[ Time / Location ]: Middle of the night / Clearing behind the house.
[ Pov ]: Dan Yuseong
" Kha... Huff. " I dropped to the ground after removing the three big logs off my back. Laying there, trying and failing to catch my breath.
My chest felt like it was on fire, even the cold air that drifted through my nose didn't help much with soothing it.
But I wasn't discouraged or sad, in fact I was so happy it felt like I was high on some substance.
After witnessing what kind of skill [ Resistance ] lv Max was, I couldn't wait and try it out. So I wrote a small note for my father when he came back, telling him that I was just training in the backwoods clearing of our house.
At one point, he came to check on me, he didn't say anything just stared at me for a couple of minutes while I was working out. Smiled, nodded and went back to the house.
I was too focused to greet him back, my whole mind was occupied on affirming a hypothesis on the skill I had.
The skill [ Resistance ] lv Max was simply too broken.
Just having it with a combination of my now system, made it a guarantee that I could become the strongest in this world.
With effort of course.
It worked like a feedback-loop, only initiated by my efforts.
If I exerted myself enough in training, I would reach my limit. Doing so would result in an added point in that said attribute I was working out.
What really made the skill so broken is in my fatigue. It registered my fatigue as a form of harm, creating from that the sub-skill [ Physical-Fatigue Resistance ] .
And by gaining that sub-skill, my endurance would automatically rise. What was really special about raising my endurance attribute was that for every added point in endurance, I would get 15% refill to my diminishing stamina.
Making it possible for me to put more effort into the loop. Hence, it becomes infinite.
' That is true infinite leveling-up, hahaha. ' ( A/N: it's a jab at the web novel being named infinite level up in Murim yet the author barely mentions anything about leveling up that much. )
" Let's see what my 4 hours of effort won me, status. " I had been ignoring the notifications so far, I didn't want to spoile my hard earned results by sneaking a peak.
And what results they were.
< Status >
Dan Yuseong
Age: 15
Lv 3: ( 00/20 )xp
Stamina: 20%
Qi: 100%
[ Attributes ]
Strength: 26 ( + 54 ) = 80
Agility: 31 ( + 35 ) = 66
Endurance: 51 ( + 49 ) = 90
Spirit: ( 1st stage of enlightenment + 89 ( + 19 ) = ) = 198
Qi: 12 years
Attribute points: 002
[ Skills ]
Inspect lv1
Qi manipulation lv 2 ( Proficiency 15 % )
Map lv 1
Storage lv 1
Resistance lv max
• sub-skills:
- [ Fatigue resistance ]: 003%
Harm caused from physical exertion.
- [ Mental resistance ]: 001%
Harm caused from mental exertion.
" Damn!, just 4 hours of grueling workout put me in the leagues of people in their 12-13 levels, and I'm still level 3. " I exclaimed, seeing the results gave me back some energy to sit up from the ground.
" Hmm? I even got a resistance related to my mind?. It kind of makes sense, I did feel like I was gonna pass out multiple times when I had to break my limits. " I didn't just go around lifting weights, I did every kind of impossible workout I knew from my past life.
And when that workout didn't yield any more results, I used weights. Any weight I could find around the forest, from lumber to rocks, I did it all.
I felt like giving up multiple times throughout this hell of a 4 hours, but every time I got my strength back from the added attributes, I would get up and do more exercises.
I never was this determined to work out, it's definitely a side effect of having a high value in the spirit attribute. In fact, I'm about to break the second stage in my spirit attribute.
Another welcome surprise was, the skill [ Qi manipulation ] had reached and passed the needed proficiency to level up.
" Funny how it leveled-up before the skill [ Inspect ]. Now that I am already ahead, I should set a goal to reach 100 in both the strength and endurance attribute. Anything less than that is a waste of the 4 hours of effort that I've gone through." I was slowly getting addicted to working out and I loved it, who wouldn't if you can see your own strength growing by the minutes.
" Huff... Let's do this! " I hyped my self up to do at least two more hours of training.
---<>---
[ Time / Location ]: / Home.
