What I asked the mountain keeper for was his time.
To be precise, the time he would spend helping me with my training.
"What do you mean?"
"I would appreciate it if you could assist me with my training."
"Training?"
The mountain keeper looked puzzled at my words.
"Well, I suppose you already know, but I'm not human—I'm a goblin. Teaching you anything wouldn't be of much help, would it?"
"What I want is a little different."
Magic, by its very nature, was known to be a mysterious art, regardless of its strength or weakness.
Teleportation, summoning fire and ice—
There were techniques akin to sorcery or wizardry, and even feats that defied the very laws of reality.
Moreover, goblins were practically embodiments of nature itself.
There was no being more skilled in magic than a goblin.
And I knew of a particular magic that only a goblin could perform.
"I heard that, long ago, you used a certain magic to help train warriors. Was it called illusion magic?"
"You little rascal…."
The mountain keeper's eyes narrowed sharply.
"I would be grateful if you could draw out the memories stored within me."
I recalled the records I had read about the mountain keeper.
'The mountain keeper's illusions weren't originally meant for training.'
But I had deliberately phrased it in a way that sounded appealing.
Goblins naturally enjoyed mischief and took pleasure in playing pranks on humans.
Nowadays, they seemed to prefer drinking, but in the past, they entertained themselves by tricking those who sought training in the mountains.
The primary method they used was illusion magic.
It brought forth beings from the trainee's memories, manifesting them as if they were real.
That was precisely what I wanted to use now.
"Ahem! Hey, kid. I don't know where you heard about that, but it's not something you can really use for training. It's just an illusion from a simple talisman…."
The mountain keeper looked slightly flustered by my request.
"I understand that if you continuously supply power, the illusion will be indistinguishable from reality. And I heard that was how you defended Mount Cheonwi during the Great War."
"How do you even…."
"That's why I asked for your time. It shouldn't be difficult for you, should it? You only need to invest some time."
The mountain keeper flinched.
'Damn it. How does this brat know so much?'
It was something from so long ago that even he could barely remember it.
To think that his old tricks would come back to haunt him now.
"Is it too much trouble? I thought it would be quite easy for you, so I asked."
At that, the mountain keeper clicked his tongue.
It wasn't difficult. It really wasn't—but it was annoying.
'So I'll have to stay stuck here while this brat trains, huh?'
But a promise had already been made. He couldn't back out now.
"Fine… I'll do it. About an hour should be—"
"Since it's the great mountain keeper's magic, I suppose I can skip my morning training. Would you be able to assist me for about twelve hours a day?"
"W-What? Twelve hours?"
The mountain keeper's face twisted in shock.
He had expected it to take about an hour, but twelve?
"Hey, isn't that a bit too long? You're using goblin magic for training, and you want to spend half a day on it? That's just greedy, you little brat!"
"Ah, I see. Hmm… Then how about four hours after lunch?"
Four hours.
That wasn't too bad. A little annoying, but manageable.
"F-Fine. That much is reasonable."
"Thank you, Mountain Keeper."
And so, I secured the opportunity to embark on a new form of training.
***
The mountain keeper picked up the talisman on the ground with a reluctant expression.
What his magic created wasn't something that didn't exist in this world, nor was it something from his own memories.
The illusions were drawn from Lee Cheol's memories, manifesting whatever he focused on.
'That tiny brat actually fought that monster? The world must be ending.'
Well, the world had always been in turmoil.
Especially with that insane Sungmuiga family—they were the embodiment of chaos itself.
"Hey, kid! Do you want to rest for a bit?"
"Hoo… Please, let's continue right away."
The mountain keeper frowned in disbelief.
Even if the illusions weren't real, they would feel real to Lee Cheol.
From his perspective, the battle he just fought must have felt like a life-or-death struggle.
And yet, he was only taking a brief breath before diving back in.
"…Fine. Do whatever you want. Just focus and visualize like before."
For a while, Lee Cheol had his eyes closed, lost in thought. When he finally nodded, the mountain keeper yawned and flicked a talisman into the air.
This time, what appeared was a person.
Dressed in a neat martial uniform with a refined appearance, he held a sword in his hand.
"Huh? Who's that?"
"He was an instructor of the trainee corps."
"Oh, is that so."
With that, Lee Cheol ended the conversation and resumed clashing against the illusion.
The mountain keeper let out a deep sigh, feeling the spiritual energy drain from him.
'Why did I agree to this in the first place?'
He could have easily avoided this hassle by changing the subject or offering a different reward in advance…
But before he knew it, he had ended up helping.
That brat might be better with his tongue than with his weapon.
'Come to think of it, isn't four hours still too long? Didn't he initially request twelve hours just to make four seem reasonable?'
That could be it! No, it must be!
'And his second request is even weirder.'
Everything Lee Cheol did was filled with bizarre antics.
'Ugh, what's done is done. Let's just get it over with. Besides, the second request isn't even that difficult!'
The mountain keeper uncorked a bottle of liquor and took a swig.
As he absentmindedly sipped, he suddenly tilted his head.
'…Did that brat get taller?'
Observing closely, Lee Cheol seemed larger than when he had first arrived in the mountains.
Not just a little—significantly.
At least a handspan taller.
His shoulders had broadened, and his muscles had grown.
The change was too drastic to have happened in just three months.
'Well, considering how much he's pushed his body and recovered repeatedly…'
The contours of his physique were sharply defined with every intense movement.
Who would believe that body belonged to a 14-year-old?
It was only then that the mountain keeper carefully examined Lee Cheol's posture and movements.
