The next day.
I woke up early and prepared to go out.
“Is this really my first martial arts adventure?”
It felt a bit late, but it couldn’t be helped. I didn’t even have the conditions to practice martial arts in the first place. You need money to learn any martial art.
Now that I’ve finally secured that economic stability, it’s time to learn some skills.
It really feels like I’ve stepped into a martial arts world.
“Hehe.”
Thinking about investing in myself made me smile. Yes. From today, I’m going to invest in martial arts.
If I learn martial arts and get stronger, hunting demons will surely become easier. What does that mean? I can earn more money.
If I make a lot of money, I can enjoy delicious meals every day and sleep in better inns. My future life will undoubtedly be more comfortable.
But, this is actually a secondary concern.
“Survival.”
Above all, survival.
To survive long in this martial arts world, completely alien to modern Earth, I need martial arts skills. How long can a powerless commoner stand on their own?
Thinking that way filled my mind with a sense of mission that no matter what, I must learn martial arts. My spirit is ignited. Yes, martial arts. From today, it’s all about martial arts for me. From now on, I’ll be a martial artist named Kim Geunhyeop. Ultra-elite? Once I learn martial arts, not just transcendent abilities, I’ll be ready to soar into greatness too.
In the past, I was an extra in historical dramas while dreaming of becoming an actor, but now, everything’s changing.
Change it. Change it. Change it all, except for my wife.
I came to the martial arts world, so isn’t it nonsense not to learn martial arts?
From today, I am a martial artist!
“Server!”
I called out powerfully as I came down to the first floor.
“Yes!”
“Give me a dumpling and a bowl of noodles!”
“That’ll be 30 coins.”
“Here… Oh, and.”
I handed the server an extra coin and asked.
“Is there a place nearby where I can learn martial arts?”
First off, to learn martial arts, I need to find a place that teaches it.
Generally, those places are martial sects or training halls. I know of some famous sects. I’ve heard of the Five Great Sects—at least, I know their names: Hwasan Sect, Mudang Sect… there are quite a few.
But getting into those places is a tall order.
Famous sects are just as inaccessible as the hidden, secret academies of modern-day. You need talent, connections, and plenty of money to get in. I may not know everything, but I’m sure I don’t fit in there right now.
However, that’s not the only place to learn martial arts in this martial arts world. Of course, there are places teaching martial arts in neighborhoods like this.
That’s where I’m going.
I mean, why would I join a famous sect to learn advanced martial arts? The only thing I could learn now is basic martial arts anyway.
And honestly, that’s more than enough for me at this point.
“Guest, are you thinking of learning martial arts?”
“I’ve developed an interest. But, of course, I don’t have the money to join a famous sect. A regular place would be fine.”
“Hmm… then how about visiting the Baekgyeom Training Hall? It’s quite well-known around here.”
“Baekgyeom Training Hall?”
I asked the server for more detailed information.
It turns out that Baekgyeom Training Hall is a small training hall that teaches simple martial arts.
In other words, it’s like a local taekwondo studio.
“Sounds exactly like what I’m looking for! I’ll head over there!”
“Go ahead.”
I’m really looking forward to it.
But I have no idea what Baekgyeom Training Hall will actually be like. Since I don’t plan to work today, I might as well go check it out.
If I like it, I’ll register and start learning martial arts. If not, I can always look for another place.
“Dumplings and noodles are ready!”
“Hmm.”
Since I might get into tough situations, I need to fill my belly. This will give me enough energy, even if it’s not much. I would like to eat meat, but with the expenses for learning martial arts, I’m unsure how much I can spend.
My pockets might be a bit more full now, but I have to be careful with investments.
“Grrr!”
As usual, I devoured the food and left the inn.
Let’s head to Baekgyeom Training Hall!
*
As I collected some information on my way, I found out that Baekgyeom Training Hall is quite a renowned training facility in this area.
If it has a good reputation, there must be solid results behind it. Unlike the modern world, there’s no such thing as fake reviews here. People’s word of mouth is generally trustworthy.
“The building looks quite substantial too.”
The entrance of Baekgyeom Training Hall was indeed impressive. Judging by the enclosing walls, it certainly looked sizable.
Yeah.
A training hall should have this kind of presence.
—Knock, knock, knock.
I knocked on the door and waited about three seconds before it opened.
“Who goes there?”
“Haaah!”
“Whoa!”
As soon as I stepped in, I was met with a loud battle cry.
“Oh.”
I saw trainees practicing their patterns while shirtless. It reminded me of the days I learned taekwondo. There, some weird guys would do bizarre kicks and shout strange sounds.
And a crazy master would be there stretching kids’ legs.
There were quite a few people here early in the morning, so it seemed like a decent training hall.
“What brings you here?”
“Oh.”
Just then, a neatly-dressed man approached. He looks like one of the instructors.
“I came for registration consultation. Are you the instructor?”
“Ah, yes! Follow me!”
I immediately followed the instructor inside the premises.
Let’s see, the layout had a central practice area with a building for the training hall in front, reminding me of a military base.
We entered the first floor of the training hall.
“Just sit over there.”
I sat as instructed, and it seemed like this instructor would conduct the consultation?
