Chapter 081: Earnest Wish(4)
Whirr—!
The sword ki emitted a dense energy utterly different from the previous ones.
After that, I was able to get the desired result after a few system ssages rang.
「 Proficiency of skill 'Lightning Sword Ki' has increased by 30% due to independent realization. 」
Lightning Sword Ki.
Originally, the reason why I wanted to materialize the Sword Ki by myself was to increase the Proficiency of the skill.
Because there was nothing bad about upgrading the ability to shoot out a slash and support the power in any case.
However…
「 Proficiency of 'Mana Operation (A-)' has increased by 8% due to independent realization. 」
"I didn't expect it to end up like this."
Currently, I was experiencing growth several tis greater than I originally expected.
「 ‘Body and Sword as One’ achievent unlocked. 」
「 The mana cost penalty of 'Sword Ki Master' will now disappear. 」
Body and Sword as One.
The sense that the Body and the Sword becoming as one materialized into an achievent, and the penalty of Sword Ki disappeared as a reward.
It wasn't just that.
Through independent realization, even the Proficiency of Mana Operation increased.
It ant that it was enlightennt to the extent that the skill proficiency of Mana Operation, which stepped into the realm of natural talent, went up.
「 Administrator ‘White Crane Sword Saint’ is extrely excited about your materialization of Sword Ki. 」
「 Administrator ‘Iron-Blooded Monarch’ is astonished that the contractor has stepped into the stage of Body and Sword as One. 」
「 Administrator ‘White Crane Sword Saint’ wants to test your talents a bit more. 」
「 Administrator ‘Iron-Blooded Monarch’ trembles at her contractor's talents, revealing her greed. 」
So I could sowhat understand why the administrators were sending ssages frantically.
Moreover…
"The first materialization of Sword Ki from the dinsion of Earth, huh… That's not a bad title."
The Tower of Trials praised as the first challenger to materialize the Sword Ki in the dinsion of earth.
Getting praise from the Tower is rare. I wonder how many tis the Tower praised ?
I was only praised after I was called to the Tower, and after winning a fierce battle against the Orcs.
I couldn't even rember the Tower of Trials praising after that.
While enjoying the praise I had received after such a long ti, I quickly put away the Sword Ki and stopped.
I'd finished everything that needed to be done.
Therefore—
「 Administrator ‘White Crane Sword Saint’ invites you to the administrator territory. 」
「 Administrator ‘White Crane Sword Saint’ invites you to the admini… 」
「 Administrator ‘White Crane Sword Saint’ invites you to… 」
There was no need to hesitate further.
***
As I accepted the White Crane Sword Saint's invitation, moving to the administrator's area happened literally within the blink of an eye.
「You're being teleported to the administrator territory as you've accepted the invitation.」
「 You have entered the forest. 」
The mont I blinked my eyes, at the sa ti, a system ssage popped up.
"…"
The landscape around was changed, and a mansion with a small pond in the middle of a bamboo forest caught my attention.
I was intrigued for a while by the atmosphere reminiscent of ancient China, but…
Apart from the intrigue, it didn't an that I was surprised.
Just like the Iron-Blooded Monarch, this territory is also nothing but an area allocated to the White Crane Sword Saint, after all.
Now, rather than this territory itself, my interest was focused on the White Crane Sword Saint, who was nad as the owner of this realm.
Judging by the title used as an administrator, I thought maybe she was an old person like Baek Sunhak.
It was pretty plausible when I recalled the content that had been delivered to through system ssages.
「 Administrator ‘White Crane Sword Saint’ eagerly awaits your visit. 」
「 Administrator ‘White Crane Sword Saint’ hopes that you had no change of heart. 」
However, guessing the identity of White Crane Sword Saint was cut off by a ssage that soon ca up.
"…"
It looked like an elderly person living alone was anxious that their grandson, who didn't visit for a long ti, would leave, but…
Contrary to the ssage of White Crane Sword Saint emitting anxiousness, I had no intention of taking a step back now.
"No worries. I have no intention of beating around the bush anymore."
I just reaffird and beca certain of the effectiveness of the Sword Ki through the independent realization.
Clearly, administrator White Crane Sword Saint was soone who'd give benefits rather than cause a loss.
An administrator from Murim could bring great benefits in terms of combat power.