[ Pov ]: Dan Yuseong
I was laying on the ground, facing the ever so slowly brightening blue sky. I could feel every pebble that poked my back, trying so hard to bruise me but failing miserably at it.
My endurance was too high for that kind of thing to harm me. What they really managed to harm was my ever so frustrated mind.
The state of the surrounding area that I was training in could be described by only one word.
A Mess.
Shattered trees in the surrounding clearing, web-like cracked marks with visible hand imprints that made what used to be a field of grass and wild flowers into a mini-war-zone. But the actual forest still had that Serene calmness to it, the birds were still singing their morning tunes.
Through the help of that calmness and a newly gained resistance, I started to get back my composure.
" What a truly trashy body this is. " Just the mention of what I was delt with made my mood sour again.
< Status >
Dan Yuseong
Age: 15
Lv 3: ( 00/20 )xp
Stamina: 80%
Qi: 70%
[ Attributes ]
Strength: 80 ( + 19 ) = 99
Agility: 66 ( + 4 ) = 70
Endurance: 90 ( + 60 ) = 150
Spirit: ( 1st stage of enlightenment + 98 ( + 1 ) = ) = 199
Qi: 12 years
Attribute points: 002
[ Skills ]
Inspect lv1
Qi manipulation lv 4 ( Proficiency 40 % )
Map lv 1
Storage lv 1
Resistance lv max
• sub-skills:
- [ Physical-Fatigue resistance ]: 009%
Harm caused from physical exertion.
- [ Mental-Fatigue resistance ]: 002%
Harm caused from mental exertion.
- [ Sleep-Deprivation resistance ]: 008%
Harm caused from lack of sleep.
- [ Emotional-Overloald resistance ]: 002%
Harm caused from mental exertion.
After seeing that persistent 99 in my strength attribute, stuck like it was fused by some glue even after all the training I did all night long till the sun was up in sky rubbed my nerves all in the wrong places.
Agility being 70 is a thing I'm okay with, the fact that I brought it that high despite there being no clear ways to raise it affectively other than running around, is surprising in it's own right.
But I have no excuse for not being able to break the threshold in strength, it came down to me not having enough weights to use.
Some might think themselves smart and say: * Oh, why didn't you use your free attribute points to skip on needing to break your limit and do it through the system. *
I did, I already tried. What greeted my vision instead of seeing my strength attribute hit 100 was a system message, a message that made my jolly mood flip in a drop of a hat.
< Inadequate AP's for Attribute Advancement >
< Required AP Amount: 10 >
Hence the devastated clearing.
At least my emotional and physical overload that caused all of this, came with the form of multiple boons.
An advancement in my Qi manipulation skill to level 4. And the addition of two more resistances. Can't forget the fact that I'm very close to reaching the 2nd stage in my spirit attribute, I know, I said that already but it's still felt good to brag about.
My proudest achievement throughout all of this, was my advancement in my Endurance attribute.
" What can I do, I can't have it all. There has to be a wall to overcome I guess. Either I shatter it with my hands or use the system to leap over it. It's exiting no matter the path I choose. " In that moment, holding my clenched fist to the sky, I felt like I could see a road laid before me.
What did it lead to? That is the question I needed the answer for.
---<>---
After washing up all the dirt I had accumulated from training and getting a round of scolding for staying outside all-night long and being late for the Academy, I departed with a steaming sweat potato in hand.
Walking through bustling rounds full with people going about their daily routines, shop owners opening up, mothers and wives buying groceries for their families.
All of it felt surreal, like I was in a martial arts movie. Now and then you could see city guards patrolling the streets, making sure the peace was held.
Looking down and holding the identity plaque that's fastened to my belt, it dawned on me that if I didn't have it and I unfortunately had died some day, no one in this world would know who I was or what I did in my life.
" The commen man is nothing but a number in this era, more so than in the modern world. Infact, slavery still runs deep. Seen as a form of punishment in different provinces. "
" No matter the world, corruption is bond to be a thing. The good all yin and yang, chaos and order. " I murmured to myself.
