On the third morning in the underground special training room, Minwoo was feeling an unprecedented sense of fulfillment. The personal guidance from Chancellor Munyeong Sword was beyond his imagination.
"Good, Minwoo. Your qi circulation has become much more stable now." The Chancellor nodded satisfactorily. "The Mugeukja bloodline is gradually awakening."
[System Notification]
Training Results Update
Qi circulation efficiency: 73% → 89% Martial arts proficiency: Early intermediate → Mid intermediate Cooperation with Mugeukja consciousness: 45% → 72% New skill unlocked: [Intuitive Response]
Over the past few days, Minwoo had been attempting to communicate with the Mugeukja consciousness. The consciousness, which had initially been only hostile, was gradually becoming more cooperative.
'I wonder if that person from 300 years ago had similar worries to mine?'
Fragments of Mugeukja's memories occasionally surfaced. A desire for strong power, anger at imperfect things, and... loneliness.
"Now, let's complete the Ghost Sword Technique." The Chancellor handed Minwoo a sword. "Since this technique is something you've newly combined, no one else will be able to block it."
Minwoo took the sword and executed the first form. The swiftness of the Phantom Step and the unpredictable trajectory of the Fractal Sword Technique harmoniously combined.
[Ghost Sword Technique - 1st Form: Phantom Flash (魅影閃)]
A sword strike that appears to teleport instantaneously while leaving afterimages
[Ghost Sword Technique - 2nd Form: Chaos Slash (混沌斬)]
A technique that creates the illusion of attacking from multiple directions simultaneously
[Ghost Sword Technique - 3rd Form: Void Kill (虛空殺)]
A surprise attack that seems to emerge from thin air
"Excellent!" The Chancellor exclaimed in admiration. "This level should be more than enough for the exam."
However, Minwoo couldn't shake off an uneasy feeling. The Mugeukja consciousness occasionally gave strange advice.
'Stronger... more perfect... eliminate all obstacles...'
'No, those aren't my thoughts.'
Minwoo shook his head. He needed to focus on the exam.
At the same time, three people were gathered in a room at a luxury hotel far from campus. All were dressed in suits, but their eyes were anything but ordinary.
"How's the target's daily pattern analysis going?" asked a middle-aged man.
"Yes. Morning 8 AM Basic Internal Arts class, afternoon 2 PM Defective Martial Arts Research Society activities, evening 7 PM return to dormitory. Very regular." reported a young woman.
"What about his martial arts skill level?"
"Currently estimated at 1st stage Qi Accumulation. Lower tier even among freshmen. However..." the woman hesitated briefly.
"However?"
"A few days ago, he was witnessed using a strange martial art. It was completely different from any known martial arts."
The third person, an elderly man, showed interest. "What kind of form was it?"
"It was a martial art that simultaneously implemented illusion and defensive power. Such a combination is generally impossible."
The middle-aged man tapped the table. "That's exactly the evidence we've been looking for. The Mugeukja bloodline is beginning to awaken."
"Then what should we do?"
"We need to observe more closely first. Especially this martial arts exam is a golden opportunity. We'll be able to accurately measure how much the target has grown."
The elderly man looked out the window and said, "This is something we've waited 300 years for. We mustn't rush, but approach carefully."
"But if we're too late, the target might grow to an uncontrollable level."
"That's true as well. Then let's do this." The middle-aged man made a decision. "On the day of the martial arts exam, record every match. Then analyze the target's abilities precisely and report to headquarters."
"What if he's growing faster than expected?"
"Then we'll have to... intervene directly."
The three people's conversation ended there. But their eyes held some ominous intent.
Meanwhile, several kilometers away from the hotel where they were staying, another figure was observing them through binoculars.
"The Purification Alliance reconnaissance team has begun to move."
2 PM, Defective Martial Arts Research Society room.
"How's your condition, Minwoo?" Cheolsu Kim asked with concern.
"Much better. Thanks to the Chancellor." Minwoo smiled.
Jieun came over carrying a thick file.
"I analyzed the exam question trends." She spread out the materials. "This is a summary of question types from the past three years."
