Overcoming Technique — Part 1
“Waaaah!”
Sigmund wept openly.
“Ugh… I really thought I was going to die! I thought I was done for!”
“Would you just shut up?”
“It’s such a relief! Truly a relief!”
“Hey, I said be quiet already! Why are you acting so embarrassingly!?”
Should I call it typical of a Nordic woman?
Hjordis looked both delighted and mortified at the same time.
Even the superhumans who had come to help joined in the conversation.
“Sigmund is such a loving husband.”
“Hjordis, cheer up. Do you know how much Sigmund’s been through emotionally?”
“You were possessed by the stigma for half a year, and you’re only just waking up now.”
“Half a year? It’s been six months?”
“Yes. Now stop wasting time. Hug Sigmund already.”
Hjordis hesitated for a moment but eventually hugged Sigmund.
Sigmund’s crying grew even louder, and Hjordis awkwardly patted his back.
‘What is this? Are they really married?’
As I entertained such thoughts, Hjordis glanced around and sent a sharp look in my direction.
A silent command to leave.
While I smirked, Sigmund snapped out of his emotional state.
“Oh, what am I doing? Honey! You need to thank this man. If it weren’t for him, you’d truly be dead by now. Sir Superhuman, uh… Mr. Kim, was it? Thank you so much.”
Sigmund, holding Hjordis’s hand, came over to express his gratitude.
I simply waved my hand.
“It’s nothing. I had my reasons for doing it.”
“Even so, if you hadn’t come today, we’d have had to start the Voyage of Fire. I’d have soon followed Hjordis, too.”
“Voyage of Fire? Don’t say such ominous things!”
“But it’s true. It was genuinely that dangerous. You were just about to disintegrate.”
“Seriously?”
“Yeah!”
The other superhumans also expressed their thanks to me.
“Mr. Kim, thank you. You saved one of our comrades today.”
“If you ever need help, don’t hesitate to find our Horn Brothers. You’ve saved one of us, so you’re now one of us too, Mr. Kim.”
“Well, I can’t offer much, but I’ll buy you a drink. As much of Thor’s court’s special mead as you’d like!”
“Wait, mead? Hey, what about me?”
“You? Go drink some beer somewhere else, kid.”
Gradually, the others began to leave, sensing the mood.
It was understandable.
After all, Hjordis had just recovered after six months.
There were undoubtedly many words and matters left unresolved between the married couple.
The superhumans left like a receding tide.
In the house, only three of us remained: Sigmund, Hjordis, and me.
“Would you like some mead?”
“Oh. I don’t drink much, actually. If you have coffee, I’d appreciate that.”
“There’s only alcohol, though…”
“Pardon? Then just a glass of cold water, please.”
“Hmm. You foreigners are peculiar.”
Sigmund and Hjordis gulped down mead heartily.
‘Is that stuff even good?’
Curious, I tried a sip, only to find it had a rather peculiar taste.
It was like makgeolli with a hint of honey and mixed with breadcrumbs, giving it a slightly sticky yet mildly sweet flavor.
Not my taste.
I found myself longing for canned coffee or instant coffee instead.
“How does it taste?”
“It’s good, but, well, it’s quite unfamiliar.”
“Where are you from? China? Japan?”
“Korea. The Republic of Korea!”
“Ah! K-pop?”
Even in this world, K-pop seemed to be famous.
After some casual conversation, we finally got down to business.
“I could feel it earlier—are you, by any chance, trained in the Einherjar Cultivation Technique?”
“Yes, that’s correct.”
“And you sought me out because of my family’s Mana Cultivation Technique?”
“That’s correct as well.”
Sigmund.
A name that some might recognize.
He’s one of the most famous human heroes in Norse mythology.
Siegmund, or Sigurd in Norse, and Siegfried in German.
He’s the father of the legendary hero Sigurd, famed for slaying the dragon Fafnir.
The lineage of Volsung, Sigmund, and Sigurd spanned three generations, and in this world, the Sigurd family continued to carry on their legacy, recycling these three names every generation.
Sigmund nodded heavily.
“Originally, our Mana Cultivation Technique is a secret handed down only within our bloodline. However, I can’t be stingy with the man who saved my wife. To me, Superhuman, you are like a brother. I’ll gladly teach you.”
“Thank you.”
“There’s no need to thank me. Compared to what I’ve received, this is nothing. Hjordis is the light of my soul, the joy of my life, my guiding star, and the goddess of my love.”
“I told you to stop saying stuff like that!”
Was she embarrassed by his sudden poetic outburst?
Hjordis slapped Sigmund on the back.
Still, Sigmund just laughed heartily, clearly delighted.
What a hopeless romantic.
If someone saw him, they’d think he was an Italian man, not a Nordic one.
“Is there any need to delay? Let’s get started right away. Sir Superhuman, come here and lie down.”
