Chapter 2606 – 2606. Eternal Eden

For a moment, I entered the [Ascension of Light] world. It was to create a martial art exclusively for the Holy Guard.

However, even with talent adjustments, martial arts weren’t created instantly.

After pondering alone for several tens of minutes, I came to a conclusion.

‘I don’t know. Let’s get help from an expert, Wi Yu.’

So, I went to Wi Yu and explained the situation.

Wi Yu, with her arms crossed as if showing off her large chest, listened to my words, a curve forming on her lips.

“A martial art that doesn’t use internal energy at all. Interesting.”

“It’s definitely not external martial arts I want.”

“I know.”

External martial arts were still martial arts. They didn’t completely ignore internal energy. It was about training the body with the natural energy floating in the air to achieve a physique that surpassed human limits. That’s what I knew about external martial arts without internal energy cultivation methods.

‘These days, external martial arts are just called external, but they all have internal energy cultivation methods.’

In the [Ascension of Light] world, there was a mysterious energy called Qi. It was common sense, like the sky above and the earth below. It didn’t make sense not to use it, even in external martial arts.

‘In the first place, martial arts are a combination of external and internal arts.’

“So, what’s the direction of the martial art you want?”

I thought for a moment at Wi Yu’s question and then spoke.

“Versatility. The martial art shouldn’t be too difficult. But it shouldn’t be too easy either.”

“If that’s the case, there doesn’t seem to be much to worry about. The reason martial arts are difficult is mostly due to internal energy cultivation methods. It’s common to train external martial arts according to internal energy cultivation methods. What you want is a martial art that has only techniques, without anything else.”

“Yes. Because that world doesn’t have Qi.”

“In this world, people adapt to martial arts. What you want is the opposite; you need a martial art that suits people. I need detailed information about those who will learn the martial art. If possible, a visual information medium like a video would be good.”

“…I’ll go get it.”

I went to the [Eternal Eden] world and copied videos of the Holy Guard. The combat helmets that the Holy Guard wore by default had recording functions, and they were collecting combat data with drones, so it wasn’t difficult. I could just order the underlings to do it.

After checking the videos I brought, Wi Yu let out a hollow laugh.

“Ha. They’re crazy bastards who have lost their minds. They’re not afraid of death at all. Well, I guess it’s natural since they said they’d be resurrected even if they die.”

“Master, I want them to still not fear death.”

“And at the same time, they need to be able to fight monsters that aren’t human. The basis of martial arts is to protect oneself.”

“…Is it not possible?”

Wi Yu smiled.

“Why wouldn’t it be possible? There have already been several martial arts that were based on death. Don’t limit martial arts.”

We put our heads together and began to create a martial art.

“It’s a martial art that doesn’t use internal energy. That means you can’t strengthen the body with internal energy. It’s impossible to show overwhelming power with martial arts alone.”

“I know. So, let’s go in the most efficient direction. Ah, I hope it’s not limited to swords or spears, but that any weapon can be used. Bare hands, of course, too.”

“Weapons are ultimately things you hold and swing with your hands. The martial art will become somewhat difficult, but… it’s not a big problem. But we can’t include everything. So, we’ll remove as much as possible that’s unnecessary. We’ll make the techniques concise and compress the martial principles. There’s no need to understand the principles. The principles are already embedded in the forms themselves.”

The martial art was created much faster than I had expected. It was mostly due to Wi Yu’s abilities. Her level was one thing, but her depth of understanding of martial arts was unbelievable.

“A martial art that martial artists in this world wouldn’t even look at has been created. Have you decided on a name for the martial art?”

“Yes. This is a martial art with no turning back. A martial art that gambles with death. In actual combat, even a slight mistake could lead to serious injury, and if you’re afraid of death, its power and efficiency will decrease. The moment you learn this, you have no choice but to move forward, so I’ll call it ‘Extreme Advance Martial Arts’ (極進武).”

“That’s a good name. Now that the martial art has been created, all that’s left is to test its power. If it’s a world with advanced technology, you can run simulations with AI. Bring it. I want to see how great AI is.”

“…Huh? There is AI, but not to that extent…”

As I was speaking, something suddenly flashed through my mind. There was no need for the AI of the Eternal Eden world. There was also an AI called Madoka in reality. Unlike the Eternal Eden world, where I could only take things out, I could also bring them back.

‘Madoka seems to be a bit lacking in performance.’

Although it wasn’t AI, there was something with better performance and efficiency than Madoka.

I took out a pet cage that looked like a small blue box from my inventory. Inside the cage was Makina.

“Eung? What is it again?!”

Makina grabbed the bars and shook them. Wi Yu looked at Makina with an interesting expression.

“Judging by the energy I feel, it’s definitely not human. Its essence is closer to a mythical beast.”

