Chapter - 7 Iron Will
[The Abandoned Dojo Without a Master]
The King of the Underworld, Dokgojun, eventually found peace and Jeong Hoon, having finished his business, left the dojo.
Shortly after, someone knocked on the dojo's door.
It was the Bowmaster, Lee Hwarang.
[T/L: Previously translated as Ihwarang]
“Is it here?”
Lee Hwarang's instincts told him that this was the place where he would find something to complement his weaknesses.
He opened his inventory and took out an old piece of paper. Preservation magic made it easy to hold and read.
[King of the Underworld Dokgojun]
The paper recorded the life of Dokgojun.
‘If this is true, I can learn the martial arts Dokgojun used.’
The paper was received from a hidden quest. According to it, Dokgojun spent his entire life in the dojo.
[When he briefly left the dojo to showcase his martial arts to the world, he had no rival, earning him the title of King of the Underworld.]
The paper proved to be an item connected to the next hidden quest. Lee Hwarang had been searching for the dojo and finally succeeded in finding it.
“It took so long because it was hidden in the corner of Taecho Village...”
But who had been here?
The dilapidated dojo was clean, and there was a water bucket in the corner, still wet. Lee Hwarang’s eyes turned fierce.
“Did someone else take it?”
Probably not. The paper received from completing the hidden quest was unique in New World. Most likely, a novice user temporarily stayed here.
Lee Hwarang searched the dojo thoroughly to learn the martial arts left by Dokgojun.
***
At the same time, Jeong Hoon left Taecho Village. He was heading to the Sanctuary of Martial Artists to the Hall of Body Techniques.
[There’s another reason why martial artists are considered rotten]
-You need to hunt monsters to get to the Hall of Body Techniques, lol. This is real. Unlike other professions, the training hall is a bit far from the village, with a field in between. Slimes and goblins roam that field, so hunt your way through. If you die, you’ll be banned from logging in for 24 hours, so be cautious.
As mentioned, various monsters lived in the field.
‘That’s why Hwarang Dojang was essential for martial artists.’
The basic passive skills learned at Hwarang Dojang were practically useless for Jeong Hoon, but for a beginner, they were invaluable. Without Hwarang Dojang, martial artists would have faced multiple deaths on their way to the Hall of Body Techniques.
Jeong Hoon moved into the field, sensing the presence of monsters around him.
[Lv.1 Slime]
[Lv.3 Goblin]
He frequently saw goblins he had hunted in the tutorial.
‘I won’t hunt unless attacked.’
In New World, a high level was everything. Higher levels expanded activity range and provided more item opportunities. Levelling up was essential due to absolute stat benefits.
“Of course, not with these guys.”
Hunting slimes and goblins wouldn’t raise his level as he was already level 11.
However, the monsters didn’t know his thoughts and blocked his path. Four goblins stood in front of him.
“Human, if you want to pass, give us food. Otherwise, we’ll kill you here.”
Jeong Hoon didn’t respond. He simply stepped forward and punched the goblin on his right.
Smack!
“Keeek!”
With one punch, the goblin’s head exploded. This was the first star of the King of the Underworld Martial Arts. The power of his punch was on a different level from when he practiced at the dojo.
[King of the Underworld Martial Arts 1 Star]
Proficiency: 100%
Punch damage increased by 25%
Certain chance to neutralize defense
30% increase in dynamic vision within a 5m radius
Extreme concentration for 5 minutes after skill use
The numbers alone showed it was an overpowered skill. When he first obtained it, the first star's power was not this high. Punch damage was up by 10%, dynamic vision by 15%, and there was no extreme concentration option. This rapid increase was thanks to a title.
[Disciple of the Hades of the Underworld]
Type: Unique Title
Grade: Legendary
100% proficiency in King of the Underworld Martial Arts
10% increase in physical-related passive skills
After obtaining this title, his proficiency in the martial art skyrocketed to 100%.
“Kee, keerrk...?”
The remaining three goblins panicked seeing their companion die in one hit.
“You started it.”
Jeong Hoon slaughtered the remaining goblins. The fight was over in less than a minute.
“Wow, what’s that?”
“That’s amazing!”
Beginners hunting slimes nearby watched and admired Jeong Hoon’s skills. In New World, there were many users, so beginners often filled the field.
Ignoring them, Jeong Hoon reached the Hall of Body Techniques.
“Halt.”
Two instructor NPCs stood in front of the hall. Dressed in white uniforms with bandaged fists and knuckles, they wore shoes resembling old rubber shoes.
“I am a martial artist.”
“Level 11, martial artist. Confirmed. You may enter.”
With the instructor's permission, the hall doors opened. Inside, about sixteen martial artist users were being trained by an instructor.
