Infinite Competitive Dungeon Society

[I had a feeling you’d call me soon.]

“Really?”

[Yes. Your mana was getting clearer. I knew you would soon reach the necessary realm.]

It sounded like I was a cultivator in a martial arts novel. Of course, Peruta was probably telling the truth.

“I learned a lot from you back in the Luka continent.”

[Huhu, it seems you realized something about Peruta Circuit. First, let’s have a spar. I can pass my spear technique down afterward.]

“Sure.”

We didn’t need to say much. I immediately closed my eyes, and Peruta created an Imagine World. We now had 37 hours to work with. Within this time, I had to learn Peruta’s Spear Technique. Otherwise, I would have to wait another month.

Peruta Circuit was a method to bring the flow of mana toward its user. The spiraling mana sucked in external mana, and at the same time, strengthened the mana through rotational force. The whirlpool of mana didn’t just happen in the mana pathway but spread out through the entire body and the outside. A special flow occurs inside the mana whirlpool, which only the user can manipulate. Depending on how it’s used, it can block an opponent’s attack or strengthened one’s attack.

“Ho, you already learned the practical application of it.”

“It can’t be compared to your spearmanship though.”

A whirlpool completely matching the flow of Peruta Circuit circulated through the spear Peruta was holding. As each of his attacks were heavy, in order to block it, I had to use the same whirlpool in my attacks or pour my aura into the spear until the limit.

Of course, that was the past me. After the special training I went through, I could imbue aura into my spear and draw Peruta Circuit’s whirlpool from it. Even so, the difference between mine and Peruta’s was like heaven and earth.

“If it’s the current you, you’ll understand it naturally while we spar.”

“I hope so.”

“No, I can guarantee you. If you experience it for just 30 hours…”

As he raised his spear wrapped in a whirlpool, Peruta gave a teasing smile. It was my own face, but I wanted to punch it! However, before I could charge toward him, he attacked me first.

I jumped to the side to dodge his spear which was slashing down vertically, then counterattacked. As expected, Peruta read my movements and struck my spear away with his spear swirling with a whirlpool.

“Oho, your dodging skills improved!”

“I just came back from a place where I’d die if I… didn’t!”

“But you’re still not there yet!”

Peruta’s spear was terrifyingly fast and powerful. His spear technique wasn’t just utilizing Peruta Circuit’s whirlpool. His spear’s movement and its trajectory were as free as the capricious wind. It’s methodical flow suddenly twisted and distorted, and if it caught me, it would swallow me like a raging tide. It was light, then heavy. It was calm, then violent. As someone facing it, it couldn’t be more annoying.

“You can do it. You already know the key!”

“I don’t… think so… at all…!”

Peruta’s comforting only gave me despair. Although we shared the same body, the realm of martial arts he embodied was far and lofty. He was called an ancient Martial God and a War God. Even so, I…

BOOM!

“Good, you’re getting more natural!”

“No, not at all…! I’m only just starting!”

I will catch up to him! It’s not like I couldn’t see the difference between us before, and now, I knew the height in front of my eyes was a level I could reach!

By the time 10 hour passed, my white aura began to swirl around my spear in the shape of a whirlpool. The result of starting to show from repeatedly clashing with Peruta’s spear.

“You took your first step! Good, but are you satisfied with just that?”

“Of course not!”

His spearmanship wasn’t the only thing I had to catch up to. His movements as he wielded his spear, his spear flowing with his movements, his footwork, the Peruta Circuit’s mana erupting from his feet, the flow that amplified, converged, and released!

“You don’t need to try to follow my movements. Peruta Circuit is an unconstrained whirlpool. You just have to mix it however you want.”

“Of course, I already… know that!”

The whirlpool enveloping my spear was fast and destructive. Although it wasn’t as capricious as Peruta’s nor was it as mysterious and elusive, it became stronger as it advanced and overwhelmed the enemy with its unpredictable destructive power! It was persistent and relentless!

Peruta Circuit’s current became more and more powerful as it flowed. Even as it stumbled, it did not stop, and continuously and endlessly drew in mana. The pain it gave made me happy. I felt like I finally understood how to wield mana. What was left was to direct it, not just using my spear, but using my entire body!

[You learned the Unique Spear Technique, ‘Peruta – Mad Typhoon.’ Although it is based on Peruta Circuit, this Unique Spear Technique has been tempered by your martial path, which naturally manipulates its shocking flow of mana into speed and destructive force. You obtained 2 skill points. Current skill points: 10]

This message was heard 24 hours after the start of my sparring with Peruta. Although the way I enveloped my spiraling white aura around my spear was different than Peruta’s method, I became able to clash with him without being pushed back. It seemed Peruta had also realized it, as his smile became deeper.

“Congratulations. You paved your own way forward.”

“I think it’s a bit too straightforward.”

“That’s just your character. Once your movement is added on top of it, not many will be able to dodge your spear.”

After finding out that I had learned my own Spear Technique, Peruta stopped. With a satisfied expression, he looked at me and my spear.

“For me to reach that realm, it took me 70 years in human time. This is only the start, so don’t become overconfident.”

“70 years…”

Even though Peruta spent 70 years to reach this height, he only considered it the start? As I thought, I had a lot to learn from his mindset.

After that, Peruta advised me about Peruta Circuit and spearmanship, then disappeared saying he’d see me in a month. Once I was left alone in the basement training room, I collapsed. Since I did 24 hours’ worth of movements in 24 minutes, it was only natural for fatigue to build up. I looked at the clock. It was 2 in the afternoon. I didn’t have the time to stay lying on the floor like this.

“Ruyue, wash me…”

[Okay!]

In an instant, ice enveloped my entire body, then disappeared. My body drenched in sweat was now clean. Along with the cleanliness, drowsiness naturally swept over me.

