The clan's sparring arena was already buzzing when Jin Mu arrived.
Dozens of disciples crowded the stone ring at the courtyard's center, chattering with the kind of excitement only humiliation could bring. Even a few elders had gathered to watch.
"Isn't that Third Young Master?"
"He's actually participating?"
"I thought he only trained his sleeping posture."
Jin Mu adjusted his robe, yawning exaggeratedly. "You wound me. I'm practically a new man."
> [Quest: Survive the Clan Spar for 10 breaths.]
[Reward: +5 Martial Points.]
[Failure: Public shame and possible bruising.]
"Possible?" Jin Mu muttered. "That's optimistic."
> [We both know it's guaranteed.]
"Thanks for the faith."
---
His opponent stepped forward — a tall, sharp-eyed youth named Jin Tae, one of the inner courtyard's rising talents. He bowed politely, though the smirk on his face said everything.
"Third Brother," Tae said, voice smooth, "I'll make it quick."
"Appreciated," Jin Mu replied. "I've got lunch plans."
> [Countdown begins upon first strike.]
The moment Kang Heon, the instructor, gave the signal, Tae moved.
His blade flashed — clean, practiced, confident. The kind of strike drilled ten thousand times. Jin Mu barely had time to lift his sword. The impact jolted through his arms, forcing him back two steps.
> [Timer: 1 breath.]
Tae pressed forward, his sword flowing like water, each motion sharper than the last. Jin Mu ducked, sidestepped, blocked — barely.
> [Timer: 3 breaths.]
[Warning: Host defense unstable.]
"Yeah, no kidding," Jin Mu hissed.
Another blow came straight for his shoulder — and in that instant, his body moved on its own.
His feet shifted lightly, his weight rolling from heel to toe, and he slid aside with unnatural smoothness. Tae's sword sliced through air.
The watching disciples gasped.
Jin Mu blinked. "...Wait, did I just—"
> [Trigger Detected: Battle Instinct + Observation Threshold Reached.]
[Skill Activation: 'Tiger's Shadow Steps' — Fully Learned.]
A surge of clarity rushed through him. The world seemed sharper; his opponent's movements slower. Every twitch of muscle, every shift of balance — visible.
Tae's next strike came, but Jin Mu was already gone, his silhouette flickering sideways like smoke.
> [Timer: 6 breaths.]
[Host's movement speed increased 22%. Balance improved.]
Jin Mu grinned. "Now we're talking."
He darted around the arena, the wooden sword in his hand suddenly more than a prop. He wasn't striking yet — just surviving, weaving, dodging, always one step ahead.
"Impossible," Tae growled, attacking faster.
"Not impossible," Jin Mu said between breaths. "Just unmotivated until now."
> [Timer: 9 breaths.]
Tae leapt forward for one last attack, qi flaring through his blade. Jin Mu twisted, the Tiger's Shadow Steps guiding his motion — one breath, one shift, one perfect dodge.
The blade missed by an inch. Jin Mu tapped Tae's wrist lightly with the wooden sword, more mockery than strike.
> [Timer: 10 breaths.]
[Quest Complete.]
[Reward: +5 Martial Points.]
[Bonus: Skill Efficiency +5%. New Evaluation: "Slightly impressive."]
The courtyard erupted into noise.
Some laughed in disbelief, others shouted, and Elder Goh's expression froze mid-scowl.
Jin Mu lowered his sword and bowed slightly. "Ten breaths. I believe that was the agreement."
Tae's face darkened, but he returned the bow with stiff formality. "Well played, Third Brother."
"Don't worry," Jin Mu said with a grin. "I plan to lose spectacularly next time. I can't have people expecting too much."
---
Later, beneath the willow again, Jin Mu sat with a towel over his head, grinning at nothing.
> [Skill: Tiger's Shadow Steps – 68% Proficiency.]
[Evaluation: Host finally resembles a martial artist, marginally.]
"Marginally is good enough," he said. "I'll take it."
> [Next Quest Available: Strengthen Internal Qi Pathways.]
Condition: Cultivate for one hour using Rising Phoenix Breathing.
Reward: +3 Martial Points.
"Ah, back to boring meditation."
> [Progress requires balance.]
Jin Mu leaned back against the willow, smiling faintly. "Balance, huh? Guess I'm starting to get it."
For the first time, the idea of training didn't sound like a punishment.
---
High above, unseen from his spot, Jin Seolhwa watched from the rooftop, arms folded, expression unreadable.
"That lazy idiot…" she murmured. "When did he learn to move like that?"
The faintest smile touched her lips.
"Maybe he's finally worth beating properly."