Chapter 316: Reconnaissance (2) |
Naturally, joining such a gathering wasn't something he could do just because he wanted to.
He was just a guest, a freeloader staying at the Zhuge Clan’s estate.
“Hmm, we were just choosing the participants… It’s quite dangerous, as you know. Are you sure you want to go? It’s an unpredictable situation, and there's a high chance of ambushes.”
“One cannot avoid all dangers in this world. I can't just stay holed up in a safe place forever.”
So, he first had to secure permission from the person in charge…
“…A commendable attitude. Indeed, diverse experiences are essential for growth in these chaotic times.”
“That’s right. There’s no better opportunity to broaden one’s horizons.”
“I understand. I’ll see what I can do.”
…And he easily obtained permission from Zhuge Gunak, the Grand Elder, who had allowed him to stay at the estate.
‘Perhaps they’re also assuming Harris will be protecting him.’
Having a Mysterious Realm expert as a secret bodyguard was a significant advantage for a delegation.
Whether that was true or not, it didn’t matter. It was just a safety net, a small price to pay for potential benefits.
But then, something unexpected happened.
“I want to go too.”
Zhuge Hyemi, the one who had told him about the gathering, insisted on joining.
“My treatment isn’t over yet. And if something happens while Young Master Ha is away… It would be better if I went with you.”
She presented a seemingly reasonable argument, but it was obviously a flimsy excuse.
After all, this wasn't a vacation.
Who would send a sheltered young miss, practically a greenhouse flower, into a dangerous and unpredictable situation, just in case something happened?
She would only be a burden.
“…Ah, that’s a shame. I was hoping…”
Zhuge Hyemi sighed, a disappointed smile on her face.
Hugo looked at her with narrowed eyes.
‘She deliberately told me about the gathering, didn't she?’
He had assumed she had just mentioned it casually during their conversations… but judging by her reaction, it seemed like it had been a calculated move.
A subtle probe, a test.
‘…I can understand her feelings.’
She had spent her entire life within the confines of the Zhuge Clan, unable to even freely roam the estate due to her illness… and she had only recently recovered.
It was only natural for her to yearn for the outside world.
But she was like a toddler trying to run a marathon.
“Well, it can’t be helped. I’ll be training hard here, so please tell me all about it when you return, Young Master Ha. And… can I expect a souvenir?”
“Of course. I’ll even try to get you something special.”
“Wow! You’re the best! It’s a promise, then?”
And so, after Hugo’s participation was confirmed,
The delegation’s preparations, which had already been underway, accelerated.
The Zhuge Clan’s elite warriors and sorcerers, along with an elder to lead them, were selected, and the overall commander was Zhuge Junghyeok, the clan leader’s second son and one of Hyemi’s older brothers.
‘I thought it would just be an elder… but they’re sending the clan leader’s son? This is more serious than I thought.’
Perhaps they wanted to avoid unnecessary conflicts and maintain the clan’s prestige.
Or maybe they simply considered the Shaolin Temple relatively safe, since it wasn’t too far away.
‘…I should focus on my training until they’re ready.’
Even though the Shaolin Temple was relatively close, it was still a considerable distance, comparable to the distance between Seoul and Busan. They needed time to prepare.
About two weeks passed.
Hugo spent the time honing his newly acquired skills, and…
…the day of the delegation’s departure finally arrived.
The main gate of the Zhuge Clan, where numerous carriages and horses were lined up.
“Have a safe trip. And don’t forget our promise.”
Zhuge Hyemi, after bidding farewell to her brother and the elder, approached Hugo, a cheerful smile on her face.
Her bright tone couldn't completely mask the worry in her eyes, but he didn't pay much attention.
“Don’t worry, Young Miss Zhuge. I can always escape if necessary. Though I’d prefer to avoid any trouble.”
“…I’ll be waiting for my souvenir.”
And so, the delegation, including Hugo, aka Ha Seung-hoon, left the Zhuge Clan and headed north.
__________________
Clatter— Clatter—
As the delegation traveled, Hugo sat inside a carriage filled with supplies, his eyes closed, his body motionless.
“Huu—”
He had been in the middle of his training when they departed, so he couldn’t just stop.
‘I’m almost there…’
He took several deep breaths, focusing his mind and sinking deeper into his inner self.
Breathing was the most important aspect of internal energy cultivation.
It was a fundamental principle for all living beings, but it was especially emphasized in martial arts, the art of refining and manipulating Ki.
‘Breathing is involved in every aspect of Ki cultivation, from accumulating and refining it to circulating it through the body and unleashing it as techniques.’
It wasn’t a coincidence that internal energy cultivation techniques were often called breathing techniques in this world.
Then what would happen if he could completely control his breathing?
‘「Underwater Breathing」 allows me to breathe through my skin in water. If I can adapt it for use on land…’
He could use all the pores on his body to breathe, allowing him to precisely control the flow of energy within him.
