Episode 10: Regressed After Only Doing the Tutorial

Episode 10: Mom

*

Year 37 of the Tutorial.

Two years after obtaining the Qualification for Transcendence.

‘Finally, I understand.’

What to do. How to do it. Why it must be done.

The purpose behind all of this, and what it must be used for.

At last, I had realized everything.

[Emperor-Crushing Fist has leveled up.]

[Emperor-Crushing Fist has reached max proficiency.]

[Sky-Rending Asura Kick has leveled up.]

[Sky-Rending Asura Kick has reached max proficiency.]

[Heaven-Defying Cloud Steps has leveled up.]

[Heaven-Defying Cloud Steps has reached max proficiency.]

My movements flowed like water.

‘As if… they were always one from the beginning.’

The countless hours I had spent obsessively devoted to martial arts—and all the effort I poured into everything beyond it—had now merged into a single entity within me. It was overwhelming.

The unshakable resolve I gained from hammering steel.

The composure I built through mastering acupuncture.

The precision I honed while crafting potions.

And everything else I had accumulated with my own hands—now, at this very moment, it all bloomed like a colossal sun within the microcosm of my dantian, becoming my foundation.

A surge of energy, as intense as the sun, rose through my meridians and spread to my heart.

Thump. Thump.

My heart beat distinctly. A new energy spread through my veins.

The sensation was as if another dimension had unfolded inside me—my qi and blood fully awakened.

‘Is this… the Supreme Peak?’

At that instant, the energy erupted, seeping deep into my heart.

It felt as though the energy within my entire body was remaking me.

Instinctively, I realized—

Right now, at this moment, I had reached a realm where I could wield a new kind of energy.

‘Innate Qi.’

For ordinary martial artists, this was their final bastion—the very essence of their vitality.

But those who reached the Supreme Peak could nurture this Innate Qi, strengthening their very life force and even wielding Steel Qi.

‘…I’ve finally reached the Supreme Peak.’

The me who had been nothing when I first fell into the tutorial now stood at a height few could ever reach.

The sense of accomplishment was indescribable. I was so damn proud of myself.

And there was one more piece of evidence of my growth.

[Emperor-Crushing Fist, Sky-Rending Asura Kick, and Heaven-Defying Cloud Steps merge into a single martial art.]

[Please name your new martial art.]

A new martial art, born from the explosive power of Emperor-Crushing Fist, the flexibility of Sky-Rending Asura Kick, the unpredictability of Heaven-Defying Cloud Steps, and my own enlightenment.

All three martial arts carried the meaning of defying the heavens.

And now, as they merged into one, their name had to reflect that will.

Moreover, the moment the three martial arts fused, my body naturally followed the flow.

Fist and footwork became one, moving as if dancing, while my footwork between them felt as natural as soaring across the earth.

This was no longer mere martial arts—it was a formless (無形) martial art that governed the very flow of combat.

For this new martial art, which transcended conventional forms, I gave it this name:

“Heaven-Shattering Dance.”

Not martial (武), but dance (舞).

Every motion of mine would become a dance that shattered the limits imposed by heaven.

Thanks to the fusion, I could now apply the essence of my fist and footwork to weapons as well, making my combat style even more flexible.

‘I prefer fighting bare-handed, but equipment matters too.’

As I climbed the Tower, I would craft more diverse gear—limiting myself to bare-handed combat would be like imposing my own restrictions. I needed to fight more flexibly, in more ways than one.

Swish. Swish.

A few test swings confirmed that my Grandmaster (S) trait was in effect.

“Whoa… This works too?”

Since my self-created martial art was recognized, the Grandmaster trait amplified its power.

Perhaps because the three martial arts had merged with my enlightenment, it wasn’t just a combination—it was acknowledged as a true creation.

Heaven-Shattering Dance was now more organic, more natural, blending into every movement I made so that I could unleash it at any moment.

It was no longer bound by form—it had become a formless martial art.

The downside? It could burst out unexpectedly if I wasn’t careful.

‘If I slip up, I might accidentally kill someone.’

I needed to train until I could fully control it, ensuring it wouldn’t activate at the wrong time.

Once I was confident it wouldn’t misfire, I naturally moved to the next step.

‘Gather the energy from my dantian into my hands…’

The energy of Dawn Divine Art, which now obeyed me effortlessly.

I drew it out like a thread, placing it upon my palm.

Then, I drew out the Innate True Qi from my heart—the middle dantian—and intertwined the two.

A dense, condensed energy, unlike anything I had ever seen before, floated above my hand.

This was Steel Qi.

A supreme technique only those who had reached the highest realms could wield.

Though my Innate True Qi was still lacking, preventing me from maintaining it for long, the moment I created Steel Qi, my mental cultivation advanced another step.

