[Trial Task 1: Survive for Three Months (31/91)]
[Trial Task 2: Kill at Least One Demon (Completion: 310%)]
"Huff... Huff..."
Jonghyuk stood bare-chested, his muscles chiseled and defined like those of a sculpted statue.
He held Gyomei Himejima's extra-long Nichirin blade horizontally with both hands.
His breathing was irregular—sometimes short and quick, sometimes deep and drawn out. His chest heaved unevenly, and the disordered breathing caused a faint discomfort in his heart and lungs. His muscles, too, twitched sporadically, as if in spasms.
He had no choice but to endure this. Perhaps, to people like Gyomei Himejima, a top-tier genius who seemingly "learned" the Stone Breathing at a glance, modifying a breathing technique to suit himself should have been an easy task.
But heaven knows, his abilities were merely "implanted" into him by the [Game of Destiny] system. He had no real, systematic understanding of breathing techniques, let alone the knowledge to modify one.
However, using a breathing technique that didn't suit him was clearly impacting his combat effectiveness. Even against a demon like the Hand Demon, which was barely more than a common large monster, he had to exert considerable effort. How could he be confident facing the Twelve Kizuki?
Not to mention the even more terrifying enemies he might face in other worlds in the future.
After much deliberation, Jonghyuk decided to take the most painful yet ordinary path: He would explore the breathing technique like a black box, using high-frequency trials to slowly analyze how it affected his body.
Then, just like assembling parts, he would construct the breathing technique that suited him best!
Over the course of nearly a month, besides his daily swordsmanship practice, Jonghyuk spent his time exploring here.
Thanks to this, his already powerful heart and lungs became even stronger under this "torment." Jonghyuk even felt that each time he used a breathing technique, he could sustain it for much longer.
"Tch, they all say you're a genius, but I think you're just a fucker acting like a tough guy."
Sanemi Shinazugawa, as if passing by, glanced sideways at Jonghyuk, who was struggling and drawing on the ground.
Jonghyuk had grown accustomed to Sanemi's occasional harassment and taunts over the past few days, so he didn't bother to react and continued with his experiments.
Sanemi couldn't quite tell whether he was more disappointed or dissatisfied. He had a deep-seated hatred for demons, and when he heard from the Master that there was a new young talent, possibly even more gifted than Gyomei Himejima and Muichiro Tokito, he was naturally pleased.
But he hadn't expected that after passing the final selection, this young man still hadn't decided on the specifications for his Nichirin Blade. Gyomei Himejima had explained that Jonghyuk wasn't suited for the Breath of Stone and needed to modify his breathing technique.
However, as the days passed, Sanemi still hadn't seen any sign of the talent that allowed Jonghyuk to instantly grasp the Stone Breathing.
Suddenly, the thought of the Nichirin Blade crossed Sanemi's mind, and an unsettling suspicion arose. He stopped in his tracks, just as he was about to leave, and with a dark expression, he asked,
"Kid, you're not thinking that without a Nichirin Blade, you can avoid killing demons by pretending to be researching breathing techniques here, are you?"
Jonghyuk set down his sword and once again noted on the ground the effects of this breathing frequency on his body. Then, he glanced at the Wind Hashira, who had a dark expression on his face, and curiously asked,
"Why would I do all of this just to avoid killing demons?"
"Isn't it precisely because I want to kill those powerful monsters known as the Twelve Kizuki that I need to find a breathing technique that suits me?"
Sanemi Shinazugawa paused in his steps. The other's calm expression and casual tone seemed to overlook the malice in his words, and the intent to kill demons was stated as if it was the most natural thing in the world.
His expression shifted slightly, his gaze changing as he asked in a tone that revealed nothing of his thoughts,
"Why do you want to kill demons?"
Jonghyuk didn't quite understand why everyone was so curious about his intent to kill demons. Did everyone have to be motivated by the loss of loved ones to demons in order to hunt them?
