Chapter 30

Chapter 29. First Counterattack (1)

I've had this experience before.

The feeling of observing the world from outside my body after choosing to "continue" after death.

Right now, it felt similar.

The only difference was that I could see from the ceiling of the toilet rather than from the sky.

"Yaaaah!"

Leebeol, who had flown in by grabbing the wall, unleashed a move.

It seemed he used a powerful magic technique, as his palm was glowing red like fire.

'Is this going to kill me?'

I watched in amazement as I saw another version of myself standing still.

Despite the attack, he remained seated.

No, he did do something.

He was holding the footrest with both hands.

"Ah---!"

Just as Leebeol's hand reached AI Seohui, there was a sudden movement.

AI Seohui kicked off the ground and did a backflip using the footrest.

As his opponent suddenly disappeared from his field of vision, Leebeol soared up to the toilet ceiling.

AI Seohui didn't miss this opportunity.

Thud!

A precise kick while in a backflip.

Crack!

With that one blow, Leebeol was sent flying out of the toilet, breaking through the paper door.

'Huh, the movements...'

I couldn't help but laugh.

The movements were closer to acrobatics than martial arts.

That's why, despite not using a powerful strike, he easily subdued his opponent.

'Hmm? Why did he stop?'

Thud.

After throwing the rotten food bin and coming out of the toilet, AI Seohui approached Leebeol but then stopped moving.

"What are you doing?!"

Someone walked out of the back door of Cheonilgwan.

A man wearing a dark blue cap and a formal robe.

[State Summary, Status Brief Summary]

Pyo Geom [Cheonilgwan Chief Administrator]

Physical Condition: Normal

Health: 7450/5450

Internal Energy: 8909/8909

Combat Power: 30,000

The ability values of the unfamiliar man appeared one by one.

Despite his relatively young appearance, his stats far exceeded those of a regular administrator.

If I had seen him before killing Shinbi, it would have been a tough fight.

"Was this your doing?"

Pyo Geom's voice was agitated.

His face, marked with scars and burn marks, gave off a different aura from the others.

'He's not saying anything.'

I found it curious that AI Seohui remained silent as I watched the situation from a third-person perspective.

With AI involvement, AI Seohui stood there, and Pyo Geom gritted his teeth.

"An interrogation is unnecessary."

As Pyo Geom took a step forward, my gaze returned to AI Seohui.

I was curious.

How would he deal with this opponent?

Based on the combat power shown initially, it wasn't a particularly tense opponent.

But he wasn't an easy opponent either.

Especially since the opponent had a sword, and AI Seohui had nothing in his hands.

This meant he had to fight unarmed, which was a concern.

The fighting style had changed, and factors like breathing, foot positioning, and instantaneous judgment and experience were all applied.

Of course, I had learned the Sohui Martial Arts, but how much it would help, given I wasn't a professional martial artist, needed to be verified.

'It doesn't matter. I'll win anyway.'

I believed I would win.

The combat power stats weren't that high, so there didn't seem to be many variables.

The issue was the "AI" involvement.

I was very curious to see how AI Seohui would defeat the opponent with this involvement.

The experience of watching myself from a third-person perspective was enough to spark intense curiosity.

'Huh? Is he going to attack first?'

As Pyo Geom slowly approached and AI Seohui stood in place, they were about three zhang (9 meters) apart.

Paf!

Surprisingly, AI Seohui moved first, aggressively.

'This is too reckless!'

The opponent had a sword.

Moreover, an opponent with considerable skill and experience.

It would be more advantageous to be cautious and observe Pyo Geom's attack, yet he chose this preemptive strike.

"Arrogant...!"

As expected, Pyo Geom was not an easy opponent.

From the way he drew his sword to his sharp gaze, he reacted like a well-honed blade.

Swish!

He recognized the direction AI Seohui was charging and thrust his sword at the point where their distance would close to one zhang.

The speed at which he drew his sword was lightning-fast.

It was a thrust calculated to cover the shortest distance between the attack point and the sword draw.

"!"

But it missed.