Makina, who had been rampaging, became quiet as soon as she saw Wi Yu. Judging by her tense expression, she seemed to have sensed Wi Yu’s power to some extent. Makina seemed to be oblivious, but she was also quick-witted.

As soon as the pet cage was opened, Makina flew over and clung to my shoulder.

Makina, who was completely intimidated by Wi Yu, did as she was told even without the spirit orb.

“Makina, make a simulation machine.”

“Ah, okay…”

Makina used her power. A simulation machine popped out of thin air. Of course, it used my mana.

While Wi Yu was admiring it with wide eyes, Makina brought her small mouth close to my ear and whispered.

“You have to give me the spirit orb later. Okay?”

She was quick-witted after all.

“……Okay.”

It was clear that she would sulk and be annoying if I didn’t give it to her, so I decided to just give it to her.

The core of the simulation machine that Makina made was Makina herself.

If Makina used her computational power with determination, she could show computational power that couldn’t be compared to a supercomputer. Usually, she hardly used her computational power, so she seemed like an idiot.

‘Of course, it’ll consume mana… but I can handle it in this world.’

To run the simulation, data was needed. There was no problem with the data. Right now, Wi Yu and I were here. Our sparring would be sufficient data. And the information on the monsters to simulate could be brought from other worlds, such as reality, the Savior of the Academy, Baekhwan, and Eternal Eden.

‘There’s a lot of data to bring.’

It wasn’t a difficult task.

I crammed the information into the simulation machine and started running the simulation. 100 times per second. My mana began to drain rapidly. I focused on my breathing. I had to replenish as much as was being drained.

After several tens of seconds, when I was about to collapse from exhaustion, Makina showed me a summary of the simulation. Unlike me, who was busy replenishing mana, Wi Yu leisurely watched the summary and said.

“It’s more crude than I expected. It needs to be refined. Ah, try running the simulation with other weapons.”

“Ugh, yes.”

Makina, who had quietly answered, began to take even more of my mana.

We were able to complete the Extreme Advance Martial Arts by running hundreds of millions of simulations day and night. In the process, there were a few times when I was completely drained of not only mana but also innate energy because I couldn’t drink mana potions.

“Well, now that the martial art is complete, it’s time to master it.”

Wi Yu smiled at me. I tensed up and stood up. You couldn’t take things into the Eternal Eden world. What was allowed was experience and knowledge. To apply the Extreme Advance Martial Arts to the Holy Guard, I had to master it and teach it to them.

“…Let’s go easy. Please.”

“Don’t be so dramatic. It’s training that doesn’t even use internal energy.”

“……”

I could guarantee it. I was probably going to suffer for days.

• • •

After mastering the Extreme Advance Martial Arts and entering the Eternal Eden world, I summoned the Holy Guard.

All 72 members stood in a line before me. Their gazes were directed at me. It was a bit creepy since they were all men.

“From now on, the Holy Guard, no, you will be the Knights Order. I will teach you the Extreme Advance Martial Arts, a martial art exclusively for the Knights Order. The Extreme Advance Martial Arts is a martial art that only those who do not fear death can master. In other words, it is a martial art for you. If you seek death, you will live, and if you seek life, you will die. Do not fear death.”

I first taught them the forms of the Extreme Advance Martial Arts.

‘It will take at least two months just to master the basics of the Extreme Advance Martial Arts. It will take even longer to become proficient.’

As long as it took, when they fully mastered the Extreme Advance Martial Arts, the combat power of the Holy Knights Order would become even stronger.

It didn’t take long for the Knights Order to learn the techniques of the Extreme Advance Martial Arts. They were the elite of the elite. Most of them were also intelligent. Their physical abilities were even better.

“Now, fight each other. Fight as if it were a real battle.”

Since I was there, no one would die permanently. The Knights Order knew this, so they unleashed attacks full of killing intent towards each other without hesitation.

The Knights Order was trained through death.

“Honestly, it’s lacking in my eyes… but the rest can only be gained by experiencing real battles.”

Korea was still swarming with zombies, mutants, and variations. Problems were erupting everywhere, and I couldn’t keep the Holy Knights Order, who were high-level personnel, stuck in the training grounds.

It was then. Cardinal and Commander of the Guard, Son Tae-hyung, stepped forward.

“Your Holiness. Is the Holy Guard really being reorganized into the Knights Order?”

“It hasn’t been officially done yet, but that’s the plan. The day I take power, the Knights Order will be revealed to the world. The Knights Order will be specialized, and the Guard will be taken over by the 1st Knights Order.”

“So, I’ll be the commander of the 1st Knights Order. I heard that the commander of the Knights Order has the authority to name the Knights Order.”

It seemed they had heard it from Choi Hye-jin and Irina. I had left the naming to them because I was too lazy to do it myself.

I was planning to name the Knights Order in pure Korean to appeal to the patriotism of the people, but Choi Hye-jin ignored my words and named the Knights Order the Eagles.

