My Alter Ego's Path to Greatness

Something felt off.

Hugo seriously analyzed the situation.

'Let's think objectively. About me, Ha Seunghoon.'

He was currently a guest of the Zhuge Clan, trusted enough to accompany them on this trip.

'Early Transcendent Realm. Incredibly high for someone in their early twenties.'

Even talented martial artists usually reached the Transcendent Realm in their thirties, and some never reached it at all. Was that the reason for the attention?

'…It doesn't seem strong enough.'

While rare, geniuses existed. Nangun Hwang, the young master of the Nangun Clan, was also at the same level in his mid-twenties. He was also secretly treating Zhuge Huimei and the imperial descendant, but he had been careful, so it shouldn't have been revealed yet. Then the reactions were…

'…They know, don't they?'

On their way to the opening ceremony…

…Hugo avoided the curious gazes directed at him, a mixture of expectation and something else, and smiled wryly. Those gazes weren't simply directed at a talented young martial artist. If it were just that, he could dismiss it as interest in someone more talented than their own…

'But with those reactions added…'

Nangun Hwang, the young master of the Nangun Clan, was trying to restrain his sister, Nangun Soran, whose gaze was filled with excitement, her mind seemingly filled with romantic fantasies. As the next clan leader, he was maintaining a calm facade, but he couldn't fool Hugo's senses, which far surpassed those of an ordinary Transcendent Realm expert.

'He's wary of me. Excessively so.'

It wasn't jealousy or competitive spirit. It was the wariness one would show towards a dangerous, unpredictable individual. He was tense, ready to react to any sudden attack. Hugo was certain.

They knew something about him.

'…I have a hunch.'

He sighed softly, recalling a previous encounter. With Nangun Wu, the retired elder of the Nangun Clan, a legendary expert from the previous generation, the Sword Saint. He had felt his gaze, dissecting him, right after their first meeting. While it was rude to unleash one's aura to assess a stranger, considering the difference in their levels, it wasn't surprising if the Sword Saint had somehow discerned his true nature. He was a Peak Master, after all, having transcended human limitations.

'I was careful, but it wasn't enough against a Peak Master.'

Harley had also identified an Awakened with a mere handshake, so he was always mindful of the possibility of being exposed. He hadn't expected it to happen like this, though.

"Young Master Ha, are you alright? Is something troubling you?"

"Ah, I apologize. I was lost in thought."

"You can rest in your quarters if you're not feeling well."

"Haha, I can't do that on the first day. When else would I get to meet such esteemed individuals?"

"…There's plenty of time…"

"But there's also symbolic importance."

Hugo countered Zhuge Junghyeok's words. This gathering wasn't a grand conference or a lavish banquet. The leaders of each faction would exchange information and discuss important matters separately. It was simply an opportunity for them to socialize and build relationships.

'Well, it's an event hosted by a temple, so it wouldn't be appropriate to hold a party.'

The opening ceremony was just a formality, but it was a tradition they couldn't ignore. And since it was the first day, everyone participating in the gathering would be present. It was the perfect opportunity to assess the current situation in the Murim.

'Let's focus on this first. The Nangun Clan doesn't seem to be planning to expose me. …Well, it doesn't really matter even if they do.'

There were no secrets in this world, especially since the Zhuge Clan already knew. And the Shaolin Temple might have also noticed something from the treatment. If he had been truly concerned about secrecy, he would have disguised Harris and Harley more thoroughly.

Having rationalized his situation, he turned his head and met Zhuge Junghyeok's gaze. The Zhuge Clan young master flinched and began to act nervously, carefully observing him.

"Did you want to say something?"

Hugo, feeling awkward, asked first. Zhuge Junghyeok hesitated, then spoke cautiously.

"…Um, when did you become close with Lady Nangun?"

"…"

"I didn't think you two had any connection, but you seem to have become quite close since the first day… Ahem. I don't mean anything by it. I was just curious."

Hugo narrowed his eyes at his rambling.

'I don't know either, man.'

He was becoming increasingly unreliable.

As he had expected, the opening ceremony was brief and uneventful. The leaders of each faction went their separate ways to discuss matters, and the remaining participants mingled freely. They could chat, spar in the designated training grounds, or simply return to their quarters. It was purely a social gathering. They believed that simply understanding each other would foster harmony.

Of course, with people of different ages, personalities, interests, and martial arts levels gathered in one place, there was a chance of conflict. But the fact that this gathering continued despite the potential drawbacks suggested it had its merits.

One of the main objectives was to foster relationships between the younger generation, the future leaders of the Murim.

"Amitabha, I am Gongjin. I thank you all for coming such a long way."

"Don't mention it. When else would we have the opportunity to visit the Shaolin Temple, a pillar of the Murim?"

"Indeed. Seeing the world outside our sect makes me realize how sheltered I've been. I now understand what our elders meant."