He had already confirmed its effectiveness during his training in the bathtub at the Zhuge Clan estate.
‘Of course, it’s not very effective without normal breathing.’
Hugo suppressed a chuckle, recalling the Zhuge Clan members who had constantly checked on him, worried that he had drowned.
There were limits to how flexibly one could apply a skill, even with high proficiency.
Adapting a skill specifically designed for underwater use wasn't easy.
‘But it’s not impossible.’
He had experienced it several times before.
The evolution of skills, their fusion and transformation.
His current goal was to harmonize 「Circulation of Energy」 and 「Underwater Breathing」.
Combining his otherworldly bonuses, his avatar’s growth potential, 「Jack-of-All-Trades」, and the effects of the elixir.
‘I still have a lot of undigested elixirs Harris collected. Once I master this full-body breathing technique, the absorption rate will increase dramatically…!’
But as he was immersed in his training,
Kaboom!
Swish—!
…The inevitable happened.
“Ambush! Dismount and form a defensive formation!”
Neigh—!
“Enemies approaching from the northeast and northwest!”
Swish—!
“Incoming arrows! Protect the horses!”
His concentration shattered, and a bloody battle erupted.
It wasn't a bad thing, in itself.
He had expected an ambush, and he could use this opportunity to observe the Zhuge Clan warriors and the attackers’ techniques, gaining experience for 「Mimicry」.
But…
Beep—!
“Enemy attack! Enemy attack!”
“Everyone, wake up!”
Even in the middle of the night, while they were sleeping in their camp.
“Charge—!”
“You bastards! Do you even know who we are?!”
“Khahaha! So you cowards finally came out of your shell!”
Even while traveling through an unguarded mountain pass.
“These bastards! Attacking us while we’re eating…!”
“Ugh! The dust! I just took a bite!”
“This isn’t the time to be picky!”
Even during their meal breaks.
He was constantly bombarded with distractions, unable to focus on his training.
‘…I didn’t expect it to be this bad.’
Hugo couldn't help but be appalled.
When he first arrived in Ganghwange with Harris, he hadn't realized the true state of this world. Harris had been flying through the air, and even when he descended, no one dared to challenge him directly.
‘I’ve been living in a safe bubble for too long.’
He knew it intellectually, but experiencing it firsthand was different.
He could now truly grasp the situation in Ganghwange.
The public order had completely collapsed.
‘It makes sense that they prepared so thoroughly for the journey. They weren’t just trying to scare me.’
From elite forces of rival factions to bandits and mercenaries, and even ordinary civilians driven to desperation…
The world outside the Zhuge Clan’s territory was a chaotic mess, a lawless wasteland.
‘…This is some serious reconnaissance.’
He had achieved one of his objectives for this trip, but he couldn’t bring himself to be happy about it.
The stress of the constant interruptions was getting to him.
‘If I just had a little more time… I’m almost there…!’
The elusive enlightenment, always just out of reach.
Whenever he was close to a breakthrough, he would be interrupted, and then he would have to start over.
It was an endless cycle of frustration, a thirst that couldn't be quenched.
“Khaha! Those softies! Trying to pass through our territory without permission! We’ll have to teach them a lesson!”
“Hey! You slaves! Run! If you survive, I’ll let you eat your fill of meat!”
“Ugh… Aaaagh!”
And then, as he saw a group of emaciated figures, dressed in rags and wielding rusty spears, charging towards them, followed by a group of laughing martial artists,
…His patience finally snapped.
‘Why did I come to Ganghwange?’
He pondered the question amidst the chaos, his mind racing.
Why?
To establish a new Karma source.
And to disrupt Heaven’s Turn Society’s plans by restoring order to this world.
In short, to lead the way towards its normalization.
‘Should I intervene, or should I observe?’
Intervening would yield immediate Karma gains.
But to properly normalize the world, he needed to gather more information, understand the relationships between the various factions…
‘No, that’s not right.’
Would leaving those human scum alone really help his plans?
Could he truly normalize the world while such villains roamed free?
‘I can’t work in a pigsty. I need to clean it up first. Just like cleaning your room before studying.’
He nodded decisively, making up his mind.
The analogy was flawed, but he didn't care.
What mattered was that he had made a decision.
‘Now, who should be my… cleaner?’
Harris, the veteran, was… not suitable for this task.
He had already shown his aggressive side during the bandit hunt, and his personality seemed to be affected by his environment, which was a concern.
‘Then…’
Several candidates flashed through his mind.
And after careful consideration, he finally chose one.
“Aaaagh—!”
“Kill them!”
“S-spare me…!”
On a battlefield filled with screams, the scent of blood, and the aura of madness and violence,
Far from Hugo's current location,
Sizzle—
On a road the Zhuge Clan delegation had passed through an hour ago,
“Hehehehehe!”
…A madman… no,
“Ah, this is good! Khahaha—!”
…A Mad Demon, awakened.