The next day approached, and it was their third day in this Tower's first floor. They have done many things, but unsure if their own actions are making real progress unlike Gwi-jaum who knew for sure with his Regressor's privilege.
But still, what would have annoyed him more is people not asking him for guidance and then screw themselves over because they were afraid that they would come to rely too much on him. Unlike, many Regressors in the same vein of story, Gwi-jaum decided that he has to be more proactive on his stance more than before.
Either way, the morning go smoothly as much as they have wanted to. The breakfast once again done by Daegok-soo with Yeon's help in the fold.
You have consumed Mediocre Toast and Onion Cream Soup
Activating Hyper-metabolism, You have gained 3 DEX, 2 END
"Bruh, onion again? Do you hold a grudge against us or something recent?" Anssa-um said as having onion once in a while is fine, three times in a row isn't.
Daegok-soo didn't say anything as he calmly eating the meal he made himself while leaving his own friends partially-exasperated at what he did.
"Point taken, if you want anything else, go to the market and purchase the ingredient. I had enough just cleaning up this tavern already". Daegok-soo said as he is basically the only land owner in this place. Probably the fastest even.
"Gwi-jaum. I have something to ask... How much do you think can our conventional firearms can stand against the challenges that the Tower can push toward us?" Anssa-um asked because it would determine the worth of their own existence's foundation.
Gwi-jaum stared at Anssa-um as he made the question. Then with some deep thoughts, Gwi-jaum approached an answer.
"Out of the 100 floors that it has, our conventional firearms as it is can reach 4 floors at best on its own. But our sword and martial arts without the Tower's enhancement would only reach 2." Gwi-jaum made his truthful answer. Don't even bother saying that the sword is better than the gun or anything. If guns can't do it, then their martial prowess alone don't do jackshit.
And so, Anssa-um hopes at just overcoming the floor with his Spec Ops experience crumbled entirely. That everything he learned is ultimately worthless in this place where power scaling can seemingly extend so far".
"But... that is if we're talking about conventional firearms here. During my previous life as I climbed this Tower, I see many different worlds and cultures, their own methods of obtaining power vastly different to one another.
And yet, as I climb, I incorporate their powers together to create something that can overcome the most deadliest of challenges that the Tower has thrown at. The power scaling is real, no doubt about that but it doesn't mean that our world's knowledge is entirely useless beyond the point that we swung the sword". Gwi-jaum made his ascertain as it reignites the hope of everyone else around.
The group looked around at each other as Gwi-jaum confesses his previous life this early. If this is the turning point then there's no doubt of Gwi-jaum's resolve.
"And beside, the Tower's resources are more than enough to survive each floor. But if we want to thrive then we have to be better at using it. By using our knowledge of how we thrived in a world without power yet reaching the zenith alone in a reality of scarcity". Gwi-jaum made his rousing speech despite how much of a social inept he really is.
Regressor isn't about having future knowledge, it's about how much one's previous life has changed because of it and that isn't something a lot of story managed to make touch upon beyond its pretense of 'omniscience'.
There are two things he have learned about in the past life as a Tower Climber. First, is that no man is an island of his own. Trying to one-man clearing the Tower is a pipe dream that can't be done.
Summoners of all kinds, Necromancer, Oracles, Proxies, whatever similar in veins, has its limit even if going further than normal. Ultimately, only solidarity and unity as a team can make any meaningful progress and that it can only become stronger no matter how difficult the journey become.
And secondly, it is unspoken but... the Tower is very punishing to those abandoned their own roots. He has seen many Tower residents wielding immense power, and he sees the many flaws that their floors have that can't be resolved with mere power alone but required unity and delicate policy.
But even if given the prospect of abandoning their world for greater power, they ultimately can't because they come to love it no matter the flaws it has. Only human of Earth did so because those did that has nothing of worth to matter about or they simply wanted to see the world burn. He has seen the world outside the Tower burned to cinder because they who are given power simply can't move past their personal biases or desires.
