Chapter 7: The Average Swordsman
Natsuya watched as the demon beneath his blade dissolved into ash, mentally reviewing the encounter.
Honestly, the game's art direction was top-tier. There didn't seem to be any recycled character assets. It felt like the developers had created a unique model and a specific set of attack animations and AI logic for every single enemy.
In any other game, only named Bosses or Elite Mobs got that kind of treatment. Generic trash mobs usually just got a palette swap if they were lucky.
Is it possible the three demons I've run into were all Elites?
No way. Impossible.
There was no logical reason for "scripted elites" to appear right after the tutorial only to get one-shot.
Art aside, if Natsuya had to rate the gameplay, it was a mixed bag of "Greatness" and "Trash."
The good part: The physics engine was hyper-realistic, the hit-stop felt amazing, and the assist system smoothed out the experience.
The bad part: The scaling was done by someone who clearly didn't understand math. The monsters had zero interesting mechanics besides basic attacks. Sure, their stats were high and they had percentage-based health regeneration, so you couldn't just mash buttons and win—but they had no special abilities!
They just roared and lunged. Compared to other action games, these demons had the tactical depth of a "Medium" difficulty Bot in a practice match.
It's a hardcore RPG with the enemy AI of a mobile clicker game, Natsuya grumbled.
While he was internally roasting the developers, a timid voice came from the shadows nearby.
"Um... excuse me, sir..."
Natsuya turned around.
[Yukibashiri Seiko (Power Level: 25)]
[Water Breathing LV.1]
Low stats, low skill level, generic Water Breathing build.
Ah, a Friendly Fodder NPC.
Seiko didn't notice the clinical judgment in Natsuya's eyes. She spoke nervously, fiddling with her sleeves. "Can I... can I travel with you for a bit?"
"This place is much more dangerous than I imagined. If we look out for each other, it would be much safer!" She added quickly, stuttering, "I-It's not just because you're strong! I swear!"
Seiko was the name she had given herself upon deciding to join the Corps. It was a vow to overcome her fear and a reminder never to forget the hatred she felt when her family was slaughtered.
She had trained under her Sodate for over six months. She had mastered the basics of her Breathing Style and half of the sword forms. Her body was leagues stronger than it used to be, and she thought she was ready.
But when the real demons appeared... the terror returned.
"Sure," Natsuya replied without hesitation. It was like he was casually sharing a rice ball from his lunch box.
Even though the Final Selection was a life-or-death exam, Natsuya's nonchalance was jarring. Seiko had fully expected to be rejected.
"Huh?" Seiko's hands hovered in the air, unsure where to go. "Thank you! Thank you so much!"
Natsuya shrugged. "Having a teammate to... uh, draw aggro is always good. I'm Kokonoe Natsuya. And you?"
The girl breathed a sigh of relief and stepped up to walk beside him. "I'm Yukibashiri Seiko. I use Water Breathing. But compared to you, I'm barely a novice. I saw you fight that demon just now... it was incredible! That was Wind Breathing, right? It was like a hurricane just shredded those monsters to—"
Now that she had a teammate, the stress seemed to leave her all at once, and she began to chatter away like a broken dam.
"Draw your sword," Natsuya interrupted.
"Eh?"
"If you're a combatant, look like one. A mob could spawn from anywhere in this forest." Natsuya glanced at the Nichirin Sword hanging uselessly at her hip. "If you keep it sheathed, how are you going to react? Does Water Breathing specialize in Quick-Draw Iaijutsu?"
Seiko turned bright red and fumbled to unsheathe her blade.
The two continued deeper into the mountain forest. Natsuya headed toward the center of the map, assuming the "Spawn Rate" would be higher there.
Though Seiko seemed timid, she was serious about her vow to slay demons. She didn't complain or resist as they marched into the dark.
The forest was mostly silent, save for the occasional distant scream from another hillside and the sound of their clothes brushing against the undergrowth.
For a long time, they didn't encounter another demon. It was either because the "Party Size" of two was scaring them off, or other candidates were drawing all the aggro.
Instead...
Natsuya hacked through a thick branch blocking the path and checked his panel.
[Lumbering LV.1 (1/500)] (NEW)
Another Life Skill unlocked. He now had 7 Achievement Points.
If his compatibility with Wind Breathing wasn't so low, he would have pumped it to Level 3 already. But wasting nearly a third of his points on conversion loss felt bad. It was a "Liver-Pain" (painful grind) moment.
I need to find a more compatible Breathing Style ASAP.
"Hey... Fodder—I mean, Seiko. How long does it usually take to learn Water Breathing?"
Taken aback by the sudden question, Seiko blinked. "It took me almost a year, but my Master said my talent was just average. I think the real geniuses can master the basics in a few months."
Natsuya thought for a moment. "Show me. Perform the Water Breathing forms for me."
"Huh?" The girl froze. "Right here?"
She looked around nervously. The forest was filled with shifting shadows. Who knew if a demon or another candidate was watching from the dark? "Is that... a good idea?"
Despite her hesitation, she found a small clearing and began the demonstration. She took a deep breath, and the nervousness on her face faded. A faint mist escaped her lips.
"Water Breathing..."
"First Form: Water Surface Slash!"
For a brief second, the cold steel of her blade seemed to condense a thin layer of moisture, tracing a clean, fluid arc through the air.
"Second Form: Water Wheel!"
She lunged forward, using a tree trunk to leap into a front-flip, slashing in a perfect vertical circle.
One by one, Seiko performed the forms she had spent a year perfecting. Water Breathing was flexible and inclusive, like a flowing river that never ceased its tide.
Compared to Natsuya's Wind Breathing, it lacked raw killing intent and violence, but it was far more balanced and calm.
Unfortunately, the user was still green. Her forms weren't condensed enough, her posture had openings, and the transitions between moves were stiff.
Natsuya rubbed his chin, watching intently.
Come on, give me the prompt...
"Kokonoe-kun, that's all the Water Breathing I know," the girl panted slightly. "Compared to your Wind Breathing, I'm still just scratching the surface."
"True," Natsuya said bluntly. "But can you do it again? I feel like your version is... slightly different from what I've heard about."
Though confused, she complied and started the routine again. Finally, the System began to ping in Natsuya's vision.
[Observed: Water Breathing Style / Sword Forms]
[Progressing Study of "Incomplete Water Breathing"...]
[Insight gained. Study Progress +1]
[Water Breathing (Unlearned): 1/100]
There's a success rate. Perfect.
A grin spread across Natsuya's face, making Seiko's cheeks flush.
Just like his training with Master Kazami, observing and practicing would build up "Study Progress." Once it hit 100, the System would officially recognize him as having unlocked the skill at LV.0.
Then, he could check his compatibility and see if it was worth his points.
Feeling much better, Natsuya's tone softened. "Seiko-chan, you actually have a lot of potential. Why don't you show me one more time?"
The sudden use of a familiar honorific and the compliment made her face turn even redder. "Kokonoe-kun... I'm not really that—"
She stopped mid-sentence, her pupils shrinking. Behind Natsuya, a bloodthirsty shadow was closing in at high speed.
"Watch out!"
"Water Breathing, First Form: Water Surface—"
Before she could even finish half her swing, the demon was swallowed by a localized gale.
"Wind Breathing, Sixth Form: Black Wind Mountain Mist!"
[Wind Breathing LV.2 (401/1000) +24 XP]
Natsuya sheathed his sword as if nothing had happened. "No worries, Seiko-chan. Keep going. I'm watching."
The girl stood frozen. Watching him from a distance was one thing, but experiencing the sheer speed and power of his Breathing Style from inches away was a different level of shock.
"S-So... so strong..."