Therefore—
Having co this far ant that there was no option to turn back.
I imdiately moved forward, held the doorknob of the Chinese-style mansion, and went in.
Then—
"…Finally, you've co this far."
I could see a white-haired woman standing on the floor overlooking a small pond beyond it.
She soon turned her head and smiled at , putting the sword on her lap.
And then…
"I have been waiting for a challenger like you to appear for a really long ti."
Soon I opened my eyes widely as I saw her faint smile while she fluttered her white hair.
Originally, I speculated that the White Crane Sword Saint would be an old man with a gentle impression, but…
Despite that speculation, White Crane Sword Saint wasn't an old man, nor even a man.
"Nice to et you. I'm administrator White Crane Sword Saint."
The White Crane Sword Saint was a beautiful young lady with an elegant impression.
***
"…"
At first, I thought I wouldn't be so bewildered when I t the White Crane Sword Saint.
But that was a complete misjudgnt.
The identity of the White Crane Sword Saint was completely different from what I had imagined.
A fluttering white martial arts uniform and fine, white hair showed that the White Crane Sword Saint was an old person.
But on the contrary, I was bewildered because wherever I looked at her body, she only looked like an adult who had just turned 20 years old.
Could all administrators keep their bodies young like this?
'It seems that the welfare of the tower is quite formidable even though they died and beca subordinate to the tower.'
To think that they give you a body that never gets old, never gets sick, and as well as an individual territory.
I thought that it seed they have even better welfare than the level of the Earth.
***
Reaper Scans
***
It was then—
"…What's wrong? Is there any problem?"
The White Crane Sword Saint tilted her head as she looked at , standing still.
Only then I stopped thinking about her and opened my mouth.
It’s because it's not good to stand around thinking about things while you have an important trade opponent in front of you.
"…I was just amazed to see the administrator that I only knew through ssages."
To be precise, I was surprised by the appearance of the White Crane Sword Saint, which was completely different from what I thought.
"Ahaha… you might feel that way, too."
White Crane Sword Saint smiled a little and agreed with .
Then she tapped the seat next to her with her palm while looking at .
"It'd be difficult if you just stand there and talk. Please co over here."
"…That's true. Excuse then."
I replied to her call briefly and quietly sat down next to her.
I could only then understand why she was sitting on the floor instead of on a chair.
It was refreshing.
"…"
The wind flowing through the forest reached the floor, delivering fresh air.
And in a small pond seen over the open floor, fish were swimming freely under the lotus flowers.
It felt like I was gradually being inspired just by looking at it.
The White Crane Sword Saint spoke to as I stared blankly at the scene.
"It feels good, doesn't it?"
She smiled as she hugged her fluttering martial arts uniform down to her ankles, along with her knees.
"I've always been here, watching you."
"…Since when?"
"Since you started the duel of life and death between Baek Sunhak on the 9th floor."
"So you've been watching since the ti when trial spectating beca possible."
Moreover, that was the ti when the White Crane Sword Saint sponsored a power.
Which ant that after seeing achieve victory in the duel with Baek Sunhak, she imdiately sponsored .
"Didn't you think it was a waste to sponsor a power to a challenger that you'd only seen once?"
At those words, White Crane Sword Saint shook her head with a cold face.
"It wasn't a waste at all. You really need to know your worth."
"…?"
"Great Elder Baek Sunhak was a swordsman who used to be called quite a strong man in Murim, even though he didn't reach the level of Sword Ki Supre."
"…"
"Even though he lost most of the strength he had after entering the Tower of Trials, defeating such a challenger is enough to call it an achievent."
She blabbered as though it was sothing great, but I couldn't really accept her words.
Baek Sunhak must've been much stronger than at the ti when he hadn't entered the Tower.
And that fact wouldn't have really changed even before the floor intrusion penalty weakened him.
It was then that I was about to dismiss the topic, saying I won out of luck.
I couldn't help but be shocked with my eyes wide open at the words of the White Crane Sword Saint that followed soon after.
Because…
"You don't have to deny it, because it's from , who once signed a contract with Baek Sunhak."
It was because the truth that I couldn't have imagined was revealed with her words.
***
The atmosphere beca heavy in an instant.
I had already noticed that White Crane Sword Saint was an administrator from Murim.
