Chapter 10: Elder’s Favor

“You’ve come, brat.”

“Second-grade member Lee Tae-sung greets Elder Dam Ho-pung.”

“Sit.”

Elder Dam Ho-pung, who had been sitting cross-legged, pointed to the spot across from him.

A small low-profile table was set out in front of him.

Lee Tae-sung respectfully knelt and sat before it.

A book was already placed on the table, as if prepared in advance.

‘This is it!’

Lee Tae-sung subconsciously gulped.

Elder Dam Ho-pung smirked, as if he could guess Lee Tae-sung’s thoughts.

“I see you have high expectations?”

“Haha… Yes.”

“You should be.”

Elder Dam Ho-pung pushed the book slightly toward Lee Tae-sung, signaling him to read it.

Lee Tae-sung bowed his head slightly and picked up the manual.

As soon as he touched it, an information window appeared.

[Dragon Shadow Wind Movement Technique (Rare)]

-Grade: First-class Martial Art.

-Type: Movement Technique.

‘A first-class martial art! And it’s Rare grade!!’

He gasped, sucking in a breath.

If a first-class martial art were compared to the hybrid scale, it would be around Grade 3 or 4.

While Thunder Fist was also Grade 3, the Dragon Shadow Wind Movement Technique was high enough in quality to be comparable to a Grade 4 hybrid.

On top of that, it was a Rare grade.

“This is a martial art granted only to those who have accumulated significant merit among the first-grade members of our gang. I hope it is to your liking.”

“I—I like it very much.”

True to its name, the Soaring Dragon Gang was a sect that specialized in fast movement techniques.

While their other martial arts weren’t lacking, their movement techniques were certainly superior.

“To ensure it isn’t leaked, learn it right here and then burn the book.”

“Understood.”

Lee Tae-sung nodded and quickly scanned through the book.

As a Stranger, he could learn the skill just by speed-reading it.

However, it required skill points.

-Ding!

[Would you like to learn the Dragon Shadow Wind Movement Technique (Rare)?]

[8 Skill Points are required.]

It definitely required more skill points than Thunder Fist.

‘I’ll have to save up my skill points well from now on.’

He was still doing okay since his points had accumulated from leveling up several times, but the future was the problem.

He had intended to learn a few third-class martial arts as insurance for when he died, but considering he might get even better skills later, he would need quite a lot of skill points.

It was said that as one’s level and rank increased, one could eventually earn skill points one by one as quest rewards.

‘I’ll have to level up and perform quests diligently.’

For now, he boldly invested the skill points he currently held. Then.

-Ding!

[You have acquired a new skill.]

[Skill: Dragon Shadow Wind Movement Technique]

-Ding!

“You have acquired a new skill.”

「Skill: Dragon Shadow Wind Movement Technique」

The notification rang out simultaneously in both the game and reality!

Lee Tae-sung broke into a wide grin.

***

After that, Lee Tae-sung spent time practicing the skill at the Soaring Dragon Gang’s training grounds.

Improving a skill in Dream World linked it to reality as well.

Therefore, it was only natural to train the skill passionately.

Other gamers likely wouldn’t go this far.

“Whew….”

Later that evening.

Lee Tae-sung, who had been training the Dragon Shadow Wind Movement Technique for a long time, collapsed into a seat out of exhaustion.

His expression wasn’t very good.

The Dragon Shadow Wind Movement Technique was certainly powerful.

Since he could infuse it with internal energy to kick off the ground and dash rapidly, it would be a huge help in most situations, such as combat or escaping.

‘The problem is my internal energy.’

It was a problem he had felt in reality as well.

His internal energy was too low!

Since the Dragon Shadow Wind Movement Technique was a first-class martial art, it naturally required a lot of internal energy.

Even more so than the Flame Sword Technique or Thunder Fist.

Furthermore, since those two were hybrids, they used both internal energy and mana within the body.

On the other hand, the Dragon Shadow Wind Movement Technique used only internal energy, so using it a few times drained his reserves in an instant.

Once that happened, he couldn’t use it again until it naturally replenished.

‘If I use it continuously, I might be able to use it for about 10 seconds.’

At best, it might be 15 seconds.

A movement technique isn’t some kind of finishing move.

The duration was far too short.

‘I need to find an internal energy cultivation method.’

However, the main techniques he was currently using were the Flame Sword Technique and Thunder Fist.

If he obtained an internal energy cultivation method, another problem would arise when trying to use those two hybrid skills.

His head felt complicated because of this.

But Lee Tae-sung shook his head and stood up again.

‘Even if I worry about it, the only thing I can do right now is train.’

If he trained the Dragon Shadow Wind Movement Technique and increased its level, he should be able to reduce the consumption.

That was the most viable breakthrough at the moment.

“Is the training going well?”

A voice spoke up from beside him.

Lee Tae-sung immediately cupped his hands in greeting.

“Second-grade member Lee Tae-sung greets Elder Dam.”

Elder Dam Ho-pung had come to find him.

“Being polite is good, but you don’t need to go that far from now on. Anyway, I watched you for a moment while coming here, and your basic posture isn’t bad. I heard Strangers learn techniques easily. Is that why?”

Elder Dam Ho-pung was a man who clearly distinguished between favors and grudges, just as his appearance suggested.

He hadn’t just thrown the secret manual to him and ended it; he had come to check if Lee Tae-sung was learning it well.

“I am merely grateful that you would overlook my shortcomings.”

“If you have something on your mind, feel free to ask anytime. My life isn’t worth just one martial arts manual, so I still owe you a bit more.”