[Martial Arts Exam Question Trend Analysis]
Theory Section (30%):
Martial arts principles and qi circulation theory: 40% Martial arts history and famous scholars: 30% Practical application situation judgment: 30%
Demonstration Section (35%):
Free choice martial arts proficiency evaluation Bonus points for creativity and originality Emphasis on safety and control
Practical Combat (35%):
1-on-1 matches with peers or upperclassmen Evaluation of skill and growth potential rather than winning Emphasis on fair play spirit
"I'm confident about theory." Minwoo said. "I'm also planning to use Ghost Sword Technique for the demonstration."
"The problem is practical combat." Sora Park said worriedly. "We don't know who the opponents will be."
Seongmin Yoon chimed in. "Do you know which sophomores are likely to participate?"
"Well... probably the skilled ones will come out." Cheolsu thought and said. "Especially this time, there are rumors that the professors will judge very strictly."
Then Jieun took Minwoo's hand.
"Don't worry. You're not alone."
"Thank you." Minwoo's heart warmed.
"We'll be your mock battle partners." Cheolsu suggested. "Let's attack with different styles so you can practice adapting."
"Good idea!" Sora agreed.
For the next hour, mock battles continued. Cheolsu with frontal assault style, Sora with technique-focused style, and Seongmin with war of attrition style each attempted different attack patterns.
Minwoo successfully blocked all attacks with Ghost Sword Technique.
"Wow, really amazing." Seongmin admired. "At this level, you could probably handle even sophomores?"
However, Minwoo felt somewhat anxious. The voice that the Mugeukja consciousness occasionally whispered bothered him.
'Are you satisfied with this level? You need stronger power... for complete domination...'
'Be quiet.' Minwoo replied mentally. 'I want growth, not domination.'
'Naive fool... you'll eventually realize. Those without power can't protect anything...'
The night before the exam, Minwoo was doing a final check in his dormitory room.
[System Final Check]
Current Status:
Stamina: 89/100 Mental Power: 78/100 Martial Arts Proficiency: 84/100 Mugeukja Consciousness Cooperation: 72/100
Possessed Martial Arts:
Phantom Step: Complete mastery Fractal Sword Technique: Advanced level Iron Wall Internal Arts: Intermediate level Ghost Sword Technique: Proficient (newly created)
Expected Exam Success Rate: 67%
'67%... not bad.'
However, Minwoo still had many worries. What if the Mugeukja consciousness went berserk during the exam? What if he hurt other people?
Knock knock.
There was a knocking sound from outside the door.
"Minwoo, it's me. Jieun."
When Minwoo opened the door, Jieun was standing there with a thermos.
"I couldn't sleep, so I thought we could have some tea." She smiled.
"Thank you."
The two sat in the room drinking warm tea.
"Are you nervous?" Jieun asked.
"A little." Minwoo answered honestly. "I'm afraid I might make a mistake."
"You'll do well." Jieun said with confidence. "Look how hard you've worked."
"What if... what if I become strange during the exam?"
"What do you mean by strange?"
Minwoo was about to mention the Mugeukja consciousness but stopped. It was still too dangerous to tell everything.
"Just... in case."
Jieun took Minwoo's hand.
"Whatever happens, I'll be by your side. I promise."
Those words made Minwoo's heart feel much more at ease.
"Thank you, Jieun."
"Then get some sleep now, even if just a little. Tomorrow's condition is important."
After Jieun left, Minwoo lay down on his bed. But he couldn't fall asleep easily.
[System Message]
Notice: Special functions will be activated on exam day
Real-time situation analysis mode Emergency safety measures activation Enhanced Mugeukja consciousness monitoring
Warning: System may forcibly intervene if excessive power is used
'The system is worried too.'
Minwoo thought while looking at the ceiling. Tomorrow, everything would be decided. If he passed the exam, he could grow another level, and if he failed...
No, let's not think about failure. He had prepared hard, so he would definitely do well.
Minwoo gathered his resolve and closed his eyes. For tomorrow's exam.
But while he slept, outside his window, Purification Alliance spies were monitoring his room with high-performance cameras.
"Tomorrow, everything will be decided." Eagle muttered. "Whether this kid is really a descendant of Mugeukja..."
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