Finally Got Stronger but Ended Up Regressing

Chapter 46 National Sword (2)

Passing through the smell of blood, I moved towards the ruins.

Crows cawed noisily above the sky.

The sparsely visible trees were still withered.

The bare branches looked pitiful.

It wasn’t always like this.

Everything had been consumed by that damned samurai demon.

More than the relics of the ancestors, that was why it was necessary to deal with him.

After running for about 10 minutes, a high hill appeared.

It was exactly as I had heard before the regression.

The altitude was quite high, but my physical strength had already increased significantly.

I climbed leisurely, as if taking a walk.

And finally, the view unfolded.

Below, like the outer dungeon, it preserved the ruins of an ancient Joseon palace.

The reenactment of a real history.

Just looking at it made my heart swell.

The form was intact.

Although it couldn’t be said to be exactly like Gyeongbokgung or Changdeokgung, the unique appearance was captured in the five colors painted on the dancheong, the phoenix statue installed in front of the main hall, and Geumcheon.

Unfortunately, the ecstasy was brief.

The five colors had faded, the phoenix statue was blackened, and Geumcheon was as dry as the ruins it had been.

Joseon was dead.

The reason was obvious.

It was the influence of the samurai demon.

“Damn it.”

His minions were already roaming all over the palace.

Their appearance was unpleasant.

There was no time to delay.

I ran down the slope towards the palace.

Gripping the sword as if it would break.

The main gate was entangled in cobwebs.

I roughly swept them away and pushed it open.

The interior was revealed.

“Screech, screech, screech!”

A piercing sound echoed simultaneously.

They immediately recognized the presence of an intruder.

Monsters with monkey-like forms, with noses and snouts protruding like dogs.

Pabak.

Though their appearance was like that, their bodies were the size of a Quibe Bear.

The mane-like fur was even more threatening.

There were eight of them.

Looking around, I was already surrounded like before.

Good.

No need to search for them one by one.

I smirked and raised my sword.

I struck down vertically at the one charging towards me.

Splat, a bright red line appeared from the center of its head.

A giant snake passed through it.

“-“

It said nothing.

Its body, split in two, made a thud as it hit the ground.

“Screeech!”

“Screech!”

The remaining ones, enraged by their comrade’s gruesome transformation, charged at me simultaneously, wildly flailing.

Long claws curved like hooks.

Those had more power than the centipedes’ spears from earlier.

They could easily cut through the shields of the shield bearers.

Not to mention the combat suits.

In the midst of this, I was in a tracksuit.

But what did it matter?

As long as I didn’t get hit, it was fine.

Even if I did get hit, I had the powerful shields of [Mystic Snake] and [Strong Bones].

I spun around, rotating my sword.

The energy drawn up from deep within my body rapidly spun and radiated out.

Swoosh!!

The two in front melted first in the blue energy that swept through like a whirlwind.

Their limbs were severed and flew through the air.

In the mouth of the [Mystic Snake], which moved like a slide, was already a head.

Its body was impaled by a hook, but it didn’t budge.

The attack didn’t work in the first place.

The pure energy of [Nature’s Law] wrapped around the [Mystic Snake]’s body like iron armor, making it solid.

I quickly dealt with the rest.

Some charged at me like Quibe Bears with their bodies, but it was their bodies, not mine, that crumbled.

Slash.

I thrust my sword into the one that had fallen, exposing its neck.

Even tough skin was nothing more than a sheet of paper in front of a sword drenched in energy.

Thud.

No matter how many times they charged, only they fell.

No matter how big they were, they were nothing more than inflated balloons in front of me now.

With the rise in various proficiencies, including [Strong Bones], my physical strength was truly extreme.

At least against these monkeys.

At that moment.

Boom!!

As the dust rose, more Pavaks appeared.

There were as many as twenty of them.

Twice as many as I had caught so far.

I knew this would happen.

I had been prepared for nearly thirty of them to attack at once, so I wasn’t disturbed at all.

I just needed to keep my distance and decapitate two or three at a time.

