A Swordsman’s Stream

Chapter 46

“You are…”

-You are???
-Oh lol
-Streamer, what makes swinging a sword seem so cool? Lol
-I can really smell the aura of a master
-What will the result be?

『You are now a member of the Demonic Cult.』

“You are someone I probably can’t evaluate easily.”

Baek Wigang, the elder of the Demonic Cult, clasped his hands behind his back and turned to gaze into the distance.

When Sojun followed his gaze, he saw the highest pavilion standing there.

“You are the first to have reached the status of Grandmaster among outsiders.”

After Baek Wigang finished speaking,
『You have obtained the title of Grandmaster.』
『From now on, you will be treated equally with the elders in the Demonic Cult. Those belonging to the Demonic Cult will look up to you.』
『You have gained trait points.』

-Wow
-Grandmaster? Is that a thing?
-I’m an old hand at this, but it’s my first time seeing it
-Not even a Supreme Master or Transcendent, but a Grandmaster? That’s awesome
-What is a Grandmaster?
-Grandmasters are those who can innovate new Martial Techniques. Like Bodhidharma of Shaolin or Zhang Sanfeng of Wudang.

He really had an eye for things.

Sojun read the explanation of the title with satisfaction.

It seemed to be a title that allowed one to be treated with the utmost respect within the Demonic Cult.

Based on the information, if one was judged at a lower rank like third or second-rate, the game would provide fewer resources or trait points, and the treatment from NPCs in the Demonic Cult would not be favorable.

Grandmaster was the exact opposite of that.

“Did you see that? This is the Sword of the Heavenly Demon.”

-Wow
-First time seeing that for real
-Why is he so good at Martial Techniques too!?
-I followed the same strategy but ended up second-rate. Why is he a Grandmaster? What’s different??
-Something is definitely different. If you don’t feel it, you might as well be a bronze player lol.
-Damn it.

Sojun was pleased to start with all the points he could allocate to traits.

“Heavenly Demon-nim, what rank did you get?”

As he stepped down from the arena, Swordsman approached him with the question.

“It says I’m a Grandmaster. Doesn’t it show next to my nickname?”

“Oh, the title? You have to set it to display yourself.”

“Really? Ah, then does your title show too, Swordsman-nim?”

Sojun looked up above Swordsman’s head.

“Yes. That’s what I set up.”

Wasn’t he being shy?

What an unpredictable person.

“So, Sojun-nim. How high is Grandmaster? I didn’t see anything about it in the guide I looked at yesterday.”

“Hmm… People are saying it’s the highest rank that’s come out so far.”

“Wow… Is it above Transcendent?”

It was known that the titles Baek Wigang bestowed ranged from third-rate, second-rate, first-rate, peak, and up to Transcendent.

That was true until today.

“Didn’t we do the same thing? How did you manage it?”

“Shall I tell you?”

I had some time left anyway.

The battlefield opened from 7 to 10 p.m., just for 3 hours.

It was now 6:30 p.m.

“Yes! I really want to be at least first-rate. Honestly!”

-Teacher! Help me! Lol
-HoHow did he do that…
-Streamer-nim is suspiciously good at Martial Techniques
-Also surprisingly serious about martial flexibility literature
-If you read Martial Techniques, does your skill get better?
-Would it really? Lol.

‘If I helped with a few simple stances in 30 minutes… No.’

An amusing idea suddenly popped into his mind.

“Perhaps I could teach you swordsmanship? Little by little every day.”

“That’d be even better! Knowing Heavenly Demon-nim’s skill, and earning a new title as well.”

“Really?”

“Yes!”

“Truly?”

“Yes!”

“One thing I can assure you, your skills will improve.”

“Wooow!!!”

“But you mustn’t run away, no matter what.”

“Yep! …… What?”

Gotcha.

“You agreed already.”

With this, I had secured a content idea to warm up the stream while ‘For Justice’ ran.

-???

-The mood suddenly changed.
-It’s getting cold. A dagger through the chest…
-Why does Streamer-nim’s expression look evil despite offering to teach? Lol

“Uh… Sojun-nim?”