" Sigh, power huh. It all comes down to whose hand is bigger, or whose poket's deeper. " I was never the deep thinker in my past life, I simply took things for what they were.
But that also meant that if I saw bullshit, I called it out as bullshit. No one could dissued me otherwise, guess I was lucky for not running into corrupt politicians in my past life. I would have been dead much earlier then 19 years old.
In my absent minded speculating I didn't notice that I already had reached the academy gates. And like I expected, they were closed.
It was on purpose that I didn't rush to arrive early, I simply hated first day entrance ceremonies. Skipping them would be the way to go.
Looking around for a bit, I found another one who also was late. " Gihu! " I called out to him.
" Hmm? Wha- who's calling me? " He was up in a tree napping like the sloth he was.
" Ah, Yuseong! You're late as well? I thought you were in there. " He said, dropping down from the tree to greet me.
" Yeah, I was too excited and didn't sleep so I trained and completely forgot about the time. " I confessed, no sense in telling a lie.
" What the... You didn't sleep at all? How did you manage that? If I don't sleep at least 6 hours a day and take a couple of naps throughout, I can't mange to go through the day in a good mood. " He looked at me like I was a practitioner of black magic or something.
" Well, you do you I guess. Now, to the more interesting stuff, I've been thinking about only thing from yesterday. Let's fight Mr. 1st place. " Gihu said, his whole demeanor and poster changing the next moment to someone ready to fight.
" Sigh, do we really have to-"
< Special Mission >
Fight and win against Jang Gihu to prove your first position in the test is deserved.
• Mission Rewards:
- Agility + 2, 150 xp.
- Martial art technique.
• Mission Penalty:
Reduced Physical Activity to 0% for 1 hour.
< Do You Accept: Yes or No >
" ... "
" I accept, but be warned. I will not hold back. " I both accepted Gihu's duel and the system' s mission. I'm no expert at fighting, but I'm 100% certain I will win this in this sparing match.
I have the knowledge of Dan Yuseong who had fought for over 30 years and the body to execute said knowledge to boot.
---<>---
[ Pov ]: Mapung Tho
" For not one but two new direct disciples to be late for the first day is shameful, those damn brats. " I growled in mild anger. Going back to the entrance gate after reporting to the Head About those two's absence. This hadn't happened even once since the academy first was established.
" Jang Gihu is well known in his family to be lazy and a sleepyhead, so there's no surprise there. It's that brat Dan Yuseong who's absence that doesn't make any sense. "
' After seeing his capabilities in the test, the Head sought some intelligence from a credible source that confirmed, Dan Yuseong was indeed of commen birth, now living with his widowed dad. '
' Did getting first place get into his head and now he thinks he can do whatever he wants? ' I thought.
" If that's the case, I'll be sure teach him some discipline. " I said, cracking my knuckles.
" Let's fight Mr first place. " I heard Gihu say from right outside the gates and got curious.
" Hmm? Who's he gonna fight? Let's see. " Leaping to the highest point in the gate to not get spotted, I observed.
" Humf, so he decided to finally show up. " Spotting Dan Yuseong close to Jang Gihu.
" Do we really have to- " Dan Yuseong froze, his eyes unfocused for a second.
" I accept, but be warned. I will not hold back. " When his focus came back he declared.
" What was even that? Never took him for the quirky kind . " Out of nowhere, Dan Yuseong turns up to my position.
Thankfully he didn't see me as I hid right in time. ' impossible... He sensed me from that far? '
' Sure, I don't specialize in stealth but there's no way a brat wet behind the ears would notice me, a fluke perhaps. ' Although I thought all that, I changed to another position just in case.
---<>---
[ Pov ]: Dan Yuseong
' Did I get it wrong? No, there was definitely someone spying on us. '
" Oy, where are you looking, our fight is here. " Gihu said, probably thinking I'm afraid to fight.
" Nothing, just a peeping Tom. As I said before be carf- "
" Blah blah, let's do this. " He interrupted me, and lounged at me. Right open hand reaching for my face.
When he reaches me I should say.
To me, everything was happening in slow motion. My perception was simply too high, although that changes nothing if my reflexes aren't up to par with my senses.
