Chapter 13
What is 'Slash'?"
"Joo Dong-hoon Right?"
While Training Bone 1.
the old man asked me.
"Yes, sir."
"Well, Dong-hoon. What do you think swordsmanship is?"
It was an unexpected question.
To me, who had never even held a sword, it was unfamiliar question.
Still, since an he asked, I should answer it.
"Well, since you mentioned swordsmanship, could it be a technique using a sword?"
"Wow, it's a simple thought befitting you."
The old man nodded as if he had expected that.
But he wasn't a frowning or disappointed.
It was a gaze that seemed to like what did he just hear.
"Your words are correct. There's no need to overcomplicate it. Swordsmanship is simply the skill of handling a sword. It's nothing more nothing less."
The old man's teachings were directed at me, not the Bone 1.
I understood now.
He intended to fully relief his 'Grief' through me.
The old man was planning to teach me the techniques along with the skeletons.
He probably want me to inherit all of His technique.
I recognize it when he changed my body, using strange method.
"Now, try lifting that wooden sword over there."
I picked up a piece of wood lying by the roadside.
"Now, grip it."
"Grip it... How exactly should I grip it?"
"Didn't I say? Don't think too much. Just grasp it in the most comfortable way you can think of."
I was a bit perplexed, but I did it as instructed.
"Do you grip it?"
"Yes."
"Good, now swing it with all your might."
"Like this?"
Swish! Swish!
I swung the sword twice towards the empty air.
The pure swing of a complete beginner who hadn't learned anything.
"That's right! Well done."
"Really?"
I tilted my head in confusion.
Is this old man joking?
Is this considered good?
Am I just not understanding because I'm not a genius?
Even looking at it with my own eyes,
No, anyone in the world would see it as a sloppy swing.
"Is this guy really a top-notch instructor?"
At the moment when my deeply ingrained belief was slightly shaken.
The old man spoke up.
"Look at the grip shape of your right hand. How is it? Is your thumb sticking up firmly while the rest of your fingers provide support without exerting too much force? And how about the swinging form? Once from 2 o'clock to 8 o'clock. Then again from 10 o'clock to 4 o'clock. Didn't you swing like this?"
The old man was describing my posture in words.
"I haven't taught you anything. When you performed the 'Slash,' you did it in the most stylish and comfortable way you thought. Underneath it lies all the concepts of 'Slash' that you have experienced and felt throughout your life."
"...."
"Do you not understand the meaning of this?"
"...I don't understand."
"In that swing you just executed, you've poured your life into it."
Huh?
Sounds like nonsense.
It sounds like nonsense, but it also feels somewhat impressive.
Damn, is my mind playing tricks on me?
As I stood there with my mouth agape, the old man continued.
"Now, I'll ask you. If you infuse power and speed into the 'slash' you just displayed, wouldn't it be powerful?"
Hmm?
Well.
Wouldn't the traditional 'Slash' executed by a master of swordsmanship be stronger than the way I swung it?
Like a kendo player.
Or a samurai.
Hmm.
Honestly, I'm not sure.
"Tsk tsk, you're making that foolish expression again. Any 'Slash' becomes strong with added power and speed. No matter how a tiger strikes with its front paw, the damage on the rabbit stay the same, it's the same simple principle. Do I have to explain it in words for you to understand?"
"Ah, I see."
I felt like I was starting to grasp the old man's teachings.
First, I create my own 'Slash.'
It probably takes into account my life, physique, and so on.
Then.
I practice it repeatedly, adding power and speed.
As a result, a stronger 'Slash' is gradually formed.
"I could see you're starting to get it."
"A little."
"Now, imagine what happens when that 'Slash' is repeated tens of thousands or even billions of times and reaches its peak?"
This time, the old man held a steel sword.
It wasn't any type of sword found in this world.
It was simply a fanciful sword created in the old man's imagination.
"Look. This is the swordsmanship that you and those undead will learn."
Clang!
The old man held the sword.
It was a simple and ordinary grip.
But i feel it wasn't that simple.
"Huh?"
An immense pressure.
It felt like Mount Tai was pressing down on my entire body.
"You don't need to overly comprehend every technique. No matter which path you choose to master, in the end, the peak is the same."
"...."
"If I delved into all the techniques like scholars, would I have achieved mastery over ten thousand techniques? Hmph, nonsense!"
Swish!
The old man's hand moved swiftly.
An incredibly fast strike.
I didn't even get a proper look.
There was a thick barrier between the old man and me.
All I could understand was the fact that the old man had 'Slash' something.
"No need for a talk! Strengthen your swings. Evolve incessantly! In doing so, won't everyone take your 'Slash' as the standard?"
My heart pounded.
I clenched my fist tightly.
Sweat coated my hands, and my legs tingled.
My own 'Slash'?
A 'Slash' powerful enough to become the standard for everyone in the world?
Just thinking about it made my chest swell with pride!
"Now, swing."
Instinctively, Bone 1 and I gripped the sword.
Swish! Swish!
The real training had begun.
"Continue to swing relentlessly. Keep swinging to find a strike that feels more comfortable and moves even faster."
"Yes!"
I swung with all my might.
Without a set framework, it felt liberating.
