Chapter 139 – Snow Cat (1)

Nanseol opened her closed eyes and exhaled a small sigh of relief. She had struggled to imprint the enlightenment gained from the just-ended fight into her mind.

The Demon Cult’s grand master lay dead before her.

The grand master was an expert reaching mid absolute level, someone equal to her or even above her in skill.

However, even he couldn’t help it against Nanseol who was growing at an unbelievable speed.

Nanseol who set foot in absolute level had been continuously growing explosively without stopping since then.

She accumulated real combat through missions and fought fierce battles with the Demon Cult at the front lines.

In the midst of that, her sword that had been faithful to basics brilliantly bloomed.

Though she didn’t reveal it outwardly, just considering her growth speed, people would count her as the righteous faction’s number one expert in 10 years.

Nevertheless, Nanseol still found her skills lacking. The growth of her companion with her was hard to catch up to even with this speed.

Though he said it was shortcuts and whatnot, his martial arts weren’t fake.

Plus with various unimaginable abilities and creative utilization methods.

Perhaps his fast growth was because of flashing inspirations others couldn’t think of.

Whenever Nanseol saw Sun-woo, she envied his freedom and felt frustrated at her own inflexibility.

However, she didn’t deny what she learned.

One step, one step.

She just kept chasing him and moving forward.

Nanseol looked around the surroundings where contamination was released then threw her body toward the mountain peak where Sun-woo was.

***

[You completed the additional mission. 500 points are provided.]

When all surrounding contamination disappeared, Summoner’s voice reached Sun-woo’s ears.

The reward window didn’t open. It seemed it would open when the main mission ended.

For Sun-woo, the small beast that climbed on his shoulder bothered him more than that.

**Tianshan Snow Cat**

〈Modified Tracking Technique: Tracking technique enhanced from existing tracking technique, capable of distinguishing and tracking various energies including not just smell but qi, contamination, etc.〉

〈Modified Recovery Technique〉

〈Modified Body Acceleration〉

All the skills he saw before had changed. It seemed modified due to contamination like Caroline.

For Sun-woo it was a situation close to a windfall, but the problem was he never had experience raising a pet before.

When he tore off a piece of bread and gave it to the rolling Snow Cat, it quickly climbed onto Sun-woo’s shoulder and was eating happily.

“It’s not feline? No, it might not even be an animal…”

When Sun-woo was troubled looking at the Snow Cat on his shoulder, Nanseol came up to the mountain peak.

“Caught him before he ran away. And…”

The moment Nanseol who confirmed the mage collapsed on the floor turned to Sun-woo, her mouth became completely blocked.

She stared at Sun-woo’s shoulder blankly with sparkling eyes.

“Ah, this one, you see.”

Feeling Nanseol’s gaze, Sun-woo explained about Snow Cat and what happened here.

‘Too cute.’

However, Nanseol only nodded halfheartedly, her eyes stuck on Snow Cat not falling away.

It seemed the story wouldn’t progress.

Sun-woo infused mana into the ring, and Snow Cat immediately disappeared from Sun-woo’s shoulder.

When Snow Cat disappeared, Nanseol cried out in surprise.

“It disappeared!”

As expected, she clearly didn’t hear a word of Sun-woo’s words.

Sun-woo sighed then explained to her once more about summoning magic.

Only then did Nanseol realize her disgrace and her face turned bright red.

It seemed she was weak to cute things.

She became a worried expression again at Sun-woo’s explanation.

“Then, where does it get sent when reverse-summoned with that ring? Does it get trapped in a strange place?”

“Pokemon… Ah, you don’t know. The ring makes a kind of subspace and they stay there separately by monster. Using illusion magic and various methods, it’s not bad for each to stay.”

At Sun-woo’s explanation, Nanseol finally felt relieved.

Sun-woo inwardly marveled looking at Nanseol whose face was still reddened.

‘No way, this qi?’

Because it changed again from when climbing the mountain together just before.

‘At this rate, I’ll be overtaken soon.’

Sun-woo was amazed once more at Nanseol’s growth speed.

Through this fight with the Demon Cult Dharma Protector, Sun-woo grasped a clue about his own growth method.

Nevertheless, his growth plastered with all sorts of means couldn’t compare to Nanseol who purely grew martial arts alone.

If he didn’t grow in advance, when methods got blocked, he would clearly be overtaken in an instant.

***

Sun-woo confirmed past scenes from the contamination formation and the mage’s corpse.

“The contamination formation is a simplified version of the magic circle I saw in the Empire. No sustainability either. It probably only serves the purpose of covering Summoner’s eyes.”

Sun-woo was slightly disappointed no new magic was included, but soon shook off his mage-like curiosity.

“And the Demon Cult side seems to have progressed brainwashing quite deeply. It seems they couldn’t touch Dharma Protector level super masters, but for grand master level, there seem to be more besides the grand master who came here.”

If even the Demon Cult was like this, the Righteous Alliance couldn’t be assured either.

Even the current Righteous-Demonic Great War might be completely manipulated by the Blood Cult and contaminated summoners’ hands.

Regrettably, the Blood Demon Yang Hwasu’s location wasn’t in the mage’s memory.

He only learned they received something like modifications somewhere.

The place where these mages were unfortunately was in Xizang occupied by the Demon Cult. It seemed finding that place had to be left to the people here.

Shortly after.

Sun-woo covered all traces remaining at the mountain peak with dirt then came down from the mountain with Nanseol.

While the two came down from the mountain, the Demon Cult members who made the Net of Heaven and Earth weren’t visible at all.

