[I had a feeling you’d call me soon.]

I asked, “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 the 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 Imaginary World. We now had thirty-seven 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 occurred inside the mana whirlpool, which only the user could manipulate. Depending on how it was used, it could block an opponent’s attack or strengthen one’s attack.

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

“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, I had to use the same whirlpool in my attacks or pour my aura into the spear until the limit in order to block it.

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

“At your current state, you’ll understand it naturally while we spar.”

I grinned “I hope so.”

“No, I can guarantee you. After thirty hours of this…”

Peruta smiled teasingly as he raised his spear. 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!” I grunted towards the end.

“But you’re still not there yet!”

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

“You can do it. You already know the key!” he shouted in encouragement.

“I don’t…think so…at all…!”

Peruta’s comforting words only made me feel 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 know the height in front of my eyes is a level I can reach!

By the time ten hours had passed, my white aura began to swirl around my spear in the shape of a whirlpool. This was my hard earned result of repeatedly clashing with Peruta’s spear.

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

I replied instantly, “Of course not!”

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

“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 made me happy. I felt like I finally understood how to wield mana. Now I needed to learn how to direct it by using my entire body instead of just my spear!

[You have 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 have obtained 2 skill points. Current skill points: 10]

This notification popped up twenty-four hours after I started sparring with Peruta. The way I enveloped my spiraling white aura around my spear was different from Peruta’s method, but I became able to clash with him without being pushed back. Apparently, Peruta had also realized it as his smile widened.

“Congratulations. You’ve 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.

“It took me seventy years in human time to reach that stage. This is only the start, so don’t become overconfident.”

“Seventy years…” I murmured.

Even though Peruta spent seventy 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 the 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 twenty-four hours’ worth of movements in twenty-four 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…” I said wearily.

[Okay!]

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

“Haaa…I shouldn’t…” I mumbled.

No. Go with the flow. Peruta seemed to be telling me so. I couldn’t go against my 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 lap as a pillow.

“Um, Sumire? What’s going on?” I asked groggily.

She explained kindly, “The floor is hard, Shin-nim. My lap is hard because I’m muscular, but I thought it was still better than the floor.”

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

“No problem! You trained immediately after coming back from your training, I’m impressed!”

I got up. Sumire also got up slowly.

“Is everyone back?” I changed the subject.

“Yes. Because you said you were coming back today, we came back after clearing three Event Dungeons. I came down to practice spearmanship while we waited, but then I found you here.”

I scratched my head. “You should have woken me up…Do you want to spar lightly?”

“Yes!”

Sumire’s eyes sparkled. Apparently, she had been 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 managed to reach mid-rank Spear Technique. This girl…really was a genius.

“Shin!” Ludia screeched.

“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 discuss the things we needed to do.

“We’re at our limit. Even if the remaining Event Dungeons 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 of them,” Hwaya explained as she gritted her teeth. I had already somewhat heard about it through the communication channel, but now that I knew 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 when I was still in Beyond’s 3rd floor, we had a month left.

“They won’t be open to discussions.”

Walker spoke as one corner of his mouth curled up. Yua had to be home if he was here.

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

I grumbled, “The problem isn’t just that Event Dungeons could be turned into Field Dungeons. Instead, they might set their bosses loose. That would be more of a headache…”

Walker interrupted, “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.”

He had quite a twisted view on the world. Of course, with the way things were going, I couldn’t refute 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?” I asked.

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

I smiled sardonically. “You can say it straight out. Brightman is the problem, right?”

She grimaced. “Yeah.”

I should’ve beaten that guy up earlier.

She sighed. “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.”

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

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?” I asked.

She rattled off information, “Of the eighteen Event Dungeons that appeared 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 four dungeons ranked S or above, two of which 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 other eleven 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 there aren’t enough 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?”

My father interjected, “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 out loud as a Korean…” he grumbled.

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

I gave out my orders, “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 the candidates for my new daughter doesn’t sound so bad,” he said flippantly.

“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 location. Don’t openly reveal your identities. Equip something like Otus’ Secret.”

Walker commented sourly, “How pleasant. You’re giving us orders right after coming back.”

I grinned. “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?” he asked, quirking up an eyebrow.

With a toothy grin, I retorted, “Who’s going to stop us?”

I paused before stating confidently, “No one can stop me now, Walker.”