Chapter 120

The day of a ‘Mu Hak Do’ student is busy. From basic internal energy, basic martial arts, and physical training to various martial arts theories and philosophical theories spanning East and West. It’s no wonder that a martial artist has a mountain of things to learn.

That’s why it’s normal for a ‘Mu Hak Do’ student to have no time for romance, but Lee Junseong was an exception.

Because this was a game.

Even though Han Yoorim is a hardcore game enthusiast, there was a limit.

If players had to learn everything as if they were actually learning martial arts, they would run away, so the difficulty was adjusted accordingly.

Well, since it’s a game for hardcore enthusiasts, there was a lot to memorize, but for Junseong, who was serious about the game, this level was just right.

The story took a slight turn, so what is Junseong doing now?

Unlike others, he was easily learning martial arts.

As Junseong manipulated, the sword cut through the empty space. The blue trail left by the sword tip blurred his vision.

‘Damn, it’s hard.’

Although he didn’t need to know the exact positions of acupoints as if he were actually learning martial arts, he had to understand the framework of the techniques.

Just like in ‘Excel Busters,’ the techniques varied depending on the motion, which made the game’s entry barrier quite high.

Swoosh—. The dummy split as Junseong’s sword came down. Junseong took a deep breath and retrieved the practice iron sword.

The martial art Junseong originally learned was the Samjae Sword Technique, which only included horizontal slashes, vertical slashes, and thrusts.

With such martial arts, he couldn’t see the game’s ending. Therefore, Junseong learned a suitable martial art.

‘Not bad.’

The Chilroe Sword Technique. One of the martial arts provided for free by ‘Mu Hak Do,’ it was a sword technique that contained the essence of speed.

Despite being a martial art that any student could learn, its performance was excellent.

Truly, ‘Mu Hak Do.’ It lived up to being the world’s top academy.

Junseong opened his status window.

Name: Lee Junseong

Age: 16

Gender: Male

Nationality: South Korea

Nickname: None

Level: 1st Class

<Traits>

Speed Reading (E), Concentration (D), Swiftness (C)

<Martial Arts>

Samjae Sword Technique [3rd Class], Chilroe Sword Technique [1st Class]

Among other things, the [Swiftness] trait caught his eye.

[Swiftness] was an ability obtained after mastering the Chilroe Sword Technique, essentially the game’s ‘bullet time.’

When used, the world slowed down as if in slow motion. Unlike [Speed Reading], which increased reading speed, and [Concentration], which improved training efficiency, [Swiftness] was highly practical in combat.

‘But something feels off.’

Junseong had already played the game quite a bit.

He had grown as much as he could and was starting to hit a wall.

And that was puzzling.

He hadn’t even reached the peak, let alone the pinnacle, yet he was already hitting a growth wall?

Was this a low-power game?

Or maybe it was a multiple-playthrough game.

Either way, it didn’t matter much. It was still fun as it was.

“You’re working hard today.”

At the sudden bright voice, Junseong turned his gaze.

There stood a handsome blond man leaning against a tree.

Junseong’s childhood friend, Kang Jihoo.

Despite the long time apart, Jihoo treated Junseong familiarly. Unlike his female childhood friend, Baek Siyun.

Junseong responded casually.

“You seem to have a lot of free time?”

“I worked hard on pre-studying.”

Jihoo, smiling as he approached, fiddled with the dummy and muttered.

“Chilroe Sword Technique?”

“Why? Is it a sword technique I shouldn’t learn?”

“Except for demonic arts, there’s no martial art you shouldn’t learn, but the Chilroe Sword Technique doesn’t suit you, does it?”

Junseong didn’t quite understand.

He tilted his head and asked.

“Are there martial arts that suit or don’t suit people?”

“Of course. Depending on aptitude and talent, different martial arts suit different people.”

Certainly, if no talent was needed for martial arts, there would be no need for something like ‘Mu Hak Do.’ Masters who failed to nurture disciples would also be unnecessary.

But still, Junseong didn’t understand Jihoo’s words.

Because this was a game.

Of course, limiting skill acquisition is one of the developer’s ancient techniques, but Han Yoorim’s game didn’t do that.

While it allowed learning all martial arts, suddenly talking about talent was just confusing.

If the status window had something like [Talent: Strong Sword], it would have been understandable.

Even if he was told he had no talent for fast swordsmanship, all he could say was, “Is this that kind of game?”

“Then what martial art should I learn?”

Wondering if it was a talent-finding event, Junseong calmly asked.

