1.

A double partition wall, 30 meters high.

Surrounded by CCTV and guards.

Steel doors, checkpoints, and barricades.

The security was more stringent than a military outpost.

There was no way in.

The security of the gate was far too thorough.

‘With five years of power, I won’t be able to sense anything inside the gate no matter how much I extend my awareness.’

She let out a sigh, feeling frustrated.

It’s not that she couldn’t force her way in.

However, becoming a criminal behind it would be troublesome.

Still, she had a sense of it.

The density of natural energy here was definitely higher than in her two-room apartment or other locations.

In terms of ratio, it felt like there was a difference between 0.001% and 0.01%.

This much would make it ten times easier to gather energy while performing breathing exercises near the gate.

‘The energy density inside the gate must be much higher. No, it has to be.’

Based on her judgment, the average natural energy density in the martial world was around 1%.

In untouched nature, it could reach 10%.

In energy-dense places where Qi was artificially concentrated, it could be 50%.

In places where blood energy naturally sprung forth, it could even reach 100%.

0.01% was far from enough.

At the very least, it needed to be 1%, and if possible, 10% for her energy improvement to accelerate.

‘I possess the techniques to hasten my energy-gathering speed, but I can’t start them with an unprepared body.’

Just like trying to set a record in a marathon without having built up stamina is impossible, advanced techniques require a sufficiently trained body.

Until then, she needed to seek alternative methods.

“Ah. Ah. This is Gate 313’s main checkpoint. A suspicious person is lurking near the outer wall. I’ll be leaving my post to verify their identity; standby for deployment.”

The guards found her lingering near the gate’s outer wall to be quite suspicious, as one approached her.

Should she fight and take them down?

Should she attempt to communicate?

Calculating it all led to only one conclusion.

Thud.

“Whoa? The suspicious person is running away. Support team, pursue!”

Though she had merely been loitering nearby, the guards reacted fiercely as if they had disturbed a beehive.

Quickly, she turned into an alley to hide her body as the guard’s presence faded away.

She could have felt fatigued while hastily fleeing, but with just a few breaths, her body quickly regained its calm.

With a base stamina of 15, her inherent athleticism and endurance were on par with professional athletes.

There was no way she would tire from such a little exertion, and even if she did, it wouldn’t be a problem.

[Blessings]

[Perfection] – Your skin remains clean automatically without washing, and your body emits a feminine scent.

[Absolute Energy] – You can maintain life functions without eating, sleeping, or needing to relieve yourself.

[Abnormal Physics] – Your body possesses abnormal elasticity and flexibility, pain reduction, and healing abilities.

[Eternal Hair Removal]

[Sisterhood]

[Animal Friend]

[Glossy Skin]

[Enchanting Movements]

These abilities provided benefits that were the complete opposite of the limitations.

The conveniences and sensual tendencies of the blessings inadvertently assisted her in physical activities.

Absolute Energy significantly improved her energy and hormone supply, memory capacity, and extended her active time.

Perfection purified the surrounding air, generated clean oxygen, and supplied her body with a certain amount of oxygen even without breathing.

Abnormal Physics, surprisingly, was one of the better choices she had made among her blessings.

Was she trying to accept men without pain?

Was she aiming to explore every position?

Those were absurd reasons.

The flexibility offered by Abnormal Physics increased her muscle elasticity, allowing for more challenging and precise movements.

This indirectly affected her nervous system and meridians as well.

Even after losing her right arm, gathering 3,000 years of power to undergo transformation was largely thanks to this characteristic.

‘After all, with this body, getting shot would be the end.’

She had been too reckless just a moment ago.

Seeing the guards’ heightened alertness, she needed to approach more cautiously.

Keeping a sufficient distance,

She needed to find a place where she could observe freely.

A location that wouldn’t raise suspicion.

As her eyes scanned for a fitting spot, she noticed a neon sign.

[Open Year-Round]

[24-Hour Convenience Store]

The glass door looked so flimsy it seemed like it would collapse with just a touch.

As she carefully opened the door, a loud chime rang out.

“Welcome!”