The reasons for killing have never been limited to just hatred—there are also interests at play.
He suddenly let out a bitter laugh, finding his own mundane reason somewhat amusing.
He shifted his thoughts—if there were no rewards for killing demons, would he still do it?
Thinking along those lines, Jonghyuk replied, "Demons are the natural enemies of humans. I am human, so I want to kill demons. That's probably the reason."
Sanemi was taken aback. The other's reason was completely unexpected, yet it made perfect sense.
"That's not the answer you gave the Master now did you?"
"Who knows?" Jonghyuk shrugged.
"Tch."
Sanemi Shinazugawa clicked his tongue again in annoyance, but suddenly, he found this young man with an incredibly strong physique becoming much more pleasing to the eye.
Watching as Jonghyuk continued to ponder the breathing technique, Sanemi crossed his arms, his face full of 'disdain' as he said,
"Breathing techniques are merely tools to enhance the user's physical abilities, allowing humans to fight demons head-on. As long as it feels natural to you, do you really need to memorize it?"
"Breathing is an instinct!"
Jonghyuk's body trembled, and Sanemi's words seemed to spark a flash of insight in his mind. Suddenly, he drew his long sword and swung it with great force, his breathing rhythm changing naturally.
Buzz!
Boom!
The incredibly heavy slash struck the ground, instantly creating a three to four-meter-long crack in the already fragile surface. The immense force shook the ground underneath, causing even Sanemi to lose his balance slightly.
[Under the guidance of the powerful Sanemi Shinazugawa, you have gained a deeper understanding of the breathing technique.]
[Based on your understanding, you have made improvements to the Stone Breathing. Would you like to rename it?]
Sanemi steadied himself, shocked as he looked at the large figure before him. The other had actually changed his breathing rhythm in an instant and found his own path?
Unlike the heavy Breath of Stone, from Jonghyuk's breathing and stance, Sanemi felt an overwhelming sense of weight—a force that, once moved, was unstoppable.
"So.. This is your path?"
Jonghyuk felt that although Sanemi Shinazugawa had a bad temper and a sour face, his guidance was truly insightful. Jonghyuk nodded and said,
"I'm planning to call it the Breath of Earth."
Indeed, it was a power as heavy and solid as the earth. In his heart, Sanemi thought that the name was quite fitting, but his sharp tongue couldn't resist a jab,
"Hmph, Breath of Earth, huh? That's quite a grand name. If you were to learn my Breath of Wind, would you create a Breath of Heaven next?"
Jonghyuk smiled and nodded,
"That actually sounds pretty good."
Sanemi's face darkened. He thought this big guy might be a bit dense—couldn't he tell that he was being sarcastic?
Sanemi wasn't great at dealing with such straightforward types.
With a cold snort, he was about to leave, but Jonghyuk grabbed him, seemingly genuinely interested in learning about the Wind Breathing.
*Sob* *Sob* Inside a distant room, Gyomei Himejima murmured a quiet "Amida Buddha" and finally felt his worries ease.
He had always been somewhat concerned about this exceptionally gifted disciple. He could sense that Jonghyuk had a certain urgency about him, as if something was pushing him to pursue the powerful demons known as the Twelve Kizuki.
Gyomei was already aware of Jonghyuk's efforts to use money to gather information. However, he worried that his disciple, due to his own immature teachings, might lack the strength and end up as food for the Twelve Kizuki. That's why he repeatedly asked Sanemi to check on Jonghyuk.
Now that the issue with the breathing technique had been resolved, Gyomei knew his disciple wouldn't be able to sit still for long.
Thinking of the countless Hashira-level swordsmen who had fallen to the Twelve Kizuki over the years, Gyomei's eyes welled up with tears. He sighed and quietly chanted "Amida Buddha" to himself.
"I just hope he doesn't encounter those Upper Ranks..."
__________
ཀ ʖ̯ ཀ Thank you Sanemi for teaching my Deciple.
(¬､¬) Tch.