NPLLD 08

Chapter : 08

S-Rank Martial Arts Instructor (3)

S ext{-Rank} + Martial\ Arts\ Master = Weapon\ Master

Weapon Master, Kang Taesan.

His secret martial art originated from weapon techniques created to confront dragons. Through the secret transmission skill he had just used, two Awakened individuals inherited his martial arts.

‘I couldn’t fully see it.’

As a result, they obtained two skills, but Seoyul felt a slight sense of regret.

In truth, far more information had been emitted by Kang Taesan—but Seoyul had failed to fully process it, capturing only two skills.

Kang Taesan glanced between An Siwoo and Seoyul and said,

“It seems the transmission succeeded. So, how many did you learn?”

“One skill. The technique you commonly use, Dragon King Sword Technique.”

‘Only one?’

Seoyul tilted his head slightly before speaking.

“Two skills. Clear Mind and Dragon King Spear Strike Technique.”

The atmosphere instantly turned cold.

An Siwoo’s eyes were filled with jealousy and resentment.

On the other hand, Kang Taesan simply smiled.

“Just learning a skill means you have talent. The opportunity was equal; the results were not. Now—destroy the Ether Stone in front of you using your respective skills. That will prove what I intend to teach.”

“I’ll go first.”

An Siwoo stepped forward and drew a high-quality sword from his inventory.

The fact he possessed such a weapon clearly showed his wealthy background.

‘Why would someone like that work as a public hunter?’

As the question lingered—

CLANG!

His horizontal slash struck the Ether Stone and shattered it.

“Wooooah!”

“It broke that easily?!”

The surveillance division hunters all stood up and cheered.

Normally, no one here could even scratch the Ether Stone.

An Siwoo looked proudly at Seoyul and Kang Taesan.

“Not bad.”

Kang Taesan nodded, then turned his gaze to Seoyul.

It was his turn.

Seoyul shrugged and said to Jeong Hye,

“Can I borrow a spear?”

“I only have a training spear. Is that okay?”

“A craftsman doesn’t blame his tools.”

“…Tch. Just take it.”

She handed him the training spear with a grumpy expression.

“Are you really planning to break that Ether Stone with that?”

An Siwoo scoffed.

But Seoyul had already activated the Clear Mind technique.

Mind = Clear\ Mirror\ Stillness

His breathing became like a calm lake without a single ripple.

Clear Mirror Stillness.

A mental technique that purifies the mind, maintaining absolute calm like a mirror-still surface.

Seoyul’s previously cluttered mental state began to clear.

‘With this… I might be able to fix the blackout from my synesthesia skill.’

Too much sensory information often clouded his mind.

It had even made him appear exhausted at times.

But Clear Mind neutralized that drawback.

“The atmosphere has changed.”

Kang Taesan stroked his beard, sensing the shift.

Seoyul gripped the spear and walked toward the Ether Stone.

The technique he was about to use was the Dragon King Spear Strike.

A scene flashed through his mind—

A valley where he slaughtered dragon-worshippers, and a finishing thrust aimed at piercing the heart of a dragon that had ascended from a serpent.

That strike was called—

‘Dragon Flame Piercing Heart.’

His body trembled.

Muscles tightened like a drawn bow.

The spear recoiled, then shot forward like a meteor.

BOOOOM!

A cannon-like explosion echoed through the training hall.

Everyone covered their ears.

“…Crazy.”

A surveillance hunter froze.

The Ether Stone had a massive hole through its center. Cracks spread like spiderwebs as it collapsed.

The training spear shattered completely.

Seoyul stared at it, stunned.

‘It hurts.’

A sharp pain surged through his hand.

Kang Taesan smiled.

“Do you understand what I meant?”

Seoyul nodded.

Then he spoke,

“Skills are only support tools. Without fundamentals, you just end up relying on them.”

Kang Taesan nodded.

“As I said. Weapons and skills are merely tools. True strength comes when your body becomes one with them.”

He stepped forward heavily.

“Understand?”

“Yes!”

Everyone answered loudly.

Then Kang Taesan turned to Seoyul.

“And you, brat.”

“Yes.”

“From today onward, you are my disciple.”

Seoyul’s eyes gleamed.

He had become significantly stronger just from the transmission alone.

His growth potential was immense.

“Thank you.”

“Training will be on days off. I’ll text you later. Prepare your own equipment.”

