A few days ago, after summoning Bijung,
I’d exhausted every effort to recreate the phenomenon, but regrettably, I hadn’t achieved significant results. At best, I could barely discharge a trickle of current when focused—nowhere near the level usable in combat.
Crackle!
Yet now, I think I understand.
“My movements flow effortlessly.”
Proper breathing, the unity of sword and self, sensory enhancement, precise posture and motion, swift footwork, optimal mana manifestation, ideal activation of mana circuits—when all elements harmonize perfectly, swordsmanship unfolds naturally.
Only then did I realize how crude and clumsy my previous attempts had been.
It felt incredibly profound.
I stared straight at the world.
Crackle!
The world blazed blindingly blue.
The mana I channeled, the breath I exhaled, the air currents stirred by my presence—all transmuted into visible blue currents.
Fizz!
As I sprinted, the currents raced with me.
The visualized currents, friction intensifying, writhed more fiercely.
And when I reached a certain speed—
Roar!
The sound of Bijung shifted.
It grew coarse.
Rrrraaaah!
Like a lion’s roar.
The Bijung swirling around me charged fiercely toward the Sovereign.
The same happened on the opposite side.
Do Si-eun’s Bijung was unleashed.
Screech!
Thus, two bolts struck the Sovereign, electrocuting it, while our swords sliced through, carving it diagonally.
Screech…
The Sovereign’s body, split into three, collapsed diagonally.
Soon after, a message appeared, signaling the end of the evaluation match.
[Achievement Unlocked: Earned the Head’s Recognition]
[Title “Lion Cub” Acquired]
[Achievement Unlocked: Defeated a Boss Monster at a Young Age]
[Title “Boss Baby” Acquired]
[Gate Conquered]
“…What is this?”
In the game, certain achievements or evaluations granted players titles. So, it wasn’t hard to guess why I’d suddenly received these titles.
“Probably because the onlookers assessed me differently.”
The message itself stated I’d earned the Head’s approval.
I must’ve shown something that pleased him.
“Well, I suppose that makes sense.”
With that self-congratulation, I checked my titles.
Lion Cub and Boss Baby.
Given the conditions for obtaining them, these titles never appeared in the game centered around Kang Hyeonbyeol.
Lion Cub
Origin: A compliment from Do Ye-eok, the current head of the Shinjeom Taoist Sect, to Do Gyeon-woo for demonstrating fitting Shinjeom prowess.
Effect: Receives attention from those aware of the Shinjeom Taoist Sect’s status. Increases the effect of “Shuwang-style” skills by 10%.
First, Lion Cub.
For me, who uses Shuwang-style, a title boosting its effects by 10% is quite useful.
“But equipping this title means being called ‘Lion Cub’…”
Though it’s a term of praise, it might grate on my nerves over time.
Still, the benefit is worth it.
Next, Boss Baby.
Boss Baby
Origin: A title reflecting the achievement of defeating a boss monster at a young age.
Effect:大幅 increases the chance of being prioritized as a target in boss monster battles. During boss monster combat, all physical abilities increase by 10% of their base values.
While it’s useless in normal circumstances, this title is invaluable in boss fights. The effect is outstanding.
“10% of base stats… not bad.”
In the game, a few boss-related titles existed, but none matched Boss Baby’s unrestricted 10% boost to all physical abilities during boss fights.
“It’s a pity it’s only 10% from base stats, but still.”
However, there’s a catch.
I furrowed my brows.
“Equipping this will draw aggro from boss monsters?”
The greater the benefit, the steeper the cost. Being a top-priority target means bracing for significant danger.
While it synergizes well with guardians who tank aggro, it’s less ideal for me, who focuses on damage output.
Fortunately, my evasion instinct might mitigate the risk somewhat.
“I’ll have to use this strategically. Not recklessly.”
After dismissing the message, I opened my status window.
Then, I fell into thought.
“Hmm.”
[Replace title “Rabbit” with “Lion Cub”?]
[Yes / No]
Only one title can be equipped at a time. To equip Lion Cub, I’d need to swap it with my current title.
In other words, I’d have to deactivate Rabbit, the title representing Do Gyeon-woo in the game.
This posed a dilemma.
Rabbit’s effects aren’t negligible either.
Rabbit
Origin: A term for Do Gyeon-woo, who doesn’t fit the Shinjeom Taoist Sect’s ethos.
