am-books Chapter 25
Chapter 25
I returned with the martial art of the North Sea Ice Sovereign, but there wasn’t much use for it.
A martial art I couldn’t practice. Elixirs I couldn’t consume.
And the sword she left behind—could I even wield it?
The moment I drew the blade, a bitter chill spread around me. Flesh froze at its touch, forcing me to give up.@@@@
It was an act of self-harm. Without its special sheath, I couldn’t even carry it.
For now, I decided to leave it be. Since I couldn’t use it, I chose to focus on my own abilities instead.
I had reached a stage of mastery with the first application of Single Soul Hammer: Paemyo. It was difficult to practice alone, but I now had a sparring partner.
"You're still not done with Single Soul Hammer? Even I’ve already reached the level of Gooak!"
"My progress is a bit slow."
"But your martial prowess is greater than mine, isn’t it? Aren’t you at the apex realm?"
Number 29 couldn’t understand but still accompanied me in training. After clashing swords a few times, her expression hardened.
"...How should I put this... It's kind of that, huh?"
Normally, she would throw out rude remarks without hesitation, but now she hesitated, watching my reaction.
"I think I understand what you mean by slow progress."
"Just say it as it is."
"You're absurdly slow at learning new things, huh?"
"......"
"But the techniques you’ve already mastered are insanely polished, almost barbarically so... Like a sword built through sheer effort and persistence."
She quickly understood my state and nodded.
"You’re a stubborn freak."
"Isn’t that a bit rude?"
"I'm just stating facts."
She certainly had remarkable skill, despite being much younger than me. Her achievements were already impressive.
"You know Single Soul Hammer is the fundamental form of the Gucheon Blood Demon Art, right?"
"I’m aware."
"And do you know what the four applications of Single Soul Hammer are?"
"I read about them in the manual."
"Hmm... Let’s cover the basics, then."
Even though my martial level was higher, she had no hesitation in teaching me. She didn’t mind the reversed roles.
"This will clear the debt. Got it?"
"If that’s what you wish."
The impact of the sheath disrupted her stance, leaving an opening.
I moved instinctively, closing the gap as she had taught me during our first lesson on Paemyo. Predicting the distance, reading the form, and moving precisely.
Everything aligned. I slipped past her blade and struck her waist.
Smack!
Number 29 collapsed to the ground.
"Ah, that hurts!"
"...Seems I still lack strength."
"What strength?! Have you been secretly training your external martial arts?"
"The form of Ghostly Spirit Steps inherently aids external training, doesn’t it?"
"Who the hell practices to this extent?! You could’ve moved on to the next form by now!"
"Ilma often said something to me."
"What? What did she say?!"
"Strength obtained easily always comes with a cost."
She had always told me to lay a solid foundation.
"If you don’t want to die, stop wielding a sword and just throw punches."
"...There’s no way Ilma speaks like that! How dignified she is! Don’t tarnish her reputation!"
Living in a fantasy, I see.
I turned my head, deciding it was best not to shatter her illusions.
"I’ll continue practicing Paemyo."
"What about the other forms? At this rate, you’ll be a skeleton by the time you master the entire Gucheon Blood Demon Art."
"I’d like to learn the other forms as well. I think we can help each other."
"Ugh. Fine. Go grab two wooden sticks the length of a sword."
Following her instruction, I returned with two sticks. She took one and began teaching.
The second form, Macha.
The third form, Gooak.
The final form, Pyolim.
Through relentless training, we both grew stronger, pushing each other forward. By the end, we stood ready for the next challenge.
Then came the voice, cold and commanding:
"Number 29. Number 30."
It was a familiar voice.
"Mission time."