And that is what has come to be their due in Floor 98. Because it isn't a mere harder trial or something similar. It's their final judgment to see if they deserve to move past it or not. All the Top or High Rankers died at this trial alone as the price for all the accumulated sins and crime against their world.
There was thousands of them with Gwi-jaum narrowly qualified amongst them all. And only he survived because he wasn't the strongest or anything at all. But because the methods that he obtained his power was the most legitimate and that he understood the weight of his actions unlike them.
Having enough of reminiscing his past life. He decided to choose a different path altogether. Is it a trodden path that he can exploit all the reward to become his strongest at his endeavors? No... But it is a path that he knew for sure is still a far better one than that the Rankers of his previous life did so.
Why was their world chosen to be a place that the Tower rose upon? It can't possibly be just to turn their world upside down at all or for its sake alone. It was until his regression that he understood why in the first place.
But having none of the need to say it again, Gwi-jaum continues to guide his friends toward the path that isn't the one that lead to being the most powerful but the one that would be the most meaningful to them.
Gwi-jaum gave a look toward Harold. Having instantly understood what it meant for, Harold stood up head toward the tavern's exit.
"I'm heading out for some more unique cuisines out there. Just take this as a day to rest before we continue. Balance is key". Harold said before he left the tavern unceremoniously. Then before they knew it, it was all silence again.
"Since you're the most knowledgeable amongst us all, what do you suggest that we do right now?" Anssa-um asked Gwi-jaum since he is the most reliable fallback they have right now, at least until they can stand on their own.
Gwi-jaum looks down on silence at the table for a moment before answering.
"The Library. This town has a library at the town central. If there's any we need more than right now, it would be knowledge. All of you leveled up once to obtain Attribute Points to put into MAG stat, right? A lot of our knowledge may have to be adjusted to new variables in this place if we want to make use of it effectively". Gwi-jaum said as his transition from social inept to an ascertain leader is happening in real time.
Gwi-jaum originally planned to get everyone to go to the Library during the previous day but having decided find Mel first make him reorganize all of that since the library will stay there but Mel's whereabout won't if he doesn't stay in contact with her. In fact, he even set their next meeting at the Library for this moment.
Unbeknownst to him, he is practically setting a double date without realizing it. Imagine the frustration that Anssa-um feel when the social inept Gwi-jaum and the 'edgelord' Daegok-soo got their respective half before he did. And at this point, it is as much of a beaten-death joke like Gwi-jaum being sociable.
"The library, huh? I remember how back during university, we would often just reading those manhwas and novels in the library together. Like back before its magic was entirely lost to us". Jiang said as he recalls the good-old time that didn't last very long.
"Of course that I didn’t forget. I mean with our own selection of chosen manhwas and similars to read, it sorted of chose our own personalities subtlety despite we supposed to be long past it already". Anssa-um said as he remembers himself being an avid reader of romance novels although knowing full-well that a lot of them being very subpar in quality. Which in turn making him a Romance Novel MC before he even realized it.
"Don't look at me with that gaze. I know already that I was that stupid and edgy of a bastard before I outgrow that phase. That stupid Ensemble Leveling, the damn consequence it has on the manhwas that followed was too prevalent despite being mid at best". Daegok-soo spent no hesitation in admitting his past's faults.
"Looking at those CN novels aren't any better for me either. A lot of it just reeks with overly-nationalism or contradictory and hypocrite MCs which killed my desire to read them. And those that remained interesting a bit has its plenty of flaws too. Like Scholar Demon Asura and Scholar's Abyss that just meandering nowhere". Jiang said as he was at one point desperate for something to read before regretting that decision altogether.
"Regression stories have its cool before people abuse it for meaningless 'omniscience'. I remember that My Father is the Final Boss uses the daughter for regression yet the characters still act so dumb even with regression knowledge. And then the ending is... cursed to say the least. How did such an interesting first chapter become that?" Gwi-jaum now suddenly remembered all the Regression novels that he read about. And what he learned to not make those stupid decisions they do.
Future knowledge? And its intended path? If what's coming is just destruction of the world outside and a lot of suffering for the Tower's inhabitants, then he would rather deny it altogether for a better future.
