Chapter 42 of 100

Chapter 42

8 min read2,002 words

Chapter 41. Set a One-Month Schedule (2)

In the blink of an eye, a month had passed, but my mind was filled with a considerable amount of information.

The structure of the Xuanwu Hall (玄武館), the training institution of the Eunyoungdan.

Who the key figures were and what units existed.

During break times, Jikpa, my training instructor, also informed me of things to be cautious about.

Among these, the most memorable was that I had learned a proper martial art.

In the past, I had trained alone through self-study, but now it was different.

I was receiving direct instruction from Jikpa, an outstanding master.

Ilyeon Somagong is a martial art that burns human life to accumulate energy, similar to the characteristics of ordinary dark arts, but it actually has its roots in the origin of life. It would be accurate to say that it resembles the form of Ilyeon Jigi (一元之氣), a type of orthodox martial art.

Ilyeon Jigi in orthodox martial arts refers to a state where the five elements are in harmony.

In simple terms, while the form and result of the process are the same as dark arts, the core foundation is rooted in the orthodox school.

In a way, this was even better.

Depending on how I mastered this martial art, I could avoid being dominated by its dark nature.

* * *

It took Seohui exactly one month to master Ilyeon Somagong to the intermediate level.

And the results were much higher than before.

Strength increased by 20,000.

Internal energy increased by 20,000.

Combat power increased by 30,000.

Seohui [Eunyoungdan (True) Commander]

Strength 140,000 (↑20,000) / 140,000

Internal energy 140,000 (↑20,000) / 140,000

Combat power 450,000 (↑30,000)

"Indeed..."

Seohui stood alone in the room, gazing out the window.

When he came to his senses, a month had passed.

It wasn't as if the time had completely disappeared; the events of the past month were vividly etched in his mind.

- "What the hell are you?"

The ever-changing expressions of Jikpa, the head of the training hall.

In the first month, it was mostly surprise, but now it was mostly shock.

By the second month, his face was often blank, smiling to himself, or just blinking.

Especially on the last day, today, he called Seohui aside and said this.

Starting tomorrow, you will learn the <Advanced> level of Ilyeon Somagong.

"Your body condition is too good."

Seohui, who had been training for two months, felt no fatigue at all.

It felt even better than before.

Judging from this, it must be due to Ilyeon Somagong.

There was a cultivation method called Sowon Gong (小原功) that, unlike previous dark arts, instantly restored one's condition.

"There's no need to worry. Just keep training."

Seohui stepped out of the room.

He chose to learn more martial arts.

▶ Eunyoungdan's representative dark art <Advanced>

To fully comprehend the final stage of Ilyeon Somagong.

* * *

The training proceeded as follows.

Mornings were for lessons and discussions, afternoons for practical training.

However, the content Jikpa taught was imprinted in his mind like a sponge absorbing water.

He never had to ask the same question twice.

Thus, he poured his passion into the practical training of Ilyeon Somagong almost all day.

Time passed in the blink of an eye.

Seohui naturally expected the training to stop on the last day of each month.

However.

"What is this?"

This time, when time stopped, the place he saw was not the usual room.

He was standing near the third exit of the Xuanwu Hall.

"..."

Seohui soon understood the reason.

The date and the memories filling his mind.

And at the end of those memories, he found the reason easily.

'Three of them?'

When he left the Xuanwu Hall, three people followed him.

As soon as he sensed their presence, time naturally stopped.

It seemed that time stopped when something specific happened during his martial arts training.

"Are you going to show yourselves now?"

Seohui asked, waiting.

As expected, after a moment, three figures appeared, leaping over the wall.

"You're not completely stupid, huh? Hehehe."

They were masked and dressed in black.

The largest of them grinned, showing his teeth.

"Why did you follow me?"

Seohui asked again.

"We made a bet. We decided to test who could better demonstrate the dark art we learned today. We chose you as the suitable target among the people in the Xuanwu Hall."

Seohui realized why he had sensed their presence so clearly.

These people didn't follow him to spy but to play with him.

"You might have picked the wrong person. One hit and you'll fall over."

A thin, black-clad figure asked.

Looking at the information on his ability values, he was named Gonggwi.

"That's why the commanders suggested not to choose you. They said you're all just kids."

They seemed dissatisfied with something about him and were whispering among themselves.

Their behavior was truly ridiculous.

Gui Lu [Eunyoungdan Sahuang Unit Member]

Strength 120,000 / 120,000

Internal energy 90,000 / 90,000

Realm: First-Class

Combat power 180,000

The large black-clad figure.

Gonggwi [Eunyoungdan Sahuang Unit Member]

Strength 90,000 / 90,000

Internal energy 80,000 / 80,000

Realm: First-Class

Combat power 150,000

The thin black-clad figure.

Cheonseo [Eunyoungdan Sahuang Unit Member]

Strength 100,000 / 100,000

Internal energy 80,000 / 80,000

Realm: First-Class

Combat power 160,000

The hunched black-clad figure's stats.

'Sahuang Unit... '

Eunyoungdan consists of three units.

Sahuang Unit (邪皇隊), Sajik Unit (蛇的隊), and Salyeong Unit (死靈隊), each with different roles and missions.

The Sahuang Unit is mainly deployed to eliminate a certain force.

Due to the nature of their missions, it is inevitable that the most bloodthirsty and dark-natured individuals gather here.

