When I regressed, I was a martial arts genius

Lee Jun ventured outside the school for the first time in a long while.

Due to his rigorous training, the only places he’d been outside the dorms were the mountains. While one might expect him to feel excited about the rare outing, his face was filled with discontent.

‘Master, is this necessary?’

[If you want to improve your pitiful skills quickly, this is the only method I can think of.]

‘It’s such an outdated method, though.’

[This method will make you stronger, trust me.]

Lee Jun walked through a street lined with various buildings. This was the shopping district near the school, a place where awakened individuals could buy the items they needed.

What he needed today were weighted iron bands that could serve as sandbags.

Clang! Clang! Clang!

The sound of hammering metal rang out from a blacksmith shop located on the first floor of a building.

While it was rare to see a forge in an urban area, in this era where monsters frequently appeared, such sights were becoming increasingly common.

Lee Jun stepped inside the building’s first floor.

“Hello? Is anyone here?”

A middle-aged man emerged from the back.

“What can I do for you?”

The shopkeeper addressed Lee Jun with great respect.

In a world dominated by awakened individuals, underestimating someone based on their youthful appearance could lead to disaster.

“Do you happen to have iron weights?”

“Iron weights…? Please wait here for a moment.”

The shopkeeper went into the back room and returned with a solid lump of iron.

“Here it is.”

“How much does it weigh?”

“This one’s about 10 kilograms.”

“Do you have any that are around 50 kilograms each?”

At the mention of 50 kilograms, the shopkeeper’s face filled with surprise.

“Fifty kilograms? What do you plan to use them for?”

“I’m going to attach them to my wrists and ankles.”

“What? You’re talking about a total of 200 kilograms?”

“Yes.”

The shopkeeper mulled it over for a moment before finally speaking.

“I do have weights that heavy, but they’re not designed to be wearable. I could reforge them into something that can be worn, though. It might look a bit crude.”

“That’s fine. Just make them so I can wear them under my clothes.”

“Understood.”

“How much will it cost?”

“These days, dark iron isn’t in high demand, so for four pieces, it’ll be 2 million won. Including the reforging fee, the total comes to 4 million won.”

“Go ahead and process the payment.”

Lee Jun used KkaeTalk Pay to complete the transaction.

For a high school sophomore, it was a massive amount of money.
As an awakened individual, he could afford it, though it was still a significant expense.

“Thank you. The reforging will take about four hours.”

“Please give me a call when it’s ready.”

Leaving the shop, Lee Jun headed to a nearby café.

Since he rarely got to leave the school grounds, he decided to splurge a little, scraping together what little money he had left.

***

‘I’m flat broke.’

A student had just spent a whopping 4 million won.

For an ordinary student, it was an unthinkable amount.

[In this world, monsters are money. You’ll make it back quickly if you go hunting.]
‘Students aren’t allowed to enter gates so freely.’

[Bah! Give those rules to the dogs! Rules are made to be broken.]

His master was incorrigible.
Serious one moment, petulant the next—sometimes even downright eccentric.

Calling him mercurial might be an understatement; it was impossible to know how to deal with him.

Not that Lee Jun had any intention of strictly following those rules, either.

Taking a sip of his iced chocolate, he opened his status window.

[Basic Information]
Title: Outcast
Name: Lee Jun
Age: 18
Potential: Rank Undefined
Skill: Mixed Origin Divine Art (SSS)
Trait: +Route of the Disillusioned Sage of Wugeuk (??)
∴ Tech Tree Points: 250,000p

[Attributes]
Stamina: 15/100
Body: 13/100
Strength: 15/100
Agility: 13/100

-Special Stats-
Internal Energy: 63/620
Mental Power: 32/150

The stats hadn’t improved as much as he had hoped, leaving him slightly disappointed.

Carrying a 100kg stone and climbing mountains like his life depended on it only increased his stats by 2 or 3 at most.

Of course, there were some upsides.

The most notable improvement was his internal energy.

When he first learned the Three Talent Heart Method, his internal energy limit was capped at 50. However, after switching to Mixed Origin Divine Art, the limit had skyrocketed to an astounding 620.

“Mixed Origin Divine Art is an incredible martial art.”

[Once again, as your master, I must emphasize that this internal energy, cultivated through a lifetime of enlightenment, is the absolute pinnacle… (abridged)]

Praising him once was enough to make his master, Wugeukja, launch into another lengthy monologue. For someone who had passed away, he sure had a lot to say. Surprisingly, he was quite talkative.

Finally, the long self-praise came to an end. Lee Jun took the opportunity to flatter him back.

“You truly are the unparalleled master of all ages.”

[Indeed, I am well aware. Hohoho!]

Before his master could start another speech, Lee Jun quickly opened his Trait Window.

