Chapter 16

Chapter 15. The Three Lives Koma Offers (5)

When Seohui chose the passage about using martial arts, he experienced something new that he had never felt before.

His body, moved not by his own will but by another's, was following the movements he had learned while practicing the Adversary's Martial Art in the past.

As a result, Oma, whom he had not thought he could defeat, fell to the ground.

Health 9 (↓10) / 205

Internal Energy 28 (↓882) / 2,250

However, after knocking him down, he had to worry more about his own life than feel elated.

His health and internal energy were now completely drained.

"There's no time for this."

As the tension subsided, his entire body seemed to scream in pain.

Due to the severe internal injuries, he could not breathe properly and did not have the strength to stand.

But he had to move.

If another guy came here, he would really die.

[<Spirit Medicine> Qingli Zui Lian (青梨醉蓮) 1 obtained.]

[<Spirit Medicine> Shengji Xujin Dan (生肌續筋丹) 1 obtained.]

[<Secret Manual> Yin Xing Fa Ke (隱形法科) obtained.]

"Ah."

Seohui's eyes lit up as he searched through Oma's clothes.

Even a quick glance showed that the spirit medicines and secret manual were different from what he usually carried.

At a glance, they seemed to be what Oma had obtained after entering the Wu Guan Island.

Moreover, there were as many as six bamboo slips inscribed with the character "Shen" (身).

[The pieces of "Shen" (身) cannot be stored in the tool box.]

'It won't work.'

He tried putting the bamboo slips into the tool box, but it refused.

It seemed to be excluding things that would affect his next life.

Well, what does it matter?

With this, he had all the conditions to pass this test.

"Let's move to a different spot first."

Seohui quickly composed himself and left the building with the yellow roof.

Of course, he did not forget to put the secret manual and spirit medicines into the tool box.

* * *

A long night passed, and the sun rose.

Seohui, who had been hiding all night, was in the woods on the outskirts of the building.

He used one Golden Wound Healing Pill to fully recover his health and did not use any more.

He also did not move.

He wanted to avoid a situation where he would die while looking for treasures.

'There are such spirit medicines scattered around here, huh?'

Seohui pondered what to do next.

Fortunately, the spirit medicines and secret manual he obtained from Oma could be viewed in detail, allowing him to plan more meticulously for the future.

[Shengji Xujin Dan]

Description: A spirit medicine made by shaping the essence of high mountains into a round form, artificially created by humans. Can be used by all constitutions.

Effect: Slightly increases the maximum health.

[Qingli Zui Lian]

Description: A lotus that sprouted from a seed that had been dormant for a thousand years. Can be used by all constitutions.

Effect: Slightly increases the maximum internal energy.

Seohui initially thought about using these, but soon gave up the idea.

The state window that appeared one day had extended his life for the regression.

However, since everything would reset upon death, if he did not use the spirit medicines properly, it would be the same as losing them.

In contrast, there was something whose effects could be seen immediately.

It was the secret manual.

Unlike spirit medicines, once a martial art was learned, it would not be forgotten.

[Yin Xing Fa Ke]

Description: A concealment technique used by the Holy Guardian (護敎神主) who protected the sect leader 120 years ago.

Reference: The higher the enlightenment, the stronger the concealment ability. Disappears when moving.

Restrictions: None.

[Do you want to learn the concealment technique from Yin Xing Fa Ke? Accept/Reject]

As Seohui chose this, the contents of the secret manual instantly entered his mind.

The breathing method and the application method.

Everything was imprinted in his mind without the need for additional practice.

[You have learned the concealment technique.]

One thing he learned from this.

The more secret manuals he obtained, the better.

Because these things analyzed and informed him of everything.

'The state window activated when I found a weakness.'

Seohui clearly remembered the moments before and after the fight with Oma.

When he thought it was the perfect opportunity, the state window appeared, giving him the chance to kill Oma.

'If I use this well, it will be a great power for me.'

Seohui became more and more confident as he repeated the regression.

The many fortuitous events that came his way. He had to take them all.

If he could use them without hesitation, reaching the position he desired would not be a dream.

Seohui calculated the time based on the position of the sun.

And when it was around noon.

Seohui, who had been hiding in the sugarcane field all night, finally started to move.

"Huh?"

As he cautiously moved toward the entrance to Wu Guan Island, a light emitted from it.

It was clearly not a natural phenomenon, and it was too mysterious to be intentionally created by someone.

Seohui briefly considered going back, but thought it might also be a fortuitous event, so he approached it.

And it did not disappoint his expectations.

[Do you want to save?]

He had seen this text before.

He had only seen it once, but it was a scene he could never forget.

[At which point do you want to save?]

The phrases that appeared as soon as he accepted.

And the scenes that unfolded again.

■ Year 95, Chapter 2. The Three Lives Koma Offers

[Empty save slot]

[Empty save slot]

'This means it will be recorded in that empty slot, right?'

Seohui no longer had any doubts.

Instead, he quickly thought about how to use it.

And the final thought.

[Do not save.]

The light disappeared instantly, and Seohui entered the door.

He had no regrets.

He did not know when such an opportunity would appear again, or if this was the last one.

This time, the right choice was not to record.

He planned to return to get the treasures here in his next life.

* * *

"Hmm?"

When Seohui put down the bamboo slips, the Holy Guardian's eyes widened.

Actually, his eyes were so small that it just made his pupils more visible.

