Chapter 20
The Price of Growth
"Now your body is gradually getting used to this process."
It's been roughly a week since Kisoyul joined.
The old man is still personally pounding on my body today.
"This means we need to increase the intensity compared to before... Do you understand?"
"Ugh! Ugh!"
"Endure it. If you're my disciple, you should be adept at enduring and facing pain, even if I break your flesh and scrape your bones without anesthesia. Tsk tsk, why is your patience so lacking?"
Blows.
"Wait a moment. This is just violence!"
And on top of what?
Breaking the flesh and scraping the bones without anesthesia?
What do you think I am, a torture victim?
"This rascal..."
The old man's mouth twitched.
"Calling the Grand law of clarity and perfect materialization, a technique forged over the years, a mere 'violence'. It's truly disheartening. You must have made your mind, haven't you?"
"Yes? Um, wait a moment, sir!"
"Shut up."
Bam! Bam! Kwang!
The old man's fists ignited.
It felt like a volcano had erupted inside my entire body.
My head spun dizzily, and my whole body seemed to be plummeting into an abyss.
"Aaaah!"
it literally felt like my entire body was melting away.
For 30 minutes straight, a massage turned into a brutal beating unfolded.
[Skill 'Pain Resistance' (C-rank) has been upgraded by one level.]
[Acquired skill 'Pain Resistance' (B-rank).]
[This skill has further room for growth.]
"..."
Ah.
I don't know.
Even though I've grown one step further.
I was in so much pain and exhaustion that I didn't even have the energy to be happy.
Tears welled up in my eyes
As I lay there, dazed, gazing at the sky, a shadow suddenly fell across my vision.
"...What are you looking at?"
I grumbled without much reason, and she stuck out her tongue.
"I'm looking, and it's just... I still can't get used to it. To think you've been undergoing training like this every day... Your rapid growth is understandable."
"Sigh, I don't even have the strength to answer."
"I'll continue to keep watch. Stay strong."
I had explained everything to her.
From the old man's formidable techniques to his aspirations for transcendent skills.
To my surprise, Kisoyul believed me wholeheartedly.
Trust and faith are built upon truthful words and actions.
Since I've never lied to her, she believes in me too.
'I was actually relieved that the old man understands.'
The old Master didn't seem to mind.
After all, Kisoyul couldn't even see His form.
let alone have someone replicate his teaching style.
Even if she were to completely master his techniques by his side, he didn't seem particularly interested.
He had completely let go of the ambition for one-man success.
To the old man, who had accumulated the 'grief' of wanting a disciple.
the fact that someone would accept all of his transcendent skills was a great blessing.
"This Grief' that is cold as frost... It could sometimes transform into burning hope, like a smelting furnace."
That's why the old man could afford to be lenient.
In fact, he expected it.
An affinity with 'me,' who possessed special abilities.
The transmission of 'his technique' that hadn't been achieved in his world before.
The white-haired master subtly raised the corners of his mouth, as a new emotion arised for the first time.
"This brat, can't you get up already? There's still thirty minutes left!"
"Yes, yes... How can I lie down at my level? I should get up right away."
I summoned strength I didn't have and struggled to rise.
Whose turn is it today? From Bone One to Bone Four, I went around once.
Since Bone Two trained yesterday, today is Bone Three turn.
Creak!
Bone Three stepped forward with burning eyes.
The skeletons were growing stronger every moment, with stats and skill levels increasing significantly.
Most skills were hitting level 8.
"The problem is..."
I thought to myself and mentally shouted, "Status Window."
[Hunter: Joo Dong hoon]
[Alias: X]
[Energy: 50/120]
[Unique Ability: Cursed Necromancer]
[Grade: D]
[Effects]
- You are a Necromancer, a profession that deals with the souls of the dead. You can subdue opponents using terrifying specters and poisons. However, you are cursed.
- You can only summon skeletons.
[Possessed Skills]
- 'Awakened Skeleton Summoning' (D-rank)
- 'Memory Reproduction' (S-rank)
- 'Teaching of Martial Art' (S-rank)
- 'Pain Resistance' (B-rank)
- 'Slash' (C-rank)
- 'Stab' (C-rank)
- 'Shoot' (C-rank)
- 'Block' (C-rank)
"So many have appeared."
Thanks to the old man's education, I gained a total of four skills.
Slash, stab, shoot, and block, based on the skills from Bone One to Bone Four.
My own techniques based on the skills learned from them.
"But I still can't learn Bone 5 skills."
Bone 5 is a mage.
To learn his skills, I have to utilize 'Ki' mentally, not physically.
"All right then. Today, come up here and sit cross legged."
Swish.
The old man, who pulled out his staff from the air, scribbled something on the ground.
A series of characters that can't be seen on Earth.
The space was filled with a mysterious, flowing light of vivid colors, like flowing water.
According to the old man, this was a technique that condensed the energy spread throughout nature, making it easier to perceive.
"Should I just sit down?"
"Recite the essence of the Taicheong Heart Technique I taught you last time."
"Understood."
"Don't just memorize it without thinking. You must concentrate. You have to feel how the intangible energy moves."
"Yes, Sir."
I closed my eyes.
As the old man said, 'Ki' is the foundation of all physical forces.
He said that if you know how to manipulate 'Ki', you can construct any existing skill.
This is the first step toward mastering martial arts.
The old man, observing my progress, spoke.
"Do not think it's meaningless. This is the most important step. If you cannot feel 'Ki' while I personally lay the foundation for my disciples, then..."
