Day One of Training.
The final strike of "Tsubame Gaeshi" lasted longer now—he could finally complete the swing. His technique was advancing at an astonishing pace, faster than ever before. Bell figured it must be the effect of the five-star Craft Essence, though its power seemed almost excessive—a true blessing for adventurers without innate talent.
Day Two of Training.
After the first day's effort, Bell continued using "Tsubame Gaeshi" to hunt monsters. The physical strain it caused gradually lessened. His body was forming muscle memory, adapting to the motion and conserving energy.
He also learned to control the strength of his strikes better. Unlike before, he no longer burned unnecessary stamina just to maintain the "Tsubame Gaeshi" stance.
Day Three of Training.
After two days of practice, Bell could now execute the incomplete form of "Tsubame Gaeshi" with greater precision. He stopped pushing for further breakthroughs and instead focused on reinforcing the basics of the first two strikes.
Flashy moves meant little to true masters. Swordsmanship boiled down to five fundamentals—chop, slash, thrust, sweep, and flick. Every advanced technique stemmed from these. "Tsubame Gaeshi" relied on the chop, slash, and sweep, so drilling these three core forms held deep significance.
Mastering the four foundational strikes would also help him apply "Tsubame Gaeshi" more broadly in the future.
The basic training continued until the tenth day.
For an entire week, Bell fought monsters using only the four basic sword forms—no other powers. Through repeated combat, he honed his understanding and reflexes for the fundamentals. Once his body had fully adapted, he resumed real combat drills with "Tsubame Gaeshi."
...
The fifteenth day of training.
"Haa..."
Bell steadied his breathing, eyes fixed on the charging Bugbear. Fifteen days of battle had given him a deep understanding of these beasts. Their rocky hide formed a thick armor over every part of their body. Even a Level 3 adventurer would struggle to break through it with brute force.
They were fast, strong, and tough—an all-around threat. Even a Level 3 adventurer had to stay cautious of their charge; one mistake could mean death. The Bugbear's rush was terrifying. Standing four meters tall, it was both heavy and solid. Once it built momentum, even a Level 4 adventurer would find it hard to withstand the impact.
Its claws were even harder and sharper than its hide. If an adventurer's skin met those claws, a single strike would be enough to tear them apart.
But to Bell, this had become routine.
His gaze locked onto the incoming Bugbears—five of them this time. They weren't coming one by one. All five lunged together. A single four-meter Bugbear charging was enough to freeze a man in fear. Five together shook the ground like an earthquake.
Despite the overwhelming sight, Bell's expression didn't change.
Facing the powerful beasts, he stepped forward.
"!?"
The lead Bugbear suddenly saw Bell appear right in front of it. Its instincts kicked in; after a brief hesitation, it slashed with its sharp claws.
"Swish!"
The claws passed through Bell's body. Just as the Bugbear wondered why its prey had fallen so easily, a flash of white light cut across its vision. Something sliced through its eyes, blinding it instantly. At the same time, both foreclaws were seared with sharp, tearing pain.
"Roar!"
The pain-filled cry tore from the Bugbear's throat, but in the next instant, the sharp blade pierced through its vulnerable neck, even driving into its brain. Its massive body shuddered once before all life drained away.
After slaying one Bugbear, Bell didn't immediately withdraw his blade. Instead, he locked onto the next target's position, using the fallen Bugbear's head as a makeshift scabbard as he swung toward the next beast.
A streak of blood sliced through the air, followed by a spray of crimson. The blood and blade together cut across the eyes of the two remaining Bugbears still charging forward.
Bell's figure dropped low, pushing off the Bugbear's head to leap toward the rear pair. Sensing danger, the two Bugbears abruptly stopped their charge and braced themselves, their front claws sweeping out in unison—one left, one right—aiming to tear Bell apart.
The claws ripped through the air and shredded the leaping figure of Bell.
But before the two Bugbears could even think, three flashes of cold steel appeared, erasing their thoughts—and their lives.
One stroke stole their sight. Two more, one to the left and one to the right, overlapped within a single breath and slashed deep into their throats, nearly severing three-quarters of their necks.
The Bugbears' monstrous vitality kept them alive for a moment longer, but their bodies were already helpless.
Knowing this, Bell ignored the two fallen beasts and turned his gaze toward the last pair behind him, their eyes already torn by the blood-soaked blade.
Blinded beasts panicked easily—and monsters were no exception.
Like a sightless human flailing in confusion, they desperately tried to wipe away the blood in their eyes, striking wildly to ward off unseen attacks.
Alas.
Bell read the wind's direction. With a few light sidesteps, he slipped past the Bugbears' frenzied swipes and positioned himself perfectly to strike.
The world seemed to lose all color in that instant. In that void of motionless gray, only Bell moved.
He stepped forward, his blade flashing as it cut through the air.
Three horizontal strikes.
The first targeted the Bugbear's waist—the second-softest point of its body.
Leaping upward, he delivered two more blows aimed at its hardest spot—the back of the neck.
The colorless world returned, but the Bugbears that had struggled just moments ago now fell silent, their heads rolling as their bodies collapsed with heavy thuds.
Bell landed steadily, turning to survey his handiwork. Five Bugbears felled in nine strikes. Even with his own strict standards, he couldn't help but smile.
"It's done. This is my Tsubame Gaeshi."
After half a month, the "Tsubame Gaeshi" was finally complete.
...
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