When I regressed, I was a martial arts genius

[Vampire Magic]
A-grade martial art that drains the opponent’s life force.

[There’s no better martial art for rapidly increasing power.]
“Master.”

[Hurry and take it.]
“Where have you been all this time?”

Mugukja ignored Yi Jun’s words.

“I’ve been calling for you anxiously.”

Yi Jun muttered so that only Mugukja could hear.

Feeling somewhat embarrassed, Mugukja cleared his throat.

[Hmm. Only in extreme situations can one truly understand the depth of martial arts. Look, didn’t you defeat Chul-ho?]
Yi Jun was at a loss for words at his master’s audacious statement.

Instead, he focused on recalling the form of Paegwon.

As Mugukja said, Paegwon was not just about sheer power—it was about change.

Not entirely devoid of strength, though.

There was power within the change itself.

Yi Jun began to understand, albeit faintly, why his master valued Paegwon above the Lightning Divine Art.

He looked at his hand—a hand that had been reduced to tatters.

Yet, it was with this hand that Yi Jun had defeated Chul-ho.

And with just one blow.

His heart still raced.

Though only a matter of technique, the difference had transformed the martial art entirely.

Had his internal energy been greater, the power would have been immense.

A small smile crept onto Yi Jun’s lips.

[Aren’t you going to pick up those items?]
“I’ll take them.”

He grabbed the size of a fist Mana Crystal.

[You have obtained a B-grade Mana Crystal.]
“With this, I won’t need to worry about living expenses anymore.”

The price of a B-grade Mana Crystal starts at 50 million won at minimum. Depending on its condition and size, the price varies wildly.

Judging by the size of the Mana Crystal in his hand, it could easily fetch over 1 billion won.

[That crystal is tainted with inferior energy.]
“Mana isn’t flowing, but internal energy?”

[Yes, along with unknown energies, a significant amount of internal energy flows through it. It’s like a low-grade spiritual medicine. It would be a good tonic for you.]

Yi Jun didn’t fully understand. Was he being advised to buy some tonic or medicine?

As he tilted his head, he heard his master’s voice again.

[First, take the Bloodsucking Demon Art. Afterward, if you follow my instructions, your internal energy will greatly increase.]
“Are you serious?”

[Have you ever seen me lie?]
“I haven’t.”

Though only days had passed since meeting Mugukja, Yi Jun had never witnessed him lie.

But Bloodsucking Demon Art—it was named exactly as it sounded.

The day when Yi Jun’s use of martial arts would be discovered was fast approaching, and the Clan Alliance wouldn’t let it slide easily.

[Is that all you aspire to—standing tall at the top with sheer strength?]
“No, it’s not.”

Shaking his head, Yi Jun picked up the martial arts book.

[Bloodsucking Demon Art (A) has been obtained.]

Following this, he opened the martial arts book and tore it apart with both hands.

[You have learned Bloodsucking Demon Art (A).]
[You can now use Bloodsucking Demon Art (A).]
[Your only task now is to absorb all the monsters here using Bloodsucking Demon Art.]

However, mindlessly absorbing could lead to severe consequences.

Mugukja swiftly dispelled those worries.

[The Hwonin Shin Gong will cleanse the negative energy you’ve consumed. So, don’t worry—consume it all.]
“Yes.”

Yi Jun was reluctant to absorb the Mana Crystal, especially a 1 billion won crystal, as only its essence would remain after absorption.

It was akin to eating a lavish feast where all that was left was a heap of gold dust.

‘I’ll have to absorb all the monsters and consume them.’

Yi Jun placed the Mana Crystal into his pocket and set out to find the Fire Horn monsters.

***

After frequenting the Reincarnation Gate for a month, the day of the school’s opening finally arrived.

Yi Jun donned his official uniform with a coat draped over it.

This was the official attire of the Wulin Academy.

After finishing his preparations, he opened his status window to check it.

[Basic Information]
Title: Junior Disciple of the Secluded Master (Outside 1)

Name: Yi Jun

Age: 18

Potential: Outside Class

Unique Skill: Hwonin Shin Gong (SSS)

General Skills: Bloodsucking Demon Art (A), Heavenly King Strike (B), Paegwon (B)

Trait: Path of Mugeuk, a Secluded Way of the World (??)

∴Tech Tree Points: 1,050,000p

[Attributes]
Health: 67/100

Body: 63/100

Strength: 65/100

Agility: 83/100

-Special Items –

Internal Energy: 303/620

Mental Power: 140/150

-Status –

Combat Power +10%

This was a truly magnificent status window.

