Chapter 315: Reconnaissance (1) |
「Mimicry」, the new skills, understanding martial arts and combat techniques, and what I can do with them…
Lost in thought, Hugo, standing in the center of the training ground, closed his eyes and took a deep breath.
Several months had passed since he arrived in Ganghwange.
And in that time, he had undergone a significant transformation, thanks to the steady consumption of the “Growth Elixir”, the assistance of 「Super Recovery」, and his diligent training.
<Individual Information>
- Individual Name: Hugo
- Common Traits: 「Mind Hub」, 「Persona」, 「Super Recovery」, 「Clear Mind」, 「Super Strength」, 「Hypersensitivity」, 「Insight」, 「Xenoglossy」, 「Underwater Breathing」, 「Subspace Storage」, 「Limit Break」, 「Mimicry」
- Individual Traits: 「Jack-of-All-Trades」, 「Tough」, 「Circulation of Energy」, 「Ki Martial Arts」, 「Basic Medical Knowledge」
- Special Notes: Has become more proficient in manipulating Ki. 「Sturdiness」 has evolved into 「Tough」 due to consistent external martial arts training. Internal energy cultivation is accelerated by the influence of 「Circulation of Energy」. Currently receiving additional growth bonuses from the effects of the "Growth Elixir."
The combined effects of the elixir, various buffs, and 「Jack-of-All-Trades」, which allowed him to quickly master any skill to a certain extent,
…had transformed him into a skilled martial artist in just a few months.
‘Studying medicine was a brilliant move. I started learning it to analyze the effects of martial arts techniques…’
It wasn’t a strange decision, as martial arts and the body were inherently connected.
Acquiring the skill 「Basic Medical Knowledge」 had been an unexpected bonus.
‘A fortunate miscalculation.’
The Zhuge Clan’s medical knowledge, Hans’s anatomical expertise, and Harley’s understanding of living beings must have also played a role.
As a result, he had gained a deeper understanding of the physical changes that occurred when using martial arts techniques, which would be incredibly helpful when using 「Mimicry」.
‘…No, that’s not the main reason.’
Hugo chuckled softly.
There was something more important.
His greatest advantage, his secret weapon.
‘I’m never alone.’
It was always easier to understand and analyze something when you had multiple perspectives, and when you could observe from a higher vantage point.
And having five transcendent beings, their minds connected, sharing their thoughts and experiences in real time…
And among them, Heinrich, with his combat skills 「Path of Martial Arts」 and 「Logia Holy Fighting Technique」, Harris, who had mastered the supreme martial art 「Gentle Eight Trigrams Secret Art (Modified)」, and Harley, who had an intuitive understanding of the body and its limits, a natural predator…
It was like having a team of university professors helping him with his middle and high school exams.
Even if their specialties were slightly different.
‘And Hubert’s “Analysis” is also helpful.’
He recalled the merchant avatar, whose skill had played a significant role in his martial arts training, and nodded slowly.
Unlike Harris, who had already reached transcendence, he had started from scratch, practicing basic techniques and building his foundation.
But it was a necessary step for his long-term growth.
Even with his accelerated learning, he couldn't skip the essential steps.
‘The martial arts manuals I have aren’t very impressive. …To properly utilize “Mimicry”, I need a stable and adaptable internal energy cultivation technique, not something with a strong bias. Where can I find one?’
He had read a few manuals provided by the Zhuge Clan, but they weren’t satisfactory.
Perhaps there were more valuable secrets hidden in their restricted library… but as a guest, he couldn’t access those easily.
“Hmm.”
As he pondered his options, a mischievous thought crossed his mind.
‘…Should I just… take it by force?’
It wasn’t impossible.
In these chaotic times, anything could happen.
For example, a mysterious master of demonic arts, emanating a sinister aura, could attack the clan with an army of jiangshi.
Or perhaps a ruthless agent of the Blood Cult could infiltrate the clan and steal their secrets!
‘Tsk, I’ll wait a bit longer. It’s not urgent.’
He decided to postpone it.
‘I don’t want to ruin our relationship with the Zhuge Clan. It would make things inconvenient for me as well. If I’m going to cause trouble, I might as well target someone else.’
He had plenty of other options.
The Wudang Sect was nearby, and further afield, there were the Shaolin Temple, Mount Hua Sect, and the Southern Palace Clan.
‘…Should I start drafting a scenario?’
He unconsciously tightened his grip on his sword, lost in thought.
Crack—
A surge of power, amplified by 「Super Strength」 and his overwhelming stats, coursed through his bulging muscles.
He wasn't as monstrous as Harley or Heinrich, but his physical strength alone was enough to earn him recognition as a master of external martial arts.
A sense of satisfaction welled up within him, a faint smile playing on his lips.
“Ah, it’s already this late.”
He suddenly checked the position of the sun and quickly sheathed his training sword.
It was almost late afternoon. He had to clean up and prepare for his appointment.
‘She’ll nag me if I’m late again.’
He tidied up the training ground and headed towards his quarters, his footsteps familiar with the path.
And his next destination, after completing his preparations, was also a place he had frequented in the past few months.
____________________
Whoosh—
A soft, gentle energy, which had been filling the room with a warm glow, slowly faded.
The young girl, who had been sitting with her eyes closed, smiled faintly as she opened them.
“Are you done? Thank you for your hard work, Young Master Ha. I appreciate it, as always.”
