The Player that Can’t Level Up

Chapter 260: Shaolin Temple (3)

Come in, please. Sun Won gestured to Gi-Gyu to enter his room.

Gi-Gyu looked at him strangely. Sun Won said he wanted to show Gi-Gyu something, but he had just invited Gi-Gyu into his room.

Gi-Gyu didnt contemplate for long. He could read Sun Wons emotions, which were going wild. There was no hostility on his face for Gi-Gyu.

Gi-Gyu thought awkwardly, I can feel his heart fluttering in excitement.

A bald monk was excited about having Gi-Gyu in his private room. Gi-Gyu found this strange, but he walked in slowly.

Sun Won entered the room first, and when Gi-Gyu took a step inside

Gi-Gyus eyes widened. Something in his surroundings had changed suddenly. All he had done was enter Sun Wons room, but the space crumpled subtly. The room still looked perfectly normal, but the energy inside felt very strange. It was a brand-new experience for Gi-Gyu.

What a relief, Sun Won said. Gi-Gyu had just taken his first step inside, so that comment made no sense. Still, he quickly withdrew his suspicion and followed.

***

This is for you. Sun Won handed Gi-Gyu a cup of tea he had brewed.

Gi-Gyu gulped the hot tea before spitting it back out.

Sun Won teased, Youre an impatient man, arent you? Its boiling, so please be careful.

Sun Wons voice almost sounded childish, as if he was anticipating something exciting. He appeared relaxed, which was the opposite of how Gi-Gyu felt. Gi-Gyu was dying to learn about something in this room, so sipping tea and chatting like this seemed like a waste of time to him.

Controlling his impatience, Gi-Gyu replied, The tea tastes delicious. Now, please show me whatever it is you were talking about.

But to Gi-Gyus disappointment, Sun Won remained seated.

He asked, Do you know anything about Bodhidharma?

It was a rather random question, but Gi-Gyu calmly replied, I have heard he is the founder of Shaolin martial arts.

There were many stories about this monk, but Gi-Gyu didnt know in depth about this figure. All he had heard was that there used to be a man named Bodhidharma who had created Shaolin martial arts. He had apparently cut off his eyelids because he believed sleeping was a waste of time. Many Chinese even revered him like a god.

Sun Won smiled and said, Bodhidharma came from India to China and created the Shaolin Temple and its martial arts.

...

What do you think of Shaolin martial arts? asked Sun Won.

Gi-Gyu took a deep breath and answered, I find it amazing. It was created in a time with no magic, but its moves suggest that its creator knew about magics existence. I think that these movements can give players additional power.

This was exactly what Gi-Gyu had thought when he saw Tao Chen and Shaolin martial arts.

Gi-Gyu guessed it was created by one of the ruler clones Gaia had created. Of course, he wasnt 100% certain about it.

Thats right. Sun Won finished his tea and explained, Shaolin martial arts has changed a lot since its inception. And several decades ago, the Tower and the players appeared.

Gi-Gyu was becoming bored. This was definitely an interesting topic, but it wasnt what he wanted to find out right now.

There is something exciting Sun Won continued, The closer you get to the root of Shaolin martial arts, the more connected you will feel to magic. When Bodhidharma first created his techniques a long time ago, he could endow skills to those training in his arts.

...! Gi-Gyu gaped.

Isnt that interesting?

Are you saying that has something to do with what I am feeling here right now? asked Gi-Gyu.

I dont know. Sun Won shook his head. I am just guessing what it must be. That is why I wanted to show you this place, Morningstar. The Shaolin Temple has been repaired and modified many times. But, certain places were always left untouched.

Sun Won stood up and continued, For example, the temple heads private room. All the past head monks worked hard to keep this room unchanged regardless of the situation. After I became the head

Sun Won slowly pushed an old closet aside, revealing a simple wall. However, Gi-Gyu felt something strange and overwhelming from it.

I learned why they worked so hard This is why.

Gi-Gyu stood up and walked up to the wall too. Sun Won slowly pushed the wall, which moved with a soft vibration.

Do you know why Shaolin was created, Sun Won sounded mysterious.

Gi-Gyu didnt answer.

Sun Won answered his own question, It was to protect this room. You could say the original Shaolin existed to protect this room.

The wall opened, and Sun Won offered, Would you like to go inside?

***

Gi-Gyu couldnt hide his shock.

Firstly, he had no idea there was a hidden space behind the closet. Moreover, it felt like a normal space until he entered it. He wondered why this was the case.

Secondly, the energy he felt from this space was deepening. This didnt make sense. Nothing he knew could explain this room.

Thirdly

Sun Won stopped.

What are you doing? Gi-Gyu asked.

This is as far as Im allowed to enter. Sun Won explained that he had never reached the secret rooms end. All the previous temple heads knew about this room, but none could reach the end.

The area behind the wall reminded Gi-Gyu of the space he had seen during the 50th-floor testthe chamber of memories. This space smelled like nothing, making him feel like he was entering a completely different world.

It was like

The world inside the shell, Gi-Gyu thought in amazement.

