On Wednesday, long after heading out of Cube for a short visit to the field, I made my way to the fitness centre, where I had agreed to meet Suho today.
The inside of the Fitness centre was barren, only a single person stood in the centre wrestling dummies.
"Why is it that everytime I meet you here, you're always beating up dummies? You should feel a bit of sympathy for their constant abuse." I set my bag down on the floor with a heavy thunk.
"I could say the same for you and that barrier box!" I slashed at the dummy, leaving a dent that quickly reformed.
I found myself a dummy of my own before assuming a stance.
The mana in my body bubbled before I pounced on the dummy, throwing a hook at its presumed head. It skidded to the side only to rebound as I grabbed it and threw it to the floor, over my shoulder.
The areas my hands touched were scorched and deformed only to bounce back.
"Did your mana gain an attribute?" Kim Suho asked in surprise.
"Yeah, it isn't that hard… I don't think so at least. My mana just took this shape naturally." As I spoke I let the mana crackle and roil in my palm.
He looked at it as though remembering something terrible.
I tiled my head and tapped him on the shoulder, dismissing my mana.
"H-Huh? What-" Kim Suho snapped out of his daze in surprise.
"Did you make a habit of daydreaming, number one?"
"What no, it's just your mana that reminded me of something… It used to be white right? Why is it suddenly like this?"
"How would I know?" I shrugged.
He paused before shaking his head.
"Nevermind, let's just spar." He picked up his sword with a big grin.
I picked my own up and walked to the arena.
"Quit grinning like that, you look like a battle pervert." I taunted with a smug grin.
"You're already trying to get under my skin? We haven't even started."
[Begin]
The world was enveloped in shadow as I dashed forward and aimed for his ribs, swinging horizontally at his head, cutting at his ankles and thrusting at his sternum.
I played out my fight to the very end a hundred times in a single minute.
"..."
In every scenario that I created, I would be blocked, parried and dodged. Leading to my eventual loss.
"..."
I ran out of time so I snapped out of it and made a faint at his flank before kneeing him in the ribs.
Kim Suho fell for the faint but before my knee could connect he twisted his body and leaped over it.
As he was left open for attack in the air I swung at his head, the wind creating an audible swish at my swing.
Kim Suho blocked my blade and usd the force to right himself, landing on his feet.
Only for my leg to sweep at his ankles.
Once again he hopped over it.
I enveloped my blade in crackling, molten mana and drove it at his sternum, taking advantage of him being in the air while I was crouching.
He only smiled brightly as he covered his blade in a lustrous metallic sword qi that clashed with my own.
Seeing as how I would definitely lose the clash I rolled to the side and looked up, only to find his sword at my throat.
"...haaa." I lay back and sighed.
"You always back away from our clashes. I might've lost if you pushed harder." Kim Suho reviewed the battle in his mind.
"Like hell I could've, I'm not the so-called Sword Saint… though I'm sure I could've won if you didn't use sword qi."
"Want to put it to the test?" Kim Suho smirked, feeling confident.
"Haa? If you don't use sword qi I'll beat the living daylights out of you. It doesn't feel like a real victory if you're holding back."
"Then does it feel like a real loss too?" Kim Suho swung his blade as if to clean it of blood. A strange habit for someone so young.
"Of course. If you win while the opponent is holding back it's fake. You never truly defeated them. If you lose while the opponent is holding back you just see how much distance is between you and your opponent." I explained before getting back up and twirling my blade.
Of course, this doesn't apply when you're fighting in a life or death battle.
"Again. I'll win this time." I readied myself as my body crackled lightly.
"We'll see." Kim Suho coated his sword with metallic sword qi.
[Begin]
…
The night life of Seoul was as busy as the day, countless people wandered the streets as skyscrapers lined the horizon, presenting ads and trailers. Some were for skin care recommended by popular female heroes, some were for the latest hit movies and others were simply for conglomerates and such.
In one of these many skyscrapers was a luxury restaurant, secretly owned by Djinn and used as a place of luxury.
At a window seat overlooking the city, was 'Yoo Ah-Ra' and Minori, dressed in a red dress and a black suit respectively.
"Well you didn't say no so I just assumed you were too excited to text back. I reserved this place so you couldn't go back on your word." She winked as Minori frowned.
"Right…" Minori replied as he looked at the menu.
"See anything you like? There's even a human thigh on here, if that floats your boat. And don't worry, I'm paying."
"... I'll just have the pork belly and some coke." Minori didn't stand on ceremony and ordered something simple.
She called over the waiter and ordered herself the jugular of a human woman.
What the hell is this place?
"..." Minori was thoroughly disliking the current situation but didn't say anything to the Djinn in front of him.
"You know, they say if you eat the jugular of a woman, you can feel their voice in your mind while swallowing." She smiled.
"...Hey Yoo Ah-" She glared. "Ahem, Noona. I'm sure you didn't call me here just to spend dinner with me."
"...haaa〜, you youngsters are so impatient. I should just eat you up right now! But yes, I didn't call you to spend the night with me, as nice as that would be."
The night?
"You did quite well in the last incident and showed your willingness to cooperate. So as a little bit of motivation we've prepared something for you." She took out a black glove, it was thick and covered with horn like stone.
It seemed to resonate with the mana in Minori's body to a certain extent.
"Reach out your hand." He did as told as Noona slid the glove onto Minori's hand.
The glove was tight, fitting his hand perfectly, the jagged stones covering it never seeping into his skin. At the contact of his hand the stones seem to smooth into scales while the the talons at the fingertips only grew sharper
"It's a goodwill gift. In return make sure you keep earning points and keep getting stronger so that our masters can benefit from you!" She pumped her fist lightly.
