Chapter 316: Preliminary Inspection (2)

Naturally, joining such a gathering wasn't simply a matter of his own volition. He was merely a guest residing at the Zhuge Clan's estate.

"Hmm, we were just selecting personnel. As you know, it will be quite dangerous. Anything could happen. Targeted attacks are also a possibility."

"One can't avoid danger forever in these times. We can't remain confined to safety indefinitely."

So, he first had to obtain permission from the person in charge…

"…An admirable mindset. Indeed, diverse experiences are essential for adapting to change in this chaotic world."

"Exactly. There's no better opportunity to broaden one's horizons."

"I understand your intent. I'll arrange it."

…and it wasn't difficult to obtain approval from Zhuge Gunak, the retired elder who had allowed him to stay at the estate. If Hugo was merely a burden, they wouldn't have agreed so readily, but he was now a capable martial artist, more than capable of taking care of himself.

'Perhaps they thought Harris would intervene if necessary.'

Having a Peak Master's secret protection was a reassuring safety net for the envoy. Even if that wasn't the case, offering him a spot wasn't a big deal, a small price to pay for potential insurance.

However, the unexpected happened next.

"I want to go too."

Zhuge Huimei, who had first told him about the gathering, insisted on joining.

"My treatment isn't finished yet. Something might happen while you're gone, Young Master Ha… Wouldn't it be better if I went with you?"

She presented a reasonable argument, but it was naturally rejected. This wasn't a pleasure trip. No guardian would send a sheltered young lady into certain danger just to prepare for a hypothetical emergency. Frankly, she would only be a burden.

"…Ah, that's a shame. I was hoping…"

Zhuge Huimei smiled wryly, shaking her head in disappointment. Hugo narrowed his eyes, observing her.

'Did she tell me about the gathering on purpose?'

He had assumed she mentioned it casually during her usual chatter, but it seemed like a calculated move. It felt like she was testing the waters.

'…I can understand how she feels.'

Having lived her entire life within the confines of the estate, unable to venture out due to her frail health, only recently recovering… it was understandable that she wanted to see the world. But it was too much, too soon, like trying to run a marathon after just learning to walk.

"Well— It can't be helped. Then I'll diligently train while you're gone. Please tell me all about it when you return, Young Master Ha. I'll be looking forward to it."

"Of course. I'll try to bring back souvenirs."

"Wow! Thank you, Young Master! It's a promise?"

After Hugo's participation was decided…

…the envoy's expedition plan, already in its initial stages, was quickly finalized. The Zhuge Clan selected their most elite warriors and spellcasters, along with an elder to lead them. Zhuge Junghyeok, the second son of the current clan head and one of Zhuge Huimei's older brothers, was appointed as the leader.

'I thought it would just be an elder, considering the danger. This is more serious than I expected. The clan head's direct descendant is participating.'

Perhaps it was necessary to avoid unnecessary conflicts and uphold the clan's prestige. Or maybe they judged it to be relatively safe since the distance wasn't too far.

'…I'll focus on training until they're ready.'

While the Shaolin Temple was relatively close compared to other locations, the distance was still comparable to that between Seoul and Busan, requiring extensive preparations. It took about two weeks, even with the plans already in place. Time flew by as Hugo trained, familiarizing himself with his new skills.

Finally, the day of departure arrived.

At the main gate of the Zhuge Clan's estate, where numerous carriages and horses were lined up…

"Please be careful. You remember our promise, right?"

…Zhuge Huimei approached Hugo after bidding farewell to her brother, Zhuge Junghyeok, and the elder. Her cheerful voice couldn't mask her worry, but it didn't matter to him.

"Don't worry, Lady Zhuge. I can always escape if necessary. Though it would be best if that doesn't happen."

"…Then, I'll be waiting for my souvenirs."

And so, the envoy, including Hugo—Ha Seunghoon—left the estate and headed north.

Clip-clop— Clatter—

As the envoy traveled, Hugo remained inside a carriage filled with luggage, his eyes closed.

"Haa—"

He couldn't stop training, as he was on the verge of a breakthrough.

'Just a little more…'

He took a few deep breaths and focused his mind. Breathing was crucial for manipulating internal energy. While it applied to all living beings, it was especially emphasized in martial arts, the art of refining and controlling Qi.

'Breathing is involved in accumulating Qi, refining it into internal energy, circulating it through the body, and unleashing martial arts techniques.'

There was a reason why internal energy cultivation techniques were often called breathing techniques in Ganghwange. Then what would happen if he could completely control his breathing?

'「Underwater Breathing」 allows me to breathe through my skin in water. If I can adapt it for use on land…'

He could precisely control his internal energy by breathing through all his pores, not just his nose and mouth. He had already experimented extensively in the bathtub back at the Zhuge Clan's estate and was confident in its effectiveness. The only problem was that humans in this world lived on land, not underwater.

