Chapter 9: Chapter 9: Special Tutoring Session
Ding.
The moment I opened my eyes, that sound greeted me. Then, as my eyes adjusted, a blue window shimmered into view on my retina.
[You can now use the system.]
I can use the system?
'Maybe I should try… status window?'
Ding.
No sooner had the thought crossed my mind than a blue window materialized before me.
Name: Han Seojin.
Strength: 5
Agility: 5
Stamina: 5
Magic Power: 5
Spirit: 5
Skill: 5
Unique Trait: Eternity
Trait: x
"Hmm."
"Hmm."
The first thing that struck me upon viewing the status window was its straightforwardness.
But then, another realization dawned on me.
'This…'
I closed my eyes, running my hands over my body. My once frail body had undergone an 'evolution'. My magic surged with newfound clarity, while my muscles felt stronger, and my reflexes sharper. Assessing changes in my mental state and skills was more challenging, but they, too, had likely improved.
The transformation felt so seamless that it took me a moment to notice.
'The term 'authority'… seems quite fitting, indeed.'
This phenomenon is often likened to a force that manipulates laws.
It's likely that humans on Earth were able to learn martial arts and magic through this influence.
Initially, humans, starting with no inherent abilities, should find the complexity of martial arts and magic beyond their reach. However, it seems more plausible to assume that this authority somehow makes mastering these arts 'just possible'.
This insight sheds light on why the realms of martial arts and magic gradually faded from prominence among humans on Earth.
These are not forces that operate under normal circumstances.
"But, a Unique Trait."
My thoughts drifted to the two troublemakers I encountered yesterday.
One was named Nokgwi, and the other, Heuksa. One appeared to be an orc, while the other resembled a shadow snake. Then, there was Raging Thunder Heo Yoonji.
"Her ability was quite remarkable."
Unique Trait.
It's a power that reflects the individuality inherent in each person. Should a hundred people awaken this ability, no two would possess the exact same power. Even if their abilities seem similar, it's impossible for them to have identical powers. This is attributed to the unique individuality that each person carries.
Awakening this power is challenging, but once achieved, it's recognized as a power that can elevate one's status significantly. Given its difficulty to awaken, the range of variation in this power is vast.
I placed my hand over the trait named 'Eternity'.
[Eternity]
Eternal attributes are imbued in your magical power.
I examined my Unique Trait closely. 'Eternity' was essentially the addition of an eternal attribute to my magical power.
'Isn't a Unique Trait essentially the unlocking of an ability?'
It's understood that a Unique Trait represents the unlocking of abilities, one by one.
And
Well, hmm…
"Eternal attribute."
There's a lot I can infer.
The term "Eternal" signifies lasting for an extensive period.
From the moment I integrated the Great Sky Dancing Divine Mantra into my being, I reaped benefits.
This was evident the first time I encountered the man with the mohawk and the muscular pig.
In reality, my magical power should have been just adequate.
Yet, the magic endured longer than the magical power I had at my disposal.
'I suppose this level of understanding is sufficient for now.'
After all, this is the extent of what I can comprehend at the moment.
I settled onto the bed and commenced practicing qi circulation.
Even without any deliberate effort, the Great Sky Dancing Divine Mantra attracts the purest internal energy. However, engaging in this practice occasionally accelerates the gathering process.
[Your magical power has increased by 1.]
'This is remarkable…'
I could feel the mana accumulating within me, slightly more than before.
The Great Sky Dancing Divine Mantra isn't a technique known for its ease in amassing mana.
'By simply moving, I can gather mana more effortlessly.'
I realized why the realms of Murim and magic are being overshadowed.
It's not entirely without reason.
While I may not be familiar with the magic world, the Murim world is preoccupied with internal conflicts.
'Perhaps it's time to prepare.'
With that thought, I opened my eyes and began getting ready to leave.
This decision was prompted by a message from Yoo Eunchae.
Yoo Eunchae> I'm heading to the forge today, so be prepared.
Me> The forge?
Yoo Eunchae> Yes, as you mentioned, it's a top-tier blacksmith.
Given her emphasis, it was definitely something to anticipate.
Filled with excitement, I stepped outside.
"How is it? Looks decent, right?"
"So this is the forge."
"What, are you belittling me?"
Ignoring Yoo Eunchae's grumbling, I crossed my arms and surveyed the interior of the forge.
Inside, swords, knives, hammers, and anvils were being crafted.
"That's right. This is the Iron Room, created by the most promising individuals from the academy."
"Hmm."
I looked around, feeling dissatisfied.