A clear and cheerful voice.
Zhuge Hyemi, the Zhuge Clan’s precious daughter, spoke, her voice filled with a strange energy, devoid of any darkness.
“Ah, would you like to try this? It’s a new snack from the kitchen. It’s sweet and delicious. Of course, if you still prefer the previous one, just let me know… Oh! You’ve already finished your tea. Let me refill it for you.”
Her incessant chatter, as always, made Hugo smile awkwardly and nod.
He had grown accustomed to this place and this situation, but her constant talking… he would never get used to it.
And there was something else on his mind.
‘This is strange. Even after several treatments, her condition hasn’t improved much. And today…’
They were in the reception room of Zhuge Hyemi’s quarters.
It had become his makeshift treatment room after she regained her mobility.
The initially daily treatments had become less frequent as her symptoms subsided, now occurring about once a week, like a regular checkup.
Of course, that was only possible because her condition had improved significantly, allowing her to move around freely…
‘…But could this be the limit of holy power’s healing?’
As her de facto physician, Hugo couldn’t help but feel a sense of unease about her stagnant condition.
And he wasn’t a complete novice in medicine. He had even acquired the skill 「Basic Medical Knowledge」.
The fact that he couldn't even identify the cause of her ailment…
As he pondered the question, Heinrich, who had recently acquired 「Grand Blessing: Wings of Radiance」 and grown stronger, offered a new hypothesis.
‘…It feels different. It’s not a disease, but… something related to this world’s theology? Heinrich would know for sure if he could examine her directly.’
The Dragon Heart theft incident, orchestrated by the Master of Heaven’s Turn Society 22 years ago, in Ganghwange time.
She had been born during that chaotic period, just as the world began to crumble.
And her mother had died shortly after her birth.
She had blamed herself, calling herself a cursed child…
‘But I can’t summon Heinrich here. It would only cause misunderstandings.’
The Zhuge Clan wouldn’t miss the sudden appearance of an outsider in their secure zone.
And they would quickly realize that the energy he emanated was the same as ‘Ha Seung-hoon’s’, the guest who had been treating Zhuge Hyemi.
He didn’t know how they would react.
‘They seem to be obsessed with security and their formations.’
It was understandable, considering they didn’t have any transcendent experts, let alone Mysterious Realm masters.
They had maintained their current position thanks to their formations and sorcery.
Losing their stronghold would be a devastating blow.
‘How can I create an opportunity?’
As Hugo was pondering the question,
Zhuge Hyemi, who had been chattering nonstop despite his lack of response, suddenly brought up a new topic.
A piece of information that caught his attention.
“Ah! Young Master Ha, have you heard? We’ve received an invitation from the Shaolin Temple in Henan.”
“…An invitation? In these times?”
“Yes, it’s a regular event. It happens every few years. They gather representatives from the major factions of the Murim Alliance to discuss… well, various matters.”
“I heard the Murim Alliance has been disbanded.”
“But communication is essential, especially in these times.”
It wasn't strange for those who had once been allies to maintain some form of contact, even if their formal alliance was dissolved.
Especially in a world where enemies lurked around every corner.
“It’s basically an expanded version of the local gatherings we’ve been having with nearby sects like the Wudang Sect. There’s no real authority or obligation, it’s just a chance to… catch up.”
Zhuge Hyemi shrugged, her voice filled with a strange detachment.
It didn't seem to fit her personality, having lived her entire life within the confines of the Zhuge Clan, her social circle limited to her family and clan members.
‘The continent is in chaos, but it’s divided into three main factions. A social gathering to maintain their alliances?’
Those who had seized control of the Dragon Veins and those who were trying to reclaim them, those who sought to expand their power by acquiring more Dragon Veins and those who were desperately trying to hold onto what they had…
They could be broadly categorized as righteous, evil, and neutral… but in reality, they were all fighting amongst themselves, constantly vying for power.
And then there were the Demonic Cult, the strongest single faction, the Blood Cult, lurking in the shadows, and countless other smaller sects…
‘…Hmm, it would actually be strange if there wasn’t such a gathering.’
The evil factions, the neutral factions, and the smaller sects probably had their own alliances as well.
“But is it even possible for representatives from all these factions to gather in one place in these times? What if they’re ambushed by their enemies while traveling?”
“Well, that’s true. That’s why we’ve never had a full attendance. Especially those from distant locations.”
And participating in such a gathering, braving the dangerous journey, would be a powerful display of a faction’s strength.
Of course, there were also cases where it backfired, resulting in heavy losses.
“Our clan will definitely participate this time. The Shaolin Temple in Henan isn’t that far. But the Murong Clan in Liaoning and the Kunlun Sect in Qinghai… they’ll probably have a hard time. I wonder if they even received the invitation?”
Zhuge Hyemi tilted her head slightly, a thoughtful expression on her face, as she trailed off.
Hugo stroked his chin, his expression serious, as he listened to her.
His mind raced, processing the unexpected information.
‘I’ve been wondering what to do next… This is perfect.’
What a timely opportunity!
Gathering information before taking action was essential.
And this was a chance to expand his horizons, meet new people, and experience the wider world.
And considering the inevitable ambushes and skirmishes that would occur during the journey…
‘…It’s a buffet! A buffet of Karma!’
It was a feast for the senses, a banquet of possibilities.
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