped into Chun Yoosung’s space.

Close enough to feel his breath.

And then—

*Clang!*

The owl’s sword moved.

“Gah…!”

Chun Yoosung barely managed to take a defensive stance.

This sword dance was far more dazzling than before, putting all his senses on edge.

‘From above… no, from the side? Damn it, at this angle…!’

In the midst of combat, the position of the sword shifted fluidly.

The strikes exploding from the left hand smoothly wrapped around his defenses.

*Clang! Clang! Clang!*

The combination of softness and strength was seamless, with no awkwardness in the transitions.

“This is how you should do it. Now, you try.”

“You think that’s so easy? Honestly, all you guys from that damned Veteran Corporation act like impossible things are no big deal…”

“Despite appearances, you’re quite talkative. Just give it a shot and see for yourself.”

Cutting Chun Yoosung off, the owl swung his sword.

“Damn it!”

*Clang!*

Chun Yoosung couldn’t help but respond.

And then—

The feeling of holding the sword in his left hand was unexpectedly intriguing.

*Clang! Clang! Clang!*

…It was true.

The longer he wielded it, the more doubt transformed into certainty.

“What… what is this?”

Chun Yoosung’s voice held a note of bewilderment.

His swordplay had become far smoother than before.

Even the balance felt much lighter compared to before.

“How is this even…”

Of course, it was all thanks to the owl’s subtle guidance, which naturally helped Chun Yoosung bring out his full sword potential.

But Chun Yoosung hadn’t realized that.

The guidance had been too skillful for him to notice.

Then, Jinhyuk, who had been silently watching, spoke up.

“Hey… why’d you reveal that? I was planning to use it on him later. Tsk.”

“Hmm, as I thought, you already knew.”

“You…! You knew this and didn’t tell me on purpose, did you?!”

The owl and Chun Yoosung reacted differently.

“No, it wasn’t like I was never going to tell…”

He just planned to let him struggle until he’d extracted every last drop of potential, only telling him once there was nothing left to gain.

After all, when someone’s fully satisfied, their sense of urgency weakens, right?

The best time to throw a lifeline is when they’re gasping for air, sinking in the water.

“You lousy… I’ll kill you!”

Chun Yoosung, furious, tried to pounce.

“Now, calm down. We don’t have time to waste bickering when you’ve just gained a valuable opportunity.”

The *Death Shadow Sword* of the *Art of the Death Shadow* and the owl’s personal guidance.

With the synergy between the two, Chun Yoosung would grow even stronger.

And with limited time before taking on the labyrinth, there was no time for quarrels.

If he had energy to complain, it was better spent honing his left-handed sword.

“You’re going to hell for sure.”

“Yep, holding hands with you as I go.”

“Damn it. I’m not even going to respond.”

Chun Yoosung muttered curses as he turned away.

Though he grumbled, he looked oddly energized, indicating just how remarkable this newfound opportunity was.

“He’s talented enough that he’ll find his own path with just this much instruction.”

“Yeah, that guy’s a monster.”

He was already strong, and with mastery over both hands, who knew how much stronger he’d get?

Now he’d have to start worrying about getting stabbed in the back.

If he thought he had even a slight chance, that leech would undoubtedly come at him.

“But with that guy preoccupied with his sword all day, how about sparring with me instead?”

Jinhyuk nodded towards the owl.

“Are you asking for a duel?”

“I want to experience firsthand just how strong an administrator is, to test myself against a formidable opponent.”

Not only to prepare for Lü Bu, the Labyrinth Lord…

But in anticipation of future battles with grand heroes and gods, he needed to master certain abilities.

Most of all, what he needed to focus on was…

*The Heavenly Demon Divine Art.*

Whether against a single opponent or an army, it was the ultimate art of overwhelming power in any scenario.

‘Using the compass Rick gave me to enter the Rift is another option, but it would take too long.’

The best course of action now was to gain as much real combat experience as possible.

And the ideal opponent was standing right in front of him.

But then—

“Hmm, I get what you want, but I’m not exactly confident in martial arts. It’d be better if I summoned a more suitable opponent.”

The owl snapped his fingers.

Then—

[A Virtual Space has been created!]

A blue veil enveloped the area around Jinhyuk.

A dimension completely isolated.

Here, even the concept of time was altered.