"Okay, we would discuss this later on. As memorable as they were, we would miss the time altogether if we're not doing it now". Gwi-jaum said as he took the initiative to leave first.
Anssa-um, Jiang, Daegok-soo followed and before they know it. The competitiveness between them ignited as the three soon chased after Gwi-jaum. Whether they can actually keep up is another thing entirely, but an attempt was made and they will keep it up.
Gwi-jaum takes his stance before a faint aura of blue-ish white enraptures his body. Then with a sharp gaze toward the space ahead, he rushes forward like a mirage that left no trace behind.
______-----{////\\\\}-----______
Soul Furnace Art (Memorized) (Rank: E)
The ability to use the power of your own life force itself to
enhance your physical capability. Despite the utilization of
the soul itself, this art doesn't expend any of it to maintain
its form.
Although currently just a fragment of what was memorized,
its capability is still decently powerful and usable until its
actual form is obtained.
Increase your Physical Attributes by 50% of your MAG.
Current Holder: Hoe Gwi-jaum.
------_____{\\\\////}_____------
______-----{////\\\\}-----______
Name: Hoe Gwi-jaum
LV: 4
+Physical Attribute:
STR: 6 (+8)
END: 5 (+8)
AGI: 5 (+8)
DEX: 7 (+8)
+Non-physical Attribute:
INT: 10
MAG: 15
CHA: 7
Remaining Attribute Points: 0
+Passive Skill:
*None*
+Active Skill:
-Soul Furnace Art (Memorized) (Rank E)
-Eternal Arms Mastery (Rank C) {Growth}
-Immovable Swordsmanship (Improvised) (Rank E)
------_____{\\\\////}_____------
Anssa-um takes out his motorcycle from the tavern as he rode upon it with swiftness. His heavy-duty motorcycle is capable of going up to 200km/h or 55m/s. At such a speed, that is practically a stat of AGI 55 but that is if he could sustain it safely in an urban area where people are commuting about.
Realistically, 40-50km/h is the accurate measure that he could go in this town without causing trouble. Which would be around 14m/s if he could sustain it. A decent pace which isn't too bad or too much. It isn't a lot but it's a pace that is easily maintained no matter what. The only downside is that he can't take any shortcut, or it would just compromise his pace.
Daegok-soo is also straightforward much like Gwi-jaum. There is only one choice, just outmaneuvering Gwi-jaum and get there before him which may actually be a tough challenge knowing how much Regressor's experience that Gwi-jaum may have. But that didn't change the dynamic between them and nothing else ever will.
And then there's Jiang... He gave up instantly seeing the unfair advantages between them. Even with the Level Up from the quest before, he got nothing in comparison to them.
"Don't worry. Let me help you". Yeon said before she effortlessly lifts Jiang up with her enhanced physique using her Mana Circulation.
At this point, being ashamed is just not enough to describe what he felt now anymore.
...
Remember about how this was all supposed to be a race between them, right? Well, in practice. This was more of a dueling race between Daegok-soo and Gwi-jaum than an actual free for all race that they originally intended.
Anssa-um isn't even there side by side as he took the main route. And probably annoyed some folks and paint a target on his back amongst the Climbers for bringing in a motorcycle into the Tower. And Jiang is literally being carried by Yeon towards the destination.
Did that stop them from being competitive to one another? No. True friends are those who are willing to push each other to their betterment. Those kinds of relationships are beyond prices or values.
Deagok-soo appears behind Gwi-jaum as he slowly but surely catches up to him as his raw AGI attribute is 16 in comparison to Gwi-jaum's AGI 14.
______-----{////\\\\}-----______
Name: Sung Daegok-soo
LV: 4
+Physical Attribute:
STR: 5 (+5)
END: 5 (+5)
AGI: 11 (+5)
DEX: 10 (+5)
+Non-physical Attribute:
INT: 6
MAG: 15
CHA: 4
Remaining Attribute Points: 1
+Passive Skill:
*None*
+Active Skill:
-Improvised Mana Circulation (Rank F)
-Eyes of Secret (Rank C) {Growth}
Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.
