Chapter 38

Chapter 37. If You Want to Live, Think (3)

To be honest, I wanted to knock Gonma down.

I was worried about the backlash that would follow after getting rid of him, but that didn't matter.

[+10 Lives]

Throughout several regressions, I never had an opportunity to gain so many lives.

Even if I made a wrong choice, there was a chance to be compensated up to 10 times.

‘I have to survive first.’

But Seohui didn't want to take the risk.

At this point, it was more like recklessness than an adventure.

He knew better than anyone what it meant for the combat power to differ by more than twice.

▶ Persuade Gonma.

Running away from Gonma was never an option.

Even if he could run, where would he hide?

So, this was the only choice.

<You have chosen ‘Persuade Gonma.’>

After making the choice, Seohui let out a sigh of relief.

He was in a state of tension, ready to use water breathing at any moment, but Gonma only showed anger, not the intent to kill.

Seeing this, it felt like a conversation could resolve the situation.

“Can you still make excuses in this situation?”

Seohui understood why Gonma kept asking the same questions.

Strong suspicion and distrust.

On the surface, that's what it seemed, but beneath it, there was something more.

He wasn't sure yet, but...

‘Four Great Extreme Magic Arts...’

When Seohui closed his eyes, the incantations of the Four Great Extreme Magic Arts came to mind, and dozens of annotations explaining the profound techniques appeared.

Magic arts, in a broad sense, are a form of martial arts.

Martial arts are a collection of countless insights that are hard to explain.

Writing down each example and the results of learning is almost impossible.

But the fortuitous events that appeared to Seohui made it possible.

‘Ah!’

While examining the incantations of the magic arts, Seohui found another magic art with similar incantations.

In fact, it was a completely different form of martial art.

However, in a broader sense, the way they handled qi from the two extremes was similar.

“Are you still looking for excuses in this situation?”

Gonma's voice rang out.

The calmness that had been added to the distrust was becoming increasingly unstable.

“Would you like to see this?”

“...?”

Swoosh.

Suddenly, Seohui threw his sword to the ground, and Gonma's brows furrowed.

It felt like there was some ulterior motive.

But his attitude became slightly less hostile.

‘The highest level of the Cold Blood Magic Art is 10th level.’

The incantations of the Cold Blood Magic Art filled Seohui's mind.

Theoretically, 10th level is the highest, but it's almost the ultimate level.

Practically, reaching 9th level would allow the use of extreme power.

“Ugh...”

Swoosh.

As a cold current rushed to his fingertips, Seohui's face contorted.

It wasn't because of a lack of inner strength.

His body's meridians hadn't been fully activated to use the lower dantian proficiently.

Using the Cold Blood Magic Art with just a temporary opening was difficult.

“Ha!”

When the energy at his fingertips became cumbersome, Seohui struck the ground with his hand.

And before his eyes, an incredible scene unfolded.

Crack!

A strong current of energy spread out from him.

Soon, the current turned into ice blades, and countless sharp edges pierced the ground, jutting out in all directions.

The coldness, far surpassing what he had learned from the Lesser Cold Magic Art, appeared like thorns in all directions.

“Huh...!”

Seohui wasn't the only one surprised.

Gonma, seeing the ice thorns covering the surroundings, couldn't finish his sentence.

Just by looking at the coldness gathered at Seohui's fingertips, anyone from the main school would recognize it.

“The Four Great Extreme Magic Arts use yang energy to create wind, while the Cold Blood Magic Art uses yin energy to create cold, an extreme yin martial art.”

“...”

“Though the breathing methods and techniques differ, they both pursue the extreme. Moreover, at the ultimate level, they use not only the lower dantian but also the middle and upper dantians...”

“Are you a disciple of the Cold-Blooded Witch, Cheon Mirei?”

‘...What is this about?’

Seohui's words, which were trying to persuade him about learning the Four Great Extreme Magic Arts, were cut off.

Why did the mention of being Cheon Mirei's disciple come up suddenly?

He closed his mouth and waited to hear what Gonma had to say.

“Well, I thought something was off from the beginning. Bringing a heavy prisoner and learning my secret technique so quickly...”

Gonma looked at Seohui and asked.

“Are you really a disciple of Cheon Mirei?”

“...”

Seohui was looking at the text floating above Gonma's head.

And he found what lay beneath the suspicion and distrust by looking at the text again.

Gonma <Borderline Personality Disorder>

A tendency to rely on one place.

Lack of trust and confidence in oneself, leading to a desire to trust and rely on someone.

