Chapter 48: If You Don't Know, You Must Learn the Hard Way.

In Korea, the prestige of the five great families is immense.

There's even talk that if the head of the Iron-Blood Sword Clan entered politics, he could immediately become president.

The families referred to as the five great ones all have tremendous achievements.

The Iron-Blood Sword Clan's military force was established when they exterminated the ten thousand monsters that surged into Cheorwon.

All the heads of the five families hold immense influence in Korea.

However, it's not like the other families were just sitting quietly.

They were the ones who became humanity's hope and led the people during the times when all rules had collapsed.

Although not among the five great families, the Wi Clan is considered equivalent to them.

Unlike the declining and faded Namgoong Clan, they are a proper family.

Moreover, they rule over the entire city of Daejeon.

Soon, there were talks everywhere that the Five Great Families might become the Six Great Families.

But to destroy that?

'It's possible.'

It is possible.

No matter how much they are called one of the Five Great Families, they are not truly at that level.

No, rather, the Five Great Families in Korea are fake.

Compared to them, the martial prowess of the Five Great Families seen throughout the martial world was truly immense.

However, there would still be a cost.

I would have to use my abilities, which I could only use three times at max.

'No, if I use it now, would I die from the backlash?'

I would die.

My body is not yet complete.

More than that.

"Why do you want me to destroy the Wi Clan?"

"Eh, you can't?"

"Of course, I can't."

What kind of obvious thing is he saying?

I looked at Wi Gunak, and he tilted his head in response.

"Namgoong Clan also ruled over Incheon."

"To be precise, they ruled over a part of Incheon."

"Isn't that the same thing?"

"The metropolitan city is wider than you think, my disciple."

"Then, is it impossible?"

"It's not impossible."

"Then please destroy them."

"…No, why?"

"Is it not possible?"

"No, what did the Wi Clan do? Did the clan make a deal with the demon or something? Or did they kill a few women with charm art? Did they forcibly conscript civilians nearby and disrupt their livelihoods?"

"…None of those."

I looked at Wi Gunak.

I felt a strange anxiousness.

"Then what is it?"

"It's because of the damn family tradition."

"Family tradition?"

"The Wi Clan believes their children must grow up strong, so they are raising them in a way that borders on abuse."

"Abuse."

Abuse is not good.

Children should be raised through discipline.

"Don't you feel guilty?"

"What?"

"…Anyway, the current head of the Wi Clan wants to elevate it from one of the Five Great Families to one of the Six Great Families. He has been steadily working towards this for the past 20 years."

"Hmm."

Has he been abusing children for 20 years?

I looked at Wi Gunak.

And I remembered when I saw the other members of the Wi Clan.

'I don't necessarily get that feeling.'

Those who have been abused tend to have certain characteristics.

They lack confidence in everything and are always intimidated.

'More than anything, he doesn't have those characteristics either.'

Lack of confidence?

Wi Gunak is the first to rush in and throw punches whenever something comes up.

'It seems like he's hiding something.'

It seems he wants to shake things up rather than destroy the family.

Wi Clan.

'That's detestable.'

This won't do.

"Abel, what's our next class?"

"Huh? Basic physical training and sparring instruction."

"You take over today's class."

"Huh? What do you mean?"

"That's not possible!"

"From today, Wi Gunak, you will have special lessons."

"No waaay!!"

I dragged Wi Gunak along.

"You said your power was mysterious, right?"

"Yes, that's correct."

Mysterious.

A power that cannot be understood.

Wi Gunak uses his power without understanding it.

"Still, having handled this power for about 17 years, I roughly know it. It's similar to telekinesis."

"You might think so."

"Excuse me? What do you mean?"

"Do you know why others said you were more suited for being a mage?"

"That is…"

Wi Gunak hesitated to speak.

"But I intend to raise you as a warrior. I roughly know what power you possess."

"…I've heard that line from many swindlers before."

"So, have I ever swindled you?"

"No."

"Well, that's fine then. Moving on, how much do you know about your power?"

"It's similar to telekinesis. If I want to strengthen my body, my body becomes stronger. But I think that's not all there is to it."

"Really?"

"Sometimes… even if I say sometimes, it ends with something flying around like magic."

"And the effects were pretty good, right?"

"Yes."

