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HELHEIM SCANS
[Translator - Hestia]
[Proofreader - Kaya]
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Chapter 20: The Path Not Taken (2)
Many private sparring centers are located near the Hunter Market.
They target Hunters who want to test out their newly purchased weapons or the power of their skills.
Yoojin also stopped by a nearby sparring center for a similar purpose.
“Here.”
He took out Fafnir from the Ring of Darkness and tossed him the [Verdian Basic Spear Technique] manual.
【Aren't you going to learn it, Master?】
“You need to understand the essence of spearmanship to teach me, right?”
【Oh, come on. Analyzing the spear technique on the spot and teaching it to you? You overestimate me.】
Well...
Yoojin knew very well how outstanding Fafnir's intellect was in his past life.
‘Even when he synchronized with the Skeleton Knight and wielded a sword, he achieved mastery.’
The 9 Star, called the realm of transcendence.
Fafnir was a skilled individual who reached the 9th rank despite using a sword he had never wielded in his lifetime.
If he hadn't fallen into the trap of the Arahan Guild and died so pointlessly, a Hunter family would have already emerged from his lineage.
‘I can trust Fafnir's talent.’
At least...
He would be a far better teacher than Yoojin, who had no connection to martial arts whatsoever.
【To think I'd receive such a request in my afterlife.】
“You're already dead.”
【Don't you know any euphemisms?】
Fafnir grumbled as he carefully read the [Verdian Basic Spear Technique].
Since he wasn't a Hunter, just reading the contents wouldn't immediately generate a skill.
Acquiring a skill instantly upon opening a skill book, as long as the conditions were met, was a privilege granted only to Hunters.
Conversely...
If one grasped the essence of a skill book, they could perform the technique without the aid of the Awakening System.
‘That's why large guilds like Arahan are so popular.’
The [Kairan Spear Technique] that Park Seongwook used wasn't acquired from a skill book either; he learned it from a specialized instructor belonging to the Arahan Guild.
This meant that skill books weren't a cure-all.
It was also possible to create skills through enlightenment and repetitive training.
‘Just like how even with low-level alchemy or necromancy skills, if you inscribe the formula, you can still activate it.’
While Fafnir was struggling with the spear technique skill book...
Yoojin wasn't just idling around either.
‘I need to recover from the injuries I sustained in the sparring session.’
[Using Life Drain.]
Yoojin extracted the life force of the orcs he had stored in the border region and infused it into Fafnir.
The deeply gouged muscles and flesh regenerated, and scales sprouted, covering the newly healed skin.
A regenerative ability like that of a troll.
‘A holy spell that heals even the undead.’
Although there was a restriction that the target of the healing had to be in close proximity...
The advantage of being able to restore the undead on the spot during battle was quite significant.
While low-ranking undead like zombies could be used as expendable pawns...
If a carefully crafted undead like Fafnir was damaged in battle, there was no avoiding the immediate loss of combat power.
Repairing them required a lot of resources, catalysts, and concentration...
And it wasn't like the enemy would just sit back and watch while he tried to restore a damaged undead, right?
‘A holy spell useful for necromancers.’
Perhaps it's because they worship the concept of defying death, but holy spells seem to work well with the undead.
Around the time all the scars engraved on Fafnir's body were healed...
【Hmm. I think I understand the gist of it.】
"See? You got it quickly, didn't you?"
【I've only grasped the theory. To become familiar with the spear technique, I have no choice but to learn it through my body.】
Yoojin and Fafnir faced each other, each holding a practice spear.
【Learn the skill first.】
"Sounds good."
[Using the Verdian Basic Spear Technique Skill Book.]
[The essence of the skill is engraved in your mind.]
Fwoosh—
The book turned to dust.
The basic postures of the spear technique recorded in the skill book came to mind one by one.
‘A total of six forms. Just as I heard.’
First Form – Normal Thrust
Second Form – Quick Thrust
Third Form – Rotating Block
Fourth Form – Shaft Strike
Fifth Form – Charge
Sixth Form – Full Power Thrust
Three out of the six were thrusts.
The remaining forms also felt simple in concept.
【You think it's simple?】
"Yeah, that's right. It's good to learn for self-defense."
【If you learn spearmanship superficially, you'll say that.】
"Has our novice already grasped the hidden secrets within the basic spear technique?"