A polarized pattern of idealization and devaluation in interpersonal relationships.

Just by showing the Cold Blood Magic Art, he could feel the goodwill in Gonma's tone.

“Ultimately, it's been exposed.”

Seohui put on a deliberately regretful expression.

Whatever.

I'll make her my master from today.

“Yes. I am Seohui, a disciple of Cheon Mirei.”

“Ah, I feel bad. You probably wanted to keep it a secret, but I tend to be suspicious.”

Gonma's expression brightened.

And he showed a sense of trust that was the opposite of what he had shown earlier.

“By the way, is your master still in seclusion? She's so elusive that almost no one in the main school knows her.”

‘Is she in seclusion?’

Seohui didn't know, but he had to answer according to the situation.

Actually, he was an expert in this field.

“Yes. Over a decade ago, she left to reach a higher level. That was the last time I saw her. She hasn't communicated with me since then.”

“Well, that's to be expected. She's known for being cold in the main school. You understand.”

Gonma now had a satisfied look on his face.

The change in his tone to a semi-formal one was evident.

“You're right. The Heavenly Martial Pavilion has never been involved in this. It seems to be the work of someone behind the scenes.”

When Seohui revealed facts that Gonma hadn't even asked about, he finally let out a sigh of relief.

Somehow, it went smoothly.

As proof, Gonma directly stated what he wanted.

“So, I'll induct you into the Yin Ying Team from today.”

“The Yin Ying Team...?”

“Yes.”

One of Gonma's core units.

Specializing in tracking and concealment, and various tasks that sometimes require eliminating enemies.

Though the training is harsh, it offers a more efficient way to become stronger than the Martial Pavilion.

Finally, he achieved what he wanted.

“Do your best.”

As soon as Gonma finished speaking, text appeared before his eyes.

<[Became a Core Warrior of Gonma] Success.>

The first of the three lives Gonma offered.

A signal that he had successfully become a core warrior.

And a new text appeared.

<Summarizing your current score.>

Health: 110,000

Inner Strength: 110,000

Combat Power: 4,000,000

Martial Arts: Cold Blood Magic Art, Red Hand Magic Art, Supreme Magic Art, Four Great Extreme Magic Arts

Inventory: Golden Wound Medicine, Advanced Armor...

Suddenly, strange text started to appear, followed by:

<Score Summary: +3 Lives.>

His lives increased by 3.

Moreover,

<‘Simulation’ mode has been added to the combat style.>

<You can change the combat style during combat. For example, you can change from ‘Turn-based’ to ‘AI’ and then to ‘Simulation’. However, once you change from ‘Turn-based’ to ‘AI’, you cannot revert to ‘Turn-based’.>

<In ‘Simulation’ mode, the higher your level and the more martial arts you have, the more advantageous it is.>

<In ‘Simulation’ mode, like ‘AI’, you cannot see the enemy's ability values.>

<‘Simulation’ mode is provided only once and calculates the optimal value for the strongest opponent when there are multiple enemies.>

Combat Style <Turn-based>

In this mode, time stops.

You can see the enemy's values and perform attacks, defenses, and use items from your inventory.

Combat Style

This is where a different self within you emerges and shows abilities beyond your own.

Moreover,

Combat Style <Simulation>

This is an additional mode.

You cannot see the enemies' ability values.

“...”

Seohui confirmed the information that appeared last.

This seems to be a note.

<Advice>

If you are not satisfied with your life, challenge a higher difficulty.

For example, the three lives Gonma offers.

* * *

I have some urgent business to attend to, so I'll be away for a while. Stay here until I return.

Gonma left after saying this.

He was curious about the urgent business but didn't ask.

“Ha...”

Returning to the bedroom where he had been lying, Seohui let out a short sigh.

Everything felt like a dream.

Several deaths and several reincarnations.

Unexpected choices and continuous battles.

The desire to become stronger, which had gradually faded amidst repeated choices and battles.

Yet, he couldn't give up.

This was a place where you had to become stronger.

Only obedience to orders. Nothing could be done freely, and anything was possible.

To escape this hell, you had to stand at the top.

Coin 4 [Four Chances]

After standing at the edge of the cliff once, the text that appeared earlier showed that his lives had increased by 3.

Normally, he would have been extremely happy, but Seohui wasn't.

He knew that it would only mean more difficult and painful events.

“Let's get some sleep first.”

Seohui cleared his mind and lay down on the bed.

Too much thinking leads to worry and weakness