Ill show you why. Sun Won took a step ahead of Gi-Gyu, but he crashed into something like an invisible wall with a loud thud.

The previous heads of this temple couldnt figure out what this place is. All we know is that Bodhidharma created this space and mandated us to protect it, Sun Won explained.

A question popped into Gi-Gyus head. And one of the former head monks betrayed the Shaolin Temple?

A long time had passed since this temple was built. There was no way every head monk in history had been an ethical and honest man. Whenever there was something rare involved, like a treasure or martial arts, greed inevitably followed.

There had to be someone who wanted to know more about this space and make it his own. Someone who wanted to sell this secret for wealth or power.

And after the Tower and the players' appearance, the secrets value should have increased dramatically. So did all the former head monks keep this secret safe?

Im embarrassed to say that none of the past head monks betrayed the temple. Whether it was voluntary or not, I dont know. But, no one has been able to reveal this secret to the public, Sun Won answered.

Because of the Taboo spell? asked Gi-Gyu.

Yes.

Gi-Gyu found this shocking. How could one place the Taboo spell when no magic existed in this world back then?

Just who was Bodhidharma? Gi-Gyu didnt think he was simply one of the rulers.

Sun Won murmured, The secret of this room cannot be spoken to someone who isnt worthy. The moment we leave this room, we wont remember anything. Consequently, no one has been able to communicate this rooms mystery to any outsider. And if someone unworthy somehow learns the secret

Gi-Gyu finished Sun Wons explanation, This rooms energy kills both the speaker and the listener.

Gi-Gyu didnt realize the strange energy in the room had such a deadly power.

Yes, its a punishment. The legend says that the worthy one will find this place once the time comes. I do not doubt that this person is you, Morningstar. The proof is that I could remember the rooms secret when I saw you. Honestly, I knew this the moment I first met you, but I didnt want to believe it. At least not until you beat me. Sun Won turned around. He seemingly planned on exiting the room, leaving Gi-Gyu behind.

Let me ask you one thing. Gi-Gyu stopped Sun Won, who was on his way out. Has there ever been another worthy person in the past?

Sun Won didnt stop or answer. Gi-Gyu didnt ask any more questions, but suddenly, he heard Sun Wons voice.

Just one, Sun Won replied. I believe there was just one person before you.

Gi-Gyu didnt bother asking him who this was. He knew he would find out soon enough once inside.

He walked one step at a time, not feeling any resistance like Sun Won had.

Guess that means Im worthy.

Or it could mean that this place's seal and the Taboo skill couldnt hold him off. Anyway, the reason didnt matter.

I can feel Gods power here Why is that? Gi-Gyu walked in, aware he would find the answer inside.

***

The room was longer than he had expected. He walked on despite his disbelief that this was a real, physical space.

I think its more like a door connected to a different dimension.

His first guess was that this was a gate. At least it was very similar, which was why he found it fascinating.

The gates had appeared after the Tower. And to be precise, they had appeared only when the players discovered the Towers higher floors.

But this place was created way before that.

This door was created well before the Tower and the players had appeared. The energy that filled this space told Gi-Gyu about its long history.

As he continued, Gi-Gyu couldnt help getting bored. He wanted to run but couldnt. The energy from Sun Wons room saturated this space. It felt so unstable that if he used too much of his power, there was a chance the space might explode.

Gi-Gyu took each step carefully.

Why is Gods power here? He wanted to open the gate to Eden and ask, but it wasnt possible.

After God died, Gaia took his power, and Gi-Gyu got a small part of it. He hadnt expected to find more of it so soon. There wasnt much. Compared to what he held, the amount here was minimal. Yet it was enough to fill this entire space.

The energys mystery amazed him.

I just cant understand. Gi-Gyu kept on walking. He thought he was close to learning all the secrets, but

I found another secret.

Thankfully, he might find the answer to it very soon.

Suddenly, Gi-Gyu stopped when he felt different energy from far away.

Is it some sort of guardian?

A creature with incredible power stood ahead of him. Gi-Gyu didnt think this being could use Gods power, but it was as powerful as a high ranker, piquing his curiosity even more.

Gi-Gyu dashed forward and was before the guard in the blink of an eye.

The soldier seemed to be made of mud because it was cracked in many places. But despite its appearance, the power it held was astounding.

-I allow the worthy one

As the clay soldier's mouth opened, an inhuman voice rang in Gi-Gyus head. Because the communication was mental, there was no language barrier.

-...entry.

With the mud soldiers permission, the wall behind the mausoleum opened. Gi-Gyu thought it was a white wall, but it turned out to be a door.

-I allow the worthy one

The clay soldier acted like a broken doll, repeating itself inexhaustibly. Gi-Gyu ignored it and walked through the door behind the soldier. But suddenly, he stopped.

-I allow the worthy

The soldier continued to repeat itself. Gi-Gyu turned around, headed toward it, and saw the soldiers eyes flashing red. It was only for a moment, but he could feel the wild magic and hostility behind the eyes.

But

Gi-Gyu grabbed the soldiers head. I didnt plan on using my power, but

This was too good to ignore.

Gi-Gyu announced, Sync.