Ten minutes outside would equate to 24 hours inside.

‘This ability must come with some serious restrictions…’

Jinhyuk murmured, perplexed.

But his confusion only lasted a moment.

The sight that followed made it clear why the owl had gone to the trouble of creating this virtual space.

*Step.*

A light yet heavy step.

An aura carrying the weight of heaven and earth engulfed him.

*This is… a much bigger gift than I expected. Beyond all expectations.*

There was no way he didn’t recognize this.

How could he not?

The very symbol of the Demon Sect, the supreme master of the *Heavenly Demon Divine Art.*

“…It’s been a long time.”

“I’ve heard of your desire to master my martial arts.”

A voice imbued with profound inner power.

Although this space was an illusion, the being before him was anything but.

“That’s true, but I didn’t expect you, the Heavenly Demon himself, to come personally. Even less so that you’d form a contract in the virtual space.”

Contracting in a virtual space imposed a penalty on both parties.

It was one of the most alien contracts within the Tower of Trials, which manipulated time and space.

“There were many considerations, but above all, I wanted to spar with you myself.”

“Honestly, I thought it would be best to receive instruction directly from you, Heavenly Demon.”

“Hmm, that’s not an unpleasant thought. But your master might feel a bit sad. He was pleased to have a capable disciple who could inherit the *Dark Heavenly Demon Emperor’s Art.*”

Indeed, knowing his master’s personality, he wouldn’t want to lose his only disciple, not even to the Heavenly Demon himself.

In fact, he’d growled at the Heavenly Demon a few times already.

Still…

Knowing his disciple would grow stronger, he’d probably understand.

Or maybe not.

“Huff…”

Jinhyuk steadied his breathing, and a dark aura rose around him.

[The unique ability ‘Heavenly Demon Divine Art’ has been activated!]

This feeling.

This sensation.

It had been a long time.

Though his body was strained and he couldn’t wield it freely…

Now, he’d learn how to master this art in the most efficient way possible.

From the very person who had taken it to its peak.

“Here I come.”

“Yes, come forth.”

A black aura rose from the Heavenly Demon’s body as well.

＊＊＊

*Boom!*

A single strike shattered the virtual space.

In the colorless world, immense power clashed with immense power.

*Throb!*

The destruction was incredible.

Jinhyuk barely managed to steady himself and create some distance.

‘That was dangerously close.’

The spot where the Heavenly Demon’s strike had landed was reduced to ruins, barely resembling ground anymore.

“Impressive. To wield the *Heavenly Demon Divine Art* at this level despite it being a technique handed down through a single lineage… Is this another one of your abilities?”

The corners of the Heavenly Demon’s mouth curved up in amusement.

Ordinarily, merely acquiring his martial arts without permission would have been grounds for execution, but he simply regarded Jinhyuk with admiration.

“Are you trying to kill me? Can’t you go a bit easier?”

“For all that talk, you handled my moves quite well, didn’t you? Even in the Demon Sect, there are few who would reach your level.”

“I’ve already had a few close calls with death. How can you call that ‘handling it’? And what’s with those unpredictable moves? I can barely respond to anything you’re doing.”

“What meaning is there in forms and techniques? All things are bound to break eventually.”

The essence of the *Heavenly Demon Divine Art* lay in the relentless pursuit of destructive power.

“I’m coming again. Watch closely. Feel it.”

*Boom!*

The Heavenly Demon, performing the *Heavenly Demon’s Domination Step,* closed the distance to Jinhyuk in an instant.

*Heavenly Demon Fist.*

The internal energy in his fist turned into a torrent and aimed at Jinhyuk’s abdomen.

…Fast.

Jinhyuk also employed the *Heavenly Demon Divine Art* and extended his fist to meet the Heavenly Demon’s.

*Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!*

It felt like his fist would shatter completely.

Due to the disparity in power, the difference between their techniques, even though they were the same, was immense.

Both Jinhyuk and the Heavenly Demon understood this.

And yet, the reason for this relentless, nearly merciless sparring…

The Heavenly Demon was showing him.

Teaching him the way to achieve mastery of the *Heavenly Demon Divine Art* in a short amount of time.

“In this virtual space, I have a limited period of a month.”

In that time,he intended to shape a monster worthy of being his successor.