12 – Contractual Relationship

“Hoo, huk.”

She breathes heavily.

Burning her body.

Running purely without using inner energy.

The 20kg iron rings on both arms and legs naturally burn her body as she runs.

Then, the inner energies in her body begin to settle into her physical form.

‘Tae Heo Mu Shin Gyeol.’

A martial art that shapes the vessel called the body evenly.

However, one must go through it to fully utilize the martial arts of Moonlight Ice Heaven and Transformation Flame.

‘After that, there’s more to learn.’

These are martial arts to progress to the next level.

Having trained my body as usual, I passed through the park and saw a girl wielding a wooden sword.

“Whoosh!”

She had short hair.

She was dressed comfortably in everyday clothes, black training attire.

Her face looked familiar.

She was the one who had spoken to me after I defeated that guy.

“Did she say her name was Nam Hye-rin?”

But more than that, something else caught my eye.

“The sword.”

She was practicing martial arts.

The sword was very familiar.

“It’s Namgung’s sword.”

A striking lightning sword technique, the Thirteen Lightning Strikes.

It was an impressively powerful sword.

Was it because Namgung’s final sword was the middle sword, which pursued the extreme speed of the main strike?

But while looking at the sword, I noticed something strange.

When unfolding the sword at the transition, it moved unnaturally.

“Is it a problem with the technique? No, it seems more like an unnatural connection in the sword technique rather than the technique of the heart, judging by the way the lightning jumps.”

In particular, the transition from the seventh to the eighth strike was the issue.

Up to that point, I realized one thing.

“Both of them are problematic.”

Everything comes naturally to insight.

It must be evidence that Cheonan is slowly taking root in the body.

But maybe it’s because I’ve seen too much.

Nam Hye-rin was looking at me with narrowed eyes.

“Don’t you know you shouldn’t steal someone else’s martial arts?”

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“Do you think someone who knows that would swing a sword in the park?”

“….”

Tsk, tsk.

She behaves like those elegant young ladies from a prominent family.

The essence of family martial arts is to practice quietly, but these people who clumsily exercise here in the open, pretending to train, make me a little angry.

“Still, stealing the family’s sword freely…”

“More importantly.”

I turned the topic to avoid her gaze.

“Don’t you feel awkward when transitioning from the seventh form to the eighth form?”

“How would you…?”

She looks bewildered.

This is much better.

Last time, when I apologized after humiliating Nam Gung-se, he got mad and threatened to kill me after I taught him a lesson.

‘No, have I gone too far?’

But it was inevitable.

At that time, the Nanggung clan was so determined to kill me that I had no choice but to kill them.

“There’s a way to do it, you know.”

“…….”

Nam Hye-rin frowned in clear expectation of an answer, and I chuckled.

“The Seomjeon Sword Style pursues agility. But the next form after that is the Imperial Sword, which is a form of the Intermediate Sword.”

“That’s correct.”

The history of the Nanggung clan was long-standing. They were an arrogant family, even considering themselves the leader of the five great clans.

Why would such people want others to master the Imperial Sword form before mastering the agility of the Seomjeon Sword Style?

“Because the essence lies within.”

“Are you referring to the saying ‘A strong sword’?”

“Agility and strength are fundamentally different. You need to know how to wield power. Or perhaps, it’s more accurate to say, how to move your body.”

I looked around, but there was nothing useful. I reluctantly grabbed a tree branch.

Seomjeon Thirteen Lightning Swords.

I had experienced it countless times in my past life, and I had also studied this swordsmanship separately in my study.

“A strong sword is about wielding power.”

I moved the wooden sword.

The weight of the iron was burdensome, causing my posture to slightly falter. If one couldn’t grasp this even after seeing it, it would be best to give up.

‘In the first place, the sword doesn’t have to move much.’

Generating maximum power with minimal effort.

That is the subtlety of the sword.

In other words, it’s also a way of moving the body properly.

“Hoo.”

Holding my breath, I move.

From the seventh sword form to the eighth.

From head to waist.

Legs firmly fixed. Upper body flowing with the movement.

“…It seems like you apply power with your waist while keeping your legs fixed.”

“That’s right.”

I nod approvingly.

“But isn’t it strange? The Namgung guys may have the personalities of beggars, but when it comes to swords, they’re thorough…”

Nam Hye-rin’s body flinched.

Ah, I see.

“You didn’t properly learn the basics, did you? You learned it superficially. Probably the reason your stance is unstable.”

“…Can you tell that just from watching what I did?”

“Of course.”

Having said that much, I looked at Nam Hye-rin.

“Give up.”

“….What?”

“If you don’t properly master the technique of Namgung’s Island Sword Explosions, it won’t be able to demonstrate its full potential. It’s activated through the special energy called Changryonggi, you see.”

Her expression hardened.

I can roughly guess the situation.

Since she didn’t formally learn swordsmanship, she must have clumsily relied on her rough knowledge in her eyes and mind.

“In this case, it seems that her talent has become a poison.”

