“Senior Brother! I bought a real sword, so can I train with my sword instead of a wooden one starting today?”
“You bought a sword? Understood. But when you’re training with it, make sure to come to the front row. Those using real swords need to train at the front.”
What’s the reason for that?
Is it for style?
I mean, having only the cool kids with real swords at the front does look impressive. Even martial artists pay attention to this sort of thing. Obviously, if the legendary Kim Geunhyeop is in the center, it raises everyone’s visual game.
As expected, it’s the great actor Kim Geunhyeop.
“Make sure you don’t look back during your training. If beginners like you drop a real sword, someone could get hurt.”
“Ah, yes.”
So it’s for safety.
And so, today, I diligently practiced martial arts at the training hall. Starting with external techniques, then internal cultivation. And then, of course, the Six Combination Fist with the Three Calamity Sword Technique.
The first three, to be honest, I’ve pretty much mastered already. No need to talk about fitness. I can explosively grow my internal cultivation just by sticking to it as is. The Six Combination Fist? I absorbed everything from my taekwondo days.
Naturally, my concentration was entirely poured into mastering the Three Calamity Sword Technique.
“Follow me!”
“Hah!”
“Hiya!”
“Huah!”
I mimicked the movements of the top-tier martial artist, Master Hong, demonstrating the forms ahead. But the feeling was definitely different from before.
The difference between a real sword and a wooden sword was massive.
From the center of gravity to the texture, and the sensation of cutting through the air. Everything was so different that I had to spend time getting used to it.
“Right. The forms are a bit rougher now.”
As I was immersed in this, Senior Brother pointed it out while moving between us trainees.
“Oh, that’s…”
“It’s natural. Transitioning from wooden sword practice to real sword practice will obviously change things. Take your time to get used to it.”
“Yes! Senior Brother!”
Then let’s work harder.
I had practiced the forms for two weeks. Now I had learned how to swing the sword properly.
Now, imagine this.
What I’m holding isn’t a baseball bat, it’s a real sword.
Keep the balance so the blade doesn’t go wild.
—Swoosh!
The sword sliced through the air with a sound.
—Thwack!
With my foot firmly planted like a rooted tree, I felt sharper, as if my spirit itself had been refined.
Sharpness, that’s the echo of love.
A person who wields a real sword can get hurt by their own weapon. That thought crossed my mind, but I didn’t pick up martial arts for nothing. With the wooden sword as my base, I wasn’t making such rookie mistakes.
—Shhh!
I was slowly getting the hang of it.
The fruits of training never vanish. Even with a different weapon, I quickly adapted and returned to my original skill level.
“Like this.”
I can feel the change.
At first, I swung the sword like a baseball bat. Without focusing the strength on the blade, I left a lot of openings.
I haven’t fought anyone yet, so I’m not certain, but big swings made with a bat definitely have a lot of vulnerabilities.
If I were to face one of those bat-swingers? With the forms I’ve learned, it would be clear where all their openings are. That confidence overflowed from deep within me, and maybe because of that, the energy within me felt like it was flowing into the sword.
“Ah.”
A shiver.
Is this what ‘strength’ feels like?
I could only marvel at my own skills. If the Three Calamity Sword Technique was this strong, how powerful and mystical must the advanced sword techniques be? I was going crazy just wanting to see it. My thirst for martial arts was ignited.
The moment I trained with the sword felt incredibly enjoyable.
No matter what, sword training was the real deal. I was so focused. If I had studied like this, I could’ve gotten into Seoul National University. My aunt would have been so proud of me.
—Whoosh.
Swinging.
Clearing away.
Advancing and stabbing.
—Slash!
A truly perfect unfolding of forms.
“You’re doing great!”
I heard a voice from somewhere. My focus had intensified to the point where everything else seemed distant.
I want to go hunting demons soon.
I’m dying to test my new sword and my martial arts.
“Good job today! Everyone, wrap it up and head back! Since you’ve trained in martial arts, don’t forget to eat well, perform your breathing exercises, and rest thoroughly!”
“Understood!”
“Understood!”
And with that, the day’s training wrapped up, and I headed back.
—Crack!
I was exhausted from martial arts training, but I’ve never felt healthier or more powerful.
Lately, every day has been so fulfilling!
“This Martial Arts World feels pretty good…!”
Let’s keep this up!
Let’s keep this up!
*
“Server! One room here!”
A man shouted loudly as he entered the inn.
Besides the server, hardly anyone gave him a second glance, but two martial artists sitting in the corner were paying quite a bit of attention to him.
“…”
“…”
The names of the two martial artists were Chang Sam and Oh Su-man.
The two pretended to chat while observing the man who went up to his room.
“That guy… did he just become a martial artist?”
Chang Sam said in a sly tone.
“Looks that way.”
Oh Su-man replied with a sneaky grin.
“Seems like he’s new to the Jianghu (Martial World).”
“Hehehe… right. New to the Jianghu.”
The two, having sharpened their senses while rolling around at the bottom of this world, immediately recognized that the guy was fresh off the streets.
A drifter without foundations or connections.
Originally, he must have been working in Dahoebang, but now that he’s got a sword at his waist, it seems he’s finally saved up enough to become a martial artist.
“If that’s the case, Chang Sam. We need to teach him what this Jianghu is all about.”
“Oh Su-man, you’re sharp as ever. You’re absolutely right.”
It’s an elder’s duty to guide freshies entering the martial world. Likewise, it’s only natural for a junior receiving such guidance to treat his senior well afterwards.
Chang Sam and Oh Su-man were third-rate martial artists, but they firmly believed they had enough skill to handle such a no-name rookie.
Just a regular dude who was doing labor until yesterday.