【No way. I don't have that kind of talent.】
Fafnir raised his spear and pointed the tip at Yoojin.
【So, let's have a conversation with our bodies and find out.】
‘Huh? What?’
Before he could even answer, the practice spear in Fafnir's hand flashed and pierced Yoojin's abdomen.
＊ ＊ ＊
The blunt spear tip drew closer and closer.
His panic was fleeting.
Having experienced countless battles, Yoojin moved the spear in his hand with ease.
'He did adjust his strength, didn't he?'
The difference in specs between Yoojin and Fafnir was overwhelming. If Fafnir had attacked with full force, Yoojin would have been hit the moment he perceived the spear flying towards him.
But if it was at a speed Yoojin could react to...
'I should be able to deflect it.'
[Verdian Basic Spear Technique]
[Third Form]
[Using Rotating Block.]
Based on the knowledge instilled by the skill book, Yoojin spun the spear shaft.
As it rotated, a threatening whooshing sound echoed.
The spear thrust by Fafnir caught on Yoojin's rotating spear shaft.
Good!
But the moment he tried to push harder and deflect Fafnir's attack...
"Ugh."
A groan escaped him from the impact on his wrist. His strength gave out, and the spear shaft he was holding with both hands spun wildly and was flung into the air.
Thud!
Nausea welled up as the blunt tip struck him directly in the chest. He managed to stay on his feet, but he couldn't help but gag.
"Ugh."
【You're more of a fool than I thought, Master.】
Fafnir muttered under his breath.
After catching his breath, Yoojin asked about what had just happened.
"I definitely deflected it. What happened?"
【You can't deflect a thrusting attack by just dispersing the force.】
"It's not because your strength is greater than mine, is it?"
【Heh heh. You know I thrust it according to your level, right?】
Tsk.
He wasn't falling for it.
【Again.】
The moment Yoojin grasped the flung practice spear...
As if waiting for this, Fafnir stepped forward with his right foot.
The spear tip aimed for the same spot.
Yoojin was used to staring at an incoming attack without flinching.
'I won't just take it this time.'
His forearm muscles bulged as he tensed them.
He channeled the life force accumulated from goblins, orcs, and frogmen, maximizing his enhanced strength.
[Verdian Basic Spear Technique]
[Fourth Form]
[Using Shaft Strike.]
Whack!
It felt good.
He kept his eyes locked onto Fafnir's thrust, not missing a single movement.
Timing his swing perfectly, he extended his spear shaft and struck, deflecting the attack before it could reach him.
'If I go further, I can stab...'
As he stepped forward, Yoojin's vision blurred.
Thud!
Huh?
'Why am I lying on the floor?'
He was trying to land a blow on Fafnir, but...
With a dull thud, his vision flipped.
A moment too late, he realized that Fafnir's spear had struck his back, sending him tumbling to the ground.
"You used the recoil from deflecting my spear to strike my back?"
【Correct.】
"To think you'd use my own strength against me."
【It was good that you deflected my attack before it landed without rotating the shaft.】
As if demonstrating, Fafnir lightly thrust his spear.
The tip wavered in front of Yoojin's nose.
【Do you feel it?】
"You're saying I need to judge the position of the deflection carefully?"
【You're quite perceptive. You understand quickly without needing to be told multiple times.】
Fafnir grinned.
Gritting his teeth, Yoojin raised his spear shaft again.
【Again.】
Oh.
‘This... feels like I'm screwed.’
Cold sweat drenched Yoojin's back.
"It wouldn't be of any use asking you to go easy on me, would it?"
Contrary to his words, Yoojin gripped the spear shaft tightly, as if trying to crush it.
Fafnir observed him with a profound gaze, taking in the sight.
＊ ＊ ＊
An hour had passed since they began spear technique training.
"Huff... huff..."
He gasped for air, his lungs burning.
Sweat poured down like rain.
Droplets of Yoojin's sweat were scattered all over the sparring field.
His hands, gripping the spear, trembled.
His body was reaching its limit from fending off Fafnir's attacks.
〔You look pathetic, Contractor.〕
'Shut up, incompetent constellation.'
It wasn't as if he was just getting hit.
He had seen countless thrusts.
And he had moved his spear in response.
