Chapter 09
Master of The Thousand Mastery (2)
As expected, the old man had a 'desire' to teach someone. He had ambition.
'Actually, there were talented individuals to teach.'
According to memory.
In this unknown world, there were undoubtedly numerous talents.
If he had gathered them and divided the professions, he could have certainly passed down his knowledge to future generations.
But.
The old man was greedy.
One-on-one inheritance.
He wanted only one person to inherit his vast abilities and knowledge.
"[Skill, 'Memory Reproduction' (S-grade) will end.]"
Paah!
The strange sense of unease disappeared.
The scenery changed again.
[The Master of Thousand Mastery is observing you.]
"Huueup!"
I felt a suffocating gaze.
It wasn't just a casual remark.
It was an incredibly strong pressure, so strong that it felt like I couldn't even breathe a bit of air.
'But.'
I smiled.
I felt like a perverted psycho for being able to smile in this situation.
But still, I couldn't help but smile.
'Because I can see hope.'
The old man's words when I first met him were clearly a blatant disregard.
He said I was more hopeless than Kisoyul, and that I was not worth looking at.
He had been tempted to throw me away quickly.
'However.'
The old man's soul was clearly 'scrutinizing' me.
Unlike other hunters or Kisoyul, he didn't painfully suppress me and throw me out of the 'gate.'
Just that alone gave me hope.
Eventually, the white-haired old man spoke.
"You."
I felt an immense presence.
Was this the strength of the one who stood at the pinnacle of a world?
"You looked inside me? You're an interesting one."
[The Master of Thousand Mastery feels curiosity towards you.]
"Yes...! Huug!"
I answered abruptly.
It was even hard to open my mouth, but I made an effort to make a sound.
The opportunity provided by the Kim so yul was only once.
In other words, it was a one-time chance.
'If, this old man is really trying to find a disciple...! If I can inherit that vast power and knowledge...!'
I must take it.
I absolutely can't pass it on to anyone else.
I instinctively knew this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
If I could recruit the old man who handled even rankers like toys, wouldn't that be a jackpot!
"But."
The voice of the old man in the white robe, was somehow cold.
After briefly meeting my eyes, the old man shook his head.
"Apart from being a bit peculiar, there's nothing else. Quite inadequate. You can't be the vessel to contain me. It's very lacking."
"Hmm!"
The old man's vigor intensified.
It felt like being shocked by electricity, causing my whole body to tremble.
This won't do.
It absolutely won't do like this.
I must somehow persuade this old man, even if I have to endure until my whole body melts.
"No, sir!"
I forcefully opened my eyes. Then, I stared directly at the old man.
"If you do that, instead of getting a disciple! You'll forever remain as a ghost without ever fulfilling your regret! You'll be remembered by the world as a stubborn old grandpa!"
"What?"
In response to my provocation, the old man's demeanor turned fierce.
"You little insolent brat. With my boundless generosity, I've let pathetic creatures like you live. Do you need me to break a leg for you to come to your senses?"
"Wait! Please hold on, sir! You're a master of the Thousand Mastery."
"The people in this world, as far as I know, find it difficult to master even one thing in their lifetime!"
"Hmph, that's impossible. The world is vast and time is long, but there won't be another genius like me."
The old man's boasting momentarily caught me off guard.
Nevertheless, I bought some time.
The old man was undoubtedly engaged in a 'conversation' with me.
That alone was a significant achievement.
"Look! Isn't that woman who came in earlier here? Would you believe that she's one of the strongest in this world?"
"What?!"
The old man's face distorted for the first time.
A face filled with shock.
It seemed like he was genuinely shocked by the statement that Kim so yul was one of the strongest.
'This is... a bit overwhelming.'
As someone whose ultimate dream was to stand where Kim so yul stood as a Ranker.
the old man's reaction was painfully impactful.
'Anyway.'
It seems the fish was bitting the bait, shall i try reeling it in?
From the old man's perspective, who was searching for a promising material, it would be difficult to accept that the kimsoyul, whom he rejected, was one of the strongest in this world.
After all, in the world where the old man lived, there were numerous beings stronger than her.
"Nonsense! She's the world's strongest with that level of skill? What on earth has this world come to?"
The old man, who was opening his mouth in shock, suddenly burst out laughing.
"You! You're not trying to mock me, are you?"
"Look into my eyes! Am I lying? Sir, for hundreds of years, you've been called a sage. Can't you instantly tell if I'm lying or not!"
Based on the information I obtained with 'Memory Reproduction,' I continued to speak.
From my perspective, there was no difference between ranker and the world's strongest, so I was confident that I wasn't wrong.
"Huueum."
A furrow appeared on the old man's forehead.
He must have realized that my words were true.
Even though he had become a ghost, the old man's vigor was still robust.
"You... It's really true. Even if she was not the best in the world, she maybe a quite a respected powerhouse."
But How could it be with just that level of skill.
Huh, the heavens are indeed indifferent.
Despite longing for it so much, in the end...
"Tck"
The old man clicked his tongue.
