< Preliminary Survey (1) >
‘”Imitation,” new skills, an understanding of martial arts and martial arts practices, and what I can do with them···.’
Amidst the swirling thoughts in his mind, Hugo stood in the middle of the training hall, slowly closing his eyes and taking a deep breath.
It had been several months since he had been alone in the Ganghwan Realm.
During that not-so-short time, through continuous training while consistently taking the “Potion of Growth” and receiving the help of “Super Recovery,” he had undergone significant changes.
< Entity Information >
– Entity Name: Hugo
– Common Traits: “Mind Hub,” “Persona,” “Super Recovery,” “Clear Mind,” “Great Strength,” “Nerve Sensitivity,” “Insight,” “Xenoglossy,” “Water Breathing,” “Spatial Dimension Storage,” “Limit Break,” “Imitation”
– Entity Traits: “Versatility,” “Strong Bones,” “Energy Regulation,” “Energy Martial Arts,” “Basic Medicine Theory”
– Special Note: He has become significantly more adept at handling the energy (氣) accumulated in his body. Due to consistent external martial arts training, “Toughness” has evolved into “Strong Bones.” The growth during internal martial arts training has accelerated due to the influence of “Energy Regulation.” The effect of the “Potion of Growth” adds additional growth bonuses to all actions.
He was no longer a newbie who had entered the Ganghwan Realm with just one skill.
The synergy created by the overlapping effects of the Potion of Growth and various bonuses, along with the harmony of “Versatility,” which helped him master whatever he learned to a certain level quickly.
In just a few months, this was enough to transform him into an excellent martial artist.
‘It turns out that combining medicine has become the best move. Initially, I began practicing it thinking it might help analyze how martial arts works.’
After all, martial arts and the body were inseparable, so it wasn’t an odd choice.
But the fact that he gained a skill called “Basic Medicine Theory” was an accomplishment beyond his expectations.
‘A pleasant miscalculation!’
Surely, the medical level provided by the Zhuge family and the anatomical knowledge held by the Undead King Hans, along with Harley’s understanding of living beings, had a significant impact.
As a result, he had come to understand the physical changes that occurred when opponents used martial arts more clearly, allowing him to gain considerable advantage when using “Imitation.”
‘···No, actually, the most decisive factor in using that skill isn’t anything like that.’
As he thought that, Hugo couldn’t help but let out a soft chuckle.
Yes, the most important thing remained.
In fact, didn’t he possess an advantage and secret unlike any other?
‘The fact that I am never alone at any moment.’
Understanding and analyzing something is far easier when there are many rather than one, and when viewed from a higher perspective.
Yet, the fact that five transcendent beings could communicate in real-time was···.
And that included Heinrich with martial arts skills like “Path of Martial Arts” and “Rozia’s Combat Techniques,” Harris who had mastered the extraordinary technique “Soft Eight Trigrams Secret Skill (Revised),” and Harley, who not only understood the physical realm intuitively but also instinctively perceived prey.
To put it another way, it was like taking university professors to take a high school exam.
Even if their subjects differed slightly.
‘And Hubert’s “Analysis” would also indirectly help.’
Hugo thought of the merchant avatar who had greatly assisted him in acquiring martial arts and nodded slowly.
Naturally, he and High Elf Harris, who had already transcended, were in different circumstances.
Unlike Harris who could learn extraordinary techniques from the start, Hugo had to train with basic techniques that weren’t particularly great to build a foundation.
However, thinking about the future, it was a process that he had to go through.
No matter how fast he grew, he couldn’t ignore all necessary procedures.
‘Right now, among the martial arts books in my possession, nothing particularly appealing stands out. ···It seems that to properly use “Imitation,” I should have internal martial arts focusing more on stability and receptivity rather than a strong inclination. Is there anything good around?’
He had read several martial arts books through the Zhuge family, but they were hardly at a level he could part with upon request from an outsider.
Perhaps the family’s archives contained some secret techniques that would satisfy him, but he, as a guest, would not easily access such things.
Hmm.
While he pondered, naturally, bad ideas began to creep into his mind.
‘···Should I just forcefully do it?’
