Chapter 55

Chapter 55. Skill Acquisition (2)

Suwon Hwaseong Fortress.

A fortified wall built more than two hundred years ago during the reign of King Jeongjo of Joseon.

The Hwaseong Sect, which dominated the Suwon region, used the fortress as its headquarters.

Around eight years ago...

The Hwaseong Sect had defeated forces from Pandemonium at Suwon Hwaseong Fortress.

Since then...

It had held enormous influence throughout the Suwon area.

"Is that really true?"

"The Sect Leader betrayed us...?"

"Yes."

A sharp-looking man stood before the officers gathered inside the meeting room.

Han Sewon.

For a long time...

He had been the deputy leader and second-highest-ranking member of the Hwaseong Sect.

"Jegal Geum betrayed the Hwaseong Sect."

"He took our secrets and moved to another faction."

"I can't believe it."

"Why would the Sect Leader..."

"There are rumors he was recruited by Pandemonium."

Han Sewon frowned.

"I'm not certain yet."

"Pandemonium?"

"That's insane!"

"You all know the Black Dragon Society."

Han Sewon handed out several photographs.

"It's already been confirmed that he contacted people connected to them."

The photographs showed four people.

Kang Yujin.

Seok Taejun.

Lee Jukheon.

Joo Minha.

"They've apparently become fairly famous in the central-western region."

"You're saying the Sect Leader joined forces with them?"

"We know for certain that he disappeared together with them."

"But why...?"

"There's something only I knew."

Han Sewon frowned.

"Jegal Geum has been worried for a long time about growing older."

"What?"

"Really?"

"Yes."

"No matter how powerful Jegal Geum is..."

"He can't defeat aging."

Han Sewon shrugged.

"Well, he's already old."

Jegal Geum was over seventy.

That was an unusual age for a Contractor.

"That's why he's been searching for ways to slow his aging for years."

"Now that you mention it..."

"He did collect a lot of medicinal herbs."

"I once heard a rumor."

Han Sewon lowered his voice.

"Pandemonium possesses methods to suppress aging."

"Then..."

"That's why he joined Pandemonium?!"

Several officers nodded as if everything suddenly made sense.

In reality...

Around half of them had already coordinated their story with Han Sewon.

They were deliberately shaping the atmosphere so Jegal Geum's betrayal would be accepted as fact.

Then Han Sewon's faction could seize control of the organization.

"I did think it was suspicious when he suddenly went to Cheonan alone."

"Right."

"The Sect Leader's behavior had been strange lately."

Even the officers who had not been part of the conspiracy seemed to be getting swept up.

"So..."

"The Sect Leader really betrayed us."

"Stop calling him Sect Leader."

Han Sewon frowned.

"Just call him Representative Jegal Geum."

"Though he's not even the Representative anymore."

"Ah."

"Understood."

Han Sewon clicked his tongue.

"What is this, some wuxia novel?"

"Sect Leader?"

"Enough with the outdated nonsense."

"From now on..."

Han Sewon looked around.

"I'll lead the Hwaseong Sect."

"And I'll reform these outdated customs."

"Oh...!"

"That makes sense."

"You've already handled most practical matters as deputy leader."

"It's natural that you should lead the Hwaseong Sect."

"But will the ordinary members follow you?"

"Many of them personally respected Jegal Geum."

"That's why you officers need to control the atmosphere."

Han Sewon turned toward a map hanging on the wall.

"And..."

"We only need recognition from the other Eight Guardians."

The Eight Guardians ruled the Capital Region.

Once they recognized Han Sewon...

There would be little else to worry about.

"Wait."

Han Sewon suddenly frowned.

"What is it, Deputy Leader?"

"What is Lee Sion doing?"

"We need to keep a close eye on him."

Lee Sion.

The fourth-ranked Contractor in the Hwaseong Sect.

He was contracted with the B-rank Constellation "Murderer with Two Axes."

He was loyal to Jegal Geum.

And...

His relationship with Han Sewon was poor.

"Lee Sion..."

"I think I saw him leave in a hurry earlier."

"What?"

Han Sewon flinched.

Then he immediately cursed.

"Damn it."

"Deputy Leader?"

"Form a pursuit squad immediately."

Lee Sion had clearly understood what was happening and left to join Jegal Geum.

If Lee Sion began working with Jegal Geum and interfered with them...

It would become a major obstacle.

"Find Jegal Geum before Lee Sion does and capture him!"

"Kang Yujin."

Jegal Geum looked at him.

"What do you think a Skill is?"

"I don't know anything about them."

Jegal Geum smiled.

"Originally..."

"There was no internal energy in this world."

"No magic either."

"Those things existed in the Fantasy Realm."

"But here, in the Material Realm, they were only imaginary."

"Right."

"Do you think simply becoming physically stronger is enough to defeat every monster or demon?"

"No."

"You need something supernatural."

"That's..."