It’s a regrettable situation.

But it’s too presumptuous of me to step in and solve it.

While Wolgong Bingcheon owes a debt of gratitude to Wolgong, Namgung was my ally in a previous life.

We shouldn’t exist under the same sky.

“But I’ll let it slide this time, since it’s this lifetime.”

The karmic ties from a previous life don’t flow into the next.

It was one of my resolutions to maintain my sanity.

“Well then, I’m going.”

I ran again to finish the remaining exercise.

*

“….Just now.”

Nam Hye-rin reflected on the advice she had just received.

That man knows.

Because she had witnessed him overwhelmingly defeat Han Cheol-jin not too long ago.

At that time, I clearly thought it was strong. The immense power of the Jindanba martial arts could be felt just through the ease with which it was wielded.

“Still, I did use magic.”

Han Seojin’s words, suddenly interjecting, are carefully pondered.

However, even in the act of dismissing it, there was a certain dignity in those few words that seemed fitting for martial artists with considerable skills.

Occasionally, the skilled warriors appearing in the Gangho had that kind of dignity.

Cases where they would pass on a move or two to those remaining in a prestigious family connected to them.

It was the nature of the orthodox faction.

Some might not desire recognition, but there were often many who felt regretful.

They would seek out those with a certain connection and either collect or pass on a move like this.

“Is he really a master?”

A strangely confident tone.

And Nam Hye-rin also felt something.

She was almost about to exclaim in admiration upon hearing it.

This sword technique is indeed the right way to go about it.

“Hoo….”

Adjusting the posture.

And then, he began the Seven-fold Sword Trust of the Seomjeon Thirteen Sword Styles.

Swish, swish, swish!

The sword cut through the air, advancing.

Up to this point, it’s exactly the same.

‘And here.’

He moved his legs.

That’s how he felt.

He thought he had to do that to move on to the next phase of herbivory.

But the man’s approach was different.

‘Instead, it had to be fixed.’

Until now, he had entrusted his body to the flow of moving power. That’s why it was light.

By putting strength into his legs, he let his upper body follow the flow.

‘Handle the flow.’

The man seemed to have defined the river sword as if embodying justice.

The artistry of the river sword.

And ecstasy.

In an instant, the fog that had lingered in his mind brightened and disappeared like being blown away by the wind.

“Ah.”

Hwaak!

The internal Changryonggi wriggled. With a crackling sound, a blue lightning burst out from the sword.

‘I hit!’

However, at the same time, a sensation of discomfort was felt.

It was the pain that started from the Danjeon.

‘… This too, I hit.’

The issue lies in the mastery of the mind.

Nam Hye-rin did not formally receive a sword from Nam Gung.

Her martial arts skills were merely a product of learning swordsmanship through the gaze of Nam Gung.

Even achieving this much with just that indicated her tremendous genius, but paradoxically, even a genius like her couldn’t properly master Nam Gung’s sword.

“Give up.”

Han Seo-jin’s words echoed.

Unconsciously, she gritted her teeth.

She couldn’t give up.

It was all she had left.

But.

There was a man that suddenly came to mind.

In the midst of everything turning into ruins.

Clad in black robes, a man bathed in moonlight with indifferent eyes.

The Unrivaled Emperor with Clear Eyes.

The ally of the celestial horse from the demonic sect. The monster among monsters who killed the three peaks of the righteous faction.

‘Probably not.’

The atmosphere around him was too different.

That man possessed a destructive aura that could crush everything, even himself.

‘Han Seo-jin…’

Nam Hye-rin etched that name into her mind once again.

*

After finishing my workout, I turn on the air conditioner in the motel room and practice mana control.

That’s how it usually goes.

“Is it a bit too early to move on to the next stage?”

My magic system is divided into five stages.

The first is Lunar Ascension, the second is Flame Alchemy, and the third is the magic of Holy Brain Light.

The fourth stage is the fusion of these three techniques.

I haven’t reached the fifth stage yet.

I only named it Honyuan in my previous life, or rather, my second life as a mage.

Even then, I couldn’t reach the level of Honyuan.

While others use the Circle Magic System, I use the Single Technique System.

That’s why I’m different from ordinary wizards.

“I can find something similar, though.”

It’s only similar in a literal sense.

Like how sugar and syrup both have a sweet taste but are not the same.

And the stage I need to move on to is…

“Flame Alchemy.”

Originally, it’s correct to master Flame Alchemy and cultivate Lunar Ascension.

Flame Alchemy is a fire that encompasses everything, while Lunar Ascension is the power of freezing that can even bring the user to death.

Last time at the Abel Tower, forcibly using Lunar Ascension was close to being impossible.

Despite not fully embracing the Hyukjak transformation, I had only distorted its structure through forced utilization.

“I need to tone down my temper.”

Upon reflection, it was Abel who suddenly attacked us.

The one who orchestrated it was Yoo Eunchae.

For some reason, Yoo Eunchae seemed to want to kill them.

There was also a reason I spared Abel.

“Anyway.”