------_____{\\\\////}_____------
Taking the shortcut toward the town central, the narrow path that Gwi-jaum has taken has its sharp turns and corners that can't be easily navigated or sustaining speed without necessary dexterity to commit. Of course, being a Regressor has its privilege but apparently, he overestimated just how much can be translated from the mind's thoughts into the body's action.
A lot of that muscle memory that he tried to use didn't have the necessary physical attributes required to back his intents up thus a lot of it just ended up subpar by comparison. This is something Gwi-jaum intends to rectify as soon as he can, the previous display of dexterity he did with weapons are assisted by Eternal Arms Mastery thus didn't count.
Both of them have equal dexterity but Daegok-soo has the advantage of agility being greater than Gwi-jaum himself. But can he make full use of it in such a claustrophobic area as this where a single mistake with his speed can cost him more than what it could bring? That's solely upon him.
First sharp corner ahead, Gwi-jaum slows himself down as his aura-veiled body shields everything he wore from wear and tear. As he slows himself down again and prepares to burst forward at the path taken with optimized motion, Daegok-soo takes action.
Thousand March Footwork Motion Form - Branching Leaves
Daegok-soo burst forth with no hesitation or stop, the wall in front of him closing in as he leaped into it with no hesitation. Normally that would just be disaster that wait to happen but with swift turn of his body, he landed sideway into the wall and braced the impact using his left leg and arm then bounce off it with great force as the stone wall cracked at where he propels himself from.
Before Gwi-jaum realized it, Daegok-soo has overtaken him already and runs forward without stop or hesitation. Seeing that his friend has become much stronger with the way he learned his skill, Gwi-jaum knows that he must push himself with what he has or else, he would simply have no right to be called as a leader.
The most effective method of turning a corner is to slow down a bit before making full charge at the turning path. That's how a lot of racers optimized their racing time but since martial arts is being a valid thing with real effects here, Daegok-soo would sooner optimizing his pace at the cost of himself than getting there safely.
Gwi-jaum recalls the day back when he and his friends were enlisted to the army per South Korea's policy. They had their aptitude tested, combat techniques drilled into them. Eventually, it was clear what the four of them are capable of afterward.
He was fitting for a frontline commander who oversees the heat of battle and would have earned a place in it if he stayed. Anssa-um is a Spec Ops which has been proven since he stayed in the army. Jiang was unfit due to his physique yet narrowly passed due to his determination. And Daegok-soo...
was recruited as an assault troop who enters the frontline first before everything else. Stepping into the enemy's territory while striking at their heart with his fierce speed and undaunted steps.
With focus unbroken, Daegok-soo armed with his shotgun was a menace that sends shiver down even his allies’ spines for how swift he is with his operation. Without fear itself seemingly holding everyone back from making the unreturning decisions.
Gwi-jaum now has an idea of how Daegok-soo would build himself from now on. They will have this discussion the moment this race between is done but he doubts that he would even love to talk about it afterward.
After multiple corners that they have moved across, the distance between Gwi-jaum and Daegok-soo has always been fluctuating and sometimes their placements have changed place too. From the look of it, Thousand March Footwork that Daegok-soo learned from Harold while powerful, can't be used liberally at his current mastery. Once every 3 turns is Daegok-soo's current limit.
Then, their next obstacle that is approaching is a sharp U-turn which came about due to this town's urban planning or the lack there of it. Gwi-jaum prepares himself to perform his maneuver as he expected Daegok-soo to perform something beyond.
Thousand March Footwork. It wasn’t much use to him since his entire build that he has in mind sustain around defense and counter. A solid fortress to withstand against foes of much greater caliber than that of anything similar to him. Because of it, a fortress that moves precariously will be easily toppled. His movement must be dedicated into stability, not sheer speed that his previous mentor, Harold did so.
But Daegok-soo is making good work with it far better than Gwi-jaum could. Using the movement speed that he gained and the dexterity to make use of said speed, he would strike hard and fast the very moment his opponent even let their guard down.
And if they don't, Daegok-soo would simply force an opening with his fierce combat style that chains numerous assault tactics in tandem, one that he learned during his days of military.