It boasted attributes that were among the highest in the C-grade Awakener tier.

Yi Jun had a total of four skills, which amazed him. Seeing his current state made tears well up in his eyes.

Compared to his past self, who had mastered the low-tier martial art Samjae Heart Method, his current abilities were extraordinary. With his current abilities, he felt like he could sit through Master Muguk’s lectures all day.

Lost in his thoughts, he realized too late that it was time to head to school.

He quickly stepped out of his dorm room.

The scene before him mirrored any ordinary high school morning—a sea of students rushing to school.

“It’s already 7:55 AM. I’m late!”

“I’m going to get on my teacher’s bad side from the start of the semester.”

Swoosh—Swoosh—Swoosh—

Yi Jun felt the breeze as students swiftly glided through the dormitory hallways using Kung Fu. They were making their way to school to avoid being late.

The distance between the dormitory and the school was considerable.

Even if they took a car, it would take about 15 minutes.

Walking? It would take at least 40 minutes.

This distance was intended to train students thoroughly.

The only person leisurely walking to school was Yi Jun himself.

[Disciple, aren’t you going faster?]
‘I’m already late.’

[What? Hurry up! You’re asking for instruction from your master with such a sluggish mindset?]
‘I have only one master.’

A moment of silence followed his words.

[Really… you truly believe that?]
‘It’s only natural. That’s why I chose the path of Mugeuk instead of Paecheon when picking my route. And my homeroom teacher has been tormenting me since day one. I don’t want to give her the respect of a teacher.’

[Hmph. Then, I’ll follow your wishes. Indeed, with a true master by your side, what need is there for another? Take it slow.]

Touched by Yi Jun’s words, Master Muguk displayed a rare moment of warmth.

Yi Jun smiled, feeling pleased that he had satisfied his master’s expectations.

There was always a hint of loneliness in his voice—an unusual solitude that Yi Jun recognized in his way.

Although their loneliness differed—his master’s was divine, and he was just solitary—Yi Jun didn’t want to disappoint the one who made him strong.

Walking towards the school’s main building, his thoughts swirled.

“Yo. Yi Jun, are you going now?”

A familiar, unwelcome figure appeared—muscular and hulking, his grin unmistakable.

“Don’t pick a fight, just go your way.”

It was Yi Hong who had shattered Yi Jun’s dantian.

They were cousins, born in the same year.

Ignoring his words, Yi Jun continued walking.

“What? The bastard hasn’t figured it out even after not seeing him for months?”

“Still as obnoxious as ever, huh?”

“What?”

“Tomorrow’s the official match. Should we settle this now?”

That was the reason Yi Jun had trained relentlessly before the new semester started.

It was all because of that damned bastard and their sparring match.

At school, they called it an official match—a duel to rank students.

“What did you eat this morning?”

“You probably ate something worse. We aren’t even close, so why are you acting like you know me?”

Yi Jun’s confident voice left Yi Hong bewildered.

A bastard like him.

The family failure.

How dare he talk back, especially in front of everyone?

“Hey, kid. There’s only so much patience someone can have, you know?”

“You think you can hold it in? For what? You’re always quick to fight instead of thinking,” Yi Jun retorted.

“Fuck this bastard, you’re asking for trouble!”

As Yi Jun kept pushing, Yi Hong’s temper snapped.

His rough hands grabbed Yi Jun by the collar.

But Yi Jun just smiled.

‘What… him?’

Yi Hong felt an inexplicable unease around Yi Jun.

That discomfort.

It felt rotten.

So, he decided to take care of it now, not during the official match.

***

Yi Jun wasn’t looking at Yi Hong.

Yi Jun was smiling as one quest caught his eye.

[Sub Quest 1 – Defeat Yi Hong.]
Difficulty: D

Description: The Hidden Scholar desires that his disciple, Yi Jun, overwhelmingly defeat Yi Hong, who has mastered Huangbo family martial arts.

Completion Condition: Overwhelming Victory

Reward: 100,000 Tech Tree Points

The reward alone was worth the effort.

A quest this sweet was always welcome.

“I’ve changed my mind.”

It wasn’t just Yi Hong who had changed his mind.

Yi Jun also altered his original plan.

Originally, he had intended to defeat Yi Hong in the official match to make his presence known to the family. However, that desire faded.

Although it was a sub-quest, it offered a whopping 100,000 Tech Tree Points.

An opportunity to increase 15 of his stats was something he couldn’t pass up.

Yi Jun grabbed Yi Hong’s wrist as he still held onto him.

“Let go.”

Yi Hong’s face contorted in anger.

His expression clearly shows displeasure at Yi Jun’s actions.

