Report
Limitless Master
The final bid for the *Seven Lightning Strike* was 540 million sel.
The expected bid, as hinted by the manager, was 600 million sel, so in a positive light, they acquired it 60 million sel cheaper.
However, that’s a story for when you're using your own money. Since Yuri and Elena hadn’t bid on the *Seven Lightning Strike*, it could essentially be considered a free win.
‘I wish it had been more expensive.’
He ended up winning the *Southern Heavenly Cloud Fist* due to competition with Baycord, which was a burden. In the end, only 10 million sel remained out of the 1 billion sel, so if anything, he hoped Baycord would have suffered a loss too. But since *Blazing Inferno of the Red Vermilion* came before the *Seven Lightning Strike*, it didn’t receive much attention.
“The *Seven Lightning Strike*... *Seven Lightning Strike*...!”
Elena, sitting beside him, didn’t seem to be in her right mind. She kept muttering the name of the *Seven Lightning Strike* while trembling.
“Is it that good?”
“No, not really? It’s not great.”
“You're lying through your teeth.”
“When have I ever lied? I already told you. I’m a prospective disciple of *Thunderlord Orca*. Someday, I’ll become the *Tower Lord* of *Delcia* and inherit Orca’s unique magical technique.”
Elena, who had been trembling, suddenly clenched her fists with determination.
“You saw it the last time, right? Orca’s *Thunder God's Ring*! I’ve experienced it myself, but to be honest, I didn’t fully understand the depth and principles behind his magic. That’s what Orca’s magic is like.”
After spending a few days with Elena, I roughly understood her personality. When she makes a mistake or crosses a line, she quickly acknowledges it and apologizes. However, when she’s embarrassed or trying to save face, she rambles on endlessly.
And she was doing it now.
“It’s true that *Bright Cloud Chuhon* is a great wizard, but his final rank is only 5th-tier. And I’m a 4th-tier. You know what that means? There’s hardly any difference.”
It’s true the difference is only one rank, but that’s still a significant gap.
To be recognized as a 4th-tier wizard, you need to be able to synthesize various universal magic and condense rituals. A 5th-tier wizard, however, must develop and utilize their own unique magical formula.
Not all unique magic is superior to universal magic, but developing one’s own formula indicates a different level of understanding of magic.
“Well, I admit I got a bit excited since I had the chance to obtain the *Seven Lightning Strike*. It’s hard not to be. Wizards tend to get giddy when they encounter new knowledge. But it’s not just wizards. Isn’t it the same for martial artists and swordmasters too?”
“Indeed it is, Miss Elena.”
Haryeong didn’t tease her as usual, since Elena’s excuse was so desperate. She glanced at Yuri.
“So, I’m secretly disappointed. I could’ve gained new knowledge with the *Southern Heavenly Cloud Fist*, but that opportunity was lost. Yuri, why did you have to do that?”
“Huh?”
“We’re supposed to be close. Isn’t that what friends do?”
Yuri blinked in confusion, but Haryeong, with her usual emotionless expression, stared at him.
“I can’t believe it. Was your talk of being close a lie? I’ve been deceived.”
“No, I think we’re close. I was just taken aback.”
“Is that so? I made a mistake. Even if we’re close, it doesn’t mean we’re friends yet.”
“No, that’s not what I meant...”
“Did I misspeak again? Even if we’re friends, I guess I shouldn’t be too familiar. Yes, I understand now.”
It was hard to tell whether she was serious or teasing. Haryeong's expressionless face made it impossible to read her intentions.
“You're quite amusing for an assassin, Haryeong.”
“That’s because I’m contracted as your guard, not for an assassination mission. In an assassination mission, I’m cold, ruthless, and very frightening.”
“You act the same way even when you’re under contract to protect me.”
Elena glared at her, but Haryeong immediately responded with the same stoic expression.
“However, I always make sure not to cross certain boundaries.”
“Is that so...?”
“If I crossed the line, Miss Elena, you’d likely be too embarrassed and would cancel our contract.”
Haryeong answered and then glanced at Yuri.
“Make sure you only see my cheerful side, Yuri. Though it’s unlikely, if we meet while I’m on an assassination mission, I’ll...”
“You’ll what?”
“I’ll do something about it.”
Even while the three were having such conversations, Baycord’s expression was sour. Although he didn’t have to go around borrowing money to make 1.5 billion sel, he still couldn’t help but feel uncomfortable about having to learn martial arts alongside Yuri.
‘Am I really supposed to teach him?’
The basics of the *Southern Heavenly Cloud Fist*. The stances and movements of the form. It was a position stripped of the ultimate essence, but still, it was annoying.
Baycord had never taken a disciple. He’d never taught anyone martial arts. In fact, he never even had a teacher to learn martial arts from. Baycord’s martial skills were self-taught, honed for revenge.
His deep-set, furrowed eyes were now on Yuri. He still didn’t know Yuri’s true identity. The famous friend of *Golden Jasmine* from the *Tower of Delcia*...
‘Rather than a friend... more like a gigolo, perhaps?’
He didn’t know the full story, but Elena Hinder bought the *Southern Heavenly Cloud Fist* for 990 million sel. No matter how deep their friendship, would someone really spend nearly 1 billion sel for their friend?
“Why are you looking at me like that?”
Baycord’s stare was so intense, even someone less sensitive would have noticed. His disdain was so obvious it was hard to ignore.