“Yes, sir!”

Later

The crowd buzzed with excitement.

“A structure division guy became Kang Taesan’s disciple?”

“And he’s the first inside the management bureau?”

“Two S-rank hunters are now his disciples…”

Jealous gazes filled the room.

Jeong Hye approached Seoyul.

“Hey. You’re seriously something weird, you know that? You’re only D-rank.”

“You can’t stay D-rank forever.”

Meanwhile, Kang Taesan walked down the corridor, smiling faintly at his sweating palm.

In twenty years, only dungeon bosses had ever made him nervous.

Only twice.

Today made three.

“I might have taken in a far bigger monster than I expected.”

Next Day – Last Day of Vacation

Seoyul stood in Uijeongbu Station, maintaining his Sphere while observing the labyrinth.

No one could see it.

‘This is insane.’

Even while using Clear Mind, his synesthesia and perception skills were sharper than ever.

People passed by without noticing the sphere.

‘Not being visible is definitely an advantage.’

But he realized a major issue.

The tutorial labyrinth inside the sphere had been severely damaged during the fight with the Red Goblins.

Walls cracked from repeated block manipulation.

The ground had collapsed from the Goblin King battle.

It needed repairs immediately.

‘How do I fix this?’

The system responded.

• Each broken block costs 1 gold to repair.
• Ground restoration costs 1 gold per unit.

Total damage:

• 13 blocks
• 40 units of ground

Total cost: 53 gold (≈ 5.3 million won)

“…Why am I spending my salary like I’m whaling in a game?”

He checked his status.

• Level: 25
• Class: Labyrinth Architect
• Gold: 80

“…Fine.”

He spent 53 gold.

The labyrinth began restoring.

Then his phone rang.

Caller: Jeong Hye

“You’re on vacation, why are you calling me?”

— “What?! You’re relaxing while I’m busy dying?!”

“Just say the reason.”

She asked for help finding a guest requested by Surveillance Division.

“Weapon Master, Kang Taesan.”

Seoyul froze.

One of Korea’s five S-rank hunters.

Using Synesthesia + Silent Wave, Seoyul scanned the area.

People appeared in colors:

• Yellow: normal humans
• Red/blue: Awakened
• Deep presence: S-rank

He found him.

A harmless-looking old man playing Go across the street.

‘That’s him?’

The old man suddenly spoke during the game.

“Put it there and you can capture the group later.”

BOOM!

A black stone flew past Seoyul, nearly destroying a tree behind him.

The old man turned sharply.

“You’ve got some nerve interfering in my game.”

Seoyul confirmed it.

Weapon Master Kang Taesan.

9. S-Rank Martial Arts Instructor (2)

Seoyul and Kang Taesan returned to the bureau with Jeong Hye.

They arrived at the training hall.

A large screen displayed Kang Taesan slaughtering monsters.

The trainees watched in silence.

Kang Taesan explained:

“There is a limit to human potential. But weapons and skills are not everything.”

He infused mana into his sword.

The pressure alone shook water bottles.

A trainee named An Siwoo answered his question correctly about sword technique.

Then Kang Taesan suddenly pointed at Seoyul.

“Your turn.”

Seoyul answered casually.

“Blade durability drops fast when used repeatedly against walls.”

“…That’s not wrong.”

An Siwoo protested.

But Kang Taesan confirmed Seoyul was correct.

Then—

“A test. You two will prove your answers.”

He placed two massive Ether Stones.

“Break them.”

An Siwoo went first—successfully.

Then Seoyul stepped forward.

He activated Clear Mind and Dragon King Spear Strike.

A single thrust shattered the Ether Stone completely.

Silence.

Then realization.

Seoyul said:

“Skills are just tools. Fundamentals matter more.”

Kang Taesan nodded.

Then suddenly—

“You. You are my disciple.”

10. Weapon Shop Visit

Seoyul and Jeong Hye visited a rundown warehouse weapon shop.

Inside, weapons glowed faintly.

Jeong Hye was amazed.

“Is this place even legal?”

A shop owner appeared.

“So you’re Seoyul.”

He had been told in advance by Kang Taesan.

Inside, weapons were displayed.

Budget: 1.2 million won.

The owner pointed to a corner.

Old, worn spears.

Seoyul activated Silent Wave.

He began scanning for the best weapon hidden among scraps.