Chapter 93

"Did you hear? There's a rumor that one of the new initiates has set their restriction to the maximum."

"Madmen do come in occasionally."

"Even so, no one has survived with the maximum setting since that 'spear wielder' two years ago, right?"

Halfway up the mountain.

Various types of initiates were sitting on the rocks of the cliff, chatting idly.

"Aria, what do you think?"

"......"

"Oh, right. You can't speak because of the restriction, can't you?"

"......"

Aria, an initiate wearing the skin of a White Tiger, didn't even flinch, showing no interest.

In fact, she didn't even hear it.

She was currently in meditation.

'There is no end to martial arts. Perfection does not exist. It's just an endless pursuit of martial arts. In front of true martial arts, I am still so insignificant.'

A self-reflective practice.

Her goal was to find her own path in martial arts and surpass her father.

But she was currently stuck.

Her proficiency level had stagnated for a year.

'There is no match for me here. That's why I've stagnated.'

Of course, she had a vague idea of what the problem was.

The lack of a match.

The absence of a rival to fuel her competitive spirit was the biggest reason.

However, there was nothing she could do about it.

Even if she went anywhere in the world, there would be no one to fuel her competitive spirit.

A genius beyond geniuses.

She was a rare talent with the potential to surpass the White King someday.

Spear Wielder

"Master, you don't seem very interested in Main Quest 7?"

The Master frowned at the unexpected visitor.

"...... Whether I'm interested or not, what does it have to do with you, Heuiyo?"

Heuiyo, a nine-tailed fox and one of the Seven Heroes, smiled with her eyes behind her sunglasses.

"Actually, I heard some interesting news. The assassination team you were boasting about was all killed. While trying to target Phantom, apparently."

"If you're just spouting nonsense you heard somewhere, I'll tell you to get lost while you still can."

Despite her thorough efforts to keep it secret, the story had leaked.

No, that's not right.

Her subordinates wouldn't have done that.

It must have been this nine-tailed fox using her charm beads to cause trouble.

"You're scary~ You don't want to hear the information I brought?"

"It's probably useless anyway."

"Even if it's related to the Black King?"

The Black King.

A being on par with the White King.

A monster always mentioned alongside the White King.

Naturally, information about the Black King was invaluable.

"...... Sit down."

Tsk. The Master clicked her tongue.

After all, the information Heuiyo occasionally brought was genuine.

No one could match her in handling information.

"The Black King's forces are gathering at the Mountain of Initiates."

Heuiyo began, sitting down gracefully.

"Why?"

"Because the White King's daughter is at the Mountain of Initiates?"

The Master frowned.

"The Black King, who has been quiet for a long time, suddenly targeting the White King's daughter? That would lead to war."

Indeed, it would lead to a full-scale war between the Black King and the White King.

It would be uncontrollable.

All the cities in between would be burned to the ground.

However, the Black King and the White King had been in a state of peace for 20 years after their last battle.

A draw. The fight never ended.

Heuiyo's eyes sparkled.

"Perhaps he has obtained a 'secret weapon' that can kill the White King?"

"Even if that's the case...... What does it have to do with me?"

"Our smart Master, think about it. This is a golden opportunity to side with the Black King."

"You can't be suggesting I kidnap the White King's daughter and hand her over to the Black King?"

Heuiyo's words made sense.

She had a point, and it had caught the Master off guard.

In other words, it meant siding with the Black King and turning the White King into an enemy.

The Master sighed.

"Even if we proceed as you say, there's no way to enter the Mountain of Initiates. Even if we could, the White King's daughter is a formidable opponent. There's no way to kidnap her."

"We can find someone to enter. It's not a mountain only players can enter. Whether they're mercenaries, adventurers, or vagrants, we can find someone if we try."

...... That's true.

If enough gold was offered, there would be plenty of Pantheans willing to enter the Mountain of Initiates.

But that wasn't the Master's way.

The Master only employed those who followed her.

"The White King's daughter might have a low level. You know my abilities, right?"

"Then you should handle it alone."

"Master, why did I come to you?"

"...... You want money."

"Exactly! You catch on quick. 20 million gold for the operation. 30 million gold for my efforts."

A total of 50 million gold.

If 50 million gold were spent on the upcoming special auction, it would be a significant blow.

"Highway robber. What do I get out of this?"

"Information on Phantom. And the Black King's gratitude? I'll even add your name specially."

"Do you think you can dig up information on Phantom?"

Heuiyo nodded confidently.

"Since he's in the Mountain of Initiates, he'll stand out, won't he?"

"Don't underestimate him. You'll regret it."

Heuiyo smirked, finding it amusing.

To hear such words from the Master.

"Ah~ So that's why you've been leaving him alone? Out of fear?"

The Master's expression darkened.

"...... What?"

"Aren't you afraid of getting hurt again if you mess with him?"

Messing with Phantom had cost her a lot.

She had only lost, not even breaking even.

Only then did Heuiyo understand why the Master hadn't targeted the Mountain of Initiates.

Given the Master's character, she would have already employed other methods and sent people if she had wanted to.

...... The Master was afraid.

Afraid that her empire would crumble.

"One more useless word and I'll cut out your tongue."

"Whoa, whoa. Calm down. Let's talk about whether Phantom will top this time or not."

Heuiyo quickly changed the subject.

The Master took a short deep breath and shook her head.

"...... He won't."

"Why do you think so?"

"Because there's a limit to the max level given to each class."

"What if Phantom got a special class?"

"Even then, it would be around level 24."

"Wasn't the top, Gracia, level 24?"

"Yes. Even if he got a higher-tier class, it would be difficult to go beyond level 24."