The notification rang at that moment.

《Your physical strength utilization is very high.》

《The level of combat is high.》

《The enemies are being neutralized.》

《Continuous combat and [Strong Bones] greatly increase the proficiency of physical strength-related abilities.》

Great increase.

It meant one thing.

《The possessed ability [Strength] has awakened to [Enhanced Strength]!》

《The possessed ability [Agility] has awakened to [Enhanced Agility]!》

《The possessed ability [Stamina] has awakened to [Enhanced Stamina]!》

All three physical strength abilities awakened at once.

The slight fatigue accumulated from facing numerous enemies disappeared instantly.

At the same time, the muscles of my entire body swelled.

The loose tracksuit I was wearing clung to my limbs like tights.

By the time I blinked a couple of times, my body had already grown as large as a Pavak.

No, even larger.

A gorilla was suddenly standing in front of the monkeys.

A gasp of astonishment burst out.

“Wow, the effect is amazing.”

The surging power was uncontrollable.

My clenched fist felt like it was going to explode.

Even though it was just an awakening, the addition of the fraudulent ability called [Strong Bone] amplified the awakening’s synergy.

To an unbelievable extent.

Swoosh!!

I merely swung my sword once, but the wave that arose surpassed my height of 183cm.

That wave engulfed them.

Their bodies were torn apart, leaving almost no trace of their forms.

Only the charred fur and small chunks indicated that living beings had existed here.

“Screech!”

The one that annoyingly charged from the side was easily grabbed with an outstretched hand.

The massive body was effortlessly pulled towards me.

I twisted and yanked the head I had grasped.

Crack.

With a pleasant sound, the head was pulled out like a radish.

The dangling blood vessels danced, causing the remaining ones to momentarily freeze.

Even the monsters that went crazy at the sight of humans felt fear.

Crunch.

When I grabbed another one and crushed its head, the rest turned to stone. Just by looking at their bristling fur and trembling eyes, I could sense their current state of mind.

This makes it easier to catch them.

I turned my body and used the sword again.

The [Mystic Snake] coiled around the blade, empowered by the enhanced strength, charged more fiercely.

It tore and shredded everything in its path.

“Gah.”

“Ugh.”

Running away was futile; they were within the palm of my hand.

Their feet were far too slow to escape the onslaught of the [Mystic Snake].

Before I could take a few steps, the [Mystic Snake] bit them with its gaping mouth.

A leg like a log was completely separated from the torso.

Of course, I joined in as well.

The enhanced movements allowed me to overtake them in an instant.

Whether I used the sword or my fists and feet, their bodies were left in shambles.

The ashen fur was stained red.

Not a single one of them was left with all limbs intact.

That’s how it ended.

“Whew.”

There was no sense of exhaustion in the short breath I exhaled.

The destructive power of the awakened physical strength.

It’s astonishing.

I suddenly looked down at my body.

When I took off the tracksuit that seemed about to burst, even more bulging muscles were revealed.

The bulging muscles were twice as large as those of the orcs.

It means my physical strength has become that much stronger, which is definitely not a bad thing, but visually, it’s a bit overwhelming.

“I look like the Terminator.”

I don’t feel like myself.

What should I do about this?

Even my parents wouldn’t recognize their own child.

As I was worrying about this, a welcome notification arrived.

《Conditions met.》

《The additional effect of [Strong Bones] can now be activated.》

《You can compress the physical strength that has been added to your body and is now visible on the outside.》

Come to think of it, I think I heard that [Strong Bones] had such an additional effect.

Anyway, it’s a relief.

I almost had to live as a muscle man.

‘Activate additional effect.’

《Activating the additional effect of [Strong Bones].》

“`

《Compressing physical strength.》

《Compression does not affect the value of physical strength in any way.》

《This additional effect can be canceled at any time.》

Even cancellation is possible.

Although it seemed unlikely that there would be a need to cancel it, having such a function was not a bad thing.

I caught my breath again.

Ssssss.

Something swirled around my entire body like the flow of energy, and my body returned to its original form.

