I Raided the Demon’s Treasury

Chapter 25

Despite usually being indifferent to the camp, this time was different for Se-woon. Without anyone asking, he proactively stepped up to help with the camp’s tasks.

Although he had been away for a while, thanks to Park Jung-pil’s excellent reporting, Se-woon could instantly grasp the situation of the camp.

As Se-woon began to move around, the camp’s problems were quickly resolved.

Monster corpses were cleaned up, the groans of patients ceased, and the atmosphere of the camp significantly stabilized.

Right then.

Whack, thud!

“Ugh!”

“Your skills have improved a lot.”

“You’ve become a completely different person. You were already like a monster, but now you’ve turned into an even greater beast.”

Se-woon was sparring with Kang Han-cheol in front of a broken wooden post.

Was it thanks to Se-woon’s guidance? Or was it the contract with the Constellation ‘Old Man Riding a Crocodile’ and the experience gained from fighting countless monsters in Se-woon’s absence?

Kang Han-cheol’s combat abilities and style had greatly evolved.

Instead of simply overpowering his opponent with brute strength as before, he now utilized the terrain and his skills to the fullest.

Those techniques were mostly…

“Tai Chi, huh? It’s better than I expected. And I never even taught you.”

“If it’s something I can learn with my body, I’m confident.”

It was the Tai Chi that Se-woon had demonstrated when facing Kang Han-cheol earlier.

Even during the Ninth Wave, there were more grappling and throwing techniques than plain punches.

Though it wasn’t proper Tai Chi, it seemed to have been modified to fit his own physique.

“You did well, but with this, you’re not utilizing your strengths fully.”

“My strengths?”

“Yes, your strengths.”

Tap!

Until now, the sparring between Se-woon and Kang Han-cheol had mostly consisted of Kang Han-cheol launching the attacks.

Se-woon stood still, merely receiving the attacks.

But this time was different. Se-woon pushed off the ground and charged towards Kang Han-cheol.

Kang Han-cheol’s eyes widened. He never expected Se-woon to make the first move.

However, thanks to his steadily increasing real combat experience, Kang Han-cheol quickly gathered himself and reacted to Se-woon.

Defense? That wasn’t Kang Han-cheol’s style.

Only attack. He countered Se-woon’s attack with an attack of his own.

This was Kang Han-cheol’s way.

He hurriedly observed Se-woon’s movements, but nothing seemed unusual.

Se-woon, too, twisted his waist, preparing his fist.

However, there was something invisible to Kang Han-cheol.

– Opened the Treasury of Greed.

[Jinju On-ga Fist (晋州彦家拳)]

– As a member of the Five Great Families, Jinju On-ga is famous for its martial arts specialized in barehanded combat and unique strength techniques.

It was Mammon’s Treasury.

The unique martial art of Jinju On-ga seeped into Se-woon’s fists, coloring his internal energy a vivid blue. It resembled the color of a dying corpse more than that of a blade.

Kang Han-cheol noticed the change in Se-woon’s attack just before the strike but didn’t stop his own attack.

Soon, their fists collided in mid-air.

Boom!

The impact was so powerful that a massive shockwave spread out.

Yoo Seo-ah, who had been waiting for her turn nearby, flinched and covered her face.

Kang Han-cheol gritted his teeth and tried to stand his ground, not wanting to be overpowered.

– Through internal energy, the first form of Jinju On-ga Fist, Gang-shi Fist (僵尸拳), is enhanced.

– According to the mysteries of the Paragon Mental Cultivation Technique, the power of the martial art is enhanced.

Thud!

“Ugh!”

In the end, Kang Han-cheol was pushed back by Se-woon’s fist.

Not just using his arm strength but his entire body’s power, Kang Han-cheol had to experience his whole body being hurled away by the force.

Until recently, Se-woon had been at an overwhelming disadvantage in contests of sheer strength. But now, even in a battle of strength versus strength, he had managed to gain the upper hand.

