NOVEL NEXT Chapter 38-2
The process was difficult.
“Ugh…”
It was not an easy task to repeatedly get hit and recover to fight again.
He didn’t die, but the pain didn’t subside either.
But as Kairos had said, he began to get used to the pain.
Since his body would eventually recover, the pain was only temporary.
[Counterattack while following his movements! That metalhead is not just fast and strong! He’s just skilled in swordsmanship!]
“Counterattack…?”
[If you keep trying to dodge and block, you’ll just get hit! You fool! You have to counterattack and take the initiative! Make him block or dodge your attacks! Haven’t you heard that the best defense is a good offense?]
Otto pondered Kairos’ advice.
‘Counterattack… I have to attack, so that Akan can’t beat me easily. It’s a common saying, but it’s an undeniable fact.’
Following Kairos’ advice, Otto attempted to attack instead of defending or evading.
– Hmm! Are you trying to find the answer?
As Otto began to rebel in earnest, a satisfied voice seemed to flow from Akan’s helmet.
– But you have only taken the first step.
“Gack!”
– Learning starts now.
“AAAAGHH!”
Though the result did not change.
It was impossible for Otto, who didn’t even know the basics of swordsmanship, to learn invincible swordsmanship with just a few words of advice from Kyros.
Even with ‘Transcendent Being’ to increase his swordsmanship proficiency by 25%, it wouldn’t make much difference…
***
On the fifth day since Otto entered the ‘Sanctuary’.
Conrad, who visited the ‘Sanctuary’ out of curiosity, showed interest in Camille, wondering if he had any special characteristics.
“Your name is Camille?”
“Yes, that’s correct.”
“I’ve heard of you. They say you’re a knight with an unwavering spirit. Many lords have been interested in you.”
“That’s an exaggeration.”
“I’m sure you had many good offers. What was the reason for refusing them?”
“I have already pledged my loyalty once and received the title of a knight. I have no intention of breaking that oath for personal gain.”
“As expected of you. You are truly honorable.”
“I don’t think I did anything to deserve such praise.”
“You only know one side of being a knight.”
Conrad chuckled bitterly.
“The emphasis on the knight’s spirit is because it is not always upheld.”
“…”
“Knights who betray their lords for personal gain are common. In this world, it is remarkable that a promising talent like you stayed behind in a small rural domain.”
‘It’s only been four days, hasn’t it?’
Camille was surprised to hear Conrad’s words.
The intelligence network of the Koutachi family was beyond his expectations.
Even though they had never paid attention to the Iota territory for the past 30 years, as soon as they decided to gather information, they learned everything about Otto and him in just a few days.
“Listen.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“If you have time, would you like to have a drink with me?”
“But…”
“It’s okay here. Even if that guy comes out of the sanctuary during that time, I promise that he won’t even get a scratch.”
Currently, the area in front of the ‘Sanctuary’ was a forbidden zone that even members of the Koutachi family could not approach, guarded by Conrad’s personal guards like a fortress.
“I’d like to hear from you about what kind of person he is.”
“If that’s what you want to know…”
Camille followed Conrad out of the vicinity of the fortress for a moment.
He thought he should share some good stories about Otto, as Conrad seemed curious about him…
***
At some point, Otto forgot the passage of time.
During the first 48 hours, he seemed to be aware of the passage of time to some extent, but after that, he couldn’t accurately estimate how much time had passed.
Without a break, he constantly wielded his sword, practicing against Akan’s attacks, and forgot everything else.
It was a strange experience.
Despite swinging his sword for several days, he didn’t feel hungry or tired.
He didn’t even realize he needed to eat or sleep.
He focused solely on learning from Akan’s movements, as advised by Kairos.
[Turn your waist more! What are you doing?]
“I’m trying my best too!”
[You’re too slow! When will you become strong if you learn so slowly?”]
Otto and Kairos exchanged brief conversations from time to time…
Then, at some point…
– Clang!
Otto’s sword landed on Akan’s neck.
“….!”
Otto was surprised to see that his attack had succeeded.
It was the first effective hit he had landed since starting his practice with Akan.
“I…I did it?”
– You finally learned.
Akan’s voice, mixed with laughter, came from beneath his helmet.
“I learned? But I only landed one hit.”
– That one hit is the beginning. You’ve already learned the invincible sword. You still have a long way to go, but you have a solid foundation.
“Really?”
At that moment…
[Hey, congratulations, Otto!]
Kairos’ voice congratulated Otto.
[I’m honestly surprised that you succeeded in learning the invincible sword!]
“Me? Did I really learn it?” Otto thought, but couldn’t believe it.
[Hmm, it seems that you still can’t feel it yet!]
“Does that make sense? How long have you been learning?” Otto asked.
[Well, it’s been five years, which isn’t a short amount of time, but it’s not enough to say that you’ve completely mastered the basics of swordsmanship. Some people might not even learn it in their whole lifetime.]
“I see…”
[Otto, you did it. You’ve mastered the basics of swordsmanship in just five years, so from here on out, progress should come quickly.]