Following Sigmund’s instructions, I lay down on the sofa.
Sigmund placed his hands on my back, aligning them along my spine.
An overwhelming flow of mana surged forth.
It felt similar to mine but more refined and intense.
The overall texture was also aligned with mine.
The Sigurd Cultivation Technique is an advanced version of the Einherjar Cultivation Technique.
‘That’s why I chose Sigurd.’
Other options included the Beowulf Cultivation Technique and the Helgi Cultivation Technique, but the Sigurd Cultivation Technique was the most versatile.
Rumble.
The majestic mana coursed through my entire body.
I could feel my mana circuits responding to it.
It was as if every cell in my body was awakening one by one.
My senses expanded to encompass the entire room, and I could vividly feel the mana circuits within me as they began to transform.
Without significant side effects or resistance, I absorbed the energy steadily, sip by sip.
The nature of my mana was changing.
It wasn’t just a simple transformation—it was evolution.
Stronger.
More resilient.
Rougher.
And then, like a flame being lit at the core, a brilliant fire ignited within me.
My mana circuits flipped in an instant.
Like a lightning strike, they expanded, and fire spread through every corner of my body.
“Urgh…”
A groan escaped as a piercing blue flame coursed through my nervous system.
[Sigurd Cultivation Technique]
“Huaaah…”
A deep exhalation naturally escaped my lips.
My entire body was overflowing with strength.
My already substantial mana reserves seemed to have increased by at least 30%.
Considering the improvement in the quality of my mana, I’d estimate I’d become roughly 50% stronger.
‘This is the Sigurd Cultivation Technique.’
Now I understood why cultivation techniques were so important in the game.
This wasn’t something that could simply be described by increased stats, experience point bonuses, or boosts to attack, defense, and movement speed.
It was a transformation as radical as a caterpillar becoming a butterfly.
‘Looks like I’ll have to start building rapport with the Thor Cult.’
Above intermediate cultivation techniques are advanced cultivation techniques, and beyond those, supreme cultivation techniques.
Intermediate techniques are named after warriors, advanced ones after heroes, and supreme ones bear the names of gods.
In Norse mythology, the greatest god of warriors is [Thor].
‘Odin’s Cultivation Technique or Tyr’s Cultivation Technique would also work, but…’
Thor was still the better option.
I stabilized my mana and expressed my gratitude to Sigmund.
“Thank you. Thanks to you, I learned it with ease.”
Sigmund hadn’t used the conventional method of passing on a cultivation technique.
Normally, the process involves guiding the recipient over several months, explaining the method and assisting their mana flow through direct instruction.
That’s how I had taught Baek Sorin and Janet, after all.
But Sigmund had directly implanted a portion of his mana circuit into me.
That seed had immediately altered my mana circuit.
He had essentially sacrificed as much effort and mana as it would take to create a Diamond, yet he was smiling brightly.
“This is nothing compared to what you’ve done for us, Superhuman.”
It was the same thing he’d said earlier, but hearing it again now carried a different weight.
Sigmund’s actions had proven the sincerity of his words.
How many people in the world only take without giving back?
Most treat kindness as an opportunity to exploit someone.
Who would have thought the drunkard from the game would turn out to be such a noble man?
“You haven’t eaten yet, have you? Let’s hold a feast! A celebration!”
“No, really, the two of you should spend some time together after being apart for so long…”
Hadn’t she just woken up after six months?
Wasn’t that why their comrades and friends had all left to give them space?
I tried to wave it off and excuse myself, but before I could, Hjordis, who had been quietly sitting by, suddenly chimed in.
“A feast!”
Her voice, loud enough to sound like she’d swallowed a steam engine, echoed through the house. Then, out of nowhere, she pulled out a massive horn.
Bringing the horn to her lips, she took a deep breath, channeling mana, and blew into it.
GWAAAAAAAHHHH!
The sound shook not just the house, but the surrounding buildings and even the entire neighborhood.
It roared across the city and, possibly, even deep into the Grand Labyrinth.
The door swung open as if on cue.
“A feast!”
“We’ve been waiting for this!”
“What took you so long!?”
The superhumans who had left earlier swarmed back in like a tidal wave.
Their faces were flushed red, likely from having already downed one too many drinks—or maybe more like ten bottles each.
Some burst into loud, boisterous songs, while others entered dancing wildly, shouting incoherent cheers.
Each of them carried something—exotic meat, rare liquor, or snacks infused with magical spices—piled high on their shoulders.
“You’re a hero!”
“Our hero!”
“Take a drink!”
The first thing they did was start shoving drinks at me.
“Wait, hold on! Just a second!”
Resistance was futile.
The Nordic superhumans—no, let’s be honest, the Viking superhumans—had no regard for my protests. They drank, sang, and danced with abandon.
