Chapter 107
Morning broke the next day.
“Good morning!”
Whether he was shamelessly thick-skinned or just naturally friendly, it was hard to tell.
Wi Gwakdu, now staying at Great Buddha Temple as a guest, naturally joined the others for breakfast as soon as morning came, even though no one had called for him.
At the sight, No Death, rubbing his sleepy eyes, stared at Wi Gwakdu in wonder.
“You’re awfully energetic this early in the morning. How strange.”
“For soldiers, the day starts in the morning. All Korean men were soldiers, weren’t they?”
“Nope. I was in the defense corps.”
“Ah, then could you not talk about the military? What would a guy who’s never even been to war know?”
“Not all soldiers go to war, you know. You seem to be mistaken, but I’ve worked overseas as a mercenary for a long time and been through plenty of wars. And you’ve only been in two.”
“Well, would you look at that. You were a mercenary? Don’t go calling it a long time when you just popped in and out. My two wars lasted from beginning to end. For years.”
Since neither of them was the type for formalities, they already felt like old friends despite having just met.
But because they were both so casual, it also seemed just as easy for them to start fighting.
Their petty quarrel, which had started over the military and war, was on the verge of becoming a full-blown brawl.
“Want a taste of the mercenary you’re looking down on?”
“Hahahaha, you’re making the dogs laugh. I’m Nansan. That Baeksan you mentioned? The Haeundae Guild? They all step aside when I show up.”
“Who avoids shit because they’re scared? They avoid it because it’s filthy. Nansan? I know all about you. A giant pile of crap no one touches because you’re so dirty that dealing with you only causes more trouble.”
“This bastard…”
“Scared? If you’re scared, come at me. Ah, you wouldn’t know. I don’t die, so I never lose.”
“Ha! So you were acting tough because you’ve got a cheat class? Get outside. I’ll kill you right now.”
“Oh! That’s exactly what I wanted to hear. If you kill me, not only will I worship you like a god, but I’ll protect you even as a ghost. Please, do it.”
“Get out here.”
“You’re on, you son of a bitch.”
Just as the two were about to get up, Chang-kyung entered the main hall and spoke.
“Please sit. If our guests start fighting, how do you think that makes us hosts feel? You’re quite lively for your age this morning, aren’t you?”
“This bastard keeps provoking me. Is it right for some defense corps-turned-mercenary to mouth off to an active major-rank soldier?”
“Ha! What’s so great about being a major-rank soldier? You’re just someone who loves looking down on people. I’d rather use this chance to show you a taste of the new [Skill] I’ve awakened.”
Even with Chang-kyung stepping in, the atmosphere did not calm down in the slightest. It felt like swords could be drawn at any moment.
At the guests’ excessive remarks, even the benevolent smile on Chang-kyung’s face faltered. His brow twitched as he spoke.
“Then go ahead. If you wish to fight, please do so outside the temple grounds. Of course, you will never again be allowed inside Great Buddha Temple.”
“Right now… huh?”
Wi Gwakdu, who had been about to say, ‘Let’s go right now,’ looked bewildered.
The same went for No Death, of course.
“It’s called expulsion. If you wish to continue, do so outside. And do not come back in.”
Though he spoke with a smile, there was a sharp edge in Chang-kyung’s words that left both men speechless.
“Only when guests show proper courtesy can the host respond with proper hospitality. If you will not comply, then please leave. If the temple does not suit you, should the monk be the one to leave?”
“Ugh… I apologize.”
“I’m sorry…”
Both of them had clear reasons for needing to stay, so they lowered their heads without another word.
Satisfied, Chang-kyung finally handed them their breakfast and spoke.
“In any case, you still have more than three days left. If you need to blow off some steam, why not have a spar in the training grounds after breakfast?”
“That sounds great!”
“A spar! I needed to test my new [Skills] anyway, so this is perfect!”
Like fish dropped into water, both of them immediately agreed.
But Chang-kyung had no intention of letting them stir things up however they pleased.
“However, if either of you seriously injures the other, I will not hesitate to expel you.”
Not just drawing a line, but carving it in stone, Chang-kyung called for Mantae.
“Mantae.”
“Yes, Head Monk.”
“You will watch over these two guests. If there are any problems, you may either throw them out or impose sanctions at your own discretion.”
“Yes, I understand.”
Mantae’s eyebrow twitched.
His predatory gaze, as though he had found interesting prey, made both Wi Gwakdu and No Death look uneasy.
“Please, eat.”
“Yes…”
For Wi Gwakdu, commander of the Divine Power Unit.
For No Death, the top agent of Black Label Guild.