The dazzling display of martial arts.
The intricate footwork, the precise arm movements.
His mouth slowly fell open.
'He definitely wasn't at this level when he first started training.'
His movements had become more refined.
He switched weapons fluidly in battle, never breaking his rhythm—flowing like a river.
Each time he wielded a weapon, he exuded the aura of a master of that specific weapon.
When he swung a sword, he felt like a swordsman.
When he used a spear, he felt like a spearman.
What was shocking was that he had used dozens of different weapons, yet with every single one, he displayed a distinct level of mastery.
'Even his control over his demonic eye and magical energy has improved.'
His once erratic energy now moved in accordance with his will, and he seemed to have a firm grip on his previously unstable demonic eye.
Compared to when he first started training, his mastery of all his abilities had risen exponentially.
'Rather than just becoming stronger… he's become solid.'
It didn't feel like he had simply ascended to a new level; rather, he had laid down a rock-solid foundation.
And all of this, in just three months.
It now made sense that he could sense the presence of mystical creatures and track them.
His demonic eye, his instincts, his aura, his combat techniques—
His proficiency in every aspect had improved, allowing him to achieve such feats naturally.
BOOM!
A sudden explosion rang out, followed by an icy gust that swept through the training ground.
'Whoa, even ice now? Handling elemental power is no small feat for a human.'
He had witnessed countless trainees over the years, but never one like this.
Eyes glowing with demonic energy, wielding not just one or two, but an entire arsenal of weapons.
Bursting with aura, yet maintaining precise control, and now even wielding ice?
'He fights so chaotically, yet nothing is disorderly. That's the crazy part.'
His wild movements weren't just random—they had been refined into a legitimate martial art.
Three months. In just three months, the boy had built his foundation.
And there were still about nine months left.
That child will surely grow again, but where exactly will they end up?
"If it's that child, I bet they could really go in and come back out from there."
If that child manages to pass through the training ground that no one dares to challenge anymore…
Sungmu was practically making history.
Kwaang!
Another explosion echoed through the training ground.
'That aside…'
The mountain keeper's eyes sank deep.
'That weapon… I feel like I've seen something similar before…'
For a moment.
As he observed Lee Cheol's unique movements with a frown, the mountain keeper's eyes widened even further.
***
After every training session, I would head straight to the outdoor bath filled with healing water.
As I submerged myself in the steaming water, an involuntary sigh of relief escaped my lips.
"Haa—."
It felt like a reward for all the grueling training.
A tingling sensation, as if carbonated water was enveloping my body, seeped into every corner of my being.
The energy of the healing water permeated my skin, soaking into my muscles and bones, and even affecting my magic circuits.
Feeling both strangely refreshed and oddly awkward, I enjoyed the warmth of the water.
"You really are human, huh? Seeing you all worn out like this. Heh!"
Just then, the mountain keeper appeared without a sound, smirking at me as if he had pulled off another trick.
"Mountain Keeper? What brings you here?"
"Come on, kid. I went through some trouble too, so I deserve a break, don't I?"
The mountain keeper trudged into the bath and plopped down right across from me.
"Ahhh, now that's refreshing."
Then, he casually started peeling an egg.
He looked like he might pull out some sweet rice drink next.
"You were just thinking I'd drink sweet rice punch, weren't you?"
"…No, I wasn't."
I subtly averted my gaze.
"Don't even try to deny it, brat. And in times like this, it's not sweet rice punch—it's liquor."
With a flick of his hand, a plastic bottle of makgeolli fell from the air.
I couldn't believe someone could love alcohol this much.
'Then again, he's not even human.'
I had read that goblins loved alcohol, but I didn't expect it to be this extreme.
"Don't look at me like that, kid. You're too young for this. No drinking until you've at least grown some hair down there."
"I'm fine."
Not like I wanted any in the first place.
The mountain keeper kept pouring himself drinks and peeling eggs.
Then, he glanced at me.
"You've been here for a few months now, right?"
"It's been over three months."
"You haven't taken a break even once?"
I wasn't sure why he was asking, but I answered truthfully.
"I take breaks every time."
"I don't mean coming here after training, dumbass. I mean properly resting."
"…"
"You're something else. I've lived a long time, but I've never seen someone who trains so hard they soak in the bath three times a day just to recover."
The mountain keeper chuckled as he chewed on his egg.
We didn't talk much after that.
By the time my body had fully recovered, I slowly got up.
"I think I've recovered. I'll head up first."
"Hold on."
Just as I was halfway up, the mountain keeper stopped me.
"Sit back down. Let's talk for a bit."
His tone was the same as always, but as he swirled the liquor bottle in the air, his expression was more serious than ever.
I hesitated before sinking back into the water.
"That thing you were swinging around earlier. What's its name?"
"This?"
I showed him the black ring on my finger.
"Yeah."
"It's called Mujin."
The mountain keeper's eyes darkened.
"Where did you get it?"
"…"
Why was he suddenly asking about this?
As I searched for an answer, the mountain keeper stared at me intently.
"If it's something difficult to talk about, I promise I won't mention it to anyone."
"Why are you curious?"
"I'm not certain yet, but it's related to what that thing really is. Can you tell me?"
I hesitated for a moment.
Since I had his promise, there was no harm in telling him.
And honestly, I was curious about Mujin's origins too.
"I found it in my family's secret records."
Tap, tap—
The mountain keeper absentmindedly drummed his fingers on the stone surrounding the healing pool, as if deep in thought.
After taking another sip of alcohol, he asked,
"How much do you know about it?"
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