Chapter 82 – 082. The Plum Blossom Swordsman Reincarnated Into The Baek Family
082. The Plum Blossom Swordsman Reincarnated into the Baek Family
Back in my room, I stared at the key I’d obtained from the prison.
It was a key made of dark obsidian, about 10cm in size. At the end of the key was a red gem.
Of course, I knew how to use the key from the original story.
‘Press the red gem at the end of the key and insert the key into the air as if you’re putting it into a lock….’
The red gem embedded at the end of the key began to glow. It was proof that it was activating properly. I twisted and turned the key I had extended into the air.
Space began to distort from the key, and a pure white portal appeared, shimmering.
‘Success.’
The key to the ancient warrior training facility.
This key allowed me to open a portal to an artificial dungeon that was used as a warrior training facility during the ancient civilization era. This portal would remain open for one minute.
Once a portal was opened, another portal could only be opened after 12 hours.
In the original story, Kyle trained inside this dungeon. Training inside was slightly more effective than training outside.
‘Let’s see, shall we do some training?’
Without hesitation, I stepped into the portal.
‘Oh.’
A training ground came into view.
What I saw was a training ground carved out of blue sky and rock. The training ground was very large, and blue trees were planted all around it. Next to it was a stream where clear water flowed quietly.
It was exactly as described in the original story. For reference, no creatures lived in the stream. The water was safe to drink, and you could bathe in the lake below.
“This whole space is mine, huh.”
I grinned and headed towards the training ground.
‣Welcome, warrior trainee.
A clear female voice echoed from all directions of the training ground.
I wasn’t surprised since I already knew about it.
“Yeah. Nice to meet you. But what are you?”
‣I am the Katman of the warrior training facility. You can call me Katman for short.
It was exactly the same as the lines in the original story, not a single word out of place. I chuckled and nodded.
“I’m Eugene Pruker.”
‣Warrior trainee Eugene Pruker. You are officially registered.
‣Currently, Eugene’s body is very young. Your growth is not yet complete, and you are not suitable for training.
“That’s funny. I’m going to train, so what right do you have to tell me what to do?”
I blurted out whatever came to mind.
After all, that thing was just a emotionless AI. Just because it had a nice female voice like an announcer didn’t mean I needed to be considerate.
‣Katman respects Eugene’s opinion.
‣Katman recommends basic physical training for Eugene. It is best to start combat training after building a minimum level of fitness through basic training.
‣First, with basic physical training…
“Forget it. I’m going straight to practical training.”
In the original story, Kyle also said that Katman’s basic training was meaningless. The whole point of the ancient warrior training facility was practical training.
‣That is not possible.
‣According to the Pailont Empire Law, warrior trainees who have not reached the basic physical level cannot engage in practical training.
“Tsk.”
I clicked my tongue. Katman’s reaction wasn’t in the original story. It seemed my young body was the problem.
‘Basic training to build my body? That’s meaningless. My body will automatically develop when I grow.’
If the growth penalty was lifted, I could exert physical abilities that were incomparable to ordinary people without having to train my body.
Training my body here was a waste of time no matter how I looked at it.
“Start with practical training.”
‣That is not possible.
‣According to the Pailont Empire Law, warrior trainees who have not reached the basic physical level cannot engage in practical training.
I told it to do it a few more times, but the answer was always the same.
That is not possible.
I frowned. It looked like I was stuck doing basic training.
‘Is there no other way…?’
As I pondered, I suddenly thought of a method. I wasn’t sure if it would succeed, but there was no harm in trying.
Magic and engineering were most developed during the ancient civilization era. Katman was also just a result of the essence of magic and engineering.
‘It’s not exactly an electronic device… but it’s definitely a similar kind of over-technology.’
Considering the Illusitor, there seemed to be a good chance.
“Hacking!”
[Hacking successful.]
[You can hack the combat training facility Katman for 12 seconds.]
It worked. Although it was only a short time of about 10 seconds, I could control it as I pleased.
I hurriedly said to Katman.
“Katman, I am your master! My orders are above the Pailont Empire Law!”
