Episode 96. The War of the Stars (2)
-The huge shield that always defended humanity has passed away.
In the past, countless people expressed their condolences over the death of Kim Young-hwan, the guild master of the Four Guardian Gods guild. Numerous celebrities came, and I also paid my respects to the Hero that passed away.
It was a very unfortunate incident. It was said that Kim Young-hwan, who was active in the field even after his 60th birthday, had made many mistakes that day, unlike his usual self.
He couldn’t remember basic information on Monsters and didn’t follow precautions in certain Rifts……… They were basic mistakes that even 3rd class Hunters didn’t make.
Old Kim Young-hwan eventually threw himself to protect the people his mistakes had put in danger. And it was said that he died while trying to stop the Monsters by himself.
It was a heroic end, fit for someone who was more righteous than anyone else, but that was why everyone found his death sad. Kim Young-hwan had gone through so much. No one would have blamed him had he retired and rested. It felt like he had died without being rewarded for all his efforts.
-He was too old. At that age, even legendary athletes would lose to rookies. He must have been having a lot of physical issues. Recently he said that he couldn’t remember well… I didn’t expect such a tragedy to happen during the hunt.
At that time, I thought it was a very sad affair. I blamed the desperate situation the world was in for causing such an old man like Kim Young-hwan to remain active in the field.
But now that I thought of it, something felt wrong. Apparently, there was nothing wrong with him physically, and people close to him said that he only had a problem with his memory.
[Why don’t you answer? Do you want it?]
I was thinking about the past when the Traveler alerted my attention. I decided to stop thinking and focus on the current situation.
“When this energy spreads throughout the body…….”
Kim Young-hwan was still explaining Mugong, so I nodded slightly instead of answering the Traveler directly. The Traveler smiled and spoke.
[Yes, I knew it. If you want to be strong, you have to take in everything you can get.]
“…….”
[Also, Kim Young-hwan’s ability will change your body quite a bit. If so… I may be able to pass on one of my useful skills to you.]
It sounded tempting. I had no information on the Traveler. What would his skill be like? I couldn’t expect any specifics, but I was quite sure that his skill would be more powerful than any power I knew.
I mouthed to ask the Traveler a question.
‘But how can you receive another person’s Characteristic? I’ve never heard of it.’
[Of course you haven’t. It’s nearly impossible. Only a user of the Akashic Records can do it in cases of specific abilities.]
‘……?’
I made an inquiring face. The Traveler continued.
[Ability related to Memory, Information not recorded in the Akashic Records, and ability related to an Alien World unknown to the user. If the ability belongs to one of these three categories, the Akashic Records will start to move first.]
“…….”
[Of all the dimensions, the Akashic Records is the most information-hungry entity.]
Upon hearing those words, memories flashed through my head. The moment I was forced to link with Kim Min-jae to absorb his memory, and the time I consumed Seol Ah-rin’s memories and gained her ability.
Both times I didn’t do anything. My instinct merely led me, and when I came to my senses, it was done.
Did he mean that the same thing was going to happen this time?
[But I don’t think the guy inside you is very interested this time… Try to make it curious. Persuade it yourself to believe that Kim Young-hwan’s power will benefit the Akashic Records.]
‘…You want me to persuade it?’
* * *
“Thank you for telling me about Mugong.”
“It was a long story, wasn’t it? Haha… I’m sorry for talking alone for so long.”
“No, it was an interesting story.”
Kim Young-hwan’s explanation of Mugong was quite mysterious. I always liked to learn new facts, so it wasn’t boring. It was a bit too long, though.
After a moment of silence, I spoke before Kim Young-hwan could talk.
“By the way, may I ask you a few more questions?”
“Yes?”
“About the Spirit of Moorim you mentioned earlier. I’m very interested in ‘phenomenological analysis’ these days, and the world you explained seems to be similar to an ‘Alien World’.”
“Ah…”
“Do you mind? It’s certainly not polite to ask in detail about Characteristics…….”
“Not at all. Most guild members of The Four Guardian Gods know anyway. Of course, about the fact that I’m losing my memory… only my eldest son knows.”
Kim Young-hwan smiled bitterly.
“Oh, don’t worry. I won’t tell anyone else.”
“Haha, I know you’re not the kind of person to go around talking. By the way, what would you like to ask? I will tell you if I can.”
Kim Young-hwan pretended he was okay. Honestly, I didn’t want to pry when he had revealed to me his deepest secret… But I had to persuade the hungry Records inside me.
Also, if things went as I expected, it would be better for Kim Young-hwan for his Characteristic to move on to me.
I had better be abrupt.
“You said that you were still peeking into the memories of another world. That your Mugong is improving and developing…… Which must mean that the other world has stronger beings and that new stories are happening there.”
“Yes, you’re right. The memories flow into my head like a dream. Sometimes they are slower and sharper than reality, and sometimes they pass by quickly and faintly like an actual dream. Of course, I can’t keep up with anything I’ve been seeing lately. While I was stuck, the other world advanced greatly.”
Wriggle.
A weird emotion arose within me. The Akashic Records responded to me saying the word ‘story’. How simple-minded.
“All I can do is watch their movements to improve my Mugong little by little and add a few maneuvers. Their level of technique is advancing further and further, but there is no one to use it. I can’t keep up with it, and neither can any of my sons.”
“Oh, I see. Were there any memorable events that you saw?”
It wouldn’t take longer. The Akashic Records’ interest was piqued, and now all that was left was to see whether Kim Young-hwan had any stories that could stimulate its appetite.
“Uh… well, let me see. Someone who seemed like a third-rate fighter became an absolute master in just five years. And I watched people train at a place called Sorim Temple for a month….”
Please, not stories like that. Tell me stories that will interest the Records.
“Oh, there was one interesting event.”
Kim Young-hwan said, clapping his hands together.
“There was this time when an old man named Cheonma(天魔) appeared.”
[Well, that’s not a good name to hear.]
The moment Young-hwan said the word, the Traveler flinched.
At the same time, a curious desire arose within me. What the hell is Cheonma that the Records is reacting like this?
[The hidden ‘modifier’ has been spoken.]
[The Moorim traveler, Cheonma(天魔)]
[One of the Traveler’s many modifiers has been recorded in the Akashic Records.]
[The ‘Akashic Records’ shows interest in Kim Young-hwan’s story.]
[To grow on its own, the super-dimensional aggregate of information stirs.]
Before I could think, several notification panels popped up.
[Well, well. It wasn’t a name I made for myself, but one that others called me. I was embarrassed by the name, so I kept it secret, but I guess you know now.]
“I see, guild master Kim Young-hwan.”
The desire boiling inside me made me move unconsciously. I could feel that the Akashic Records was going mad with hunger. Instead of resisting, I did as my desire requested. It wasn’t going to harm me anyway.
“Thank you for kindly answering my questions. I hope to see you again next time. I’ll think about Mugong and get back to you.”
I casually extended my hand. Kim Young-hwan received my handshake and laughed out loud.
[You have enough information on ‘Kim Young-hwan.’]
[‘Linking’ temporarily.]
[The target Kim Young-hwan is not resisting mentally.]
[The target Kim Young-hwan unconsciously wishes to disown the characteristic ‘Spirit of Moorim’.]
[The characteristic exploits its user.]
[You have met the requirements.]
[Characteristic, ‘The Spirit of Moorim (S)’ acquired.]
He had no clue that the real power underlying his Mugong was being consumed by a rookie Hunter.
Still, I felt no guilt.
[‘Fate’ has been distorted.]
[Hunter Kim Young-hwan, standing amid fate, has escaped the end that was meant for him.]
[You have discovered a new story not recorded in the Akashic Records.]
[Soul spirit level has risen.]
[Soul spirit level has risen.]
.
.
.
Because I had just saved a Hero who would have died a sad death.
I was satisfied with the fact that I could hear that loud laugh for a while longer and that I didn’t have to watch him meet such a miserable end.
[You have met the requirements.]
[Reward awarded.]
Of course, I was also satisfied with my reward.
* * *
“Whew…….”
I earned Kim Young-hwan’s Characteristic and also received a reward. But there was no time to check them out.
[Didn’t I say you had to do it every day?]
The Traveler’s training rendered me helpless every time. It was always the beginning of my day. I breathed deeply, wiping my sweat away. It felt like my life was reduced by 10 years each time I trained.
[Don’t worry. After this training, your lifespan will be extended, let alone be reduced. As your soul’s vessel expands, you may become a being that is not bound to human life.]
“…That really sounds like a Monster.”
I couldn’t help but laugh. He said I had to become a Monster to deal with one, but it felt strange to think that my body was really changing into something far from human.
How strong would I become? If I defeated the Great Overlord and saved the world, would I be able to live a normal life afterward?
I don’t know. I’ll think about it then. That’s not what matters now.
“…I’m exhausted. Shall I just check the reward while lying down?”
[Do as you please.]
I scratched my head and laid back on the floor. I moved my finger.
And just as I was about to check the reward that the Akashic Records gave me.
Ring ring.
My cell phone rang.
“Yes, hello.”
I answered the phone dejectedly.
-Yes, hello? Si-woo, where are you? You aren’t at the training camp, and you aren’t home.
“I came out for a moment.”
-But what’s wrong with your voice? You’re not seeing a girl, are you? No, you shouldn’t sound like that if you’re on a date.
“I’m at a private training place. If you’re going to keep saying nonsense, I’m going to hang up, so just get to the point.”
It was Han Yeon-soo. When I said I was going to hang up, she finally got to the point.
-Oh… Right now, all hell broke loose. Do you know that big event held by the Association every year?
“What event?”
-You know, when the 1st class Hunters spar with one another. To figure out how strong they are and where to assign each of them.….
“Oh, I know. But why? You always withdraw and don’t participate, saying it’s annoying.”
-Yes, but… Ugh. It looks like I have to participate this time. Besides, you have to go too, Si-woo. Now that you’ve become a 1st class Hunter!
“…What?”
What on earth was she talking about? I’d barely just become a 1st class Hunter. It was an absurd situation.
-Just come over here, and let’s talk about it. My head is killing me right now. Ugh!
I could sense her frustration from behind the cell phone.
Well, things were happening so rapidly I barely had time to catch my breath.
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