He failed every time and was countered by Fafnir's spear, but still...
【But you're not giving up.】
"Because I'm the one who asked you to teach me."
Yoojin grumbled in a frustrated voice.
Even though Fafnir had adjusted both his speed and strength, Yoojin couldn't even exchange a proper attack and defense. Instead, he was knocked down countless times or poked by the blunt tip.
Yoojin, who had learned the basics of spearmanship using the Hunter's privilege, the skill book...
On the other hand, Fafnir had a much higher understanding of the spear technique despite only reading the contents of the skill book.
'I'm the one who received the skill buff. But I couldn't even land a single attack properly.'
He had been beaten so much by the practice spear.
His whole body ached. If he didn't heal himself, he might not be able to get up tomorrow.
【Have you grasped the essence of spearmanship a little?】
"Essence my foot. All I did was move to avoid getting hit."
【Hehehe. The essence of fighting is to get hit less and strike more.】
Fafnir spun his spear shaft.
【In that sense, this spear technique is not bad.】
"Not bad means?"
【It means that the seemingly simple techniques are all fundamentally sound.】
Thrust faster.
Exploit the opponent's openings. That was Fafnir's way to win a fight.
In Fafnir's view, the Verdian Basic Spear Technique was more faithful to the essence of combat than the techniques of most martial arts Hunters.
'Ah. So that's how it is.'
Yoojin reflected on his struggles over the past hour, one by one.
The nature of the spear as a weapon.
Utilizing the fact that the tip is where the force concentrates, it focuses power on a single point, or...
It also uses the long shaft to attack a wide area.
The [Verdian Basic Spear Technique] has simple movements, but it encompasses all the methods to utilize the advantages of a spear.
'No wonder it was Spear Ghost James' main technique.'
Yoojin's real aim was to learn the spear technique that could only be acquired after mastering the [Verdian Basic Spear Technique].
It was to learn the [Verdian Destruction Spear Technique].
He started learning it as a stepping stone, but after hearing Fafnir's explanation, he realized that even the basic spear technique was decent.
【To think you'd find such a treasure while searching for a common-type skill book. Master, you're lucky.】
"If getting beaten up is also part of that luck..."
【Unfortunately, I'm not good at explaining things with words.】
"That's really unfortunate."
Yoojin muttered with sincerity.
If...
If getting beaten up by Fafnir had no effect, then he wouldn't know, but...
He had struggled to deflect the thrusts.
And thanks to his hours of desperate efforts, he quickly grasped the essence of the spear technique.
Ironically...
Fafnir's teaching method suited Yoojin quite well.
【You're pretty good with your body, aren't you? At this rate, you would have achieved great things even if you had become a martial arts Hunter.】
"I used to fight quite often when I was at the orphanage. This is nothing."
【I'm getting motivated to teach you, Master.】
"It's not because you can legally hit me, is it?"
【I won't deny it.】
‘This damn bastard. If he's a servant, he should act like one and show some respect to his master.’
Yoojin grumbled inwardly as he lay down in the ring.
【Tell me anytime if you want to stop.】
"After all this trouble?"
【You have an excellent servant like me, Master.】
He's really good at praising himself.
Yoojin looked up at the ceiling and replied weakly.
"If I was going to quit so soon, I wouldn't have started in the first place."
The Path Not Taken.
Changing his class to a Priest was a gamble he could take because he trusted the [Ring of Darkness].
Learning martial arts skills was not a plan he had made before his return.
However...
'I've decided to use everything I can.'
Even if it meant using his own body as the tool, Yoojin had no intention of letting any opportunity for improvement slip away.
His abilities as a Priest would naturally improve as he raised his soul rank and accumulated achievements.
And his past life experiences were enough for alchemy and necromancy.
'To properly utilize martial arts abilities, I need more experience.'
His body was becoming stronger due to the effects of Life Drain.
It would be a waste to let it go to waste.
If he could gain another means of becoming stronger by shedding a little sweat...
What could be more beneficial than that?
【So you have no intention of giving up.】
"Were you testing me?"
【It would be troublesome for us too if you, the customer, suddenly changed your mind.】
Looking at Fafnir, Yoojin let out a chuckle.
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HELHEIM SCANS
[Translator - Hestia
[Proofreader - Kaya]
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