As I pondered that, I recalled the time when Yoo Eunchae told me to become her disciple.

Unconsciously, I furrowed my brows.

*

“Become your disciple?”

“Yeah.”

“What on earth should I trust?”

“Me.”

Pointing at myself with my finger, I stabbed the cake with a fork and ate it.

Hmm, not bad here.

“No, it’s definitely like that. Considering the scene you showed earlier, it’s the right story, but…”

Yoo Eunchae mumbled.

“What can you do for me?”

In response to the question of what I could do for her, I laughed.

“…What’s so funny?”

“The question was phrased incorrectly.”

It’s not about asking what I can do for you.

“You should be asking what I cannot do.”

I am a reincarnator.

Over the course of three lifetimes, I have accumulated various knowledge.

Magic and martial arts.

A figure who has reached the pinnacle in all of it.

Although I can’t teach superpowers in this world because it has superpowers.

“Well, it doesn’t hurt to try.”

Three years.

If one is determined and devotes three years to mastering superpowers, it won’t take that long.

I can teach what I am capable of.

I look at Yoo Eun-chae.

She stares at me with her mouth agape.

“No, isn’t that too arrogant?”

“Arrogance is just a fact.”

It was the same in the second life.

And it was the same in the third life.

The study of psychic abilities may seem unfamiliar.

“When I saw that guy Abel, I created an imitation of the Ice Realm.”

It might be easier to approach than I thought.

“You have an incredible confidence.”

“That’s because I have the ability to back it up.”

He extended his hand.

Scribble— and the ice began to freeze.

“You, you said you’re a reincarnator?”

“…Yes.”

“How much information do you know?”

“Wrong question.”

“…?”

“Not knowing anything is the correct answer.”

Yoo Eun-chae said, narrowing one eye.

Where’s the cuteness act coming from?

It’s killing me.

“But the answer is impressive.”

Knowing everything.

It means seeing through everything about this game.

In such cases, it could also be a word that might require thousands of hours of dedication.

“I can’t negotiate like this because I’ve spent tens of thousands of hours on the game.”

It was too harsh to say outright, so I swallowed those words.

“If that’s the case, after obtaining the Frost-Engraved Body, you must have tried to learn the Heavenly Ice Cultivation Method in some way.”

“Yes.”

Yoo Eunchae nodded.

“You’re not planning to teach me the Heavenly Ice Cultivation Method, are you?”

She nodded.

“Th-that’s an incredibly extraordinary magic, isn’t it?”

“No.”

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“Not?”

“It’s an incredibly extraordinary magic that you dare not attempt to learn.”

“….”

Yoo Eunchae looked at me in disbelief, her mouth agape.

“So, are you going to teach the original of the Heavenly Ice Cultivation Method?”

“The original? You mean the Heavenly Ice Cultivation Method of Wolkong?”

“Wolkong’s Ice Heaven. Sounds elegant.”

“But the original is inferior to mine.”

“….What?”

Yoo Eunchae stared at me incredulously.

“What are you talking about? The Heavenly Ice Cultivation Method is a magic that imitates Wolkong’s Ice Heaven, isn’t it?”

“At first, it was like that.”

Only at the beginning.

However, from a certain moment, the interaction between the revolutionary ignition and the flames of the World Tree, namely, the magic of Bingcheon, became completely different.

The Moonlight Ice used in conjunction with the revolutionary ignition was far superior to when Moonlight had used it.

‘On the flip side, I must definitely master the revolutionary ignition.’

If there was a downside, that was the downside.

“…How about something other than a disciple?”

“What do you mean?”

“A contractual relationship. Giving and taking from each other.”

“…What can you give me?”

“Various things.”

“Among them, there’s only Moonlight Ice.”

“…I, I will have more later.”

“Then, tell me when the time comes.”

“Uh, uh, my, my, there is only one master….”

By this point, curiosity about the identity of that master arises.

“Who is that master?”

“…I can’t say. I learned it secretly without their knowledge.”

Over the shoulder, what was stolen was learned from the master.

‘Come to think of it.’

There was someone who seemed to suddenly come to mind.

I looked at Yoo Eun-chae.

“It couldn’t be.”

We were too different from each other.

“Well then, let’s just keep it professional.”

“Okay! Let’s do our best.”

*

That was the whole story of the incident.

But the problem was the antics of this student.

“Why does this guy talk so much.”

He’s prancing around like a wild colt with the reins off.

He suddenly calls and tries to talk to me, his teacher, for two hours. When I forcefully end the call, he comes to the motel and stays next to me.

“No, when a woman like me comes over, shouldn’t I feel in danger?”

“Men and women are naturally different, my student.”

“Oh, I see, you’re feeling embarrassed. But I can’t fall for a man who’s not romantic. And I only like your face, but your personality isn’t that great.”

“Get out!”

“Teacher! Your lovely student is here!!”

He doesn’t want me to call him teacher when he’s around.

…What a headache.

I’m sorry, but I might have to kick the student out soon.

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