Inside Great Buddha Temple, their skills and reputations were utterly meaningless.
It was a sight that would have stunned their subordinates, but Chang-kyung, perhaps finding it quite pleasing, simply watched the two eat quietly with a gentle smile on his face.
“Head Monk.”
Noticing an empty seat while eating, No Death called out to Chang-kyung.
“Yes, go ahead.”
“Where’s Hyuk-min? Isn’t he coming to eat?”
“No, he’s in the training grounds right now. I expect he’ll eat after he’s finished.”
“Training?”
“It seems he had some kind of realization during the night.”
Wi Gwakdu and No Death exchanged glances, their eyes full of curiosity.
= = =
==========
[Qualification Conditions: 5 / 10]
[Acquired Qualifications]
[Immortal Demon Art]
[Immortal Demon Sword]
[Regression Mode]
[Death Knight’s Helmet]
[Dark Ring]
==========
These were things he had possessed from the beginning, and they had already been part of the qualification conditions.
But after binding them all to the LIMITLESS System, they became visible [Skills] and [Stats], returning to Hyuk-min in full.
Not only that, but his original abilities had also returned in upgraded form.
[Death Knight’s Helmet], which had once summoned a green soul that could share vision and swap places at will.
Now, in accordance with the LIMITLESS System, it summoned a dark purple soul instead. It could still share vision through the System and switch places at will.
But one thing had been added.
Namely.
[Soul Form].
A [Skill] that gave that soul, which was difficult for even high-level detection to see or sense, a body identical to Hyuk-min’s.
Maintaining it consumed a great deal of Mana, or rather, Blood Demon Energy, and it could only use fifty percent of Hyuk-min’s stats and [Skill] power.
Even so, it was undeniably a good [Skill].
[Death Knight’s Helmet] was not the only thing that had changed.
[Dark Ring] now increased the stats of the person he shared it with, and a new [Skill] had been added that let him share their vision without their consent.
[Immortal Demon Sword] remained the same in rank and still retained its nature as a growing sword, but the stats it granted when wielded and its lifesteal effect had both increased by thirty percent.
And finally, the biggest change was [Immortal Demon Art].
“Hoo-eup!”
It was still only at the third stage, but the biggest change lay in the Blood Demon Energy itself.
Holding his breath, he drew out his Blood Demon Energy with all his might.
The Blood Demon Energy filling his Dantian churned and solidified as it surged through his hardened Ki Meridians and Ki Vessels, manifesting across his entire body in a shimmering haze like rising heat.
Ordinarily, that would have been the limit of how far he could push his Blood Demon Energy, but linking it with the LIMITLESS System had created one new difference.
“Hoo-eup!”
Without stopping there, he compressed the Blood Demon Energy once more, and a dark purple aura appeared.
Fwoosh!
[Mixed Blood Demon Energy].
A new power created through linking with LIMITLESS.
It was a dark purple force that manifested when Blood Demon Energy was compressed to its absolute limit.
Kwaduk. Kwadeudeuk.
The [Mixed Blood Demon Energy], the same color as LIMITLESS, was so powerful that the mere act of unleashing it made the floor of the training grounds tremble and crack.
“It’s exactly as Chang-kyung said.”
Just as Chang-kyung had said, it was overflowing with negative power.
The biggest difference between Blood Demon Energy and [Mixed Blood Demon Energy] was that the latter was violent and intense.
A dangerous power thick with the intent to tear apart and shatter everything it touched.
It was so devoid of mercy that even Hyuk-min, its user, found it bewildering and burdensome.
Pat.
The moment he stopped releasing his ki, the dark purple [Mixed Blood Demon Energy] vanished as though it had never existed.
He began gasping for breath.
“Haa… Haa…”
It was certainly powerful and potent, but if there was one downside…
“I won’t be able to use it.”
It seemed impossible to use in actual combat.
Not only was it difficult to create, but what sane person would give him time in the middle of a fight to compress his Blood Demon Energy to its limit?
Unless someone was insane or completely underestimating their opponent, no one would ever try to use that power in a real battle.
“A pie in the sky.”
There was no better phrase for [Mixed Blood Demon Energy].
It was just then, as he swallowed down his disappointment.
“To feel such a biting and powerful energy even from here.”
“Master Gakyak!”
Gakyak, skilled at concealing his presence, had apparently been standing there watching the entire time after arriving without anyone noticing yet again.
As Gakyak approached Hyuk-min, he suddenly smiled.
‘Gakyak… smiled!?’
Startled, Hyuk-min stared at him, causing Gakyak to touch his own face and ask,
“Is there something on my face?”
“Ah, no. It’s just that I don’t think I’ve ever seen you smile before.”