The moment they gauged the distance to halt their movement, both Daegok-soo and Gwi-jaum have their different idea of maneuvering this U-turn. Gwi-jaum had the idea of using his movement inertia to advantage to steer around the path as fast as he could, which is the same logic that professional racers usually do when presents the same obstacles as he did.
Daegok-soo makes a much bolder decision. Turning himself around while making sure his footing retains its stability while he is sliding toward the stone wall. With calculated motion, Daegok-soo bursts forward as his utilizes his lower body strength to overcome the original inertia that he rode upon.
Thousand March Footwork Motion Form - Turn the Tides
With his slightly better physique came in comparison to before. He didn't injure himself in the process this time around. However, Gwi-jaum took action.
Soul Furnace Art - Explosive Release
Even if his Soul Furnace Art is hazy right now and barely holding itself together, as long as he still holds the foundation correctly, he could perform its basic forms without complication even if the output is very subpar by comparison. But every ounce of advantages matter.
Using the soul aura that Gwi-jaum imbued himself with, he focused its circulation around his legs as every of cells of his existence come into brief overclock state. With that moment taken, Gwi-jaum leaped forward at great speed as his feet imprint into the stone floor.
Normally, using any of Active Skills that involve manipulation of one's soul is a gamble that has to be carefully dictated or accidents involved may be crippling to future development. But anything that required only mental fortitude is his forte and not even this current life of his will fail this.
As the aura that imbued his legs flared up and dragged behind like flags along the wind. Gwi-jaum overtakes Daegok-soo once more as the long pace he made exceeds even Daegok-soo's current capability.
You don't need to be at your best constantly, you only need to perform your best at the most critical moment.
With blazing speed that Gwi-jaum strides forward. Daegok-soo suddenly realized the current limit of his current capability in comparison to Gwi-jaum. Of course, there's no harm in having lost against him of all people since Gwi-jaum is a Regressor who can't be beaten in wit to begin with.
"Forgive me for doing this but... I can't accept my loss here". Daegok-soo said as he looked at the shortest wall that is within his reach right now.
STR 10. AGI 16. DEX 15. Having a 10 in any physical status is the peak of human physiology without the Tower's intervention. With a determined gaze, Daegok-soo pushed as much force as he can into his jump.
Having jumped a height of 3.3m from the ground and using all of his arm's length to bridge the gap, Daegok-soo managed to grab at the edge of the townhouse's roof.
Thousand March Footwork Motion Form - Cliff Hanger
Then with all the strength that his upper body mustered, Daegok-soo effortlessly pull his own weight up as he propels to the rooftop with only the pull of his arms alone.
He would never beat Gwi-jaum in a foot race. Especially with all his past-life knowledge that he has. The only way to beat a Regressor is to not play by their ruleset to begin with.
Gwi-jaum has to navigate the narrow alleyway that is used to head toward the library at town central that is ill-suited for any high-speed maneuver. Daegok-soo, however, chose to just run from each rooftop toward the same destination instead with the only obstacles being the alleyways that he has to jump across. But with the aforementioned physical stats, it is suddenly a lot more feasible than first thought.
Daegok-soo takes a deep breath before he sprints ahead, surpassing even his mortal record.
First alleyway in sight. Width of 3m. From his elevated vantage point, it would have been a chasm into the void below. But he was undeterred as he fast approached one with calculated gaze. His body coiled like spring before he propels himself forward unflinchingly across the alleyway with his prowess alone.
Like a blur out of the blue sky, he landed on the next rooftop with an audible thud. The townsfolk on their routine when they suddenly see a shadowy figure that jumped above them before disappearing on them didn't lost on their minds either.
"Who is that?" a woman asked, her eyes wide with astonishment.
"I don't know but look at them go!" a man replied, his voice filled with awe.
Children pointed up, their faces lit with excitement, as they watched Daegok-soo leap from one rooftop to another. The sight of him, a silhouette against the early morning sky, was like something out of a storybook.
