I stare blankly at what I assume is a white ceiling.
The room was dark; I believe the switch is outside, as I can't find any switches inside.
I would be comfortable with the lights on, but to do so, I need to remove the blockade I made on the door.
However. Here's where the problem arises.
From the left shoulder blades down to my hands, it hurts.
My left ankle swelled up.
I think it got sprained when that evolved mutated cat slammed into me.
But now it's bearable.
I spent 300c on a healing potion. I needed to spend about an hour resting.
Now I could have bought a more expensive 500c immediate recovery potion, but I want to rest for a bit and organize some ideas.
"Status"
[Name: Kim Seojin]
[Age: 14]
[Sponsor: None]
[Exclusive Attributes: Blessed by Imaginary (Heroic), Fantasist (General), Reason (Rare), Raging Flames (Rare), Foreigner (Unique), and Mass Murderer (General).]
[Exclusive Skills: Analysis Lv5, Instinct Lv3, Continuation Lv3]
[Overall Stats: Physique Lv. Lv. 10, Strength Lv. 10, Agility Lv. 10, Magic Power Lv. 8]
[Coins: 4000c]
Besides buying the potion, I also maxed my physical stats, although it hurt seeing 900 coins gone, but it was well worth it.
'Back to the idea'
An idea had stuck in my head.
As I had felt a great surge of strength when I used coins to upgrade my physical strength, shouldn't I feel the same with magic if I update my magic power state?
Excitement rushed through my system.
"Ugh…"
I growl in pain.
In the rush of excitement I moved my shoulder too quickly and sat on my injured leg.
"I really shouldn't have been a cheapskate while buying."
I carefully get in a meditative position.
"Here goes nothing."
I close my eyes, taking slow breathes.
- Trying to feel the world around.
My body relaxes.
I imagine being surrounded by mana- blue orbs waving around me.
[Exclusive attribute fantasist activates.]
Seconds passed, turning into minutes.
After a while I lost count.
Nothing
Exhale*
Inhale*
Exhale*
Inhale*
….
[Exclusive attribute blessed by imaginary responses strongly]
I felt a pull within myself.
Something was emptying out fast.
Exhaustion was creeping into my body.
I understand instinctively; my body is trying to sense it.
Finally, I apply the plan.
[Magic power has reached the scenario limit.]
[Magical power courses through your being.]
That was it.
As if the missing piece of the puzzle had been delivered
[Exclusive skill analysis activates]
[Exclusive attribute reason strengthens analysis]
My senses got flooded with a foreign sensation I never felt before. It felt like a friend I knew all along, and yet it was just now I could sense him.
I was surrounded by it.
It was very calm—peaceful.
I slowly open my eyes.
[Congratulations! You have learned to sense mana]
[You earned the skill "mana sense".]
My face bloomed in a big smile.
I felt proud.
Although my body felt drained, the smile didn't leave my face.
[Constellations became curious as to why you are smiling to yourself.]
"You lots are curious as to why I am smiling?" I ask, beaming a sunny smile.
[Constellations nod their heads.]
"I managed to sense mana."
Now, if I were in my usual state of mind, I don't think I would have said it. But at this moment, I was too high with joy and exhausted to think.
[Some constellations retort that everyone can sense mana if they use skill.]
There was a moment of silence to the messages from the constellations. In seconds my vision gets flooded with messages asking whether I got the skill to sense mana.
I pay no mind to that.
With my back against a wall, I go unconscious with a smile on my face.
...
I slowly open my eyes.
'It's turning into a habit at this point.'
I stand up trying to shake off the soreness in my legs.
I try out the skill [mana sense].
My senses got filled with that euphoric sensation.
I cancel the skill and instead try to do it on my own.
Nothing
Panic set in.
Surely not!
I learned it by performing the act without the skill. Surely I can do it without it.
I wait, trying for 5 minutes.
Until
It all clicked.
The feeling returned.
Doing it manually feels weird. It's like using a limb you didn't use. There was a clear difference between the system provided and doing it manually.
I have to concentrate intensely to sense mana, while the system skill does it automatically.
However, it seems sensing on my own causes little mana usage.
[Mana Sense lv1 > 3]
I stare at the interface.
I really need to get used to keeping my mana sense manually active. System skills work more like an active skill.
...*fast forward*
Carrying the bag on my back and a bat in hand, I march forward.