“Surely you’re not thinking of going back on your word?”
“It’s already won, what’s there to take back?”
Baycord responded, his irritation clearly showing.
“So. You really haven’t learned any martial arts?”
“I’ve been in plenty of fights and I receive daily training from Haryeong in physical combat.”
“Hmph, an assassin’s training probably just consists of how to walk silently and how to flee.”
“I see that you hold quite a negative bias toward assassins, Baycord.”
Though she was insulted outright, Haryeong’s expression remained unchanged.
“From the perspective of a seasoned martial artist like yourself, Baycord, assassin techniques must seem insignificant.”
“I don’t belittle all assassins. I recognize the *Tang Clan* of the *Six Evils* and the *Head of the Assassins* in the *Black Dragon Society*.”
“Is that so? What do you think of the *Leader of the Silent Assassins*?”
“You mean the *Faceless Assassin* whose whereabouts are unknown? Hmph, how can I acknowledge someone whose rank isn’t even known?”
“That, in itself, is proof of his prowess.”
Haryeong answered, then pointed at Yuri.
“Let me tell you from my experience teaching him. Yuri is quite talented in martial arts. This is something even the *Tower Lord Orca* of *Delcia* acknowledges.”
“Thunderlord Orca recognized him?”
“Yes. Orca said Yuri has a strong flow of blood and few blockages. His body is truly a natural gift.”
“Indeed.”
Yuri nodded in agreement. At the mention of Orca’s recognition, Baycord’s expression changed slightly, shifting from annoyance to curiosity as he examined Yuri more closely.
“Hm...”
It’s true. His body under those clothes is well-trained. His posture is steady... and his eyes don’t show any cloudiness. For someone who hasn’t formally learned martial arts, the absence of impurities means he either lived a reclusive life in the mountains or was born with such a constitution.
“Where’s your hometown?”
“Oldor.”
“Oldor? That’s a small town in the west. Have you lived there your whole life?”
“I lived there for 20 years and came to Luteran a week ago.”
“What did you do in Oldor?”
“Just... lived.”
He didn’t want to mention his days as a pickpocket since he already wasn’t making a great impression.
“I see.”
Luckily, Baycord didn’t press any further. Surely Yuri wouldn’t dare use Orca’s name falsely, and whether he really had talent would be something Baycord could verify himself.
“Then I’ll come find you in two days.”
After confirming Baycord had left the auction house, Yuri and his group also stood to leave.
While waiting for the purchased martial manual to pass its final verification, they bought a fundamental technique from the basic catalog on Haryeong’s recommendation.
The *Pure, Unblemished Heart Method*. Despite its grandiose name, it was only a first-rate technique. It didn’t have any distinct strengths, but it also didn’t have any significant flaws.
“What do you think is the difference between first-rate and supreme martial techniques?”
“I wouldn’t know.”
“It’s the high and low points.”
While Elena went to make the payment, Haryeong, with her usual expressionless face, imparted her knowledge.
“First-rate martial arts have low highs and lows points. Supreme martial arts have both high highs and lows points.”
“What about divine arts?”
“Divine arts are on another level. The lowest point of a divine art must at least match the highest point of a supreme martial art to be called divine. Of course, just because a martial art is good doesn't mean it's easy to learn, but it allows for greater achievements.”
“What martial art have you learned, Haryeong?”
“You're quite brazen, prying into a warrior's secrets. Are you that close to me, Yuri?”
“That’s not fair. You know what martial art I practice.”
“You are you, and I am me.”
Haryeong replied, squinting slightly.
“If you’re dissatisfied with me being the only one who knows, you can secretly learn a different method later. Preferably, a better method than the *Pure, Unblemished Heart Method*.”
“Finding a supreme method isn’t exactly easy.”
“You never know. From what I’ve seen, Yuri, you’re extremely lucky. If a goddess of fortune exists, she might be blessing you.”
“...”
“A childhood friend with a rosy future. The man of 3.5 billion sel. With such luck, you might one day possess not just a supreme martial art but a divine one.”
At her words, Yuri recalled the *Destructive Sky Thousand Miles Art* he was secretly practicing.
‘It’s not first-rate, is it? Could it be a supreme martial art?’
Since the martial art didn’t exist in the game, he had no way to gauge it.
“The *Southern Heavenly Cloud Fist*...!”
After the final verification, the martial arts manual for the *Southern Heavenly Cloud Fist* was handed over. It looked worn and shabby, especially its cover, which gave it an even more antique feel. Ignoring Haryeong’s fussing beside him, Yuri took the manual in both hands.
“Are you sure it’s okay to share this with that man?”
“Thanks to him, we got the *Seven Lightning Strike* for free.”
“That’s beside the point...! What if he holds a grudge and teaches you wrongly?”
“I doubt he’d stoop so low.”
actually, Yuri thought he could probably learn the *Southern Heavenly Cloud Fist* without Baycord’s help. But what Yuri needed was the appearance of a proper ‘teacher.’ Having learned from someone as high-ranked as Baycord would be far more convincing to others than self-study.
Elena held onto the manual on Yuri’s behalf. After a few enchantments were cast on the bag containing the 990 million sel manual, they finally left the auction house.
“I’ve never heard of a ‘Baycord.’ What kind of person is he?”
“If he’s 6th-tier, that’s certainly not a low rank. You really don’t know him?”
“Elena knows magic well, but she’s not as familiar with martial artists.”