"Is there a problem?"

When Seohui spoke confidently, the Holy Guardian showed a subtle expression.

But he seemed to not want to talk much and immediately showed the bamboo slips.

"Choose the next one."

Yan (言) Shu (書) Pan (判)

'Anyway, I have to choose all of them.'

Seohui immediately pointed to one of the bamboo slips in front of him.

"Yan (言)."

The Holy Guardian took back the bamboo slip and pointed to the back.

"Over there."

Among the four doors, the second one from the right based on the direction he was facing.

It was right next to the door he had entered and exited for the first test.

Seohui bowed and moved.

Then a question flashed through his mind.

'Why can't I see the others?'

There were not only induction halls here, but he expected to meet a few people after taking the first test.

But there was no one where he was.

'Well, as long as I pass.'

Seohui resumed his steps.

Yan (言).

He was curious about what awaited him this time.

* * *

The door led underground.

There were stairs, and when he went down them, a small room appeared.

And when he opened the door and entered, a middle-aged man was sitting with his legs up on the desk.

"Damn it."

As soon as Seohui opened the door, a curse flew from the opposite side.

A sharp, almost murderous expression.

His curly hair reached his shoulders, and his ragged clothing gave off a sense of intimidation.

'An incredible expert!'

Seohui's face stiffened.

It was not just his appearance and clothing that startled him.

The murderous aura that emanated from him was so intense that it made his stomach churn.

'That’s!'

But what caught Seohui's attention was not that.

He saw something more important.

[?? + 1]

The number floating above his head.

That was a life.

But unlike before, he could not understand its meaning.

"What are you looking at, brat?"

As the curse flew, Seohui quickly bowed his head.

Even just a word, but the deep internal energy transmitted was enough to make his stomach turn.

But Seohui could not just stand there and opened his mouth with difficulty.

"I came to take the Wu Guan Island test."

"......"

The middle-aged man did not respond.

Seohui opened his mouth again.

"I came to Wu Guan Island to......"

"Say one more word and you're dead."

"......!"

Instantly, Seohui shut his mouth.

The overwhelming murderous aura shook his mind.

He froze with a fear he had never felt before.

'What should I do?'

Seohui stood still, thinking.

He could not turn back.

If he did not take this test, he would be disqualified immediately. But the middle-aged man, who was related to the test, refused to talk.

'What should I do......'

Seohui slowly looked around the room.

A storage cabinet was visible.

It seemed to be made of iron and had three drawers that could be opened and closed.

The ceiling was covered with a flat panel.

The middle-aged man was sitting at a desk and chair. There was a bookshelf behind him, but no books were inserted.

Next to it was a writing desk, and a ceramic bowl was placed on top.

Swoosh.

Seohui, who had been observing, moved to the storage cabinet. He glanced to the side, but the middle-aged man did not react.

Or rather, he seemed to have no interest at all.

Swoosh.

He opened the storage cabinet. Inside were crumpled papers and a half-written sheet.

The second drawer was empty.

In the third drawer were a dry brush and an inkstone.

'Still no interest.'

He kept glancing to the side, worried that the middle-aged man might yell, but he did not look at him.

He was completely focused on an unknown book.

'Let me try the writing desk......'

This time, Seohui moved to the writing desk.

As he examined the area around the writing desk, he looked down at the ceramic bowl. There was something that looked like paper inside.

Swoosh.

After carefully checking the middle-aged man's reaction, he took it out.

[This is the first question.]

'Huh?'

Seohui's eyes widened.

It was the state window.

[You have received an order to secretly carry out a mission to kill people from the Central Plains. While wandering in a deep mountain, you discover an uninhabited house. Inside, the three people you are looking for are hiding.]

The content written on the paper appeared in the state window.

Seeing this, Seohui realized that this was the test for Yan (言).

[They are preparing to leave. Their martial arts skills are either stronger than yours, similar to yours, or weaker than yours. And coincidentally, there is no superior around. How will you respond?]

Seohui's gaze moved downward.

▶ Attempt a surprise attack to kill the enemy.

▷ Pretend to be a martial artist and try to talk to them.

▷ Wait around the house until your superior arrives.

▷ <Do not choose a passage.>

These were the choices.

What was special this time was that the option "Do not choose a passage" was also presented.

9...... 8......

Seohui could not make a clear judgment.

The intention behind the question was confusing.

6...... 5......

'Attempting a surprise attack to kill them is reckless. Talking to them is also dangerous. It would be better to wait until a superior arrives.'

▷ Attempt a surprise attack to kill the enemy.

▷ Pretend to be a martial artist and try to talk to them.

▶ Wait around the house until your superior arrives.

▷ <Do not choose a passage.>

No matter how many times he thought about it, the safest option was the best.

Rushing in recklessly would put his life at risk.

[You have chosen to 'Wait around the house until your superior arrives.' The test will continue.]

After choosing the third option, Seohui looked at the middle-aged man.

At that moment.

"Damn, I clearly said it."

The middle-aged man chuckled.

Seohui felt a sense of fear.

'N-no, it can't be, right?'

But his fears soon became reality.

At some point, a sword was in the middle-aged man's hand.

Thud!

By the time Seohui noticed, it was too late.

"What a damn......"

Seohui could not finish his sentence.

A clear line appeared on his neck.

It was because the middle-aged man had really used an assassination technique.