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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 9
Chapter Title: Demanding Proper Gear
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I wondered if he wasn't giving away too much, but that wasn't my concern, of course.
For me, the more he gave, the better.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ One Yang Seven Strike Sword Method (Martial Art) A martial art created by the legendary master of the Central Plains, One Yang Death Shadow.
The moment that appeared, the intricacies of the One Yang Seven Strike Sword Method were injected into me.
There were seven forms, just like the Heavenly Demon Fist Technique.
The power grew increasingly majestic with each linked form.
However, once the linkage began, it had a fatal flaw: you had to see it through to the end. You couldn't stop midway or switch to another form.
In exchange, once you completed one full cycle up to the final form, you could start using the One Yang Qi accumulated through the One Yang Heart Method, and the drawback vanished.
In other words, from the next cycle onward, you could stop the forms at any time. At that point, you could employ variations of the seven forms, combining majestic external force with endlessly changing power.
It was a fairly powerful advanced martial art.
I thought that would end the dark space, but this time, old memories suddenly began to unfold.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ The author has added (Lee Hwan's Past * One Yang Seven Strike Sword Method Training). ⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ One Yang Seven Strike Sword Method Training (Lee Hwan's Past) Before regression, Lee Hwan failed to master the Heavenly Demon Fist Technique. At the time, with his progress blocked, he even tried training in the Heavenly Demon Sword Method as an escape, but it didn't help. Then he heard rumors that the One Yang Seven Strike Sword Method was circulating on the black market. The rumors were true, and Lee Hwan obtained it. The reason Lee Hwan focused on the One Yang Seven Strike Sword Method was its seven forms and the unique energy described similarly to Flame Heaven Qi: One Yang Qi. Their known forms resembled the Heavenly Demon Divine Art.
Flash—!
The moment I emerged from the dark space into reality, a woman's voice was waiting for me.
She probably couldn't even dream of it.
That in just a fleeting instant, I'd gone from a fist technique master to someone proficient in swordsmanship as well.
"Today's the day you prove yourself."
She spoke without giving her name.
I already knew a lot through the settings, but usually people introduce themselves, right?
Her sharp, fierce eyes betrayed a hint of surprise as she examined my ID.
"We'll talk about the rest on the way."
The path to the commercial building had been cleared efficiently for us.
The reason she hurried the moment she confirmed my identity was obvious.
At second-grade first-rate level, you were treated like a precious resource.
Especially in this country plagued by a shortage of talent, according to the settings.
"I'm Shin Eun-ah from the Safety Bureau, in charge of the site. Lee Hwan-ssi. It seems you haven't coordinated with upper command or the advance entry team, right?"
"Do I have to go through them?"
"Normally, yes. But since we've lost contact with the leader for a while... we can probably handle it with our authority."
Her explanation continued.
"Right now, only two guilds—Seven Ghosts Squad and Green Sword—are pushing forward with the raid."
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ Seven Ghosts Squad (Guild) A guild formed by the disciples of Ghost Shadow Seven Kills. ⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ Green Sword (Guild) Centered around goblin warrior Raek, includes members of the Green Alliance.
"The situation isn't good. Our Safety Bureau is preparing for the worst-case scenario of a Backside World explosion, but keep in mind it's all for the citizens' safety."
"I see. But you're not expecting me to enter right away, are you? As you can see, all I've got is my ID."
I couldn't enter without a weapon.
If someone volunteered to tackle a botched raid, they at least needed to provide gear.
"Understood. We don't have anything special."
Shin Eun-ah looked a bit reluctant but took the lead right away.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
The dark space that etched memories into my mind.
And a single flash of light within it. That was one set.
Cold weapons like swords, bows, spears; pistols, rifles, SMGs, grenades. Each time I picked one up and put it down, long-buried experiences bloomed anew.
There had been a time when I handled all these weapons.
I didn't dwell on the specifics of which battlefield that was.
One of the many perks of regression stories, right?
When the plot stalls, you can spin it out from the protagonist's past.