[Dawn Divine Art has leveled up.]

[New effects of Dawn Divine Art have been unlocked.]

Fwoosh—

Watching the Steel Qi vanish from my fingertips, I immediately checked the details.

‘Dawn Divine Art. Abilities only.’

① Demonic Core

: An inner core that accumulates energy in the manner of a Demon King. Removes the limits on mana capacity and grants the highest-level boost to mana accumulation and recovery rate. Even if the dantian is destroyed, the accumulated energy can be consumed to regenerate it.

② Demonic Body

: A body forged from the essence of demons. Physical abilities increase in proportion to total mana capacity. Removes the limits on physical enhancement and grants the highest-level boost.

③ Demonic Veins

: The ability to wield mana in the manner of a Demon King. Mana is imbued with a dominating nature, naturally exerting control over the surroundings. Grants the highest-level boost to mana speed and potency.

④ Demonic God Qi

: The Steel Qi of Dawn Divine Art. Clings to wounds to hinder recovery and burrows inward to destroy from within. The intensity of the Steel Qi Increases in proportion to the Mental Strength stat.

⑤ ???

: Unlocks upon proficiency increase.

‘What… the hell did I even create?’

Dawn Divine Art already had four absurdly overpowered abilities—and there was still more to unlock. I couldn’t even begin to guess its limits.

I had created this martial art to surpass limits, yet now it was surpassing its own limits.

Just then, a familiar voice called from behind.

“Player Han Yeomyeong.”

“Hm?”

“It’s time to eat.”

Ever since my Cooking skill hit Intermediate Lv.1, I’d been too lazy to cook and just ate frozen meals. Estelle, apparently unable to stand the sight, had started making food for me at some point.

She was way better than me, even though I was at Intermediate Lv.1. It was so delicious that I never missed a meal.

“Got it. Mom.”

“…I am not your mother.”

“You cook for me, take care of me, scold me sometimes. Sounds like a mom to me.”

If this wasn’t a mom, what was?

“Haah…”

Estelle sighed and headed to the table. But the spot where my bowl was placed had all my favorite side dishes piled high.

‘Yep. Definitely my mom.’

“Eat quickly before it gets cold.”

Watching her suppress a slight smile, I chuckled. Once I finished eating, Estelle asked,

“If I’m your mom because I cook, take care of you, and scold you… does that mean Player Yoo Soeun was also your mom?”

“Yep. Soeun was mom too.”

Honestly, considering everything Soeun had done for me, she was more than just a mom. Estelle’s brow twitched slightly.

“Haah… Is teasing me really that fun?”

“Yeah. It’s always fresh and thrilling. The best. Ugh—!?”

Suddenly, Estelle karate-chopped the top of my head.

‘…I didn’t even see it coming.’

A footwork technique several levels above Chaos Cloud Step—at the very least, a Divine Art or higher.

“Player Han Yeomyeong, you’re still no match for me. Understood?”

Seeing her raise her hand again, I nodded immediately. Satisfied, she lowered it with a faint smile.

“By the way, what was that footwork just now? Never seen it before.”

“Even while getting hit, you were analyzing it first?”

Estelle looked exasperated, but this was only natural for me. In a fight, my instincts always prioritized dissecting the opponent’s techniques.

“I can’t teach you that. The three martial arts I’ve already taught you are the limit of what I’m allowed. If I go beyond that, I’ll be ejected from the tutorial. Is that really okay with you?”

“No. Absolutely not.”

Losing Estelle just to learn a footwork technique would be a far greater loss.

‘Still a shame, though.’

If I could learn that mysterious footwork, my growth would skyrocket. Couldn’t she just teach me in secret?

“I can see exactly what you’re thinking.”

Estelle’s voice turned icy.

“Right now, you’re thinking, ‘Can’t I just learn it secretly?’ Weren’t you?”

Busted.

“Player Han Yeomyeong. The system’s laws are far stricter than you think. They’re not something you can ignore so casually. The martial arts I’ve already taught you belonged to the Martial Alliance Leader and the Heavenly Demon—both renowned masters of the martial world. Be satisfied with that.”

‘…Heavenly Demon?’

That was unexpected.

“Oh, so the Heavenly Demon actually exists?”

A staple in wuxia lore, the Heavenly Demon—leader of the Heavenly Demon Cult, the strongest of the demonic sects, hailed as the greatest under heaven, wielder of the Heavenly Demon Divine Art.

To think the martial arts I’d learned were originally his techniques… That was a surprise.

“A world similar to the martial world Earth’s fiction depicts does exist. If you’re lucky, you might even meet him inside the Tower.”

“The Heavenly Demon… Now that’s interesting.”