“If I become the commander of the Knights Order… I will name the Knights Order the Thunderbolts!”

I was going to name it Mir. Honestly, Thunderbolts seemed better than Mir.

“Why?”

“Lightning is the symbol of Your Holiness! We will be the divine punishment that Your Holiness brings down upon the enemies!”

Lightning was indeed famous as my symbol.

“There’s no reason not to. Do as you wish.”

• • •

Mokpo, South Jeolla Province.

Currently, Mokpo was occupied by a group of fish mutants, and the military was carrying out a recovery operation. In other words, it was a battlefield.

The situation on the battlefield was not good. Despite receiving naval and air support, the fish mutants kept pouring out. This was because the mutant located in the center of the city was devouring the corpses of humans, plants, and animals, turning ordinary fish into fish mutants with legs that could walk.

Air strikes? This mutant knew how to use its head. It used the debris of buildings to create air raid shelters that were safe from bombing. If necessary, it would dig into the ground and hide.

The fish mutants were not easily penetrated by bullets. Also, the water guns they shot from their mouths had power similar to pistols. Since the fish were gathered in large numbers, the soldiers armed with rifles were being pushed back instead of gaining an advantage.

Moreover, Mokpo was a low priority area for recovery. The support wasn’t great either.

“Damn fish bastards! The stench is reaching even here!!”

“Shit… I should have been discharged a year ago… Damn it…”

“Shut up and shoot! Don’t let them get close to the trenches! Even though those fish have tough scales, they don’t completely deflect bullets!”

The soldiers’ expressions were dark. They had rifles, but they couldn’t fire bullets as they pleased. It was because of supply issues. They even had to pick up the spent cartridges after the battle. Even though it wasn’t a training situation.

“The fish are coming!!”

At the staff officer’s words, the division commander swallowed a groan.

“They’re sacrificing dozens to push forward. Are they trying to end it all?”

They couldn’t afford to lose all their troops here. The division commander was considering the option of retreat in his mind. If the situation got worse, they would retreat, regardless of whether the operation failed or not. It would damage his career, but it couldn’t be helped. It was better than the soldiers being annihilated here.

“Division Commander! We’ve received a radio message from headquarters! The Knights Order is coming to support us!”

“Knights Order? I’ve heard of mercenaries. What can they do if they come now? The front line is already being pushed back.”

“Headquarters wouldn’t have sent mercenaries without thinking. According to rumors, the Knights Order is composed of all ability users, and they are experts in dealing with mutants.”

“Ability users… Then that’s a different story. We’ll have to wait and see.”

Maybe. They might have tremendous abilities that could completely change the tide of the battlefield.

A little later, a military helicopter flew in from the sky.

The division commander’s expression was visibly distorted. It was because the mercenaries who were supposed to provide support were only in one helicopter. The division commander immediately picked up the radio.

“Did you say Knights Order? Mercenaries! Can you hear me?!”

-I hear you. This is Son Tae-hyung, commander of the Thunderbolts Knights Order. We will now begin hunting the mutants. We’ll leave the cleanup to you.

The military helicopter stopped as it was descending to the ground. The door opened, and knights armed with the latest combat helmets, combat suits, guns, shields, and swords jumped to the ground. Even though it was a height of 5 meters, there was no hesitation.

Landing lightly on the ground, they advanced towards the enemies with their shields in front.

They skillfully wielded their guns, shields, and swords, slaughtering the fish. There was not a trace of mercy in their attacks. They didn’t seem to feel the fear that humans should have, stepping on, beating, and tearing apart the fish mutants with their hands as they advanced.

The division commander and the military forces were overwhelmed by the sight for a moment. It was an unreal scene, like watching a movie.

“Combat suits… They only have excellent bulletproof performance. To think that they could show such a sight with just that equipment. Is this the potential of ability users?”

No.

Their strength was not simply because they had physical abilities superior to humans. They were thoroughly trained. Looking at their movements, you could feel the cooperation and unity unique to soldiers.

‘Are they a combat unit that the military is secretly raising, not mercenaries…? Looking at their equipment, that possibility is even greater.’

There was hope. The division commander shouted to his subordinates.

“Support the Knights Order! Prevent the Knights Order from being surrounded, and support those who are clearing the way!!”

And 30 minutes later.

The Thunderbolts Knights Order had eliminated the mutant that had been troubling the division and dragged its corpse to the division.

“We will stay here for a while to recover Mokpo and clean up the mutants and variations in the surrounding area. Please send the mutant’s corpse to Seoul.”

The leader of the Thunderbolts Knights Order seemed surprisingly easy to talk to. The division commander, feeling relieved in one corner of his heart, asked him.

“…That’s naturally what we should do. But you… how are you so strong? Did you receive any special training?”

“Special training? We did receive some. But the fundamental reason why we are strong is different.”

“What is it?”

“It’s because His Holiness protects us.”