“What do we need as martial artists?! Physical and mental strength!”
The instructor was rigorously training the users. Despite it being a virtual reality game, the realistic physical stats made the users exhausted.
“Damn... take it easy!”
“Can’t we get some experience and skills for this?”
“Ugh... puke...”
One user even vomited on the spot.
“Huh, to collapse after just this? I’m disappointed.”
The instructor shook his head in disapproval.
“Damn it, I can’t take this.”
“Better find another instructor. Repeating this for a rare skill is not worth it.”
The users eventually left to find other instructors.
“Huh, another batch of ignorant fools. This is why we get looked down on by sword users.”
The strict instructor looked dejected.
‘There he is.’
Jeong Hoon watched the instructor, the only one in the hall offering a rare skill as a reward: Instructor Altio. Many users flocked to him but gave up due to his harsh training. Altio disliked the lenient training methods of other instructors. Martial artists must train hard to have a healthy mind and accelerate growth.
“Instructor.”
Jeong Hoon approached Altio.
Altio glanced at him.
“Yes? What do you want?”
“I want to train.”
Altio had a white question mark above his head.
[General Quest: Instructor Altio]
Restriction: Unemployed Martial Artist
Reward: [Skill] Healthy Mind (Rare)
Description: The key is the mind! Complete all training under Instructor Altio’s guidance.
For low-level users, rare skills were highly desirable. Jeong Hoon was no exception. A healthy mind (Rare) was essential since passive skill abilities stack.
“Oh! Really?!”
Altio’s depressed face brightened.
“Shouldn’t we stop him?”
“That instructor’s training is crazy.”
“Never mind. He’ll give up soon enough.”
Users whispered, pitying Jeong Hoon.
“Yes, I’m ready to start.”
“Good! Let’s begin with 300 push-ups.”
Altio's first training task.
***
At that moment, Instructor Altio watched his trainee with a face full of emotion. 300 push-ups, 300 sit-ups, 500 burpees, 200 arm walking, 300 leg raises, and 300 squats. It was a level of exercise that would seem insane to anyone.
Yet, Jeong Hoon completed all the exercises and stood waiting for the next task. Though he must have been tired, he was standing still.
‘Whew, it’s been a while since I’ve been this tired.’
Jeong Hoon wiped the sweat from his forehead. Even for someone who mastered everything, enduring Altio’s training at level 11 was not easy. Thankfully, he had acquired the Indomitable Body skill before entering.
[‘Indomitable Body’ level has increased.]
Pushing his body to the limit naturally raised the skill level.
[Indomitable Body]
Type: Passive
Level: 2
Grade: Normal
Basic health increased by 16% (Stat not displayed)
Basic defense increased by 16% (Stat not displayed)
Reflexes increased by 16% (Stat not displayed)
Movement speed increased by 16% (Stat not displayed)
Agility stat +2 bonus
Health stat +2 bonus
Without this, he would have been forced to quit due to physical limitations.
“Damn... he did all that?”
“Wow...”
“He’s a real tough guy.”
“Does he want a rare skill that badly?”
Altio felt anger rising at the trainees gossiping. Those who couldn’t even do a fifth of the training dared to judge?
He had never intended to make anyone complete the full training. Showing perseverance alone would have been enough.
“Can you continue?”
“Yes.”
Jeong Hoon’s body trembled with fatigue, but his voice remained steady and calm, more so than before. What kind of mental strength did he have?
“Huh...”
It was the first time Altio had seen such a resilient trainee.
“Is the training over?”
“Yes... You deserve this.”
Altio's question mark turned into an exclamation point. The quest was completed.
[General Quest completed.]
[You have acquired ‘Healthy Mind’.]
[‘Strong Will’ has fused ‘Concentration Enhancement’ with ‘Healthy Mind’.]
[‘Strong Will’ has evolved into ‘Iron Will’.]
—-----------------
[Iron Will]
Type: Passive
Level: 1
Grade: Rare
Basic resistance increased by 25%
Damage resistance increased by 25%
Pain tolerance increased by 25%
Extreme concentration for 10 minutes
Strong Will had been a hard-to-use skill due to its overlapping characteristics with other skills. After the system update, it changed to Iron Will.
—----------------------
It was well worth enduring the hard training.
Good.
Jeong Hoon clenched his fist.
This was why Divine power was needed.
The skills of the New World automatically transform into more enhanced skills in response to magic power or divine power, and this Iron Will skill is one of them.
“....And the last training session I have for you is…”
A purple question mark floated floated above Altio’s head.
It was a quest higher grade than a normal quest, It was a Epic Quest.
‘Finally, it came out.’
Jeong Hoon laughed inwardly.
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