“Well then... let’s start with a spar.”
“Sparring?”
“The training I’m giving you is forced. Ideally, I’d prefer to get away with just teaching you the same basic techniques I gave that bald monk...”
In the center of the massive pavilion was a wide, open area—clearly meant for training.
“But, at the end of the day, I am a practitioner of martial arts. Even if this situation is forced upon me, my pride won’t allow me to do a half-hearted job.”
“And how does that relate to sparring?”
“The path of martial arts is complex. One cannot simply pick up any technique and expect to master it. Every person has a style that best suits them.”
“...Is that so?”
“There are universal martial arts that anyone can learn, but naturally, their quality tends to be lower. They are designed so that even the untalented can use them.”
I immediately thought of “Exorcist Monk Combat Arts”, the martial technique Monk Seungju had spread to the survivors of Myohyangsa.
Everyone at the temple had learned it.
But in the system’s ranking, it was C-, a relatively low-tier martial art.
“Most warriors discover their ideal techniques as they grow in skill...”
Seohwan picked up a wooden training staff and continued.
“But we don’t have the luxury of time. So I’ll test you myself and determine which martial art suits you.”
And with that, the sparring began.
Seohwan’s clothing was worn-out. His weapon was nothing more than a simple wooden staff.
Even though his aura was ranked blue,
Could he really defeat my well-equipped soldiers?
To be honest, I had my doubts.
But then—
SMACK!
“Kehuk!”
“Hmph. Your physical strength is impressive, but your technique is pathetic.”
Private Lee Byungmin was sent rolling across the ground with a single strike.
...Guess I was worrying for nothing.
“Don’t worry. I have an idea of which martial art will suit you.”
And so, the sparring continued.
“Kurgh!”
“Hmph. Strange.”
“Ugh!”
“I see now. I understand why you desire martial arts.”
One by one, the soldiers were sent flying, sprawling across the training ground.
Seohwan looked down at them with genuine curiosity in his voice.
“I did not expect such a complete disparity between physical ability and technique.”
That’s what it was.
Our troops weren’t physically weak.
The problem was their lack of technique.
“Is something wrong?”
“No. I was merely observing your natural inclinations. A lack of skill does not necessarily hinder martial arts selection. I just find it odd.”
Seohwan frowned as ◈ Nоvеlіgһт ◈ (Continue reading) if struggling to comprehend something.
“There is a concept called Shin, Gi, Che.”
“...?”
“Mind (Shin). Technique (Gi). Body (Che). Martial artists must develop all three to advance.”
He gestured at the defeated soldiers.
“Most warriors grow all three in a balanced manner. Sometimes, their mind lags behind. But you all... your bodies have developed at an unnatural rate.”
He sounded genuinely baffled.
For me, though—
That made perfect sense.
“We got stronger because of the system.”
By hunting monsters, we gained levels.
We spent attribute points on stat boosts.
We gained guild skills, gear bonuses, and other enhancements.
As a result, our physical stats skyrocketed—
But everything else remained normal.
“...The system?”
Oh, right.
This guy didn’t even know what dungeons were.
He called Gates by the term Dimensional Doors.
If that was the case...
Maybe he didn’t have a system at all.
“Y’know, when you kill monsters, you absorb their energy, awaken, and get a job class?”
“...What?”
“There’s also a floating text box that appears in front of you. It gives you information. You must’ve seen something like that, right?”
I thought I was explaining well.
But—
“I’ve never heard of such nonsense. Floating letters? You should seek medical help.”
That response made something click in my mind.
‘...This world never had a system.’
I had assumed that monsters and the system appeared together.
But that wasn’t the case.
Seohwan’s world had been invaded by monsters—
But it never received a system.
‘Then why... did our world get one?’
I pondered it briefly.
But there was no clear answer.
“...Anyway, think of it as a method that allows us to boost our physical abilities rapidly. But the rest of our skills are still normal.”
“Hmm. If that’s the case, then I see why you’d seek martial arts.”
Seohwan seemed mildly intrigued but not particularly interested.
And so—
"Kurgh!"
"Ouch!"
—The soldiers continued getting beaten to a pulp.
“...You’re not just taking out your frustration, are you?”
“Of course not.”
He denied it.
But I had my doubts.
Regardless, after numerous rounds of sparring—
“Alright. I’ve seen enough. Most of you have decent potential.”
Only two soldiers remained.
"Alright. I'll go next."
The two remaining soldiers.
One of them stepped forward—
Corporal Jeon Gwangil.
"Wait."
"Yes?"
As he prepared to fight, I stopped him.
“Watch closely. Unlike the others, you can fight at full power.”
“At full power?”
His eyes widened.
What I meant was—
“Unleash your Madness completely.”
“...You want me to go all out?”
Until now, Jeon Gwangil had never fully activated his ability outside of real battles.
Even though Seohwan was technically an enemy,
This sparring match was not meant to be hostile.
It was a test to determine the most suitable martial art for each soldier.
Which meant—
‘I need to see his true capabilities.’
Jeon Gwangil finally understood my intention.
“...Understood.”
And so—
“Hooo.”
Crack.
His body twisted unnaturally.
"Grurgh...!"
His pupils shrank.
A twisted grin stretched across his face.
All of his Madness—fully unleashed.
And with that—
He lunged at Seohwan like a beast.
“...I see.”
Seohwan finally looked interested.
Until now, he had remained calm throughout every spar.
But now—
“Not bad.”
For the first time—
He had to get serious.
And moments later—
“...Holy shit.”