[The Path of the Disillusioned Sage of Wugeuk]
Grade: ??

Description:
The world is filled with countless recluses—those who seek enlightenment, those who have hidden for decades due to public disgrace, and more. Recluses live freely and have the potential to change the world, depending on their choices.

Effect: Martial arts proficiency +20%.

“This is insane.”

The Path of Destruction was also tempting, but he couldn’t bring himself to abandon the master who had been teaching him.

After much deliberation, he chose the route tied to his master. Not that the trait’s effect was bad.

A 20% increase in martial arts proficiency.

It was the most essential effect for someone like him, who needed to grow stronger quickly.

Lee Jun tapped on the route.

– The Path of the Disillusioned Sage of Wugeuk (??)
Recluse (0) – Last Disciple of the Hermit Master (0/100,000)
Martial Art (0) – Lordly Steps (0/650,000)
Attributes (0) – Strength +15 (0/100,000)
∴ Tech Tree Points: 250,000p

Three categories appeared.

“Master, how do I earn Tech Tree Points?”

[Through quests or by clearing gates.]

As stubborn as his master could be, his knowledge of the system was surprisingly helpful.

“The methods seem pretty limited.”

It seemed wise to carefully consider how to spend his Tech Tree Points.

Lee Jun checked each category.

[Last Disciple of the Hermit Master (0/100,000)]
Grade: D
Effect: Combat power +10%, unlocks new category.

[Lordly Steps (0/650,000)]
Grade: B (Growth Type)
Reward: The Lordly Steps skill, unlocks a new category.

[Strength +15 (0/100,000)]
Grade: D
Reward: Strength +15, unlocks new category.

Martial arts required 650,000 points to progress in the tech tree, so it was eliminated from consideration.

Only two options remained.

“I’ll increase the Recluse and Attribute categories by one level each.”

Each selection cost 50,000 points, and Lee Jun tapped twice.

[You have acquired the title: Last Disciple of the Hermit Master.]
[A new category has been unlocked.]
[Companion of Nature has been added.]

A new category was unlocked.

He immediately allocated points to the Attribute category as well.

[You have acquired Strength +15.]
[A new category has been unlocked.]
[Strength +15 has been added.]

Lee Jun opened the newly unlocked categories.

[Companion of Nature (0/250,000)]
Grade: C
Effect: Increases all elemental affinities by 20%.

[Strength +15 (0/100,000)]
Grade: D
Reward: +15 to Physical Stats, unlocks a new category.

“Wow.”

Lee Jun’s eyes widened in surprise.

Since activating the Martial Arts Route, he had encountered grades and effects he had never seen before.

The new categories were no exception.

For their grades, the effects were remarkable—almost as if they were being handed out for free.

The most appealing was the Attribute category, which could be boosted for just 100,000 points.

“I guess I’ll have to start clearing gates.”

[Why?]

“After spending points in the tech tree, I can’t stop thinking about spending more.”

His hands itched as if he were under a spell.

[That’s the danger of gambling addiction, you know.]

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

Lee Jun spent some time chatting idly with Wugeukja.

As he sat in the café, lounging, his smartphone buzzed with a notification.

– The iron bracelets are ready.

Lee Jun stood up and headed back to the forge on the first floor of the building.

“Here are the four iron bracelets,” said the blacksmith.

On the floor lay black, bracelet-shaped iron weights.

“They look good.”

“I put some extra effort into them.”

“Thank you.”

Lee Jun strapped on the iron weights.

Though they were shaped like bracelets, each one weighed 50kg.

When all four bracelets were secured to his body…

Thunk.

With every step he took, a heavy sound echoed.

“Ugh.”

“Are you okay?”

“Yes, thank you. I’ll be back again next time.”

Without using his internal energy, his movements were incredibly sluggish.

He moved forward only using his physical strength, stepping awkwardly out of the shop.

[So, when will you return to the dormitory? Can’t you move faster?!]
Without fail, Wugeukja’s nagging voice echoed again.

‘I’d like to move faster, but this is 200kg after all. My current speed is almost miraculous.’

[Ha! Back in my day, Master’s Master…]
Another story from ancient times began.

His master was an incredibly old-fashioned person.

Always talk about “back in my day.” The quickest way to end that was to placate his master as much as possible.

After enduring a long lecture that made his ears hurt…

“Hey, Fallen One.”

From behind, someone called out to him.

***

It had been a long time.

No, not really.

There wasn’t much time between them.

He had seen those guys daily, even after graduating from the Martial Arts Academy.

From the first year, sharing the same class—children of influential families.

The typical thugs who boasted of their strength.

Their ranks were E-level.

Not particularly high, but still far superior to F-level.

No matter how much effort one put in, F-level remained F-level.