The potion really worked.
I felt no problem moving. Like I was never injured.
After walking a bit, my eyes caught a sign.
"Haidong Gumdo School"
In South Korea, knife regulation is very strict. Finding a knife suitable for self-defense is nearly impossible.
However, the Haidong Gumdo School may have swords available. They tend to have some for training.
I excitedly approach the door, which is in an alley.
Its lock was intact.
Stars gleamed in my eyes – I giggled at the possibility that the place isn't looted.
Upon closer inspection, I could see some dents—indicating someone tried to break in but failed.
I wonder, strength 10 should be enough, no?
*Crack
My heart was pounding with excitement.
I slowly open the wooden door.
I am in luck!!
.....
After searching I found my holy grail.
2 Jin-gum or live blades.
I found 2!!
I quickly put down my bag and rush toward them.
They are heavier than I thought.
I unsheathe the blade; in the shiny surface, I can see my own reflection.
After looking around, I find some sword straps.
I put on the sword strap to my left and hang the swords.
Giving it a few tugs to ensure it's secure.
Another idea struck my head.
Similar to how I can learn skills like mana sense, can sword proficiency also be learned through reading?
At the far right, I noticed shelves filled with books.
I look at the books, stacked neatly upon the shelves.
I flipped through book after book.
'Not this'
I pick up another
'No, not this either.'
In frustration I look away from the book on my hand.
All of them are either techniques for sports or syllubus.
I don't need to score hits.
I need techniques developed to fight
I abandon the first row.
'Nothing'
Next one
'Still nothing'
Damn it.
"I have looked through all the books…."
Do they not really have it?
IMPOSSIBLE,
If they have live blades, certainly there will be instructions.
My gaze fell to the desk of the dojo master.
I try to open the drawer.
locked
I pull harder, causing the whole drawer to break open.
found it
"Muye Dobo Tongji."
I flipped through it.
'YES!'
"This is it…"
This is a book on how to use a sword.
How to finish battles - to kill.
I began laughing.
[Some constellations admire your thoughtfulness about understanding the importance of knowledge.]
[Sponsor 100 coins]
I decided to take only 1 bat and 4 additional dull swords.
[Secretive plotter appreciates your caution but thinks taking 4 swords is a bit muchandrecommends you take 2.
I pause for a moment.
"Thank you."
Although reluctant, I put 2 swords away.
Finally, after making sure everything is strapped up and ready, I continue on the journey.
I still haven't forgotten.
I need to get to a Dongmyo subway before midnight.
As I exit the perimeter, my instinct signals.
Now I don't tense up.
I adjust my grip on the swords.
Ready to strike.
I feel the rushing wind.
My sense picks up their presence.
I look toward the 3 mutated dogs rushing at me.
The lead dog was the biggest; it had a scare on its face.
The other two were trailing behind.
My grip tightens unconsciously as I become a little nervous.
This is my first time facing multiple at once.
I switch my sword for my bat, as I am more familiar with it.
As they got closer, they spread apart, trying to circle me in.
I didn't let them.
I rush toward the one on the left. It was the smallest.
It leaped back as the middle bigger one leaped, aiming for my hand. At the corner of my eye, I see the last one circling behind me.
I pivot my hip as I strike the big mutated dog across its torso into the last one.
The smallest one attempted to take advantage of the opening.
Unfortunately for it, I am faster.
Before it could leap, I bashed its head in.
I look toward the other two.
It seems I killed it.
I switch my bat to the blade. I want to practice with it.
I recall how the book instructed on how to slash a target; I run the image in my mind.
I wait.
The mutated dog didn't want to charge anymore. Oh well, I will charge then.
Seeing me charging at it, the mutated dog charged as well.
As we got closer, I shifted my weight to the side, moved back a step, and swung my blade, aiming for its throat.
The blade went halfway through before it got stuck.
As I have sliced its neck open, resulting in its death.
However, I failed to decapitate it.
[You have earned sword proficiency Lv. 1.]
[You successfully hunted 3 mutated dogs.]
[Reward: 300 coins]
As soon as I got the skill, I immediately understood what went wrong.
My blade alignment was off.
I was struggling to free the sword as it was stuck.
Yet now it was effortless.
It was honestly marvelous how a single skill got me this much knowledge.
I swing the blood off my sword and continue walking forward.
No more than five minutes pass when I am in the company of 3 more, some form of mutated dogs.