However, it was my first ti knowing that she was the administrator who had signed a contract with Baek Sunhak.
I wondered if she had a big grudge or sothing against , but…
She dismissed it as though she realized that I was having such thoughts.
"I didn't have a good relationship with Baek Sunhak."
"…What?"
"He was just a good challenger for to earn points even though he didn't have any growth potential."
"I had never t him in person. He knew it too, but he stayed still since he wanted my powers."
After saying that, the White Crane Sword Saint said with lantation as though she felt bitter.
"I have signed many contracts with challengers, but I have never called a challenger here so far."
From those words, I could tell that she had spent many years by herself.
"Until I saw you through Baek Sunhak."
Before I knew it, the eyes of the White Crane Sword Saint were sending an intangible pressure with seriousness.
"You've probably expected it to so extent, but I'll tell you clearly."
At that, I narrowed my eyes and looked at her.
"Please sign the [Additional Contract] that was ford along with the expansion of the Tower system this ti."
I opened my mouth while keeping my expressionless face at her suggestion.
"What exactly are the advantages I can get from doing that?"
"I can make you a disciple of the administrator White Crane Sword Saint."
"…What would be good if I beco White Crane Sword Saint's disciple exactly?"
"In the tower, a discipleship ans a challenger with a special contract that each administrator can appoint only one person in his or her lifeti."
"…"
"When the discipleship contract is signed, the challenger who beca a disciple can purchase all the powers possessed by the administrator."
"Then you an that contracts that aren't discipleship contracts can't purchase all the powers?"
"The power of an administrator is an ability that can break nature. There are bound to be restrictions."
In short, it ant that if I beca her disciple, I'd be able to buy all the powers of the White Crane Sword Saint.
But if I didn't, I'd only be able to attain limited powers.
I felt very lucky in this situation.
The Iron-Blooded Monarch was the first contractor I made, and I was also the first challenger brought to the administrator's territory by the White Crane Sword Saint to make her disciple.
And it didn't stop there.
'White Crane Sword Saint recomnded to be her disciple even though it's an additional contract.'
The Tower of Trials specified that the [Additional Contract] is a contract that can run out at any ti.
However, she gave the position of a disciple, which can only be given once in a lifeti as an administrator.
I wondered if there could ever be any situation that would be good for , but ironically, my doubts arose because of that.
"Why are you even offering the seat of a disciple?"
I wondered what the White Crane Sword Saint expected from that she was even willing to give the seat of disciple even though it was just an additional contract?
I couldn't hold back my curiosity about it, and she easily answered right away.
"I just chose you to make my Earnest Wish co true, just like that woman."
As though there was nothing to hide, White Crane Sword Saint said quietly while looking at the pond.
"I need the sharpest Sword than anyone else. The best Sword that will never be broken and will never be dulled."
Sword.
"You have the potential to be sharper than any other sword I've ever seen."
White Crane Sword Saint said that she chose because she thought that I'd beco a sharper sword than anyone else.
Then, where did she want to wield that Sword, which is ?
"You obtain the sword because you have sowhere to wield it."
"…"
"Then what is that Earnest Wish of yours?"
"…?"
But she tilted her head as if she didn't understand what I was saying.
Then she approached , dragging her fluttering martial arts uniform to the floor, and opened her eyes wide like a rabbit.
"Have you not heard from that woman what the Earnest Wish is?"
Hearing her say that woman, she seed to know the Iron-Blooded Monarch, so I wanted to ask her if she knew her.
But rather than the relationship between the two of them, I focused on her words, asking if I didn't know what Earnest Wish is.
"I've only heard that she can't tell about the Earnest Wish yet."
"What do you…? She hasn't told her disciple about the Earnest Wish yet?"
"…?"
"…Whatever. It's sothing I can tell if she hasn't told you."
White Crane Sword Saint clenched the fluttering martial arts uniform with both hands and opened her mouth as though she was sighing.
"Earnest Wish isn't a personal wish of an administrator without compensation for you."
And—
Earnest Wish is a right that Tower bestowed on the administrator. Like the trial of the Tower, the administrator can give the challenger a trial. If they accomplish it, the challenger gets a reward.
I couldn't help but open my eyes wide as she continued speaking.
——
——
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