‘Well, it’s only natural.’

Honestly, in terms of pure muscle strength, Se-woon still lagged behind Kang Han-cheol.

However, Se-woon possessed internal energy worth nearly half a lifespan. Coupled with the enhanced power of martial arts through the Paragon Mental Cultivation Technique, such destructive force was possible.

“Strong Fist (强拳). That’s how you can maximize your power.”

Kang Han-cheol’s physical abilities were extraordinary. His strength was reminiscent of an ogre’s descendant.

In a tower filled with powerful monsters, a grappling style like Tai Chi would certainly be useful, but a strong fist technique like Jinju On-ga Fist was far better suited for Kang Han-cheol.

That’s why Se-woon chose this martial art.

Jinju On-ga Fist.

It is a martial art known for its solid body and fearless combat against enemies, much like a Jiangshi. (Chinese hopping vampire).

At a certain level, the opponent facing this technique would be seized by fear, as if confronting a jiangshi.

Although there were many other martial arts that suited Kang Han-cheol, but

‘I’m the only one who can absorb martial arts books instantly.’

Even with outstanding talent, it’s impossible to learn multiple techniques at once.

“That punch just now…”

“I used internal energy. Once you master the form (形), I’ll teach you the mental cultivation technique too.”

“…Got it.”

Despite being curious about how Se-woon learned such techniques and how he grew so strong, Kang Han-cheol didn’t ask any questions.

He simply took Se-woon’s punches silently, learning with his eyes and body.

After demonstrating all the basic forms of Jinju On-ga Fist that Se-woon could currently execute,

“Now practice on your own. If you want to get hit again—no, if you want to learn more, come back.”

“Got it.”

The sparring session was satisfactory for Se-woon as well.

While the knowledge of martial arts seeped into his mind as he used them, gaining practical experience with a strong fist technique like Jinju On-ga Fist wasn’t easy.

Although it was under the pretext of teaching, Se-woon also got to hone his skills in Jinju On-ga Fist.

Moreover, it was an opportunity to physically feel the stats he had accumulated so far.

A kind of combat power gauge, perhaps?

“Oh, right. It’ll be hard to practice alone, won’t it?”

“It doesn’t matter.”

“No, it’s different from hitting a tree and facing a person.”

“Weren’t you planning to spar with that girl next? There’s no one else in the camp who can match me.”

“No, there is one person.”

Se-woon grinned broadly.

There was just one person.

While he couldn’t take Kang Han-cheol’s attacks head-on, he could definitely dodge them.

“Jung-pil?”

“Yes! Hyung!”

As soon as his name was called, Park Jung-pil came running hastily from somewhere.

Fortunately, it seemed he hadn’t heard the conversation Se-woon had with Kang Han-cheol a moment ago. Judging by the hopeful glint in his eyes, he was expecting something from Se-woon.

“Are you free right now?”

“Yes! I’ve cleared my schedule so I can respond to any of your calls anytime, Hyung!”

“Then spar with Han-cheol for a bit.”

“…What?”

His body stiffened instantly as he scanned Kang Han-cheol.

When Kang Han-cheol turned to Se-woon and said, “Are you sure? I can’t promise to hold back,” Park Jung-pil’s face went pale.

“H-ha-ha. Hyung, I actually have a very important task in the camp…”

“Use him however you like.”

“Then, I won’t hold back.”

Thunk.

“Eek?”

Kang Han-cheol’s thick palm grabbed Park Jung-pil by the nape.

Desperately, Park Jung-pil tried to persuade Se-woon and Kang Han-cheol, but the two were already ignoring him completely.

“I’ll leave it to you. Park… Park Jung-tae.”

“You don’t even remember my name! No, Hyuuuuuuuuuung!”

– The Constellation, ‘Thief with the Donkey Head,’ chuckles while rolling on the floor, realizing its belly button is missing.