Swordsman-nim seemed to have noticed that something was amiss.

“Yes?”

“How are you planning to teach…?”

“Oh, don’t worry about that.”

All the teachings were carefully selected and verified.

How many prodigies from various sects had longed to receive his teachings?

Of course, even those prodigies eventually changed their attitudes after training and secretly fled, but the effect was undeniable.

“It won’t be hard, will it?”

Even if it was hard, it had to be accepted. After all, it was the teaching of the Sword God!

Ay, it was frustrating that he couldn’t reveal his identity.

“Well, Swordsman-nim.”

“… Yes.”

“Do you think your skills can improve by taking it easy?”

“That’s not the case.”

“Right?”

“Yes.”

Indeed, there was no such thing as a free meal.

Even those who seemed to attain realization in an instant had gone through numerous frustrating times, blocked by walls.

Nothing could change with just a word from him.

In the end, the required ingredient was effort. And even more effort!

“And think about it. Imagine becoming a master swordsman, defeating an enemy with just one move, and looking down at them.”

“What do I say?”

*Gulp.* Swordsman’s throat bobbed.

Sojun, observing this, spoke slowly.

“To handle my sword, your potential is just too lacking.”

– Cringe
– Would that even work? LOL
– The bait scheme is hilarious LOL

The solemn expression that Sojun tried to maintain returned to its original state. He then gave a glance, as if asking, “How’s that?” to the swordsman.

The result was…

“That would be really cool!”

As expected, the man was truly pure of heart.

“Right? You saw me do it yesterday, didn’t you?”

“To be honest, I was envious.”

Swordsman nodded.

– Does that really work??
– Stay…
– Why can’t he teach properly?
– Aren’t you aware of the stream? The most notorious one here is Streamer-nim.

*Sigh.* Sojun sighed inwardly.

He didn’t originally need to persuade like this.

Usually, after calling them out, he would simply let them drop off a cliff like a lion.

‘In the past, no matter if it was the child of a prestigious family or a promising talent, everyone was given equal education, but I guess there will be an exception this time.’

No suitable cliff to drop them off was in sight this time.

“Well, Swordsman-nim. Can you spare three hours daily for training?”

“Yes, now that the midterms are over, I have the time!”

“Are you a university student?”

“Yes!”

Even better for him.

“Then I’ll teach you with a long-term perspective. What do you think?”

“Sounds good!”

“Firstly, log onto the ‘Surface’ site and complete all recommended exercise courses. It should take about two hours a day.”

The exercises recommended by ‘Surface’ were physical balance-related exercises ideal for virtual reality, such as squats, one-leg stands, weight shifting, yoga, and Pilates.

“Why that?”

Swordsman showed a puzzled expression.

“Of course, because of the basics. Didn’t you hear Baek Wigang say it earlier?”

“He said I lack basic skills.”

“Correct. And the basics are important, but they’re not much. It’s foundational.”

Also, anyone can build that foundation, however mundane and tedious it may seem.

One needs to fortify that mundane, dull foundation without visible achievement to see real skill growth.

“Sojun-nim, aren’t those exercises known to increase synchronization rates?”

“In virtual reality, that’s fundamental.”

“Oh, right.”

That foundation would eventually turn into basic skills.

– Oh haha
– Makes sense
– Learn something new from a virtual reality newbie…

Lee Dongsu once told him.

Even professionals reportedly did those recommended exercises daily on ‘Surface’.

In virtual reality, the body’s sensory organs weren’t utilized.

‘It was fascinating to hear that you had to train your real-world sensory organs instead.’

To maximize synchronization rates, professionals minimized the gaps between their body and virtual reality sensations, aligning them as closely as possible in the brain.

Most signaling in virtual reality was much more extreme than real world signals.

Still, synchronization rates only improved slightly.

The primary reason ‘Surface’ recommended those exercises was for health.

Sojun recommended them solely for building the basics.

“Understood, I’ll do them!”

“Make sure it’s in real life. Gathering combat experience is better in virtual reality. There’s not much to fight in the real world anyway. But moving your body, that’s different.”

