“So then…?”

Gong Ya-cheong fixed me with a peculiar gaze.

“So you’re that Young Master Jin Tae-kyung.”

The moment I’d been dreading had finally arrived.

I released my grip on Hyeok Mujin’s collar—who had fainted for the third time—and managed an awkward smile.

“Yes, I am Jin Tae-kyung.”

The patrol members setting up camp perked up their ears. We were currently on our way back to the clan.

We’d been riding non-stop for over five hours from the cabin where the battle took place. Gong Ya-cheong, who had remained silent throughout the journey, was finally speaking up.

If it weren’t for that little shit.

I glared at Hyeok Mujin as he was being dragged away by a perceptive patrol member. Should’ve given him one more punch.

Noting my regretful expression, Gong Ya-cheong spoke up.

“I’ve heard much about you, Young Master.”

“…I’m sure you have.”

“Even a three-year-old would know of you. You must be the most infamous figure in the main household.”

At this point, it might be faster to find someone who doesn’t know me.

“Naturally lazy and arrogant. Lost in wine and women, neglecting martial arts…” He paused. “But it seems the rumors of the martial world can’t be trusted. The martial prowess you displayed today was truly remarkable.”

If there’s a Martial World Daily News or something like that, I’d love to subscribe. Their information seems pretty accurate.

But more importantly…

Does this guy really not know?

Whatever tricks those Hengshan Sword Sect bastards pulled, I’m at the center of this whole mess.

It’s clear there were countless sacrifices along the way. It wouldn’t be strange for Gong Ya-cheong and Socheon to harbor hatred toward me. That’s why I hid my name.

If he doesn’t know, that’s fortunate.

Being hunted by a ruthless master is bad enough. I’d rather avoid unnecessary conflict.

“How long until we reach the main household?”

Gong Ya-cheong’s voice snapped me back to reality.

“Two to three days, I’d say.”

“Snow at a time like this…” Gong Ya-cheong lamented, glaring resentfully at the sky still dumping snow.

“Young Master, we must prepare for the worst.”

“The worst?”

Though the heavy snow had slowed us down, the same applied to our pursuers. There was even a chance they’d given up the chase.

But Gong Ya-cheong shook his head.

“Don’t underestimate vagrants. Their internal energy may not be as pure and their martial arts not as refined, but their greatest weapon is something else entirely.”

I spoke the answer:

“Experience.”

“Correct. Experience gained from a hundred battles. We’re not being hunted by martial artists, but by vagrants. Similar, yet fundamentally different beings.”

Similar yet different. I think I understand what he means.

In essence, they’re well-trained hunting dogs. And Jo Pil, the One Strike One Kill, holds their leash.

“What makes Jo Pil truly frightening isn’t just that he’s a master. It’s his tenacity. His ruthlessness. He has never failed a mission or lost his target.”

I responded with a sigh:

“This time will be no different, I suppose.”

“Most likely.”

Gong Ya-cheong stared into the darkness beyond us.

As if monsters might leap out and devour us at any moment.

“That’s the kind of man pursuing us.”

Whoosh. The snow-laden wind melted into the darkness.

The camp preparations were complete. We’d dug several small earthen caves and covered the entrances with branches and leaves—crude shelters, but beggars can’t be choosers.

“Have a peaceful night.”

Gong Ya-cheong disappeared, carrying the soundly sleeping siblings. The weary smile on his face lingered in my thoughts.

He’s a real adult.

He could have fled long ago if survival was his only concern. Gong Ya-cheong was a skilled martial artist and an experienced warrior. But he didn’t. Instead, he risked his life fighting for two children who shared not a drop of his blood.

That’s what makes him a good adult.

Could I do the same?

I shook off the sudden doubt. This is just a game. It’s not good to think too deeply about an illusion that will soon vanish.

Right, an illusion that will soon vanish.

Open quest window.

Ding.

[Log Out]

You must now navigate this perilous martial world.

Become stronger and more renowned.

For that day that will eventually come…

Grade: Main Quest

Restriction: Jin Tae-kyung

Task: Achieve [First-Rate] level (Incomplete)

Reach Lv.30 (24/30)

Achieve 500 Fame (250/500)

Reward: [Log Out]

Experience and fame gained from dealing with enemies, plus the quest rewards. I can finally see the peak of this treacherous mountain.

Opening my status window, I distributed all remaining points, feeling vigor return to my exhausted body.

Almost there.

Just need to get past this hurdle. Jo Pil of One Strike One Kill. If I can just avoid that bastard I’ve never even seen, I can put an end to this damn journey.

But there was another problem.

Level and fame I can manage somehow, but how the hell do I raise this realm?

Back when I first started clearing tutorial quests, I raised my realm from Third-Rate to Second-Rate by distributing ability points.

But since then, nothing. Radio silence.

What am I missing?

I’m an anomaly in this martial world. I can learn martial arts and increase my abilities faster than anyone. I’ve grown stronger in many ways by borrowing the system’s power.

That’s why I could absolutely wreck even First-Rate martial artists despite being just another Second-Rate nobody.

Yet I’m not First-Rate myself!

Should’ve asked Jin Wi-gyeong.

At first, I thought just raising stats or internal energy would do it, but lately I’ve been feeling like I’m missing something.

Level? Stats? Internal energy?

What could it be? The final piece to complete this puzzle.

The answer came quickly.

If you don’t know, you search.

Just like I’ve always done. Keep walking and you’ll find the exit.

I sat cross-legged and breathed. The eleven years of internal energy coiled in my danjeon responded to my call.