There was a sense of balance, and the blades were well-sharpened, but…
'How trivial.'
If I had to summarize my impression in one word, that would be it.
"So, these are the promising ones."
I let out a deep sigh.
I respected her because we were both warriors, even if it bruised my pride, but I couldn't believe this was the place she was proud to show me.
"Ah, are you that dissatisfied? How high are your standards?"
"It must be your standards that are low."
I retorted while continuing to inspect the forge.
As expected, nothing caught my satisfaction…
However, as I looked around, something caught my eye.
'Is this it?'
This one seemed somewhat acceptable, unlike the others I had deemed defective moments ago.
Upon closer inspection, the finishing touches were well-executed, and it had a sense of balance while still exuding vitality.
"Hehe, that's one of the reasons I brought you here."
"…It's immature."
Yet, that was my response.
In a previous life, I had encountered the Iron Tribe in the Murim.
They sought rare minerals from the Heavenly Mountains, and since the Ming Cult was isolated, they were keen to trade for quality weapons, aligning our interests and allowing them to stay there.
Because I was known as a subordinate of the Heavenly Demon, I had the opportunity to examine the weapons they crafted.
After reaching a certain proficiency in martial arts, I also received training in weapon crafting from my instructors.
'Even so, I couldn't bring myself to follow the chieftain.'
I could have if I really wanted to, but being at an executive level was satisfying enough for me.
"Do you think I am immature?"
Her voice cut through the air sharply.
She was short, standing at roughly 150cm.
Despite her fragile appearance, the unique earth attribute energy and the well-defined, compact muscles that were characteristic of the Iron Tribe were evident on her arms.
"Iron Tribe?"
"Yes, I'm the last dwarf remaining, you see? From the way you speak, it seems you're from the martial world…"
"Is the Iron Tribe rare around here? Or do they just not mingle with others?"
"Yes, indeed. Most of the dwarves and fairy tribes have been wiped out…"
"That explains the low standards here."
She clicked her tongue, clearly unimpressed.
The overall level seemed disappointingly low.
"…Who do you think you are, speaking so rudely…"
"You couldn't even properly handle starlight iron? The temperature spiked suddenly, and you lost control of the metal. It's surprising for someone from the Iron Tribe to struggle with managing temperature."
"…"
"Such arrogance. To confidently showcase such a failure. The pride of the Iron Tribe would be in tears."
It appeared that the short-statured members of the Iron Tribe would fall silent if you hit them with the truth.
It seemed to be the case here as well.
Well, it wasn't entirely a bad thing.
Members of the Iron Tribe usually operate in groups, so for her to be this skilled on her own was commendable.
'I'll have to take a closer look at this place later.'
The Iron Tribe is known for their deep sense of gratitude; once you do them a favor, they go out of their way to repay it.
They believe they cannot face their God unless they return the kindness shown to them.
With a smile, I picked up four iron rings and a sword.
"Please, calculate the cost for these."
"…Yes."
"Is that guy your boyfriend by any chance?"
"…Yes."
"No."
I stared at Yoo Eunchae, completely taken aback.
The members of the Iron Tribe were giving us odd looks.
「No matter how I think about it, he seems like a good-for-nothing husband.」
「They have their own abilities, but seeing them live like that… Come to think of it, I heard humans have a strange taste for messed-up people.」
Perhaps that's what she's thinking. I considered teaching her a lesson since she seemed to have some potential, but now I'm having second thoughts.
"My, my 50 million won…"
Yoo Eunchae appeared distressed.
The price for four swords and iron rings was higher than expected.
'It's quite cheap considering it's the Iron Tribe premium.'
I had thought she was relatively competent among the Iron Tribe due to her lack of skills, but it seems that's not the case for Yoo Eunchae.
Well, it's not my money anyway.
"But aren't those iron rings heavy?"
"Huff, huff, don't, talk, to, me."
Each iron ring weighs 20kg.
Holding an 80kg iron ring is no small feat, akin to carrying another person. However, to quickly master the Great Sky Dancing Divine Mantra, training with the iron ring is ideal.
My magic is still imperfect, and my martial arts are lacking, so enhancing my physical body's performance is my only option.
'I can escape faster than I thought since there's a spirit vein here.'
After all, the fastest way to achieve that state is through exercise.
Every time I forcibly move my body, dragging the iron ring, all my muscles are stimulated. Mana begins to infiltrate various parts of my body. This mana soon strengthens my blood vessels, bones, muscles, and more.
It's the effect of practicing the Great Sky Dancing Divine Mantra martial art.
