I Login Alone

Chapter 147.

[Aren’t you more muscular than me, Master? Although my level is higher, your battle perception and raw strength have surpassed the level of humanity.]

“What I want to learn is your combat style in harmonizing the body and mana, which you’ve honed for a long time.”

[You are trying to get blood from a stone…excellent.]

It wasn’t difficult to ask Caina for her training. When she wasn’t usually around with Beto, she helped Yong Se-ha with his training, and Jung Si-woo just joined in. While the two were training together, Jung Si-woo practiced his mana control and activation of Dragon’s Dignity, and when they were done, he battled with Caina. Although not like her time as a Death knight, she had a different structure than other living creatures, so she accumulated less fatigue could withstand endless hardship.

[Probably Master wants to learn this.]

Her first training with Jung Si-woo, Caina seemed to burst away from her mana quickly, and in the next moment, she was already behind him. Jung Si-woo was prepared for her movement, so he blocked the sword she swung, but basically, all he could do was stop her attacks.

“Yup, that one.”

[In fact, I’m still a beginner. Because those who indeed became one with the mana no longer need to differentiate between pre-movements and post-movements.]

“I somewhat know about that too.”

It’s not like the mana followed after the body movement, nor the body followed after the mana flow. Those two were moving by the will of the wielder simultaneously, and Jung Si-woo remembered it through the Dragon’s Dignity.

“But if I don’t learn your technique, it will be difficult to move forward in the future.”

[My opinion differs but…all right. Why not face it first?]

A fierce battle continued that made the earlier training with Yong Se-ha look like child’s play. Both of them only used wooden swords reinforced with mana, but their armor was easily broken whenever their attacks scratched one another. Caina’s overwhelming mana control and Jung Si-woo’s mana analysis and physical power from his Dragon’s Dignity harmonized so well that people would think they were dancing in coordination. Yet, the slightest mistake would result in fatal damage.

“Whew, whoa…”

[Monster…you have ridiculous stamina!]

After becoming a Dragon Knight, Caina’s mana manipulation had reached the level of the master but Jung Si-woo was able to catch up with her without a sweat. He wasn’t simply countering her with his strength, but he reacted appropriately by sensing her mana flow!

[Are you a genius, Master!?]

“Yup!”

[As expected, so full of yourself…!]

The training didn’t seem likely to end if either of the sides fully activated their combat skills. However, they were slowly growing as they endlessly clashed. And after three hours, their infinite clashing thanks to the perk of mana and health not decreasing in the sanctuary finally came to an end as Yong Se-ha announced that the time was up.

[Grant Skill has reached Lv52.]

[Combat Charge has reached Lv48.]

“Ha.”

While panting, Jung Si-woo smiled at the message that popped up in front of his eyes.

“I should have done this a long time ago.”

[You were pretty busy until now.]

Caina also breathed hard as she took off her helmet. Although everyone was free from fatigue inside the sanctuary, it did nothing to decrease the constant pressure in the battle with Jung Si-woo. Dealing with Dragon’s Dignity was already a handicap for the opponent.

[But there’s one thing I learned through this short training.]

“Short…”

Yong Se-ha mumbled as he could only blankly stare at their battle, and Caina continued while completely ignoring his reaction.

[Master, you probably won’t learn my mana technique.]

“Ah, why?”

[The reason is simple. Your physical strength is just overwhelming.]

Caina explained as she destroyed a worn-out wooden sword.

[I’ve trained my mana as I realized the limit in my physical capabilities. And as a result, I was able to adjust my body to my mana flow. But what about you, Master? Your physique is just too powerful. The body has already reached the level of the master, so the mana could only chase after it.]

“But there are movements that can’t be done with physical strength alone.”

Such as moving at weird angles, floating in the air, or appearing in an impossible area. In the short moment when Caina’s body chased after the mana, her physical body ignored the law of physics. It looks as if a vampire vanished into thin air then reappeared somewhere else.

[That’s right. I was weak to draw out my physical strength into the level of masters, so such a technique was born in the process of my body following after the flow of mana. But this is simply something like this. A mouse learned a trick when it tried to run away through a tiny hole. But Master, how can a tiger pass through the tiny hole?]

“I can’t.”

[But the tiger can crush through that hole. Your body and mana were improved in that direction. The body that has already learned such a simple method won’t learn another technique that’s bothersome and less efficient.]

Just now, her words sounded like an alternative way to call him an empty-headed brute. He shouldn’t be fooled by her word choices like the mouse and the tiger. She indeed made fun of him! She even looked away from him!

[So, there’s no need to worry. You don’t need to learn both techniques to harmonize the body with the mana. There will be a way if the two find their way to unite as one regardless of the order. Master, you just need to focus on your method. Then you will indeed and quickly find the solution.]