I had a decade of wuxia novel experience under my belt.

Someone with that title was undoubtedly a monstrous powerhouse. I had to fight him at least once.

“Though you delayed saying it because you were busy teasing me… congratulations on reaching the Supreme Peak. It was faster than I expected.”

Was I early?

“Is 37 years considered fast by martial world standards?”

Estelle nodded.

“So-called ‘geniuses’ usually reach it in their mid-20s. Prodigies from prestigious families hit it by their late 30s. Those with average talent, if they train diligently, might achieve it in their mid-50s. As for the untalented? Most never reach it in their lifetime. Of course, even the untalented could manage with the system’s buffs.”

So I was on par with a prodigy.

“Then am I just untalented and only made it because of the system?”

“…It’s a bit ambiguous.”

Estelle hesitated before continuing.

“You are untalented, that much is true. But right now, you’re growing at a speed beyond even prodigies. You’ve poured in more time than an average person while maintaining a prodigy’s growth rate—by all rights, you should’ve reached the Supreme Peak much sooner.”

“Then why was I delayed?”

Her trailing tone suggested there was an issue.

“Well… it’s because you were too diligent.”

“…I was delayed because I was too diligent?”

An unexpected answer.

“As you’ve realized, the Supreme Peak is about weaving everything you’ve built into one.”

She was right. When I reached the Supreme Peak, I had fused everything I’d accumulated into a single entity.

“The more you have, the more you’ve built up, the slower it is to reach the Supreme Peak. If you had focused solely on martial arts after obtaining the Dawn Body, you would’ve reached it at least five years earlier.”

I blankly chewed on her words.

“So… I wasted my time?”

Would focusing only on martial arts have been the faster path? Had everything else I’d done actually slowed me down?

“Whether that’s true or not, you’ll find out in time.”

Estelle’s words carried a deeper meaning.

“What do you mean by that?”

“You need to realize it yourself. It’s meaningless if I tell you. But… you’ll figure it out soon.”

There was certainty in her eyes. I smirked.

“Yeah. I’m your disciple, after all. I’ll find it, whatever it is.”

At that, she smiled faintly and raised a fist.

“Right. Whose disciple are you? Of course you’ll do well.”

Thinking she wanted a fist bump, I lightly raised my own—but she wasn’t stopping. Her fist pulled back further.

“If you can’t find it, I’ll help you… with my hands.”

Her calm declaration sent a chill down my spine.

…I had to find it.

Before I got turned into paste.

*

Year 38 of the Tutorial

Though I still hadn’t grasped the full meaning of Estelle’s words, I could now fight Baal’s avatar on equal footing. I could block its attacks and land solid hits.

‘If only I had a bit more Innate Qi…’

If I could sustain Steel Qi just a little longer, I might’ve won. But as it was, once I exhausted my Innate Qi, I spent the next ten minutes running before finally forcing its banishment.

Gasping for breath, I turned to Estelle.

“Estelle. What do you think I’m lacking?”

I needed advice.

“Humanity… manners… those come to mind.”

She had long since reached the level of openly roasting me.

“Not that. Combat-wise. And where else would you find a personality like mine?”

“Personality…?”

She tilted her head.

“What kind of ‘personality’ says such cruel things to a friend and sends them away…? I wouldn’t know.”

“Ugh—!”

A direct hit. I had no rebuttal. No amount of apologies would ever make up for what I’d done to Yoo Soeun.

“I’m sorry… Just tell me what I’m missing.”

Satisfied with my apology, she finally answered.

“A lack of Innate True Qi. And… your world is too small.”

“My world?”

I already knew about the Innate Qi shortage. But what did she mean by my world being too small?

“Martial artists don’t wander the world for no reason. They broaden their horizons and refine their martial arts through experience. The tutorial world is larger than you think. I recommend traveling. Besides, there are more players now than before. You’ll see and learn more. It’ll also help you complete the task I gave you.”

I understood.

‘My world is too small.’

I mulled over her words.

‘…She’s right. Other than fighting Baal, I had nothing else to do.’

The Innate Qi shortage was real, and if I didn’t address it, my growth might hit a wall. If this was the solution, there was no reason to hesitate.

“Alright, let’s go.”

As I grabbed my bag, Estelle blinked in surprise.

“I suggested traveling, but this soon…?”

I nodded.

“The best trips are the ones you take the moment you think of them.”

“…‘If you don’t go now, you’ll never go’—something like that?”

I nodded again. The essence of travel was spontaneity. Overthinking it would lead nowhere.

“Exactly.”

“Haah… Fine. Stay safe.”

With Estelle’s sigh, my first journey began.

Into the vast world—where countless encounters awaited.

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