"Did you hear? There's a rumor that one of the new initiates has set their restriction to the maximum."
"There are always a few crazy ones who come in."
"Even so, no one has survived with the maximum setting since that 'spear wielder' two years ago, right?"
Halfway up the mountain.
Various types of initiates were sitting on the rocks of the cliff, chatting idly.
"Aria, what do you think?"
"......"
"Oh, right. You can't speak because of the restriction, can't you?"
"......"
Aria, an initiate wearing the skin of a White Tiger, didn't even flinch, showing no interest.
No, it wasn't just that she wasn't interested; she didn't even hear them.
She was currently in meditation.
'There is no end to martial arts. Perfection does not exist. It's just a continuous pursuit of martial arts, and nothing more. In front of true martial arts, I am still so insignificant.'
A practice of self-awareness.
Her goal was to find her own path in martial arts and surpass her father.
But she was currently stuck.
Her skill level had stagnated for a year.
'There is no match for me here. That's why I've stagnated.'
Of course, she had a vague idea of what the problem was.
The lack of a match.
The absence of something to fuel her competitive spirit was the biggest reason.
However, there was nothing she could do about it.
Even if she went anywhere in the world, there would be no one to fuel her competitive spirit.
A genius beyond geniuses.
She was a rare talent with the potential to surpass the White King one day.
Spear Wielder
"Master, you don't seem very interested in Main Quest 7?"
The Master frowned at the unexpected visitor.
"...... Whether I'm interested or not, what does it have to do with you, Heuiyo?"
Heuiyo, a nine-tailed fox and one of the Seven Heroes, smiled with her eyes as she took off her sunglasses.
"Actually, I heard some interesting news. The assassination group you were boasting about has all been killed. And they were after Phantom."
"If you're just spreading useless rumors, I'll make you leave now."
Despite thoroughly silencing the story, it seems it had leaked out.
No, that's not right.
Her subordinates wouldn't have done that.
It must be that this nine-tailed fox used her charm beads to cause trouble.
"Scary~ You don't want to hear the information I brought?"
"It's probably useless anyway."
"Even if it's related to the Black King?"
The Black King.
A being on par with the White King.
A monster always mentioned alongside the White King.
Naturally, information about the Black King was invaluable.
"...... Sit down."
Tsk. The Master clicked her tongue.
After all, the information Heuiyo occasionally brought was genuine.
No one could match her in handling information.
"The Black King's forces are gathering at the Mountain of Initiates."
Heuiyo began, sitting down gracefully.
"Why?"
"Because the White King's daughter is at the Mountain of Initiates?"
The Master frowned.
"The Black King, who has been quiet for a long time, is suddenly after the White King's daughter? That could lead to war."
Indeed, it would lead to a full-scale war between the Black King and the White King.
It would be uncontrollable.
All the cities in between would be burned to the ground.
However, the Black King and the White King had been in a state of peace for 20 years after their last battle.
A draw. The fight never ended.
Heuiyo's eyes sparkled.
"Perhaps he has obtained a 'secret weapon' that can kill the White King?"
"Even if that's the case...... What does it have to do with me?"
"Our smart Master, think about it. This is a golden opportunity to side with the Black King."
"You can't be suggesting I kidnap the White King's daughter and hand her over to the Black King?"
Heuiyo's words made sense.
She had a point, but it was a risky move.
In other words, it meant allying with the Black King and turning the White King into an enemy.
The Master sighed.
"Even if we proceed as you suggest, there's no way to enter the Mountain of Initiates. Even if we do, the White King's daughter is a formidable opponent. There's no way to kidnap her."
"We can find someone to enter. It's not a mountain only players can enter. Whether they're mercenaries, adventurers, or wanderers, we can find someone if we try."
...... That's true.
If we pay enough gold, there would be plenty of Pantheans willing to enter the Mountain of Initiates.
But that's not the Master's way.
The Master only employs those who follow her.
"The White King's daughter may have a low level. You know my abilities, right?"
"Then you should handle it alone."
"Master, why did I come to you?"
"...... You want money."
"Exactly! You catch on quick. 20 million gold for the operation. An additional 30 million gold for my efforts."
A total of 50 million gold.
If 50 million gold were spent on the upcoming special auction, it would be a significant blow.
"Thief. What do I get out of this?"
"Information on Phantom. And the Black King's gratitude? I'll even add your name specially."
"Do you think you can dig up information on Phantom?"
Heuiyo nodded confidently.
"Since he's in the Mountain of Initiates, he'll stand out, won't he?"
"Don't underestimate him. You'll regret it."
Heuiyo smirked, finding it amusing.
To hear such words from the Master.
"Ah~ So that's why you've been leaving him alone? Out of fear?"
The Master's expression darkened.
"...... What?"
"Aren't you afraid of getting hurt again if you mess with him?"
Phantom had cost her a lot.
She had only lost, not even breaking even.
Only then did Heuiyo understand why the Master hadn't targeted the Mountain of Initiates.
Given the Master's character, she would have already employed other methods and invested manpower if she had a different plan.
...... The Master was afraid.
Afraid that her empire would crumble.
"If you say one more useless word, I'll cut out your tongue."
"Whoa, whoa. Calm down. Let's talk about whether Phantom will top this time or not."
Heuiyo quickly changed the subject.
The Master took a short deep breath and shook her head.
"...... He won't."
"Why do you think so?"
"Because there's a limit to the max level given to each class."
"What if Phantom has a special class?"
"Even then, it would be around level 24."
"Wasn't the top, Gracia, level 24?"
"Yes. Even if he obtained a higher-tier class, it would be difficult to go beyond level 24."
