Chapter 4

Chapter 4

[Translator – Prøks]

[Proofreader – Prøks]

Chapter 4: Above Everyone

Kim Minwoo’s eyes fluttered shut as he lost consciousness. His mind swirled, everything becoming hazy like a dream.

‘Did I faint?’

It wasn’t surprising. He had been on the verge of collapsing from exhaustion.

At that moment, a message appeared before his eyes.

[Calculating Achievements]

[The body possesses the worst possible talent. All achievement calculations will be adjusted accordingly.]

[Achievement ‘The Duel of One Hundred Billion’ Achieved!]

[Truly an extravagant display of wealth!]

[Rank: B]

[Achievement ‘What the Hell Are You?’ Achieved!]

[One of the main characters in the game is now closely observing you!]

[Rank: B+]

[Achievement ‘Overpowering Battle Continuation’ Achieved!]

[You’ve demonstrated extraordinary fighting spirit despite your pitiful body!]

[Rank: A]

[Achievement ‘Swordsmanship Prodigy from the Start’ Achieved!]

[You’ve brought great enlightenment to over a hundred outstanding swordsmen!]

[Rank: A+]

[Achievement ‘Crazed Ordinary Person’ Achieved!]

[You’ve engaged in a fierce duel with an S-Rank Awakened!]

[Rank: S]

[Achievement ‘Master of the Sword Saint’ Achieved!]

[The Sword Saint has begun to face the wall that was blocking his path!]

[Rank: S+]

[Achievement ‘Founder of a Swordsmanship Style’ Achieved!]

[You’ve created a swordsmanship style of astonishing caliber during your Awakening!]

[Rank: ??]

[Calculating total achievement value]

[Calculating... ]

[This is an unprecedented achievement that defies all categorization]

[The existing ranking system is incapable of expressing its value]

[A new achievement rank must be created]

Kim Minwoo’s eyes widened as more messages appeared before him.

The highest achievement rank he had received so far was S.

But now, he was seeing phrases that he had never seen before.

‘Could it be... higher than S?’

His heart pounded.

If he could achieve achievements above S rank from the start!

He would be able to far surpass the previous E-rank Kim Minwoo who had learned the Spinning Slash.

‘But what’s this meeting about?’

Just then, Minwoo tilted his head.

Unlike before, blue messages began to appear.

‘This is... .’

He had only seen it once while playing the game.

It was the message that had appeared before he moved to the 6th stage!

It was the same.

<1. Incredible. To think that a being who has surpassed the limits of his species would appear. >

<1. He has shown us the potential. Should we raise the growth limit of humanity? >

Soon, messages of various colors began to appear alongside the blue ones.

[2. Is there really a need for that? That human is just a special exception.]

[3. 0 and 1 are different. The fact that one has appeared means that there could be two, three, and more. The possibility is important.]

[4. If we intervene, ??? will start to exert his power as well. It’s dangerous.]

<1. Shouldn't there be a price for taking risks? >

[3. I agree with her. We’ve been stagnant. It’s time for a bold decision.]

‘What the hell?’

The messages were conversing as if they were alive. It was a sight he had never seen before in his life.

Just then...

[2. But I still object... Wait. Is that human... eavesdropping on our conversation right now?]

[Warning!]

[The beings inside the barrier have become aware of the anomaly!]

Minwoo shivered at the sudden chill.

<1. There's no time for small talk. We need to resolve this issue before the author wakes up. I'm in favor. >

[3. I’ll put my faith in humanity. I agree.]

[4. ...They’ll probably find out about us. Fine. I suppose we can push them a little. I agree.]

2. Do you guys have the confidence to back this up? Are you crazy...

Votes: 3 in favor, 1 against.

Motion passed.

The world line is changing!

Transcendence of the Species!

The potential of all ‘humans’ is greatly increased!

Achievement: ‘He Who Opened the Horizon’ Achieved! This achievement will be added to the existing achievements!

Warning! Warning! Warning!

??? senses the anomaly!

??? begins to search for the cause!

Be careful. ??? will not take this situation lightly!

* * *

Minwoo opened his eyes to the fragrant smell of herbs. He was inside a vat filled with a warm, brown liquid.

‘This is... .’

It was the Tears of the Sword, a legendary healing potion passed down through the generations of the Sword Sect.

