Chapter 95 (2/2)
My cell phone had fallen out of my pocket onto the dirt floor. I glanced at the notification on the screen.
-A message has arrived.
-Four Guardian Gods guild leader Kim Young-hwan.
-You know that favor I asked of you the other time? There’s something I’d like to tell you about the matter. Are you free this afternoon?
What favor did he mean? I couldn’t think straight because of the state of exhaustion I was in. Was he talking about the coalition with my guild? My guild wasn’t even officially founded yet! Well, he seemed like a hasty person.
While I was thinking, another message arrived.
-I’m sorry for contacting you so urgently. It’s not easy to pass down Mugong…. I hope we can meet today.
At the same time, the Traveler spoke.
[And as soon as I mention it, an opportunity comes rolling in. Eat it up right away.]
* * *
“Thank you. It was a sudden request.”
“Not at all. I happened to be free.”
I replied, shaking Kim Young-hwan’s hand. He burst into laughter. I smiled and started talking.
“By the way… I can’t get a clear idea of what you said last time and what your text meant.”
“Yes?”
“What’s Mugong? If it’s your skill, it’s impossible to transfer it to others……. Or is it, by any chance, an inheritable characteristic?”
“Ah. I never gave you a full explanation. I’m sorry. Most of the Four Guardian Gods guild members know the term, so I forgot.”
Actually, I knew what Mugong was. As an Analyst, I was commissioned by the Four Guardian Gods guild, and I was briefed on various details for further analysis. But the Traveler had ordered me to do one thing, so I lied to follow that order.
‘I’d like to hear how he explains Mugong. I want to see whether they have invented a physical fighting method by reading martial arts novels or whether it is the same as the kind I know.’
How will Kim Young-hwan reply?
“Simply put… It’s a physical technique that I created. It’s kind of like a combat technique. The optimized way for Awakened people to handle their bodies.”
“…….”
“One of my characteristics is -The Spirit of Moorim-. It’s a power I gained from my Awakening, and from the moment I realized this ability, strange thoughts came to my mind. I saw visions of a historical drama-like place, which didn’t look at all like modern society, let alone have any tall buildings.”
“…….”
“Do you know about martial arts novels? It’s a genre that used to be popular, and I saw places similar to martial arts novel backgrounds. Ordinary people running as fast as wild cats, breaking iron with their bare hands. At first, I thought I was dreaming.”
Said Kim Young-hwan as he pointed his finger upward. That moment, the hair covering his forehead flew upward as if someone had pulled it.
“Until I could also envision how to handle that power.”
“……!”
“I naturally learned Mugong or the way to control energy and train the body, to be exact. Thanks to Mugong, I was reborn as a top Hunter, and I was able to train my guild members to become stronger.”
Kim Young-hwan bent his finger and continued to talk.
“As time went by, my Mugong constantly improved in a way that fit Awakened people, thanks to the memory of Moorim that kept flowing into my mind.”
“Ah…….”
“I peeked into the memory of the other world yesterday. Mugong is still improving and developing. But, unfortunately, I couldn’t keep up.”
A bitter smile appeared on Kim Young-hwan’s face.
“This old, creaky body can no longer reach a higher state. I can barely maintain this power.”
“…….”
“Also, the memories of Moorim are taking over my memories. First of all, my old memories started to fade away, and now it’s hard to remember a week, no, three days ago.”
“……!”
What was this? I had never heard of this. I didn’t know that Kim Young-hwan was caught in such a situation before I came back in time.
“Sometimes, I can’t say my son’s name right away. Isn’t it ridiculous? That a father has to think forever before he can call his son?”
His face looked forlorn.
“Oh, right, what were we talking about? Oh no. I’ll get back to the point. About passing down Mugong…….”
Kim forced a smile and continued his explanation. But I couldn’t focus on his words. Because of the shocking new facts? Yeah, that wasn’t false. But the real reason was the Traveler muttering behind me.
[The Spirit of Moorim… It must be exactly the same technique as I know. But hearing what he said, I think there must be a more certain way to grow stronger than to learn Mugong.]
“…….”
[The ability to constantly draw in memories. Don’t you think that ability perfectly suits your Akashic Records? If the Spirit of Moorim were yours, they would have created great synergy, don’t you agree?]
‘I guess so. But why are you bringing that up all of a sudden?’ I muttered under my breath and tried to concentrate on Kim Young-hwan.
[I think… that you can make that characteristic yours. What do you think? Do you want it?]
I would have been able to focus on Kim Young-hwan if the Traveler hadn’t said that.
‘What did he just say?’
The fundamental power that turned Kim Young-hwan into a hero of humankind and the guild master of the Four Guardian Gods guild. The Traveler had just said that the power that enabled Kim Young-hwan to keep his seat at the top of all Hunters could be mine.