In a fight like this, it's okay, my agility is of someone who's level 7-8.
But if I fought a far stronger enemy in the range of 25-30, I would need to use my Qi to bridge the Gap in attributes. That is if they don't use their Qi too.
Back to our fight, I proceed to dodge his lunge by stepping to his right side.
I saw as his eyes slowly opened in surprise, reacting fast, he changed his already forward momentum into his elbow trying to catch me off guard.
" Whoop, can't have that. " I smirked at him, now holding his elbow in a vice grip, not intending to let go.
Now he has two options, either to try and remove his hand from my grip which is impossible for his current strength.
Or the second and only option, to counter with a knee. Unfortunately for him, I already anticipated that.
The moment his right leg left the ground, I removed my grip from his elbow and performed a low ground spin kick aimed at his left leg, the only thing keeping him grounded at the moment.
Next moment he was parallel to the ground falling to his back, I didn't end it there, when I finished my spin attack I transitioned it to an axe kick from the sky.
I put a small amount of spiritual energy in that final attack, all he could do is brace for impact and put his arms in a cross guard.
BAAAM!!
" ... " Mapung tho, somewhere up on a tree.
" ... " Me.
And finally, Gihu on the cracked ground sporting multiple bruises on his arms, eyes rolled back, indicating he has long gone to dream land.
" Caw . Caw . Caw " Random ass crow.
" Oops. " I completely forgot that my Qi manipulation skill of lv 4 added a 20% enhancement now.
< Mission Successful >
---<>---
[ Pov ]: Jang Gihu
" Ugh, w-what happened? " I tried to say, my whole body feeling like it went through a river slide.
My back felt like it was fused together, just the act of trying to sit up hurt like hell, as for my hands, they felt raw and throbbed from flashing pain.
" The fight with Yuseong... I lost? No, I didn't even have a chance. " I gradually started to remember what happened, it transpired so fast.
One image flashed so vividly in my mind. That terrifying axe kick at the end, I thought i could block it.
" He's strong. " I couldn't help but let a broad smile from gracing my face, my loss didn't bother me one bit. It just meant there was someone strong to eventually surpass, and he's my age too.
" Hahahaha. " I laughed out loud, even as it hurt.
" Huh? Did that beating finally turn you into a full blockhead? I never expected you'd lose this badly. " Said Soso after entering the infirmary located in the inner parts of the academy.
" Ugh, thanks for ruining my mood. " I didn't have to look to know who's voice that was.
I had enough of it to last me a lifetime.
" ... Where's Yuseong? " I asked, because I didn't want this to turn into a case of bullying or some bullshit. I knew how these things worked from the constant fighting I did.
And it looked like Soso understood exactly what I meant without saying anything. " Don't worry, from what I could gather around. Master Mapung Tho brought you here and told the infirmary staff that you were in a spar with another student. "
" Thanks... And where's Yuseong? " I asked, relieved my insistence on having a fight didn't get him in trouble.
She just shrugged her shoulders and said. " I don't know, I was going to look for him after class when I heard you were here. I'll just ask Master Mapung Tho. "
" Well, I'll be going now. Recover fast so you won't miss another lesson blockhead hahah. " She said, disappearing before I could retort back.
" You- ehhh... Nevermind, I'm too tired for this shit. " I gave-up on saying anything, what I'm about to do demanded more priority.
I'm was going to do what I always have done after fighting someone... Fight them again in my dreams.
" Just wait Yuseong, I'll catch up to you soon. " I said with determination.
---<>---
[ Pov ]: Cheon Soso
After exiting the infirmary, my whole demeanor changed.
My smile slowly faded into a frown. My mind going back to what my father had told me yesterday.
[ Flashback ]: Yesterday after the registration.
Saying goodbye to my new schollmates I sprinted back home, searching for my father.
I had an important question for him.
Finding him in his study reading some small booklet, I politely knocked on the door and entered. " Hope I'm not interrupting anything important,dad. I just wanted to ask you something real quick. "
" Hmm? Oh Soso, nothing of the sort. So, what is it? " He quickly shut the booklet, and turned to face me.