“Haaa… I shouldn’t…”

No. Go with the flow. Peruta seemed to be telling me so. I couldn’t go against master’s words, so I obediently went to sleep.

When I woke up, Sumire was in front of me.

“Huh?”

I blinked. Then, I realized I was using Sumire’s laps as pillows.

“Um, Sumire? What’s going on?”

“The floor is hard, Shin-nim. My laps are hard from muscles too, but I thought they were still better than the floor.”

“No, you don’t have to go so far… Well, thanks though.”

“Yes! You trained immediately after coming back from your training, I’m impressed!”

I got up. Sumire also got up slowly.

“Is everyone back?”

“Yes. Because Shin-nim is coming back today, we came back after clearing 3 Event Dungeons. I came down to practice spearmanship while we waited, but then I found Shin-nim here.”

“You should have woken me up… Do you want to lightly spar?”

“Yes!”

Sumire’s eyes sparkled. It seemed she was waiting for those exact words. Looking at Sumire grabbing her spear and taking her stance, I grinned. Then, I likewise grabbed my spear.

After the spar, Sumire reached mid-rank Spear Technique. This girl… was really a genius.

“Shin!”

“Yeah, I was expecting you.”

Ludia ran into my embrace the moment she saw me. I patted her back to calm her down and reported to the others that I was back. We could now talk about the things we needed to do.

“We’re at our limit. Even if the remaining Event Dungeon turn into Field Dungeons, the countries they’re in can manage them. They have tight security around their gates, preventing anyone from entering without their permission. There are 162 such dungeons.”

Hwaya explained as she gritted her teeth. I had already somewhat heard about it through the communication channel, but now that I heard the exact number, I could only sigh.

“How long did it take for the first wave of Event Dungeons to turn into Field Dungeons?”

“Two months, Shin-nim.”

Sumire answered quickly. Since the Event Dungeons appeared a month ago, while I was in still in Beyond’s 3rd floor, we still had a month left.

“They won’t be open to discussions.”

Walker spoke as one corner of his mouth curled up. Seeing as how he was here, it seemed Yua was already home.

“Even though Mastiford specifically contacted the British government, they’re still trying to protect their gates.”

“The problem isn’t just that Event Dungeons would turn into Field Dungeons. The Event Dungeons might not get turned into Field Dungeons and have their bosses freed. That would be more of a headache…”

“Kang Shin, humans naturally delude themselves into thinking they can control everything. If there is a precedent, it is especially so. They’ll think they’re prepared and that there’s no need to worry about it. The result will almost always be disastrous.”

Walker had quite a twisted view on the world. Of course, with the way things were going, I couldn’t deny him. How annoying.

When I looked at Hwaya, she was frowning. Was it because Ludia was still in my embrace? Like a barnacle, she wouldn’t get off of me even when Ye-Eun and Shuna pulled on her.

“What’s up, Hwaya?”

“Guardian’s leaders are extremely forward in protecting the gates.”

“You can say it straight out. Brightman, right?”

“Yeah.”

I should’ve beaten that guy up earlier.

“It’s not just Brightman. Most SS rankers are helping to thoroughly protect their countries’ gates. So much so that it’s taking longer to clear dungeons ranked S+ or above.”

“Huu, I at least hoped that the ones who obtained their abilities through the dreams would be better…”

No, I couldn’t just stay here and sigh all day. I had to do what I could do.

“Let’s start with Korea. Is Korea also protecting its Event Dungeons?”

“Of the 18 Event Dungeons in Korea, the three Event Dungeons ranked D or below were instantly destroyed when they appeared, and Event Raids didn’t break out either. There are 4 dungeons ranked S or above, of which two are S rank and two are S+ rank. As you know, Korea doesn’t have any SS rankers and only a few S rankers. Because of that, they weren’t prioritized in the Guardian’s ordering. They probably won’t get cleared within the next month.”

“What about the others?”

“The list of the other 11 Event Dungeons are: 1 A+, 2 A, 1 B+, 3 B, 2 C+, and 2 C. The Korean government is also trying to protect the dungeons ranked B+ or below. The dungeons ranked higher than that can’t be cleared because of their lack of ability users. Once they enter, they can’t get out until they clear the dungeon, so they’re being careful about where to send their troops.”

After thinking for a bit, I came to a decision.

“I want to clean up Korea first. Is that okay?”

“Son, you know that the government is protecting the gates, right?”

“Yes, father, but I’ll do it forcefully. It’ll be fine. Our country is too weak to stop us.”

“I’m surprised you can say that as a Korean…”

But it’s true! Even if Korea’s 3 S rankers worked together, they won’t even be able to pierce through Sumire or Shuna’s defense!

“Let’s split into three teams. Hwaya, you go with Walker and Shuna.”

“Okay.”

“Father, go with Sumire and Ye-Eun.”

“Ooh, going on a stroll with my new daughter candidates doesn’t sound so bad.”

“I’ll go with Ludia.”

Ludia looked ready to burst into tears, so it was probably difficult to separate from her again. Plus, with her power of the earth for defense and healing ability, she was undoubtedly the best candidate to bring with me. Ah, Ludia’s face lit up. How cute.

“The way I split the members is simple. I made it so that no one in Korea will be able to stop us. Even if Event Raids break out, we should be able to take care of them. Let’s split the eleven low-ranked dungeons into three based on their distance and start. Don’t openly reveal your identities. Equip something like Otus’ Secret.”

“How pleasant. You’re giving us orders right after coming back.”

“This is only the start, Walker. My goal is to completely sweep through all the Event Dungeons on Earth.”

“Regardless of people coming to stop us?”

“Who’s going to stop us?”

With a grin, I retorted.

“No one can stop me now, Walker.”