191 – The Returner Reflects (6)

I, Kim Jun-ho, do not define myself as a martial artist.

It is true that I am good at using a sword, it is true that I have invested a long time in swordsmanship, and it is true that I have become accustomed to the feel of a heavy iron bar clanging around my waist… But… My essence is not in nothingness. Martial arts are a means to me.

If I could win without fighting, I would gladly do so. I am so grateful if I can become stronger without training. I still imagine [SSS-level trait selection] Suddenly falling from the sky. However, the reason I often choose the difficult path is because I think it is necessary.

In addition, perhaps it is because the values are still stuck in the days of ordinary people… I feel awkward about my own strength. If you press your finger on the wooden desk, it will crack, if you hold a coin too hard, it will dent, and if you go into the zoo and take a nap next to the lion, it still doesn’t seem real to you that it is safe.

In other words, to me, strength is like a kind of bonus. If the status window value rises even a little, it means you have become stronger. Even if the characteristic is insignificant, adding one more characteristic has made you stronger, and even if you change the equipment to a better one, you have become stronger. I don’t care how strong I am objectively. If I was interested, I would have gone around challenging other players to fights.

On the other hand, Choi Ji-won devoted his life to ‘kendo.’

She picked up a sword when she was in elementary school, and she still hasn’t let go. Sometimes she walks on dates holding her hand and she caresses her rough palms.

When I asked, ‘How about using a potion to get rid of calluses?’ She smiled sheepishly and declined. Even the calluses formed from training were considered a part of life.

Choi Ji-won holds a sword for two hours every day. Whether it’s raining, snowing, or traveling, there are no exceptions.

Choi Ji-won is getting stronger every day. Throwing a sword is already a part of life, just a daily routine.

Choi Ji-won’s gaze is always directed towards the summit. She doesn’t want to lose to anyone when it comes to her sword. She is used to being the best, and she takes it for granted.

However, recently she has a goal to overcome.

“I… “They may have thought that he had to be as strong as Michael Jeter in the future.”

Why did she suggest Choi Ji-won return in the first place? She wants to become strong. To change the world. So what is the goal?

The peak of the time. Michael Jeter. Unless he was the man who fought a dragon and saved America, he probably subconsciously thought that it wouldn’t work.

The standards are this high, so I can’t be satisfied with just getting stronger.

“Well, when I think about it this way, I think it’s definitely true.”

Choi Ji-won’s uncompromising attitude, her strict attitude towards herself, her endless effort and not being satisfied with her minor progress are now acting as obstacles.

“So, if the hypothesis I just mentioned is true… “

In order to overcome this layer… She must surpass the standards she sets for herself.

Of course, there are two ways. Either you try too hard and exceed the standards you set, or you lower them.

“Now, you’ve become stronger! You can think of it like this… “It’s probably not a system.”

If you simply think, ‘Hmm, you’ve gotten stronger?’, Anyone who clears it will have beaten the 16th floor in one day. Perhaps there are standards that come from the heart.

Anyway, the easiest way to beat the 16th floor has been decided.

Choi Ji-won lowers her standards.

The task is easy as long as she lets go and fully accepts her own strength. Didn’t she originally say that it was important for her to affirm herself?

“Jiwon, what do you think?”

“I… “

Choi Ji-won sits on the floor with her legs together and looks down at the floor blankly.

“I think I need some time.”

“To what extent?”

“I don’t know. But I won’t disappoint you.”

“I understand.”

If Choi Ji-won says he needs time, that’s right. In this world, if I don’t trust Choi Ji-won, who can I trust?

“Well, even if I regress, I can clear it right away… “I’ll adjust it to whatever suits you.”

Once again, I believe in Choi Ji-won. There’s no way a woman who practices her swordsmanship for two hours every day can’t change her own values.

“Get some cool air… Look at the scenery… Do whatever you want. “It’s because you don’t know how great of a person you are.”

“… Thank you.”

Change does not happen in an instant. If you change quickly, the side effects are severe. It’s a slow, gradual change.

I was willing to wait forever. Of course, I didn’t know the wait would last a month… There were no complaints at all.