The maximum level for the Sword Saint class is known to be 24.
Even if he obtained a higher-tier class, achieving level 25 in the Mountain of Initiates would be impossible.
"Did Phantom enter without adjusting his skill level?"
"Even with a 1000% skill level increase, it's impossible to reach level 25 there."
The required experience for skill levels increases exponentially from level 19.
Reaching level 20 is difficult, but going from level 24 to 25 is hell itself.
The maximum level achievable in the Mountain of Initiates is 24.
Therefore, it will be difficult for Phantom to maintain his top position this time.
Especially with Heuiyo as a variable, it will be even more challenging.
*
['You have entered the "Lava Practitioner Zone."']
['Your fire resistance has increased significantly due to the "Flame of Origin."']
['Your Sword Skill Level has increased to 16.']
['You have achieved the achievement "Unyielding Practitioner."']
['Your Honor has increased by 40.']
In the smoky land.
I was swinging my sword in the "Lava Practitioner Zone," where lava flows just below.
The Mountain of Practitioners increases in difficulty the higher you go, and it is designed to push you to the extreme to raise your skill level to high levels.
"...... Are you a monster?"
The observer couldn't believe the scene before his eyes.
This practitioner had climbed to the halfway point of the mountain in just three days.
Moreover, he hadn't rested for a single minute or second.
Of course, there have been those who broke through the halfway point in three days.
'He was clearly terrible when he first entered.'
But they were all those who had already reached a certain level of completion before coming to the mountain.
Without any level restrictions.
In contrast, the man before him was different.
He had the maximum level restriction set, and his skill level was poor.
Swish!
Even with healing, fatigue should accumulate.
But this practitioner didn't flinch.
'He can't see ahead anymore. Isn't he afraid?'
His vision must have disappeared long ago.
Not just his vision, but all his senses must have disappeared.
Only pain would be felt.
A situation that should terrify any living being.
Yet, the man didn't care.
He was suppressing his instinctive fear by will.
Is that even possible?
He had adapted to the point of replacing his lost senses with imagination.
The observer was at a loss for words, as he had never heard of such a case.
['Your Sword Skill Level has increased to 17.']
His skill level increased again.
Just half a day after reaching level 16.
The observer was shocked when he checked the man's skill level.
'Too fast, it's too fast.'
A level that some take a month, others take half a year to reach.
To achieve it in just three days, who would believe it?
Even the observer wouldn't believe it.
The man soon left the lava zone.
Then he moved to a higher area.
['You have entered the "Storm Practitioner Zone."']
['Your wind resistance has increased significantly due to the "Wind of Origin."']
['You have achieved the achievement "Unstoppable Practitioner."']
['Your Honor has increased by 50.']
He had entered the Storm Practitioner Zone.
A place where the wind is so strong that it's difficult to swing a sword properly.
A place where a single mistake could lead to instant death.
One of the most challenging "Elemental Lands" at the halfway point of the mountain!
'This will be tough.'
The difficulty is on a different level from the other zones he has passed through, where he lost the freedom of his sword.
However, this was also a miscalculation.
Swoosh! Swoosh!
He was swinging his sword in harmony with the wind.
Reading the wind and breaking through its resistance.
['Your Sword Skill Level has increased to 18.']
...... Just one day.
The time it took to increase his skill level and leave the zone.
['You have entered the "Deep Practitioner Zone."']
['Your water resistance has increased significantly due to the "Water of Origin."']
['You have achieved the achievement "Challenger of Limits."']
['Your Honor has increased by 50.']
In the end, the observer gave up on thinking.
*
Hidden trait "High Druid's Great Nature."
Through this, the evolved elements have made my elemental resistance incredibly high.
This is why I could easily overcome the "Elemental Zones," known to be the most difficult obstacles in the Mountain of Practitioners.
'Up to level 19, the Elemental Practitioner Zones are the standard.'
I can't see.
There's no smell, no sound.
Yet, I am confident and continue to move forward.
'Hidden trait mutation.'
Due to the mutation, I can sense the path even with my eyes closed.
Like a radar, it's just a matter of "knowing," but it's enough to climb the mountain.
['Your Sword Skill Level has increased to 19.']
['You have overcome all the "Elemental Practitioner Zones."']
['You have achieved the achievement "Challenger Who Saw the End of Elemental Zones."']
['Your Honor has increased by 100.']
['The new seats of the White Star War are watching your astonishing growth rate with wide eyes.']
['Three seats are offering the Apostle Contract.']
Originally, achieving an achievement for overcoming a zone is not common.
However, due to the maximum restriction, there were additional achievements.
I continued to climb the mountain.
['From the next Practitioner Zone, the observer cannot give advice.']
['The zones you move to differ based on your Practitioner traits.']
['You are challenging the next Practitioner Zone.']
['You have entered the "Chaos Practitioner Zone (10)."']
As soon as I stepped on the ground, everything around me changed.
The Chaos Practitioner Zone.
There is no observer or Seo Ae here.
This is a section where I must advance alone.
Swoosh!
Rustle!
Crack!
However, I soon found it strange.
'I didn't expect anyone else to be here.'
This is the farthest point in the Chaos Practitioner Zone.
A zone that can only be reached by setting the restriction to the maximum and achieving a certain skill level.
Yet, someone else has already arrived.
A person?
Or a trial prepared for me in this zone?
The opponent is not clearly visible.
Based on what I can sense through the mutation:
'Spear wielder?'
A strangely sharp feeling at the end.
I could tell the opponent was a spear wielder from their movements and subtle actions.
The movements are not as fast as I expected.
Clearly someone who set the restriction to the maximum.