Kim’s Party — Part 2
“What’s that?”
Kali’s eyes sparkled with curiosity.
“It’s a statue of the god Mars.”
“A statue of a god?”
“Yes. From what I’ve researched, it contains the power of the god Mars. When you infuse mana into it, it glows like this.”
Woom, woong.
The fragment began to shimmer.
It emitted a deep, resonant hum, vibrating with a solemn, majestic mana wave.
Seeing this, I was completely certain.
The Mars Swordsmanship was hidden within this artifact.
“The power of the god Mars? How do you obtain it?”
“I don’t know.”
“Huh? You’re offering it as a reward even though you don’t know how to use it?”
“Well, if there’s something so mysterious about it that even appraisal magic can’t identify it, doesn’t that prove its worth? It must be a high-grade artifact.”
There’s only one way to unlock the power of Mars’s fragment.
A superhuman born with the Heavenly Killing Star must infuse their unique mana wavelength into it.
When that happens, the fragment will shatter like a memory chip, imprinting the Mars Swordsmanship into the Heavenly Killing Star’s brain.
Afterward, the technique can even be passed down to others.
“Fine. Let’s proceed with that.”
“Wha-? Teacher! You don’t even know what that is!”
“I’ve at least heard the legends about Mars’s statue. Besides, this rematch was something I promised long ago. Think of this as a bonus gift.”
“Thank you, Black Tiger Swordmaster.”
“What about the rules? How do you want to handle them?”
“Let’s keep it Colosseum-style. Unlimited battle format. All I want back is the Iron Fist. I desire nothing else.”
Ah, so this was about the reward.
Normally, in an unlimited match at the Colosseum, the winner can claim everything from the loser.
This includes any diamonds created from melted mana circuits, all equipment worn by the loser, and, with mutual agreement, even other assets like real estate.
However, if a participant forfeits before the match begins, they only lose their entry fee.
“That works for me. If I win, I’ll take the Mars statue. If you win, you get the Iron Fist back. Consumables are the responsibility of each participant.”
“Agreed.”
There’s a reason I offered such generous terms.
The superhumans the King of Destruction would bring… were too old.
Even if they’ve lived peaceful lives, they’re practically at death’s door.
If I forced them to destroy their mana circuits to create diamonds, they might literally keel over on the spot.
That would inevitably turn the King of Destruction and his allies into my sworn enemies.
If I were desperate for diamonds, I wouldn’t care about building animosity, but I no longer have any magical artifacts that need to be fed diamonds.
There’s no reason to make unnecessary enemies.
“The match will take place within a month… no, within two weeks. I’ll notify you at least three days in advance.”
“Very well. You’ll need that time to assemble your party and practice coordination.”
“See you then.”
“Yes, Black Tiger Swordmaster. Thank you for your understanding.”
I stared at the spot the King of Destruction had just vacated.
Baek Sorin’s personal quest has come full circle in such an unexpected way.
With this development, I no longer need to include Baek Sorin in my party.
‘What should I do?’
I had three options.
Option 1: Baek Sorin.
Option 2: Kim Chulkwon.
Option 3: Recruit external members.
This required careful consideration.
While the Iron Fist isn’t the best piece of gear I have, its absence would still be annoying.
Its one-second invincibility has proven extremely useful.
And since I’ve already agreed to the fight, I might as well win.
I have no intention of allowing the King of Destruction to earn the title [Defeated Kim the Warrior in the Old Days].
‘Baek Sorin, the Heavenly Killing Star, versus Kim Chulkwon, the gang boss…’
Objectively, Baek Sorin is the better choice.
An SSR-grade character versus an N-grade one.
Even if I used the Leviathan build to load Kim Chulkwon with several high-tier traits, it wouldn’t fully close the gap between them.
But still…
‘I’ve never actually used Baek Sorin before.’
In the game, I never managed to pull an SSR-grade character.
The one time I drew the Heavenly Demon, I ended up getting dragged into this world.
Let alone Baek Sorin, one of the top three Warrior-class characters.