Leaving behind the gasps and murmurs of the people below. Daegok-soo continues to make his path through the rooftops of the residential area. This path was going smoothly, a bit too smooth for his premonition even.
He remembered about what his mentor, Harold said about taking this day easy as a break before next period of training. He suddenly felt like he is going to have an earful about how he stirred trouble again with his actions today but that is something for later.
Then, came his sudden biggest hurdle so far. An entire street with the width of 12m. With the calculation with all of his stats, the idea is technically feasible for him currently, but he has no idea of how to make said jump to begin with. The rational idea was to jump off, break the fall and continue the ground. Yet as anxiety started to set in, his irrational decision-making take place instead.
He chose to speed up with the intent of making the entire jump across said street. With all the people commuting down there to see him doing it in complete glory or dishonor.
There was no retreat, not a moment to adjust his pace. Yet with his destination on the other side of the road, Daegok-soo rushes forward as his steps become lighter as if fear never had its grip on him to begin with.
The edge of his running path approached, and he pushed everything he has into his takeoff foot. His heart pounded in his chest as he approached the edge. He could feel the adrenaline coursing through his veins, fueling his determination. A moment to calculate the distance, the speed he would need, the angle of his jump. He knew he had only one shot at this.
With one final deep breath, he launched himself across the chasm below.
In the meanwhile, Anssa-um is riding his motorcycle through the main street that would take him toward the town central. People were commuting about so not a chance for his max speed even. At the pace he made, even Jiang would probably made it there on foot faster than him.
Then suddenly, he heard people gasping as they pointed upward. Diverting his attention toward where the people are reacting, he saw Daegok-soo performing the impossible long jump as all of his limbs flailing in the attempt to retain airtime.
"Holy shit... He really did it, that madman". Anssa-um exclaimed upon seeing the sight for himself while still maintaining his motorcycle's direction.
For a moment, time seemingly stood still. Feeling as if all restraints that were holding him back disappeared momentarily. Daegok-soo looked down into street below and everything just seems so small by comparison. Some were panicking at the sight, some were filled with excitement, some stood still in anticipation. Many eyes were on him, but his flight path was already decided from the moment he jumped.
He will make it for sure.
As he neared the end of his jump, Daegok-soo tucked his body, preparing for the landing. He hit the rooftop on the other side with a roll, absorbing the impact with his shoulder before springing back to his feet. He paused for a moment, catching his breath as he looked back at the street he had just cleared.
The people beneath erupted into cheers, their voices filling the air with a deafening roar. Children jumped up and down, their faces alight with excitement, while adults clapped and whistled, their expressions filled with disbelief and admiration.
"Making yourself known, aren't you?". Anssa-um said as he earnestly continued his path, seeing that his friend did that feat.
With a final wave to the crowd, Daegok-soo turned and continued his path, leaving behind a street full of astonished townsfolk and a tale that would be told for... months before something more interesting got them. His heart still pounded in his chest, but now it was with exhilaration rather than fear.
He continued his run toward the destination.
Gwi-jaum steps out from the alleyway into the street. Navigating this route was a chore for him but it wasn't something too taxing either. However, from the way people are reacting here, it seems that something has happened.
After a few questions and conversations, Gwi-jaum learned that Daegok-soo just shortcut everything by running on the rooftops instead. Gwi-jaum tried to not stir anything by deliberately taking this path yet Daegok-soo is causing unrest with what he is doing.
"That idiotic bastard. I shouldn't have galled him into being hyper-competitive to begin with". Gwi-jaum said as he cursed his previous actions in retrospect.
A Regressor like him may be omniscient to pure information but the tiny details that come along the way is too much for anyone to remember in clear details.
He understands that Daegok-soo has that competitive spirit in him but even this is way too much for something they tried to keep lowkey to begin with. Except for Anssa-um who rode his motorcycle down the main route for all to see but that's beside the point.
"Fine, if it is a race without rules that you wanted then you better know what you wished for". Gwi-jaum said as he applies his Soul Furnace Art once more as his body steps into overclock.
Gwi-jaum spent a considerable portion of his previous life in this starting town thus he knew of it like the back of his hand. If Daegok-soo thought that he already won by going on a straight path then he is about to be mistaken too.