The intense gaze was now tinged with desolation and futility.
Along with it, the pressure eased slightly.
"Huueup? Huu, huu!"
My breathing became a little easier.
I drew in breath through the tiny openings.
And soon after, I instinctively sensed that the opportunity had come.
"Huuu...! Sir!"
I shouted fiercely.
"If you don't like everyone, how about using me?"
"Use, you say?"
"Yes! To succeed your abilities to me!"
"Hah, to you?"
The old man scoffed.
"Accept you as my disciple? I thought you were just an insolent brat, but you're also shameless. It's better to teach some trash than to teach you."
The old man's word struck my heart, but I didn't stop persuading.
"First, listen! It's not about teaching me personaly!"
"...So?"
"I have a special ability."
I rolled my eyes and checked the status window.
[Hunter: Joo dong hoon]
[Energy: 100/100]
Okay.
No abnormal status.
I tightened my fist.
[Using the skill 'Skeleton Summon' (D-grade).]
That's right.
The proposal I would present to the old man.
It was not me, but my children.
In other words, the skeletons.
[Using 10 energy.]
['Bone 1' appears.]
[Using 10 energy.]
['Bone 2' appears.]
From Bone 1 to Bone 10.
This time, I used up all my energy and summoned all ten skeletons I could deploy.
It was a gamble.
"If it's you sir, you should be able to see the potential of these kids at a glance, right?"
"..."
The gamble was that the potential of the growing skeletons was boundless.
The skeletons had clearly grown from E-grade to D-grade.
So, is there a way to reach C-grade or B-grade? Even, S-grade.
No, I might even go beyond that.
Right now, I just don't know the method.
And That alone.
'The Potential' quite is sufficient, one might say.
"From Bone 1 to Bone 10, a total of ten, Each of them possesses unique abilities. It would be easy for you to teach them separately, sir. You desire one-on-one inheritance? That's not a problem either. Even if you were to nurture them all, in the end, there's only one who can succeed you!" It could be a sophistry. However, at this moment, there was no other answer. They are my everything, my 'unique abilities' after all. Aren't they essentially 'me'?"
'Anyway, it's now or never.'
The old man must make a choice.
Whether to live a lifetime in regret or to choose the best of the worst.
"What do you think? These are undead that can grow.
They have more perseverance than anyone else because they don't experience pain, and they're more daring because they don't have fear.
They will accept your advice and teachings without hesitation."
"..."
The old man remained silent.
With an expressionless face that revealed nothing of his thoughts, he simply gazed at the skeletons.
"..."
So, I too closed my mouth.
Instinctively, I felt that saying more wouldn't change the old man's decision.
The old man only acts according to his own judgment.
I waited in silence.
For the old man's choice.
"Hoo."
And soon, the corners of the old man's mouth twitched.
"Well... it's amusing.
The sought-after material wasn't a human but an undead."
"...!"
Heh.
The old man slowly took a step.
Then, he gently examined the skeletons with a calm gaze.
"Indeed, the potential is tremendous. There's no doubt they were remarkable beings even in their previous lives. I've longed for beings like them, why only now. Tsk."
The old man's reaction was truly shocking.
How would it feel if you randomly picked six numbers and won the lottery jackpot?
Was my skeletons' potential really so commendable that the old man was praising it?
"Teaching one of them might be a bit vague... Fine, I suppose I'll have to make some concessions."
The ferocious pressure that had once been present had vanished.
With that, I could finally see the surrounding scenery.
That's right.
This was the very mountain where the old man had passed away.
[Hidden condition are Met]
It was a place imbued with the old man's regrets.
And it would be the place where he would eventually resolve them.
['Stage: The Deep Regret of the White-Haired Old Man' Exclusive Hidden Condition!]
The old man's gaze turned back to me.
He looked quite satisfied.
He cleared his throat.
After swallowing his saliva, he spoke.
"I believe your words. I'll also believe the venom in your eyes. So promise me this. Regardless of whatever trials may come, you will inherit everything I possess. And engrave my existence somewhere in this world."
[Condition: Earn Recognition]
- To gain recognition from the transcendental figure, the 'Master of Thousand Mastery,' who conquered this world, you must reach a certain level.
- Convice him.
I sensed Earnestness in the old man's tone.
Well, how much did he desire it to become his 'grief' even after death?
I answered sincerely.
"I can't afford to miss out on the opportunity I've dreamt of. I'll carry on no matter what happens."
"Good."
The old man's response was cheerful.
[Congratulations!]
[You have cleared the 'Stage: The Deep Regret of the White-Haired Old Man'!]
Oh... I was deeply moved.
Was it really happening?
The Dungeon that not Even Rankers could clear.
Did I really clear it on my own with just one try?
Really?
Phew!
The tension that had been building up suddenly dissipated.
In sync, my legs also went limp.
[Clear reward has arrived!]
Honestly speaking.
this day.
I can proudly say it was the best performance of my entire life.
[all energy has expended!]
[Your body Reaches it's limits!]
"......"
And then.
I lost consciousness.
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