My eyes narrowed in the fraction he was closing the booklet, my eyes catching something. ' Was that Dan Yuseong's name in there. '
Focusing back on what really matters, I asked. " Dad, you saw both Gihu's and Yuseong's tests. How much stronger are they than me? " I wasn't delusional to think they were weaker than me, sure I was surprised at first when i heard the results but that's behind me now.
He tapped on his chair for a couple of seconds and said. " Jang Gihu comes from a family well known to produce military geniuses, Gihu himself is one of the descendants of a renowned martial artist. In terms of strength, he trumps you by a significant amount. You'd fair better in reflexes against him. So unless you fought him, the results would be 6 to 4. 6 in his favor, just because he's more experienced in fighting. "
Although it stun th hear that, it made a lot of sense. " What about Yuseong. If you said all that stuff about Gihu and he's still in second place... " I trialled off, not completing my speculation. Instead, I waited for my dad to give me an answer.
The silence this time was longer, I saw as my father's face changed from expression to another. Sometimes confused, other times exasperated.
Until he sighed and said. " Haaa, I don't know? "
" Huh? " I exclaimed.
" What do you mean you don't know? " What does that even entail. ' Does he mean he's too strong? ' I thought.
Sighing again, he picked up the booklet he was reading from before and tossed it to me.
" Read it and you'll know what I mean. " He said and got back to tapping on his chair.
When I held the booklet in my hands, i was ready to see some sort of secret information about Dan Yuseong. Like him being from one of the 9 great sect's or a descendant of some ancient family. Instead, I was met with this.
Every word I read made less sense then the last, especially the description of how his test went.
" Do you understand now what I meant. Dan Yuseong is simply unpredictable as of now. The fact that today's test was his first time in an actual martial arts fight, and managing to fight so calmly and evanully using spiritual energy in his attack by accident is beyond abnormal. " Said father, confirming what I had read wasn't just a joke.
" My advice for you, if the day comes and you fight him. Never, and I mean never underestimate him, even if you feel like you've won already. " Father doesn't give advice often, but when he does I take it to heart.
" ... I will " I said, my brows still knit together in deep thought.
[ Flashback End ]
" Unpredictable, just as father said. " I thought out loud.
' Now, where would he be now. Master Mapung Tho's the one that brought Gihu to the infirmary so I'll look for him. '
After asking around for a bit, I found him outside the inner gate. Standing with his arms crossed, deep in thought.
" Master Tho. " I greeted him by clasping my left fist with my right palm, a respectful greeting we do in front of our mentors and seniors.
" Soso? You're finished with the morning lessons already? And stop it with that greeting already, you know I don't much care for it. " He asked while returning my greeting with a dismissive wave.
" Yes, we just finished like 15 minutes ago. I came to check up on Yuseong, I heard he had a spar with Gihu after they both missed the first day lesson. " I answered and quickly asked about Yuseong before he could talk about anything else. He was well known to be the talkative type, once he starts he won't stop.
" Ah, he's over there laying under that tree recovering. " Master Tho pointed with his head.
" Recovering? He too got injured in the fight? " I assumed.
" Injured? Haaah. It wasn't even a fight, I myself still surprised of how it all went out.
Gihu couldn't even do three moves before he was planted to the ground by a brutal axe kick and falling unconscious. " He narrated how the whole fight went, and I couldn't be more bewildered.
" ... "
" Hahaha, that was my exact reaction. I couldn't even believe my own eyes, he's truly a special one. Take this, I gave him a punishment for being late and it was too perform 50 laps of duck walking. Hah, you'll never expect what he said. He told me he would eventually do them but wanted another exercise that trained his agility, so I told him to run around the inner gates till he got tired, it was a joke. He just stopped a couple minutes ago, after 2 hours of full Sprint around the inner gate can you believe that... " I stopped listening at that moment, knowing he will take hours to actually finish.
' So he's not just magically talented, he's actually taking the time and effort to better himself. ' I contemplated for a few seconds, thinking weather to approach him or not.
