Thorough Preparation and Teamwork
2:00 PM the next day. The basement of the Defective Martial Arts Research Club looked completely different from usual. All the research club members had been mobilized to transform the central space into a combination experiment site.
"Safety barrier installation complete!" Jung Min-ho raised his hand high to report. A faint blue light surrounded him in a circle.
"The qi backflow prevention device is also ready." Park So-ra said while checking a complex mechanical device. "We can immediately cut off qi flow in case of emergency."
[Combination Environment Analysis Complete]
Safety Level: 93.7% (Maximum grade)
Support Equipment: 7 types (Expert-level facilities)
Support Personnel: 6 people (each responsible for specialized area)
Success Rate: 89.2% (dramatically increased from base 34.2%)
Min-woo looked at the system window in amazement. It was a success rate that would have been absolutely impossible alone. He could really feel how much help the research club's support was.
"I'll handle the theoretical backup." Yoon Sung-min said, opening a thick book. "If anything strange happens during the combination process, tell me immediately."
Kim Chul-su pointed to the cushion placed in the center. "Alright, Min-woo. Now you're the star. We're all your support, so don't feel pressured."
Ji-eun lightly patted Min-woo's shoulder. "We're all watching over you, so don't worry. If anything seems wrong, we'll stop immediately."
Min-woo took a deep breath and sat on the cushion in the center. In both hands he held the martial arts texts of the Phantom Step Method and Iron Wall Internal Force. He had studied them for the past few days, but this was his first time actually attempting combination.
"All preparations complete!" Kim Chul-su finished the final check and declared. "Safety devices operational, observation team positioned. Min-woo, you can start anytime."
[Combination Start Available]
Recommended Sequence: Phantom Step Method basic qi formation → Iron Wall Internal Force defense layer construction → gradual fusion
Key Points: Maximum danger zones at stages 3 and 5 out of 7 stages
Expected Duration: 45-60 minutes
Interruption Points: End of each stage
"Then... I'll begin." Min-woo said, opening the martial arts texts.
Stage 1: Phantom Step Method Basic Qi Formation
Min-woo began the first breathing technique of the Phantom Step Method. Warm qi starting from his dantian spread throughout his body. It felt much more stable and gentle than usual.
[Stage 1 Progress: 15%... 35%... 67%... Complete]
Status: Very stable
Phantom Step Method basic circuit formation successful
"Wow, the first stage is already complete." Lee Hyun-jun whispered in amazement. "Usually this alone takes 30 minutes..."
Stage 2: Iron Wall Internal Force Defense Foundation Construction
Now it was time to form the basic defensive barrier of the Iron Wall Internal Force. Min-woo changed his breathing to draw up the heavy qi of the Iron Wall Internal Force. For a moment, his skin could be seen becoming slightly harder.
[Stage 2 Progress: 23%... 56%... 89%... Complete]
Iron Wall Internal Force basic defense barrier formation successful
Side Effects: None (smoother than expected)
"Amazing..." Park So-ra admired. "I thought the two martial arts would show rejection reactions to each other, but they're actually harmonizing."
Stage 3: First Fusion Attempt - Danger Zone
Now came the most important stage. He had to mix the light qi of the Phantom Step Method with the heavy qi of the Iron Wall Internal Force. The system sounded a warning.
[⚠️ Entering Danger Zone]
Current Success Rate: 76.3%
Major Risk Factor: Possibility of qi collision
Recommended Response: Proceed extremely slowly
Min-woo carefully brought the two qi streams into contact. For a moment, he felt something like a small explosion inside his body.
"Ah!" Min-woo let out a small cry.
"Are you okay?" Ji-eun immediately stood up.
"No, I'm fine. This is the expected reaction." Min-woo gritted his teeth and endured.
The two qi streams clashed violently inside his body. But surprisingly, they gradually began to harmonize. It was like water and oil mixing through some special method.
[Stage 3 Success!]
Qi Fusion Achieved: Primary harmony complete
Unexpected Discovery: Core principles of both martial arts are mutually complementary
Stages 4 and 5
The subsequent processes proceeded much more smoothly than expected. With the first fusion successful, the remaining stages followed naturally. It felt like puzzle pieces fitting together by themselves.
Stage 6: Complete Integration
Mystical phenomena began appearing around Min-woo's body. Faint afterimages appeared while independent defensive barriers formed around each afterimage.
"This is... unbelievable." Yoon Sung-min put down his book and stared. "This phenomenon is theoretically impossible."
[Stage 6 Complete]
New Martial Art Born: Iron Wall Phantom Step Method (鐵壁幻影步法)
Grade: Earth-tier Mid Grade (1 grade higher than original arts)
Special Ability: Multiple afterimage defense system
Stage 7: Final Completion
In the final stage, Min-woo reached a completely new realm. His body began to emit a subtle light, and the surrounding space vibrated slightly.
[Iron Wall Phantom Step Method Complete!]
Combination Success Rate: 100%
Unexpected Effects:
Number of Afterimages: 3-5 (variable depending on situation) Defense Power of Each Afterimage: 70% of original Movement Speed: +180% Duration: 10 minutes (3x increase from before) Qi Consumption: 30% savings compared to expectations
"Success!" Min-woo opened his eyes and shouted.
Cheers erupted in the research room. All members stood up and applauded.
"You really did it!" Kim Chul-su said with emotion. "For the first time in 300 years, our research club has produced a complete combination success case!"
The moment Min-woo stood up to test the Iron Wall Phantom Step Method, something unexpected happened.
[⚠️ Emergency Situation Occurred!]