Even Hjordis, who had just been bedridden until moments ago, was guzzling alcohol straight from the bottle. Wasn’t this too much?
It seemed my sense of common decency didn’t apply to these rugged men and women.
Even Sigmund, who should have been resting after sharing his mana circuits with me, had climbed onto the table and was now doing a ridiculous dance while shaking his hips.
At that point, I gave up completely.
“Hahaha, hahaha.”
I laughed helplessly.
A white-haired woman sat beside me, chuckling softly.
“First time at a Nordic-style feast?”
“Yes, it is. I’m having trouble adjusting. It’s very different from what I’m used to in my country.”
“You’re from Korea, right? How do you celebrate there when someone recovers from a stigma?”
“Well, we don’t have many cases of people being afflicted by stigma, but I’ve seen people celebrate when they recover from Divine Fever.”
“Ah, the Old Father’s Cult…”
The white-haired woman’s face briefly twisted in distaste.
“That cult caused the Divine Annihilation War, and I hear they’re still wreaking havoc in East Asia. Things apparently got worse after their Saintess reached Level 8.”
“You’re well-informed.”
“Of course. Our cult doesn’t get along with them, and neither does Gaia’s Cult.”
During the Divine Annihilation War, the Thor Cult and Gaia’s Cult clashed most fiercely with the Old Father’s Cult.
In the end, Thor’s and Gaia’s Cults won, maintaining their hold over Europe.
Though, to be fair, the true victor was the human faction, while the two cults merely capitalized on that victory.
“Drink! Drink! Drink!”
“Pour it! Chug it!”
“We set sail aboard the ship of flames♪ Carrying fire as we go♪ Begin the Voyage of Fire♪”
“Don’t say such unlucky things, you idiot!”
The Voyage of Fire referred to a funeral rite. It involved placing the deceased on a small boat, setting it afloat on a river or sea, and then burning it.
A Nordic superhuman punched another Nordic superhuman square in the chest, and the one who got hit only seemed more energized as they belted out a resounding funeral dirge.
“You crazy bastard!”
“You unlucky bastard!”
“Go sit next to Odin!”
“No thanks! I’ll sit by Thor instead! Who even wants to go to Valhalla these days? Endless war? Infinite pork and mead? There are better things in life now!”
“Yeah, exactly!”
“This is the 21st century! The age of milk and honey!”
“Praise cola!”
“Praise ice cream!”
The chaotic revelry of the Nordic superhumans was reaching absurd levels.
Fortunately, they only forced drinks on me during the beginning. As time passed, they became more engrossed in partying among themselves.
The reason was simple: the white-haired woman sitting next to me—a priestess of the Thor Cult.
I downed the drink I was holding in one go and turned to face her.
“Is there something you’d like to say to me?”
“Well…”
The priestess glanced at the Nordic superhumans, hesitating for a moment, her gaze lingering especially on Hjordis.
I knew what she wanted to ask.
However, instead of speaking first, I waited patiently for her to open her mouth.
It’s always the thirsty who dig the well.
After a long moment of hesitation, the priestess finally spoke.
“By any chance… could I ask where you learned how to cure the stigma?”
“It’s not a cure. It’s an Overcoming Technique.”
“An Overcoming Technique…”
“To be honest, I don’t remember clearly. It’s something I picked up from another superhuman a long time ago. I tried to track them down again, but all I heard was news of their death.”
“I see…”
“So, while I know how to overcome a few types of stigma, my knowledge is limited.”
The priestess’s dim eyes lit up with renewed hope.
That look was… overwhelming, to say the least.
When I averted my gaze, pretending not to notice, she suddenly grabbed my hand and spoke earnestly.
“Sir Superhuman, would it be alright if I made a difficult request?”
“Go ahead.”
“Pardon?”
“You’re going to ask me to teach you the Overcoming Technique, right? What’s so difficult about that? Let’s do it.”
“Are you… are you serious? You’re really willing to teach me?”
The priestess was so shocked that her voice faltered.
It seemed she had expected me to start negotiating for compensation first.
After all, methods for overcoming stigma, even more so than curing it, are extremely valuable—especially when the patients are high-level superhumans, Level 5 or above.
Feigning magnanimity, I smiled warmly.
“This is for the sake of those protecting humanity and holding back the Grand Labyrinth. Of course I’ll teach you.”
And then, I sealed the deal.
“For free.”
“Unbelievable!”
The priestess cried out in gratitude, nearly overcome with emotion.
“You, Sir Superhuman, are truly a saint of this era!”
Am I, though?
Is it really free?
Would the famously bold and extravagant Thor Cult, their allies in the Gaia Cult, or even the Protector Alliance—who would directly benefit—simply take the Overcoming Technique and keep quiet about it?
Absolutely not.
To put it in game terms, I had chosen a third option after studying the guide in advance: the choice that unlocks the quest route.
–TL Notes–
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