Chapter 103: A Lesson on the Edge of Death

“Yes… well… I do know of him.”

“Even though you are an Outsider, you know of the Flame Emperor. Well, I suppose it’s not surprising. He is the one known as The World’s Best, having left behind many great achievements.”

Serena wasn’t particularly shocked that Lee Tae-sung knew of the Flame Emperor.

Even for someone not deeply versed in history, the Flame Emperor’s name has been passed down for a very long time, even to the present era.

“The biggest reason the Flame Emperor is classified as a righteous figure, not an evil one, despite his many eccentric acts, is because he destroyed the Nameless Blood Cult.”

If he disliked someone, he’d punch them first.

If he wanted something, he’d attack even major factions to extort it.

If someone bothered him, his fist would fly first…

No matter how strong one is, possessing such a temperament would make every faction in the world publicly declare them an enemy.

However, the Flame Emperor was only ever described as a mischievous eccentric, not an absolute villain of that level.

That was all because he was the hero who toppled the Nameless Blood Cult, which sought to dye the entire world in blood.

‘Then, doesn’t that mean if the Nameless Blood Cult hadn’t existed, it wouldn’t have been strange for him to fight the whole world?’

The thought suddenly popped into Tae-sung’s head, but he shook it away immediately.

He didn’t want to be the disciple of a villain.

“According to the records passed down, they performed bloody rituals sacrificing countless civilians to their god, to the point where the river in that village was dyed completely red.”

The fact that the Flame Emperor, despite all his misdeeds, could be praised as The World’s Best and receive respect meant that the Nameless Blood Cult was that vile.

“Because of their cruelty and danger, we’ve been on alert in case any remnants remain, and now traces have been found. That’s precisely why we requested Sir Volkran’s assistance.”

The discovery of traces of the Nameless Blood Cult.

This was a matter shocking enough that the major factions held a conference and hastily dispatched a first investigation team.

And the even more shocking thing was that the entire investigation team was wiped out.

No matter how hastily assembled, they were from major factions and should have been quite capable, yet not a single one returned.

“Having grasped the severity of the situation, our Red Magic Tower requested a favor from Sir Volkran, with whom we have past connections.”

“I shall gladly take it on. I owe the Red Magic Tower a debt.”

“Thank you, sir. Having a Transcendental Realm master like yourself take charge makes me feel incredibly reassured.”

They had requested Volkran thinking he would be at the Peak Realm, but who would have thought he would arrive having reached the Transcendental Realm?

At a time when a strong investigation team was needed, it was a very fortunate turn of events.

‘And an Outsider who can revive even after death is also perfectly suited for such a mission.’

Serena glanced subtly at Lee Tae-sung.

High-level NPCs usually have some bad experience with Outsiders and dislike them, but Tae-sung was different.

An Outsider trustworthy in both skill and character.

If she told other major factions about such an Outsider, they’d surely tell her not to joke around, asking where such an Outsider existed.

That made him all the more suitable.

“Please take care of this as well, Sir Tae-sung.”

Ding!

[A Quest has been generated]

[Quest: Investigate the Nameless Blood Cult]

– Details: The first Nameless Blood Cult investigation team was completely wiped out somewhere in the north, where the cult’s main base existed in the past.

The major factions of the continent, alarmed, have decided to dispatch additional investigation teams to survey various zones.

Investigate the zone assigned to the Red Magic Tower alongside Volkran.

– This quest will lead to a follow-up quest upon success.

“|”

It was a quest Tae-sung was planning to accept unconditionally anyway, but his eyes sparkled at the notification that it would lead to a follow-up quest.

He had received many quests from the Flying Dragon Clan, but this was a first.

In such cases, a great reward usually follows.

“I will do my best to bring about a good result.”

“I’ll trust in you.”

Besides, he was planning to head north anyway.

Leo, Abeson’s son, had gone searching for a place called the ‘Sky Altar,’ which exists at the northern edge.

Since the investigation area for the Nameless Blood Cult remnants wasn’t too far from there, it worked out well.

*

“What is it you desire most right now?”

After the meeting with Serena ended.

That was the question Volkran posed to Tae-sung.

“I have a guess, actually. You probably wish to break through a wall.”

“That’s correct.”

Tae-sung nodded.

Blocked by the wall preventing him from advancing from the first-class realm to the next.

What he desired most was to break through that wall.

If he could reach the Peak Realm, he might be able to summon the Flame Emperor for longer.

“Just as you helped me break through my wall, this time I shall help you.”

An incredible proposal—a Transcendental Realm master would stick with him and continue to guide him.

“Gasp…!”

Elder Dam Ho-pung, who had tagged along claiming to be Tae-sung’s close ‘hyung,’ inhaled sharply in shock.

Dam Ho-pung had performed the spectacle of grabbing a broom and sweeping the courtyard just hoping to get a single word of advice.

When Tae-sung and Volkran left the Red Magic Tower, he quickly followed.

Since the two were heading to Tae-sung’s residence, the Flying Dragon Clan, it wasn’t a problem.

While cautiously trailing them, he heard this unexpected proposal.

‘I… I’m so jealous…’

Dam Ho-pung looked at Tae-sung with eyes swirling with all sorts of emotions.

But he couldn’t just butt in here and ask for some favor for himself too.

Not only would such shamelessness fail to sway the heart of a Transcendental Realm master, he’d be lucky not to earn their dislike.

“Thank you. However, if it’s alright with you, Sir Volkran, could you perhaps guide Elder Dam Ho-pung here as well?”

“Hmm? That fellow?”