Despite the perfect timing, AI Seohui dodged.

'He didn't retreat. He anticipated it.'

It wasn't a matter of dodging by sight.

If that were the case, Pyo Geom's sword would have pierced his chest.

It was a close call, but he retreated unscathed, indicating he had no intention of closing the distance from the start.

'Wow... I almost died.'

I realized I had momentarily forgotten that the man in front of me was my own body.

But there was no time to blame myself.

AI Seohui moved again.

'Damn it, why attack? Wait a bit!'

Seeing AI Seohui charge recklessly, I felt frustrated.

When fighting an armed opponent unarmed, unless the skill difference is overwhelming, you don't charge like that.

You divert the opponent's attention or wait for an opening before attacking.

Not like this reckless charge...

'Huh?'

Did he anticipate the thrust?

Thud.

This time, AI Seohui sharply turned to the side at about one zhang (3 meters) from the opponent.

Pyo Geom didn't stand still.

He quickly redirected his sword, which was falling vertically, to a horizontal position.

Clang!

AI Seohui moved a few steps away from Pyo Geom.

This time, he didn't completely avoid it.

A light scratch appeared on his cheek, indicating the sword had grazed him.

'What is he thinking?'

I became increasingly anxious.

I couldn't understand this reckless movement.

Unless he had some intention.

'He's moving again.'

AI Seohui's third preemptive strike.

This time, he charged in the same direction as the first and second times.

"What do you take me for?!"

Pyo Geom's face contorted.

The yellowish spots appearing around his retinas indicated he was rapidly increasing his internal energy.

Clang!

His swift sword strikes were even faster this time.

But before he could thrust, AI Seohui moved to the left.

"Haah!"

Pyo Geom's vertical and horizontal sword techniques, faster than before, chased after AI Seohui.

Then, it happened.

'!'

Thud!

AI Seohui rolled on the ground and, as soon as he touched the floor with his hands, kicked Pyo Geom's abdomen.

Struck in a vital point by the opponent's blow, Pyo Geom staggered,

Crack!

and was hit again by a spinning kick from the rapidly approaching opponent.

Thud!

With a continuous kick to the instep, Pyo Geom lost his sword.

Crack!

This time, AI Seohui punched the opponent's face.

Pyo Geom couldn't hold on and knelt on the ground.

At that moment, this message appeared.

<How would you like to deal with 'Pyo Geom'?>

▶ Kill him.

▷ Knock him out.

AI Seohui left the choice to me.

I immediately chose to kill him.

<Continuing...>

He snapped Pyo Geom's neck.

"Ah..."

I could only groan.

Not because I had defeated the enemy.

But because the fighting style and tactics were so unexpected.

What caught my attention the most was:

<AI involvement has ended.>

One-time result display.

Result, Outcome

Seohui: Alive

Leebeol: Dead

Pyo Geom: Dead

Calculation, Settlement

Seohui [Low-Rank Squad Leader]

Physical Condition: Normal

No damage

Health: 20,548 (↓12) / 20,560

Internal Energy: 21,000 / 21,000

Only 12 health points were used to defeat the Cheonilgwan manager and chief administrator.

Internal energy didn't decrease at all.

It was impressive that he won without using much physical strength.

* * *

"Ah."

Seohui, who had been standing like a stone statue, looked at the fallen Pyo Geom.

With a flash of light, he began to blink.

His vision cleared.

The third-person perspective had now shifted to Seohui's.

Just to be sure, he clenched his fist.

It moved.

The body that had felt like someone else's for a moment had returned.

Seohui looked up at the small glowing text at the top.

Combat Style

A fight that used only 12 health points to defeat two opponents.

This kind of fighting style was something he had never tried or even imagined.

Ducking and kicking while on the ground with both hands was a technique he had never attempted.

"If it were me... I could never have done it."

No matter how he fought, he couldn't have avoided using health and internal energy.

Especially since he was unarmed, while Pyo Geom had a sword.

To end such an opponent so succinctly...

"How many moves ahead was he seeing?"

Seohui was curious.

