"Thunder Breathing."
[Description: A breathing technique originating from the world of Demon Slayer. It strengthens the cardiopulmonary system, allowing the user to absorb vast amounts of oxygen in an instant, greatly enhancing physical power and speed. Those who master it can maintain continuous concentration, even while asleep — a state known as 'Total Concentration: Constant.' Among all breathing styles, Thunder Breathing is the fastest and most explosive, requiring immense physical aptitude to master.]
Lucien's eyes lit up as he read the description. His luck hadn't failed him this time — this was exactly what he needed.
A genuine skill-type reward.
Lucien knew this skill well. Thunder Breathing belonged to the same system as the "Total Concentration Breathing" techniques from Demon Slayer. It was the breathing style used by Zenitsu Agatsuma, famed for his lightning-fast swordsmanship. Out of all styles, Thunder Breathing represented raw speed and explosive motion — precisely what Lucien lacked.
After the battle with Zhou Wei, that flaw had become painfully clear.
Despite the overwhelming power of the Titans, raw strength alone wasn't enough. Giants were mighty, but their size also made them targets. Against someone like Zhou Wei, a skilled human combatant, Lucien's Titan form had been more of a burden than an advantage. The fight had taught him a simple truth — versatility mattered more than size.
As knowledge and technique flowed into his mind, his body trembled. Lightning-like patterns flashed through his consciousness as the breathing rhythm imprinted itself deep within his core.
Like the Six Styles and Geppo, Thunder Breathing required gradual cultivation. Instant mastery was impossible.
"It's only the breathing technique," Lucien muttered, a hint of dissatisfaction on his face. "No sword forms… no combat moves."
He remembered that Thunder Breathing had six sword forms — attacks executed through rhythm and movement. But here, he had only received the breathing foundation itself.
Still, it was a valuable gain.
"Fine," he sighed, stretching his neck. "Let's see how it feels to cultivate it."
Leaping down from the tree branch, Lucien stood on the forest floor and closed his eyes. He began adjusting his breathing according to the method described in his mind.
Immediately, discomfort surged through him. His lungs burned. His heartbeat pounded violently. It felt like being submerged underwater — chest tight, vision hazy, organs screaming. Every inhale and exhale was like forcing air through flames.
Then came the rhythm.
The steady pulse of his heart began syncing with the breath — quick, sharp, electric. His blood roared like a storm, and heat coursed through his limbs.
Lucien could only maintain it for a minute before his strength gave out.
"Damn… physical foundation really is everything," he gasped, falling to one knee. His throat felt raw, as if scraped by needles.
It was now obvious that no matter how advanced a technique was — Six Styles, Thunder Breathing, or even the power of Titans — everything depended on the user's physical core. Without strength and endurance, it was all meaningless.
He exhaled deeply. "A tall building starts from its foundation. I'll need to train harder."
---
One Month Later – Giant Tree Forest
"Hoo…"
Lucien's breath followed a steady rhythm, each inhale and exhale synchronized with his pounding heart. Thin streaks of golden lightning flickered across his skin, vanishing as quickly as they appeared.
They were faint, but real.
The longer he maintained it, the faster his heart thumped — like drums of thunder echoing inside his chest. His organs contracted and expanded rhythmically, blood surging through his veins. Every function of his body operated beyond human limits.
An hour passed before Lucien finally stopped, collapsing onto the forest floor. His clothes were soaked, his body trembling with exhaustion.
Pain shot through every muscle and tendon. Even his internal organs felt scorched.
But amid the agony, his eyes gleamed with satisfaction.
It had taken him a full month to maintain Thunder Breathing for just one hour — a testament to how demanding it was. Yet every attempt left him stronger. His body adapted, bit by bit. The pain was proof of progress.
He was certain that if he could somehow merge Thunder Breathing with the Six Styles, his speed would skyrocket beyond imagination. Both short-distance bursts and long-range movements would become far faster — perhaps even seamless.
Lucien clenched his fist, his breathing slowly evening out.
He wanted to reach the point where Thunder Breathing became as natural as ordinary breathing — using it constantly, every second of every day.
But right now, even an hour was his limit. A full day, a month, a year… that goal was still far away.
During that same month, Lucien had also devoted time to refining his Six Styles, Geppo, and other physical training routines. His progress was steady, but his focus was shifting. It was almost time to head for the Marley Empire — to claim the final Titan power.
As he sat beneath the trees, he pulled up his light screen.
[Reward Draw – Month 8]
[Item Acquired: One Lace Bra]
[Description: …]
Lucien stared blankly, then closed the screen. "Not even worth reading."
---
Marley Empire
More than 1,800 years ago, the Marley Empire had been crushed by the Eldian Empire's Titan powers. Yet a century ago, it rose again — stealing seven of the Nine Titans and enforcing cruel rule over the world. But its victories had come at a price. Relying too much on Titan strength, Marley's technological progress had stagnated. Other nations, driven by hatred and fear, began to catch up.
Now, only one Titan remained in Marley's possession — the War Hammer Titan.
Lucien arrived after a ten-day voyage. Standing at the bustling port, he gazed at the modern skyline of Marley. Compared to the world within the walls, this place was a marvel of progress — industrial smoke rising, steamships docked, airships floating overhead.
Crowds bustled across the docks — soldiers, merchants, nobles, and tourists dressed in military coats or fine suits. Lucien, in a plain shirt and shorts, blended easily among them.
"As expected of one of the strongest nations," he murmured. "The center of the world… for now."
He remembered the family name — Tybur. The War Hammer Titan's power was held by the Tybur family, nobles who lived lavishly in their grand estate.
Finding them wouldn't be hard.
Lighting a cigarette, Lucien took a drag, exhaled a thin stream of smoke, and began walking toward the city. He checked into an upscale hotel first, deciding to rest for a night before acting. The long journey had drained him.
---
The next evening, under the hotel staff's guidance, Lucien approached a magnificent European-style mansion — the Tybur estate. Two guards patrolled the gate, their rifles slung casually over their shoulders.
Lucien's eyes narrowed.
With a single step, his figure vanished. In the next instant, he reappeared eight meters away, silent as the wind. Another step, another flash — his body flickered through the shadows. This was the current limit of his Six Styles movement.
Without a sound, he slipped into the castle grounds.
Inside the grand dining hall, Willy Tybur, the head of the family, was enjoying dinner with his relatives. The chandeliers above glimmered softly, and the long table was filled with extravagant dishes. Maids stood quietly at either side, attending the family.
"Do you mind one more person joining?"
Lucien appeared out of thin air in the living room, his voice calm and almost casual.
The room froze. Willy's hand paused midair, the knife and fork trembling ever so slightly. Despite his composed expression, sharp caution flickered in his eyes.
How had this stranger appeared without a sound?
Lucien smiled faintly. "No need to look so tense."
Seeing no response, he calmly pulled out a chair, sat down, and crossed his legs — as if he belonged there. His gaze swept across the table before settling on the man at the head.
"Willy Tybur, right?" he said lightly, exhaling a wisp of smoke. "Let's talk."
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