Gha Woobok (가우복, Ga Ubog) is a prominent member of the Baekma Valley and the father of Pyeongseo. In the past, he retired from the Valley and became a door-to-door merchant but later returned to working for it.[1]
Appearance & Personality[]
Woobok is a plain looking man with blue eyes, loose black hair tied in a bun and light stubble on his chin and above his lip. He wears blue garments, a red scarf around his neck and his merchant's ware on his back.
He admits that he was not very good at dealing with people and he appeared to have a sharp temper. That said, he did have a decent level of restraint. Despite having been a killer, he also has a sense of honor since he despised Yang Jeonghak's use of underhanded tactics.[2] He was also noted to have gone soft after retiring to civilian life suggesting that he was much more ruthless in the past.[3] Ultimately, despite his shortcomings, Woobok is a loving husband, father, and a good friend.
Image Gallery[]
History[]
Gha Woobok was once the Baekma Valley's greatest killer and was known by the epithet, "The Wraith Hand" (
Plot[]
The Baekma Valley[]
Gha Woobok followed and observed his merchant-sunbae, Lee Deok-Gwang, through the day as he tried to learn how to become a better merchant himself. The next day, seeing his sunbae was not present, Woobok went to his home and found Deok-Gwang was being harassed by some thugs. Sorting them out, with their leader being an acquaintance of his, Woobok then left his sunbae's place after they gave him the same reaction he always got. Returning home, Woobok encountered Yang Jeonghak there. Alarmed by the Jeonghak's presence, the former told Woobok that the Lady of the Valley wanted his head for the earlier altercation. Noting he wouldn't go easily, Woobok was forcefully coerced to go with them when Hwang Gyu came out holding his kid and put the kid to sleep.
Woobok confronts the perpetrator.
Regaining consciousness after being brought to the Baekma Valley, Woobok mocked his current jailers causing the man to attack him in fear. However, Woobok subdued him, draining him of his ki; he then taunted the other two before attacking them. A little later, Woobok surprised Jin Garyeong and Yang Jeonghak with his presence, mentioning that she wanted his head. He soon began to scuffle with Jeonghak, getting caught in his illusions, but it was diffused when Garyeong flared her ki in irritation. Realising that Jeonghak was in control of the fight the entire time, Garyeong then apologised to him for Jeonghak's excessive actions. Following Garyeong outside, they all suddenly felt the after-shocks of a mighty collision of powerful techniques. Coming to the edge of the crater created by Gang and Dang Gan's attacks, he called out to Gang asking why he was there before humorously roughing up Hwang Gyu for answers.
With the situation resolved, Woobok happily reunited with his family and then mused on what he had learned about Gang Ryong, noting with great surprise that he was the Supreme Overlord's disciple.
Standing at the entrance to the Baekma Valley, overlooking its destruction, Woobok recalled his conversation with Yang Jeonghak regarding the recent event that had occurred at the Valley: Jeonghak had mentioned their proposal to Woobok but the latter had said that he wouldn't carry out the request but would listen to what Jeonghak told him before he made a decision.
In their home, Woobok sat opposite his wife, both with subdued expressions. Hearing the arrival of Gang Ryong delivering dumplings, Woobok went outside and prompted a conversation with him. On the bridge, Woobok informed Gang that he heard he was the Heavenly Destroyer's disciple which Ryong casually confirmed. Woobok then mentioned he'd be going away for a while and asked if Ryong could look after his kids while he was away, which Ryong happily agreed to also adding that he hoped Woobok would come home safely. As Ryong rushed off, Woobok mused that running away was an option too. Later, at night, Woobok arose from bed and met Yang Jeonghak outside; the two then walked off together.
Stirring[]
Woobok captured by Naeseonhyang
While investigating the Naeseonhyang, Woobok was captured by them. Having been beaten and chained up, Woobok eventually met their leader and told him that the Heavenly Destroyer's disciple was looking for him whilst draining some of the man's ki.
At some point later, Woobok escaped but was in a bad condition. Fortunately, he was found by a travelling old man who saved his life.
