Chapter 10 — Path of the Blade
The guild receptionist stamped the quest completion form with the same tired expression she'd worn yesterday.
"Five Moonpetal flowers. Verified." She slid fifteen copper coins across the counter. "Reward claimed. Congratulations on not dying."
"Your encouragement is overwhelming," Chris said dryly.
"I save my enthusiasm for adventurers who survive their first month." She returned to her paperwork. "Come back then, and I might crack a smile."
Chris pocketed the coins, suppressing a grin. He was starting to like her attitude.
Iris stood beside him, stretching her arms above her head.
"Well, that was fun." She glanced at him. "Same time tomorrow?"
"You sure you want to keep dragging an F-rank around?"
"Please. You held your own against that wolf better than most D-ranks would." She smirked. "Besides, someone has to keep you alive until you stop being interesting."
"And when I stop being interesting?"
"Then I'll find a new hobby." She waved lazily, heading for the door. "Get some rest, mysterious swordsman. You'll need it."
Chris watched her leave, shaking his head.
Strange elf.
But useful. And surprisingly good company.
He turned back toward the exit, mind already shifting to other matters.
The fight with the corrupted wolf had exposed a problem.
His shadow abilities were powerful. But relying on them alone was dangerous. Every time he used Blink or Shadow Control in public, he risked exposure. And exposure meant death.
He needed to be stronger without magic.
His swordsmanship had to improve.
---
Chris returned to The Copper Coin as the sun dipped below the horizon.
He ordered a simple dinner — bread, stew, and ale — and ate alone in the corner, thinking.
The spar with Instructor Vance. The goblin fight. The wolf.
In every battle, his sword skills had been the weakest link. He'd survived through Shadow Sense, Blink, and dirty tactics. Not through genuine mastery of the blade.
That had to change.
"System," he said quietly, keeping his voice low. "I need to improve my swordsmanship. Can you help?"
A pause.
Then the familiar voice responded.
"An excellent initiative, Master. I have been analyzing your combat performance since your arrival in this world. Your fencing foundation is adequate, but your adaptation to real sword combat remains incomplete."
"Tell me something I don't know."
"Very well. Your hip rotation during slashes is inconsistent, causing power loss of approximately 23%. Your recovery time after thrusts is 0.4 seconds slower than optimal. Your footwork, while decent, lacks the explosive transitions needed for close-quarters engagement. Shall I continue?"
Chris winced. "Okay, I get it. I'm sloppy."
"Correct. However, this can be remedied with proper training." A screen flickered into existence. "I have prepared something that may assist."
╔═══════════════════════════════════════════╗
║ NEW FEATURE UNLOCKED ║
╠═══════════════════════════════════════════╣
║ ║
║ Feature: Combat Analysis ║
║ Type: Passive ║
║ ║
║ Effects: ║
║ - Analyzes Master's combat movements ║
║ - Identifies flaws and inefficiencies ║
║ - Provides real-time corrections ║
║ - Tracks improvement over time ║
║ ║
║ Note: Does not grant skill. Only ║
║ guidance. Master must practice. ║
║ ║
╚═══════════════════════════════════════════╝
Chris read the screen, eyebrows rising.
"You can do that?"
"I am connected to your senses and motor functions, Master. Observing and analyzing your movements is a trivial task. The challenge lies in you actually following my corrections."
"Was that an insult?"
"Merely an observation based on your historical stubbornness."
Chris snorted. Fair enough.
Another screen appeared.
╔═══════════════════════════════════════════╗
║ !! NEW QUEST !! ║
╠═══════════════════════════════════════════╣
║ ║
║ Quest: Path of the Blade ║
║ Type: Long-term / Milestone ║
║ ║
║ Objective: Improve swordsmanship ║
║ ║
║ Milestones: ║
║ [1] Complete 100 sword strikes (0/100) ║
║ [2] Defeat 10 enemies with sword (1/10) ║
║ [3] Land a critical hit in combat (0/1) ║
║ [4] Survive a fight without magic (0/1) ║
║ ║
║ Rewards per milestone: ║
║ - Sword Technique unlock ║
║ ║
║ Final Reward: Title — Blade Adept ║
║ ║
╚═══════════════════════════════════════════╝
"A training quest," Chris murmured. "With actual rewards."
"Correct. Each milestone will unlock a sword technique — skills that require no magic and can be used publicly without suspicion. They will strengthen your cover identity significantly."
This was exactly what he needed.
"What kind of techniques?"
"Passive abilities that enhance your combat effectiveness. Improved critical hit chance. Better parrying. Faster draws. The specifics depend on which milestones you complete."
Chris nodded slowly, a plan forming in his mind.
"I'll train tonight."
"I anticipated as much, Master. The night phase will provide additional benefits — your enhanced Shadow Sense can detect anyone approaching, ensuring privacy. And your improved MP regeneration, while irrelevant for sword training, will keep you alert."
"You've thought of everything."
"I am a very thorough System."
---
Night fell over Rendercity.
Chris felt the familiar shift as darkness claimed the city. Shadows deepened. His senses sharpened. The connection to darkness strengthened.
Night Phase Activated.
He waited until the inn grew quiet, then slipped out into the streets.
The city was different at night. Fewer people, longer shadows, flickering lanterns casting pools of orange light. Guards patrolled the main roads, but the side streets were empty.
Chris moved silently, keeping to the darkness. His destination: the guild's training yard.
During the day, it would be crowded with adventurers sparring and practicing. But at this hour...
Empty.
He approached the wooden fence surrounding the yard, extending his Shadow Sense.
