'Gasp!' Coming out of the water, Ryou gasped for air.
After staying inside the water for ten minutes, he felt suffocated unable to maintain his breathing routine. Even with his experience, he failed as diving deep put pressure on the body.
'It's different. It seems like I need to learn many things!'
But, this new experience taught him something. During the last minute underwater, he felt desperate. At that moment, his body functioned without his will; his lungs expanded while blood moved to the vital parts.
'I dived only 30 to 35 meters but I already started to feel the water pressure. If I have to dive deeper, I need to strengthen my body and master the breathing method.' Ryou mused.
The increased water pressure started compressing his lungs down smaller and smaller. Any further, it will damage his body.
'Looks like it will take time. This system task is not easy to achieve.'
From the next day onwards, Ryou began rigorous training; focusing on his Breathing Style and Tekkai.
Time passed by,
Aside from practicing his Nature Breathing style and Tekkai, Ryou practiced Pranayama, an ancient Yoga Breath technique that helps in the control of breath.
He repeated the practice every day with strict discipline and intense concentration.
After a month, Ryou finally managed to successfully maintain the breathing technique for an entire day without stopping during sleep, eating, or training.
After another few days of practice, he did it. Total Concentration: Constant. It drastically improved his physical strength.
Thanks to that, he was able to dive 80 meters and hold his breath for half an hour. Still, bearing the atmospheric pressure is pretty hard. Such pressure helped him to train his Tekkai.
As he descends deeper, the atmospheric pressure increases. It was pretty much black down there with no light. At first, the gloom intimidated him but he persisted and overcame it.
It takes him 10 mins to descend 80 meters, and 15 mins to ascend the same distance. He can't descend too sharply as the sudden change in pressure will harm his body.
It can only be done step by step with patience! 'The system is good with the Tasks.' Ryou could feel himself growing stronger as he persisted in diving deeper.
According to the map provided by the system, he needs to dive 120 meters down from the surface to get the crystal. Currently, he can't do it.
--
Another three months passed,
Deep in the lake, Ryou held a rainbow-colored crystal in his hand that illuminated the blackness with its divine multicolor radiance.
"Wow...It looks amazing!" Observing the crystal for a few seconds, he let the system take it. The crystal disappeared from his hand while a ding sounded in his mind.
[~ Task complete: Obtained the rare ore: Rainbow-colored crystal
Reward: A sword that can Slay Demons [System made] ~]
Reaching the surface, Ryou dressed and summoned the system to get his reward. As soon as he accepted the reward, a Japanese-styled sword actualized mid-air in front of him.
The sword's sheathed in a black scabbard that had golden and silver patterns. Ryou grasped the scabbard with his left hand while his right hand gripped the hilt of the sword.
He unsheathed it. The hilt of the sword is purple with golden linings. As for the blade, it's slightly curved and single-edged.
It's a long sword with a blade length of around 120cm, with unique patterns and dragon engravings. It's slightly heavy but Ryou found it perfect.
'Schwing!' The Sword made an audible sound as he made a swing at the air.
'Ikazuchi' Ryou read the letters inscribed at the bottom of the blade. 'Thunder! It's a nice name!'
From the system, he found this sword was made from rare metals and hardened with lightning strikes. It's even rarer than the Nichirin sword and can be used to slay the Demons.
At that moment, another ding sounded in his mind. With a thought, the system panel emerged before his eyes,
[~ Task: Save Kanae Kocho from Upper Rank 2 Demon - Doma.
Details: Kanae and Doma will meet and fight in 10 days near Hako village.
Reward: Primary Lottery Draw + 2 Demon Points ~]
'Is the System joking, providing such a difficult task? With my current strength, I wouldn't know how I died facing the Upper Moon.
Wait...the task is just to save Kanae Kocho from Doma. If it's just saving, it's possible.' Ryou thought.
Thinking, he then summoned the status panel.
[~ Name: Ryou
Race: Ordinary Human
Skill: Nature Breathing - Basic [4/10], Tekkai - Intermediate [1/10]
Demon Points: 0 ~]
'With my Tekkai at the Intermediate level, I can withstand and effectively nullify some damage incurred from the Demons without getting injured.
But, my breathing style is still basic. It's difficult to improve them in a short period. Only with Demon Points, they can be developed quickly.' Ryou mused and closed the panel.
"From here, it would take around 10 days to reach the location mentioned by the system. I need to hurry!" After packing his things, Ryou departed from the location where he stayed for over 4 months.
--
The moon was shining high above, with the clouds parted.
Near Hako village, a woman was traveling through the trees jumping from one to another. Her pace may seem leisurely but she's quick in her steps. She's none other than Flower Hashira – Kanae Kocho!
She received a report from her Kasugai crow a Demon was spotted at the Hako village. After hearing the news, she hurried over. By the time she reached, it was near Morning.
Kanae walked inside the village, which had around fifty or so houses. The place was too quiet, devoid of any sound. The unnatural silence warned her senses of danger.
The air is freezing cold. Unsheathing her Nichirin blade, she prepared herself for any surprise attack from a demon lurking nearby.
She slid open the door of a nearby house. As she opened the door, what came into her view was the sight of a family slaughtered in cold blood, their plentiful blood staining the walls, ceiling, and especially the floor.
But, there was no sight of a demon—only corpses with their throat slit or crushed by force.
Steeling her heart, Kanae checked the other houses in concern. It was the same. One common thing she noticed was, the female corpses were missing.
She furrowed her brow, confused. She knew it was no ordinary demon. She heard of a demon consuming females. 'An Upper Moon...this will be a challenge!"
It was also at that moment, that Ryou reached the village after a long travel of ten days.