All I ever did was watch streamers using her while I sat there drooling.
On the other hand, I’ve used Kim’s Party extensively.
Warrior Kim as the vanguard.
Reinforced Kim as the bruiser.
Mage Kim as the mage.
Priest Kim as the support.
I know exactly how to combine them, what tactics to use, and how to maximize their performance.
I’ve defeated plenty of high-ranking opponents in the Colosseum using this setup.
This rematch?
It’s the same scenario.
Even if the enemy Reinforced, Mage, and Priest are Level 6, they’re well past their prime, practically on their deathbeds.
They’ll probably be similar to the King of Destruction’s in-game party—burst damage that’s strong in the short term but with severely lacking endurance.
‘Kim Chulkwon is the better choice.’
This conclusion even surprised me.
Up until now, I had been certain I’d include Baek Sorin in the party. But after running simulations in my head, the results were clear.
Rather than adjusting my strategy around Baek Sorin and relegating Kim Mabeob and Kim Saje to supporting roles, it would be more effective to fully optimize Kim’s Party.
Besides, the current Kim Chulkwon, Kim Mabeob, and Kim Saje are no longer stuck at N-grade.
‘Two weeks, huh?’
I’d need to prepare as much as possible in the meantime.
‘Kim Saje is the issue.’
Kim Mabeob could be convinced to join with some coaxing.
But Kim Saje… that’s the tricky part.
The moment he leaves the Grand Labyrinth, he’ll be drawn to the Old Father’s Cult like a moth to a flame.
While I was mulling over strategies, Baek Sorin clenched her fists tightly.
“Teacher! I’ll work hard!”
“Hm?”
“It’s a party battle, right? Party battles require four members! I’ll do my best!”
“I appreciate the thought, but I’m planning to bring someone else.”
“What? Why? Who? I just hit Level 5, but I’m confident! I can handle any Level 5 opponent!”
“I’m going with a traditional party setup, not a hybrid one. Warrior, Reinforced, Mage, and Priest. That’s the plan.”
“Oh…”
Baek Sorin made a face that seemed to say she had no choice, but it quickly turned into one of confusion.
“But do you have anyone to bring along? Teacher, you’ve always worked alone.”
“I do.”
I sent a message right away.
The Grand Labyrinth is a no-signal zone.
Messages can only be sent or received when a courier periodically delivers data, much like a postal service.
So, I was already prepared to be grateful if I got a reply within three days.
[Kim Saje]
To my surprise, I got a phone call instead.
“Oh, Saje? Is that you?”
[Hyung! Long time no see!]
“Yeah, it’s been a while. Where are you right now? Weren’t you in the Grand Labyrinth? I’m shocked to be getting a call from you.”
[I’m in Korea right now.]
“What? How?”
[I got hired as a bodyguard for a rich family!]
“No, I mean, how’s that even possible?”
[The boss here has some insane influence. Have you heard of the Sun Mage Tower?]
The Sun Mage Tower?
Why’s that coming up here?
“Of course I know it. Who in Korea doesn’t?”
[I got hired as a bodyguard for the grandson of the Tower Master!]
Wait a minute…
“You’re talking about Kim Mabeob, aren’t you?”
[You know him?]
“Of course. I’ve worked with him a few times. I even have his phone number.”
[Wow, really? That’s the first I’ve heard of it. Anyway, the boss—no, the Tower Master—made a deal with the Old Father’s Cult. For now, our church has been excluded from their heresy interrogations.]
“That’s great news. Congratulations.”
[Thanks.]
“But why would the Tower Master go out of his way to do that?”
[He said it’s because of our church’s blessing.]
“Your church’s blessing? Oh, that makes sense.”
The Golden Blessing is top-tier among blessings.
Increasing critical hit rate, evasion rate, resistance chance, and item drop rate all at once? It’s incredibly rare.
“So, you’re working closely with Mabeob for now?”
[Yes! I just finished a meeting and moved into the room next to his.]
“That’s perfect. I was planning to ask you and Mabeob for a favor anyway.”