Some time later, after drawing Gang Ryong's attention, he momentarily clashed with the young gosu after deliberately releasing some of the ki that he had drained from the Naeseonhyang's leader. With Ryong shocked at the revelation, Woobok expressed his curiosity at whose ki he stole. Sitting opposite each other, Woobok revealed his recent escapade and also that the leader of the Naeseonhyang could be one of "them", though he couldn't be sure since he couldn't get a good look at his face. Mentioning that it was now down to Ryong to determine whose ki it was, Woobok noted that Ryong was already sure.
Mak Sapyeong[]
As he readied to leave home for work as a door-to-door merchant, Woobok encountered Ryong. With Ryong noting he was up early, Woobok greeted him and explained that the place he was doing business was far away. He then told Ryong he'd meet him at lunchtime when he got back. On his way home from his job, Woobok was assailed by several hooded men.
Some time later, Woobok was revealed to be one of the masked assailants that were fighting to subdue Ryong. Then, alongside Dang Gan, he attempted to subdue Ryong with all his might.
Woobok fights the Gu minions.
After Ryong's seeming defeat, he and Garyeong brought the captured Ryong to Mak Sapyeong's domain. With Garyeong stating they'd only hand him over once Sapyeong fulfilled his end of the deal, Woobok defensively subdued one of Sapyeong's subordinates before confronting one of Sapyeong's masked minions that had suddenly appeared. Realising the mysterious masked minions used Poison Arts, Woobok was swatted away. However, he quickly regained his feet and took the minion down and realised in alarm that they were infected with the Gu; he alerted Garyeong of their nature before the one he had subdued exploded destructively. Coming from the explosion relatively unscathed, Woobok told Garyeong to go after Sapyeong as he would take care of the other Gu-infected minions. Releasing his ki-restraints, Woobok then used the Wraith Execution technique to take down the remaining minions. Having absorbed the Gu worms into his arm using the technique, Woobok noted it was too much to control the bugs before they exploded. He later appeared after Garyeong had immobilised her mother and quickly removed the soon-to-detonate Gu inhabiting her body before transplanting them into a nearby tree. Rushing away, expecting them to explode, he looked back incredulously as they deactivated and remained dormant. Seeing this, he reasoned that their master must have died.
Later, he stayed by Garyeong's side while her mother was being treated for her injuries. With the recent incident now over, Woobok happily returned back to his family.
Revived Heavenly Destruction Sect[]
With the recent incident passing, everything seemingly returned to normal. Gha Woobok returned home and embraced his kids as they rushed into his arms.
Some time later as the factions of the Pro-Heavenly Destruction Alliance got ready to swarm Yellow Dragon Mountain to hunt Gang Ryong, Woobok cluelessly stopped at a tavern to eat and wondered about the tavern's unusual lack of customers to which the tavern-keeper informed him of the residents evacuating.
After going about his door-to-door merchant duties, Gha Woobok met up with Hwang Gyu who spoke with Gha Woobok and revealed to him the showdown between the Sage Forest and Revived Heavenly Destruction Sect champions, as well as the events that have unfolded so far. He then mused about the information and wondered where Gang disappeared off to after fighting Ze Wungang and Nameless.
Gha Woobok told his wife he would be gone for a while before having Hwang Gyu take him to the Baekma Valley commanders who had set up camp near the Sky Gorge Mountain and Dang Gan explained the situation of the battlefields to him. As Dang Gan wondered why he hadn't received a report from the South battlefield yet, the messenger arrived and informed him that Gang Ryong fought Hyeol Bi instead of the two elders from the Sage Forest, and that the fight just concluded. Hearing that Gang lost his fight with Hyeol Bi, Woobok made his way to the Southern battlefield and found Heuk Lan trying to evacuate the grievously wounded Gang. Then after checking Gang's pulse, confirming that the young man was still alive, the River Dragon Armour quickly returned to Gang followed by Hyeol Bi. Woobok told Heuk Lan to escape with Ryong while he faced off against the Martial Eminence himself. However, despite being powered up by Hyeol Bi's monstrous demonic ki and unleashing the full might of his Life Drain Technique, Woobok was completely outclassed by Hyeol Bi's power and healing factor. Hyeol Bi eventually overpowered Woobok and mercilessly finished him off.