Seon Woohyeon and Yoo Eunchae weren't trying to raise Wi Gunak as a mage for no reason.

'If you know it superficially, that's what everyone thinks.'

Fortunately, I have already taught someone similar.

My third life.

In a life where I became a warrior, I found someone similar to Wi Gunak.

'Their power is different, though.'

If Wi Gunak handles a mysterious power,

That guy had the power to mimic everything.

'I was surprised when he mimicked my Heaven-Surrendering Godly Technique.'

Anyway, I taught such a child.

In the process, I felt various things.

Some of them thought that this power, like the power of Wi Gunak, was more suitable for sorcery or magic.

But this power is right for martial arts.

Magic is the power to use external things.

Meanwhile, martial arts is the power to use what's inside oneself.

'Mixing with the outside is rather not good.'

Mysterious.

Because that power itself is outstanding.

"Do you mean martial arts?"

"Yes."

"I understand. Then what should we do?"

"First, start with the very basics."

"The basics?"

"Yes. Creating a dantian."

"Excuse me?"

"It's really the basics of basics, but you won't be able to do it, will you?"

"Yes, that's right. I can't even accept mana and this power—I still can't handle it."

"Don't worry. I know the way."

It's the most brutishly simple method, but.

I stopped in my tracks.

Finally, I arrived at the location. A bright clearing came into view.

"Where is this…?"

"It's a forest."

The surroundings are entirely forest.

Crack.

I lightly stretched my neck.

"Tea-teacher?"

"Don't worry. I've already taught someone similar to you. I have a lot of data accumulated."

"But, why are you loosening up your body?"

Crack.

The reason is simple.

All these powers have one thing in common.

'It's a strange force, different from mana.'

I can't get a handle on how to deal with it.

The method to get a grip on it?

Simple.

Push them to the brink of death.

Keep pushing until that power is exhausted to make them feel it when it recovers from the beginning.

It was actually quite funny.

Unfortunately for Wi Gunak, being born into the Wi Clan was considered a bad omen.

He has experienced real combat, but…

'Did he feel threatened for his life?'

I don't think so.

He must have gone around beating people up with some unknown power from the Wi Clan.

So, the head of the family must have had high expectations, too.

'Well, it's not entirely a lie.'

Wi Gunak said he was abused.

But it's likely it was only for a short period during his childhood.

I don't know why.

'Maybe the reason he asked me to destroy the Wi Clan…'

Was to push out someone he dislikes.

I understand what he means.

But it's also quite offensive.

'So, I'm going to make it a bit painful.'

I smiled faintly.

Wi Gunak shivered violently.

Boom!!

A thunderous noise echoed as if the ground had sunk.

"Isn't this too dangerous?!"

"It's okay, it's okay."

Actually, I'm a bit excited, too.

Celestial Body (A).

The item Yoo Eunchae provided has strengthened my body.

Combined with my body, the Great Sky Dancing Divine Mantra strengthened it, and soon it became a Celestial Body.

'Light.'

I leaped off the ground.

Kwaang!

The place I leaped to cracked as if it were covered in spider webs, and my form shot forward.

At least twice as much.

In terms of sensation, that's how much stronger I had become.

"No, what the, that speed!"

"I ate something good!"

I threw him a punch.

Wi Gunak tries to block it with both arms.

Kwaang!!

He flew away with a shockwave.

"Are you really trying to kill me!?"

"Stop exaggerating. I haven't even started properly yet?"

"But this power…"

Wi Gunak seemed hesitant.

I laughed deeply.

Mysterious.

He must have had an experience of hurting someone with that power.

But isn't that too arrogant?

"Do you think you can do anything to me?"

"…!"

Kwaang!

I swung my fist at him again.

It's a straight punch.

And then I maneuvered my legs like a whip, aiming for Wi Gunak's body.

Wi Gunak dodged like an eel.

'He indeed has talent.'

Unlike the one I taught before, he has talent.

The one I originally taught had no talent.

Yet, I taught him martial arts.

And he grew to become one of the main pillars of the Ming Cult.

He was at the highest level just before the end, so he might have challenged transcendence.

Whoosh!

The wind blew. No, it wasn't the wind; Wi Gunak began to exert the power of the Mysterious properly.

'Interesting.'

A power similar to telekinesis.

But I'm starting to understand where that power originates from.

