Chapter 74: The Five Great Martial Families (1)
Whooosh!
Blue flames erupted around Namgung Hyun’s body.
“Dare to insult the masses, even chewing you up feels unsatisfactory?”
The masses…….
Well, after all, the martial world was indeed rooted in China.
It was no wonder that players from modern China got along so well with them.
Jinhyuk clicked his tongue inwardly and immediately activated ‘Eyes of Gluttony.’
————————————————–
Name: Namgung Hyun
Gender: Male
Age: 22
Level: 68
Strength: 36 Agility: 48 Vitality: 37 Magic Power: 35 Internal Power: 85
Stat Points Remaining: 0
Profession: Swordsman
Unique Ability: Sword-body Unity
Skills: Lv15 ‘Taehwa Sword Qi’, Lv14 ‘Emperor’s Sword Form’, Lv12 ‘Lonely Soul Strike’, Lv11 ‘Infinite Steps’, Lv11 ‘Vast Sky Sublime Qi Technique’
————————————————–
[Copy Condition: You have encountered a resident of the ‘Murim’, a faction existing in the Tower. The residents who came with him are currently hiding within the Triad. If you manage to identify all of them, you may copy one skill.]
‘Ho?’
Jinhyuk’s eyes narrowed as he read the copying condition.
‘So it’s not just Namgung Hyun here, but other residents as well?’
It was surprising enough to have one, but this was the first time several had come at once.
Such a scale was too excessive just to be picking a fight.
Considering the nature of these guys who tended to look down on most players as mere ants, all the more so.
It meant…
‘They have quite an interest in me.’
Whether their intention was to capture, eliminate, or perhaps to win me over, he did not know.
Frankly speaking, he didn’t care.
He had no intention to die easily nor to join forces with the Murim.
Rather, his current concern was about devising a method to copy their abilities.
Just then.
Clang! Swish!
Weapons were drawn from all around.
“How dare you speak to Lord Namgung Hyun that way.”
“You must be insane to wish for death.”
Hundreds of players bared their teeth in anger.
It was only natural such a response would follow such blatant provocation.
By contrast, Yu Yeonhwa and Lee Taemin, who stood by Jinhyuk’s side, bit their lips, ready for battle.
“Sister, please take the left side.”
“Got it. It’s about time I properly stretched my muscles.”
‘The Machine Monarch’s’ effect caused an array of mechanized weapons to appear around Lee Taemin.
Clang! Clang!
Magical bombs and power bullets began to be loaded.
“Hooo…”
Yu Yeonhwa drew magic into her hands and feet as well.
Utilizing her close-combat optimized skills was crucial, and closing the distance was most important.
“I’ll handle the rear.”
Woosh!
As sacred chants sounded, a silver armor manifested on Teresa’s body.
A bright light gleamed softly.
It was the full manifestation of ‘The Star’s Blessing’.
Cheon Yuseong also unsheathed his sword with a short hiss.
“You seem to live without considering the consequences, no matter what.”
Ridiculous.
“And you’re one to talk?”
If there were a ranking of reckless behavior worldwide, Cheon Yuseong’s name would be at the very top.
And quite a few steps down before my name would appear.
“At least I fight with some thought put into it. Unlike you, Colonel Timo.”
Damn, that nickname again.
He wanted to retort with profanity, but it would fall on deaf ears in this situation.
“Alright. You might be right. I need about three minutes, can you cover for me?”
“Three minutes? If you want, I can handle all of this on my own.”
Cheon Yuseong chuckled with a grin.
Nice try.
“But don’t let your guard down.”
Jinhyuk summoned the Grand Library and read the ‘Memories of the World.’
And at that exact moment.
Swoosh! Clash!
Players from both sides moved simultaneously.
Boom! Crash!
Different kinds of magical energy exploded.
Light poles bent like twisted candy, and shattered fragments of asphalt scattered everywhere.
“Hang in there a bit longer!”