The maximum level for the Sword Saint class was known to be 24.

Even if he somehow got a higher class, achieving level 25 in the Mountain of Initiates was impossible.

"Did Phantom enter without adjusting his proficiency?"

"Even with a 1000% proficiency increase, it's impossible to reach level 25 there."

The required experience for proficiency increases exponentially from level 19.

Reaching level 20 is hard, but going from level 24 to 25 is hell itself.

The maximum level achievable in the Mountain of Initiates is 24.

So, it will be difficult for Phantom to maintain his top position this time.

Especially with Heuiyo as a variable, it will be even more challenging.

*

['You have entered the "Lava Practitioner Zone."']

['Your fire resistance has increased significantly due to the "Flame of Origin."']

['Your Sword Proficiency has increased to Level 16.']

['You have achieved the achievement "The Tireless Practitioner."']

['Your Honor has increased by 40.']

In the smoky land.

I was swinging my sword in the "Lava Practitioner Zone," where lava flows just below.

The Mountain of Practitioners increases in difficulty the higher you go, and is designed to push you to the extreme to raise your proficiency to high levels.

"...... Are you a monster?"

The observer couldn't believe the scene before his eyes.

This practitioner had climbed to the halfway point of the mountain in just three days.

Moreover, he hadn't rested for a single second.

Of course, there have been those who broke through the halfway point in three days.

'Surely, he was terrible when he first entered.'

But they were all already 'completed' to some extent before coming to the mountain.

Without any limits.

In contrast, the man before him was different.

He had the maximum limit set, and his proficiency level was poor.

Swish!

Even with healing, fatigue should accumulate.

Yet, this practitioner showed no signs of it.

'He must not be able to see ahead. Isn't he afraid?'

His vision must have disappeared long ago.

Not just that.

All his senses, including sight, must have disappeared.

Only pain would be felt.

A situation that should terrify any living being.

Yet, the man was undeterred.

Suppressing instinctive fear by will.

Is that even possible?

He had adapted to the point of replacing lost senses with imagination.

The observer was at a loss for words, as he had never heard of such a case.

['Your Sword Proficiency has increased to Level 17.']

His proficiency level increased again.

Just half a day after reaching level 16.

The observer was shocked when he checked the man's proficiency level.

'Too fast, it's too fast.'

A level that some take a month, others half a year to reach.

To achieve it in just three days, who would believe it?

Even the observer wouldn't believe it.

The man soon left the lava zone.

Then, he moved to a higher area.

['You have entered the "Storm Practitioner Zone."']

['Your wind resistance has increased significantly due to the "Wind of Origin."']

['You have achieved the achievement "The Unstoppable Practitioner."']

['Your Honor has increased by 50.']

He had entered the Storm Practitioner Zone.

A place where the wind is so strong that it's hard to swing a sword properly.

A place where a single mistake could lead to instant death.

One of the most challenging 'Elemental Lands' at the halfway point!

'This will be tough.'

The difficulty is on a different level from the other zones he has passed through, where he lost the freedom of his sword.

However, this was also a miscalculation.

Swoosh! Swoosh!

He was swinging his sword in harmony with the wind.

Reading the wind and breaking through its resistance.

['Your Sword Proficiency has increased to Level 18.']

...... Just one day.

The time it took to increase his proficiency level and leave the zone.

['You have entered the "Deep Practitioner Zone."']

['Your water resistance has increased significantly due to the "Water of Origin."']

['You have achieved the achievement "The Practitioner Challenging the Limits."']

['Your Honor has increased by 50.']

In the end, the observer gave up on thinking.

*

The hidden trait 'High Druid's Great Nature.'

Through the evolved elements, my elemental resistance was incredibly high.

This was why I could easily break through the 'Elemental Zones,' known to be the most difficult obstacles in the Mountain of Practitioners.

'Level 19 is the standard to reach in the Elemental Practitioner Zones.'

I couldn't see.

There was no smell, no sound.

Yet, I was confident and continued to move forward.

'Hidden trait mutation.'

Due to the mutation, I could sense the path even with my eyes closed.

Like a radar, it was just a matter of 'knowing,' but it was enough to climb the mountain.

['Your Sword Proficiency has increased to Level 19.']

['You have broken through all the "Elemental Practitioner Zones."']

['You have achieved the achievement "The Challenger Who Saw the End of the Elemental Zones."']

['Your Honor has increased by 100.']

['The new seats of the White Star Hall are watching your astonishing growth rate with wide eyes.']

['Three seats are offering a Disciple Contract.']

Achieving an achievement for breaking through a zone is not common.

However, due to the maximum limit, there were additional achievements.

I continued to climb the mountain.

['From the next Practitioner Zone, the observer cannot give advice.']

['The zones you move to differ based on the practitioner's traits.']

['You are challenging the next Practitioner Zone.']

['You have entered the "Chaos Practitioner Zone (10)."']

As soon as I stepped on the ground, everything around me changed.

The Chaos Practitioner Zone.

No observer, no Seo Ae.

This was a section where I had to advance alone.

Swish!

Rustle!

Clang!

However, I soon found it strange.

'I didn't expect anyone else to be here.'

This was the farthest point in the Chaos Practitioner Zone.

A zone that could only be reached by setting the limit to the maximum and achieving a certain proficiency level.

Yet, someone else had already arrived.

A person?

Or a trial prepared for me in this zone?

The opponent wasn't clearly visible.

But through the mutation, I could define what I sensed.

'Spear wielder?'

A strangely pointed feeling.

I could tell the opponent was a spear wielder from their movements and subtle actions.

The movements weren't as fast as I expected.

Clearly, someone who had set the limit to the maximum.

However, I didn't have much time to think.