Chapter 9

Master of the Arts (2)

My prediction was correct.

The Old Man had a ‘grudge,’ a desire, to teach someone.

‘Actually, it wasn’t that there were no talents to teach.’

According to my Memory Recreation.

There were definitely many mediocre people in that unknown otherworld.

If he had gathered them, divided up his skills, and passed them on, he could have sufficiently passed on his knowledge to future generations.

But.

The Old Man was greedy.

One-Person Inheritance.

He wanted only one person to inherit his vast abilities and knowledge.

[Skill, ‘Memory Recreation’ (S-Rank) has ended.]

Whoosh!

The strange sense of déjà vu disappeared.

The scenery changed again.

[‘Master of Supreme Art’ is staring at you.]

“Huuuh!”

I felt a gaze that made it hard to breathe.

He wasn’t just saying it.

It was a pressure so strong that I really couldn’t inhale a single speck of air.

‘But.’

I smiled.

I felt like a perverted psycho for being able to smile in this situation.

But I couldn’t help but smile.

‘Because I see hope.’

The Old Man’s words when he first saw me were blatant disregard.

He said I was worse than Gi So-yul and that I wasn’t even worth looking at.

He wanted to throw me away quickly.

‘However.’

That Old Man’s Soul was definitely ‘staring’ at me.

He didn’t painfully subdue me like other Hunters or Gi So-yul and throw me out the ‘door.’

That alone gave me hope.

Soon, the white-haired Old Man’s mouth opened.

“You.”

I felt an enormous presence.

Was this truly the power of someone who had stood at the pinnacle of a world?

“You looked into my heart? You’re a curious one.”

[‘Master of Supreme Art’ is curious about you.]

“Y-Yes…! Haaack!”

I blurted out an answer.

It was hard to even open my mouth, but I tried my best to make a sound.

The opportunity Gi So-yul provided was only once.

In other words, one coin.

‘If this Old Man is really looking for a disciple…! If I can inherit that vast power and knowledge…!’

It has to be me.

I absolutely can’t let anyone else take it.

I feel like I’ll really regret it if I miss this opportunity.

I knew it instinctively.

That this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

If I could have the Old Man, who treats even Rankers like toys, as my master, wouldn’t that be a stroke of luck!

“However.”

The voice of the Old Man in white mourning clothes, ‘Master of Supreme Art,’ was somehow cold.

The Old Man, who had been looking at my eyes for a moment, soon shook his head.

“There’s nothing but a little curiosity. You’re pathetic. You can’t be a vessel to contain me. You’re endlessly lacking.”

“Huuuh!”

The Old Man’s energy became even more intense.

My whole body trembled as if I were being electrocuted.

No.

This can’t happen.

I have to persuade that Old Man somehow.

Even if I have to endure and endure until my whole body melts away.

“No, Old Man!”

I glared fiercely.

Then I stared straight at the Old Man.

“If you do that, you won’t get a disciple! You’ll be stuck as a ghost forever, unable to resolve your grudge! You’ll be remembered by the world as a stubborn and obstinate spirit!”

“What?”

The Old Man’s energy became ferocious at my provocation.

“Goodness, what an impudent child. I’ve been letting ants and worse live with my boundless generosity. Do you need a broken leg to come to your senses?”

“Wait! Hold on! Old Man, you’ve mastered Myriad skills. The people I know in this world struggle to master even one skill, even if they dedicate their lives to it!”

“Hmph, that can’t be. The world is wide and time is long, wouldn’t there be another genius like me?”

I was briefly flustered by the Old Man’s arrogance.

But I still bought time.

The Old Man is definitely ‘talking’ to me.

That alone is a great achievement.

“Look! Do you believe that the woman who came in earlier is one of the strongest in this world?”

“What?!”

The Old Man’s face contorted for the first time.

A face stained with shock.

He seemed genuinely surprised that Gi So-yul was the strongest.

‘This is… a bit depressing.’

As someone whose ultimate dream is to be a Ranker like Gi So-yul.

The Old Man’s reaction stung.

‘Anyway.’

It seems like he took the bait, so should I try to reel him in?

From the Old Man’s perspective, who was looking for a useful talent.

It would be hard to accept that Gi So-yul, whom he rejected, is one of the strongest in this world.

Even in the world where the Old Man lived, there were many strong people who surpassed her.

“That can’t be! The strongest in the world with that skill? What the hell is wrong with this world?”

The Old Man, who had been gaping in shock, suddenly shouted.

“You! Don’t tell me you’re trying to make a fool of me?”

“Look into my eyes! Am I lying? Old Man, you’ve been called a sage for hundreds of years. You can tell right away if what I’m saying is a lie, can’t you!”

Based on the information I obtained through ‘Memory Recreation.’

I kept talking.

In my opinion, a Ranker is no different from the strongest in the world, so I was confident that I wasn’t lying.

“Hmm.”

A furrow formed on the Old Man’s forehead.

He must have realized that my words were true.

Even though he had become a ghost, the Old Man’s mystical energy was still intact.

“You… you’re right. To think she was a fairly recognized strong person, even if she wasn’t the best in the world. How could she be with such skill? Alas, the heavens are merciless. I wanted and wanted a talent so much, but in the end. Tsk.”

The Old Man clicked his tongue.

The intense gaze was fading into emptiness and despair.

The pressure was also slightly disappearing.

“Huuuh? Hooo, hoooo!”