But Jihoo shook his head.

“Junseong, you have to find your own path. Don’t ask others.”

“You don’t know either, do you?”

“If you’re really curious, I can answer, but I’m not sure if it’ll have a good effect on you. Since you were young, you’ve been light on your feet. The fast sword technique is for those who can abandon everything, even themselves.”

Since he was young, Junseong had been slow to act.

That wasn’t just about reaction speed.

It wasn’t about morality.

Lee Junseong needed time to make a decision.

Lee Junseong joined the baseball team in the 6th grade of elementary school, at a time when others were gradually quitting sports clubs.

The same goes for the film club. He joined in the 3rd year of middle school, when he should have been preparing for high school.

Fortunately, the military was something the country took care of, so he went on time, but overall, Lee Junseong was always late. He was never ahead of others.

And because of that, he never regretted anything.

Lee Junseong was slow, but he was careful and precise.

A born hunter who could wait as long as it took for what he wanted.

Quick swordsmanship might not suit someone like Lee Junseong.

However.

‘But… that’s about the real me, right?’

He mentioned reality so naturally that for a moment, it felt like this wasn’t a game but real life.

Kang Sihoo opened his mouth.

“Junseong, you’d do well in anything, but it’s a pity.”

“People always want to be faster at least once.”

“Well. That’s just like you.”

Kang Sihoo laughed again. He laughed so brightly that it was endearing.

Stop laughing.

“Work hard, Junseong. I’m always rooting for you.”

With that, Kang Sihoo quickly left.

Left alone, Lee Junseong crossed his arms and sank into thought.

So, I get that quick swordsmanship doesn’t suit me, but what kind of swordsmanship should I learn then?

“Of course, you should give up on swordsmanship and walk the path of martial arts. Junior. Your literacy seems lacking.”

“Isn’t it you who lacks literacy?”

Only Shin Yoori would draw such a conclusion from that conversation.

“No. There are many.”

“Like who?”

“Like the former chairmen of the Martial Arts Club, of course.”

To think there are many like Shin Yoori in the world. This must be the end of the world.

“Senior.”

“Yes?”

“Should I switch to a different swordsmanship?”

“It’s funny that you’re only thinking about that now. You should have chosen well in the beginning.”

Lee Junseong had only played the game for 20 hours, but half a year had passed in the game. From the NPCs’ perspective, it must have been ridiculous.

Shin Yoori wiggled her finger.

“Changing your mind so quickly based on others’ opinions. Junior, you’re such a pushover.”

“But Kang Sihoo’s words were reasonable.”

“But you also chose the Seven Thunder Swordsmanship for a reasonable reason, didn’t you?”

He was right. Lee Junseong had chosen the Seven Thunder Swordsmanship based on rational judgment.

A gamer wouldn’t just casually choose their main concept.

Shin Yoori continued.

“Then that’s it.”

“Senior, do you know the Dunning-Kruger effect? Beginners at the peak of ignorance are more likely to make wrong choices.”

“Boys should live with dreams.”

It was a very appropriate answer, but Lee Junseong knew she was quite serious. Shin Yoori was a character modeled after Han Yoorim, and Han Yoorim was someone who meant everything she said, even if it sounded casual.

No wonder Han Yoorim’s catchphrase was, “I am the apostle of sincerity.”

Lee Junseong muttered softly.

“Senior. You’re normal this time. I thought for sure you’d say, ‘If you’re a pushover, just quietly follow my words and walk the path of martial arts.'”

“And junior. If you’re a pushover—”

Shin Yoori closed her mouth.

Lee Junseong nodded.

“You were about to. I knew it.”

“Beating me to my own words. Junior, you have good reflexes. You have the makings of a martial artist.”

“Senior, you’re great, but you ruin it when you open your mouth.”

“I am pretty, though.”

“That’s not what I meant—”

Rustle. A sudden noise cut Lee Junseong off.

What was that? An animal?

To solve the mystery, he looked towards the source of the sound, but there was nothing.

…Was it an auditory hallucination?

“Junior. It’s obvious your childhood friend was worried and came to check on you, but then she saw you flirting with another girl and left in a huff. With that kind of intuition, you still want to aim for a harem ending?”

“I never aimed for a harem ending.”

*

And so, Lee Junseong built relationships with Kang Sihoo and Baek Siyun as he progressed through the game, and finally, that day arrived.

“Feels like we’re back to the old days with the three of us together.”

“Really?”

“……”

One of the long-standing traditions of academy stories.

The ‘external training’ event had begun.