Heaven-Reaching Talent

Having already anticipated this, I immediately began the massage.

Such crude remarks would surely melt away like snow once the massage took effect.

For clients who found massages slightly awkward, it was standard practice to begin by loosening their shoulders, a familiar and non-intrusive area.

Conveniently, my objective was indeed to touch his shoulders.

More precisely, it was the biceps area, slightly below the shoulders. But that was close enough; I could simply work my way down from the shoulders without issue.

As I kneaded his shoulders, I observed the grandfather’s furrowed expression visibly softening.

Evidently, even a Transcendent was susceptible to the power of a good massage.

I proceeded with swift efficiency.

This wasn’t a paid session, nor did the recipient seem to desire a full treatment. Thus, I needed to extract what I wanted and quickly withdraw.

I moved slightly down from his shoulder, extending my hand towards his biceps.

‘Why is an old man’s body so incredibly tough?’

While it wasn’t overtly apparent, touching him directly revealed a physique like solid wrought iron.

‘I’ll have to put my full strength into massaging this area.’

Since my true goal was merely to touch him for five seconds, not to provide an actual massage, I simply went through the motions and easily passed the required time.

[The condition for unique trait ‘Stronger with Touch’ has been met.]

[Acquired trait ‘The Resonator’.]

[Acquired trait ‘Celestial Martial Physique’.]

[Acquired stat ‘Strength’ +120.]

[Acquired stat ‘Agility’ +120.]

[Strength and Agility have surpassed their limits.]

[Strength and Agility have increased to D-Rank.]

[Acquired skill ‘Emperor’s Sword Art’ (SS).]

“Hehe, hehehehe.”

As expected, the rewards were too good to suppress my laughter.

This time, there was none of the life-or-death tension I’d felt with the Witch of Bitter Cold, making the feeling even more delightful.

Moreover, at first glance, I had gained stats and skills related to swords.

“What makes you so happy to laugh so freely?”

“Hehehe. Indeed. I suppose I simply enjoy giving massages.”

“I sensed it from the first moment we met, but you are truly a bold and amusing child. Tsk, tsk, tsk… Are you not afraid of me?”

“Oh, come now. You’ve saved my life twice and taught me the sword. How could I be afraid? I should be grateful! Hehehe.”

Especially when he was bestowing such excellent traits, stats, and skills upon me.

I almost felt a pang of guilt.

“Very well, that is enough. We don’t know how much time remains, so take up your sword once more.”

“Yes, sir!”

Having acquired everything I sought, I brushed my hands clean of lingering thoughts and rose.

“This time, I shall teach you the basic stance and how to wield a sword. Even this much will be quite helpful….”

Listening to Cheongeom’s words, I lifted the Dragon Bone Sword that I had placed on the ground.

[Trait ‘The Resonator’ activates.]

[Resonating with the Dragon Bone Sword.]

[The sword’s abilities are drawn to their utmost limit.]

The freshly acquired trait had manifested instantly.

Without even consciously willing it, the sword’s information, altered by the Witch of Bitter Cold’s eye, appeared before me.

[Name – True Dragon Bone Sword]

[Rank – A+]

[A sword forged from the bones and hide of a black Imoogi. Possesses an inherent durability recovery function. Currently resonating with Park Minhyuk.]

[Temporarily acquires Lightning  attribute upon equip.]

[Inherent Durability Recovery (Fast)]

[Stat ‘Agility’ +30]

[Skill ‘Thunderstorm  usable – Cooldown 24 hours]

Whirring

The True Dragon Bone Sword in my hand let out a pleasant cry.

One might dismiss it as mere vibration, yet somehow, I knew.

It was a cry of joy.

“Child, amusing child.”

Cheongeom suddenly appeared right before me.

“You’ve resonated with the sword, haven’t you?”

****

“Lee Heejin.”

“Here.”

Lee Heejin lightly raised her hand and responded to the instructor, who was checking attendance.

“Next, Park Minhyuk.”

“….”

“Is Park Minhyuk not here?”

Receiving no answer to the call, the instructor raised their head and scanned the classroom.

Lee Heejin glanced at the empty seat beside her for a moment, then answered on his behalf.

“I don’t think he’s here.”

“Alright, thank you. Next….”

Lee Heejin rested her chin in her hand, idly watching the attendance call.

‘He was so diligent in class yesterday….’

Yet, he was absent just one day later.

He was someone she had only met yesterday.

He possessed a friendly nature that allowed them to drop formalities and speak comfortably in just a day.

Though Park Minhyuk himself had remarked that she was excessively unreserved, he seemed to forget his own personality.

She had thought that if they continued to attend together, they might become quite close by the time this tedious training was completed.

‘But where on earth did he go?’

Naturally, she knew nothing of his phone number or anything else.

Well, there was nothing to regret.

Lee Heejin quickly dismissed Park Minhyuk from her mind and began to lean forward on her desk, but then—

– Lee Yeongsu: Hey, Lee Heejin. Still messing around? lolol

The guild chat began to clutter her vision.

– Lee Heejin: Mind your own business.

– Lee Yeongsu: lolol I told you not to procrastinate on registering, didn’t I? lolol

– Han Gwangcheol: Heejin. Your big brother always advised you that putting off what’s in front of you won’t do you any good. Why are you such a….

– Lee Heejin: Ah, be quiet.

– Hwang Yerim: Unnie! Fighting!! You only have 6 more days to endure!

– Lee Heejin: …You’re the meanest.

– Hwang Yerim: Huh?

Lee Heejin, whose creeping drowsiness had suddenly vanished, continued chatting.

– Lee Heejin: It’s boring. I’m bored to death.

– Lee Yeongsu: Any promising newcomers among the new batch?

Lee Heejin raised her head and quickly scanned the classroom.

