Chapter 98
The Korean Hunters Association had expanded its power by contracting with White Tiger and Phoenix, but it was merely superficial.
'It's not that there aren't capable talents, but...'
They lacked powerful fighters who could instill real fear and possess military strength.
No matter how much memory and experience he had as the Blood Demon, once called the greatest of all time who dominated the Thousand Continents in the past, there was a limit to what he could do alone.
'Indeed, one hand cannot handle ten hands.'
To walk the true path of a ruler, the Imperial Way, he needed to place the right talents in the right positions, not just have a large organization.
Of course, leaders representing the factions like Ko Tae-hyun, Lee Ye-rin, and Oh Kyung-hyun had some potential for growth, but they were inadequate for operating on the world stage.
But just then, Park Seon-woo, born with the Thunder Spirit Demon Body, came looking for him of his own accord.
It meant that a talent who could be used as a combat personnel, which was most needed at present, had appeared.
A smile spread across Lee Seong-jun's lips.
"Not bad."
"Pardon?"
As Park Seon-woo tilted his head at Lee Seong-jun's sudden words, it happened.
"I'll teach you a few special techniques."
"Really?!"
Though there was no direct answer, Park Seon-woo could easily infer it wasn't a simple joke just from Lee Seong-jun's unwavering expression.
Unable to hide his excitement, Park Seon-woo kept bowing his head while speaking in an elated voice.
"Thank you! I will respectfully serve you as my master!"
"I'll pass on martial arts to you, but I'm not your master."
"What do you mean...?"
It wouldn't be difficult to explain about the Thunder Spirit Demon Clan's Han Ye-baek.
But he couldn't resolve all questions with an immediate answer.
It was clear that questions related to Han Ye-baek would continue to pour out.
Originally, he should have answered everything for smooth transmission of martial arts, but Lee Seong-jun didn't need to bother with such troublesome things.
Because blood, which could be called genes, could contain a vast amount of information.
Of course, simply containing information wasn't of much use.
But if one had mastered the techniques of the Mind Destruction Demon Clan's Bi Hyeong, it was a different story.
'Dream Blood Seal.'
As the name suggests, the ability of the Dream Blood Seal could forcibly imprint information contained in the blood into the other person's mind.
Naturally, it wasn't an easy task to directly imprint information into the brain.
It required a high level of blood energy control that ordinary people couldn't even attempt.
But for himself, Lee Seong-jun, who was called the greatest Blood Demon of all time and a Demon God, it was no problem at all.
This meant that with a single gesture, he could transfer a vast amount of information and knowledge about Han Ye-baek, the Thunder Spirit Demon Body, and the Thunder Awakening Cloud Echo Divine Technique to Park Seon-woo.
This also meant he didn't have to deal with Park Seon-woo's annoying questions one by one.
"It might hurt a little."
Lee Seong-jun's hand stretched out as he finished speaking.
"...?"
Before Park Seon-woo could ask a question with his eyes wide open at Lee Seong-jun's sudden movement,
Lee Seong-jun's palm was placed on Park Seon-woo's head.
At that moment, Park Seon-woo felt a strange sensation as if hot energy was digging into his entire head.
"Oof-!"
Clearly, the first emotion he felt was confusion.
But soon, the confusion disappeared without a trace, and a feeling of amazement took its place.
This was because information that could resolve the curiosity that had bloomed in his mind was pouring in.
* * *
Park Seon-woo, holding his own head, was experiencing considerable confusion due to the information flooding into his mind.
"What, what is this...?"
It's unbelievable.
As the Thunder Spirit Demon Clan's Han Ye-baek's hand swung, lightning that split the sky struck the ground.
The martial artists densely packed there fell like autumn leaves, and huge holes formed as the flat ground caved in.
It was the appearance of a disaster that couldn't be seen as caused by mere humans.
Even among hunters, only a very few could show such power.
Even among those called rankers, those who could display such destruction could be counted on one hand.
'...I can handle this kind of power?'
To be honest, it was so dreamlike that it was hard to believe.
However, the information imprinted in his mind showed him the reasons it was possible, and the growth methods and processes he should follow from now on, making it impossible to deny.
Naturally, the doubts that had arisen melted away like snow, and confidence in himself took their place.
'I, I can become a ranker too!'
It meant he could grasp the power of his master, Han Ye-baek, who was praised as the Thunder Spirit Demon Clan, which had just appeared in his mind.
It was an amazing change, considering that just a day ago, he had been struggling against the wall of A+ rank.
But what surprised Park Seon-woo most of all was Hunter Lee Seong-jun's ability.
'To directly transmit information into the mind...'
Having worked as a hunter for a long time, from his teens to his current age of 25, spanning 10 years, he knew quite a bit of information.
But he had never heard of skills being passed on in this way.
'How precisely must one be able to handle energy to make this possible?'
Even Sandra Block, currently called the Grand Magician, who is most sensitive to energy among magicians, couldn't cast magic that directly affects the brain.
The ability Hunter Lee Seong-jun just used was literally unprecedented.
It would be an ability that would be astonishing even if achieved by one of the world-renowned magicians, but Hunter Lee Seong-jun was a martial artist who handled martial arts.
