BOOM!
Using Counterattack, I unleashed a shockwave of sword energy and quickly swung my sword left and right.
SLASH!
With this, 20 hits done.
The moment the last strike hit the Hero’s Guardian, I activated Backward Evasion.
THWACKTHWACKTHWACK!
The sword energy storm erupted from the Hero’s body and swirled around. My body, having used Backward Evasion, barely escaped the reach of the sword energy storm.
Alright, like this, using Backward Evasion every 10 hits.
As the sword energy storm began to settle, I quickly closed in on the Hero. If I delayed my approach by even a moment, that long-range sword energy would slice my waist in half.
CRACKLE!
Once again, an onslaught of blade strikes came down at unparalleled speed. This time, I wasn’t just blocking; with a bit of breathing room, I memorized the trajectory of the sword strikes. 40 hits, I ingested every single sword’s path into my head.
Again, the 30th hit. Backward Evasion.
THWACKTHWACKTHWACK!
After the sword energy storm pattern, it returned to the initial pattern. If it continued like this until the end, it would be a complete victory. However, this wasn’t just any Named Enemy, it was one known as the “Ancient Hero,” and I was certain this wasn’t all there was to the pattern.
GRUMBLE!
As the third sword energy storm was drawing to a close, I saw a massive concentration of energy gathering in the Holy Sword.
BOOM!
Soon, from the Hero’s Holy Sword, sword energy that reached several meters began to shoot up.
It was as if the sword demonstrated its absolute power, declaring that no one would stand where it had swept through. And here I was, blocking its path like a praying mantis stopping a cart?
I swallowed unconsciously.
Wow, I’m envious. That power, I thought I could use it too. But in the end, I ended up completely wrecked after drawing on all my powers and might. My legs were also out of commission.
If my body had been okay, I could have made a living doing manual labor or quick deliveries using that power. At least I could make some money in-game, huh?
As I gazed at the Hero’s magnificent sword energy, I momentarily floated into silly thoughts before quickly snapping back into combat readiness.
I couldn’t block any more attacks now. That sword energy, thicker than several meters, would easily slice through me like a character in a game.
40 hits. There’s a reason I hid behind my guard all this time.
From now on, I’ll avoid everything.
HUM! HUM! HOOM!
With a resounding wind, a colossal blade of light rushed toward me.
A downward slash from upper right to lower left; I twisted my upper body to dodge it. Two horizontal slashes from left and right, and I ducked my head. The third and fourth, I danced to the left and spun around, capturing the fleeting moment and never forgetting to unleash my sword.
HUM! HUM!
A diagonal slash from left and right, followed by a 360-degree spinning slash. Next, four horizontal slashes.
The four strikes after the spinning slash weren’t chasing attacks but stationary casts. Using Counterattack during the sweeping attack pattern would grant me an opportunity to strike back.
The problem was, using Counterattack here meant there’d be no way to avoid the shockwave pattern.
But I had no way out. The reason I memorized the trajectory was to initiate a counter-sword energy pattern reset with 10 strikes before the shockwave pattern began.
The hit count had accumulated in bits and pieces. No matter how well I memorized the path, I couldn’t avoid the entire combat area from being swept by the pattern, and I would have to use Counterattack.
HUM!
SWISH!
Ignoring the spinning blade surrounded by sword energy with Counterattack, I unleashed four horizontal slashes while maintaining my backward position. In this pattern, the angle of the Holy Sword occupying combat area was about 300 degrees, with approximately 60 degrees of leeway right behind the Hero.
A chilling sensation skittered down my spine four times as it rushed past my upper body, but I didn’t flinch. Seizing the opportunity, I unleashed a strike toward the Hero’s Guardian.
One hit short. The next pattern would return to the 360-degree spinning slash. No more Counterattack. I had to save Backward Evasion for the sword energy storm.
Before that sword energy could slice through my waist, I had to complete 10 hits to break this pattern.
Ignoring the chilling sensation at my waist, I struck down the sword as fast as I could.
“Ugh!”
Suddenly, a sharp pain shot through my waist.
I almost let out a scream. But before the sword energy could split my waist completely, I landed the 10th hit.
What was the condition of my waist? What about my HP? It’s a game, so my insides shouldn’t burst out, right?
I had no time to sit and ponder useless things. I had to dodge the counter-sword energy.
THUD!
Gritting my teeth against the pain, I executed Backward Evasion and created some distance between me and the Hero.
The Hero’s Guardian was flickering weakly. The massive sword energy in the Holy Sword had vanished.
I could see the end. No, perhaps it wasn’t a complete end, but at least the Guardian phase would be over.