The text labeled "AI" seemed to see several moves ahead.

It wasn't just a superficial approach but a meticulous plan.

Otherwise, it wouldn't explain the minimal use of health and internal energy.

"I need to fight more to understand. More..."

He still didn't fully understand the combat style "AI."

Seohui believed repeated experiences would resolve his curiosity.

"Hold on."

Seohui turned his head, remembering something he had forgotten.

The forgotten presence was lying on the ground.

"Hey, you bastard---!"

Seeing this, Seohui shouted and ran towards Leebeol.

The harsh treatment and pain he had endured.

The humiliation and disgrace needed to be avenged.

"Hey, you're not dead, right? Hey... Open your eyes. Open your eyes, you bastard..."

But frustratingly, Leebeol didn't open his eyes.

His mouth, which had been foaming and twitching, had now hardened like stone.

"I've suffered so much... Open your eyes. Open your eyes, you bastard!"

Seohui shouted, but the already dead Leebeol couldn't respond.

* * *

Seohui quickly disposed of the three bodies.

"Even if it's discovered, I'm leaving Cheonilgwan, so it doesn't matter."

After roughly burying them, Seohui looked up at the sky.

It seemed to be around the ninth hour (9 AM).

According to his knowledge, the spy Geun would arrive around noon, so there was still some time left.

Seohui moved to the Cheonilgwan underground warehouse to prepare for his arrival.

Coin 2 [Two Chances]

"My life is now worth two."

Seohui was looking at the mirror he had brought from Leebeol's room.

Another life gained after killing Duhong.

It was invaluable to Seohui.

"Now, I'll kill Geun and move towards a better life."

The purpose of the Wu Guan Dao test had two goals.

The first was to become stronger, and the second was to win the heart of the fourth disciple.

Seohui believed he had become strong enough.

Moreover, capturing Geun would be sufficient to win the heart of the fourth disciple.

"Now, I need to prepare properly."

Seohui opened the tool box on the right side of the room.

[Tool Box]

<Medicine>

Wound Healing Powder: 5, Iron Blood Toxin Antidote: 1

<Herbal Medicine>

Rebirth Spirit Pill: 1

<Equipment>

[Weapon] Wu Ling Dao: 1, Moon Fragrance Arrow: 1

[Armor] Heavenly Silver Armor: 1, Advanced Leather Armor: 1, Mingwang Armor: 1

[Accessory] White Soul Bullet: 1

<Secret Manual>

Four Great Extreme Martial Arts: Wind

<Miscellaneous>

Understanding Swordsmanship [Book], Wu Guan Dao Treasure Map (7/7), Map (Wu Guan Dao - Body 1), Record (Wu Guan Dao) 1

"I've gathered quite a lot."

Seohui felt proud as he looked at the tool box.

[Would you like to equip Heavenly Silver Armor?]

He equipped the armor first and, without much thought, selected "Understanding Swordsmanship."

[Would you like to use 'Understanding Swordsmanship'?]

It was selected from the miscellaneous items.

[You have understood swordsmanship. Your understanding has increased.]

This message appeared.

<Your skill level has increased.>

It brought good news.

[Supreme Martial Art] Explosive Power

Intermediate Level ▶ Basic Level

The most powerful martial art he could use had improved.

Seohui checked the list of martial arts he could choose during combat.

<Sohui Martial Arts> Basic Level

<Jeoksu Martial Arts> Basic Level

<Supreme Martial Arts> Basic Level

All values were set to "Basic."

"My abilities are..."

Seohui checked his stats.

[State, Status]

Seohui [Low-Rank Squad Leader]

Life: Coin 2 [Two Chances]

Physical Condition: Normal

[Stats, Values]

Health: 20,548/20,560

Internal Energy: 21,000/21,000

Combat Power: 90,000

[Equipment, Gear]

Weapon: Common Sword

Armor: Heavenly Silver Armor

"All preparations are complete."

Seohui looked at the combat style.

By choosing this, he completed his final preparations.

Combat Style

He made one more selection.

Combat Style <Turn-Based>

That's how it was.