Chapter 20

Chapter 20: I Keep Getting Stronger

“Your body is now starting to take shape.”

About a week had passed since Gi Soyul joined us.

The old man was pounding my body again today.

“This means we need to increase the intensity... I reckon you must understand that.”

“Gah! Argh!”

“Endure it. A true disciple of mine should be able to have their flesh cut and bones scraped without anesthesia and remain composed. Why are you so lacking in patience!”

Assault.

“W-Wait, this is just violence!”

And what did he just say? No anesthesia while cutting flesh and scraping bones? Does he think I’m Guan Yu* or something?

*Chinese general who served under Liu Bei, was worshipped as a god of war.

“You little...” The old man’s mouth twitched.

“You dare to call my painstakingly crafted ‘Great Technique of the Celestial Artisan’ mere ‘violence’? Such insolence is truly disheartening. I suggest you be prepared for this.”

“Wh-What? Wait a moment, elder!”

“Silence.”

—Bam! Bam! Bam!

The old man’s fists burned with fury. It felt like a volcano was erupting inside my body. My head was spinning, and my whole body felt like it was falling into an abyss.

“Aaaah!”

It felt like my entire body was melting. For 30 minutes, I endured a beating disguised as a massage.

[Skill, ‘Pain Resistance’ (C-rank) has been upgraded.]

[You have acquired the skill ‘Pain Resistance’ (B-rank)!]

[This skill has the potential for further growth.]

“...”

I was beyond caring. Even though I had advanced a rank, I was too in pain and exhausted to feel any joy.

With tears in my eyes, I lay on the ground, staring blankly at the sky.

—Swoosh.

Gi Soyul’s face appeared above me, casting a shadow.

“...What are you looking at?” I grumbled.

She exclaimed, “I can’t get used to it, no matter how many times I see it. You’ve been undergoing this kind of training every day since then... No wonder you’re growing so fast.”

“Ugh, I don’t even have the strength to answer.”

“I’ll keep watch. Stay strong.”

I had explained everything to her: the old man’s techniques and his dream of having a disciple.

Gi Soyul accepted it surprisingly smoothly.

Trust and belief are built through honest words and actions. Since I had never lied to her, she believed in me as well.

It was fortunate the old man understood.

The Master of All Techniques didn’t mind. Gi Soyul couldn’t see him anyway, and he thought no one could replicate his teaching methods just by watching. Even if she learned his techniques, the old man seemed uninterested.

He had completely let go of his desire for a singular legacy. For an old man who had longed for a disciple, it was likely a blessing that anyone could inherit all his skills.

A grudge as cold as frost... can sometimes transform into a hope as hot as a furnace.

That’s why he could be generous. He even looked forward to it.

An extraordinary being with a unique ability, me, was a chance to pass on his techniques, which he couldn’t achieve in the other world.

The absolute master with white hair faintly smiled at the emotion he felt for the first time.

“Get up already, can’t you? We still have 30 minutes left!”

“Yes, yes... How dare I lie down at my level right now? I’ll get up right away.”

I mustered my remaining strength and stood up.

Whose turn was it today? I’d gone through Boney 1 to Boney 5 and trained Boney 2 yesterday. So today it was Boney 3’s turn.

—Creak!

Boney 3 stepped forward with eager eyes.

The skeletons were growing stronger every day. Their stats had increased significantly, and their skill levels were also rising. Most of their skills had reached level 8.

The problem is...

As the skeletons grew stronger, I had to learn as well.

Status window.

I summoned the status window in my mind.

[Hunter: Joo Donghoon]

Honestly, she was doubtful at first. A skill where an elder materializes to teach for an hour each day? It was unheard of.

But now she had no choice but to believe it because she could feel his energy improving each passing moment.

Besides, she had eyes and ears. She couldn’t dismiss his daily screams and struggles as mere acting. The process of his body twisting and bones restructuring due to an invisible force...

It’s gruesome.

Gi Soyul shook her head. Even someone like her, who would do anything to get stronger, found it distasteful.

Ordinary people would have given up long ago.

But the man’s determination was remarkable. The resolve she read in his eyes when they first met was unyielding.

I have to acknowledge it.

An opportunity is not just an opportunity for everyone. It becomes a true opportunity only when you have the ability and mental strength to accept it. Gi Soyul, as a ranker, knew this better than anyone.

Thus, she acknowledged Joo Donghoon.

I need to observe him more closely.

Gi Soyul decided to stay by Joo Donghoon’s side.

Beyond their promise, it was an instinctive judgment. Watching over him, she felt she could break through her limits.

Deep in her heart, she still remembered the image of an absolute being—a master who remained unshaken despite her numerous challenges. It was an elder with the strength of a mountain and the depth of the ocean.

His techniques were outstanding. Whether wielding a sword or a bow, he was stronger than any ranker she had ever met.

Even in assassination techniques...

As the so-called queen of assassins, she had been completely outmatched by his assassination skills.

I’m jealous.

To be honest, she envied Joo Donghoon. She knew how hard it was to find a good teacher. No matter how capable, smart, or rich you might be, you needed a good teacher to grow properly.

After hundreds of days of training and thousands of days in dungeons, you eventually hit a ‘limit’ on your own.

Just like she did.

That’s why she looked forward to seeing how much Joo Donghoon would grow under the elder’s teachings. She wanted to watch him closely to see how high he would climb in the continuously changing ranker system.

* * *

In a luxurious mansion...

A figure emerged from the shadows.

It was Ko Jaeyoung, an A-rank assassin of the Shadow Lurkers.

“...”

—Gulp.

Even as an A-rank, he swallowed nervously. Because before him stood Nick Jakan, the owner of the Shadow Lurkers—ranked 92nd in the world, also known as the “Hellhound.”

“So you need support because of Gi Soyul?”

“Y-Yes, sir.”

Having failed his mission, Ko Jaeyoung had already reported everything about Joo Donghoon in detail. He had attempted to approach him several times, but Gi Soyul’s vigilance was too tight.

“Hmm, the Parang Guild is not a pleasant opponent for us.” Jakan rubbed his chin in thought.

The Parang Guild had two rankers. Giparang, ranked 58th in the world, and a renowned archer. Gi Soyul, ranked 380th in the world, and the queen of assassins.

“Gi Soyul I can handle, but Giparang is tricky even for me. Besides, the Shadow Lurkers have many enemies. It’s disadvantageous if things get noisy.”

At Jakan’s words, Ko Jaeyoung’s gaze wavered. “I apologize. I should have dealt with it before Gi Soyul intervened.”

“Hmm.” Jakan tapped his thigh with his fingers, a habit he had when his mind was troubled. “...Is it really an opportunity that could destroy even rankers?”

“Yes. Seeing as that difficult woman, Gi Soyul, is taking interest, it’s certain.”

“True.”

Gi Soyul was a well-known hardliner among rankers. She never bowed to anyone and was highly obsessed with dungeons.

“I must admit, it’s tempting.”

—Snap!

Jakan snapped his fingers.

—Swoosh!

An assassin appeared beside him—Jakan’s secretary.

“Did you call for me?”

“How is the Shadow Lurkers’ schedule?”

“We are fully booked for the next month.”

“A month, huh?” Jakan turned back to Ko Jaeyoung. “Joo Donghoon, was it? What was his rank again?”

“He is ranked E.”

“He still has a long way to go.”

No matter how great an opportunity was, it took time to grow. An F-rank could never become an S-rank overnight, even with the help of an opportunity.

Jakan made a decision and nodded. “Fine. Clear my schedule after a month from now. I’ll go see him for myself.”

With only Gi Soyul protecting him, Jakan judged it would be worth a try.