***

“Lost them.”

Jo Pil muttered. His black snake-like eyes scanned the surroundings.

They’d lost their prey. But traces remained. Those faint traces would become their new guideposts.

“Around twenty people. They left about two hours ago.”

Jo Pil nodded at his subordinate’s report. Though Third-Rate in martial arts, his tracking skills were masterful. He had countless such hunting dogs under his command.

Two hours.

The gap had narrowed to just two hours. How long would it take to catch up to the fugitives?

Half a day at most.

They should have run with everything they had.

Without looking back. Ditching their burdens and abandoning stragglers, they should have run like hell.

Then the gap wouldn’t have closed. But they’d grown complacent.

They probably thought they were safe because of the heavy snow, and that difference created the current situation.

But I’m different.

Last night was long. Even among his seasoned subordinates, some fell behind. In the snowy mountains, falling behind meant death.

The only difference from death on the battlefield was that it came more slowly. So Jo Pil gave his order:

Kill them.

They say tigers leave their pelts when they die, while humans leave their names.

But Jo Pil thought differently. What name could a Third-Rate life spent skulking in back alleys leave behind? Better to leave their pelts at least.

Leaving twenty naked corpses behind, they pressed on. As the long night ended and dawn approached, they found their quarry’s traces.

We’ll meet soon, friend.

Jo Pil’s lips curved upward. A mysterious master who had piqued his interest after so long. His hardened heart thumped with excitement.

***

Shudder.

“Ugh. What the…”

A sudden chill ran through me. Looking at my arm, I saw goosebumps had risen. If this were a scene in a novel, the protagonist would’ve muttered something about having a bad feeling and continued on his way.

But I’m different. I act on definite hunches.

“Hey. Get your ass over here quick.”

Though invisible, I could sense it. Someone’s trudging footsteps behind me faltered.

“W-why?”

“Counting to three. One, two, three.”

As soon as I hit three, Hyeok Mujin quickly stuck to my side.

“It was you?”

“What?”

“It was you, wasn’t it? Tell the truth and I’ll let it slide.”

“What? It wasn’t me!”

I stared steadily at his face, puffed up like a steamed bun.

“You were just cursing at me behind my back, weren’t you?”

“Huk.”

“You did, right?”

“Y-yes…”

“So it was this bastard after all.”

As I raised my hand, Hyeok Mujin squeezed his eyes shut.

After getting hit three times, the guy had lost his fighting spirit. Plus, he’d learned a valuable life lesson.

Dodging means more hits.

“Good. Since you were honest, I’ll let it slide this time.”

Hyeok Mujin’s head snapped up.

“Really?”

I gave him a warm smile.

“Of course. But don’t think about deceiving me again. I’ll be watching you with my Attention Technique.”

Hyeok Mujin shot me a look full of killing intent before scampering back to his place. If we’d had more time, I would’ve crushed his skull with my iron mace. I swallowed my regret and kept walking.

“What’s the Attention Technique?”

A chattering voice tickled my ear. It was Soyul, Socheon’s younger sister.

Five years old, was it? The kid was small enough to fit in my backpack.

“Is it martial arts?”

“Something like that.”

“Is Attention Technique strong?”

“Super strong.”

“Wow! Soyul wants to learn the Attention Technique too!”

“But you need to be one-eyed first.”

“Eek!”

Glancing back, I caught Soyul’s startled face. Those wide-open eyes were seriously cute.

Hayeon used to be like that too.

She might be an annoying little sister now, but she was an absolute angel when she was young. She even got offers to be a child model…

It feels just like carrying Hayeon from back then.

“Want to learn from me?”

“…Soyul doesn’t like martial arts. I want to be a proper lady.”

“That’s good too.”

“Mmm. Does uncle like martial arts?”

“Me?”

“My brother said you’re super strong. Daddy said only people who work hard can become strong.”

“Your dad said that?”

“Yes. My daddy is super strong too. Because…”

Chatter chatter. After babbling excitedly for a while, Soyul stuck out her lower lip.

“Soyul misses daddy. But I guess daddy doesn’t. Brother said he went on a trip with mommy and left us behind.”

My heart dropped like a stone. An old memory clouded my vision. In that black and white funeral hall, young Hayeon searched for father, and I could only tell her the obvious lie.

Just like Socheon had told Soyul. There was nothing else to say.

“…I see.”

What more could I say? I looked at Socheon following in the middle of our group. The guy was drenched in sweat, breathing heavily.

Must be tough.

An impressive willpower for his age. The saying that pain makes people mature is bullshit, but it’s true.

Socheon never once fell behind, and the other patrol members admired his resilience.

But there’s another problem.

It’s Gong Ya-cheong. His face remained pale, still not recovered from his injuries. If not for the excellent effects of the fasting pill I gave him and last night’s meditation, he might have collapsed long ago.

At this rate… we’ll be caught.

Despite the sun being up, the accumulated snow wasn’t melting easily. Though I was breaking trail at the front, everyone was exhausted and our pace was slowing. Add to that an injured man and children…

Should I run away alone?

The thought suddenly occurred to me.

It’s just a game, so what’s the problem? Gong Ya-cheong, those young siblings, and all the patrol members are just created AI and NPCs. But me?

I’m alive. I’m the only real thing among them, the only one with substance.

But…

Fuck. It should be simple… why am I like this?

An inexplicable resistance welled up. I was even surprised at my own level of resistance.

Why?

I don’t know. I couldn’t find the answer even after several hours, and night fell once again.