Episode 5
Episode 5
There was no need to go out of my way to do anything extra while being taught.
As I’d said before, just listening is enough to generate a skill.
Doesn’t the system say the same?
That you acquire a skill just by swinging a wooden sword.
It doesn’t tell you how to swing it.
Just swish, swing it, and a skill is created.
But.
'I’d be an idiot if I really did that.'
I’d met Grun. Did I plan to end things after getting just one measly skill?
I didn’t have the slightest intention of doing so.
Only guys who don’t know how to seize opportunities just swing it around with a whoosh and call it a day.
If you can’t take advantage of an opportunity like this, you should quit the game.
I couldn’t be satisfied with just raising affinity by a little bit.
I’d even regressed, after all.
I’d thrown away any thought of doing things half-assed a long time ago.
'Phew.'
I loosened my body moderately, then gripped the sword.
Then I stood before the scarecrow.
A sword I’d swung to the point of sickness in the game for nearly ten years.
On top of that, recalling the points Grun had gone over again, I raised the sword.
Solid power starting from the lower body.
In other words, he was telling me to create an unwavering foundation.
So the sword wouldn’t shake around.
Was it a difficult thing?
No way.
I’m a ten-year veteran player, damn it!
'It’s as simple as breathing.'
Since Jinu was someone with quite a bit of talent, he knew exactly what that meant.
And the result of swinging the sword exactly like that.
Swish!
The wooden sword swung swiftly.
It was quite fast and concise.
Above all, it didn’t waver.
If someone saw it, they’d think it was just a normal swing, right?
That’s what one might think, but it was nothing of the sort.
You can only see what you know.
What would ignorant fools know even if they saw it?
An excellent strike.
However,
'It’s a shame my Stamina and Strength stats don’t align.'
By the standards of someone who knows swords, it was an excellent strike.
But from Jinu’s perspective, there were quite a few disappointments.
Issues arising from stats not being balanced as he had thought.
And his skill hadn’t come out as much as he had wanted.
I was a bit anxious.
Would Grun really be satisfied with this?
I didn’t think so.
Well, I’d done better than what Grun had taught me, so maybe it would be okay?
The moment I turned around with that anxiety.
I could see Grun with his eyes tightly shut.
'That startled me. He looks terrifying.'
Why does that face seem scary every time I see it?
Anyway, why is he doing that?
He was scary enough as is, but with his eyes closed and face scrunched up, it was far worse.
I honestly wondered if he wasn’t going to appear in my dreams.
No, more than that, why is he doing that?
Did it mean he couldn’t bear to watch with his eyes open?
Was it that pathetic?
It definitely hadn’t been at that level?
'Isn’t this a big problem?'
Had he not liked it?
Looking at the situation, it seemed exactly like that.
What the hell happened.
Ding!
[You have acquired the skill ‘Beginner Swordsmanship’.]
[You have acquired a martial arts skill for the first time.]
[You acquire the First Title ‘Tenacious Training Fanatic’.]
『Beginner Swordsmanship』
*Grade: Normal
*Level: 1
→Basic Attack Power +30% when swinging a sword
→Sword-related skill damage +10%
→Advances to the next stage upon reaching Level 10
『Tenacious Training Fanatic』
→First Title
→A title granted to the player who first acquired a martial arts skill
→Martial arts-related skill proficiency +10%, martial arts skill power +10%
You tactless notification bastard.
Beginner Swordsmanship and the First Title are great, I tell you.
But why now of all times?
This was already my sixth First Title, and I had a whopping three skills.
So why wasn’t I happy?
It was all because of Grun silently sitting there with his eyes closed and face scrunched up.
Wasn’t it too quiet?
I was suffocating.
No, I couldn’t even hear him breathing.
'Say something, anything.'
I was trembling and couldn’t stand it.
I wondered how much time had passed like that.
"…You."
"Yes!"
"Do you have no intention of becoming my disciple?"
"Huh?"
What kind of non sequitur was this…
No, had I heard that correctly?
Disciple?
"I see you can use the sword beyond what I taught you."
"Ah."
"It means your talent is outstanding. To the point that it’s unbelievable this was the work of someone holding a sword for the first time. I, Grun, guarantee it."
No, picky Grun was giving this kind of evaluation?
And offering to make me his disciple?
Had I really not misheard?
As if to confirm that I hadn’t misheard, Grun spoke once more.
"So I wish to take you as my disciple, but what do you think?"
Ding!
[The Captain of the Guard of Nen Village, 'Grun', has offered to make you his disciple.]
[If accepted, you will change classes to
[Will you accept?]
'Insane.'
What had I just seen?
A hidden class job?
No, in the beginner village?
I wasn’t even level 10 yet.
Usually, class changes are only possible after level 10.
Unless it’s a hidden class job.
But that hidden class had appeared right here.
'It’s been less than 30 minutes since I started the game?'
I was flustered for a moment, but shook my head slightly and came to my senses.
It was a good opportunity.
An opportunity that absolutely couldn’t be called bad.
Above all.
'It means he thinks that highly of me.'
There’s no reason to offer discipleship to someone you don’t think well of.
Right?
Anyway, it meant affinity had risen.
That was quite good.
Plus, the job called Grun’s Disciple.
I’d heard of it even before my regression.
It had been a top ranker.
And quite a famous one at that.
But.
'I can’t accept this.'
Who was Grun?
Called the Guardian of the Deron Kingdom, and one of the Masters of the continent!