By the time he met Gakyak in his past life, the pain Gakyak carried had already nearly faded.
More accurately, it had dulled rather than disappeared.
In any case, Hyuk-min had seen Gakyak smile many times back then. Whenever Hyuk-min struggled, Gakyak would encourage him, saying he could do it, drawing from the story of the son and disciple he had lost through the trial.
But the smile Gakyak had just shown carried an entirely different meaning.
“I suppose there hasn’t been much to smile about until now.”
A genuine smile.
Wasn’t that Gakyak’s real smile, something Hyuk-min had never seen even in his past life?
The kind of smile only someone who had cast off a great weight of pain could show.
It was the first time Hyuk-min had seen Gakyak smile like this in either his past life or this one.
“From now on, there’ll be many more days to smile.”
“I suppose so. I came to thank you.”
“Pardon?”
“You may not realize it, but your words were a great help to me.”
He knew.
He knew all too well.
That was why he had said only what Gakyak needed to hear.
“I’m glad to hear that.”
Even if it wasn’t perfect, just as Gakyak had helped him in his past life, Hyuk-min wanted to help Gakyak this time as well.
And thankfully, his efforts seemed to have been a great comfort to the Gakyak of this life.
“Are there any parts you’re stuck on?”
He had clearly thrown off a great burden.
Just as in his past life, Gakyak was the one approaching him first to talk.
One of the very few happy moments in Hyuk-min’s past life.
That moment overlapped like an illusion, making him remember the Gakyak of the present and the Gakyak of the past at the same time.
He did not want to lose this.
“Ah! Yes, there are!”
Even though he had already mastered everything, Hyuk-min raised his hand just like he had in his past life and started asking Gakyak things he already knew.
“It’s difficult when I do it like this here.”
“Your martial art is different, so I can’t be certain, but I do know this. It’s easier if you step here. That way, your Ki Vessels open in a straight line, which lets the power flow out faster.”
“Wow! That’s amazing!”
“Hahahaha, it’s nothing.”
Unlike in his past life, seeing Gakyak laugh so brightly made Hyuk-min feel a lump rise in his throat.
“Please teach me this too!”
And so, Hyuk-min, just as he had in his past life…
“I am busy, but today I must devote my time to teaching you. You are the child who helped me.”
“Thank you! I’ll learn from you all day!”
…wanting to feel once more the same happiness he had felt back then, kept throwing out one question after another.
“Hahahaha.”
= = =
There were people secretly watching the joyful scene of Hyuk-min and Gakyak.
It was Wi Gwakdu, No Death, and Mantae, who had come intending to use the training grounds themselves.
While marveling at Hyuk-min’s presence, which seemed to have changed drastically in a single day.
“Whoa…”
The moment they saw the dark purple aura of [Mixed Blood Demon Energy], both Wi Gwakdu and No Death let out sounds of admiration.
Just from looking at it, the destructive force radiating from [Mixed Blood Demon Energy] was enough to leave any Hunter who had cleared Dungeons and the Tower in awe.
“He’s definitely become a monster.”
It was just as Hyuk-min had said when he first came to Great Buddha Temple.
To No Death, Hyuk-min, having completed the trial, looked equal to or even stronger than the monsters they were always talking about.
The trial of Taebudong, which could raise anyone to the level of a monster if they managed to overcome it.
As he thought about that trial, No Death’s gaze drifted upward toward Taebudong high above.
“Master Mantae.”
“That thing has no practical use.”
“No, that’s not what I meant.”
“He’ll die before he can create it.”
“Master Mantae?”
“Speak.”
At No Death’s serious look, Mantae stopped teasing him.
And seeing No Death’s eyes fixed on Taebudong, Mantae already knew what he was about to ask.
“When do you think Hyun-jung will be able to come out?”
“That is something neither I nor the Head Monk can know for certain.”
Mantae’s eyes also turned toward Taebudong.
“The trial depends solely… on one’s own will and ability.”
At the top of the stone steps beside the main hall of Great Buddha Temple.
There was another pair of eyes fixed on Taebudong.
Chang-kyung, silently gazing only at Taebudong.
With his hands clasped behind his back, Chang-kyung spoke softly.
“You can do it. Do not give up.”
A sound no one else could hear reached Chang-kyung’s ears.
Morning, noon, and night.
Even in the dead of night, when everyone was asleep.
The sound of gunfire that never ceased, not even for a moment.
Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!
The gunshots, neither rhythmic nor pausing, and the short groans of pain from Hyun-jung that came with them.
They made Chang-kyung’s clasped fists tighten.
“It’s not much longer now…”