Clash!
Two wooden swords collided.
However, after just a few breaths of stalemate, August was forced back.
Although he was just one step away from leveling up now, and had acquired the Eight Thousand Sword Styles, the absolute gap in strength couldn't be filled.
Even if Ais restrained her strength, she still suppressed August effortlessly.
Watching August in front of her, a storm surged in Ais's heart.
Just a few days ago, August was an ordinary person who hadn't even touched a sword, and just the day before, he had only become slightly familiar with combat, still far from mastering sword techniques.
However, today's August had already crossed this threshold and developed his own system.
Keep in mind, even she wouldn't dare claim to have her own system.
Yet, August had achieved it. Although wielding a wooden sword, each move he made exuded an unmistakable intent to kill.
His sword existed solely for slaughter, with no other purpose.
Everything he did was for the sake of defeating his opponents.
Very straightforward, yet very frightening.
"Who taught you these sword skills?" Ais slowly asked, unable to believe that August had comprehended them himself.
"A somewhat sinister swordsman!" August said with a faint smile.
Captain Unohana from Bleach, synonymous with 'sinister'.
"Can I..."
"Sorry, I can't help with that." August directly refused, leaving no room for negotiation. His swordsmanship inheritance originated from a gacha draw, even though it traced back to Unohana, the first generation this styles, August had never met.
"Fine."
This answer disappointed Ais. In her eyes, learning from the master of such powerful sword techniques would undoubtedly make her stronger.
Different from most people, her world was simple.
She said whatever came to her mind, and deception or probing wasn't her style.
After slightly moving her shoulders, the battle with Ais left him physically and mentally exhausted every time.
For Ais, restraining most of her strength during their training and treating him as a novice was already impressive. The degree of control over her attacks wasn't in her focus.
Now the sun had already risen, and the morning sparring session was over.
Just like before, August took out a bucket of fried chicken and a coke for Ais.
Although Ais didn't mind this, it felt wrong not to give anything in return.
After returning to his room, taking a shower, and changing clothes, the morning training session was considered complete.
Compared to the previous days when Ais beat him like a dog every morning, he barely managed not to be knocked down today—an enormous improvement.
This made August sigh.
Normal people, geniuses, and monsters were different. Geniuses and monsters were different, and monsters and game exploiters were even more different.
Normal people's efforts couldn't surpass the efforts of equally diligent geniuses. Similarly, the efforts of geniuses couldn't surpass those of ordinary monsters.
Monsters' existence couldn't surpass that of game exploiters.
Just like August now, one gacha draw could cause a tremendous transformation in his strength.
*Knock* *Knock* *Knock*
At this moment, a knock on the door sounded.
Creak~
Opening the door, he saw Aki standing there in adeventurer attire.
"Why are you here?"
August, still wiping his hair that hadn't completely dried, looked at Aki with confusion.
"Why am I here? We're in the same team now. Going to the Dungeon together, I naturally have to find you!"
"Uh~"
August couldn't help but think, going to the Dungeon so early in the morning?
He had been grinding in the Dungeon every day for the past few days, so today he wanted to take a break.
"By the way, what's going on with you? You took a shower early in the morning?"
"Just finished Ais's training. I sweated a lot, so I came back to take a shower."
"Ais?"
"Yes, the Ais you're thinking of."
"I really couldn't tell. Even our Familia's princess gets so close to you. Not bad!"
"Same as you, eight out of ten, Captain's arrangement!"
"Possibly!"
Aki nodded. She was an example herself, having another Ais around was normal.
But looking at August, she secretly nodded.
He had potential, looked quite handsome, and worked very hard. If they really developed something, that wouldn't be bad.
Although she initially thought of Finn's task as just going through the motions, after contact, Aki felt that August was not a bad person. If they really got together, it would be good.
As for Raul, who has a bit of affection for her, she is currently putting him aside.
The mission given by her captain is more important for now...
As for liking August, that was impossible. At most, she felt a little curious.
While talking, Aki, being familiar, walked in, leaving August speechless for a moment.
Girl, you're not treating yourself as outsiders, are you?
"Do you have any plans for today?"
Aki sat down and asked slowly.
Teaming up with August disrupted her original plans and arrangements.
Leaving aside teaming up and wandering on the upper levels, it would be at most one of the middle levels.
As a level 4 adventurer like her, in such levels, the significance wasn't great.
Moreover, the magic stones and loot dropped by monsters on these levels were far less valuable compared to the lower levels.
Hence, many veterans were unwilling to bring newbies along. A big part of the reason was that it would waste their time and money without getting much in return.
"I, I'll probably go back to the Dungeon later. Today, I'll try to go a bit deeper. With a prestigious lady like you accompanying me, I'll feel more at ease."
To this, Aki rolled her eyes cutely.
Actually, she didn't know that August planned to try the safe floors on the 18th level.
After all, this would complete a task.
An advanced draw! As long as his luck wasn't too bad, his strength would undoubtedly improve further, perhaps skyrocket.
August looked at Aki in front of him, suddenly regretting letting her in.
The room wasn't big, and there was only one toilet.
Just finished showering, needing to change clothes, letting her in, he couldn't change outside, right? That would be torture, and he'd have to change in the bathroom.
This troublesome situation made August sigh.
Casually picking up the clothes next to him, he headed for the bathroom.
"Hmm? What are you doing?"
"Changing clothes. Want to visit? It's free!"
"Go to hell!"
Aki cursed and didn't want to talk anymore.
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