The One Who Defies Fate: The Law of the Strong (Transcendental Murim)

An Unexpected Discovery – A Device That Gathers Mana

While strolling through the city market, Damian's gaze landed on an unusual item.

A Mana-Amplifying Crystal.

In one corner of a magic shop, a small shimmering gem quietly pulsed, as if drawing in the mana floating in the air.

Ian picked it up lightly."This is one of those auxiliary tools mages use, right?"

Réan nodded."It helps with mana regeneration, or lets you use it more efficiently."

"So you're saying it lets me use more mana?"

"Not exactly," she replied. "It increases the amount of mana you can absorb, slightly."

Damian stared at it with growing interest.He didn't use mana—he used gi.

But in principle, mana and gi operated under similar laws.So then… could this also be used by him?

Price and Hesitation – Is It Worth It?

Damian carefully picked up the item while avoiding the merchant's gaze. He still wasn't used to handling these strange tools.

"How much is this?" he asked.

The shopkeeper glanced over."Fifty silver."

Ian leaned in and whispered, lips puckered."That's actually cheap—for magical equipment, anyway."

Réan narrowed her eyes and began calculating."We'd need to test its efficiency first, but since you don't use mana directly, it might not work perfectly for you."

"So if I buy this, it might not even help?"

She paused, then explained,"The gi you use isn't identical to mana, but there is some overlap. Especially with auxiliary magic gear—it's designed to regulate energy flow. It could still benefit you."

Damian thought silently.

'In the Murim, tools like this didn't exist.''But the laws here are different.'

He stared at the crystal in his hand, then slowly handed over the money.

"I'll take one."

Ian blinked."Huh? You usually never buy stuff like this."

Damian simply shrugged."I said I'd start learning, didn't I?"

First Use – An Unfamiliar Sensation

As they walked, Damian observed the crystal in his hand.

Ian smirked playfully."So? Do you feel anything?"

Damian closed his eyes.Inside him, his own energy stirred… and faint traces of something external gathered in response.

It was a sensation both familiar and strange.Not quite the gi he knew, but governed by the same principle.

It felt like his inner energy recovered a little faster than usual.Not a perfect substitute, but potentially useful.

Réan watched him curiously."Well? Does it work?"

Damian gave a slow nod."A little. Just slightly."

Ian grinned mischievously."Wanna test it out? One quick round?"

"Another time."

"Aww, boring."

Impending Threat – Watched From the Shadows

While the group enjoyed a peaceful time at the market, someone else was watching them from a distance.

A coalition between the Thieves' Guild and the Wizard's Guild.

This wasn't mere surveillance.They had a clear objective.

A man spoke quietly."Looks like they're gearing up for something."

"Then it's time we made our move," said another.

With a twisted smile, a third added,"Tonight—let's end this quietly."

Their plot had already begun.

And while Damian and his party remained unaware,the shadow drawing near had already taken shape.

But… were they truly easy targets?

***

Chapter : Shadows in Pursuit

Murderous Intent Descends on the City

The city night was as quiet as usual.

But Ian felt something off.

The streets—normally still buzzing with drunken voices—were eerily silent.

Kane leaned against the window, polishing his bow."Too few people out tonight."

Ian nodded."...It's too quiet. Way too quiet."

Réan sat with her eyes closed, but a vague sense of unease brushed through her mind.

And then—Swish!

A dagger sliced through the air.

It shattered the window and flew into the room, etched with magical runes. Ian reacted instantly, swatting it aside.

But this wasn't just an attack.

"Damn it. That was a magic-blocking rune!"

From where the dagger struck the floor, a light pulsed outward—spreading an invisible force across the room.

Magic Suppression Field Activated– Magic use within this area is restricted.– Mages cannot recover mana. Casting is blocked in a fixed radius.

Réan's eyes widened."My magic—it's cut off."

Assassins in the Shadows – Ian Becomes a Dodging Tank

From beyond the shattered window, figures in black cloaks emerged.

They weren't just thieves.They were elite assassins hired by the Wizard's Guild.

One of them spoke coldly,"Target confirmed. Secure Réan."

Ian unsheathed her blade, eyes narrowing."So it really was you."

The assassins began to close in, tightening the circle.

One muttered while drawing his dagger,"Don't kill. Orders are to take her alive."

Ian curled her lips into a sharp smirk."Try it, then. Let's see if you can."

She launched forward.

One assassin slashed at her, but Ian moved swiftly—grabbing Réan and twisting away.Shhk!A dagger grazed her shoulder.

She didn't flinch.Right now, Réan's safety mattered more.

Ian had once been an assassin herself.She didn't fight with brute strength, but with speed and evasion—her specialty.

Dodging Tank Strategy– Continual evasion of enemy attacks while shielding an ally.– Counterattacks only during brief, calculated openings.

Ian danced between her foes, never standing still for long.

They've completely surrounded us...

An enemy lunged. Ian ducked low and struck in one fluid motion—Thunk!

Another one down.

But the remaining assassins didn't panic.They adapted, cutting off her escape angles with coordinated precision.

Ian clenched her jaw.Damn... I'll be cornered at this rate.

Kane's Intervention – The Hunt Begins

Far away, perched in an ideal sniping position, Kane watched everything unfold.

Hunter's Intuition – "Detect Hidden Killers"– Kane isn't just a marksman.– He can sense hidden movements and track living presences across battlefields.

He spotted not only the enemies within the room,but others preparing to strike from afar.

So they weren't alone after all...

He raised his bow and held his breath—steady and silent.

Long-Range Support: Engaged

Just then, one assassin lunged at Ian, blade flashing toward her side.Shhk!

But—Thwip!

An arrow pierced the assassin's temple in midair.

The man collapsed without a sound.

Ian turned sharply.

There—on a distant rooftop, hidden in shadow—Kane lowered his bow.

He gestured calmly toward the room.

"I'll give you space to move."

The Sorceress Arrives

As the assassins prepared to regroup,the air shifted.

The room grew colder.

Then—footsteps.Click.Click.

Ian instinctively raised her sword.

But the one who entered wasn't an enemy.

A woman with long, silver hair stepped into the room,her aura calm yet unmistakably powerful.

And then she spoke.

"That's enough, don't you think?"

The assassins glanced at her, startled."...Who are you?"

She smiled faintly—then snapped her fingers.Crack!

A surge of invisible energy burst through the room,pushing the assassins back with violent force.

Ian didn't lower her guard."...Who the hell are you?"

The woman cast her a glance, then turned her smile back to the assassins.

"I'm..."Blue light shimmered at her fingertips."...the one you fear most."

BOOM!

A shockwave of pure mana erupted—scattering the assassin formation in an instant.

End of the Fight – A New Threat Begins

The assassins realized they were outmatched.

"Retreat!"

They vanished into the shadows without a trace.

Left behind—

Ian, catching her breath beside Réan,and the mysterious sorceress who now looked directly at them.

She spoke softly."You… you're Réan, right?"

Réan nodded warily."And you are?"

The woman stepped forward with a smile."Someone like you."

"And now…"

"It's time for us to make a choice."