Chapter 79

Wi Gwakdu’s Internal Energy was said to be like a hard horn, while Hyuk-min’s was vast and abundant but unrefined, like a cloud.

Just as the quantity and quality of Internal Energy established the hierarchy among martial artists, every warrior at the Great Buddha Temple predicted Wi Gwakdu’s victory.

Clang! Clang clang!!

And just as expected, no matter how much a cloud battered a horn, the one getting hurt was Hyuk-min.

Drip.

The internal damage that built up with every clash against Wi Gwakdu’s blue flail finally made blood trickle from Hyuk-min’s mouth.

That blood was proof to every martial artist present that Wi Gwakdu was superior.

“It’s over.”

“He can’t win.”

“It’s like trying to break a boulder with an egg.”

The battle seemed to be unfolding exactly as the Great Buddha Temple’s martial artists had predicted.

But two people saw it differently.

“Head Monk, what is all this…?”

Mantae and Chang-kyung—the Great Buddha Temple’s Dharma Protector and its abbot, the Head Monk—saw a different fight than everyone else.

“Isn’t he insane?”

Every time the flail and sword collided, the damage piled up on the side with weaker Internal Energy—Hyuk-min’s.

What everyone saw was correct, and the blood at his lips proved it.

However, what Chang-kyung and Mantae saw was slightly different.

“To think he’s crushing the gap in Internal Energy with his [Stats]. Unless this is a fight to the death, any more of this is dangerous.”

Mantae tried to step forward, but Chang-kyung’s hand settled on his shoulder.

“Just leave him be.”

“Head Monk, at this rate, that guest will die. Even now, if he doesn’t treat his internal injuries properly—”

“He is not an insane man.”

The look in Chang-kyung’s eyes stopped Mantae in his tracks.

“Head Monk…?”

He was more serious than ever.

More focused than in any battle he’d watched.

The eyes of Chang-kyung, a One Who Awakens Potential, were fixed on one person.

On the young man who was dying as his internal injuries worsened.

On Hyuk-min.

“In all your life, have you ever seen someone so desperate? Mantae, can you not see the look in Bang Hyuk-min’s eyes? I’m asking if you cannot see that burning will—to protect his goal, even if it means death.”

Even as he spoke, the Immortal Demon Sword and the blue flail continued to collide.

Clang! Clang clang!

“Puhk!”

At last, the accumulated internal damage burst out of Hyuk-min’s mouth in a spray of blood.

A fine red mist splattered across Wi Gwakdu’s body.

“Why don’t you give up? At this rate, forget the time limit—you’ll be a corpse.”

Hyuk-min wiped the blood from his mouth with his sleeve and grinned.

“The things that were a dizzying mess are starting to take shape. Why should I stop now?”

“Good grief. The order was to bring back a [Legendary Title] holder, not to kill one.”

“Don’t worry. I’ll end this for you shortly.”

At Hyuk-min’s confident voice, a smile spread across Wi Gwakdu’s lips.

Fwoosh.

“Prove you’re not all talk. You’re just a shell—strong only in power and speed.”

Hyuk-min gave a small nod.

Wi Gwakdu’s words were accurate.

A shell, strong only in power and speed.

Like a hollow aluminum baseball bat.

The more he clashed, the more he hit, he was nothing but an empty shell that sent the damage back into himself.

But there was something Wi Gwakdu didn’t know.

“This time will be different. Little by little… I’m starting to adapt.”

Inside the shell Wi Gwakdu thought was empty, there was a mass of wet cement that hadn’t hardened yet.

And that cement was slowly setting, growing used to it all.

Swoosh.

Hyuk-min swung the Immortal Demon Sword once.

‘What is this? Something’s different.’

It looked like a casual swing, but Wi Gwakdu’s expression hardened the moment he saw it.

The imbalance—like wearing ill-fitting clothes—was gone.

“Here I come.”

Hyuk-min kicked off the ground hard.

And swung the Immortal Demon Sword.

Just like before, Wi Gwakdu also swung his blue flail with the same fluid motion.

CLAAANG!!

But when sword and flail collided, the situation changed.

“…!? Ugh!”

The blue flail couldn’t endure the force behind the Immortal Demon Sword, and Wi Gwakdu staggered back violently.

‘Such power at his age…!?’

Wi Gwakdu’s eyes widened at the unexpected weight.

‘It’s heavy! But it’s not the power of Internal Energy. Then it’s a pure difference in [Stats]!?’

But Wi Gwakdu was a veteran who had survived two wars. His split-second judgment was superb.

Gritting his teeth, he immediately released the flail.

Without sparing a glance for the weapon flying away, he thrust his hand toward Hyuk-min’s face as Hyuk-min pressed for an opening.

It was something no ordinary person could imagine.

But Wi Gwakdu’s hand didn’t fully extend.

Because Hyuk-min’s agility—raised just as much as his strength—had already driven his fist into Wi Gwakdu’s abdomen.