Even if my form was sloppy.
What I swung was the law, the truth. Who could argue with that!
[Ding!]
[You have acquired the skill 'Slash' (Grade C).]
[This skill has potential for further growth.]
"....Huff, huff."
Time passed.
I was drenched in sweat from head to toe.
The 30 minutes felt like less than a minute, such was the tremendous focus.
Just like usual.
I didn't even think it was hard.
Rather, it felt refreshing.
[Ding!]
[Status of 'Bone 1' is adjusted.]
[Skill 'Low Slash' (Lv.2) levels up by 2.]
[Bone 1 Strength increases by 1!]
[Bone 1 Technique increases by 3!]
Bone 1 experienced the same thing.
Stats that usually didn't rise so dramatically had increased explosively.
Crunch!
it clicked its teeth, As if it liked it.
Are you a bit disgruntled, buddy?
You didn't act like this when I was teaching.
"We'll stop here for today. Review thoroughly. You'll improve quickly as long as you have determination."
"Thank you, sir!"
I respectfully bowed my head.
Another sign of gratitude for gaining another skill.
Indeed, the old man was full of surprises.
And this was a surprise among surprises.
A bundle of jackpot.
***
'Parang' Guild Headquarters.
Amje looked at his only sibling, whom he hadn't seen in a while.
"Oppa."
A figure revered by all domestic hunters.
A VIP and a giant who single-handedly built a large guild with his extraordinary power.
Currently ranked 58th in the world.
Renowned Archer, KiParang.
"What brings you here? It's almost like the first time you've come to see me in person."
KiParang looked at Kisoyul with a puzzled expression.
She held the position of Deputy Guild Master, but she had never participated in the guild's internal affairs.
It was due to being a Ranker.
And because of her bloodline.
She was only there to make the name 'Parang' even weightier.
"Hmm, I actually have a concern."
"You?"
KiParang pupils widened.
He was surprised.
Wasn't she usually indifferent except for training?
"Is it be possible for a hunter of around D-rank to suddenly exhibit power beyond that of a Ranker?"
"Hmm. It's a bit of an odd question."
"Answer Me."
"Well, generally, even if you acquire a skill or ability, it takes some time to truly make it your own... It would be challenging. If such a case exists, the only answer would be that the person hid their abilities."
"He definitely didn't hide them."
"Really? Well, even i can't escape your eyes, even if i'm a Ranker."
Her skill as an assassin, 'Detection' (S-grade), accurately gauged the level of her assassination target.
Soon after, KiParang lowered his head.
"But that doesn't make sense. Why? What's going on?"
Kisoyul had yet to report the dungeon-related incident to KiParang.
Out of pride.
Well, in fact, she had reported it, but she had concealed the exact details.
How was that even possible?
Originally, 'Parang' was involved in more than ten 'unclassified grade' dungeons every week.
The majority were either located and cleared by search teams.
It was impractical for the guild master to oversee everything.
Furthermore, he tended to take interest only when there were failures or when A-grade or higher dungeons were discovered.
"Well, no. Anyway, it's impossible, right?"
"At least according to my common sense. But you know, common sense is something that can be shattered at any time."
"Yeah, I know."
It hadn't been more than ten years since the world had fallen into chaos.
Just ten years ago, the existence of 'hunters' itself was beyond common sense.
'Old man.'
Grit.
Kisoyul secretly ground her teeth.
He was the opponent who had given her a sense of powerlessness for the first time.
Even though she had lost to another Ranker before.
Experiencing such a sense of powerlessness was undoubtedly a first for her.
'But how could a mere porter...'
Actually, she had been concerned from their first encounter.
Why? Well, his gaze was closer to that of a poisonous snake than anything else.
A Venom.
It felt like looking at herself from five years ago when she was a 20-year-old adult.
So, she got curious.
She was a bit rude, but for the first time in her life, she played a prank.
But that was it.
At his level as a Ranker.
Among the numerous hunters out there, he was just one.
'But what's going on with this?'
Even inside the dungeon where he was clearly failing.
He confidently demanded entry.
Even when all the survivors were trembling in fear.
He remained calm, like a beast eyeing its prey.
Of course, she had expected him to fail.
She thought it was a waste of time.
However, she liked his spirit and gave him a chance.
'But could he really break through that?'
She was too curious.
She was so curious that she hadn't been able to sleep at all until now.
'He certainly is someone with expectations.'
If she had only been interested in guild affairs, she would have recruited him without a doubt.
What If he had actually gained a skill like her 'Detection' from the opportunity?
And he was a necromancer on top of that?
Did he have the potential to grow into a Ranker in a short period just like Dark Lord?
'he promised to tell me, once he sorted out his thoughts.'
There was definitely something.
She wanted to catch him right away, but she planned to give him enough time.
Because she had promised.
"Hmm? My sister. You're acting suspicious. You had such a serious expression earlier, why are you smiling now?"
"Uh, well?"
"Why? What's going on? It's making me curious. Weren't you my sister who had no interest in anything other than swinging a dagger?"
"It's not like that."
Kisoyul, who furrowed her brows unnecessarily at her brother's teasing, and quickly left the guild master's room.
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