Kang Yujin thought about Baphomet.

Without the Saint's Iron Fist, which dealt Divine Power damage...

They wouldn't have been able to defeat him.

"Skills are what grant supernatural power to people from the Material Realm who originally possessed none."

Jegal Geum smiled.

"Though not every Skill is supernatural."

That was true.

Seok Taejun's C-rank Skill [Extreme Concentration] wasn't exactly supernatural.

On the other hand...

Joo Minha's B-rank Skill [Magic Bullet-Type Magic] and C-rank Skill [Increased Magic Efficiency] definitely were.

"Kang Yujin."

Jegal Geum pointed toward a boulder.

"What happens if you punch that rock?"

"I can break something that size."

"But your fist would get injured too."

"That's true."

"Watch."

Jegal Geum walked toward the boulder.

Then he punched it.

Crack!

The rock split cleanly in two.

Jegal Geum showed him his fist.

"Any injuries?"

"No."

"That's the power of internal energy."

"If you fill your strike with internal energy, it protects your body."

"It also increases destructive power."

"Hmm..."

"You were pierced by my Spear Hand and bled heavily."

Jegal Geum nodded.

"But if you'd protected your body with internal energy, it wouldn't have happened that easily."

"Of course..."

"I would've also filled my Spear Hand with internal energy."

Jegal Geum looked at him carefully.

"Kang Yujin."

"From what I saw of your fighting style..."

"You don't care much about your own injuries."

"Right?"

"That's right."

"Your offense is excellent."

Jegal Geum continued.

"But your defense is weak."

"So I have a suggestion."

"What is it?"

"I'll teach you a martial arts Skill that increases your defense."

"There's one you should be able to learn quickly."

Jegal Geum was offering to teach Kang Yujin a Skill that would cover his weakness.

But...

Kang Yujin shook his head.

"No."

"What?"

"I don't need defense."

Kang Yujin answered calmly.

"I'd rather learn a martial art useful for attacking."

"Why?"

Jegal Geum stared.

"I'm offering to cover your weakness."

"Why refuse?"

"I think maximizing my strengths is better than covering my weaknesses."

"..."

Jegal Geum stared blankly.

Behind them...

Lee Jukheon burst out laughing.

"Old man."

"Don't bother trying to persuade him."

"Kang Yujin just does whatever he wants at the time."

"Logic won't work."

"Are you saying he's stubborn?"

"Extremely."

Jegal Geum sighed deeply.

"Then I suppose it can't be helped."

"That fingertip attack you used earlier."

Kang Yujin looked interested.

"Can I learn that?"

"Not quickly."

"I learned that through long training."

"You can't acquire it overnight."

"Instead..."

Kang Yujin interrupted.

"I'd like something like a finishing move."

"Finishing move?"

"I already have one."

"But I can only use it once a day."

His Awakening Skill [Shatter Everything] was undeniably powerful.

But because he could only use it once per day...

He always had to think carefully about when to activate it.

So if he had another finishing move capable of deciding a battle...

That would be useful.

"Hmm..."

Jegal Geum thought.

"A finishing move..."

"You're the first person since Sion to ask me something like that."

"Sion?"

"Lee Sion."

"My disciple in the Hwaseong Sect."

"He uses an axe."

Jegal Geum stroked his beard.

Then he nodded.

"Wait."

"In that case..."

"I know something suitable."

"Something that matches your fighting style extremely well."

"And..."

"You can learn it very quickly."

"Good."

Kang Yujin nodded.

"Then teach me now."

"However, Kang Yujin..."

Jegal Geum looked toward the sky with a complicated expression.

"There aren't only one or two Apostles around here."

Joo Minha's [Disruption Barrier] had already ended.

That meant Constellations could once again locate Kang Yujin's group and Jegal Geum.

"I don't know exactly how many Constellations are watching this place..."

"But I'm certain the number isn't small."

During Events or Quests...

It was possible to see how many Constellations were watching.

Outside of them...

There was no viewer count.

"If my Constellation truly abandoned me..."

Jegal Geum continued.

"Then the Hwaseong Sect will probably attack us soon."

"Do you really think so?"

"Han Sewon has been aiming for my position for a long time."

"Many officers in the Hwaseong Sect support him."

"If my Constellation simply shows that he intends to support Han Sewon instead of me..."

Jegal Geum gave a bitter smile.

"Turning me into the public enemy would be easy."

"So if people from the Hwaseong Sect come here to capture me..."

"That will prove my Constellation abandoned me."

"Does that happen often?"

"Constellations abandoning Contractors?"

"Not often."

Jegal Geum shook his head.

"Most Constellations rarely care about individual Contractors enough for that kind of conflict to happen."

"But..."

"It isn't impossible."

"..."

"When a Constellation and Contractor maintain a close relationship..."

"They can still eventually fall out."

Kang Yujin bit his lip.

From his perspective...