'Did he say it was mysterious?'

Very well made.

The system… no, the ones who made the system. They would have known what the source of that power was.

"Be careful."

Wi Gunak's eyes flickered black.

Those around him began to flicker as well.

It even affects the space.

Interesting.

"Come then."

"I will."

Whoosh-!

In an instant, Wi Gunak's figure disappeared.

Before I knew it, he was right in front of my nose.

With his fist raised.

I tilted my head to the left.

But an intangible force targeted my philtrum.

'Hmm.'

I thought I saw it, but I didn't.

But it's weak…

Kwang!

My body felt the shock as if a shell had hit it.

"One more time."

Wi Gunak appeared before my eyes.

It's a straight punch.

A proper stance. An intangible force dominated the surroundings.

Kwoong!

I leaped back with all my might.

Then Wi Gunak followed.

Another straight punch.

'Sense is a bit lacking.'

If it were me, I would have attacked from two directions.

Either attacking with legs or a head attack.

But it's okay. Sense is something you can cultivate.

'By hammering it into your body.'

It seems like it will work out somehow.

I grabbed Wi Gunak's arm.

It felt squishy rather than solid.

"Wha, what are you doing?!"

"You're slipping."

I twisted my fist in another direction.

An intangible force reached out, but it was shallower than before.

I can withstand this much.

I burrowed into Wi Gunak's embrace and drove my fist into his solar plexus.

Paaang!

The air exploded, and Wi Gunak's body plummeted to the ground.

"Were you intending to kill me?"

"You're alive, aren't you."

I smirked, and Wi Gunak's expression turned sulky.

"I think I get the gist of that power."

"Did you now?"

"Yeah."

I think I know how to deal with it.

You can't think about it in conventional terms.

And that power was indeed suited for martial arts.

I grinned and clenched my fist.

Wooong!

My hands trembled finely. The extreme power of cold began to unfold from my hands.

I guess I have to use this much.

"Wait, wait, wait! Are you planning to kill your disciple!?"

"I won't kill you. You weren't hurt by the strike just before, were you?"

"How could you know that…"

"I just do."

Wi Gunak moved quickly.

But it was slow.

I ran swiftly.

'Maybe it's time to use it.'

Wind God's Steps.

My body soared in an instant.

In the blink of an eye, I moved behind Wi Gunak.

"Huh?"

"First, I have to pay back one hit."

"Wh, when did you, here! More than that, are you doing this much because of the hit earlier!?"

"Perhaps."

It's all for the disciple's own good.

I put my middle finger and index finger together and touched Wi Gunak's forehead.

"St, stop, please!"

"It's okay. Yoo Eunchae gets hit every day, doesn't she?"

"That, that's because she's the Problem Child…!"

Before Wi Gunak could say anything,

Swoosh!

A crisp sound resonated.

"Ah, I survived."

"To faint from just one hit."

"…How many minutes have passed?"

"Less than a minute. More importantly, I figured out what your ability is."

"Really? You found out?"

Yes.

Mysterious.

A power that cannot be understood.

To be more precise,

"Unseen, unknown, unsolvable."

"A power that can't be seen or known, Mysterious?"

"Right."

"Isn't that just a complicated way of saying 'Mysterious'?"

"It could be."

"… Isn't this something you can't deny?"

"Well, I'm not always right. So, how about it?"

"Excuse me?"

"How's your body feeling?"

"Well, I'm fine… huh?"

Stagger.

Wi Gunak staggered.

I chuckled and laughed.

"Take a rest for a while. You've used up that indescribable power."

"Really?"

"What kind of example? Hey. Ah, since you've never properly handled that power, you didn't realize you've used it all?"

"… That's correct."

"Then… "

I started to speak but then stopped.

Hey, he suddenly became sharp.

"Then what should I do?"

"Each time your power recovers, try to accumulate it inside."

"Like the dantian?"

"Yes. While doing so, compress it as if you're pressing down hard."

"Understood."

"Then I'm off. Take care of yourself."

"Are you just leaving me here and going?!"

"I'm all for the spartan way."

"That's just because you're lazy, isn't it?!"

"How about this? If you don't come back within an hour, you do five rounds of climbing up and down the cliff?"

"Upon further thought, it seems I should rest for today."

"Alright."