It wasn’t that there were no methods available.
In such a chaotic world, anything could happen.
For instance, an unidentified member of the Demon Cult spilling magical energy and leading a number of Jiangshi to assault them.
Or the possibility of being attacked by the ruthless minions of the Blood Cult as they stealthily infiltrated the family to steal secrets was far from zero!
As those bad ideas swirled in his mind, tempting him.
Tsk, ultimately, his judgment was to hold off for now.
‘If I mess around carelessly, the factions I’ve built goodwill with until now could be ruined, which would be a loss. It would also make my stay here uncomfortable; if I were to cause trouble, it would be better to raid somewhere else entirely.’
After all, there were plenty of candidates nearby.
There were the Mount Wu Sect right in the vicinity and if he ventured a little further, the Shaolin Temple, Volcano Sect, and Namgung Family would present themselves!
‘···Perhaps I should think ahead and draft a scenario.’
As he was lost in thought and vaguely organized his thoughts, Hugo found himself unintentionally gripping the hilt of his sword tightly.
Crunch—
Thus, strong power transmitted from the muscles inflated with “Great Strength” and overwhelming status.
He couldn’t even compare with true monsters like Harley or Heinrich, but with this level, he could easily be recognized in any external martial arts arena.
A sense of satisfaction blossomed from deep within him as the corners of his mouth began to rise.
“Oh, speaking of which, time has already flown by.”
Then, realizing the position of the shadows, he hurriedly tidied up the training sword and moved along.
It was close to the “Shin” period (3 to 5 PM), and he needed to hurry to wash the sweat and prepare for the scheduled time.
‘If I’m late again, who knows what I might hear.’
Thus, Hugo tidied the mess of the training hall and headed towards his designated accommodation along a path he had become accustomed to.
Once ready, the next destination would naturally be a place he had frequented over the past few months.
*
Woosh—
The soft light illuminating the room gradually faded.
In the middle of it, the girl who had been quietly sitting with her eyes closed slowly opened them and beamed a bright smile.
“Are you done? Great job, Prince Ha. Thank you for today too!”
Her clear voice flowed alongside him.
After that, the girl··· no, Zhuge Hye-mi, the jewel of the Zhuge family began to chatter animatedly in a voice that failed to perceive any darkness.
“Oh, would you like to try this? It’s a new snack from the kitchen; it’s delicious with a nutty taste, you know? Of course, if you liked the previous one better, feel free to tell me at any time… Oh! You’ve already finished the tea. Let me refill that for you.”
Hugo awkwardly raised the corners of his mouth while nodding his head at her non-stop chatter.
Although he was now accustomed to this place and situation, that incessant babbling seemed impossible to get used to.
And at that moment, there was something else he had to consider.
Hmm. It’s strange. Both when I visited last and today, it seems like there hasn’t been much improvement even immediately after the treatment.
Currently, they were in the reception room of Zhuge Hye-mi’s residence.
After several treatments, once she could move on her own, this space had been continuously used as a treatment room.
Also, the daily treatments that took place initially gradually spaced out as her symptoms improved, and now it felt like they were having regular check-ups almost once a week.
Of course, that was possible because she had regained enough health to freely walk around the mansion—but.
‘Could it be that her treatment limits with Holy Power only extend this far?’
As someone who had been her primary physician for the past few months, Hugo could not help but feel uneasy about her condition, where she remained in a state of “almost” complete recovery instead of fully healed.
Moreover, he had a fair understanding of medicine to the point of acquiring “Basic Medicine Theory.”
Yet, the fact that he still couldn’t grasp the cause behind her condition was···.
At that moment, Heinrich, who had grown one step further and acquired “Great Blessing: Wings of Radiance,” proposed a new hypothesis.
‘···No, it really feels different. This isn’t due to an illness, but rather··· related to theological issues in this world? Although seeing it directly would be the most certain.’
The incident of stealing the Dragon Heart that happened 22 years ago in Ganghwan Realm.
She was born right around the time when the world began to plunge into chaos.
Moreover, shortly after her birth, she lost her mother.