'This is perfect.'

Seohui felt rather pleased.

He wanted to practice Ilyeon Somagong, and these guys appeared at the right time.

"I'll show you first."

"Go easy. I need to have some fun too."

"Hehe. Then I'll just bury you and find another one."

They chatted among themselves again.

Seohui waited quietly.

Soon, one of them approached, shaking his neck.

The large figure, Gui Lu, was the one who came forward.

"Hey, try to hold on... Ouch!"

Smack!

His words ended there.

Seohui closed the distance in an instant and punched him in the face.

He was so fast that even after falling to the ground and getting up, the man was just blinking.

"I was curious about this too."

Click.

Seohui casually drew his sword.

"How well I've learned the martial art, you mean."

Clang! Clang! Clang!

The three black-clad figures, sensing something was wrong, gripped their swords.

Seohui smiled at them.

Clearly, there was no need to use any special combat techniques against them.

Just stabbing and slashing would do.

* * *

The greatest advantage of Ilyeon Somagong is that it has techniques to counter the opponent's attacks.

Moreover, due to its dark art characteristics, the speed (加速) increases with each sword swing.

This is a benefit gained from practicing the Sowon Gong cultivation method of Ilyeon Somagong.

'He told me to pay attention to the position and posture of holding the sword.'

Jikpa didn't just teach Seohui Ilyeon Somagong.

He also taught him the basic sword techniques he didn't know before.

The attitude and methods of dealing with enemies were explained in detail.

'Two on the right, one on the left. If they attack simultaneously, the left one will come from the right.'

Seohui organized his thoughts and waited for them to attack.

He briefly considered using a minor dark art but decided against it.

He judged that there was a risk of killing them all.

'They're coming!'

Whoosh.

As soon as he kicked off, Seohui's eyes quickly lit up.

He took in their positions, postures, and the weapons extending from their shoulders and wrists.

He raised his sword and took a step back.

Swish! Swish! Clang!

Two swords crossed diagonally in the air.

However, the vertical sword was blocked midway by Seohui's defense.

With just one move, he neutralized the attacks of the three Sahuang Unit members.

"What are you doing? Keep going."

"..."

Their movements paused for a moment.

They were stunned when the man they expected to be covered in blood easily deflected their attacks.

Soon, Gui Lu, who was in front of Seohui, rushed forward with a sliding motion.

Gonggwi and Cheonseo also attacked from the left and right, with a slight delay.

But Seohui didn't move.

Clang!

He simply deflected Gui Lu's sword with a light tap.

Clang!

He forcefully deflected Gui Lu's sword again.

This caused the one coming from the right to stumble and fall.

Swish!

He moved his sword horizontally to the left.

Smack!

He slapped the face of the one on the left with the flat of his sword.

"Ugh!"

"Tsk!"

"Ouch!"

All three fell to the ground, rolling.

Seohui thought, looking at their ridiculous appearance.

There must be a reason why they fell with such amateurish movements.

The speed and reaction time that the opponent couldn't keep up with.

It was as if striking the vital points of the body created a crack from the center, causing them to collapse due to the loss of control.

This was the core of Ilyeon Somagong.

Using techniques to counter the enemy's attacks.

'Now I understand. The meaning behind the simple movements in the selection test.'

The AI injured the Eunyoungdan leader but didn't cause any serious damage.

However, the simulation test went beyond simple damage, slicing the leader's waist.

This was the essence of swordsmanship.

Not flashy techniques but the minimum movement.

It was inferred that the opponent was defeated with extremely efficient sword techniques.

'Huh?'

The three black-clad figures were already standing up.

Their eyes were filled with murderous intent, and dark energy was rising from the tips of their swords.

'This is bad. I can't let them continue.'

Seohui quickly rushed towards them.

Whoosh!

To the black-clad figures, his movement was like a blur.

None of them knew that this was the footwork of the Four Great Dark Arts.

By the time they realized Seohui was right in front of them, it was too late.

They didn't even have time to swing their swords.

"Ugh!"

"Choke!"

Pierced in the chest, shoulder, and thigh, their bodies crumbled like sand in front of Seohui.

'Huh?'

Seohui blinked.

Just as he was about to cripple them, time started flowing again.

With this message in front of him.

Time flowed again.

Naturally, Jikpa's training continued.

Today, my teaching is complete.

With those final words, Seohui regained consciousness in the familiar room.

"Phew..."

And the usual reward appeared in front of him.

Strength increased by 30,000.

Internal energy increased by 30,000.

Combat power increased by 50,000.

All his stats had increased significantly, and his combat power had increased by an additional 10,000.

Seohui [Eunyoungdan (True) Commander]

Strength 170,000 / 170,000

Internal energy 170,000 / 170,000

Combat power 510,000

"Truly..."

The rapid growth.

The techniques of Ilyeon Somagong filling his mind.

Seohui turned his head.

With this, he decided to move forward even faster.

▶ Learn martial arts

▷ Accept a mission

▷ Perform a task

▷ Explore the surroundings

And there was a slight change from the usual options.

He chose to learn martial arts, but since he had already mastered Ilyeon Somagong, the list had changed.

▶ Theory of Tracking <Beginner>

▷ Understanding Meridians <Beginner>

▷ Map of the Training Hall <Beginner>

It didn't matter much.

As long as he could learn, it was fine.

Seohui made a decision.

Within one year.

To learn everything he could.