Lee Tae-sung hesitated for a moment at those words.

Should he mention the concern he had just been thinking about?

‘Let’s just ask.’

There was nothing to lose by asking.

“…Well, Elder. There is a part that is a bit problematic.”

“Speak. I will give you some advice.”

Lee Tae-sung explained that his internal energy was so lacking that he couldn’t properly use the excellent movement technique he had received.

Yet, if he accumulated merit in the Soaring Dragon Gang to learn an internal energy cultivation method, the hybrid skills he had learned so far would become a problem.

After listening to it all, Elder Dam Ho-pung spoke.

“The solution is easy.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes. First, let me ask you one thing. Why do you think this gang only has internal energy cultivation methods?”

“Well…”

“Because it’s a Murim sect?”

“Is it not?”

“That is a prejudice.”

Elder Dam Ho-pung clicked his tongue.

“There are so many powers existing in this great city of Elleun; do you think we could survive by digging into only one thing? Only a branch of a massive organization could do that. Our Soaring Dragon Gang hasn’t reached that level yet. Within this gang, martial arts manuals, hybrids, and even magic books all exist.”

Elder Dam Ho-pung’s solution was simple.

Accumulate merit and learn the hybrid mana cultivation technique that exists within the Soaring Dragon Gang!

That way, he could build up both internal energy and mana.

It was the easiest and simplest solution Lee Tae-sung had heard.

“Was that of some help?”

“Yes. My concern has been completely resolved.”

“Good. Then, do you have some time tomorrow?”

Lee Tae-sung’s mind started working rapidly. Why was he asking this?

“I have plenty of time, but…”

Whatever it was, it was only right to say he was available when an Elder asked.

“Thanks to you, didn’t we take down one of those Crimson Brotherhood bastards this time?”

The Crimson Brotherhood was an organization, but its center consisted of three brothers.

The one who had appeared at the ceasefire negotiation was the youngest, and he had lost his life at Elder Dam Ho-pung’s hands.

“I’ve had my doubts for a long time. Originally, the three Crimson brothers’ skills were around the second-class level. But then one day, the eldest suddenly reached a level close to the Peak, and the second and youngest also reached the first-class level.”

If a person became strong in an instant, there was usually only one suspicion.

In nine cases out of ten, they must have found a hidden piece!

“So, after finishing the battle, I searched the youngest one’s hideout.”

While Lee Tae-sung had been unable to log in because he was dead, Elder Dam Ho-pung had interrogated one of the men present to find the youngest’s hideout.

He had then searched the place with his injured body to see if there was anything useful.

“Most of it was junk, but it wasn’t a total bust. This came out.”

Elder Dam Ho-pung fluttered a piece of old paper and showed it.

It was a map with an ‘X’ marking a destination.

Even a fool could tell what it was.

“Is—Is it a treasure map?”

“Yes. Though of course, it might not be. Do you want to go with me? Who knows. If you’re lucky, something that solves your problem might be there.”

Elder Dam Ho-pung asked with a grin.

Lee Tae-sung nodded his head vigorously.

“Yes! Thank you for giving me the opportunity!”

To think a mere second-grade member would get to move with someone of Elder rank to find treasure.

This was no ordinary opportunity.

He had to do it.

-Ding!

[A quest has been generated.]

[Quest: Accompany Elder Dam Ho-pung]

-Description: The youngest of the three Crimson brothers possessed a treasure map.

Is this the reason behind the secret of how they suddenly became strong?

Elder Dam Ho-pung has granted you the favor of the opportunity to go with him.

Accompany Elder Dam Ho-pung to the location indicated by the map.

Lee Tae-sung quickly pressed accept, fearing the quest might disappear.

“I don’t know what will be there either. If there is something, I’ll share it with you, and if there’s nothing, that’s the end of it. And with this, the debt for my life is fully paid.”

“I am already more than grateful just for receiving the Dragon Shadow Wind Movement Technique.”

“Hmph. My life can’t be traded for something so trivial. Regardless, I’ll see you tomorrow.”

Elder Dam Ho-pung waved his hand and left first.

***

The next day.

Lee Tae-sung woke up and started moving even before the sun rose.

‘This reminds me of the old days.’

When he worked at a small-to-medium enterprise, the executive director there loved hiking so much.

-Hahaha.

A young fellow should go hiking.

It’s so refreshing and invigorating.

-Haha…

You’re right, Director.

-Good.

Let’s meet in front of my house this Saturday.

-Yes, sir.

It was unwanted hiking, but the company wasn’t the type to consider such things.

If they told you to do it, you did it!

Still, everything was an experience, and there were things he had learned.

‘When you have an appointment to meet elders, it’s always best to go early.’

Usually, they looked on that very favorably.

They would laugh off mistakes, and there were many times they would give out work that was easy and good for building a track record.

Though they would also call him every day to drinking sessions, saying he was now ‘part of their line’… regardless.

Lee Tae-sung finished all his preparations at the crack of dawn and waited in front of Elder Dam Ho-pung’s house.

A short while later, around the time dawn was breaking, Elder Dam Ho-pung came out of the gate and looked at Lee Tae-sung in surprise.

“Hoh. How long have you been out here?”

“It hasn’t been long, Elder. Did you sleep well last night?”

“Well, I slept soundly.”

It might have been his imagination, but his tiger-like face seemed a bit softer than yesterday.

“Let’s depart.”

“Yes. I will attend to you immediately!”

He had a good feeling about this.

The Hidden Piece Hunter.

Setting off now!