It was uncertain whether exercising in reality improved skill more than health.

Perhaps athletes, like Sojun himself, who moved well in real life also managed to do so in virtual reality?

Thus, there was only one reason why he’d told Swordsman to exercise in reality.

To make it hard.

Training had to be strenuous by nature.

– By the way, where did Streamer-nim get their combat experience?
– Isn’t he the sect’s successor?
– He’s the successor of the Heavenly Demon.
– Born in the Martial Techniques world, huh? LOL.

The assignment was done with that.

Now, they would summon him in each stream to pass the time.

* * *

“Hmm, now let’s set the traits.”

Swordsman had left the game, claiming he would exercise according to Sojun’s homework.

Afterward, Sojun had descended from the mountain and secured a spot in the village center to participate in the game.

Upon opening the traits window, a complex, tree-like screen appeared.

Above it was displayed 30 trait points.

The maximum trait points that could be earned.

He was supposed to distribute these wisely to create his build.

“Wow, it’s complicated.”

Even when choosing other minor forces, traits had to be selected, but since there were no sub-forces in the Demonic Cult, traits were especially numerous and complicated.

From minor traits that slightly increased movement speed in certain situations to core traits that allowed for Martial Techniques usage.

Thinking about the combinations, it seemed like there could be countless possibilities.

– Blood Cult meta, go go, I’d like to see that.
– Why recommend a tanker?
– Of course it’s Heavenly Demon Divine Art for a Heavenly Demon.
– LOL, these newbies don’t know anything. The Demonic Cult requires a heavy sword.
– Heavy sword, agreed.
– LOL, look at the kids fighting.

Even though he hadn’t asked for recommendations, people began suggesting ideas.

“Did you really think I wouldn’t research even this?”

– Yes.
– No, of course not.
– Certainly.
– A person who didn’t even know the Demonic Cult’s entrance exam, LOL.

The viewers displayed a severe distrust for Streamer-nim.

However, Sojun actually had a trait in mind.

Build.

It referred to a combination of various equipment and trait settings in the game.

In ‘For Justice’, crafting a build centered around the most important martial art was key.

Sojun began selecting traits while reading through numerous trait descriptions.

“Are you really going to do that?”

– Is that the Heavenly Demon? Is that the Heavenly Demon? Is that the Heavenly Demon?
– Why a tanker, LOL.
– Blood Cult meta, yes yes yes.

As Sojun continued selecting traits, a rough outline emerged, and viewers began to notice.

However, as he started choosing more crucial traits, the reaction shifted.

– What’s this?
– Wasn’t it the Blood Cult meta? Why choose that?
– I didn’t know there was such a build?
– Streamer…
– There’s no way that could be a tanker, LOL.
– Starting foolishness again.
– Phew.

Sojun finally selected the core trait.

It was the Absorption Technique.

In ‘For Justice’, the Absorption Technique, originally a martial art that absorbed an opponent’s inner energy, was designed to regain health when attacking an enemy.

Therefore, it could endure long in battles, making it excellent for tanker builds, earning the Blood Cult nickname for its lifestealing appearance.

However, the viewers reacted differently.

– By choosing only damage-related minor traits, it can’t endure at all…
– Please don’t do this.
– Uncomfortable, haha.
– I knew this would happen, LOL.
– (site link) Change it, streamer!

The build he completed in the end deviated entirely from the standard tanker build.

Changing a trait optimized by experts over hundreds and thousands of games was considered inefficient from the outset.

But, “I won’t change it. This will be much better. You aren’t a grandmaster, are you?”

– You’re not a grandmaster!
– Absolutely, LOL.
– Do whatever you want, streamer, LOL.
– Grandmaster’s words are always correct.

And then.

“It’s time. There’s nothing I can do.”

It was 7 o’clock.

With light steps, Sojun walked inside to start the game.

The battle mode had been added to the gaming modes.

“Well, we’ll find out who’s right when we play.”

Certainly, he didn’t intend to lose.

If he failed, he would become a magical girl.