"You cheated first so don't beg why I'm going to humiliate you". Gwi-jaum said as he crosses the street in explosive speed that almost no one can tell what happened but the gust that left behind.
Then comes Yeon who is carrying Jiang on her back. She used her own mana circulation to enhance her hearing so that she could eavesdrop on Gwi-jaum from the distance unnoticed.
"What a complicated mess that this becomes". Yeon said as she can only pray that the feud between her boyfriend and Gwi-jaum somehow don't get out of hand.
Back to Daegok-soo, with the hurdle before overcame already. He quickly makes his run toward the destination in rapid pace across the rooftops as his running speed right now is carried unhindered by momentum that he built up. Alleyways? It wasn't even registered an obstacle for him at this point anymore.
Then, his destination becomes visible within his sight. The library of town central, it was actually larger than his envision since he thought more of communal libraries that is usually like churches or monasteries but this is more in the line of the Library of Alexandria.
If there is any place to properly stock up on information and knowledge of all kind then it would be this place, no doubt about it. How he even missed such a thing during his previous trip to the town central is a burning question.
His destination is in sight and there's seemingly nothing left to stop him from going there untroubled. But it's always the calm that is before the storm. Unless he got there already, troubles will always brew outside his sight. And exactly to what he expected, Gwi-jaum intervened.
From the ground to the roof of a 4-storey building. Gwi-jaum looked like he has a lot to say about Daegok-soo's behaviors and how his legs look like they are about to give out under him too with how he certainly pushed his capability.
The two's gazes locked at one another. No words are spoken and yet they have already said about how much they loathe each other's recent behavior. This is nothing unusual, discord between male friends last as long as an adult mayfly's lifespan to begin with.
Soul Furnace Arts - Overdrive
[Increase user Physical Attributes by 180% of innate MAG.
Duration: 30 sec. Cooldown: 24 hours]
With volatile burst of movement, Gwi-jaum quickly closes the distance that Daegok-soo made between as his entire body is enwrapped in the ignition of his own soul. As if a vengeful wraith has come to exact its obsession, Daegok-soo would stand no chance at all.
Thousand March Footwork Motion Form - Branching Leaves
With swift motion that his mind could register to his body, Daegok-soo narrowly evaded the burning specter as Gwi-jaum overshot his target due to the massive increase of Physical stats that he hasn't yet adjusted for. This go even more so on this rooftop where one misstep means a direct plunge into the chasm below.
30 seconds. That's all he needed to outlast Gwi-jaum's Overdrive. But that duration felt unfairly long when it is Gwi-jaum that he must contest against. Storywise, whenever a Regressor uses their duration-limited superpower, they will always finish their objectives before said time limit.
Daegok-soo, with his heart pounding in his chest, continues his desperate sprint across the rooftops. The Thousand March Footwork - Branching Leaf allows him to swerve directions while maintaining uncanny agility, his body sways like a leaf caught in a gust of wind. Each step he takes is precise, calculated, a testament to his even if feeble mastery of the technique.
Gwi-jaum's Overdrive, however, is relentless. The burning specter chases after Daegok-soo with a fury that seems to set the very air around them ablaze. The rooftops beneath Gwi-jaum's feet crack under the sheer force of his pursuit, a stark contrast to Daegok-soo's light, almost ethereal footfalls.
Not faltering right now, Daegok-soo weaves through the maze of rooftops, his movements fluid and seamless. All the while, he keeps his eyes on the towering structure of the library, the final destination and finishing line of their races.
By trying to navigate through all the obstacles while Gwi-jaum periodically caught up to him, he pushes his Thousand March Footwork to its limit as he tries to survive the worst 30 seconds that he is undergoing so far.
The seconds tick by, each one stretching into an eternity as Daegok-soo pushes his body to its limits. His muscles scream in protest, his lungs burn with each ragged breath he takes, but he does not stop. He cannot stop.
Then, he reached the final rooftop. The library that he was reaching was huge thus separating it from the residential area was a large street where people commutes about. Let alone the huge courtyard that it is situated in.