After, Heuk Lan and her girls from the Bewitching Flowers secured Woobok's corpse, bringing it to their rendezvous point where Gang Ryong took notice of it when he woke up, likely further fueling his desire for revenge. Gha Woobok then appeared as an apparition created by the River Dragon Armour in an attempt to dissuade Gang from taking on Hyeol Bi again. He also appeared in an illusion conjured by Hwan Sa in the Spirit Lord's battle with Gang Ryong. Ultimately, Woobok's Life Drain Technique somehow moved his body underground, wrapping it up with the roots of trees which allowed Gang to excavate and revive him later using the Dan. He then returned home to his family and happily embraced his kids.
Loose Ends[]
One year later, Gha Woobok were relaxing at the tavern-at-the-fork when Gang Ryong suddenly returned. He greeted the young man while his kids surrounded Gang, informing him that they were moving into a large house since Woobok was earning a lot of money now. Yang Jeonghak also came by and had a short conversation with Woobok, revealing the latter was scraping up money by treating people illegally with his Life Drain Technique, but Woobok insisted it was volunteer work and that he had no reason to refuse the money they offer out of gratitude. Jeonghak told Woobok to behave himself as he was being monitored.
Five years later, Gang Ryong and Song Yerin's child Myeong, played at Woobok's house. At night, her parents came to pick her up and Woobok waved at them as they left.
Powers & Abilities[]
Gha Woobok is a powerful gosu in and of his own right having once been the Baekma Valley's greatest killer. He has shown incredible endurance and resilience, being able to withstand point-blank explosions from Gu-infected opponents and even tanked hits from opponents of Gang Ryong's level and still continued fighting. The man that taught him the Life Drain Technique restrained his power by blocking two points each above his navel and back with 'sealing needles'.[5]
Immense Agility & Reflexes: Gha Woobok possessed great agility and reflexes allowing him to leap great heights and distances in battle. He also had amazing reflexes as demonstrated when he evaded attacks with back flips and counter attack right after.[6]
Immense Physical Speed: He was able to go from standing on the ground to hanging from atop a massive tree in a blink of an eye.[7] His also possessed enough speed and reflexes to contend with a heavyweight such as an empowered Hyeol Bi for at least a short while.
Life Drain Technique: Gha Woobok is able to use a unique and bizarre martial arts technique that enabled him to drain the ki and life energy of others through his hands, leaving them a shriveled husk at best or flat-out dead at worst;[8][9] doing so allowed him to rapidly restore his own energy and also rapidly heal from almost any wounds he has sustained.[10] Woobok was also able to identify the type of ki he drained as well as store the ki he drained to use at a later date.[11] With full access to the martial art, Woobok can freely merge with beings and nature and absorb matter from them as demonstrated when he removed the Gu worms inhabiting Garyeong's mother and transplanted them into a nearby tree.[12] Due to the nature of this technique, Woobok's power increased in correlation with how strong the ki he drained was.[6] Another miraculous ability is that it is able to keep the body of the user in a sort of stasis after death, allowing the person to be revived through another means (further explained on the technique's main page).[13]
- Wraith Execution: An extremely powerful last-ditch technique. The man that taught him the Life Drain Technique told him never to use this technique until every other option had been exhausted.[5]
He also demonstrated the use of other martial art techniques:
Quotes[]
- "You may sell your pride, but never sell your conscience! Gah, it's embarrassing when I say it out loud..."[14]
Alternative Translations[]
- Ga Ubok, the Ghost Soul (LINE)
- Ga Ubok, the Grim Reaper (死神) (LINE)
Notes & Trivia[]
- Apparently, people's reactions (panic, fear, horror, disgust and contempt) were always the same when they learn of his past[1] as a person who was once affiliated with the Baekma Valley.[4]
- Woobok noted that draining the ki of "dirty scumbags" felt "nasty".[8]
- He had a wife and three kids, all of whom are acquainted with Gang Ryong and the tavern-on-the-fork Gang works for.
- Woobok had the special physical constitution required to learn the Life Drain Technique.[9]