‣Modifying command system.
‣Modification complete.
‣Please give your orders, Master Eugene Pruker.
I clenched my right fist and trembled with joy. With this, Katman was completely mine.
“Start practical training.”
‣Command confirmed.
‣Preparing for combat practical stage 1.
‣Preparation for summoning combat puppets for stage 1 is complete.
‣Which combat puppet would you like to fight?
‣For stage 1, combat puppets are available in the form of sword, spear, sword and shield, bow, wolf, and eagle.
“Sword.”
‣Summoning combat puppet.
‣Please tell me when you are ready for combat.
A combat puppet appeared in the center of the training ground.
It was a wooden puppet. The wooden puppet held a sword in its hand, and the number ‘1’ was marked on its head.
At least the shape of its body was the same as a human. The sword the combat puppet was holding was made of iron, but the blade was dull. As far as I knew, the basic warrior stage used dull swords for safety.
The combat puppet stood still and looked at me with its black eyes on its head.
‘There were probably 100 stages in total.’
1-15 were the basic warrior stages.
15-40 were for aura users.
40-89 were for aura experts.
90-100 were for aura masters.
Kyle cleared stage 100 in the mid-to-late part of the original story.
‘It’s a shame. I was curious how far I could go in reality, but with this body…’
I took out a dagger from my inventory.
I wanted to take out the Hwaryeon Flying Daggers, but they were too big for my small body right now. The dagger was just right.
“Ha. Was a dagger this heavy?”
Thinking about how easily Lexi had flung it last time… I couldn’t help but sigh.
I held the dagger in reverse grip and checked my Yeongcheon Style.
There were some creaking parts because my body had become smaller, but it wasn’t a big problem. I could properly use the practical techniques of the Yeongcheon Style.
I walked towards the combat puppet, thinking.
‘With the Yeongcheon Style I’ve mastered… I should be able to get to at least stage 20, right?’
I stopped walking at a suitable distance.
“Katman. Start.”
‣Combat practical training will automatically end if the warrior is deemed to be in danger.
‣Combat practical training will end immediately if the warrior expresses their intention to surrender.
‣Starting combat practical stage 1.
The combat puppet gripped the iron sword with both hands and charged at me.
‘In the original story, it was said that combat puppets were almost identical to humans. That means combat puppets also have the same habits as humans.’
The combat puppet’s field of vision was the same as a human’s. It was described as being able to hear sounds and feel sensations like the wind.
‘Then… it’ll work, right?’
Yeongcheon Style practical technique, Byeokgye (碧溪).
The combat puppet’s eyes turned towards my back. It was proof that it worked.
I grinned and slashed the side of the combat puppet with my dagger as it passed by.
A red mark appeared on the wooden side of the combat puppet. It meant a critical hit. There were also blue marks, which meant effective hits.
‣Combat ended.
‣The warrior is victorious.
The combat puppet disappeared without a trace.
“Easy. So easy.”
I said boastfully.
“Actually, being an aura master isn’t that big of a deal, is it? Haha.”
‣Would you like to try combat practical stage 1 again?
‣Would you like to challenge combat practical stage 2?
“Of course, it’s stage 2. Stage 1 is for noobs.”
I said, swinging the dagger in my hand through the air.
‣Preparing for combat practical stage 2.
‣For stage 2, combat puppets are available in the form of sword, spear, greatsword, sword and shield, bow, wolf, eagle, and orc.
“Orc? Hmm. Good. Orc.”
A combat puppet appeared.
Unlike the stage 1 combat puppet, it wasn’t holding a weapon. Instead, it was much larger. It was over 2 meters tall, and its hands and feet were particularly large.
“Start.”
‣Starting combat practical stage 2.
The combat puppet charged towards me. It was definitely faster than the stage 1 combat puppet.
‘I wonder how many stages Byeokgye will work on?’
I used Byeokgye. The combat puppet’s eyes wavered. Byeokgye worked.
‘Easy win~.’
Just as I was about to slash its side as I passed by, the combat puppet twisted its body and swung its fist at me.