A few people, just like her, looked bored.

They too had awakened long ago and were already secretly active, likely only now seeking to acquire their Awakened registration cards.

– Lee Heejin: …None.

– Lee Yeongsu: If you say so, then it must be. Cognac seems to be putting quite a lot of effort into him this time, what will they do?

– Lee Heejin: What do I care?

– Lee Yeongsu: …Well, you don’t.

– Han Gwangcheol: Oh, Heejin. You shouldn’t speak to your big brother like that. Even if your brother asks foolish questions, you two are the only blood relatives….

– Lee Heejin: Ah, I said be quiet.

– Han Gwangcheol: Sorry.

Seeing Han Gwangcheol’s quick apology, Lee Heejin chuckled softly and leaned forward, only to sit back up as if remembering something, activating the guild chat function again.

– Lee Heejin: Oh, right, did you reach the dungeon?

– Lee Yeongsu: Yeah. Just arrived.

– Lee Heejin: You were complaining dungeons barely appeared these days, but you finally found one.

– Lee Yeongsu: Exactly. We really scoured everywhere. Dungeon appearances have definitely decreased. The top guilds have probably noticed it too.

– Han Gwangcheol: If only it meant the extinction of monsters….

– Lee Heejin: …More likely, some other change is coming.

– Lee Yeongsu: Is that your thought? Or your ‘hunch’?

At Lee Yeongsu’s question, Lee Heejin’s eyes flickered briefly before she typed her response.

– Lee Heejin: For now… it’s just my thought.

– Lee Yeongsu: Then that’s good….

– Lee Heejin: What’s the dungeon’s grade?

– Lee Yeongsu: At least B+, probably A-grade.

– Lee Heejin: Sounds fun. Who’s going?

– Lee Yeongsu: Me, Gwangcheol-ahjussi, and Yerim. The three of us.

– Lee Heejin: …What about me?

– Lee Yeongsu: lololol You just focus on your training~

– Hwang Yerim: Unnie, fighting! I’ll work hard for your share!

– Han Gwangcheol: Heejin, we’ll be back….

“Annoying.”

Lee Heejin muttered softly, closing the guild chat window.

It was irritating that everyone else was raiding an exciting dungeon while she was stuck in this dull class, and she was annoyed at herself for procrastinating so long.

And of all things, the dungeon they found happened to be a high-grade one.

An estimated dungeon grade of at least B+ to A.

For a mid-sized guild, it was a grade they would have to challenge themselves. A large guild would dispatch two raid parties for safety.

The Five Great Guilds would likely send a single raid party and clear it cleanly.

However, Lee Heejin’s guild, with only three members, was entering a high-grade dungeon with an attitude as if they were going on a picnic.

In truth, it probably felt to them like little more than a slightly thrilling picnic.

‘Ah… should I just skip class and re-register later?’

The thought fleetingly crossed her mind, but she quickly dismissed it, burying her head again.

It was all a fool’s errand anyway.

Postponing it would only lead to the same situation repeating.

She simply thought,

‘Ugh… so boring.’

She just had to endure it for another week.

****

“It has truly been a long time, a child who resonates with the sword.”

Cheongeom approached me closely, speaking.

“It wasn’t merely talent. It was talent that reached the heavens.”

For some reason, the grandfather seemed incredibly excited.

“Oh… is it that significant?”

“Indeed! This won’t do. I must test your body. Your talent for the sword is proven by resonance alone. Yet, that is not enough. The ability to sense and manipulate qi must also be exceptional to truly lay a strong foundation.”

Cheongeom hastily sat me down and placed a hand on my back.

“Since you awakened under the ‘System,’ you should be able to sense qi to some extent. The question is how well you can control it, how precisely you can manipulate it.”

From the spot where the grandfather’s palm touched, I felt a clear energy flow into my body.

[Trait ‘Endless Talent’ activates.]

“Feel the qi I send through you. And try to memorize the path I guide it along. Even with talent, merely sensing qi will be difficult. If you possess outstanding talent, you might sense it in a day, and in a month, you’ll be able to move it along the path I lead. Let’s see your talent.”

Simultaneously, the energy began to circulate through my body along a specific path.

[Trait ‘Celestial Martial Physique’ activates.]

“Your meridians are robust, and impurities are few… No, they are practically nonexistent. Ho-ho….”

With a brief murmur, the energy completed a complex circuit through my body.

Every part of that path was clear in my mind, but just in case, I waited for one more cycle.

‘Hmm… I just need to copy it, right?’

It seemed easier than I expected.

Once I was certain that the second cycle was identical to the first, I cautiously focused my will on the energy.

[Trait ‘Mana Dominator’ activates.]

I seized the qi that had been circulating according to Cheongeom’s will and directed it along my own path.

As I completed one full cycle, messages scrolled across my vision.

[Successfully completed Minor Heavenly Cycle .]

[Stat ‘Internal Energy’ is generated.]

[Trait ‘The Resonator’ activates.]

[Stat ‘Internal Energy’ and Stat ‘Mana’ resonate.]

[Stat ‘Internal Energy Power (E)’ is generated.]

[Stat ‘Internal Energy Power’ requires more stat points, but will exert significantly greater power.]

After a slight pause, another message appeared.

[Successfully cultivated the Heavenly Lightning Emperor’s Heart Method.]

[All paths of the Heavenly Lightning Emperor’s Heart Method have been perfectly memorized.]

[Skill ‘Heavenly Lightning Emperor’s Heart Method’ (S) is generated.]

So engrossed in the messages, I hadn’t noticed that the grandfather’s hand on my back was no longer there.

Feeling curious, I turned around, and—

“Gah!”

My eyes met the grandfather’s, which were wide with surprise, his mouth agape.