“No defense? You’re saying I have to just take the hits?”
[If we're talking theoretically, yes.]
“It doesn’t seem like a very good swordsmanship technique.”
If there was no defense, it would be hard to even call it a sword technique. The ghost gave a careful explanation.
[I said there's no defense, but that doesn't mean you don't block attacks altogether. You know the saying' the best defense is a good offense'? It's like that. You preemptively stop the opponent's movements. You attack where the opponent is going to move their sword, blocking from our side. If you had to put it into words, it would be an aggressive defense?]
“Hmm.”
Having used a sword extensively himself, Taesan understood what that meant.
“But there are certain attacks that can’t be blocked.”
The opponent’s movements were anticipated, and their attacks were stopped. It sounded good. However, in the end, this was based on the movement of an attack. Perfect blocking would be impossible.
[You just take the hit.] [But in return, you attack even more. There are complete strategies for that as well.]
“It’s not a very stable sword technique.”
[It is risky. But its power is certain. I couldn't learn magic very extensively since the gods were annoyingly picky. My innate talent was also lacking, so I was stuck with beginner magic.]
However, the ghost had descended deep into the dungeon. Trusting only his sword technique, he broke through this place.
[If it was a weak sword technique, it would be impossible. What will you do?] nôvel binz was the first platform to present this chapter.
“There’s no ‘what.’ I’m obviously learning it.”
Taesan was already fond of the chicken game, where both participants risked their health and rushed in. He had Endurance and could also nullify attacks, so it was just the right sword technique for him.
[Good.]
The ghost said, seemingly relieved.
[Then let's start the lessons.]
“Do I need to show respect?”
[As I said before, there's no need for that. This is a kind of trade.]
“But how are you going to teach me?”
The ghost didn’t have a body. It was a being that, being dead, could not interfere with the living.
[Don't worry about that. I have permission up to this point.]
The ghost placed a hand on Taesan’s shoulder.
He felt a weight that he hadn’t felt until now.
[A raging storm. A scar like a fingernail mark.]
The subdued voice resonated.
[Storm Scar Sword. The only remnant left of my world.] [You learned the Storm Scar Sword from the owner of the Storm Scar Sword. You learned the Advanced Skill [Storm Scar Sword].]
An advanced skill. This was a level of skill he had not seen before.
[You have learned the Airak martial arts, but my swordsmanship follows a different track. It won't be integrated.]
“Eugh.”
He didn’t feel anything.
When he learned the Airak martial arts, some kind of concept and theory came into his mind, but this time there was nothing when he learned the skill.
[Advanced Skill: Storm Scar Sword] [Proficiency: 0%] [A sword technique passed down from a ruined world. Now, only one person has mastered it.]
The proficiency was 0%. Considering that all the skills he had gained started at 1%, it was definitely different from the norm.
[I am a Swordmaster. Owner of a title that is given only to those who have mastered the sword. In the maze of skills, my proficiency is 100%... but I'm a dead man. I wasn't allowed to go that far.]
“So, I need to learn it by myself.”
[Even though that's the case, communicating verbally is possible, so I'll do what I can.]
The ghost began to explain.
The ghost explained kindly. From one to ten, all the postures to take, and how to respond in various situations. His kindness was such that even a master would not instruct to this extent.
[So, it's not about blocking attacks; it's about responding to them. You have to keep your line. If the line is crossed, just abandon it and pierce your opponent.]
“...What do you mean?”
But Taesan could not understand.
The ghost was eagerly explaining, but it was too abstract or too concrete, making it hard to comprehend. He could understand a sentence or two, but they weren’t particularly meaningful. Taesan knew many of these types.
Overall stats of 15. Just as Kang Junhyeok said, it was not a weak number.
[Kang Taesan[Solo]: I see. That's good.] [Kang Junhyeok[Solo]: What about you, brother?] [Kang Taesan[Solo]: Do you want to know?] [Kang Junhyeok[Solo]: ...No, I think it's better not to know.] [Kang Taesan[Solo]: We'll see later.] [Kang Junhyeok[Solo]: You said the same thing last time, but can we really see each other later? I feel like I might die before then.] [Kang Taesan[Solo]: We can see each other.]
Kang Junhyeok would definitely see him as long as he didn’t do anything crazy.
Taesan closed the Community.
[Is it over?]
“Alright.”
Taesan stood up, gripping his sword. Not the sword he always used, nor Lakiratas’s sword, but two rusty swords, each with an attack power of 1.
He had returned to the store and bought them. The dwarf gave him a look of confusion as to why he would buy them, but to Taesan, they were necessary weapons. He also took off all his equipment that had attack power attached to it.
His attack power now was 2.
He moved on to the next room.
“Grr!”
[A Lizardman Warrior has appeared.]
A Warrior. A monster one rank lower than a gladiator. The weapon it used was either a sword or a spear.
[Perfect.]
Recalling the memories in his head, Taesan dashed forward. The Lizardman swung his sword.
Clang!
The sword blade jangled violently, creating a deadlock. Taesan didn’t avoid the attack targeting his whole body but rather pushed further into it.
It was his first practical application of swordsmanship. Therefore, he decided to fight in a conventional way first.
Clang! Clank!
He launched an attack and circled around the Lizardman. The Lizardman gritted his teeth and moved his hand.
Taesan attacked towards the trajectory where the sword was about to move.
Clash!
The Lizardman’s movement, which was about to attack, shifted to defense as the swords clashed. Seizing the gap, Taesan plunged his sword into the Lizardman’s chest.
[5 damage to Lizardman Warrior.] [6 damage to Lizardman Warrior.]
“Gah!”
The Lizardman held onto its sword. Taesan couldn’t properly respond to the attack where the handle was swung down at him in previous fights.
But now, he knew how to respond. All of that information was in his head.
Just like that, Taesan pulled up the hilt of his sword. The two hilts collided.
Clang!
“Eek!”
He cut straight through. The damage window ostentatiously obscured his view.
“Aargh!”
However, having removed equipment with additional attack power, the damage was minimal. The Lizardman was still vigorously swinging his weapon.
Taesan also squared off with him. He organized the numerous pieces of information resounding noisily in his head and showed it through his body.
Finally, after a battle lasting over an hour, he was able to win.
“Aah...”
[You have triumphed over the Lizardman Warrior.] [The proficiency of the Storm Scar Sword has increased by 1%.]
His proficiency increased. The ghost pointed out Taesan’s movements.
[It's important to strike, but it's also crucial to pull back. Use that pulling back motion as the movement for the attack.]
He grasped the theory, but his practical application was still immature. Taesan finished his confirmation.
‘It’s a good skill.’
If it wasn’t for Storm Scar, it would have taken two hours. In terms of quickly delivering damage and continuing the attack, it was an exceptional skill.
Even though he was still unskilled now, as he increased his proficiency, the value would continually rise.
He made his decision.
He would break through the 7th floor just like this. He would keep going until he could maximize his proficiency. The value was more than enough.
Taesan gripped his rusty sword and moved to the next room.