Their furs are dark red. Their eyes were bloody red with black pupils. The legs were longer. Body liner, eyes straighter.
These ones didn't wait. They immediately charged.
They were faster than normal mutated dogs.
I grab the paw of the monster that is trying to bite my face and slam it into the third one while kicking away the one that is trying to bite my leg.
I didn't want them to recover; I charged toward the closest one.
It was already on its feet.
It rushes at full speed, extending a claw to my gut.
I sidestep from its aim as I simultaneously cut its neck open. A gushing fountain of blood exploded behind me.
My blade didn't stop there. I continue the motion and slice through the next one.
Blood sprayed all over me. I rush toward the last one. It tried to put up a fight but with one slash—headless.
[Congratulations on killing Grade 9 (mid) blood chaser.]
[Compensation: 450 coins]
A different species, each granting 150c.
"Thank you for the contribution."
After thanking the blood chasers, I walk away from the battle place.
1 sword unsheathed
Another is ready to be drawn, attached to the hip on my right, and the dull swords on my back, strapped with the backpack.
I am also carrying the bat just in case.
...*Much later*
Blood can be seen dripping from the blade edge. Surrounding me are 5 dumpster rat carcasses.
This is the 5th time I have encountered attacks in just under 30 minutes.
As the sun sets, the attacks are getting more frequent.
I have killed 26 monsters—mostly mutated monsters.
"Glad to have these blades."
[Sword proficiency lv. 3->4]
[Instincts lv 3->4]
The blade now feels a lot more familiar. It's a sensation difficult to explain with words.
I look at the distant horizon; there I could see a big dome. I am currently making a detour toward it.
I had tried to silent walk, but it slows my pace so much I decide to do it another time.
As I walk,
Howl*
I could feel the ground shake.
This shake is stronger than the periodic ones'.
A new fight must have started somewhere close.
I pick up my pace.
My instincts start indicating danger.
[Mana Sense]
I felt dazed from sensory overload but quickly recovered.
The surrounding mana was spread out evenly.
I look around and spot a bunch of mana, which breaks the even distribution of mana hiding by the alley.
Around 10…
I dry swallow unconsciously; facing 10 monsters at once is a first.
Should I face them?
But life doesn't wait for anyone. They are slowly approaching, muscles coiled, saliva dripping from their jaws.
Berserk wolves
[Some constellations are getting excited.]
Growling
"Damnation"
I slowly backpaddle in a way that I am not surrounded.
They split 5 to 5, rotating in opposite directions.
Pack hunting
'I have to strike first.'
Taking my second sword out, I stride forward.
The Berserk wolves pivot back a little, trying to form a U structure.
But my target isn't them.
In the corner of my eyes, I see the left group rushing.
As they got closer,
I change direction midstride, swinging the sword in an arc.
Blood flies in an arc as I slash the throat of the biggest wolf to my left.
One downed nine…
Another jumped.
I kick it away, slamming with the group to my right, blocking their advance.
I skewer one with my left sword and use it as a shield while decapitating another.
3 gone, 7 to go.
I free my swords, my gaze fixed on the remaining wolves.
Adjusting my breath, my gaze lands toward the remaining ones.
They didn't pay any mind to their dead companions. True to their name, they charged again.
I try to pick off the loner to my left.
They start circling in
I leap back, trying to bait them to jump.
They rushed forward.
I feel their movement, how they are charging at me frantically.
'Perfect'
I turn sharply, decapitating one as I shift to the left.
Kick the one near me right into two others.
The ones on the left attempt to retreat, too late...
I step on the head of the one closest to me. Using it as a stepping stone, rush toward the other two.
A crunch echoed beneath me.
By that time,
I am already at the target's face.
Two slash
2 heads rolling.
I look back; the one I stepped on isn't moving.
Just to be safe, I stab it.
I stare at the last three.
Without delaying further, I rush toward them.
I slash through one and stab one to my right. The last one tried to bite my throat; I parried it and slashed it through its neck.
All dead—fights over.
[Some constellations are satisfied with your fight.]
[Sponsored 200 coins]
[You successfully hunted 10 berserk wolves.]
[Reward: 1500 coins]
[You earned the achievement Canine Hunter.]
[Reward: 500c]
'Honestly, it wasn't that difficult.'
I finally look at the distance.
"Wait! The dome's gone!"