There was no reason he would ever betray the Nameless One.

But one day...

He might fail to meet the Nameless One's expectations.

Then perhaps...

He would be abandoned.

What would he need to do to make sure that day never came?

"Kang Yujin!"

Seok Taejun suddenly came running back.

He had been scouting the area with the Chimera.

"About twenty people are approaching from the north!"

"They all look extremely hostile!"

"So it begins."

Jegal Geum shook his head with a complicated expression.

"Then what do we do?"

"Should we leave before they arrive?"

"There's no reason to run."

"Then we'll fight them."

Jegal Geum stood.

"First..."

"No."

Jegal Geum blinked.

"What?"

"Teach me the Skill first."

Kang Yujin looked toward his companions.

"Buy me some time while I learn it."

"Kang Yujin, what are you talking about?!"

Seok Taejun stared.

Joo Minha, however, rubbed her chin.

"Hmm."

"Not a bad idea."

"What?"

"When we're struggling..."

Joo Minha explained calmly.

"Kang Yujin can appear after mastering a new technique and crush the enemy."

She nodded.

"That would be a very savior-like entrance."

"I told you not to call me a savior."

Kang Yujin looked back at Jegal Geum.

"Anyway..."

"There won't be much time to learn Skills after this."

"What?"

"Once we defeat the enemies coming now..."

Kang Yujin spoke as if it were obvious.

"We're attacking the Hwaseong Sect headquarters immediately."

"...!"

Everyone fell silent.

"Hey, Kang Yujin!"

Lee Jukheon, who had been maintaining his sword a short distance away, shouted.

"Are you insane?!"

"The Hwaseong Sect is bigger than the White Banner Order!"

"And you're saying the four of us are going to attack them?!"

"Yes."

"What kind of crazy idea is..."

"We don't need to fight the entire Hwaseong Sect."

"What?"

Lee Jukheon froze.

"Based on everything we've heard..."

Kang Yujin continued.

"The Constellation called 'Hero of Nine Dragons' discarded Jegal Geum and is trying to push Han Sewon as the new leader."

"So?"

"Then don't we just need to take down Han Sewon?"

"..."

Joo Minha nodded.

"That makes sense."

"If Han Sewon falls..."

"The Hwaseong Sect will be thrown into chaos."

"The leadership has only just changed from Jegal Geum to Han Sewon."

"If Han Sewon immediately falls too..."

Joo Minha continued.

"They'll be badly shaken."

"From what we've heard, there doesn't seem to be anyone capable of immediately replacing Han Sewon."

"Even the Constellation behind them would have difficulty recovering."

Jegal Geum nodded.

"Hmm."

"If that happens..."

"I may be able to step forward and persuade the officers."

Lee Jukheon threw up his hands.

"No!"

"How exactly are we supposed to reach Han Sewon?"

"Do you think he'll stand at the front and say, 'Please defeat me'?"

"We break through the enemy formation and capture him."

"Do you think that's easy?!"

Lee Jukheon pointed at himself.

"And don't tell me you're planning to make me do it!"

Lee Jukheon was specialized in infiltration and assassination using his speed.

But unlike the battle against Team Hecate...

Simply throwing Lee Jukheon in would not be enough to overturn the situation.

"The Hwaseong Sect headquarters is Suwon Hwaseong Fortress!"

"Breaking through it with just us is impossible!"

"Even approaching from the air on the Chimera would be hard!"

"No."

Jegal Geum stroked his beard.

"There is a way."

"What?"

"If we gain Lee Sion's cooperation."

"Lee Sion?"

"The Contractor from the Hwaseong Sect you mentioned earlier?"

"Yes."

Jegal Geum smiled.

"He specializes in breaking through enemy lines."

"Planning ahead is fine, but first..."

Seok Taejun tried to interrupt.

"We have to deal with the pursuit squad that's coming right now..."

At that moment...

A tremendous explosion rang out from the north.

"What?!"

"Did something explode?"

Jegal Geum looked upward.

Then he smiled.

"Hoho."

"It seems Lee Sion has already arrived."

"How can such a coincidence happen?"

"Perhaps Heaven is helping us."

"No."

Kang Yujin spoke with complete confidence.

"The great Nameless One is helping us."

"This plan really works, right?"

Li Kui's rough voice came through the communication window.

"Yes."

"Fine!"

"I'll just do what you say."

"Thinking is your job!"

Li Kui laughed loudly.

"Quick and decisive!"

"Lee Sion joins Kang Yujin's group immediately, then we attack the confused Hwaseong Sect headquarters!"

"I like it!"

"I don't know whether those Contractors will understand what I'm telling them, though!"

"Hahahaha!"

The plan for this battle was simple.

Have Li Kui's Contractor, Lee Sion, join Kang Yujin's group.

Then...

Before the Hwaseong Sect could stabilize its internal situation...

Attack its headquarters.

That was the scenario.