If we pin him down now, we can seize whatever wealth he has, and regularly reap a nice side benefit too.
Chang Sam and Oh Su-man began planning to ambush Kim Geunhyeop.
A labor worker with no backers and no skills? He’s a tempting target.
*
“Ugh. So stiff.”
Mornings are for hard labor and evenings for martial arts training. Juggling both is a bit tough. I need to get back, devour some high-calorie food, do my breathing exercises, and crash before I potentially die.
In today’s world, where even modern people wind up suffering from overwork, no less in the martial world.
As I walked through the dimly-lit street, lost in thought, I noticed two figures appearing from an alley.
“…”
What the hell?
Who do these guys think they are popping up like that?
Feeling my caution rise, I tried to walk past them without acknowledging them.
“Hey, you there.”
“Yeah, we’re talking to you.”
These punks called out to me.
I instinctively sensed it.
Things are about to get ugly.
“What do you want?”
I replied nonchalantly as I sized them up.
It was dark, so I couldn’t see them very well. They looked normal, but with swords at their waists, it was clear they were martial artists… Once I realized that, I caught a glimpse of the greed and superiority shining in their eyes.
That alone told me they were up to something. Likely after my cash and valuables! They were here to shake me down!
“Looks like you’re being rude. Quite the cocky one, huh?”
“Hey, you. You just became a martial artist recently, didn’t you?”
The two thugs chuckled.
I decoded the meaning in their smiles.
It’s confirmed.
This is a killing smile.
Only those who’ve killed can carry such a murderous grin.
These freaking monsters in front of me!
They must be murderers operating in the martial world! They’re planning to kill me and take my money. Realizing this only amplified my sense of doom as my heart raced.
Cold sweat started to roll down my back.
“So, what do you want from me?”
I spoke calmly, not wanting my voice to shake.
“What do we want? You really are a cocky little bug, aren’t you?”
“Oh, calm down. We just wanted to have a little chat. If you raise your voice, this kid will get scared.”
“Hmph! That’s right.”
No matter what I said, they carried on as if they couldn’t care less.
I wasn’t sure, but this was a typical killer’s demeanor.
Every fiber of my being screamed at me.
Should I run?
“Now, let’s not stand there. Why don’t you come with us to a quieter spot? Since we’re seniors in the Jianghu, we’d like to share some insights with you.”
“Hehe, absolutely. We’ll share anything for a small price. We’re just that generous.”
They’re talking nonsense!
“Price?”
As soon as money came up, my mind cleared up!
It’s quite likely these bastards are murderers, but they don’t seem affiliated with any faction. I’ve heard that martial artists usually reveal their affiliations in situations like this.
—Thump thump!
As my heart raced, the gears in my brain began to spin faster.
Let’s deduce this.
These guys were waiting for me here. It wasn’t a spur-of-the-moment shake down. They’d made the decision to ambush me, gathering information and biding their time.
But something doesn’t add up.
Would they really go this far for someone like me? If they had strength, they could just come at me straight, take my stuff, or kill me. Plus, if they’ve done their homework, they’d know I don’t have backing. They could easily take control simply by stating their faction.
Yet, they didn’t.
So it’s clear they’re not from any faction. Moreover, since they would go through this trouble to target me, it wouldn’t be smart to provoke them.
These guys are just two-bit thugs with swords.
If I was to flee… time to make my move.
“Yeah! The price! As a junior in the Jianghu, tell me how I can pay my dues!”
“Then, don’t just stand there like a statue. Come with us. This would be good for you too. If you have help from seniors like us in the Jianghu, you’ll be safer.”
“You wouldn’t want to sully our reputation by rejecting us, would you? If you do that, you’ll be a dead man!”
Time to run.
That’s the right choice.
But…
“…”
This isn’t Earth, it’s the martial world.
Even if I run, I’ll probably just run into these thugs again. They’ll think of me as a coward, and from then on, they’ll try to push me around and exploit me.
I can’t go out like that.
And I can’t even be sure I could escape at all. If they’re faster than me, I’m done for.
My mind screamed a vital command!
—Thwack.
In an instant, I gripped the sword’s hilt.
—Swish.
And drew it.
The iron sword in my hand felt heavy. My heart raced and my head spun. The fear creeping from my fingertips numbed my extremities.
I felt as if I might collapse from the contrast of my heated body against the cold chilling my senses.
Yet, I stood firm.
“Hmm…?”
“Uh?”
Their voices turned surprised.
Yeah… what’s important now isn’t running away.
The most crucial thing is resolve.
Resolve!
“These damn lowlifes…!”
My will to fight was blazing!
“Hah…! Hah!”
That’s what I need!
I’d never thought deeply about it before, but there must be a ton of scummy thugs like these in the martial world. Look at me; I’ve only been a martial artist for a few days, and I’m already dealing with this crap.
They must’ve turned me into a target the moment I became a martial artist.
Does that mean I have to surrender my hard-earned cash every time some thug shows up?
Hell, no!
Who the hell do they think they are taking what I earned with sweat and blood?
“How dare you scumbags threaten me! Do you have a death wish?”
I’m not about to let anyone take what I’ve worked so hard for to earn!
Even back on Earth, I wouldn’t put up with this kind of garbage!
If they want to take what’s mine, they’d better be ready to pay the price!
—Roar!
A furious anger boiled up, and my lower body started heating up rapidly. In that moment, it felt like that energy was spreading throughout my body.
I could feel the blood coursing through every vein, making me feel invincible!
“This crazy kid! You want to fight us?”
“Haha! It’s amusing! Just freshly minted as a martial artist, and you dare to draw your sword!”
“You’ll regret pulling our swords! We’re not letting you off the hook!”
Regret?
“Regret? Who’s regretting—these scumbags!!!”
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