He didn't care if he actually outlasts Gwi-jaum's Overdrive or whether he makes the distance at all, all he needed was to reach the place before him.
Yet... He was still too late. Gwi-jaum is about to caught him from behind while his Overdrive is active. He was so close yet so far away. And before his legs could muster its motion even.
"DAMN YOU!" Daegok-soo yelled as he performed his Thousand March Footwork once more.
This technique that he performed so many times and yet the Tower never seems to register it at all despite his proficiency. It registered his improvised Mana Circulation, so why not Thousand March Footwork!? And the moment he begged that question, the answer is given immediately.
Thousand March Footwork proficiency has reached the minimum requirement. Awakening Active Skill...
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Thousand March Footwork (Novice) (Rank F)
A martial footwork skill developed by the legendary
Hero who is capable of solving all the world-ending quests
in only 30 seconds.
Those who master this skill will be able to travel across
continents in just seconds alone. No matter the hazardous
terrains or environment that they must cross.
Its trainees will learn how to sustain their maximum movement
speed. Fast stance recovery and acceleration along with handling at
such speed impossible for the human mind to perceive.
This is merely a novice understanding and experience of this skill.
Even then, it will become its actual true technique once enough
knowledge and information regarding it is completed.
Passive Effect: Increase user's AGI and DEX by 50% of their base value.
Current Holder: Sung Daegok-soo
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It wasn't a substantial increase, but it was one that mattered. Although Daegok-soo right now is consumed by his own anxiety-induced anger that he felt the instinctive desire to act upon. The moment this skill awakens was also his moment to turn the tide.
Daegok-soo suddenly burst forward in sudden acceleration as he narrowly evaded Gwi-jaum's grasp again. But this time, he performed his countermeasure. Right in the last second that his Overdrive is active.
With all his fear cast away, he jumped off the building from that they were on and Gwi-jaum follows suit as if he is aware that until his objective is exacted, his power won't run out of duration. From this height they were falling, they had only 2 seconds at best to brace for the landing.
"Gwi-jaum, do you remember that people telling you that you are horrible with precise timekeeping?" Daegok-soo said a phrase that has no correlation to what they're doing.
And the moment his lines were completed, Soul Furnace Arts of his went out of its duration. Daegok-soo spent no hesitation in taking action. Something different for once. The only neat thing to do.
Thousand March Footwork Martial Form - Sweeping Hurricane
Launching himself into spinning motion, his entire body become a blur. His leg extended as a cyclone of force transforms into thunderous impact as he sends Gwi-jaum into the ground. While it looks like it could have killed someone, Gwi-jaum was built different as there's no way for him to just croak from something like that.
Putting on his guard at the last moment, Gwi-jaum was sent flying toward the library. Remembering the context of the race, then it was his victory... but at what cost?
Unseen Hand
Suddenly, an unseen force took hold of him before his impact on the ground. As he levitated in the air, he looked around for the source of anomaly that is happening to him before he nearly has his heart jumps out of his chest upon seeing Yeon this close with that disappointed expression.
"What did I say about not brewing trouble with your antics?" Yeon said before she places Gwi-jaum on the ground. Gwi-jaum wishes to stay away from her presence at the current moment due to seeing some similarities between the current her and his past life's her.
And from the back, Jiang promptly enters the library after having been carried by Yeon literally. Then followed by Anssa-um who carefully hid his own motorcycle away. Daegok-soo also falls face flat into the ground with terminal velocity before he tried to pull a fast one on Gwi-jaum before his karmic retribution also come to hit him with his previous acts.
Mel, that greatsword blond girl that Yeon knew Gwi-jaum has interests in blocked Daegok-soo's path, and seemingly no matter his attempt to evade her capture, he was promptly caught in her hand before his next step was even calculated.
Suddenly, their plight is now shared the same as both Gwi-jaum and Daegok-soo are about to be reprimanded by their each other's respective soulmates.
Because the two of them received the last spots in their race, this made both Gwi-jaum and Daegok-soo this morning's biggest loser.
.