"And if I can't?"
The old man's smile deepened.
"There's no helping it. If I judge that you don't have the talent, I'll have to intensify the Great Law even more."
Well, it was basically saying that if I couldn't keep up, he'd push me even harder.
But what could I do? I had to do as he instructed. I had no complaints.
I had been doing well up until now. Besides, I could feel that I was getting stronger.
In fact,
"I want to get even stronger."
My enthusiasm had grown much stronger.
I was on fire with determination.
Every moment, I could see myself getting stronger, and that made it all the more enjoyable.
"Hehe, that's the spirit."
The satisfied old man turned around abruptly.
Today was Bone 4 training session for 'low Gaze attraction' (Lv.8).
There was still about 25 minutes left.
* * *
"Hmm."
Kisoyul, who had been watching Joo dong hoon training, let out a sigh.
"You've really become the disciple of that eccentric old man!"
To be honest, at first, she had her doubts.
A skill where a ghostly old man imparts teachings for an hour every day?
It was an unheard-of skill.
However, now she had no choice but to believe it.
She could feel firsthand how his energy was improving with each passing moment.
And she too, had eyes and ears.
She couldn't dismiss it as mere acting when she heard him shouting and screaming every day.
It was a process where the body was distorted and bones were reconstructed by intangible power.
'It's horrifying.'
Kisoyul shook her head, trembling.
The gruesome scene of her pushing herself relentlessly to become stronger was enough to make anyone grimace.
If he were a criminal, the training he endured would have surely been as brutal as torture.
But her determination was extraordinary.
On the day she first saw him, he endured until the end, just as I see in his eyes, full with venom.
"I have to admit this."
Not every 'Dungeon reward' was an opportunity.
It was only when you possessed the abilities and mental strength to accept that reward.
the true 'Opportunity', would be born.
As a Ranker, Kisoyul knew this fact better than anyone.
That's why she acknowledged Joo dong hoon.
"I'll have to keep an eye on her for a while."
Kisoyul didn't leave donghoon side, regardless the promise, It was an instinctual judgment.
By taking care of him, could she break through the limitations that had been blocking her?
In the depths of her heart, the image of an absolute being was still engraved.
Even after facing countless battles as a Ranker, there was no wavering in her strength.
The old man possessed a strength akin to a mountain and an unfathomable depth that was akin to the sea.
His skills were undoubtedly formidable, whether he wielded a sword or a bow.
He was stronger than any Ranker she had encountered.
"Even in assassination techniques..."
She, who was known as the Queen of Assassins, was brought to her knees by the old man's assassination technique.
"I'm envious."
Honestly, she was envious.
She knew how difficult it was to meet a good mentor.
No matter what abilities you had, no matter how intelligent you were, no matter how much money you had, it didn't matter.
To truly grow, one needs a good mentor.
No matter how many hundreds of days you train, no matter how many thousands of days you delve into dungeons, you'll eventually hit a 'limit' if you do it alone.
Just like me.
That's why I had high hopes.
How much would Joo dong hoon, taught by the old man, grow? I wanted to watch.
In the Ranker system, which changes wildly every year, how far would he climb?
* * *
In an luxurious mansion.
a figure emerged from the shadows.
He was kang jae young, an A-rank assassin from the Shadowbreak.
Gulp.
He swallowed nervously.
Because.
the owner of the Shadowbreak.
He ranked 92nd in the world and known as Helhound, Nick jakan.
"So, you're saying you need support because of Kisoyul?"
"Y-Yes."
Kang jae young, an A-rank assassin from the Shadowbreak, who had already reported in detail about Joo dong hoon actions, replied.
In fact, he had tried to approach her several times, but Kisoyul's guard was too strict, so he hadn't even made an attempt.
"Hmm, even for us, dealings with Parang are not pleasant."
Jakan held his chin, deep in thought.
there were two Rankers in Parang.
Kiparang, the 58th in the world rankings, known as the Master Archer.
Kisoyul, the 380th in the world rankings, known as the Shape Emperor.
"While Kisoyul might bit difficult to deal with, Kiparang would be no easy opponent for me either. Besides, the Shadowbreak has a lot of enemies. If we make too much noise, it will be disadvantageous for us."
Kang jae young eyes wavered at Jakan words.
"I'm sorry. I should have dealt with it before Kisoyul got involved."
"Hm."
Jakan tapped his thigh with his finger.
It was a habit he had when his mind was complicated.
"...Is it really capable enough to handle a Ranker like a toys?"
"Yes, it is. Just looking at Kisoyul, that picky woman makes it clear."
"That's true."
Kisoyul is famous even among Rankers.
She doesn't bow to anyone, and her obsession with dungeons is stronger than anyone else.
"She certainly ambitious."
With a snap, Jakan flicked his finger.
Swish!
Then, an assassin appeared beside him.
It was Jakan's personal secretary.
"Did you call, sir?"
"How's the Shadowbreaker schedule?"
"The next month is fully booked."
"Full For a month, huh?"
Jakan's pupils turned back to kang jae young.
"Did you say Joo dong hoon? What was his grade?"
"He's E-rank."
"He still has a long way to go to grow."
No matter how good the talent is, it takes time to grow.
There's no case where an F-rank become an S-rank suddenly because some dungeon reward.
Seemingly Conviced, Jakan nodded his head.
"Alright. After a month, clear the schedule. I'll go check in person."
If the only one protecting him is Kisoyul.
Jakan judged that it was worth a try.
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