Its main effects were to relax muscles, improve blood circulation, and cleanse the blood vessels.

“No.”

“Well, of course not...”

The Sword Saint’s words trailed off.

“Do you not plan to become a swordsman?”

“Yes.”

“Why not?”

Why not...

The Sword Saint was making a grave mistake.

He only seemed like a genius because he was using the swordsmanship created by the future Sword Saint.

With the best expert in the world controlling his body, of course he would look like a genius.

‘But the shelf life is short.’

What about after he became an Awakened?

A swordsman was a profession that relied heavily on the physical body. His growth would eventually hit a wall.

After all, Kim Minwoo’s physical talent was the worst.

Conclusion.

Kim Minwoo, you’re better off as a Necromancer than a swordsman.

That was the conclusion reached by a pilot who had experienced countless battles in the air and on the ground.

He didn’t have to explain all that to the Sword Saint...

“I have seen my limits.”

“You have seen your... limits?”

The Sword Saint’s eyes narrowed.

“What did you see?”

“The illusion and the boundary between it. The realm of ‘no-self’ that exists between them.”

What was he talking about?

To be honest, he didn’t know either.

After he created the Wind-Lightning Sword Technique.

He was only repeating the words that the Sword Saint had uttered after breaking through the wall.

‘This old man did talk a lot about catching clouds.’

An excruciating silence followed.

“Illusion, boundary, no-self...”

The Sword Saint closed his eyes as if he had sensed something and muttered quietly to himself.

“I realized it instinctively. That I can’t go any further than this. But I don’t want to set limits on myself just yet. If it’s in a different field other than the sword, maybe I can.”

The Sword Saint closed his eyes quietly.

As expected...

At times like this, catching clouds was the best.

“I’ll be going now. The donation will be sent over soon.”

Kim Minwoo left the inner chamber, leaving the silent Sword Saint behind.

Ye-rim, who had been unable to do anything as she watched her grandfather with his eyes closed, plopped down on the spot.

‘Illusion? Boundary? No-self? What on earth is he talking about?’

She didn’t understand a thing.

Just then, the Sword Saint opened his eyes wide.

“...It’s too far away.”

“...What?”

“He’s not just a brilliant talent, Kim Minwoo is a genius!”

“Is he... really?”

Seo Yerim’s voice dropped as she asked back.

“Yes. He’s a genius you’d only see once in ten thousand years! A monster has appeared at Ilsung Group. This is not the time for this. Bring me my phone! Quick!”

A moment ago, even the Sword Saint didn’t know exactly what Kim Minwoo’s words meant.

However, he was able to grasp a few subtle clues.

It was an enlightenment of the heart.

If he could just flesh out this itchy feeling a little more!

He might even be able to see the next and the next level.

That’s why the Sword Saint made a decision.

To build a stronger relationship with Ilsung Group, which had been kept neutral until now.

If he did that, wouldn’t he have more contact with Kim Minwoo?

He had long since abandoned the ridiculous desire to take him as a disciple.

After all, Kim Minwoo was already a complete swordsman who had seen the end.

‘He doesn’t have to be a swordsman.’

Now, the Sword Saint just wanted to talk to him a little more. No, if possible, a lot more.

“Hehehe, Chairman Kim? It’s Seo Jinchul. I’m calling because...”

* * *

On his way out of the Sword Sect.

The guards’ gazes were drawn to him. Their eyes were filled with countless questions.

‘Please bear with me, friends.’

Now it was time for the most important and sacred task.

He didn’t have the time to spare on private conversations.

Fortunately, the guards seemed to have noticed his mood and were professionally holding back their questions.

Once he got into the back seat of the car.

“Take me to the main house.”

He closed all the windows with the curtains. The interior turned into a darkroom.

Now it was time to create the EX-rank skill book.

[Using the Job Skillbook (EX)!]

[You have selected the job, Necromancer!]

[Warning: Once you choose a job, you cannot go back!]

[Would you like to create your first EX-rank skill as a Necromancer?]

‘Of course!’

A light burst out and...

[You are transferring to Necromancer.]

[Stats are being generated.]

[Inventory is being opened.]

[You are being granted an EX-rank skill.]

A message appeared before Minwoo’s eyes.

[Translator – Prøks]

[Proofreader – Prøks]