Effect: Receives attention from those aware of the Shinjeom Taoist Sect’s status. Increases evasion rate by 30%.
Even if the attention from Rabbit isn’t positive, a 30% evasion boost can’t be ignored.
With my luck stat at 25, deactivating Rabbit would drastically lower my evasion.
“And I can’t just raise my luck stat.”
Raising luck is difficult, so it’s better to focus on enhancing other physical abilities.
Most importantly,
“I mustn’t forget my weapon.”
In the game, Do Gyeon-woo’s strength lay in combat leveraging his evasion instinct. To maximize my Gift, I can’t forsake evasion.
I made my decision.
“No choice.”
[Yes / No (selected)]
While Lion Cub’s effects are tempting,
Rabbit remains the best title for regular use.
“I’ll reserve Lion Cub for when I need a boost in attack or for family gatherings.”
I closed the message.
Then, Do Si-eun approached.
“You were staring into space for a while after seeing the ‘Gate Conquered’ message?”
“What… Yeah?”
“You seemed to gaze at the void for too long over something like that…”
“Ah, I was just reviewing the messages I received during the gate.”
People in this world were unaware that titles had effects. They simply saw them as tools to elevate a hunter’s status or imprint an image on others—since the system doesn’t manifest like in a game.
I glossed over it.
“I see. And… here.”
“Sis, what’s this…?”
Do Si-eun, unable to view messages outside the gate’s, dismissed it as trivial.
Then, she handed over what she held.
“It’s the gate key. It dropped on me after we defeated the Sovereign.”
“Why are you giving this to me?”
The gate likely judged her as the main contributor to the conquest. Yet she passed the key to me, leaving me puzzled.
Then, Do Si-eun said…
“If you hadn’t proposed collaboration, we wouldn’t have conquered the gate.”
“…”
“Whether the gate thinks so or not, that’s how I feel. That’s why I’m giving you the key.”
“Thank you, it’s all thanks to you.”
She smiled gently, brushing her fallen hair aside.
Seeing that smile, I couldn’t refuse.
“Alright, I’ll take it.”
“Mm.”
I accepted the key from Do Si-eun.
Regardless of what the artifact-wielding observers thought, she was ceding her credit for the evaluation match to me.
Then, at that moment.
Thud!
A splash sounded, and a woman landed in the center of the lake where only we stood.
Judging by her Regulus Clan attire, she seemed a hunter loyal to our family.
“Congratulations on conquering the gate.”
“…”
She bowed slightly upon meeting our gazes, then raised her head to state her purpose.
“Please hand over the gate key, and I’ll relay it to the Head.”
“…”
Indeed, after conquering a gate, nearby hunters collect the key.
I nodded.
“Yes, here.”
“Then I’ve received the gate key. I’ll also report that Do Gyeon-woo and Do Si-eun were the main contributors to the gate’s conquest.”
“Please do. But how do we exit?”
A gate to leave this world always spawns near the gate key.
Once she took the key, the gate’s location would shift.
I inquired where the gate might have spawned nearby.
She pointed to a direction.
“The gate is now there. I plan to ensure all evaluation participants exit safely, so no need to worry about returning. If you need escort, I can…”
“No, we can manage. We’re not that injured, are we? Right?”
“Yes, we’re fine.”
“…Alright.”
The gate was on the lake’s outskirts.
Hunters, who’d lain low until now, were escorting participants there.
We decided to follow.
Before that, there was something to clarify.
“May I ask something?”
“Yes, please, Young Master Gyeon-woo.”
“Regarding loot obtained during the evaluation match, how is ownership determined?”
“That’s…”
In the haste to complete the evaluation match, I had no leeway to collect loot from the monsters.
This was quite regrettable. At the very least, I wanted to salvage the spoils from the Sovereign. The gate boss’s corpse is right here, bobbing on the water’s surface—how could I just leave it? And the Sovereign was a Rank 3 monster, after all.
I glanced sideways at the Sovereign’s corpse. Split into three parts, it floated atop the water sealed by magic, unable to sink. It looked incredibly valuable.
“The spoils obtained from the clan’s gate are, by default, the clan’s property… Please wait a moment. I suppose I should check.”
The woman, sensing my intent, glanced at the Sovereign’s corpse. She then tried to use a communication artifact, but…
“Ah, Captain. It’s about…
[Take it if you want.]