The swollen muscles were the same.

The tracksuit set that fit snugly became loose again.

But the power that enveloped my entire body remained the same.

It was still explosive.

“Now, let’s really see the end.”

I dusted off my hands and went inside.

The place where the monkeys had disappeared was eerily quiet. And for some reason, there was pressure in my head.

It was a sign that ‘that guy’ was getting closer.

After passing the dry Geumcheon, I walked for a long time again.

In front of an unusually large palace, thick smoke was gathering.

It quickly covered the entire area.

At that moment.

【Who dares to step into my territory?】

It sounded similar to the voice of Gwisusan, but it was very clear, like a real voice.

I just stood still.

It would crawl out on its own.

Swooosh!

Suddenly, a cold wind blew.

From within it, a fully armed samurai stepped forward.

A hatamoto just below the daimyo.

An evil spirit.

That’s all the information I had.

“`

I do not know how it is related to Joseon in some story.

But it is a clear fact that there was invasion and plunder.

Isn’t the fact that they are causing such a ruckus in another country’s palace proof of that?

【Who are you!】

A rough shout burst out, loud enough to make my whole body tremble.

I just walked towards him.

【If your limbs are cut off, your mouth will open.】

The sword in his hand drooped like a whip. Yet, its weight and sharpness were fully intact.

It flew at me like lightning.

Thud.

I reached out and grabbed the sword.

He struggled with all his might.

As I lightly clenched my fist, his body was pulled towards me.

【!!!】

His bloodshot eyes widened as if they would tear apart.

Crunch.

With a bit more force, what was in my grasp crumbled like a biscuit.

Terrified, he swung the half-broken sword wildly.

I dodged it by just turning my head.

“Slow.”

【You crazy…!】

The [Mystic Snake] possessed the power to counter evil spirits.

Apart from that, my own strength also overwhelmed him.

I extended my sword.

His body, wrapped in samurai armor, flew back more than three sheets.

A large hole appeared in his abdomen.

【Kweeeek.】

He vomited something that might have been blood, gasping as if he was about to die. He couldn’t even lift his body.

I was already standing in front of him.

【S-save me.】

The [mystical snake] coiled tightly around the samurai armor. The bluish complexion became even more pale.

There was no longer a proud samurai.

Only a servile worm remained.

【I, I’ll do anything.】

It was a plea not worth listening to.

“Go to hell, you Japanese b*stard.”

The sword, held in a reverse grip, was thrust down into the middle of his head.

Pshushushut, smoke burst out instead of blood.

【Kaaak!】

The creature, which howled like crows, soon disappeared without a trace.

It was complete annihilation.

At the same time, the smoke that had engulfed the surroundings was also cleared.

The dark clouds in the sky vanished without a trace.

The blue sky spread out.

A gentle breeze blew.

A stream of water flowed down to the dry golden river.

Light shone down.

Finally, the engulfment was lifted.

It was a beautiful sight at last.

I walked steadily into the palace ahead.

An old stone box covered in plum blossoms.

I carefully opened it.

A book, covered in dust, emerged. I blew on it gently and checked the cover.

The notification confirmed it.

“You have obtained the relic of Joseon, ‘Bongukgeom’!”

Bongukgeom.

The swordsmanship of Joseon passed down through generations.

Though it had passed through many bodies and minds, the Bongukgeom in this book was a bit special.

It acts as a kind of rune, granting abilities to its owner.

“Would you like to imprint ‘Bongukgeom’?”

‘Engraved.’

《‘Bonguk Sword’ is being engraved.》

After the echoing notification disappeared, a brief silence followed.

The next moment came soon after.

《A new ability [Bonguk Sword] has been unlocked.》

The Bonguk Sword is not a combat power but a combat skill.

However, that makes it even more valuable.

《From now on, the basic stances, 21 techniques of the Grid Method, and defense techniques that make up the [Bonguk Sword] will all be derived as individual abilities.》

The 23 techniques that make up the Bonguk Sword began to be derived as abilities.