[What’s the favor?]
“I’m participating in an unlimited party match at the Bucheon Underground Arena. I’m putting together a party with a Warrior, Reinforced, Mage, and Priest. Naturally, I thought of you.”
[Oh? Really? That’s perfect!]
“What do you mean?”
[That’s exactly what I was assigned to do! Mabeob’s going to start gaining real combat experience at the Bucheon Underground Arena tomorrow, and my job is to assist and protect him!]
“Are you serious? You’re starting tomorrow?”
[I told you! It’s all set.]
What the hell?
How could things align this perfectly?
Is this just a coincidence?
Even with the Golden Blessing, it’s hard to believe. The Tower Master specifically hiring Kim Saje for this mission while negotiating with the Old Father’s Cult?
I decided to set my suspicions aside for now.
Outwardly, I maintained a calm tone and continued the conversation.
“That’s perfect. I was planning to invite Mabeob to my party anyway. He helps with my unlimited match, and I help him gain combat experience—it’s a win-win.”
[The Tower Master was actually considering hiring you as well. Looks like everything lined up perfectly! Should I mention it to him?]
“No need. I’ll handle that myself. I’ll call Mabeob directly. You just sit tight.”
[Got it.]
“So, how’s it been? Have you received any new divine powers recently?”
[Nothing major yet. But once the temple construction is complete, I might get some new ones.]
“Good. Even what you have now is more than enough.”
After chatting a bit more, I called Kim Mabeob.
He answered with a voice that was a mix of surprise and excitement.
[Black Tiger Swordmaster! How have you been?]
“I’ve been well. It’s been a while since the incident with the Ilshik Sect.”
[How’s Red? Is Red doing well?]
“Of course. Still going strong.”
[You’ve got to let me borrow it sometime!]
“That might be a bit…”
[Haha. Anyway, what’s this about?]
I repeated the explanation I’d given to Kim Saje.
Mabeob responded enthusiastically.
[That’s great! I was actually going to ask you for help too! My grandfather told me to properly learn from you if I ever got the chance.]
“So, you’ll join? If so, I’ll do my best to teach you during the downtime. I can’t commit to long-term training, though.”
[That sounds amazing!]
“But keep in mind, the unlimited match will be tough.”
[Come on, Black Tiger Swordmaster, you’re in the party. I’ll just run around avoiding hits while you take care of everything, right?]
“There’s a high chance the opposing team will have three Level 6 members.”
[Uh…]
Mabeob fell silent.
I held back a laugh and continued.
“Make sure to stock up on elixirs and come fully equipped. You don’t need mythical-grade artifacts. Just wear your usual gear, but bring anything special you’ve received as a gift.”
[Shouldn’t I consult my grandfather first?]
“If you want to, go ahead. But let me give you a piece of advice—using gear that’s way above your level won’t help you improve. Treat this match as a learning experience and give it your all. That’s all you need to do. This match is closer to a friendly exhibition, so the chances of either of us dying or sustaining mana circuit damage are very low.”
[Hmm… I’ll discuss it with my grandfather. He knows a lot about these kinds of things.]
“That’s a good idea.”
I ended the call.
By the time the conversation was over, one thing was clear.
Mabeob was hiding something from me.
But what?
What is the Sun Tower Master scheming?
I pushed my suspicions aside for now.
The best way to uncover the truth would be to meet them in person.
After all, I had Bright Eyes.
While I couldn’t read minds like a clairvoyant, I could easily infer their intentions through subtle cues—eye movements, heartbeat, pupil dilation, and fluctuations in mana wavelengths.
Kim Mabeob is still naive.
Since he seems tangled up in something with Kim Saje, I could carefully coax him into revealing what’s going on behind the scenes.
Finally, I called Kim Chulkwon.
[Yes, Black Tiger Swordmaster!]
These days, even Kim Chulkwon and Manager Choi call me Black Tiger Swordmaster.
They didn’t at first when I got the Black Tiger Sword, but after the media endlessly repeated “Black Tiger Swordmaster this” and “Black Tiger Swordmaster that,” the two of them eventually adopted it as well.