'If this fact about Hunter Lee Seong-jun becomes known to the world, it will literally turn the world upside down.'
A strange light gleamed in Park Seon-woo's eyes.
'I knew he was an amazing person, but...'
He thought there would be some limitations in the use of abilities since he was active as a martial artist.
This was because it was common sense and natural that the abilities of martial artists who handle martial arts were all focused on combat.
But Hunter Lee Seong-jun had easily shattered that common sense.
'Hunter Lee Seong-jun is someone who can overturn even existing common sense!'
Even his supporting abilities easily surpassed existing common sense.
Then what about combat ability, which could be considered the main ability of martial artists?
'It would be on a completely different level.'
I declare, Hunter Lee Seong-jun will soon become a marvelous existence that can shake the entire world.
Naturally, amazement turned into awe in Park Seon-woo's heart, but Lee Seong-jun himself was speaking in a tone that suggested it wasn't a big deal.
"I've imprinted it in your mind, so you'll never forget it."
Still with an expressionless face, Lee Seong-jun stared into Park Seon-woo's eyes and spoke again.
"I'll give you 60 days, 2 months. Prove your ability after achieving the 3rd star of the Thunder Awakening Cloud Echo Divine Technique."
Having finished his one-sided notification, Lee Seong-jun turned his back without hesitation and left the place.
Towards that retreating figure, Park Seon-woo knelt down.
"Thank you! Thank you! Master!"
Due to the information filling his mind, he knew that the owner of the Thunder Awakening Cloud Echo Divine Technique and his master was Han Ye-baek.
But it was Hunter Lee Seong-jun, not Han Ye-baek, who had just passed on the Thunder Awakening Cloud Echo Divine Technique to him.
As one who received teachings, how could he not serve Hunter Lee Seong-jun as his master?
"Though I'm lacking, I'll strive to live up to your expectations, Master!"
Despite his loud voice, Lee Seong-jun's figure didn't stop.
But Park Seon-woo's actions didn't stop.
With his head bowed, Park Seon-woo paid respect to his master by bowing in the direction Lee Seong-jun had left.
* * *
As Lee Seong-jun walked towards the gate, which was his original destination, the unexpected encounter from just now was on his mind.
'...It was an unexpected situation.'
The Thunder Spirit Demon Body was such a rare constitution that even the Thunder Spirit Demon Clan's Han Ye-baek couldn't find a suitable person despite decades of effort.
'To think it existed on Earth...'
Moreover, he came looking for a meeting on his own.
Looking at the immediate situation, it could be said that tremendous luck had come.
However, he couldn't hastily show goodwill.
'I don't know exactly about the person Park Seon-woo.'
Although he passed on general knowledge about the Thunder Awakening Cloud Echo Divine Technique because he was born with the Thunder Spirit Demon Body constitution, he hadn't finished figuring out the person Park Seon-woo yet.
'All I know for now is that Park Seon-woo has a personality that can be called good-natured.'
In other words, he didn't know exactly how much talent Park Seon-woo had and how much effort he could put in.
It meant he couldn't be certain whether he was a person worth taking in as a close subordinate like the Eight Great Demon Clans.
That's why he gave the task of reaching the 3rd star of the Thunder Awakening Cloud Echo Divine Technique within the time limit of 60 days.
Of course, given that he was born with the Thunder Spirit Demon Body with excellent aptitude, the probability of failure could be said to be slim.
'...Even at the highest estimate, it's less than 10%.'
It was just a screening process to rule out the one-in-a-thousand chance, and it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that passing was a foregone conclusion.
This meant that the current goal, the path of the ruler, the Imperial Way, was being completed.
The safety of his family, which he had always kept in mind, could be said to have been secured to some extent.
It could be said to be a truly satisfactory situation.
But that didn't mean he was going to relax and settle for the current reality.
'It's always harder to protect something.'
This was one of the wisdoms he had acquired while reigning as the Blood Demon and Demon God in the Thousand Continents.
In fact, in the past, when advancing towards the position of Blood Demon, which could be called the goal, he only had to deal with the enemies right in front of him.
However, after ascending to the position of Blood Demon, he had to deal with enemies rushing in from all directions.
It meant he didn't know where or what kind of enemy would pounce.
This meant that to protect what he had achieved, he had to face countless enemies.
'Moreover, each one would be incomparably stronger than before.'
Having clearly proven his abilities to the world by reaching the SSS rank, riffraff wouldn't even dare to challenge him.
However, those praised as rankers and Guardians in the world wouldn't cower at just this level.
Rather, they would prepare and plan more thoroughly to ensnare him securely.
It meant they would approach with unreasonable greed.
'To settle things without noise like before...'
He needed much more power and strength than now.
It meant he had to reign as an overwhelming ruler, the greatest martial artist of all time, and a revered emperor.
"I'll have to move busily without a moment's rest."
Just as he was planning a new goal in his mind, the gate emitting a red aura came into view at the edge of his vision.
"...Shall we start the hunt today as well."
After lightly stretching his body in place, Lee Seong-jun stepped into the gate without hesitation.