I felt the motivation physically swell as I looked at the glove.
"Alright, only as long as you keep getting me good jobs."
"Hahaha! Good, now fetch me some wine!"
"No."
…
On Thursday I headed to The Field in Gangwon Province.
The fields were green, the mountains lush and monsters were being hunted left and right.
Today's mission was to locate another one of those bears and gain control of [Wild Blood], as good as it is to be buffed in all physical stats, I'd still like to retain my rationality while fighting.
I can't just beat someone to death without regards to my own safety, it goes against my code of conduct.
So I made my way to a cliff once more to observe the surroundings, prematurely activating [Wild Blood] while focusing on my thoughts, counting the seconds in my head.
1, 2, 3,
Warmth flowed beneath my skin, burning from my heart to my fingers. My bones became lighter as my muscles bulged.
4, 5, 6,
The birds flew away from me as I walked with confidence. My eyes turned slitted and my skin turned numb and solid.
8. 9.
I arrived at the edge of the cliff and peered down at the world. Despite being so high, I acutely sensed that I too had become slightly taller.
10…
The urge for blood crescendoed as I clenched my jaw, I let out a breath of steam as the heat kept increasing.
I spotted a steel hide boar and ran off the cliff, immediately pouncing on it.
It kicked up dust and let out an unsettling cry, turning to a gurgle as it was crushed under my momentum.
11…
I ripped out its liver, the mass cooling my fingertips as red dripped down my wrists. A comforting scent wafted through the air as I raised it to my mouth.
Before I could take a bite, I threw it to the ground and deactivated [Wild Blood].
"11 seconds… I could retain my thought process and remember my strategy for 11 seconds… that's enough." I wiped my hand as I sat on the iron hide boar.
"It wasn't a bear but it should sell for around the same price… but it's pretty difficult to sell at market price in this day and age… maybe I can…"
I looked at my contacts list and saw someone I really didn't want to contact.
"..."
Beep…beep.
"Hey, Noona. Do you perhaps have a contact for selling monster corpses?"
—Hehehehe… of course I do, but what shall I get in return?
"...20%"
—Hmmm, throw in a selfie of you after a shower and we'll call it a deal.
She's not even hiding her nature anymore.
"Pervert."
—Just think of it as blackmail and nothing else… siip, definitely nothing else. Plus the contact I give you is the best in the world you know?
I ended the call as I felt uncomfortable and deeply unsettled.
Is it really worth it?
Deciding to put a pin in Noona's channel I messaged another slightly shady person.
[Me: Hey Kim Hajin. Do you have a good agent to sell bodies to? I can get you something in return.]
[Me: Monster bodies*] I corrected so he wouldn't misunderstand.
I waited for a bit before getting a reply.
[Kim Hajin: Can't you sell them on Violet Banquet?]
That was quick. Seems he already knows I have an account. If I take some leaps in logic I can see how someone like him would suggest that.
[Me: No, I'm trying to establish some legitimate channels right now. Plus, I can't sell them as quickly on the Violent Banquet. It's better to do it in person.]
[Kim Hajin: I'll ask around if I can get a favour from you in the future.]
What could he possibly want from me? I'm an orphan with no money or (known) connections. The only thing I've showcased is my observation skills… he's hinted at knowing my connection to the Evil Society. Could it be that?
[Me: Deal.]
[Kim Hajin: Send me the coordinates, someone will collect the bodies later. I'll transfer the money afterward.]
Is he trying to make sure I don't establish a direct link to them?
I won't meet them, it's better to establish a potential link for the future. The more options I have, the better.
I then continued to ascend the mountain, letting my instincts guide me.
I didn't have much of a plan today so I was just letting the wind carry me. Whenever I found a monster, I cut it down with my short sword, hiding its body and ascending further up the mountain.
It was then that the ground parted beneath my very foot, my weight lurching forward as I fell forward.
My hands spread to catch myself, gripping onto dry grass and root infested ground. Thankfully catching myself before falling into a pit of spikes.
I let out a sigh of relief as cold sweat dripped down my chin.
"A..pit of spikes? Why…?"
I blurted out before a steel toed boot crushed down on my back with a weight comparable to a boar. My hands unintentionally slipped off before being covered with warm blood, my body riddled with sharp spikes. Many of them hit vital organs and ripped flesh from bone, piercing out of my back.
Before I knew it my hands were back on the ledge.
I didn't so much as blink before I rolled out of the way, my arms grazed against the floor but I managed to bounce to my feet.
I looked up to see a tall, bald man, he had red eyes and a sadistic grin. He was muscular and wearing what could only be called a ghillie suit. On his feet were a pair of steel toed boots.
Sneaky prick. If he's using traps, he shouldn't be too strong… or he's the cautious type. Whatever the case, I'll act confident.
I steeled myself and released my molten orange mana, letting the grass at my feet burst into flames as I took steps toward him.
"You have a couple seconds to explain yourself." I unsheathed my shortsword.
I looked at them through the stars and my gaze sharpened.
Djinns. Weaker than the one at the museum but stronger than the average Cube Cadet.
The bald man hesitates before bringing himself onto his legs, a massive axe in his hands.
"H-How dare you act so mighty against the mighty Moo Deng!" A skinny man from the trees yelled as he hid.
"Yeah, don't underestimate the might of Evil society!" Another voice yelled from the bushes.
The mana of the bald man was red and crackling as he was bolstered by his teammates.
"… Evil Society? I happen to be good friends with your boss, let me just give them a call."
My hand moved to my watch as I smiled at the Djinns.