Because of that, how much had she berated herself by saying she was cursed?
‘But I can’t just summon Heinrich inside the Zhuge family. Doing so could only raise misunderstandings.’
The Zhuge family’s members would not fail to recognize someone suddenly appearing in their safe area.
And they would quickly catch on that the energy he possessed was the same as that of ‘Ha Seung-hoon,’ who had been healing Zhuge Hye-mi while accompanying as a guest.
It goes without saying how that relationship would become strained thereafter.
‘The people of the Zhuge family seem unusually obsessed with formations and the safe zones created by them.’
Well, after all, they lacked even the strongest martial artist from the current realm.
In such situations, having the outward power to intimidate other factions was all due to that.
Thus, they had to focus on protecting something and maintained an obsession with their territory.
If security were breached, the possibility of losing their area and never regaining it was high.
‘How can I create an opportunity?’
As Hugo was momentarily caught in a dilemma, Zhuge Hye-mi, who had been chattering ceaselessly without regard for his lack of response, brought up another subject.
This time, it was a new piece of information even he found intriguing.
“Oh! Prince, have you heard? We received an invitation from the Shaolin Temple in Hanan.”
“…An invitation? At such a chaotic time?”
“Yes, this has been happening periodically for several years. It’s a gathering to discuss things among us and other major members of the Murim Alliance.”
“I heard the Murim Alliance has been dissolved for a long time, though…”
“Well, it’s an essential thing to communicate with each other. Especially in times like these.”
After all, even though they had been living in mutual isolation for a long time, it wasn’t unreasonable for those who shared even a basic acquaintance to come together to form at least a minimal barrier.
Not to mention, enemies were lurking in the surroundings.
“Honestly, it’s just a little bigger than the exchanges we used to hold among local powers like our family and the Mount Wu Sect. There’s no significant binding strength; it’s just a chance for us to meet up occasionally.”
Zhuge Hye-mi shrugged her shoulders, excitedly unpacking this information.
Indeed, as someone who had lived her entire life within this family, it was understandable that her emotional responses were limited to those who also lived within it.
‘The entire continent is in turmoil, but it seems to be broadly divided into three groups. This gathering must be aimed at maintaining that barrier.’
One could classify the groups as those who had secured dragon veins and sat tight, those trying to seize it from them, factions seeking to gain more dragon veins and expand their power, and those struggling not to lose what they had.
The Right Faction, the Evil Faction, and the Warlords could all be divided like this, but even amongst themselves, they were viciously clawing at each other.
Moreover, adding the Demon Cult, which was said to have the strongest power as a single faction, and the Blood Cult, which lurked in the darkness to plot schemes, alongside various smaller factions…
Hmm, it would indeed be strange if there were no such gatherings.
Perhaps even within the Evil Faction or Warlords, some form of similar faction might already be emerging.
“But is it even possible for envoys of every faction to gather in a place like now? What if they get ambushed by hostile factions while traveling?”
“Well, that’s right. So, there’s never been a time when all factions gathered together before, especially not for those further from the venue.”
Moreover, in situations like this, attending such a meeting would allow one to properly showcase the strength of their faction.
Of course, there were instances where people lost strength and received poor results in the process.
“Our family will surely participate this time. Since the venue, the Shaolin Temple in Hanan, isn’t too far either. Hmm, the Myeong family from Yungyeong and the Goryeong Sect from Cheongha will probably find it difficult to attend. I wonder if they even received notice.”
Hugo was sitting across from Zhuge Hye-mi, who scratched her head while pondering, and he stroked his chin with a serious expression.
Suddenly confronted with unexpected news, his mind began to spin rapidly.
‘As I was worrying about how to move forward, this comes at the perfect time!’
What an excellent event to happen right before he got ready to stir things up!
Collecting information before doing anything was a must.
In that sense, naturally engaging in a broader world and facing various people was indeed a clear opportunity.
Moreover, wasn’t everyone attending this time someone with a modicum of influence within their respective realms?
Thinking about the inevitable ambushes that would occur along the way also led him to…
‘A buffet…! It’s a buffet!’
For him, that was akin to a grand feast!
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