ushernet Chapter 23
Chapter 23
While the Earthlings fought through a hellish survival game, players from other dimensions weren’t sitting idle. They met ascenders from their home dimensions and received training.
The Murim warriors met Dokgo Un.
No one recognized Dokgo Un. He belonged to a much older generation of warriors.
When he entered the Tower of Struggle, Dokgo Un had reached the peak of martial prowess. Now, he had reached a level of transcendence beyond what Murim could define.
His method of imparting wisdom was simple.
"No matter how much you train your body, study inner techniques, or chant the mantras, it won’t feel the same as it did in Zhongyuan. From the moment you were bound by the Soul System, enlightenment won’t come easily here."
“...”
What kind of nonsense was this?
Even in Zhongyuan, moments of enlightenment were rare. Most of the Murim warriors in the unorthodox sects had never experienced enlightenment.
"It must be a restriction. Allowing massive stat boosts upon enlightenment would be unfair to players from other dimensions."
“...”
"The best way to break through the Soul System’s limits is to fight with your life on the line, befitting the Tower of Struggle."
“...”
"I, too, broke through the wall in the Tower of Struggle through battles of life and death."
Dokgo Un drew his sword.
"Even if attaining enlightenment is impossible for now, you can still build experience in the Soul System."
With that, he swung his sword without hesitation, believing it would help someday.
Clang. Clang.
The Murim warriors had no choice but to block Dokgo Un's sword. If they didn’t want to die, that is.
That said, he wasn’t swinging to kill. Dokgo Un controlled his strength for his juniors.
“Uh, we haven't learned martial arts yet. What should we do?”
Not all from Zhongyuan were martial artists. Some were ordinary civilians.
Dokgo Un passed down martial arts to them. He created a path for survival as players.
[Three Talents Sword Technique (Samjaegeombeop) [Lv.1][E]] [Increases physical damage of Three Talents Sword moves by 20%.]
[Six Harmonies Fist Technique (Yukhapgwonbeop) [Lv.1][E]] [Increases physical damage of Six Harmonies Fist moves by 20%.]
They had no idea what these descriptions meant, but without the Soul System, they’d never have understood. Thanks to the Soul System, they were forced to understand the effects, and they looked at Dokgo Un with gratitude.
“Great warrior...!”
Having seen it somewhere before, they quickly moved to bow deeply to him. Dokgo Un stopped them.
"It's nothing but third-rate martial arts. I taught it to you because it's better than having nothing."
“But still...”
"Don't make me repeat myself. We're not master and disciple. Find your own way to survive."
Dokgo Un had no intention of taking responsibility for them. In the Tower of Struggle, guaranteeing anyone’s life was foolish.
Madokwang observed the Murim warriors from a step behind.
‘What luscious bodies.’
His gaze raked over the women, lingering on their ample chests and hips.
The women shivered, sensing his vulgar gaze filled with impure desires. However, they didn’t speak out.
Madokwang was among the strongest of the Murim players in this group. Even if they wanted to complain, they couldn’t.
He had already marked a few of the women.
“N-no...! Please! I... I have a husband.”
And he violated them in secret, away from Dokgo Un’s watchful eyes, without a care for the women’s circumstances.
“Heh heh. Then you can just ask your husband to clean it out for you! Though I doubt he’ll reach that deep!”
Madokwang adapted to the Tower of Struggle faster than anyone else.
‘This place is no different from Zhongyuan.’
The strong dominate, and the weak submit.
Since the tutorial, this rule hadn’t changed.
‘She looks blank, yet... there isn’t a single opening.’
It was as if she were wrapped in sharp, honed energy. So, he abandoned the idea.
Then, something unexpected happened.
“A 3-on-3 team battle. It’s not difficult. Just think of it as a relay-style match where the winning player continues to fight.”
Dokgo Un announced a new test.
‘This is it.’
Madokwang licked his lips, his mind racing.
From the moment he heard about the test, all he could think about was how to bring down Eun Seoryeong.
The sparring sessions with Dokgo Un hadn’t helped much. Madokwang’s talent was nothing special.
But he had confidence.
‘Even if she’s a peak warrior, she won’t be able to block my blade.’
Madokwang, the Flashing Blade Demon. He didn’t earn the nickname in a gambling den. It came from killing countless warriors.
Not a single one was a peak warrior, though. Madokwang put his faith in the artifact he’d obtained.
“So, she’s not coming after all.”
If she had flaunted herself and flirted a bit, he might have spared her. Clicking his tongue, Madokwang chose Eun Seoryeong’s team.
“It’s better to pick teams from other dimensions. Your survival odds are higher with Earthlings.”
“I’ve already made my choice.”
Word of this spread quickly among the Murim warriors.
Everyone wondered who would win. Most bets were on Eun Seoryeong’s victory, given her extraordinary skill displayed in her sparring with Dokgo Un.
But there was a factor.
“The important thing is that this test is a team battle.”
“...And the Flashing Blade Princess has an Earthling on her team.”
“Even with an Earthling, I don’t think she’ll lose.”
Over the past week, the Murim warriors had learned how weak and despicable Earthlings could be.
Earthlings were practically dead weight. There was no one unfamiliar with their nature by now.
The presence of an Error Player was an undeniable burden. So it made sense to think Madokwang might stand a chance.
“Does the match really hinge on their duel?”
The murmuring Murim warriors fell silent. They realized there was no time for idle chatter.
They hurried off to seek weaker opponents.
Earthlings. They were in high demand. Everyone wanted to face them.
The choice was up to the Earthlings.
Murim warriors silently wished the Earthlings would choose them.
The day of the showdown finally arrived. Each team was transported to the waiting area.
“A week has already flown by, hasn’t it? Did everyone get plenty of rest?”
The administrator they had hoped never to see again greeted them all.
No one responded.
“Oh, how cold! I even brought a mini-game to keep you entertained while you wait, and this is the reaction I get? Blinky is hurt.”
“...”
“I’ll just assume you’re all too tense to speak.”
Blinky continued.
“The mini-game I’ve prepared is a simple betting game.”
Clink—
In front of each player, coins appeared. Each coin had Blinky’s face engraved in a caricature style.
“You can bet the coins to earn rewards. I’ve prepared many rewards that will be useful on the second floor. Now, waiting won’t be so boring, will it?”
Blinky smiled, looking thrilled, but the players’ expressions were deadly serious.