' Fuck it, we are classmates what am I even hesitating for. ' I left master Tho, still concentrated on telling his story.
" He reminds me so much of how I was in my youth, what say you Soso? Soso ?... " When he looked around, I was already approaching Yuseong.
" Tsk, tsk. Can't even listen to a couple of words of wisdom. "
---<>---
[ Pov ]: Dan Yuseong
" Huff.. huff, haaa, Christmas came early for me huh. " I said while
looking at the holographic screen of my system.
< Mission Successful >
• Rewards:
- + 2 Agility
- + 150 XP
- Martial arts technique: Flash step.
' Accept. ' I felt my reflexes sharpen from the added +2 Agility and the sudden rush of information to my head that described how the Flash step technique worked.
A very useful technique, it's also isn't a skill. ' Another difference from the original system, martial arts techniques don't seem to be categorized as skills, honestly that's better. '
After that the real prize started, leveling up.
< Level up >
• +1 Ap
< Level up >
• +1 Ap
< Level up >
• +2 Ap
< Level up >
• +2 Ap
< Level up >
• +2 Ap
< Current Level: lv 8 >
' Interesting, from lv 5 and on the Attribute points given is 2 instead of one. Does that mean it would change again at lv 10 and so on so forth? ' I never tried speaking to the system before but from what happened when I wanted to give a skill a different name, that suggested that the system is responsive.
' Let's try it, hey system... Hello system... It's not responding. '
' Maybe I should ask it the question directly. ' it wouldn't hurt to try.
' What is the attribute points given for every level, system? ' I asked and hoped for the best.
' ... It not say- ' before I could continue my thoughts a notification appeared.
< Answering [ Owner/User ]: Dan Yuseong's Question >
• Answer:
- Base Attribute for Level 1 → 2: 1 AP
- Every 5 levels, increment stacks +1 (Tiered stacking)
' Damn, I was right. ' I exclaimed.
But something didn't feel right, if the attribute points given stack up for every five levels that would make it too easy for me to pass my limits in the attribute stages.
' Don't Tell me they change too? Haaa, no other way than to ask I guess. '
' System, what is the amount of attribute points required for every limit broken in the attribute values for every stage?. ' I asked, hoping to God that every stage only needed 10 attribute points. But I knew best how these things worked.
< Answering [ Owner/User ]: Dan Yuseong's Question >
• Answer:
- Base Attribute points needed to break 1st stage limit 99→100 : 10 AP
- Every stage, increment stacks +5 (Tiered stacking)
' Christmas just got slightly ruined. Hahah. ' it didn't bother me that much, in the first place I wasn't going to use the attribute points to break every stage limit to begin with, only after I exhausted every method should I go for the system way.
' Status. ' I put that behind me and checked out my status for progress.
< Status >
Dan Yuseong
Age: 15
Lv 8: ( 00/45 )xp
Stamina: 92%
Qi: 100%
[ Attributes ]
Strength: 99
Agility: 70 ( + 8 + 2 ) = 80
Endurance: ( 1st SEN + 50 ( + 15 )) = 165
Spirit: ( 1st SET + 99 ) = 199
( A/N: SEN= Stage of enhancement ; SET= Stage of enlightenment. )
Qi: 12 years
Attribute points: 010
[ Skills ]
Inspect lv 2 ( Proficiency 5 % )
Qi manipulation lv 9 ( Proficiency 60 % )
Map lv 1
Storage lv 1
Resistance lv max
• sub-skills:
- [ Physical-Fatigue resistance ]: 013%
Harm caused from physical exertion.
- [ Mental-Fatigue resistance ]: 009%
Harm caused from mental exertion.
- [ Sleep-Deprivation resistance ]: 010%
Harm caused from lack of sleep.
- [ Emotional-Overloald resistance ]: 002%
Harm caused from mental exertion.