“Huk!”
I twisted my waist to avoid the fist, startled.
The combat puppet didn’t stop and charged at me relentlessly.
The word orc was not wrong. There was no rule in its punches and kicks. It was a fist swung wildly by someone who knew nothing about combat.
‘The problem is that it has the physical strength, so if I get hit properly, it’ll be a big problem!’
I stepped through the footwork, dodging the punches and kicks, and stabbed the combat puppet’s left shoulder.
A blue mark appeared on the combat puppet’s shoulder. It meant an effective hit. The speed of its left fist slowed down slightly.
‘If I don’t let my guard down and dodge all the attacks while aiming for openings, I’ll be fine.’
Since it was swinging its fists and feet wildly, it was easy to find openings.
I continued to stab the combat puppet’s openings, and eventually, the combat puppet turned completely blue and collapsed on the floor.
‘If it were a human, it would have fallen much faster. Is it because it’s an orc?’
‣Combat ended.
‣The warrior is victorious.
I took a breath. I could already feel my stamina dropping, probably because my stats were lower.
I took out a water bottle from my inventory and drank it down to quench my thirst.
I had no intention of stopping here.
•••
‣Starting combat practical stage 5.
An assassin combat puppet threw a dagger at me. I took a backstep and dodged the incoming dagger. The combat puppet took advantage of the moment my attention was on the dagger and quickly approached me, swinging the dagger in its hand.
Clang!
Dagger and dagger collided. I stepped back slightly. I was slightly pushed back in terms of physical strength.
‘This is because of the difference in physique.’
The combat puppet stuck close to me.
Unlike the stage 2 orc, it wasn’t reckless. I could feel a pattern in its movements. It had definitely learned basic martial arts.
‘This is tough!’
If I showed even the slightest opening, it would notice it like a ghost and stab accurately into the opening.
‘The difference in physique is the problem. The difference in physique!’
The combat puppet was big, and I was small. Simply put, even if we swung the same sword, the range was different.
The distance I couldn’t reach when I stretched out my arm, it could reach when it stretched out its arm. This was ridiculously disadvantageous for me.
Use my small physique? That was easier said than done. If I tried to get into its range, it would use its feet to block me.
‘There’s another problem. This isn’t my first fight. At this rate… I’ll get tired first.’
Combat puppets also get tired. That was how it was set up. I had confirmed it myself in stage 3.
Clang!
The dagger I swung was deflected to the side.
My torso was completely exposed.
‘I’m screwed!’
The combat puppet didn’t miss the opportunity. It swung its dagger and struck my shoulder. The blade wasn’t sharpened, so I wasn’t cut. Instead, I got a bruise. It would probably be a dark purple bruise.
‘Since it’s come to this, I’ll force my way in and finish it!’
I gritted my teeth, ignored the pain in my shoulder, and stabbed the combat puppet’s abdomen with my knife. But the combat puppet’s knee hit my abdomen first.
“Kuh…!”
The strength in my grip weakened, and I dropped the dagger.
My body floated up, and I met the combat puppet’s eyes. The combat puppet didn’t move.
My body fell to the floor. The combat puppet was standing still above me, watching me.
‣Combat ended.
‣The combat puppet is victorious.
I tried to get up, but I frowned at the pain in my abdomen and lay flat on the floor.
The hard floor was a bit annoying, but I felt pretty good as I stared at the sky.
My recovery power increased when I was inside this training facility.
‣Master’s basic physical abilities are insufficient.
‣Katman recommends intermediate training for Master.
“Shut up.”
I rested for a while and then got up again. The reason I lost to the assassin combat puppet was because I was tired.
In fact, I had made it to stage 7.
I had won stage 6 by using full recovery and fighting the combat puppet in perfect condition, and I had lost in stage 7 because I was a bit tired.
‘Damn it. Even with the growth penalty, I can’t believe I couldn’t even get to stage 10….’
If there was no growth penalty, I would have made it to stage 20.
‘No. Not stage 20, I would have made it to stage 30. Definitely.’