“Hey, are you ready?”
[Yes, I’ve finished preparing. But didn’t you say you were busy?]
“I have a favor to ask you.”
[A favor? Please, just give me an order. Everything I have already belongs to you, Black Tiger Swordmaster.]
“Still, I can’t treat you like a servant.”
Life is give and take.
No matter how much Kim Chulkwon has sworn loyalty to me, there are lines I won’t cross.
“Kim, I’ll help you reach Level 5 right now. But I need you to give me two weeks of your time in return.”
[Of course. What do you need me to do?]
And with that, Kim Chulkwon was recruited.
We moved to Geonwoobong Mountain.
The facilities here were once under the Cleaner Association’s control—complete with labs for biological modifications and mechanical limb implants for superhuman enhancement.
Now, the Iron Fist Gang has taken over, using the facility to mass-produce superhumans by modifying their gang members.
“This is amazing!”
Kali’s eyes sparkled as she took in the unfamiliar sight of the facility.
Baek Sorin and Janet wore similar expressions of fascination.
It was their first time witnessing a Reinforced leveling up.
“Huff, huff…”
Kim Chulkwon climbed into the glass chamber, breathing heavily.
In his hands, he carefully held a crystalline flask.
The liquid inside shimmered with radiant hues, swirling like a jewel.
It was Reconstruction Elixir.
As an N-grade Reinforced, Kim Chulkwon required this elixir to break through his limits.
Kim Mabeob and Kim Saje had already left N-grade behind by advancing their classes—Mabeob as a Pyromancer and Saje as an Apostle.
“Let’s begin.”
When I first strengthened Kim Chulkwon, I used an occult-themed build: a combination of werewolf, vampire, and ghost traits.
It was effective up to Level 4, but its efficiency dropped drastically after that.
That’s why I suggested a different build, and Kim Chulkwon had spent months sweating blood to gather the materials I recommended.
Asura Mutation Factors.
Infernal Gold.
The Mana Core of a Fallen Angel, occasionally found in the Grand Labyrinth.
The combination? Demon Build.
Among players, it was known as the “Demon Build,” a synergy of fiend, infernal, and demonic traits.
The mutation process began.
Kim Chulkwon’s growth limit shattered as his mana circuits were restructured.
During the process, his body broke down repeatedly, only to regenerate.
Even his distorted face splintered apart like shattered glass struck by bullets.
The fragments crumbled into countless pieces before forcibly knitting themselves back together.
“What’s happening?!”
“Why does it look like that?”
“Is this supposed to happen?”
The gruesome scene left Baek Sorin, Janet, and Kali hopping nervously in place.
There was no helping it.
While all superhumans face hardships when leveling up, Reinforced suffer the most.
The higher the level they climb…
The more limits they break…
Reinforced always stare death in the face.
That’s the price they pay for their rapid leveling process, which they can attempt as long as they have the materials.
“Huff, huff, huff…”
At last, Kim Chulkwon succeeded in leveling up.
He crawled out of the glass chamber, gasping for air.
I patted him on the shoulder.
“Well done.”
“Cough! Thank you!”
The effort had been worth it.
Before, Kim Chulkwon had traits like:
[Martial Arts] [Mighty Strength] [Toughness]
[Dexterity] [Bloodsucking] [Cold Touch]
After crafting a new mechanical arm and incorporating the Bloodsucking trait, he had reached Level 4.
But now, his traits had transformed:
[Martial Arts] [Six-Armed Asura] [Combat Specialist]
[Infernal Mana] [Low-Altitude Flight] [Corruption]
No one would call this N-grade anymore.
In fact, it was practically beyond R-grade and approaching SR-grade.
Though the growth limits would remain a challenge, for now, his progress was remarkable.
“Is this the place?”
“I heard my brother’s here somewhere…”
Just then, Kim Mabeob and Kim Saje arrived.
At that moment, Kim’s Party was officially complete.
–TL Notes–
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Kim party debut incoming
Nice