‘You’re not the only one with experience.’

BOOM!!

No matter how unrefined and cloud-like his Internal Energy was, the burst of Internal Energy that rode with the fist into Wi Gwakdu’s abdomen was devastating.

Whoooosh—

A shockwave tore out behind Wi Gwakdu’s back, leaving everyone momentarily speechless.

To be precise, it wasn’t the force of Internal Energy that made it so terrifying.

It was the raw power of his pumped-up [Stats].

“Keuk.”

For the first time, Wi Gwakdu abandoned the counterattack, curling inward and dropping to one knee.

The pain was so intense he couldn’t move.

Even so, his fist reflexively swung for Hyuk-min’s face.

POW!!

It wasn’t a weak blow.

Nor was it the speed of a man collapsing in pain.

It was a supreme strike, forged from endless training and countless experiences.

“……”

But Hyuk-min’s [Stats]—swollen after [Regression Mode] was absorbed into the new [UNLIMIT System]—were superior.

Without any big movement, Hyuk-min simply tilted his head aside and let Wi Gwakdu’s fist pass.

Then he looked down at Wi Gwakdu, struggling to regain his senses, and moved the Immortal Demon Sword.

Gush!

A clump of blood spilled from Hyuk-min’s mouth.

Even so, the Immortal Demon Sword did not tremble.

It slid slowly to Wi Gwakdu’s neck as he braced himself against the ground.

“It’s… my victory.”

= = =

Chang-kyung and Mantae had just witnessed a rare battle—one they had not often seen in their long lives.

Something they’d only imagined—unrefined, overflowing Internal Energy defeating a well-trained master—had happened before their eyes.

Gulp. Gulp. Gulp.

Hyuk-min took out a potion he’d been saving in his [Inventory] and chugged it down.

The ridiculously expensive potion vanished in under thirty seconds.

Even so, his internal injuries—still not fully healed—left an unpleasant, stinging pain that haunted every movement.

Still, a smile came to his lips on its own.

‘It’s perfect now.’

He had gained twice as much as he had lost in the battle against Wi Gwakdu.

Everything that had been twisted by his suddenly elevated [Stats] had found its proper place through the fight.

He could now do things he couldn’t even do with [Regression Mode].

Chang-kyung approached and asked, “Are you all right?”

“Yes. I’ll be fine with a little rest.”

“Why did you not use that Skill that changes your form?”

He was likely referring to [Regression Mode], but it was difficult to explain, so Hyuk-min only shook his head.

“Have you become unable to use it? If you had used it, your [Stats] would have been lower, but your Internal Energy would have been solid, making it easier to win. What a shame.”

When the [UNLIMIT System] absorbed [Regression Mode], Hyuk-min’s [Stats] had surged immensely.

It was an unbelievable stroke of luck—like a fortuitous encounter.

But the fight against Wi Gwakdu had revealed a drawback.

The solid Internal Energy he’d built through long training in his previous life—through the Cloud Flow Sword Method and its breathing technique—had disappeared.

Of course, it returned in the form of mana or Internal Energy, but everything he had forged through training was gone, making battles against true martial artists like Wi Gwakdu difficult.

A drawback as fatal as the advantage was great.

However, for Hyuk-min, it wasn’t something to worry about.

“It’s actually a relief.”

“A relief? What do you mean by that?”

“Since I’ve become a blank canvas, I can accept something new.”

“Are you talking about Blood Demon Energy? Because you can’t learn it alongside the Cloud Flow Sword Method?”

Feeling apologetic, Hyuk-min nodded.

“I’m sorry.”

It wasn’t that the Cloud Flow Sword Method was bad.

If he mastered the Cloud Flow Sword Method with this new body, he could certainly reach a high level.

But for the path Hyuk-min pursued and the goal he aimed for, he needed the Immortal Demon Sword, not the Cloud Flow Sword Method.

The Immortal Demon Sword that All Master Nicholas had possessed and wielded.

And if he learned the Immortal Demon Art, he could aim for an even higher state than he could with the Cloud Flow Sword Method.

Unlike the Cloud Flow Sword Method, the Immortal Demon Art was a clear Hidden Skill.

“What is there to be sorry for? Everyone has their own path in life.”

Hyuk-min’s gaze drifted to Chang-kyung’s staff.

From his previous life, he knew Chang-kyung had been a member of the Karma Unit.

And that wasn’t all.

He had heard back then that the Cloud Flow Sword Method Chang-kyung created was derived from the martial arts taught within the Karma Unit.

“The Karma Unit is an incredible place. Why did you leave?”

“That’s a sensitive question. Because I no longer wanted to kill? I suppose you could say I wanted to pursue strength through training, not through slaughter.”

“What was the war like?”

“A living hell that I can’t even imagine and never want to experience again.”

“How would you feel if you met a Karma Unit member by chance?”

A nostalgic smile bloomed on Chang-kyung’s face, illuminated by moonlight reflecting off the lake.