'Of course, the efficiency isn't as good without normal breathing.'

Hugo focused his mind, pushing aside the memories of those who constantly checked on him while he was training in the bathtub, worried he might drown. While skills could be adapted based on the user's proficiency, there were limits. It wasn't easy to modify a skill specifically designed for underwater use.

'But it's not impossible.'

He had experienced it before. The evolution of skills through fusion.

His current focus was harmonizing 「Breathing Technique」 and 「Underwater Breathing」. Utilizing his otherworldly buffs, his avatar's growth potential, 「Versatile」, and the effects of the elixir.

'I still have a lot of undigested elixirs collected by Harris. Once I master full-body breathing, the absorption rate will increase drastically…!'

But as he was immersed in his training…

Kaboom!

Whoosh—!

…the inevitable happened.

"Ambush! Dismount and form a defensive formation!"

Neigh—!

"Hostiles detected from the northeast and northwest!"

Swish—!

"Incoming arrows! Protect the horses!"

His concentration shattered as the sudden commotion erupted, and a bloody battle began. It wasn't a bad thing. He had anticipated the ambush, and this was an opportunity to observe the Zhuge Clan's martial artists and the attackers, gaining insight for 「Mimicry」.

But…

Beep—!

"Enemy attack! Enemy attack!"

"Everyone, wake up!"

…even in the middle of the night, as they were sleeping in their camp…

"Waaaaah!"

"Attack—!"

"You bastards! Do you know who we are?!"

"Hahaha! Aren't you the cowards who hide in their shells? You actually came out!"

…and even as they were passing through a poorly maintained road…

"These bastards, ambushing us while we're eating…!"

"Ack! Dust! I just took a bite!"

"Now's not the time to worry about that?!"

…and even during their meal breaks…

…the constant chaos prevented him from focusing.

'…I didn't expect it to be this bad.'

Hugo couldn't help but be appalled. When he first arrived in this world with Harris, flying through the sky on the wind elemental, and facing no challengers on the ground, he hadn't realized…

'I was too sheltered and unaware of reality.'

He knew it theoretically, but this was his first time experiencing it firsthand. He finally understood the true state of Ganghwange. He hadn't expected the public order to be this chaotic.

'No wonder they prepared so thoroughly for the envoy. They weren't just trying to scare me.'

From elite combat units of rival factions to bandits, mercenaries, and even civilians forced into battle as cannon fodder… the world outside the Zhuge Clan's influence was a chaotic hellscape, far more dangerous than he had imagined.

'…What a preliminary inspection.'

While he had achieved one of his objectives, he couldn't bring himself to be happy about it. The stress of the situation was overwhelming.

'Just a little… a little more time, and I'll achieve a breakthrough…!'

The tantalizingly close enlightenment. Every time he was about to achieve something through focused meditation, he was interrupted by chaos. It fueled his frustration, creating an unquenchable thirst—

"Hahaha! Those weaklings, trying to pass through our territory without permission! Let's teach them a lesson!"

"Hey! Slaves! Run if you don't want to die! I'll give you all the meat you can eat if you make it back alive!"

"Ugh… Uwaaaah!"

—and the sight of emaciated people in rags, wielding rusty spears, charging blindly, urged on by the cackling martial artists behind them…

…finally broke his patience.

'Why did I come to this world… to Ganghwange?'

He pondered amidst the chaotic scene.

Why?

To secure a new source of Karma.

And to restore the world ruined by the Society Master, disrupting his plans.

To lead the restoration of this world.

'Should I intervene, or observe?'

Intervention would yield immediate Karma. But for the world's restoration, carefully observing the power dynamics and the situation…

'No, that's not it.'

Would leaving these human scum to their own devices hinder his plans? Could he even restore the world with these people running rampant?

'I can't work in a garbage dump. I need to clean up the visible filth first. Like cleaning my room before studying.'

Hugo closed his eyes and nodded resolutely. The analogy felt slightly off, but that wasn't important. His resolve was what mattered.

'Who should be the cleaner?'

Harris, the veteran, wasn't suitable for this task. While he had already shown his ruthlessness against the pirates, his personality becoming distorted by the environment was a concern.

'Then…'

Several candidates flashed through his mind.

And after careful consideration, he made his choice.

"Uwaaaah—!"

"Kill!"

"S… Spare me…!"

A battlefield filled with the stench of blood, screams, rage, and madness.

Far from where Hugo was…

Swoosh—

…at a road the Zhuge Clan envoy had passed an hour ago…

"Heh, hehehe!"

…a madman… no…

"Ahh, this is good! Kahahaha—!"

…a mad demon…

…awakened, ready to consume the madness engulfing this world.

End