I could breathe a little easier.

I gasped for air through a small hole.

And soon.

I instinctively sensed that an opportunity had come.

“Hooo…! Old Man!”

I shouted, screaming.

“If you don’t like everyone, why don’t you use me?”

“Use?”

“Yes! Inherit your abilities to me!”

“Hmph, to you?”

The Old Man scoffed.

“Are you telling me to take you as a disciple? I thought you were just impudent, but you’re shameless too. I’d rather teach garbage than teach you.”

The Old Man’s fact bomb pierced my heart.

But I didn’t stop persuading him.

“First, listen to me! I’m not saying to teach me!”

“…Then?”

“I have a special ability.”

I rolled my eyes and checked my status window.

[Hunter: Ju Dong-hoon]

[Energy: 100/100]

Okay.

No abnormal conditions.

I clenched my fist tightly.

[Using skill, ‘Summon Ordinary Skeleton’ (D-Rank).]

That’s right.

The plan I’ll present to the Old Man.

That is, not me, but my children.

In other words, the Skeletons.

[Consumes 10 Energy.]

[‘Bone One’ has appeared.]

[Consumes 10 Energy.]

[‘Bone Two’ has appeared.]

Starting with Bone One and Bone Two.

[Consumes 10 Energy.]

[‘Bone Three’ has appeared.]

…….

[Consumes 10 Energy.]

[‘Bone 12’ has appeared.]

From Bone Three to Bone 12.

This time, I used all my Energy to summon all ten Skeletons I could use.

This was a gamble.

“Old Man, you can see the potential of these children at a glance, right?”

“…….”

A gamble that the growing Skeletons have endless potential.

The Skeletons definitely grew from E-Rank to D-Rank.

Then.

Isn’t there a way to achieve C-Rank and B-Rank as well?

Later, S-Rank.

No, maybe even beyond that.

It’s just that I don’t know how to do it now.

Even so.

I can say that ‘potential’ alone is enough.

“From Bone One to Bone 12, there are a total of ten. They all have different Unique Abilities. It will be easier for you to divide and teach them. You want a One-Person Inheritance? You don’t have to worry about that either. Even if I grow all of them, only I can inherit it!”

It may be sophistry.

But this is the only answer right now.

They are all I have, my ‘Unique Ability.’

Aren’t they ‘me’?

‘It’s a win-win situation anyway.’

The Old Man will have to choose.

Whether to live in regret for the rest of his life.

Or to choose at least the next best thing.

“What do you think? They are growing Undead. They don’t suffer, so they will be more persistent than anyone else, and they have no fear, so they will be adventurous. They will accept the Old Man’s advice and teachings without exaggeration, just as you say.”

“…….”

The white-haired Old Man was silent.

With an expressionless face that didn’t reveal what he was thinking, he was just staring at the Skeletons.

“…….”

So I closed my mouth too.

I felt it instinctively.

No matter how much more I say here, the Old Man’s choice will not change.

The Old Man only moves according to his own judgment.

I waited silently.

For the Old Man’s choice.

“Hoo.”

And soon.

The corners of the Old Man’s lips twitched.

“Goodness… it’s funny. To think that the talent I’ve been looking for is not a human but a dead person.”

“……!”

Step.

The Old Man slowly moved his steps.

And caressed the Skeletons with a gentle gaze.

“Indeed, the potential is enormous. They must have been great Martial Advance in their lifetime. I’ve wanted such people all along, but why only now. Tsk.”

The Old Man’s reaction was truly shocking.

Is this how it feels when six randomly picked numbers win the lottery?

Is the potential of my Skeletons really so great that the Old Man is praising them?

“It’s a bit ambiguous to teach one person instead of… Good, I’ll have to make some concessions.”

The ferocious pressure had disappeared.

Only then did I see the surrounding scenery.

That’s right.

This is the snowy mountain where the Old Man ended his life.

[Hidden condition has been met.]

A place where the Old Man’s grudge is deeply rooted.

A place where he will resolve that grudge in the future.

[This is a hidden condition exclusive to ‘Stage: Deeply Grudged White-Haired Old Man’!]

The Old Man’s eyes turned to me again.

With a very satisfied expression.

Gulp.

As I swallowed, he continued.

“I’ll believe your words. I’ll also believe in the venom in your eyes. So promise me. That no matter what trials come, you will inherit everything I have. That you will engrave ‘my’ existence somewhere in the world.”

[Condition: Get Recognized]

To be recognized by the Transcender who conquered the otherworld, ‘Master of Supreme Art,’ you must reach a certain level.

Persuade him.

I felt the Old Man’s earnestness in his tone.

Well, how much did he want it that he became a ‘grudge’ even after death?

I answered sincerely.

“I can’t miss a stroke of luck I’ve been dreaming of. I’ll carry it on no matter what.”

“Good.”

The Old Man’s answer was cheerful.

[Congratulations!]

[Clearing ‘Stage: Deeply Grudged White-Haired Old Man’!]

Ah…….

I was moved.

Really?

This Dungeon that even Rankers couldn’t clear.

Did I really clear it alone with my own strength in one coin?

Really?

Thud!

Perhaps because the heightened tension was released.

My legs gave way accordingly.

[Clear reward has arrived!]

To be honest.

I can confidently say that this day.

Was the day I got the best stroke of luck in my entire life.

[Consuming all Energy!]

[The body reaches its limit!]

“…….”

And soon.

I lost consciousness.