Teresa’s ‘Song of Battle’ and ‘Holy Enhancement’ dramatically increased everyone else’s capabilities.
“Oh! Sister!”
“Isn’t this nice?”
The mechanized drones and mini-tanks commanded by Lee Taemin grew larger.
Naturally, the density of the magical bullets they fired intensified too.
Yu Yeonhwa grew strong enough to smash swords with her bare fists.
“These bastards are strong.”
“Damn it. Damn machine trinkets!”
Although outnumbered, there was no deficit in their strength.
They could hold their own.
Moreover, with Cheon Yuseong at the forefront, a bizarre scene unfolded where a single man pushed back many.
Scrape! Boom! Boom! Boom!
“Aaaargh!”
“My, my arm!”
Arms and legs were severed.
Cheon Yuseong advancing amid a storm of blood was the embodiment of terror.
“This is insane. Alone, he’s doing the impossible…”
“Everyone he faces is dying.”
“He’s a monster!”
The attacking players of the Triad gasped.
They had lost the ferocity of their assault and realized instinctively that they could not match him.
Slowly stepping back, they sought to distance themselves from the blood-drenched sword demon.
But just then.
“It seems not all here are mere rubbish.”
Namgung Hyun moved.
Fast.
Closing the gap with Cheon Yuseong in an instant, Namgung Hyun unsheathed his sword.
Swish!
From top to bottom.
The vertically slicing sword seemed to cleave the heavens as it descended upon him.
Boom!
“Ugh!”
Cheon Yuseong staggered heavily.
He had barely blocked the attack, but his palms bled from the power that channeled through the robust internal force.
“Seems like you’ve handled a sword before, but at the end of the day, you’re just an outlander who learned some swordplay outside the Tower.”
Namgung Hyun tightened his grip on his sword.
A dazzling blue Qi surged along the blade.
“I shall show you what true swordsmanship of a noble house looks like.”
A splendid sword dance, fearful enough to send shivers down one’s spine, was performed.
The solitary technique of the Namgung family.
Emperor’s Sword Form.
Would such a vista unfold if a storm swallowed a person whole?
Kakakakakakakakang!
“……!”
Cheon Yuseong fought off the hundreds of flying blades with all his might.
A collision of forces.
Blood and flames adorned the air in crimson.
Yet, it was all too clear who held the upper hand.
Cheon Yuseong, worn from facing multiple foes, and Namgung Hyun, now fully warmed up, were separated by a wall that could not be scaled.
At most, they could exchange blows.
Once his stamina reached its limit, Cheon Yuseong’s neck would be severed.
And to prove that point.
“It’s over.”
After deflecting Cheon Yuseong’s last strike, Namgung Hyun laughed coldly.
His sword flew true, aiming straight for Cheon Yuseong’s neck.
Cheon Yuseong closed his eyes involuntarily.
But then…
“……?”
He did not feel the gruesome sensation of his throat being cut.
Nor any pain.
Carefully, Cheon Yuseong opened his eyes.
And he saw…
“Three minutes.”
Jinhyuk, having finished all preparations, stood before him.
“Damn it. You could have been a bit faster.”
“That’s right. You’ve done well enduring till now.”
The baton passed.
＊＊＊
Namgung Hyun looked at Jinhyuk as if he was something intriguing.
“I thought you were hiding in fear, but you’re full of surprises.”
“I had a few things to get ready. Needed some time, that’s all.”
“Do you truly believe that a few preparations will allow you to defeat me? You clearly saw your comrade just get smashed to pieces, didn’t you?”
He did see.
Frankly, it was quite heart-wrenching.
Cheon Yuseong, the guy who genuinely tried hard, was doing nothing but getting crushed on a floor above the 20th. How could he not be moved to tears?
Regardless, there’s trouble everywhere you go.
But did they know?
Only one person has ever climbed to the top of the Tower of Trials.
And that person thoroughly enjoys causing chaos.