-- Powerful Energy Release Detected --
Affected Range: 500-meter radius
Detection Target: Entire school area
Warning: Multiple powerful martial arts users are reacting
The entire basement began to vibrate. It was as if an earthquake was occurring.
"What, what's happening?" Jung Min-ho grabbed the wall in panic.
"Strange... the combination succeeded, but why this reaction..." Park So-ra checked the measuring device. "Energy readings are completely outside normal range."
Then something even more surprising happened. The martial arts texts on the research room walls began glowing one by one.
[Chain Reaction Occurring!]
Affected Martial Arts Texts: 127 out of 847
Reaction Intensity: Medium~Strong
Estimated Cause: Iron Wall Phantom Step Method acting as core fragment of Eternal Cycle Scripture
New Discovery: Other defective martial arts are also fragments of the Eternal Cycle Scripture
"Look over there!" Han Ji-hye pointed to a bookshelf.
Certain martial arts texts were glowing more intensely. It seemed like they were resonating with Min-woo's new martial art.
"This is..." Yoon Sung-min muttered while checking the books. "These are all martial arts we classified as 'super rare.'"
[Important Discovery!]
Resonating Martial Arts: 15 texts
Estimated Relationship: All core components of the Eternal Cycle Scripture
New Quest Generated: Collection and combination of 15 core fragments
Final Goal: Complete restoration of the Eternal Cycle Scripture
But suddenly, footsteps could be heard from the basement entrance. Fast and regular footsteps of someone trained in martial arts.
"Someone's coming!" Kim Chul-su warned.
The door opened to reveal... Professor Jang Hyun-seok, the head of the Martial Arts Department. His face was filled with a serious expression.
"Kids, what's happening here right now..." Professor Jang began to speak, then stopped when he saw the situation in the research room.
Glowing martial arts texts, Min-woo sitting in the center, and powerful qi remaining in the air. Everything seemed unusual.
[New Character Analysis]
Professor Jang Hyun-seok: Head of Martial Arts Department
Skill Level: Peak-tier expert (very powerful)
Current State: Surprise + suspicion + vigilance
Danger Level: Medium (not hostile but unpredictable)
"Professor..." Kim Chul-su stood up in confusion.
"Chul-su, explain. The entire school is detecting strange qi. The epicenter was traced to here..." Professor Jang's gaze was sharp.
The bigger problem was that more footsteps could be heard behind Professor Jang. Other professors, and even outsiders seemed to be coming.
[Multiple Approach Detection]
Campus Approachers: 5 people (faculty)
External Approachers: 3 people (unknown identity, expert level)
Expected Arrival Time: 2-3 minutes
Recommended Response: Immediate situation cleanup or emergency escape
Min-woo quickly assessed the situation. Since they were already discovered, there was no point hiding, and Professor Jang didn't seem hostile.
"Professor," Min-woo stood up and said. "We're sorry. We were conducting martial arts research and it seems larger energy than expected was generated."
Professor Jang looked at Min-woo carefully. "Martial arts research... can a first-year student create this level of qi?"
Then the system provided surprising information.
[Character Analysis Update]
Professor Jang Hyun-seok's Hidden Information:
Has past experience with defective martial arts research Possesses knowledge related to the Infinite War Currently under surveillance by Martial Purification Alliance within school Actually a secret patron of the Defective Martial Arts Research Club
'Could it be... the professor is also on our side?'
Professor Jang looked around, then spoke in a small voice.
"Chul-su, clean this up before others arrive. And..." He looked at Min-woo. "You, see me separately later."
"Professor, by any chance..." Kim Chul-su asked carefully.
"Now is not the time to talk." Professor Jang said firmly. "First, can you do something about these lights?"
When Min-woo deactivated the Iron Wall Phantom Step Method, amazingly, the lights from other martial arts texts also gradually dimmed. A few minutes later, it returned to its normal appearance.
"Good." Professor Jang was relieved. "From now on, let me know in advance when doing such experiments. The entire school was turned upside down."
Then voices could be heard from the corridor.
"Professor Jang, where are you?"
"There was strange qi from this direction..."
Professor Jang quickly went out the door and said.
"This is just where students were doing basic training. Nothing special."
"But surely..."
"I checked personally, so trust me."
Professor Jang's voice gradually faded. The research room became quiet again.
"Phew..." All members simultaneously let out sighs of relief.
"That was dangerous." Ji-eun took Min-woo's hand. "But you succeeded!"
Kim Chul-su smiled brightly. "That was really amazing, Min-woo. Now it's really the beginning."
[Combination Experiment Complete]
New Martial Art Acquired: Iron Wall Phantom Step Method (Earth-tier Mid Grade)
Important Discovery: Eternal Cycle Scripture core fragments confirmed
New Patron: Professor Jang Hyun-seok (estimated)
Experience Gained: +50 EXP
Current Level: 2 (113/150)
[New Main Quest Generated]
Title: Eternal Cycle Scripture Restoration Plan
Stage 1: Secure 15 core fragments (currently 1/15)
Stage 2: Research combination methodology
Stage 3: Attempt final restoration
Warning: Interference from powerful forces expected at each stage
Min-woo looked at his hands. Now his hands truly contained special power. He had succeeded in his first combination and taken another step closer to the secrets of the Eternal Cycle Scripture.
"But you know," Yoon Sung-min said seriously. "We really need to be careful now. Today's events have probably revealed our existence to various forces."
"It's okay." Min-woo said confidently. "We have dreams, and we have companions."
Ji-eun smiled. "And now we have real power too."
Warm laughter flowed through the research room. With the success of the first combination, their real adventure had begun.
Next Chapter Preview: Secret meeting with Professor Jang Hyun-seok, and the Martial Purification Alliance's full-scale pursuit...