The clerk greeted her with a flustered expression.

Neither side was familiar with the situation.

It’s the command of the martial alliance leader. Jihwa Yoon, I declare you a martial figure.

If you’ve fled the royal palace, you should have escaped further. Getting stuck in a small town like this is useless, heh.

To think someone marked by the Blood Pavilion would break through the mental shackles and regain their self—this is impossible!

During her time in the martial world, away from the central plains, her feelings toward her were always similar:

Hostility.

Greed.

Fear.

Compared to that, the employee’s reaction was surprisingly wholesome and refreshing.

In battles among high-level martial artists, even a moment of hesitation could mean life or death, so they never wavered.

If they did, it wasn’t hesitation but fear they felt.

They realized instantly that they couldn’t win against her.

They understood they had lost.

A martial figure who had fled to the outside world had returned, having crossed the wall of enlightenment for revenge.

“Um, um… Are you perhaps an Awakener?”

“?”

“Ah, I’m sorry. I thought you might be a villain, so I… Eep!”

Her white paper turned yellow and frayed.

The freshness quickly morphed into familiarity.

Eyes filled with terror.

Desperately avoiding gaze.

Trembling hands.

Seeing that, she caught her right arm, which was about to reach out like lightning, with her left hand.

Those who were terrified instinctively recoiled when they saw the back of someone running, just like a dog chasing a fleeing person.

In the stance where she had been raising her sword hilt, she lowered her thumb and sheathed the sword instead.

Clunk.

The clerk, trembling like a fawn, had nearly met a deadly fate.

Due to her unnecessary sensitivity, she had frightened the poor clerk for no reason.

Feeling a bit guilty, Hae Eung Eung decided to buy something.

‘Although I don’t need to eat, drink, or sleep, there’s one thing I absolutely require.’

[Gold System]

[Addiction: Smoking Yeocho]

The martial arts-style tobacco called Yeocho has various effects such as pain relief and awakening, depending on the ingredients mixed with the Yeocho leaves.

The effects that Hae Eung Eung favored were two-fold:

Pain relief and cardiac stimulant.

[Gold System]

[Slow Heartbeat]

Slow heartbeats cause a decrease in blood flow, which directly correlates to a reduction in physical performance.

Finding a cardiac stimulant to artificially raise her heartbeat was essential for survival.

‘I don’t expect much from convenience store cigarettes.’

Though smoking would yield no benefits, not smoking would leave her unable to train due to withdrawal symptoms.

Yet this body had more discomforts than she anticipated.

When she tried to place an order, her voice wouldn’t come out.

[Gold System]

[Selective Mutism]

A mental language disorder designated as a Gold System.

It was once a chosen condition to increase her charm stat and define her concept.

Now, it sealed her lips.

“Um… I’m not sure what you want,” the clerk stammered.

It was a beginner’s mistake.

She was nearly failing as a convenience store customer.

‘It might seem a bit rude, but… there’s no helping it.’

The wall-mounted display of cigarettes was filled with various brands.

One brand caught her attention.

[Marlboro Blood]

Hae Eung Eung pointed at the cigarette that had captivated her gaze.

The clerk, suspecting she really might be a villain, hesitated, wondering if she should report her now.

“Um, ma’am? I’m really sorry to say this, but our store has a minimum purchase of 50,000 won…”

“…”

“You’ll need to buy other items for me to assist with the checkout…”

“….”

Despite trembling, the clerk said everything she had to.

It felt like unreasonable coercion, but anyone sane wouldn’t pick a fight with someone armed with a sword.

It was indeed possible that the store policies had changed in the last 20 years.

‘I do like her assertiveness.’

Soda, snacks, and a disposable lipstick.

As she grabbed items at random, the total quickly exceeded 50,000 won.

The clerk meticulously placed the products into a convenience store bag.

Hae Eung Eung casually observed the clerk’s hands, finding them fascinating.

The marks were something a modern person would naturally have.

Calluses from holding a pen for a long time on the middle finger.

Calluses near the wrist from using a mouse for an extended period.

But the clerk had neither of those.