Fortunately, our author wasn't too hung up on this part and was busy reinforcing the settings.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ The author is reinforcing (Character * Lee Hwan). ⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ Reinforcement Reason: Lee Hwan began inspecting the weapons in the armory. His eyes, honed from handling countless weapons before regression, were anything but ordinary. ⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ Reinforcement Content: Lee Hwan is proficient with all kinds of infantry weapons. Among them, the sidearm he used was... ⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ The author is pondering. "Hmm. What does he use best among them?" ⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ ① Magnum Revolver ② Magnum Revolver ③ Magnum Revolver ⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ The author is hooked on 'Magnum Revolver'.
What the hell?
Magnum revolver? That's something you see as a final boss weapon in genre fiction, but in reality, it can't hold a candle to rifles.
...Right. I keep forgetting—this is inside a novel.
Once I thought about it that way, the empty chambers of the revolver without bullets looked dazzling.
The revolver magnum was the epitome of cool. Our author had made an excellent choice.
I'd been hoping for something more distinctive for the protagonist anyway.
But if it ended here, there'd be a hole in my character setting.
A body trained in the Heavenly Demon Divine Art carrying a pistol as a sidearm required some serious justification.
"Anything besides standard issue? Something proper?"
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ The author has reinforced the setting (Worldview * Firearms). ⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ Reinforcement Reason: "Anything besides standard issue? Something proper?" ⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ Reinforcement Content: ① Products from the Golden Clockwork Kingdom, especially the GR model firearm line, are considered essential weapons for any high-level ability user. ② Firearms from the Golden Clockwork Kingdom are popular, but true rare masterpieces come from the Dwarven Steel Nation. Weapons custom-made to the client's order embody artisan spirit on another level. Every ability user's dream is to equip a Steel Nation custom weapon. ③ There exists a craftsman in the martial world called Ghost Axe Chang. His workshop steadily produces masterpieces, and one of his greatest works yet to be made is the peerless masterpiece, One Bullet Thousand Ferocity Magnum Revolver Pistol. It has no durability issues even when firing endless Demon Bullets made from Demon Hearts as material. Other formidable abilities TBD. ⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ The author is considering (Episode – Beloved Weapon Retrieval). ⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ Beloved Weapon Retrieval (Episode) Content: The peerless weapon, Magnum Revolver One Bullet Thousand Ferocity, gifted to Lee Hwan by Ghost Axe Chang in the past. Before regression, Lee Hwan used it as his sidearm. After regression, Lee Hwan seeks out Ghost Axe Chang to reclaim it.
Indeed, once he gets on a roll, he can't be stopped.
Not that it's a bad thing—our tastes align perfectly, and it's a joy.
Like a tree that gives without end.
Back in reality, I pressed on.
"It's a place where even raids can't be guaranteed. At least arm me properly."
— Shin Eun-ah's Inner Thoughts "What a beggar. How can someone be so brazen? Think being a master lets you have it all?" For a moment, Shin Eun-ah was furious. "But... yeah." She had to swallow her anger. If this young master got offended and backed out of entering, and the Backside World exploded as a result... It would definitely affect her performance review. Her worried subordinates already knew the full situation and were all welcoming this martial artist's volunteer entry.
I spat it out as if reading her mind. Her thoughts were all laid out in the novel window anyway.
"Do I look like a beggar bastard to you?"
At that instant, the woman's face, radiating cold fury, twisted spectacularly.
Her cat-like features turned into those of a startled rabbit, her eyes blinking furiously.
"Wha... when did I ever say..."
She even stuttered.
She looked so adorably pitiful that I debated adding her to the heroine list.
I stated calmly.
"I'm not asking for much. Just equip me befitting a first-rate master. I rushed here without bringing anything."
"I can't just hand out high-rank weapons on my own."
"Then let's end it here. If you don't want someone volunteering to head into that deathtrap, no hard feelings."
When I cut her off sharply, Shin Eun-ah jumped in place.
"I-I never said I didn't want to. I don't have the authority anyway. Just tell me what you want first."
"GR Magnum pistol. Ammo too, handle it. One Demon Heart grenade, six standard grenades, multi-purpose reinforced vest, reinforced combat suit, reinforced combat boots. That shouldn't strain the authorities too much."
Shin Eun-ah's eyes narrowed.
"Do you know how much that gear costs?"
"Who knows. But one thing I can say for sure: it'll definitely be cheaper than my life."