- [ Radiation resistance ]: 008%
Harm caused from radiation ( sun...etc )
" Damn, Qi manipulation advanced to level 9 fast. Must be because of that flash step technique, it does require Qi to use, just learning it made me better at controlling my spiritual energy. '
" Uhum. All in a good Days work, gotta sleep though. Getting resistance to it is fun and all but it's tiring to keep up. " After that importo Agility training disguised as a punishment, I was ready to take a long nap.
I rightfully deserved it.
' And there goes my nap. ' my sense telling me someone was approaching.
When they appeared on my peripheral vision, my mood did a 180 flip.
Drowsiness be gone.
It was Cheon Soso.
" I came looking for the two top students who skipped class. Instead, I find one all beat-up in the infirmary and the other receiving punishment. So, you finished with your punishment. " She said, holding her hair from covering her face due to her leaning forward.
' Damn, I really do be falling for this girl. ' I once had a crush on a girl when I was 17 but it never felt like this.
She is beautiful, I thought but it turned out I blurted it out. " Beautiful..."
( ⁄ ⁄•⁄ω⁄•⁄ ⁄ )
Her cheeks started to actually heat up, she was fucking blushing. But I could tell I made the mood all awkward, so I tried to salvage it the best I could.
" Uh i-you know, the sky and you came in and i-" Real smooth.
" Pfff. Hahaha, relax. It's not a crime to give a compliment. For someone who put somebody in the infirmary, you're pretty normal. " She laughed, taking my sad attempt at smoothing the atmosphere and turning it for the good.
" But try not falling in Love with me, I'm already engaged... " She said that last part with sad defeat.
' Right, she was engaged to some some prestigious family. Sacheondang or something like that. ' I recalled.
" Haha, I'll try. But you don't seem happy about it? The engagement i mean. " I asked trying to how much ground I could cover.
" Hah, you can say that twice. It's all political bullshit, what can I do, this is how the world works. " She started to get into her depressive faze exactly like it was shown in the manwha.
' I really can't do much now with my current strength, I'll just give her some advice, I guess. ' Resigned, i struck while the iron was hot. Who knows, it might give her some motivation.
I set my back against the tree and patted the spot next to me. " Want to hear some advice? "
She looked skeptically at me, not sure I would have any useful advice to give.
" Come on, it's not like you have anything to lose. " I insisted.
After a few seconds of contemplation she accepted and sat next to me. " Haaa, It better be something useful or else, I'll beat you up. "
" Wow, why the hostility I was just- " before I could continue, a clenched fist was put in front of my face.
" Okay okay haha, noted. " Sometimes you have to compromise when you know you've lost.
" The way I see your situation is, you have three options. "
" Your first bet at dealing with this engagement is to persuade your father otherwise, and before you say anything, I know it's a no go. Not to disrespect your dad in any shape or form but he seems like the type that when set on his path, he'll never change it, no matter how many times you ask. I'm I right so far? " The first option I mentioned was more of a question for myself to see if Cheon Tae-Gong was still like in the manwha.
She slowly nodded now more focused on me. That gave the answer to my question, he's still the same.
" The second option is more of a compromise than an actual solution, find someone strong to rely on. " As much as I would like to be the white knight to come and save her, I'm not interested in someone who's only willing to rely on others without putting in any effort. So, again this was a question for myself.
" Yeah, no. That would just be like a another engagement, and I'm not a princess for someone to come and save me. " she said.
' I think I'm really falling in love with her. '
" Now we come to the only option that truly ever existed, become strong. Become so strong no one will ever tell you what you can do and what you cannot do. My father always says this one thing, your efforts will never betray you. "
" So every opportunity I get, I put my 100% in. No, 110%. So never pity yourself, because that will only ever make you weak. Just put in the effort in everything you do. The rest will follow " I don't know how but at the end of my advice it turned into a speech about effort.
' You're wrong dad, he isn't unpredictable. He simply puts in the effort. ' she thought, remembering what master Tho said about me, running for 2 entire hours until collapsing.
She lightly punched my shoulder and got up. " That's some lame advice. "
After walking for a bit she stopped.
" Thanks. " She said sprinting away in the next second.
" Anytime! " I yelled so she could hear me.
***
Cheong Soso [ image ]
Thanks for reading.