“Yes. The Elder has helped me greatly until now. In a way, my ability to assist you on Jiryong Mountain might also be due in part to Elder Dam’s role.”

It was almost a stretch, but Volkran nodded readily.

“Hmm. Well, fine then. Guiding one more person isn’t that difficult. I’ll guide you until just before we depart for the request.”

“!”

Dam Ho-pung was astonished.

“B-b-b-brother…!”

Dam Ho-pung looked at Tae-sung with a face on the verge of tears.

He was at a loss for how to express his gratitude.

However, Tae-sung also felt this much was only natural, considering all the help he had received from him since his third-rate days.

And so, the three arrived at the Flying Dragon Clan and immediately headed to the large private training hall provided for elder-level members.

“To break through the wall in your realm, experiencing it directly is far better than a few words of advice. Come.”

Volkran, standing in the center of the training hall with his fists clenched, spoke.

Standing firm like a great tree, there were no openings in his posture.

“I’m coming.”

Tae-sung, to try something first, stepped with his footwork and thrust his sword.

Whoosh!

The Flame Tide Wave Sword unfolded, a wave of flames rushing to engulf Volkran, who extinguished it with a light punch that created a pressure wave.

“……”

Tae-sung looked at Volkran with disbelief.

Since obtaining the Flame Tide Wave Sword, he had easily incinerated almost all his enemies.

After even gaining a slight understanding of willpower, the monster that emerged from the Black Gate in reality found this wave troublesome.

And yet, it was extinguished with such a casual gesture?

‘Now I understand why everyone is so intimidated by Transcendental Realm masters.’

The entire arrogant Red Magic Tower treated him with respect, and Peak Master Dam Ho-pung started looking for a broom.

That wasn’t due to reputation, but purely because of strength.

From that moment, Tae-sung went all out.

He unleashed the Flying Flower Explosive Shadow, gauging the distance and creating gaps, continuously generating waves of flame, later even throwing Hidden Blades and summoning Ashaka to help.

However, none of his attacks managed to deal any meaningful damage to Volkran.

He just stood in place, creating pressure waves with his punches, blocking everything with that.

The result was that, unlike Tae-sung who was breathing heavily with difficulty, Volkran’s breathing wasn’t the least bit disturbed.

“Huff… huff…”

“I think I understand roughly.”

Volkran shook his head as if identifying the problem, not particularly concerned even while Tae-sung was struggling.

“You. Where did you obtain such outstanding martial arts? Judging by pure power alone, they are strong enough to give Peak Masters a hard time. They are certainly powerful.”

“Th-thank you.”

Even while out of breath, Tae-sung smiled slightly.

Who else’s but the Flame Emperor’s hybrid technique? Of course it’s strong!

“But how should I put it… It feels like you’ve grown stronger without deep enlightenment. The level of the martial arts you display is excellent, but they aren’t perfectly yours. That’s why you can’t break through the wall.”

What Volkran was referring to was the background of how Tae-sung learned his skills.

If you have Skill Points, you can learn them, so deep enlightenment isn’t necessary. Consequently, someone like Tae-sung, who seriously explores them, inevitably hits a wall.

“Judging by this, you need an experience that straddles the line of life and death. Through that, what you’ve learned can become firmly embedded even in your subconscious.”

As he said this, Volkran smiled slightly.

Tae-sung got goosebumps instantly.

An oddly unsettling feeling.

“Anyway, I hear Outsiders can revive the next day even if they die, right? So let’s try something a bit more extreme.”

A spar that straddles life and death—only applicable to Outsiders!

That was the method Volkran chose.

“Endure as if you will truly die if you lose. Only then will you see the effect.”

“W-wait a moment!”

Tae-sung tried to say something more, but instead of an answer, Volkran extended his fist.

Each time he threw a punch, the pressure waves took the form of a giant bear, sweeping through the surroundings.

Rumble!

He barely dodged, but the pressure wave that grazed past him rose up as a dragon whirlwind.

From the whirlwind spinning in place, wind bullets were periodically fired.

Startled, he unleashed the Flying Flower Explosive Shadow to evade, all while having to block or deflect Volkran’s continuously thrown punches.

Tae-sung endured with all his might.

‘I absolutely cannot die!’

Tae-sung is different from other Outsiders.

The moment he dies, one of his held skills is deleted at random.

He had learned several third-rate martial arts with 1 Skill Point each as a precaution, but that only lowered the probability of his important skills being deleted.

What if he’s unlucky and the Flame Tide Wave Sword is deleted?

Or what if the Summon Ascendant skill, the Flying Flower Explosive Shadow, or the Heavenly Fire Holy Law Art is deleted?

Martial arts or hybrids aren’t just skills; because their training methods are completely ingrained in the body, he might be able to relearn them even if the skill disappears.

But if a skill like Summon Ascendant disappears, the path to meet the Flame Emperor again would also be lost.

That’s why Tae-sung was enduring with every ounce of his strength.

“You’re enduring well. I hear other Outsiders aren’t that desperate. As expected of the one I’ve had my eye on. Kekekeke!”

Volkran, pleased that Tae-sung was holding up well under his onslaught, happily increased his output.

Tae-sung was having a hell of a time.

‘If this continues, I’ll just wither and die.’

It didn’t seem like he would stop even if asked to stop.

He didn’t have the leisure to speak anyway.

He had to create a lull somehow.

Tae-sung began to concentrate fiercely.

A little stronger!

More destructive, enough to make that mountain-like Volkran stop just once!

Fwoosh!

The flames of the Flame Tide Wave Sword, imperceptibly, gradually intensified.