“I would be glad to see them, and I would respect them.”

‘Honestly, if I hadn’t known the Cloud Flow Sword Method and hadn’t sparred with Chang-kyung so often, the odds of me winning would’ve been slim.’

‘If not for that, Wi Gwakdu’s unorthodox attacks wouldn’t have felt so familiar.’

As he was lost in memories of his previous life, Wi Gwakdu—having finished his recovery—approached Chang-kyung and bowed his head.

“It is an honor to see you, Sunbae-nim.”

The same smile from Hyuk-min’s previous life appeared on Chang-kyung’s lips.

“It was good to see that footwork and those forms again after so long.”

“It’s incredible. After the Karma Unit was disbanded, I never saw another member out in society. To meet you like this, I’m deeply moved.”

Though he already knew everything, Hyuk-min pretended he didn’t and asked, “How did you know you were both from the Karma Unit?”

At Hyuk-min’s question, they both smiled and looked at each other.

Then they answered in unison.

“Karma Unit members can recognize each other.”

“By the badge?”

Chang-kyung shook his head.

“The badge is merely a symbol. There are things you can tell just by watching how one walks, runs, and fights.”

Wi Gwakdu nodded, strongly agreeing.

After glancing at Hyuk-min once, Chang-kyung asked Wi Gwakdu, “May I keep this child with me for a while?”

“As you know, the promise of the Karma Unit—and of the Divine Power Unit—is absolute.”

“The time limit is three months.”

“Three months… It will be difficult, but I will try to make it work somehow. We made a promise, after all.”

When he finished, Wi Gwakdu approached Hyuk-min.

Then, as if he had never smiled once, he put on a murderous expression.

“In three months, I will take you with me, no matter what you are doing.”

“Yes.”

“Well then, it was good to meet you, Sunbae-nim. I will see you in three months.”

With strict military discipline, Wi Gwakdu snapped to attention, clenched his fist, slid it up his left forearm, and formed a respectful salute.

“Protect!”

Receiving a Karma Unit-style salute for the first time in a long while, Chang-kyung nodded with a gentle smile.

“You may go. I am a monk now, so I don’t think I can return the salute.”

“That is fine. Well then.”

With the sharp movements of a machine, Wi Gwakdu turned and left the Great Buddha Temple without another word.

Only after he was gone did sighs of relief ripple through the temple.

“The reason you were able to win was because of the Cloud Flow Sword Method, wasn’t it?”

Hyuk-min nodded honestly.

“Do you know why everyone is so relieved?”

“It seems to be because that man, Wi Gwakdu, is strong.”

“He is strong. If that junior of mine decided to attack this place ready to die, half the people here would be killed. And that’s even with them knowing the Cloud Flow Sword Method.”

‘Dozens of people at the Great Buddha Temple, killed by one man?’

‘Dozens of people with the abilities of B-rank hunters?’

It didn’t match what Hyuk-min had felt, and he tilted his head in confusion.

Chang-kyung spoke with a serious expression.

“Karma is that kind of place. A place that raises killing machines. And not just for humans—killing machines meant for monsters that transcend humanity. A place where what you learn changes every day, where you hone stronger killing techniques to become stronger.”

As he spoke, Chang-kyung’s eyes followed Wi Gwakdu’s retreating back.

“Don’t think that you won. That junior of mine only used about half of his abilities.”

It was hard to believe.

Still, because it was Chang-kyung saying it, Hyuk-min was about to accept it.

Then Chang-kyung chuckled.

“If you’re curious, you can find out in three months. It will be beyond your imagination.”

Leaning on his staff, Chang-kyung headed into the Great Buddha Temple.

Then he called out in a loud voice.

“Everyone, disperse! And these guests are guests of the Great Buddha Temple whom I acknowledge, so show them to a place where they can stay.”

It was an order from the Great Buddha Temple’s great elder.

Loud shouts of “Yes!” echoed from all over.

Momentarily stunned, No Death and Hyun-jung looked at Hyuk-min.

Then they smiled.

“You succeeded after all, huh?”

“Uncle! Does this mean we’re going to become monsters too?”

Behind the Great Buddha Temple, a cliff loomed.

Hyuk-min looked up at the giant Buddha statue carved at its center and nodded.

“This is… just the beginning.”

Nothing in the plan Hyuk-min had laid out was easy or simple.

Changing and carving open one’s destiny could never be easy.

When you cross one mountain, an even bigger mountain waits behind it.

And when you cross that mountain, a cliff appears—so immense you wonder if you can even climb it. That was life.

He would not repeat the regrets of his previous life.

In this life, even if it wasn’t a mountain or a cliff, but the sun itself that rose before him, he would overcome it.

Only then… could he live without regret.

Only then… would the struggles of his previous life have meaning.

‘Park Chung-ho, Jang Han-bit… just you wait. You’re the first step I’ll take into this world.’