"Haha! Same here. I thought my older brother was the greatest genius in the world, but I've broadened my horizons! I'm Peng Wonsu from the Peng Clan! Nice to meet you all!"

There weren't many young martial artists among the mostly older crowd. Naturally, they gathered together, exchanging greetings and getting acquainted.

"It seems the Moryong Clan and the Kunlun Sect are absent. It would have been good to see them."

"Ah! I know about the Moryong Clan's situation. Our Peng Clan is relatively close to them, so we occasionally hear news. A large group of bandits is rampaging through Liaoning, so they can't spare any resources. Even Hebei is busy preparing for them."

"Since they're so far away, there's nothing we can do. We can only pray for their safety."

While some knew each other, most were strangers, so the conversations were polite and cautious. The Murim Alliance gathering was held every four or five years. It was a rare opportunity for those from distant regions to meet, so they actively engaged in conversations.

But there were always exceptions.

"Those barbarians in the remote regions are too busy fighting amongst themselves. I hope they stay that way and leave us alone."

A sudden, dismissive remark from a young man caused a momentary silence. But the culprit, Tang Agi from the Sichuan Tang Clan, simply looked around the room, seemingly unfazed.

"…The Beggars' Sect is also absent. I heard their future leader attended the last gathering."

"Considering their situation, it can't be helped."

"…Indeed."

The others chose to ignore him. They had been instructed to avoid conflict, fearing repercussions.

"Isn't it a good thing? Those beggars would only stink up the place. Beggars are everywhere these days; why would they even learn martial arts… Tsk."

But the spoiled brat, dragged here against his will, didn't care. His words and actions completely disregarded his clan's hopes that he would mature after experiencing the world. He had been well-behaved during the journey, so it was even more disappointing.

'A typical cliché. This type always causes trouble later.'

Hugo, observing the scene from a distance, nodded thoughtfully, stroking his chin. His cliché detector was going off. It felt like foreshadowing.

'This is unsettling. I feel like something is about to happen.'

His main objective for this gathering was to gather information and assess the situation in each region, while building relationships and expanding his influence. But a sudden sense of unease crept up on him, making him hesitant. While his physical abilities weren't that high, his intuition, honed by his advanced mental state, was rarely wrong…

"Young Master Ha! What are you doing here all alone?"

…and as he was thinking…

…his unease materialized with the cheerful voice of Nangun Soran.

All eyes turned towards them. A beautiful young woman naturally attracted attention, and the men present had been discreetly observing her. Women were rare in this gathering, and she was at the center of their small group. They had been waiting for a chance to speak to her, but she had approached him…

'Oh dear.'

And among those gazes was that of Tang Agi, the spoiled brat from the Sichuan Tang Clan. Hugo sighed inwardly and closed his eyes.

"Oh! Young Master Ha hasn't been introduced to everyone yet, right? This is Hwangbo Yoon from the Hwangbo Clan, and this is…"

"P-Pleased to meet you, Young Master."

"Amitabha."

She introduced him to the other women in their group. While he appreciated the gesture, he wished she had chosen a better time. He smiled awkwardly and met her eyes—

'Ah, she did it on purpose.'

—and saw a playful glint in her eyes. Her beautiful, obsidian-like eyes held a strange kindness and a clear intent to not let him be.

'This isn't bad, considering my objective.'

It wasn't easy to interact with these people as a mere 'guest of the Zhuge Clan'. But she, the young lady of a prominent family, had not only introduced him to her acquaintances but also drawn attention to him.

'This is more efficient. This works out well.'

Dealing with a spoiled brat wasn't a difficult task.

Hugo smiled at those looking at him.

"And where did you crawl out from…"

But before Tang Agi could finish his sentence…

Murmur—

…a commotion erupted outside…

…and an unexpected announcement reached them.

"They say it's the Kunlun Sect!"

Everyone's attention, including the young martial artists', shifted.

"From Kunlun?"

"How did they get here?"

"They must have suffered heavy losses to travel such a distance. Why would they even bother?"

The Kunlun Sect was one of the Nine Sects and One Gang, but they were located in Qinghai, a remote region on the outer edges of the Murim. Considering the complex terrain, the distance from Kunlun to the Shaolin Temple was more than ten times the distance from the Zhuge Clan's estate. Considering the numerous battles they had faced on their way here, it was astounding.

And Kunlun was considered the frontline against the Demonic Cult, a region of constant conflict!

'Wait.'

The sense of unease that had been tickling the back of Hugo's mind intensified. And he realized he had been mistaken.

'Why did I think the source of the unease was the petty rivalry between the young martial artists?'

Their jealousy posed no threat to him. There was no reason for him to feel uneasy.

'Then this is…'

The source of the unease was something else.

Like…

["Prepare for battle! All Arhats to your positions!"]

A voice, amplified by internal energy, echoed through the temple grounds.

And at the same time…

Kwaaang—!

…a deafening boom shook the air…

…and a monstrous demonic energy, chilling Hugo to the bone, erupted like wildfire.