After the grand master died, they all withdrew.

They were all deep inside enemy territory. There was no way they’d keep remaining after the commander died.

Though withdrawing didn’t look easy either, there was no reason for Sun-woo to worry about that.

Sun-woo and Nanseol met the party again after about 1 hour passed.

Since two absolute level people used lightness skill, they caught up not long after.

When the two appeared, everyone looked at the two with surprised eyes. Because the two returned much faster than expected.

“What happened?”

Single Moon Sword stopped the party and asked Nanseol. Because depending on her answer, they had to decide whether to make a defensive formation here or flee further.

“There’s no more pursuit. The Net of Heaven and Earth broke and the Demon Cult members withdrew.”

At her words, all party members sighed and sat down on the floor. From that appearance, one could glimpse the trust in Nanseol.

“Hmph, must have been lucky.”

Small grumbling was heard from where Five Dragons Three Phoenixes gathered.

Whether they were upset about returning safely or envious of receiving attention was unknown.

At that sulky voice, not just Single Moon Sword but their guard warriors also made cold expressions.

Because absolute level warriors saw that Sun-woo and Nanseol came after fighting a round.

When the atmosphere wasn’t responsive to his words at all, Sword Dragon Eon Hobi who spoke became tearful.

“Anyway, a war that fought with some formality will now head toward chaos.”

Single Moon Sword said with a gloomy expression while looking at the low mountain the party fled from.

Righteous faction and Demon Cult.

The war that fought making battle lines with a kind of tacit agreement between them would now fight ignoring battle lines.

Martial world fights weren’t number fights.

In the martial world where one expert could face hundreds of ordinary warriors, battle lines were meaningless without mutual promises.

After that, there were no attackers on the party. Not only Demon Cult members, but bandits or demonic bandit groups didn’t hang around near the party either.

That made sense, as there couldn’t be anyone rushing at a procession swarming with experts who planted the Righteous Alliance’s flag in Righteous Alliance territory.

Sun-woo enjoyed the leisurely mission he experienced almost for the first time with a pleasant heart.

The re-summoned Snow Cat received full affection not only from Nanseol but other people.

Sun-woo could also get along quite comfortably with other party members except for receiving hatred from those called Five Dragons Three Phoenixes.

“Stay still.”

Sun-woo scolded Snow Cat who kept trying to rush toward the tribute.

As time passed, Snow Cat became able to communicate with Sun-woo to some extent.

Snow Cat began understanding Sun-woo’s instructions, and Sun-woo could also notice what Snow Cat felt.

The Domination skill also seemed to need training.

Other monsters were already in the ring in dominated state, but it seemed spirit beasts or monsters newly obtained in the future would need time.

Even now Snow Cat’s body was burning wanting to rush at the tribute, but was enduring while grumbling at Sun-woo’s instructions.

Plus perhaps sensing he had hostile feelings toward Sun-woo, Snow Cat occasionally bared teeth and growled toward where the rising stars were.

If Sun-woo hadn’t stopped him, trouble might already have happened.

***

Regrettably, or fortunately, the party didn’t need to go all the way to the Righteous Alliance in Henan.

Two days later, because Strategist Zhuge came out to receive the tribute at the Righteous Alliance’s Shaanxi branch where the party arrived.

The Righteous Alliance’s Shaanxi branch wasn’t made separately but was a place that remodeled a giant manor outside the city.

Since it was close to the Righteous Alliance and a developed city, the branch was very crowded and lively.

The party could pass through the entrance without any restraint.

The transport team warriors who got to rest comfortably after a long time became joyful expressions, and the rising stars also seemed somewhat relieved.

Sun-woo alone kept looking around at what was so fascinating.

Zhuge Hyeon came out in front of the main hall with other people and was waiting for the party, perhaps having received contact in advance.

Zhuge Hyeon.

The younger brother of the current Zhuge Family head. He was someone who showed distinction from young age even in the Zhuge Family famous as a family of wise men.

However, when he realized even with that excellent mind he couldn’t become Zhuge Family head, he immediately threw himself into the Righteous Alliance and was a rags-to-riches figure who rose to strategist.

The transport team warriors all clasped hands together in greeting when they saw him, and Sun-woo also quickly read the room and followed them in greeting.

“You all worked hard. I rushed out in one breath from worry after receiving contact.”

Perhaps Single Moon Sword contacted the Righteous Alliance separately.

He commended all transport team members by shaking hands one by one, and finally seeing Sun-woo, his eyes gleamed.

“It’s you. I heard many stories about you from others and them. I wanted to meet you very much.”

Hearing the words while pointing above with a finger, it seemed Summoner talked about Sun-woo in advance.

Then as Strategist Zhuge looked glad seeing Sun-woo, Tang Samin’s body seemed to burn.

“Long time no see. It’s the first time since you stopped by Tang Clan last time, right?”

At his greeting rushing over, Strategist Zhuge’s face briefly grimaced then relaxed.

“Welcome. Thank you for helping our alliance’s event. And Green Hand-nim was also together.”

At the strategist’s greeting, Dan Pyeong who was standing beside Tang Samin approached the strategist.

Strategist Zhuge was slightly puzzled at him who didn’t care even receiving greetings in the past moving first, but from Tang Samin’s fully heated expression, he could understand his difficulties.

It was when Dan Pyeong approached before Tang Samin and tried to bow his head.

Kyang!

A sharp beast sound rang through the main hall and a white fur ball rushed at Strategist Zhuge and Dan Pyeong.

Snow Cat shot out as if flying through the air.