“You saw the trainees practicing, right? You must have seen their master.”
“He had quite the impressive physique.”
“That would be Hong Sahyeok, the master who teaches martial arts.”
“Hong Sahyeok! Could it be…!”
I’d never heard of a name like that before, but I feigned surprise, and the instructor smiled slyly.
“Seems you do know him. He’s a renowned martial artist known as the Red Masked Swordsman. He’s also my father.”
“Red Masked Swordsman!”
Is this a family-run training hall?
From what I gathered, the lord of the sect has two masters, and it seems that the children of those masters, like this guy in front of me, assist in running the hall.
“The lord is an absolute master, and the instructors are top-tier martial artists.”
“Indeed! That’s the reason for Baekgyeom Training Hall’s widespread fame!”
“Hahaha, that’s right.”
I nodded along while thinking.
I might not yet know the precise rankings in martial arts, but surely, the settings differ in martial arts stories. If I considered myself a third-rate, I’d never be able to beat a first-rate. And absolute masters are depicted as extremely powerful in martial stories.
This seems promising, doesn’t it?
“The abilities of those in charge must be unquestionable. But before I register, I’d like to hear a bit more detail, such as what martial arts you teach, how much it costs, and based on that, I’ll decide whether to register.”
Let’s hear everything before making a decision.
“You have a discerning mind.”
The instructor proceeded to explain.
“If you haven’t learned martial arts before or have little groundwork, you’ll be placed in the beginner class.”
“Beginner class!”
“The beginner class meets four times a week. You’ll receive one session of martial arts teaching for either the morning or afternoon. The trainees you just saw practicing are all in the beginner class, learning the basics of martial arts.”
One session lasts about two hours.
So, four times a week amounts to eight hours total. This sounded manageable, akin to a gym routine. It would be tough, but I could handle it.
There are morning and evening sessions, so if I have work at night, I can attend in the morning, and if I work during the day, I can go in the evening. This timing seems considerate for those with jobs since beginner martial artists tend to have regular occupations.
Anyway.
I noticed there were dozens of trainees just now, so would they all become my peers?
“But you seem to have a good physique… have you practiced martial arts before?”
“Ah. I have trained for health, but I’ve never learned any professional martial arts.”
So, I’d be starting from the basics in the beginner class.
“I see. The tuition for the beginner class is 200 coins a week.”
“200 coins!”
To charge such a ridiculous amount for eight hours of group lessons, wow!
Martial arts really are expensive!
“I see I’ve surprised you. However, in the beginner class, we teach a total of four martial arts, so it’s not overly pricey.”
“Four?”
They teach four martial arts?
“That’s right. The four martial arts taught in the beginner class are the most basic external technique, the Endurance Technique, the basic fist technique known as Six Combination Fist, the easy-to-learn Vitality Technique, and finally, the foundational sword technique, the Three Calamity Sword Technique.”
“Oh…!”
That’s quite a bit of content!
Endurance Technique!
Six Combination Fist!
Vitality Technique!
Three Calamity Sword Technique!
Just hearing the names felt like stepping into a whole new world!
But imagining myself learning these excites me so much.
Even if they are basic martial arts, if I master them well, I’d be able to hunt down demons systematically.
“I’ll register! Please explain these martial arts right now!”
“Tuition is paid in advance.”
“Here!”
As I pulled some coins from my pocket to hand to the instructor, suddenly—
—He narrowed his gaze.
“From now on, address me with respect. I am the instructor here.”
Excuse me?
But he’s right.
“Understood. My name is Geunhyeop. What should I call you?”
“Call me Senior Brother. Oh, my name is Hong Minki.”
Is that the proper form of address?
Well… since he’s the child of the master here, I guess I should adhere to that. This isn’t a modern-day registration process; after all, this is a different world.
If someone’s instructing, they’re a master, and if you learn, you belong. With different cultural and societal norms, I’ll have to play along.
“Understood! Senior Brother!”
“Alright. From now on, you will learn from the first-rate master, Hong Sahyeok.”
“Yes!”
That’s his father, he said.
“I’ll explain the class structure. Since you’re in the beginner class, you will start with external training to balance your body and develop your muscles while learning the techniques so that your body can accept inner power.”
“Oh…!”
Building up my muscles and learning vital techniques to absorb inner power?
That sounds so professional just from the explanation.
“But since you have a good physique and have mentioned training, that duration might shorten. Once you learn the Vitality Technique, you’ll improve your movements with the Six Combination Fist, and then you’ll basic training in the sword with the Three Calamity Sword Technique. Understood?”
“Yes!”
“Since it’s the first day, I will guide you through the basic structure myself. From tomorrow, you’ll come on time for group lessons.”
Does that mean I’ll be practicing alongside others on the training ground? When I asked what happens if I don’t show up, he said it’s my responsibility.
No refunds, he means.
“Let’s go. I’ll give you an overview of the martial arts you’ll learn.”
“Yes!”
I eagerly followed the senior brother to the training ground.
I can hardly contain my excitement.
Who knows? I could discover some talent for martial arts and reach the pinnacle of the ultra-elite level before popping into an incredibly strong powerhouse!
What a crazy world this is…!
Welcome to the Martial Arts World!
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