“…”
[The spoils belong to the victor.]
Before she could finish, Grandfather’s voice rang out. We froze, never expecting him to chime in.
It seemed he’d been watching all along.
“Uh… The Head has permitted it. The spoils belong to the one who defeated the monster.”
Well, that’s that. With Grandfather’s blessing, I decided to search the Sovereign’s corpse.
“Great. Then we’ll take the Sovereign’s loot. Sis fought too, so…”
“I’m fine.”
At that moment, Do Si-eun conveyed she’d relinquish her claim to the loot.
“Really?”
“Yeah, you take it.”
I saw no reason to refuse.
“Thanks, I’ll gladly accept.”
I promptly sliced open the Sovereign’s chest and extracted the mana stone. It was tightly fused with the corpse, requiring some effort to pry out.
After removing the mana stone,
“Is there anything else besides the mana stone?”
I watched as the corpse’s mana particles dissipated. Then, a shape about to sink into the water caught my eye.
I swiftly snagged it.
[Intermediate Physical Ability Law Stone]
Consumable
Description: Contains power that contributed to the target’s physical abilities.
Effect: Absorbing it grants 1 residual point. This can be used for physical abilities below 80.
“…”
“A Law Stone? They’re rare—good find. Have it appraised once we’re out.”
“…Sis, seriously, thanks.”
“Huh?”
Do Si-eun couldn’t know. The yellow gem in my hand was an exceptionally rare Law Stone. It was a jackpot.
There’s no other way to put it.
It’s worth the struggle, truly.
A Law Stone that lets you allocate points to any ability—not just a specific one—is incredibly rare. And it’s Intermediate grade.
This Law Stone should be converted into a residual point to use when the time is right.
Considering how growth slows once physical abilities exceed 70, it’ll come in handy then.
“Let’s go now, sis.”
“Yeah, sure.”
Satisfied, I pocketed the Law Stone. It was time to exit the gate.
Then, just as we were leaving,
“By the way, Gyeon-woo.”
Do Si-eun called out as I walked ahead. I stopped and looked back.
Could she…?
“You’re not asking for the Law Stone, are you? Sorry, but this is mine now.”
“…”
Unnecessary anxiety washed over me. What if she tried to take the Law Stone? I clutched my bag defensively, hunching my body to show my guard.
She seemed at a loss for words. Then, sighing, she said,
“Congratulations.”
“For what?”
“For summoning Bijung. I almost forgot to mention it. It was really awesome. I saw it again.”
“…Thanks. You were awesome too.”
Of course, she wasn’t the type to take and then give back. I let my guard down.
Upon exiting the gate, support staff waiting outside approached us. They thoroughly examined my body.
“No serious injuries, it seems. We’ll treat what we can, and for the rest, we’ll let natural healing take its course.”
Their healing magic swiftly closed my wounds. The remaining ones would vanish with time.
Before long…
“Good job, everyone! Especially Si-eun and Gyeon-woo’s skills left a deep impression!”
Led by Grandfather, who was beaming with joy, the others emerged from the gate. Our families were there too.
I was about to head to my family when…
“Mom, ah…!”
“Amazing! You broke the 2nd Head’s record!”
“…”
Grandfather blocked my path, then suddenly pulled me into an embrace. Surprised, I froze—so did everyone else nearby.
Is it because I summoned Bijung? He’s really pleased…
In Grandfather’s arms, I could see people staring, some agape, others wide-eyed.
“But don’t get arrogant. Stay humble and keep striving.”
Ignoring the stares, Grandfather patted my back. I stood still.
When was the last time Grandfather praised me?
I pondered. Ever since I failed a rabbit hunt and was mocked as “Rabbit,” his attention had faded.
This felt novel. Reearning the clan’s recognition was satisfying.
On the other hand.
“Status window.”
I decided to seize the moment. Summoning the status window inwardly, I carefully manipulated the screen without Grandfather noticing.
[Replace title “Rabbit” with “Lion Cub”?]
[Yes (selected) / No]
I changed my title. This would surely amplify Grandfather’s favor.
I spoke up.
“Then… Head.”
“Yeah, Gyeon-woo. What’s up?”
“May I join the debriefing?”
To my question, Grandfather answered crisply.
“Of course! Absolutely!”
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