“Barely on the 21st floor and acting all high and mighty… It’s kind of cute, like a taekwondo student thrilled about earning a red belt. But it starts to get annoying when you cross the line.”
“21st floor? How do you know that?”
Namgung Hyun’s eyes widened in shock.
“Of course, I know. Why? Did you think I was unaware of the 21st-floor residents?”
“…You. You’re not an ordinary player. Are you possibly with the empire…?”
“Sorry, but I’m not here for questions.”
Only less than 20 minutes were left until the first wave.
Cheon Yuseong and the rest needed to rest, so there was no time to stall any longer.
Jinhyuk released the magic power he had been gathering in a burst.
Whooosh!
Giant flames devoured the ground in an instant.
“Such shallow tactics!”
Namgung Hyun retreated, but the acrid smoke made it impossible to see clearly.
Was it a deliberate distraction?
Under those conditions, relying solely on one’s Qigong sense was the only choice, abandoning sight.
“From above!”
Namgung Hyun, pressing his sensations to the limit, lifted his head.
He could feel the opponent’s magic power from above.
“Idiot. Did you willingly trap yourself where there’s nowhere to hide!”
It wasn’t a bad move to strike a vital point.
However, when one’s move is read ahead, it’s the worst decision possible.
If you miss and exploit an opening, you could end the fight then and there.
Yet…
“What’s this?”
Namgung Hyun tried to move, but his body wouldn’t budge.
Suddenly, ‘Glacial Sculpture’ had encased his feet in ice.
Jinhyuk had drawn the attention upward and took advantage of the time delay to bind the opponent’s feet—a combination attack.
As the smoke cleared, Jinhyuk’s form came into view.
“One piece of advice: always watch where you’re stepping when you fight.”
Fzzzt!
A blinding light converged at the tip of his sword.
[Maximum range designation]
[Lv3 ‘Daylight’ is activated!]
At that moment, the light condensed to the extreme was unleashed.
Boom, boom, boom!
A straight line of white light extended, targeting Namgung Hyun.
There was a slight delay in its execution, but among his wide-range skills, it boasted the most impressive range and power.
However, just before Daylight could hit…
“This is completely beyond anticipation. Astonishing indeed.”
“That’s right. Looks like Hyun can’t handle it on his own.”
Two people from the Triad interfered.
[Protective Strong Qi unfolds!]
[Giant Army Sword Barrier unfolds!]
Boom!
A protective skill formed by strong Qi shielded Namgung Hyun and other Chinese players nearby.
Hairline cracks appeared in the transparent wall, but Namgung Hyun and the rest barely escaped with their lives, thanks to the perfect timing of their skills.
“Quite impressive. I didn’t expect anyone outside the Tower to wield such powerful Qi.”
A third man exited his cover, emitting a groan of admiration and stepping forward.
That made three.
The rats that were hiding had finally appeared on stage.
‘As expected, they’ve shown themselves.’
Finding those who hid among hundreds could only be done this way.
If the situation is made such that their companion could not survive alone, they would naturally emerge to assist Namgung Hyun.
And that prediction hit the mark precisely.
[You have found all the residents here.]
[The condition has been met.]
A familiar status window appeared.
Of course, he had already chosen the skill to copy.
[Successful in copying the ‘Infinite Steps’ unique ability!]
He had acquired a skill belonging to a resident of the Murim.
Thump! Thump! Thump!
Jinhyuk’s heart raced.
Normally, this would be the point of satisfaction.
The achievement was already massive.
But…
‘Not for me.’
If he only aimed to copy abilities, he wouldn’t have chosen ‘Fusion’ as his unique ability.
He chose it because he wanted to obtain more powerful and diverse skills.
To use abilities superior to those of his adversaries.
For that very reason, he selected this unique ability.
[Fusing ‘Infinite Steps’ and ‘Graveyard of Swords’.]
Jinhyuk merged two abilities into one.
Wooong!
An indescribable light flowed forth.
And in that instant…
[The fusion was successful!]
A new, unified skill emerged before his eyes.