“Uh.”
But.
The counter-sword energy pattern did not emerge.
SLIP!
Instead, the Hero lowered his stance and bent his knees.
As his body lowered, his heels touched the ground, establishing a stable stance like a tree rooting into the earth.
One hand firmly gripped the hilt while the other lightly brushed the blade.
The Hero became one with his sword.
That particular stance, I recognized it.
One Flash. The technique I used to enjoy employing.
I bit my lip.
Could I avoid it if it had an “invulnerability while casting” state?
But the cooldown for Backward Evasion and Counterattack hadn’t returned yet. I couldn’t use an invulnerability state.
GRUMBLE!
A tangible aura surged from the Hero’s body.
ROAR!
Soon, the entire 9th-floor hall began to tremble.
Even if I weren’t struck by the blade, the storm of mana accompanying One Flash would shred anything standing in its path.
For some reason, I felt like a child who’d had their toy taken away.
That’s my technique.
SLIP!
I also lowered my stance to face it.
If that was crafted to mimic my past self.
If this world was a game.
Then I could use it too.
GRUMBLE!
An unprecedented wave of power surged through my entire body.
The energy began at my toes and spread through my legs, waist, shoulders, and into my fingertips. I felt an explosive force accumulating within me.
And the moment I slammed my foot down.
FLASH!
The Hero became a streak of light.
BOOM!
A powerful storm of mana followed suit.
Simultaneously, my body also transformed into light.
SLASH!
With a blinding flash, the past version of Rain and the present Rain swapped places.
CRACK!
I heard the sound of the Guardian shattering. The golden aura swirling around the Hero began to fade away.
GRUMBLE!
At the same time, the Hero’s form grew faint.
Nothing remained in that spot soon after.
I knelt on the floor, clutching my waist’s wound, staring blankly at the empty space.
DING!
With the system notification sound, a skill interface window appeared before my eyes.
[One Flash]
[Cooldown: 1 minute]
[Invulnerability while casting]
[???]
“Aha!”
I couldn’t help but laugh.
It’s a victory for the system!
I wanted to shout, but this time, I had only witnessed a fragment of the Hero.
I had a strong feeling that it would appear before me once again.
Bring it on, anytime.
I can totally take it down.
After the battle, I drank a potion, and the pain in my waist faded, leaving no trace of the wound.
My HP was dangerously low. If that sword energy had cut just a little deeper, I would surely be dead.
In reality, it would have been no surprise if I had been killed from that wound. Long live the game.
“Hmm.”
SLASH!
After completing this tower’s challenges, I practiced casting the skill One Flash several times.
A forward, high-damage technique that I could use once a minute, a potential substitute for movement, and invulnerability while casting. It was undoubtedly a great skill.
But…
“I thought I felt even stronger earlier.”
It felt a bit different from when I used mana in my days as a Hero. But I could feel that energy surging explosively through my entire body.
[One Flash]
[Cooldown: 1 minute]
[Invulnerability while casting]
[???]
“Is that it?”
The question mark on the last line of the skill interface nagged at me. Was it a skill that strengthened conditionally?
Well, I guess I’ll find out as I use it.
*
HUM!
As the capsule opened, I carefully supported my upper body and lay down on the newly purchased latex mattress.
I intended to take it easy after acquiring the skill, but I ended up playing longer than I thought.
DRIP!
“Ugh.”
Oh, a nosebleed. Haven’t had one in quite some time.
I thought I was fine since I’ve been eating well lately.
I stuffed some tissue from beside the mattress up my nostrils.
My body felt weak and lethargic.
But still, today, I acquired a strong skill. It was a pleasant kind of lethargy.
I’ll be fine after resting, everything will heal with some rest.
Before the next Elite Dungeon opens, I’ll build my strength and make sure to rest enough, tackling it in peak condition.
Just before I fell asleep, I recalled the Named Enemy I had seen on the 9th floor.
It seemed crafted to mimic my past self.
A clash of the past and present.
Had it been someone else, they would have engaged in a normal mirror match.
Be it dummy data or whatever, this kind of thing actually exists in the game.
Should I call customer support because of a bug in the Training Tower? Would the boss answer? Hehe, nonsense. I’m not a normal player. If they make any adjustments to the synchronization rate or whatever, it would be game over for me. If I lost this sense of reality, I would lose all motivation.
I expected, but someone must have created the base data, adding patches and updates here and there. Whoever made the foundational data for the Continent of Astria must be some divine being of this world or something, right?
Anyway, no matter who they are, I hope to see their face someday.
They’ve put something so adorable into the game.
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