– The Constellation, ‘Old Man Riding a Crocodile,’ observes you and nods, acknowledging that indeed, you are chosen by two Demon Gods.

* * *

“Hyaap!”

Clang!

After his bout with Kang Han-cheol, Se-woon immediately began sparring with Yoo Seo-ah, who had been waiting nearby.

Wielding her dual swords like she did before the regression, Yoo Seo-ah seemed aware of her strengths.

It felt completely different from facing Kang Han-cheol.

It was truly like a perfect piece of software.

Although there is no internal energy, the form of the movements was almost flawless.

“However…”

“The technique is good, but the strength is too lacking.”

“Strength?”

“Yes. It might not matter when facing multiple weaker monsters, but against a single strong monster, speed, and technique alone won’t suffice.”

– The Constellation, ‘Crowned Spider,’ nods in agreement.

“Even dealing with the red-skinned monsters was tough enough…”

“You know it too—monsters in the next wave will be even stronger than those we’ve faced.”

“…”

Yoo Seo-ah gritted her teeth.

What she lacked now was strength and stamina.

When Se-woon had first arrived at the camp, Yoo Seo-ah had been out of breath, having exhausted her stamina.

Her ability to slightly outscore Kang Han-cheol in contributions until now was likely due to her combat style.

However, this combat style was not suited for the upcoming tenth wave.

While trying to explain the next wave without arousing suspicion, Se-woon finished his thoughts and spoke again.

“Do you know what I’ve been doing every time I left the camp?”

“You’re finally going to tell me? You’ve been acting like you really didn’t want to.”

“I’ve been fighting boss monsters.”

“Boss monsters?”

“Yeah. Not the regular monsters that appear during the waves, but monsters much stronger than them.”

“So, the reason you’ve gotten so strong so quickly…”

“Yes. That’s the reason.”

Unable to reveal the truth about his regression, this was all Se-woon could share.

However, this was enough for Yoo Seo-ah to be convinced. The Durandal that Se-woon was holding proved that fact.

“And I’ve been thinking, this pattern of similar waves can’t continue indefinitely.”

“So, in the next wave, a ‘boss monster’ like the ones you’ve been fighting might appear?”

“It’s just a prediction, but I consider it highly possible.”

It wasn’t just a possibility, it was a fact.

However, this was the limit of what Se-woon could explain to her without raising suspicion by seeming too knowledgeable.

“So, I hope you can keep this in mind and lead the people accordingly.”

“Yes. Oh! And I’ve been thinking for a while now.”

“What is it?”

“While I’m taking the lead, isn’t the true leader of our camp actually you, Se-woon? So…”

“No, I want you to continue in that role.”

“But…”

“I’ll handle the big picture, but there will be many times when I’ll be outside the camp. How do you think the camp’s atmosphere would be if the leader is always away?”

“You’re right about that.”

“Exactly. So, I’m counting on you.”

“…Okay.”

That was all I had to say.

It seemed my words had given her something to think about, as her eyes grew even more resolute.

Feeling reassured by this, Se-woon continued sparring with her.

Her techniques were already well-honed, so rather than teaching her martial arts like Kang Han-cheol, he focused on pointing out her weaknesses and strengths.

What came next was for her to figure it out on her own.

Time passed quickly.

Under Yoo Seo-ah’s direction, people began training differently and started researching new formations.

The palisades the twins built were also redesigned to prepare for not just the regular waves, but potential ‘boss monsters.’

Time flew by, and as the next wave approached, the camp’s atmosphere grew more intense.

[ Tutorial, Chapter One – Adaptation ]

– Time remaining until the tenth monster wave: 5 minutes.

“Don’t worry! We can do this again!”

“This time, our Hyung is with us too!”

Just before the tenth wave, Se-woon was also mentally preparing himself, doing image training for the approaching wave.

“Hey, you’re here!”

A voice and the sound of heavy breathing reached him.