Chapter 645: Back in the World
"Just like that? No more levels."
Kiernan asked.
"...Mmh. The interface will now have an indication about how close you are to making it to the next stage in the Martial Arts Path. When you reach one hundred percent, you’ll have a test that needs to be completed to get to the next stage."
The system said.
’That means I don’t have to worry about the Bottleneck of the Weak anymore. Only about tests. It would be really annoying if every test were six months long.’
Kiernan thought to himself.
In that moment, he thought of "System Interface," and the holographic screen appeared before him.
***
[Name: Kiernan Hunter]
[System Level: Expert]
[Martial Rank: Middle Stage Martial King]
[Next: 0%]
[Martial Ability: Black Qi]
[Age: 19]
[Level: MAX]
[SP: 0]
[Gold: 302,535]
[Strength: 450]
[Agility: 300]
[Stamina: 355]
[Vitality: 600]
[Charm: MAX]
[Quests]
[Quest Store]
[Master Dungeon]
[Shop]
[Inventory]
[Lottery]
***
"What is the Master Dungeon?"
Kiernan asked.
"In there, you can face different masters of the martial arts. In there, there will be no martial abilities, no martial ranks; only the skill in martial arts matters.
"If you beat the martial arts master there, you will get a reward. There are a total of a hundred martial arts masters.
"This system has been modified after you to be Martial Arts System, and the reincarnators before you have different kinds.
"However, everyone who has reached the Expert level received the same Master Dungeon, but of different kinds.
"While you are facing martial arts masters, they faced masters of their own craft that they specialize in.
"When you enter Master Dungeon, you can see every participant that had participated in Master Dungeon before you and how far they advanced in the dungeon."
The system said.
"...Interesting. So I am now really back?"
Kiernan asked.
"Yes, and do not worry; other tests don’t need to last six months. You can finish them quicker, if you so desire, or take it safe."
The system said.
"...Does that mean I don’t need to necessarily reach one hundred percent before I can take the test? I can take it earlier, but the test will be much harder?"
Kiernan asked.
"Correct. However, remember, if you fail the test even once, you can no longer progress in the Martial Arts Path."
She said and started slowly fading off.
"You’ve passed the beginner stage, Kiernan. No more restrictions, but the road ahead will require even more dedication and hard work."
With those words, she vanished entirely.
"Yip! Yip! Yip!"
In that moment, Fen peeked his head from over the corner. He was scared of the holographic figure, so he stayed hidden.
"It looks like we are home, Fen. Let’s contact father, shall we?"
Kiernan said, and Fen excitedly wagged his tail before following him out of the alleyway into the bustling street.
The sun was shining brightly, and the cars were roaming two side streets while the sidewalks were teeming with people.
In that moment, Kiernan noticed that there were an amazing number of martial arts dojos lining the streets. More than he had ever seen before.
"Shinrai Dojo is looking for new students! The monthly membership is only a hundred gold coins, and you get to be part of a community of dedicated individuals striving to improve themselves!"
"Long Hu Guan is looking for hardheaded individuals who thrive in pain and are willing to push themselves to their limits!"
"...Silent Fist Dojo is..."
"...Shakti Mandir is..."
A recruiting war between the dojos was going crazy. Young people were caught in the middle, torn between the two options, as there were so many dojos to choose from.
"...It looks like we are definitely back, but where are we? The air is really rich here, so we might be in a tier 1 country, and it looks like this city lives and breathes martial arts.
"Looks like a paradise for me."
Kiernan said with a smile and looked at all those dojos. He had also been thinking about just opening his own dojo to teach the world his Iron Style.
However, he had been so busy with everything that he thought it was just something he could do perhaps a hundred years into the future.
’Maybe, maybe...’
At that moment, Kiernan shook his head, as he didn’t have time to think of that now and find a way to contact his father.
With Fen following behind him, this time hiding himself with Ethereal Bond, Kiernan soon found himself at the doorsteps of the PC cafe.
"Is there a phone I can use?"
Kiernan walked to the receptionist desk and asked.
"Yeah, around the back."
The dimple-faced young man said while he was flipping through a magazine of "Up-And-Coming Dojos."
"Thanks, and... where am I currently?"
Kiernan asked.
"...In PC cafe."
The young man looked up from the magazine and looked at him weirdly, as if he were an idiot.
"In what city? Country too."
Kiernan said.
"...If you have been huffing too much power salt, I have to ask you to leave."
The young man said with a twitching eyebrow.
"I am clear-headed. I just took a wrong bus, and I’d like to know where I am."
Kiernan said with a smile.
"...I don’t know what bus you took that you don’t know in what country you are in, but currently, you are in Montrael. It’s a city in Celine."
The young man said, and then he turned back to the magazine.
With a short "thank you," Kiernan went to the back and inserted a gold coin in the phone to make a call.
He typed his father’s phone number, and then with his heart beating against his chest, he put the receiver to his ear and listened to it ring.
Click!
With a click, the call connected.
"...Hello, who is this?"
A tired-sounding voice of his father came from the other side. It made Kiernan emotional. It was clear that the previous six months had been much harder for him than for Kiernan.
"Father... It’s me."
Kiernan said, almost choking on his words.
"...Son."
Karma’s voice cracked. It sounded like he was on the verge of tears. His breathing also sounded rough and rapid.
"W-w-where are you?"
"Montrael in Celine. Can you come to pick me up?"
Kiernan asked, leaning against the wall for support.
"We will be there. W-Where have you been?"
"Well... That is a long story."
Kiernan said with a heavy look, and it was something that even he couldn’t quite explain.