Wasn’t he one of the named NPCs?
The disciple of such a person?
How could it not be good?
Above all, the job of being someone’s disciple meant the master would provide support too!
It was truly a job without a single downside.
However, it paled in comparison to the Sword Lord.
The problem was that if I refused here, affinity might drop.
Haah, why this kind of trial.
I’d tried so hard to make a good impression.
What the hell.
Tsk, still, I couldn’t give up on the Sword Lord.
It was a shame about Grun’s affinity, but it couldn’t be helped.
"I apologize."
"Hmmm."
"I have goals I wish to pursue, so I do not think I can become your disciple, Sir Grun."
I refused as politely as possible.
This was the best course of action.
Sniff, Grun’s affinity was truly too precious to waste.
But what couldn’t be helped, couldn’t be helped.
I gave up on it boldly.
Then.
Grun’s facial muscles twitched.
Indescribably grotesque.
Could that possibly be a smile?
The corners of his mouth were twisted up.
Huh?
Could this be a death flag?
Was I about to get the First Title for first death?
Ding!
[You have refused Grun’s offer.]
[Grun’s affinity has increased significantly.]
Huh?
What the hell is this now…
"Kwahahaha!"
"Kuhk."
How do you take damage from someone’s laugh?
No, is he even human?
As Jinu writhed in pain.
Grun raised his hand as if he’d forgotten for a moment and apologized.
"My apologies. Ahem. I got carried away because I’m in a good mood."
"Ah, it’s not a problem."
To think you could deal damage just by laughing because you’re in a good mood.
Could I have learned that if I’d become his disciple?
Ah, I should have.
Just laughing would make you level up.
"A true man isn’t under anyone! Yes! That’s right!"
"Haha…."
"You’re a friend to my liking. The village chief was right."
"Not at all, I’m still a mere fledgling."
"Kwahaha! That may be true too! But in my life, I’ve never seen someone with such talent! Perhaps if a talented person swung a sword for ten years! No! Even if they swung it for ten years, they couldn’t be this good!"
Um… I did swing it for nearly ten years, though?
It is true, but.
Ah, what should I call this.
There was no way to explain it.
I had that thought but held it in.
Anyway, good is good, isn’t it?
"Right! I shouldn’t just be standing here. I must give a gift to such a bold and talented friend."
"Haha, what…"
It was the moment I was about to continue.
Grun suddenly put on a serious expression and raised his massive hand.
No, why is this man so extreme?
My heart was trembling; I thought I’d die.
Thud.
Huh?
Ah, n-no, why are you putting that on my head?
Gulp.
He placed his palm, which looked even bigger than Jinu’s head, directly on top of Jinu’s crown.
A situation where if he simply pressed down, his head would burst like a watermelon.
W-wait, is death the gift?
I really shouldn’t have refused.
When those thoughts flashed by like a revolving lantern.
Ding!
[Bestowing Grun’s Blessing.]
[You have received a blessing from a Master for the first time.]
[You acquire the First Title 'One Who Receives the Blessing of Martial Arts'.]
『Grun’s Blessing』
*Grade: Unique
→Master’s Blessing
→A blessing only obtainable by one recognized by Grun
→Recovery Speed +20%
→Basic Attack Power +20%
→All Stats +10
『One Who Receives the Blessing of Martial Arts』
→First Title
→A title granted to the player who received a blessing from a master for the first time
→All Stats +10%
"......?"
Ah, these thoughts flash by like a revolving lantern.
I’m so happy I’m dying of happiness.
So this is how I go.
Crazy.
No, does this make sense?
A Master’s blessing already?
And even a First Title at that.
It’s the best thing I’ve gotten so far, right?
And they give this to the guy who refused the disciple offer?
Keuheu, this is such an insane bargain.
It wasn’t Grun. It was Godrun.
'No, more importantly.'
If it turns out like this, I’ll have to revise my plans a bit.
For the better?
With this?
Obtaining the 'Sword Lord' becomes much easier.
Extra profits outside the plan are irresistible.
This is too sweet.
Wait a minute.
My stats have already increased.
And it’s +10 to all stats and +10%.
Huh?
You think it’s no big deal?
You’re out of your mind.
Right now, it might literally be no big deal.
But after levels accumulate and stats rise?
Not only that.
'+10 to all stats at level 1 is more valuable than you can imagine.'
The initial stats given are 5.
The bonus stats given with each level up after that are also 5.
Since there are four types—Strength, Agility, Constitution, and Mana—it’s a whopping increase of 40.
It’s a value you’d have to level up eight times to obtain.
You call this no big deal?
I’ve obtained something tremendous from the very beginning.
"Thank you very much."
"Kwahaha! Investing in a promising young man is only natural."
"Even so, not just anyone can invest so boldly. Thank you very much."
"Yes! Exactly!"
As I expressed my gratitude sincerely, Grun looked pleased as well.
I could definitely feel that affinity had risen.
"I suppose I’ve held onto a promising young man for too long."
"Not at all."
"Haha! Very well, then get to your work. I must look after the others as well."
"Yes, thank you for your time."
"I look forward to seeing you again."
And Grun disappeared coolly.
Are the people in this village characterized by being cool?
Anyway.
I had obtained what I wanted—no, more than enough to spare.
Shall I move according to the plan again?
'I have a lot to do before people arrive.'
There were still many First Titles that could be obtained in the village.
I had to hurry before the players finished the tutorial.
"Let's go!"