No one within 25 meters. The guild building was quiet — only the receptionist remained inside, probably buried in paperwork.
Chris vaulted the fence easily, landing softly on the packed dirt.
The training yard stretched before him. Weapon racks. Practice dummies. Open space for sparring.
Perfect.
He drew his iron sword, the blade glinting faintly in the moonlight.
"System. Let's begin."
"Understood, Master. Initiating Combat Analysis."
Chris fell into his stance — feet shoulder-width apart, knees bent, sword raised.
"Stance analysis: Adequate. Your weight distribution favors your back foot by 8%. Shift forward slightly for better offensive capability."
Chris adjusted, feeling the difference immediately. More balanced. More ready to move.
"Better. Now, execute a basic horizontal slash."
He swung, blade cutting through the air.
"Hip rotation: 71% of optimal. You are relying too heavily on arm strength. Power should originate from the hips and core, with the arms merely guiding the blade. Again."
Chris swung again, focusing on his hips.
"76%. Improvement noted. Again."
Again.
"82%. Your shoulders are tensing. Relax. The blade is an extension of your body, not a separate object. Again."
Again.
And again.
And again.
---
Chris lost track of time.
The System's voice became a constant presence — correcting, guiding, pushing. Every swing was analyzed. Every flaw identified. Every improvement tracked.
Horizontal slashes. Vertical cuts. Diagonal strikes. Thrusts. Parries. Combinations.
His arms burned. Sweat dripped down his face. His grip ached from holding the sword so long.
But he didn't stop.
Fifty strikes.
Seventy.
Ninety.
"Strike 98. Hip rotation at 94% optimal. Shoulder tension minimal. Recovery time improved by 0.2 seconds."
Ninety-nine.
"Strike 99. Excellent form. Critical point targeting has improved significantly."
One hundred.
Chris brought the blade down in a final slash, then held the position, breathing hard.
Silence.
Then—
╔═══════════════════════════════════════════╗
║ !! MILESTONE COMPLETE !! ║
╠═══════════════════════════════════════════╣
║ ║
║ Quest: Path of the Blade ║
║ Milestone [1]: Complete 100 strikes ✓ ║
║ ║
║ Reward unlocked! ║
║ ║
╚═══════════════════════════════════════════╝
A new screen appeared immediately after.
╔═══════════════════════════════════════════╗
║ SWORD SKILL UNLOCKED ║
╠═══════════════════════════════════════════╣
║ ║
║ Skill: Precision Strike (F) ║
║ Type: Passive ║
║ ║
║ Effects: ║
║ - Critical hit chance +5% ║
║ - Improved accuracy on weak points ║
║ - Slight damage bonus on clean hits ║
║ ║
║ Note: Skill improves with practice ║
║ and combat experience. ║
║ ║
╚═══════════════════════════════════════════╝
Chris stared at the screen, a slow grin spreading across his face.
"It worked."
"Of course it worked, Master. Did you doubt me?"
"Honestly? A little."
"Your lack of faith remains noted and ignored."
Chris laughed quietly, sheathing his sword. His body ached, but it was a good ache. The ache of progress.
He checked his updated status.
╔═══════════════════════════════════════════╗
║ Name: Chris ║
║ Level: 1 ║
║ Title: Shadow Young Lord ║
║ HP: 100/100 ║
║ MP: 50/50 ║
╠═══════════════════════════════════════════╣
║ Shadow Skills: ║
║ - Shadow Control (F) ║
║ - Blink (F) ║
║ - Shadow Rise (F) ║
║ - Shadow Sense (F) ║
╠═══════════════════════════════════════════╣
║ Sword Skills: ║
║ - Precision Strike (F) [NEW] ║
╠═══════════════════════════════════════════╣
║ Servants: 1/1 ║
║ - Shadow Goblin (F) ║
╠═══════════════════════════════════════════╣
║ Quests: ║
║ - Path of the Blade (1/4 milestones) ║
╚═══════════════════════════════════════════╝
Two skill categories now. Shadow and Sword.
The public face and the hidden truth.
"System, will this skill be visible to others?"
"Negative, Master. Precision Strike is an internalized combat enhancement. Others may notice your improved accuracy and damage, but they will attribute it to natural skill rather than any supernatural ability."
Perfect.
Chris took one last look around the training yard. Still empty. No witnesses.
He vaulted the fence and disappeared into the night.
---
Back at The Copper Coin, Chris slipped into his room and collapsed onto the bed.
Every muscle screamed in protest. His hands were raw, faint blisters forming on his palms. Tomorrow would be painful.
But worth it.
He stared at the ceiling, mind racing with possibilities.
Three more milestones. Three more sword skills. And at the end — a title.
Blade Adept.
Combined with his shadow abilities...
He could become truly dangerous.
"Master."
"Yeah?"
"Your growth rate exceeds initial projections. At this pace, you may reach significant power levels faster than anticipated."
Chris smiled faintly. "Is that your way of saying I'm doing well?"
"It is my way of stating a fact. Compliments are inefficient uses of processing power."
"Sure they are."
He closed his eyes, exhaustion finally winning.
Tomorrow, more quests with Iris. More experience. More growth.
And every night — training. Pushing his limits. Becoming stronger.
The path of the blade had begun.
And Chris intended to walk it to the very end.
---
Outside the window, the purple moon hung high in the sky.
And in the shadows of the training yard, a faint presence lingered — watching, waiting, then fading into nothing.
Unseen.
Unnoticed.
For now.
[End of Chapter 10]