Instead, a more distinctive callus caught her eye.

‘Evidence of holding a solid object and swinging it for a long time. This must be from a sword.’

From the traces, it was clear she had done so for at least five years.

What could a convenience store clerk possibly have to do with wielding a sword for so long?

Feeling intrigued, she looked closely, and the clerk turned out to be a young woman.

Swish.

Carefully, the clerk extended the bag toward her.

Instead of accepting it, Hae Eung Eung took only the cigarettes that were on top of the bag.

Pushing the bag back toward the bewildered clerk, she said, “I want this.”

Since the items had been bought reluctantly just for the cigarettes, she didn’t need them.

With a light nod, she noticed the clerk becoming even more flustered.

“Oh, no. I can’t accept something like this. I feel really sorry.”

“???”

“I mistook such a nice person for a villain. I didn’t realize and thought I was being rude…”

What a good kid.

For some reason, Hae Eung Eung felt nostalgic.

In the martial world, where one would often resort to violence, such pure-heartedness was rare.

That made their encounter even more memorable.

Sis, look over there! The river is so clear! Let’s play for a bit, okay?

Are you going to buy another weapon? Sometimes you should buy accessories, too. It would be a shame to waste such a pretty face.

Sis, you know I really like you, right?

Always following her with a smiling face.

A kind-hearted child.

If you want to save the girl, come to the dock alone.

No, sis. Why are you here even though you know it’s a trap?

Sis, if I’m alive and it puts you in danger… I don’t want that… I’m sorry. I’m sorry…

Her lips wouldn’t move.

A silent scream.

A child who cut her own throat with the enemy’s sword.

Blood splattered before her eyes.

Jewelry rolling on the ground.

One step. That was enough.

Rage. Slaughter. Massacre.

“… Excuse me?”

“…!”

“If you’re not feeling well, would you like to take a break?”

Memories she thought had become numb revived vividly.

‘Is this a side effect of my reduced level? I’ve been making unusual mistakes today.’

The clerk, worry etched on her face, seemed genuinely concerned.

Pure goodwill.

Flickering memories.

It wasn’t a place particularly good for her mental health, but ignoring the goodwill of this bewildered clerk felt more uncomfortable.

‘I also wanted to observe the opportunity to infiltrate the gate.’

Hae Eung Eung decided to take a short break.

She convinced herself that stopping by the convenience store was for that reason, not to calm her anxious self.

She loosened the chin strap.

Set her sword on the table.

And placed her sheathed sword beside her.

Once she had disarmed herself and taken a seat, the clerk’s eyes widened in surprise.

“Wow. Miss… were you a celebrity? An actress? A model? You look so young. You’re really beautiful.”

Admiring gazes.

The notebook was handed over, asking for her signature.

That pure goodwill,

The innocence that stirred her memories,

Every little gesture.

It kept reminding her of that child.

And that fact was now extremely bothersome.

‘I should have gone to the café upstairs.’

She suddenly craved the cigarettes she had just bought.

“Team leader, we lost sight of the figure.”

“Search the surrounding areas.”

“Should we check places like convenience stores?”

The team leader glared at his subordinate with a disapproving expression.

“Think about it. Would a figure wearing a strange hat and cape, armed with a sword, be hanging around a place like that?”

“I see my thinking was shallow. I’m sorry. That aside, that guy is really fast.”

“It’s a speed that makes no sense unless he’s an Awakened. Be careful. If he’s a villain with a lot of grievances against society, who knows what kind of trouble he could cause?”

The security guard, who had flipped off the back of the team leader’s head, looked back at the convenience store with lingering regret.

His eyes, fixed on the store window, narrowed.

‘I knew it.’

The guard thought.

‘That convenience store clerk is really pretty. Next time, I’ll have to make an excuse and go there alone.’

The woman was a part-timer who disappeared after his shift, switching with another clerk.

To approach her, he had to find a way to sneak a break during his shift.

‘Is that girl with her friends? They say pretty girls stick together, and just looking at her friend’s back is no joke.’

Desire ignited in the guard’s eyes.