Chapter 5

◈ The Sambyeolcho in South America (3)

I can't believe that the Yankee humor or whatever I wrote actually came true.

I concentrated and tried to piece together the memories of that night.

The memory of collapsing after getting drunk or something was still vivid.

I was definitely inside the grand game, Universal Kingdoms.

It was so realistic that I pinched my cheek to see if I was using the latest VR device I was planning to buy, but the pain I felt was a typical story.

'I clearly modded and pressed the start button. It even lagged.'

So, if this is real, does that mean I've reached the realm of immortality without even reaching the game's tutorial?

Sangmin chuckled and then changed his expression.

'Nothing that happens will be strange. Let's get serious.'

After accepting the reality, the memories of this body, which had lived a carefree life in the past, and Sangmin's memories mixed together, forming an indescribable mishmash.

To put it in a metaphor, it's like watching a very immersive and long movie where the main character feels very similar to me.

Of course, the genre is a gore film.

Given the era, it was a natural thing to say.

Even though I don't particularly like thrillers or gore films, I wasn't afraid or repulsed by them, but when I looked at my memories, the scenes in the movie didn't seem particularly cruel.

Fortunately, after the memory fusion, it seemed that the core of Kim Sangmin's self was based on a modern person.

The length of life, education level, way of thinking, and values were more heavily weighted towards the modern side.

The debate about self-reflection seems to be enough for now.

I can delve deeper into it when I have more time.

Right now, a very cold and clear interpretation of the current situation is needed.

Let's go back to Universal Kingdoms.

I'm sure I maxed out the abilities I set up, not just immortality (+1000).

One Man Army (+20)

Balanced in Both Civil and Military Affairs (+30)

Charisma (+30)

Adaptability (+10)

Leadership (+10).

'If I had known this would happen, I would have just increased the point limit to the maximum and put all the cheat traits!'

I felt very wronged.

I chose good things, but now that I'm in reality, they seem very, very big and unmanageable.

In the game, I could modify anything with the in-game console, but how can I modify reality now?

But at that moment, a chilling thought came to me.

I could have secured points by adding bad abilities or negative traits, but I was lazy and just stuck with the good ones.

What if I had bad traits like a madman, a fool, or even infertility?

"......"

Am I still maintaining my sanity?

He suddenly felt grateful for his judgment.

The traits he had were all good, but the only one he could experiment with right now was One Man Army.

Based on the European Kings that came out before this game,

Leadership should be viewed from the perspective of subordinates, and charisma... it's a pity there's no one to receive its effects.

Balanced in Both Civil and Military Affairs was just a stat buff, but it was a bit complicated and couldn't be tested right now.

Adaptability was the most ambiguously implemented in the game, and while there was room for debate, I thought it was worth 10 points in the previous series of games.

But now that I think about it, I feel it was a waste. I should have used the points elsewhere.

Sangmin stopped his idle thoughts.

He stood in the middle of a tent he shared with Jeong Sanwon, but no one was there, and he looked around.

There were a few thick logs that were too short to be used as tent poles.

He approached them, subtly adjusted his stance, and took a deadlift position.

They were quite heavy, but the perceived weight was low.

The subtle difference in his body that occurred overnight was not something he could have missed.

'I definitely feel stronger. It feels even stronger than my peak after six months of intense training after discharge.'

Could it be that I feel this way not because of the traits but because I'm younger?

The name One Man Army was a bit disappointing.

Having lived in modern society and seen many strong people, the strength he now possessed wasn't that surprising.

Human muscle strength is naturally limited, and no matter how great Xiang Yu or Richard the Lionheart were, could they compare to 21st-century professional athletes or bodybuilders who train for hours a day and take supplements?

Of course, I don't know. If they were born in later generations and managed their bodies systematically, they might have been incredible.

But it's more likely that the people of their era were much weaker and scrawnier compared to people in modern society.

Everything is relative, after all.

So, they were probably more terrifying for their combat skills with cold weapons than their raw strength.

He suddenly had an idea and took a dao outside.

He had fallen asleep immediately after setting up the camp due to sudden fatigue yesterday.

Fortunately, he had no duty.

Waking up early, the sky was still dark, and the dim light of dawn was just beginning to spread.

A few passing soldiers saluted him as they patrolled.

After responding casually, he suddenly had an idea and drew the dao, swinging it around.

It looked very clumsy, almost like a beginner's attempt at dao dance, but the clumsiness was gradually disappearing as he swung it.

It felt as if someone was controlling his body, moving it in a way that was deeply ingrained.

Like the old swordsmen he had seen practicing drills on the internet.

'Wow, this.'

Unfamiliar, yet familiar.

Consciously emptying his mind of reason and surprise and focusing solely on instinct, his mind soon became completely blank.

The clinking of the armor, which had been annoying, now sounded like a harmonious melody.

A state of no-mind.

The rough trajectory of the dao, which still felt a bit awkward, would likely cut a person in two if they approached.

After swinging the dao for a while, Sangmin aimed at a log, seemingly filled with baseless confidence.

- Crack

He didn't cut it horizontally but vertically, slicing from the top of the log to the bottom in one swift motion, splitting it in two.

Cutting through a dense object is extremely difficult.

The sharpness of the blade is important, but the instantaneous force and technique must be exceptional.

The blade only penetrated a few centimeters, but the force was so great that it split the log like an ax splitting firewood, following the grain.

Sangmin, who couldn't believe the result of his actions, stood there staring at it when Jeong Sanwon approached.

His name was Jeong Yonggil.

His pupils were wide with surprise.

Swallowing hard, he looked at the neatly split log and said,

"Your martial arts have improved greatly recently, sir."

Even though they just met, he should use informal speech since he's a subordinate, right?

According to my memory, we've known each other for a long time.

"...Really?"

Yonggil spoke to Sangmin, who was awkwardly pushing the log aside with his foot.

"I apologize for interrupting your training, but there's a meeting of the Shinui Army commanders, and you should prepare."

"Commanders' meeting?"

"Yes, all commanders of the battalion level and above have been ordered to attend."

"...Understood."

Sangmin watched a few soldiers clean up the neatly cut logs, tidied up his clothes, and headed to the central tent of their unit.

He continued to think about his actions just now.

His hands were still slightly trembling from the aftereffects.