“Arggh…”

[On the other hand Yong Se-ha, you are a mouse like me. So you will be able to learn my technique. Try harder.]

“Ah, I will do my best…”

If Caina was a mouse, he was a baby mouse so that he could do so. Yong Se-ha grew more depressed as he watched the high-leveled training, but he couldn’t possibly say no to Caina. He was forced to nod along weakly.

“What a guy.”

“Hyeong-nim?”

Jung Si-woo smiled bitterly while looking at Yong Se-ha and patted his shoulder.

“You look swift and strong. It’s obvious that you became quicker and moved wisely in the Pacific, unlike the previous times. Your pace is fast, so there’s no need to worry. It’s already on par with the other rankers.”

“I feel confident when I look at other players but looking at you makes me feel weak, Hyeong-nim…but if you say so, I will try to cheer up.”

Yong Se-ha smiled. Jung Si-woo thought about giving him a chance to go out with Seria soon to cheer him up. And Caina was watching those two while smiling gently. One month passed since then, and the year changed, so Jung Si-woo went out to hear the Watch-Night bell with his members. This was something he used to do when he went out with Lee Seo-hee, but as there were new members, he was pressured to join in on the activities.

“It’s a sin not to celebrate Christmas. Happy New Year.”

“Ah, I didn’t know about it. Happy New Year, too.”

That’s right. Jung Si-woo completely forgot about Christmas since he was busy clearing dungeons on that day, and Soo-rin, who expected to spend her first Christmas with him, became very hurt. Thus, that was why he came out to console her during this late hour.

“The earth hasn’t fallen yet, and the New Year arrived…Hyeong-nim, Happy New Year.”

“Happy New year, Mr. Si-woo.”

“Si-woo, Happy New Year!”

“Wish you all the luck in this New Year, Si-woo.”

Many people had gathered around the Bell Tower, and the players met with his group after getting through the crowd. Jung Si-woo wished the others good luck (although it was somewhat awkward with Lee Seo-hee) and celebrated the New Year.

“Ah, was the 34th floor of the dungeon already completed? I remember it took quite some time to clear the 32nd floor after the 31st floor…”

“Everyone is on edge. And I believe it’s a positive result, as long as people don’t overdo it and survive. And…Seo-hee, do you have something for Si-woo?”

Lee Seo-hee was drinking a hot canned coffee, and she flashed a victory sign as Marina rushed her. She looked cute.

“I’ve made it to the list of first clearers.”

“Impressive.”

Although he was already aware of this since he dispatched his minion spirits with them, he pretended not to know about it. Leo Seo-hee was still behind others in terms of levels, but her special abilities were acknowledged, letting her join the leading force in clearing the 34th floor with Marina and Seria. Her level gap would be covered with this pace, and others would envy her for being gifted. Not that this was a surprise to Jung Si-woo.

“And I’ve met with the fairy merchant.”

“Uh…”

That was a huge surprise. The spirits couldn’t enter inside the dungeon, so he wasn’t informed of what happened inside.

“He was different from Luta, but he tried to sell things while speaking gibberish. Anyways, I was able to have an easier time with the boss monster thanks to him…”

“Lee Gang-hu pushed a bit too far in his negotiation with the fairy merchant, and he got permanently banned from trading with him.”

Marina laughed as if he deserved it. Perhaps that guy persistently asked her out and on a double date with Seria.

“If he could just drop dead with double lightning instead…”

“If you catch him any weakness, tell me. I’ll rip him apart.”

“Thank you!”

The members kept a small distance from Marina and Jung Si-woo, who was seriously indulging in the conversation. And Jung Si-woo, as he thought to lead the members out for some beer, suddenly lifted his head.

“Uhm…”

“What is it? Did something happen again? We didn’t get any messages, did we?”

They had enough with work since something always happened whenever they gathered around! Marina tilted her head, and Jung Si-woo shook his head while smiling bitterly.

“Nah, I think something’s up in the sanctuary. Let’s hang around next time. I should get going for now.”

“I want to go too!”

“Some other day. I promise, okay?”

“Arggggh.”

It was a gentle yet strict way to decline Marina’s cute request. She couldn’t beg for more, and she shrunk to one side while Seria realized why Ethan Bisset appointed Jung Si-woo as Marina’s partner.

“What is it again this time…It isn’t a serious one.”

“All-out war in Potupou hasn’t become serious yet, Hyeong-nim.”

“Yeah.”

Of course, he left some of his spirits in that world too. The situation there was like a tinderbox, but it hasn’t burst yet. Jung Si-woo didn’t lie in the first place. It was related to the sanctuary.

“Beto seemed to complete his work finally.”

As Jung Si-woo spoke while opening the door to the sanctuary after departing from Marina’s members, Soo-rin thought about what he meant.

“No way!?”

Then she recalled—the object which Beto had been researching for the past few months.