So again, present.

Choi Ji-won said he wanted to stay away for a while to focus. I respected her wishes and acted separately for the time being, but since so much time had passed, I thought I would at least share her greetings.

“Jiwon! “I heard an interesting story from Anael.”

I climbed the mountain path and found Choi Ji-won, who was practicing in a cave. It was soon time for her to eat, so she wanted to have lunch together and talk.

“… “Jiwon?”

But Choi Ji-won was not in the cave. She had no place to go since it was all blocked off anyway, so where did she go?

“Choi Ji-won? I heard she came down from the mountain earlier? “What are you doing here?”

“Oh, really? Thank you.”

It seemed like we had crossed paths on the way up, so I went back down the way I came and found Choi Ji-won.

After passing the winding mountain road, crossing the large playground, we finally arrived at the towering rock.

“Jiwon!”

I was finally able to reunite with Choi Ji-won.

Choi Ji-won was standing in front of a rock. Her clothes are a little dirty, and the ponytail on her head is undone. In her hand, she is holding a bubblegum.

“Ah, Junho. I’m here?”

“What are you doing here? “You were worried.”

“Um… She was gathering her thoughts. About the direction I should move forward. “I also thought about the method you told me last time.”

Are you talking about lowering the standards? However, Choi Ji-won’s expression was never bright.

“It’s easy to change myself just to climb the 16th floor. I think that might be faster. Just… All I have to do is change one thing.

Choi Ji-won holds Bungbungi with both hands and slowly lifts it above her head.

“But… “I don’t think that’s my way.”

Even as a layperson, I could tell. This is the top posture in kendo.

“I don’t mean to deny your way, but I have my own way.”

The flow of mana is calm. I didn’t even use any characteristics. Just close your eyes and concentrate.

However, a strange commotion was felt around Choi Ji-won. This feeling of sucking in the surroundings. The feeling of her chest sinking heavily. What is the identity of this unexplained pressure?

“Why am I weak?”

Choi Ji-won stopped tall with his sword raised.

“Why can’t I move the way I want?”

Her sword descends slowly, very slowly. It was too slow to be an attack, and too precise to be a mere eccentricity.

“Maybe… I think I was too caught up in kendo. “I was so used to kendo that I couldn’t think of getting away from it.”

Choi Ji-won’s posture, as if painted, is slowly changing, and the word ‘perfect’ is not enough. The straight back is slightly forward. The distance between the two hands holding the bongbungi is wide. The mana inside my body gradually boils.

“Kendo is… It’s not swordplay for players. No matter how much I improve, add, or subtract… “The limits are clear.”

What was completed in this way is Choi Ji-won in a posture and form seen for the first time. Both feet vertically. A sword held straight horizontally. Although it is an unfamiliar posture.

“So… I made new clothes that fit me. A new sword technique suitable for players who can fight even in tricky positions, performed at ultra-high speed. “Infinite swordsmanship without limits.”

Choi Ji-won seemed stronger than any other I have ever seen.

Talk.

Bungbung touches the rock very slightly, and small stone particles fall to the floor. Anael, who was watching, clapped her hands wildly and opened the portal.

“The name of swordsmanship is…” I haven’t decided yet. It’s not even finished. Let’s decide together later. But with this… It’s possible. Even surpassing Michael Jeter.”

Choi Ji-won did not compromise. Instead of lowering his own standards, he threw himself into it with all his might and surpassed them.

Future growth? As you are equipped with new sword skills, your growth will be remarkable every day. There is no need to worry about what happens after regression.

Geniuses are not those who create something from nothing. They are not those who create unknown knowledge.

But genius… He is a person who can create something completely new based on 20 years of experience. That’s why it’s a talent sent from heaven. Genius.

“Shall we go? Since I only eat raw rice, I want to eat something delicious. “How about gnocchi?”

Choi Ji-won smiles with satisfaction, looking at the blue portal that opened in front of her.

“… hahahaha.”

I’m really embarrassed and embarrassed to say this, but…

I’m glad I met her in her tutorial.