Breaking into the next rank was incredibly difficult, but these guys could easily climb higher with diligent training.

Unlike him, they were those who had inherited power from their parents.

“What brings you here, young master, hiding away in your room?”

“Don’t provoke me and just leave.”

“Oh? Look at this little bastard.”

A high school-aged boy grabbed his shoulder.

A pressing force transmitted through his hand.

The pressure was meant to crush his shoulder.

“Oops, I got ahead of myself. Before the school term started, Ki Hong told me not to mess with you. Almost broke your shoulder there.”

The bully’s cocky words made Jihoon furrow his brows.

‘Ki Hong.’

Flames burned in Jihoon’s eyes.

Ki Hong, his cousin.

One of the kids who used to torment him when they were younger.

Known as a tyrant, his personality was as filthy as his reputation.

His unique martial skill was Pride.

With innate divine power, he excelled in combat.

Unlike those thugs, Ki Hong was a D-rank.

People believed with enough effort, he could rise to A-rank.

‘The one who destroyed my dantian.’

During his confrontation with Ki Hong, he deliberately used vicious tactics.

As a result, Jihoon’s dantian was severely damaged, leaving him in a vegetative state for a while.

It took seven grueling years to barely reach D-rank.

He should have been proud of achieving a D-rank, but he deeply felt his limitations.

The Three Virtues Heart Law and Sword Arts couldn’t accomplish anything.

Understanding why his family abandoned him became clear.

‘But this life will be different.’

The memories resurfaced, and a spasm appeared at the corner of Jihoon’s eye.

“Oops. Want to hit me?”

“Move.”

Jihoon gently brushed off the hand gripping his shoulder.

The sight left the bully stunned.

A failure, slightly stronger than an average person, who couldn’t inherit his family’s bloodline, dared to push him away.

It was absurd.

To save face, the bully tried to provoke Jihoon further.

“Heading to the Divine Power Clan, are you? Do you want to come with us? We’ll ensure you pass.”

“Shut your mouth.”

“Oh, right. You’re of low blood, so the Madam gets disgusted just looking at your face, right? Heh heh… Ugh!”

Laughing mockingly, the bully had his face smashed by Jihoon’s fist.

He collapsed backward, unconscious with a single punch.

The others who saw the scene rushed toward Jihoon.

“You’re such a coward!”

“Hey, take him down!”

While they were caught off guard, Jihoon launched a surprise attack, believing his friend had been hit.

They were all E-rank Awakeners.

They were also the top troublemakers in school.

‘I see.’

As Jihoon heightened his Hun Yuan Shin Gong, the trajectory of his fist became crystal clear.

It moved in slow motion, almost like a dream.

Jihoon shifted his body.

The fist barely grazed his face.

Gripping the bully’s arm with both hands, he twisted.

Creak!

The bully screamed in agony as his arm was snapped.

“Argh, my arm!”

The bully fell to the ground, clutching his shoulder.

Ignoring him, Jihoon swiftly approached the others.

“What, what is happening?”

Caught off guard by the unfamiliar situation, the bullies were in disarray.

Before they could react, Jihoon appeared right in front of them. They instinctively swung their fists, but in his grasp, their fists were useless.

Crack!

A sharp sound echoed as their bones were crushed.

“Argh!”

Gripping his shattered hand, the bully’s face turned crimson with pain.

Jihoon delivered a swift kick to the bully’s face.

Thud!

The bully was sent flying far away.

Only one stood still.

Jihoon turned his gaze.

“Don’t come any closer.”

With one swift motion, Jihoon had subdued two of them, leaving the remaining bully trembling and retreating.

Fear gripped him tightly.

The Jihoon he knew— the one who used to be a punching bag, always bullied and pushed around— was not the one standing before him.

‘How is this possible?’

Shaking uncontrollably, their eyes met Jihoon’s.

“I know. I’m nothing more than trash who can’t inherit the family legacy.”

Jihoon’s voice was bitter.

He was a disgrace to a prestigious family—too low even to receive proper bloodline inheritance. Being allowed to live in the family was something he should be grateful for.

‘I feel like shit.’

In the past, he did everything to gain recognition from the family.

A father who abandoned him. A grandmother who sought to kill him, claiming he wasn’t her real grandson.

Everyone had turned their back on him.

But did he need to cling to that family even in the past?

No.

He didn’t want to anymore.

‘I’ll become strong and stand tall on my own.’

Jihoon clenched his teeth tightly.

He approached the bully who had bared his claws at him.

He couldn’t let someone like that go unpunished.

“Stay away!”

The bully, who had fallen to the ground in fear, looked terrified.

But Jihoon didn’t hesitate. He delivered a punch that turned his face into a bloodied mess.