Chapter 27: Three Weeks Later

Chapter 27: Three Weeks Later

Luke winced in pain as the wooden butt of Spiross spear dug itself into his abdomen. A few weeks ago, a hit that powerful would have knocked the breath straight out of his lungs, and driven him to his knees. Now? It just stung. A little.

Unfortunately for Luke though, whatever improvements he had made with his Constitution, didnt help him surpass the difference in skill between them. Not when his opponent had been training with a weapon since he was old enough to hold one. Not even when he accounted for the fact that he had an actual Sword Technique to inform his movements.

Spiros grinned, and before Luke could react, he flicked the spear upward. Hitting Luke lightly on the soft flesh underneath his tongue and grazing his chin. Slowing his strike down just enough that it wouldnt tear skin, but otherwise letting it hit. Causing Luke to stumble back, dazed from the hit.

If I had been any weaker, that would have knocked me out, and given me some brain damage. It still might have. Luke shook his head clear.

What is that now? Eighty-five to three? Spiros withdrew his spear, planting it on the ground and leaning on it. A smug pose if there ever was one.

Yeah, yeah. Laugh it up while you can. Just because you're better than me now, doesnt mean that things will stay that way. He grumbled, cupping his jaw with his hand, as he tried to massage the pain away.

Mhm. Spiros hummed. If you say so. Youd have an easier time if you used a spear. Or a shield for that matter. Everyone knows that a sword loses to a spear. You have no reach. He lunged forward, suddenly stabbing the air with his weapon to demonstrate his point.

Then I wouldnt improve with the Technique. And I dont get Stat Points when I kill stuff with a spear, so it doesnt matter if the spear is objectively the better weapon in some cases, I need to get better and better with a sword.

How is that going?

Luke navigated to his status screen.

Status | Skills | Quests | Inventory

First Stance of the Sword

Tier: Mortal

Progress: 4.99%

Not great. I havent improved at all in a week. Luke said, walking to the end of the arena. Picking up a towel, he wiped the sweat from his face.

What about the other two?

Status | Skills | Quests | Inventory

First Stance of the Shield

Tier: Mortal

Progress: 4.99%

First Stance of the Spear

Tier: Mortal

Progress: 4.99%

There's something Im still missing. He thought to himself, a hint of frustration making its way onto his face as he read the cards.

Same. He replied curtly. Having decided to pick up the skills in spite of his initial reservations. A decision that he was beginning to suspect, would come back and bite him in the ass, but at the same time, he felt that he didnt have much of a choice in the matter. Not if he wanted to leave any time soon, and not when others had begun outpacing him.

Well at least you can do them. Spiros glanced meaningfully at the large assortment of people meditating at the foot of each podium. There had been a surge of people who managed to figure out the techniques in the first few days. Something that had trickled away since then. Roughly a third of the hundred people who had made this far into the tomb had picked up at least one of the Techniques, but after the end of the first week, no one else had managed.

She had figured something out, but hadnt been able to articulate it well enough for Luke to progress his own understanding of the skills. Which was par for the course, Lukes own ramblings had flown over her head too.

Whatever the Truth or Core of the skills was, it was clear to him that it was the same for everyone of them, and failing that, very similar. Enough that it translated equally well to the progress of all three Techniques.

Alright, basically we all understand different aspects of the same thing. And that thing is at the center of each technique. I just dont know what that thing is. Not yet. So all I have to do is, figure out what that thing is, or just flesh my own understanding of that out better. Easier said than done, thats for sure.

His eyes were drawn back to Arya. Whatever shes understood, is just taking her further than what I did. Thats cool. I just have to keep at it. Unravel the mystery bit by bit. Easy.

Picking up his sword again, Luke once again began to go through the forms. Before he suddenly stopped himself, and picked up his shield.

If I have a sword, Ill have a shield. If Im holding both, then that means I should be able to use both the First Stance of the Sword and the First Stance of the Shield at the same time.

His eyes darted between the figures of the Hero, one wielding a sword and the other a shield. Analyzing each dance, trying to puzzle together how he could make them fit.

Awkwardly, he raised his shield, like he was blocking an attack, and immediately followed it with a swing of his sword.

Theres no resistance. What if I do this

Just holding the shield at his side, for the moment not doing anything with it, he swung his sword down. Falling into a trance as he went through the motions of the Sword Stance. Ignoring the shield on his arm, he looped through the whole dance once, then again, and then again. Wholly immersing himself in the movements.

The fourth time, he just held his sword, and instead followed the movements of the Shield Stance. Seamlessly transitioning between them, without a pause.

He continued like that, alternating between Shield and Sword, for hours. Ignoring both thirst and hunger as he tried to understand the purpose of the movements.

Every swing of my sword is lethal, and every move I make with the shield blocks an attack and leaves the opponent open to a counter strike. Just as lethal as my sword, despite me hitting it with a shield instead of a blade. Death is inevitable after all.

Even though the motions are different, their purpose is the same.

The sword deflects like a shield, and the shield in the absence of a weapon is one. They kill indiscriminately.

Suddenly something clicked in Lukes head. He swung his sword, ducked under an imaginary hit, and raised his shield to ward off the would-be attack. The constant resistance eased away to almost nothing, and he felt the percentages on his Status climb. Faster than they ever had before. His mana drained away, as if it was fueling his inspiration, and he stumbled onto his knees a moment later when it hit zero.

The world started to turn black and white and a buzzing sound echoed through his skull.

Fighting off the dizziness with his will alone, he called up his Status, and navigated to the Skill Tab. Grinning in excitement as he read the percentages.

Status | Skills | Quests | Inventory

First Stance of the Sword

Tier: Mortal

Progress: 49.99%

First Stance of the Shield

Tier: Mortal

Progress: 49.99%

Now thats progress.