The forest became silent.
Not the peaceful silence Emil had grown used to.
This was the silence before a battle.
---
Kael Draven stood several meters away.
His posture was relaxed.
His hands were empty.
No weapon.
No armor.
No visible energy.
---
Emil stood opposite him.
His sword was still beside the camp.
His only weapons were his body and his instincts.
---
"Come."
Kael spoke calmly.
---
Emil moved first.
His senses immediately analyzed the veteran.
Breathing.
Muscle movement.
Balance.
Everything.
---
He stepped forward and threw a punch.
---
Kael moved slightly.
The attack missed.
Before Emil could react, Kael placed a hand on his shoulder and redirected his momentum.
---
Boom.
---
Emil landed on the ground.
---
He immediately stood again.
---
"Again."
---
Emil attacked.
Again.
And again.
---
Every time, Kael avoided or redirected him.
No wasted movement.
No unnecessary strength.
Just perfect control.
---
Emil understood something.
Kael was not stronger because he had more power.
He was stronger because every action had a purpose.
---
"You are thinking too much."
Kael said.
---
Emil attacked again.
"What do you mean?"
---
"You are trying to create a sword strike with your fist."
---
Emil paused.
---
Kael continued.
"A sword has a point."
"A fist does not."
---
"You cannot fight every battle the same way."
---
Those words remained in Emil's mind.
---
The training continued.
Days passed.
---
Emil learned how to move differently.
His steps became lighter.
His balance improved.
His reactions became faster.
---
The system began recording the changes.
Ding!
Physical Combat Progress Increased.
Current Progress:
15%
---
New Knowledge Acquired:
- Basic Grappling
- Basic Counter Techniques
- Basic Body Reinforcement
---
Emil noticed something interesting.
The Sun God Breathing Technique was not only useful for swordsmanship.
It strengthened his entire body.
---
Before, he used the energy mainly to enhance his blade.
Now...
He circulated it through his muscles.
His bones.
His movements.
---
Kael noticed the change.
"You finally understand."
---
Emil looked at him.
"Understand what?"
---
"The sun does not create a sword."
Kael smiled.
"It creates life."
---
The words resonated with Emil.
The Sun God fragment was not merely a weapon.
It was a source of growth.
---
Several days later, Kael took Emil deeper into Blackwood Hills.
---
"Today is different."
---
Emil sensed danger.
"What are we doing?"
---
"Testing your progress."
---
They entered a rocky area.
The remains of old battles covered the ground.
Broken weapons.
Monster tracks.
---
Kael stopped.
"Your opponent is already here."
---
The ground shook.
---
A massive creature emerged.
A Crimson Horned Rhino.
A powerful D-rank monster.
Its body was covered in thick armor.
Its horn carried destructive force.
---
Emil prepared himself.
But Kael stopped him.
"No sword."
---
Emil looked toward the creature.
"Again?"
---
Kael nodded.
"Again."
---
The rhino charged.
---
This time, Emil did not retreat.
He moved forward.
---
The monster was stronger.
Heavier.
Faster.
But Emil understood its movement.
---
The horn came forward.
Emil stepped aside.
His hand touched the creature's body.
---
Instead of resisting the force...
He redirected it.
---
The rhino crashed into a rock wall.
---
Kael watched quietly.
Better.
---
The monster recovered and attacked again.
---
Emil continued adapting.
His movements were no longer sword movements.
They were his own.
---
He struck weak points.
Used the environment.
Controlled distance.
---
Finally...
The rhino charged with all its strength.
---
Emil waited.
---
At the final moment...
He stepped inside its attack.
Placed his hand against its body.
And released a burst of Sun energy.
---
Boom!
---
The creature fell.
---
Ding!
Crimson Horned Rhino defeated.
Experience gained.
---
Emil stood over the defeated monster.
His body was exhausted.
But his expression was different.
---
He had defeated a monster.
Without a sword.
---
Kael approached.
"You finally separated yourself from your weapon."
---
Emil looked at his hands.
---
For years, he believed his sword was what made him strong.
But now he understood.
The sword was only an extension.
The real weapon was himself.
---
That night, while cultivating, the system appeared.
Ding!
Host has reached a new combat understanding.
Skill Acquired:
Sun Body Technique
Rank:
Beginner
Type:
Body Enhancement
Description:
Uses Sun God energy to strengthen the user's physical body.
Effects:
- Increased strength
- Increased endurance
- Increased recovery
- Improved close combat ability
---
Emil examined the skill.
Another piece of the Sun God's legacy.
---
Kael sat nearby, watching the flames.
"You are unusual, boy."
---
Emil looked at him.
"Because I am strong?"
---
Kael shook his head.
"No."
"Because you are willing to become weak again."
---
Emil understood.
Growth required accepting that there were still things he didn't know.
---
The next morning, Kael gave him a new challenge.
---
"No sword."
"No techniques."
"No special abilities."
---
Emil raised an eyebrow.
"Then what do I use?"
---
Kael smiled.
"Everything you have learned."
---
The veteran stepped forward.
"This time..."
"Fight me."
---
Emil took his stance.
For the first time...
He was not preparing as a swordsman.
He was preparing as a warrior.