"Shall we talk about basic knowledge then?"
"Go ahead, try."
"First, let me explain about the academy here."
Yoo Eunchae then proceeded to give a detailed explanation.
In summary, the East Sea, situated between Korea and Japan, lies atop a spirit vein, making it an ideal location for a training ground. Consequently, an artificial island and an academy were established there.
This academy isn't just any educational institution; it's a prestigious hub for countless multinational corporations and is exclusively attended by world-renowned geniuses.
'…Me, a genius?'
The thought momentarily crossed my mind. However, considering the potential of my Unique Trait, eternity, it seemed plausible that I could be considered a genius.
My gaze shifted to Yoo Eunchae as I pondered.
'She's recognized as a genius, too.'
She certainly has her own set of talents, though her swordsmanship leaves much to be desired in my eyes.
"Are you okay?"
"Yeah, I'm fine."
Internally, I felt on the verge of collapse. My strength was ebbing away rapidly, yet paradoxically, I felt exhilarated.
'Because I'm becoming stronger.'
In my first life, I was consumed by video games. My second life was dedicated to the study of magic, a means to sever ties with my past life. Yet, I found joy in the practice. Similarly, my third life's obsession with martial arts brought me pleasure.
I was confident I could find enjoyment in this life as well.
The Unique Traits of individuals like Nokgwi or Heuksa were certainly peculiar, but the traits of Raging Thunder Heo Yoonji were something I found myself envying.
As Yoo Eunchae and I continued our walk and training session, something unusual caught my eye.
"…What should we do? It seems we've lost our way."
Her voice feigned fear, yet her calm demeanor suggested otherwise.
"Hehe, do you know about that rumor? They say a vampire lives in this alley. A vampire that's been forsaken a long time ago."
"Vampire?"
"Yes, a different race that bites into people's necks and sucks their blood."
"And you said you knew well, so you led the way?"
"Hehehe. Well, just working out hard, you know?"
Her voice trembled as she kept a wary eye on her surroundings. It was clear that this wasn't just a simple rumor; she was ready to fight at any moment.
'Could this girl have dragged me here on purpose?'
Just as I was seriously considering smashing her head, a man with steady steps began walking towards us.
"Oh dear, this is troublesome with uninvited guests showing up."
A man with a casual demeanor appeared, tapping his cane on the ground and blocking our way. His narrow eyes shone ominously, and his hair was shiny silver.
The man in a suit took off his hat gracefully and gave a gentleman's bow.
"My name is Abel Bloodi Chepes. Feel free to call me Abel."
The man introduced as Abel was smiling brightly, yet his aura was unpleasantly chilly.
"Abel…"
"Do you know him?"
"He's a vampire. A vampire serving the Vampire Princess, the progenitor. His ability involves using threads made of blood, a bloodline power."
Is this girl like a walking wiki? How does she memorize all this information so precisely?
"Ho."
The man's complexion changed. His narrow eyes, shining like rubies, were glaring at Yoo Eunchae.
"Our princess would never have disclosed that information. How did you come to know of it?"
The air was filled with murderous intent. If push comes to shove… no, it seemed he was quite ready to kill us just for that information.
"…I have a fairly reliable source."
"Hmm, it's unlikely that the vampires betrayed us. So, there's no chance it was leaked… How exactly did you obtain this information? This is quite the predicament…"
Whoosh!
Suddenly, the air was thick with a burst of murderous intent aimed directly at us. Abel, the man with his eyes barely open, fixed his gaze upon us.
"I'm not particularly fond of using force, but it seems I have no choice. Activating Blood Realm."
Crack!
Behind Abel, a network of blood threads materialized, ensnaring everything in its vicinity. It felt as though we were caught in a spider's web, surrounded by these threads.
'…Is this the difference that exists in this world?'
Each thread was lethally sharp. With our current physical state, even a mere brush against them would result in cuts.
"…What do we do now?"
"Did you act without thinking?"
"You looked so confident…"
In essence, she had placed her trust in me and acted impulsively.
"Tsk."
"Though I regret to say this to you, sir, it can't be helped this time. It seems we'll have to silence you quietly."
A smirk formed on my lips in response to his ludicrous claim.
"I'll make this life worth a lot."
"No, even in this situation…"
"I'll teach you magic."
"Magic?"
"Yes. Consider it a bonus included with the tuition fee."
With hands clasped together, the purest qi, akin to the Great Sky that had suffused my body, turned ice cold.
I prepared to cast the magic formula, the Glacial Heavenly Moon.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone