Chapter 1079: Scorched World.

I let out a sigh as I stepped out of the building.

The third test was finally over.

The result was, naturally, a pass.

Or… maybe ‘naturally’ isn’t quite the right word?

“Why would they say it was a close call?”

I turned back, utterly baffled. The first test was a sparring match with an examiner. And the second was theory about monsters, if I recall. The third was an interview, seemingly to check my character. But something the interviewer said as I was leaving stuck in my craw.

‘Given how overwhelming your performance was in the first two tests, you passed… but you were borderline in the third, so please exercise restraint.’

Or something like that?

I was genuinely dumbfounded.

“What did I even do?”

On the verge of failing the character test? They say you absolutely can’t fail the third one. And this was a close call?

‘I didn’t even say anything controversial.’

When asked what I’d do if my superior gave an order that was excessive…

‘If I couldn’t accept it, I wouldn’t do it.’

That’s what I said. And when asked what I’d do if I saw my superior committing corruption…

‘I’d beat the idiot up and get rid of them.’

That’s all I said. And to the question, ‘What if a comrade was in danger from a monster?’…

‘Are they a useful human?’

When I asked that, the interviewers’ expressions certainly soured…

‘…So what?’

I don’t see the problem.

Despite the confusing situation, I somehow passed, but their reactions really bothered me. Could I have really failed if things went south?

‘Nah, that can’t be it.’

I figured their reactions were just that, and there wasn’t actually any real issue.

Anyway.

“Let’s see…”

I left the main headquarters and started walking, observing my surroundings as I strolled through the district. There were several things I needed to do, but first, I had to secure a base.

“…And for that, I’ll need some money.”

I needed money right away to do that.

“Hmm.”

What should I do?

Honestly, I could probably conjure up enough with my powers, but that only works so many times. I don’t know how long I’ll be here. From what I can tell,

‘this isn’t something that’ll be settled in a day or two.’

It didn’t seem like a matter that could be resolved in just one day.

“…Swoosh.”

I scratched my head.

Money, huh…

After a moment’s thought, an idea struck me.

“There might be a way…”

What difference would the current era make? In this day and age, one method of earning money immediately came to mind. It’s a simple method, the kind you’d learn growing up in a family of swordsmen.

“Maybe I should go hunting.”

It seemed like I needed to go hunting after a long time.

---

I left the district for a bit and headed towards the mountains. Night was just beginning to fall, and I had to return to the main headquarters the next day. This meant I needed to take care of things tonight.

Tak.

I stepped onto a twig and climbed up.

And then.

Fwoooooosh—!!!

I released the energy I had sealed and sent it out in all directions. My sensory abilities were unleashed, enveloping the entire mountain. Instantly, the presence of every living creature on the mountain rushed towards me.

“Hmm…”

And not long after.

Grrr.

I detected the presence I was looking for. I immediately lunged forward. My vision shifted in an instant, and I arrived at my desired location.

Grrrk!?

There it was. A monster resembling a monkey, with blue fur. I flew straight at it and tore off its head.

Kwaduk.

Next, I grabbed the emerging magic stone. I made sure not to activate my Mana Absorption technique. If I absorbed the magic stone, the monster would disappear. That wouldn’t do.

‘Just one.’

I lunged again. I started slaughtering all the monsters around me.

Kwaduk-! Kwadeuk-!!

My body, now wreathed in flames, shot out like an arrow, killing monsters. About half an hour passed like this.

“Hmm…”

I looked at the piled-up monster corpses and brushed off my hands. Even though Hanam was a symbol of peace and inherently a safe place,

‘monsters are everywhere.’

There were bound to be monsters scattered around. I killed most of them. The reason was simple.

“Let’s see… How did I skin this again?”

Monster hides and bones are valuable. They’re used to make weapons and clothes in the Central Plains. The problem was,

“…this is a bit tedious.”

Separating the hide and bones seemed like a hassle. What should I do? I quickly ended my deliberation.

Hwaruruk-!

I immediately conjured flames and engulfed the monsters.

Kwaaaaaaaa—-!!!

The smell of burning filled the air. Soon, the monster hides and flesh burned away, leaving only bones.

“Good.”

Since it’s tedious, I’ll just sell the bones. That should fetch a decent amount of money. Alright then.

“…How do I carry these?”

It was time for my second dilemma.

---

“Thank you! Please come again!”

It was still nighttime. I stepped out of the building, receiving a bright farewell from the owner. The money I got from selling the bones was safely in my pocket.

‘Managed to sell them all, somehow.’

The money from selling all the bones fetched a decent price. It was annoying to make multiple trips, but the effort paid off. The owner was pleased too. They probably didn’t expect someone to bring this many bones for a private transaction, not a guild deal. Plus, there were bones from blue monsters, so I felt like I got a bit of a bonus.

‘…It would have been easier if I’d used spatial storage.’

But it would have drawn attention, so I had to carry them one by one. Still, the outcome was good, so I was satisfied. I’d secured money for food and lodging.

“Now, where should I go?”

I looked around, and my eyes landed on a tall inn far in the distance.

“Oh.”

My eyes widened. It was a building I recognized. It was the lodging provided by the Murim Alliance when I participated in the Dragon-Phoenix Gathering.

‘So that place exists in this era too.’

Should I head there? I immediately started walking towards it.

“Welcome!”

“Do you have rooms?”

“Which room would you prefer?”

“The cheapest one will do.”

“Ah. Is that so?”

When I asked for the cheapest room, their expression changed. Seriously, this damn place hasn’t changed a bit, whether back then or now. Still, they had a room. After paying for the lodging and a meal, I headed to the assigned room.

It was on the second floor. Last time I stayed here, I got the highest floor, so it seems the lower you go, the cheaper it gets.

Kkiik.

As I entered, sure enough, the room was incredibly cramped. Why is it so small? It was a good thing I didn’t have any luggage; it would have been trouble if I did.

“…Ah. It’s fine.”

Besides, once I join the alliance, I’ll probably get lodging anyway. I can live with this. Thinking that, I tidied up roughly and went back outside. I was about to head back down, thinking I should grab something to eat, when someone was coming up the stairs from below.

I didn’t pay much attention. I just shifted my body slightly to let them pass,

“Hm?”

but strangely, they didn’t pass; they stopped right next to me.

‘What the?’

What’s going on? Why aren’t they moving? I looked at the person strangely. It was a woman, wearing a veil. I narrowed my eyes. My enhanced vision could pierce even a veil. Unless it was a rare artifact, a mere veil couldn’t block my sight.

‘What is it.’

She had very large eyes. She was petite, with a somewhat deep green complexion.

‘…She looks familiar?’

Her appearance immediately reminded me of Tang Xiaoye. She looked so much like him, it surprised even me.

“Do you need something?”

When I asked the woman, she flinched and trembled.

“Oh, n-no. Sorry.”

“Yes.”

Startled, she barely managed to move aside. Funnily enough, her voice even resembled Tang Xiaoye’s. That was it. Since there was nothing else of note, I averted my gaze and headed back down.

“You can sit here.”

As soon as I got down, a waiter guided me. It was a small table. It looked like a less-than-ideal spot, but I didn’t dwell on it. It was just a place for me to sit alone anyway. I sat down and waited, and soon the food arrived. I had pre-ordered dumplings and somyeon noodles.

‘Smells good.’

I noticed the distinct aroma as soon as I arrived. I took a bite of the food. The taste was definite.

‘…So this isn’t a dream.’

It was exactly like reality. That was the moment I truly grasped it. As I was calmly eating,

“Did you hear? They say the Esteemed Patriarch visited the main alliance entrance exam this time.”

“The Esteemed Patriarch?”

I heard voices nearby. They were talking about the Esteemed Patriarch.

‘Ah, this isn’t good.’

As soon as I heard it, I knew. If the Esteemed Patriarch was mentioned…

“But what’s more surprising is that the Esteemed Patriarch intended to take one of the examinees as a disciple!”

‘Damn it.’

That meant my story was likely about to come up.

“A disciple? The Esteemed Patriarch wanted a disciple?”

“That’s right.”

“But why would the Esteemed Patriarch suddenly…?”

“No one knows the reason…”

“Who on earth is it? The person the Esteemed Patriarch wants as a disciple.”

“Well… that’s also not widely known. I heard they were a late bloomer…”

‘Ugh.’

As if trying to suppress my frustration with dumplings, I stuffed my mouth full of food.

‘I need to eat quickly and get back upstairs.’

No. Maybe I should just activate my barrier? Yes, that’s better. Nodding, just as I was about to activate my barrier to block the sound,

“Ex-excuse me.”

“Hm?”

I sensed someone’s presence in front of me. I looked up, and it was the woman I’d encountered earlier.

“…What is it?”

What is this one now? As I looked at her quizzically, the woman spoke, hiding her trembling hands.

“I-I’m not usually someone who does this sort of thing.”

“Pardon?”

“I really don’t…”

“…Do what?”

“Could I… c-could I possibly join you?”

“…”

Join me? I scrunched up my face at the unexpected situation. Why would she want to join me?

“There seem to be plenty of seats… why?”

There were plenty of seats around. Judging by her clothes, she seemed quite well-off… wait.

‘Come to think of it… those clothes…’

They were familiar green martial arts uniforms. And even…

‘If she’s wearing those uniforms and resembles Tang Xiaoye?’

Just as something was about to click, the woman spoke to me.

“I-I like you.”

“…What?”

It was truly absurd, even by my standards.