“Don’t do that.”

Yi Jun pushed Yi Hong’s wrist back, causing him to stumble and fall flat on his back.

The students on their way to school watched the scene unfold.

Yi Hong’s face turned bright red with embarrassment.

Yi Jun, the family outcast and failure who didn’t inherit bloodline succession, was ranked 650th out of all students.

Last place among the entire student body.

For Yi Hong, who was ranked within the top 50, falling to the weakest of the weak was incredibly humiliating.

“Fuck!”

Yi Hong sprang to his feet and swung his fist.

The sheer weight behind the punch was evident.

Just one hit could easily render someone helpless.

Yet, Yi Jun merely tilted his head, looking at Yi Hong’s fist.

‘Me? Defeated by such a punch?’

To Yi Jun, Yi Hong’s punch seemed sluggish.

Excruciatingly slow.

It appeared as if time had slowed around it.

It was so slow that it was becoming tedious.

Perhaps from accumulating experience against Green Zone level monsters.

Yi Hong was no longer a threat to him.

He slightly shifted his body to dodge the punch.

Yi Hong’s fist barely grazed his face.

Exposing a gap, Yi Jun kicked Yi Hong’s shin with his foot.

“Ah!”

Yi Hong’s body lifted off the ground.

“Too slow, you bastard.”

Using his unarmed punch, which carried no inner energy, Yi Jun struck Yi Hong’s face directly.

Crack!

“Kugh!”

He slammed Yi Hong onto the ground with his foot.

Thud-

Yi Hong was sent rolling far away, his hands clutching his face, trying to rise.

“You insignificant bug dared to hit my face? I’ll kill you here on the spot!”

Yi Hong was seething with rage.

Red energy began to gather in his fists, a signature phenomenon when he used his specialty, Pak Kwon.

Yi Hong charged at Yi Jun.

“You’re dead!”

He was certain that with this single punch, Yi Jun’s body would be reduced to tatters.

Bang!

A loud explosion echoed as they collided.

The area where they stood was engulfed in dust, obscuring the view.

After a moment, the dust was blown away by the wind.

“…!”

Within the dust, Yi Hong’s eyes widened in disbelief.

His fist had been stopped by Yi Jun’s hand.

“No, no way… Cough!”

“Why not? You expect me, a bug like me, to block your punch?”

Yi Jun infused his hand with inner energy, causing it to grip Yi Hong’s fist tightly.

Crack!

The sound of bones shattering echoed loudly.

“Ahhh!”

Yi Hong grimaced in pain as he fell to his knees, struggling desperately to resist.

The hand that Yi Jun held was shattered, and the pain surged through his entire body, hitting his brain like a hammer.

“I know exactly what you were trying to do. Was it your family’s command?”

“Wh-what are you talking about? Grr!”

Thud!

A loud crack echoed as Yi Hong’s back bent like a shrimp.

His mouth filled with vomit and saliva, trailing down his chin.

“This time, I’m not going to just stand and take it.”

“…Fuck!”

Yi Hong shouted in frustration, his voice seething with rage.

The humiliation he faced from being overpowered by Yi Jun, someone he once considered beneath him, boiled inside him.

Slamming his fist into the ground, he quickly rose to his feet, determined to kill Yi Jun using all his strength.

“Wh-what?”

Yi Jun’s face was suddenly inches away, catching Yi Hong off guard.

Before he could even react, Yi Jun’s hand was already faster.

He grabbed Yi Hong’s right arm and twisted it violently.

Crunch!

Yi Hong writhed in agony as the excruciating pain consumed him once again.

“Ahhh!”

“Does it hurt?”

Yi Jun looked down coldly at Yi Hong, his voice emotionless.

“I felt the same pain when my dantian was destroyed. You don’t get to scream in pain.”

He had vowed on the day his dantian was shattered.

If he ever had the chance, he would return the torment a hundredfold.

And now, he intended to fulfill that vow.

Yi Jun’s foot moved towards Yi Hong’s abdomen.

“Cough… What are you… Augh!”

“I’ll give you back everything I went through.”

Gently pressing below the abdomen, where the dantian resides—an essential vessel for inner energy.

“No, no… Cough… No…!”

If the dantian were shattered, even awakened individuals would live a life worse than an ordinary person.

With relentless, grueling effort, there was a slim chance the dantian could be restored.

However, Yi Hong’s dantian being revived was uncertain.

That didn’t concern Yi Jun in the slightest.

He believed Yi Hong deserved to experience the same pain he once endured.

Slowly, Yi Jun’s foot crushed Yi Hong’s dantian.