[The proficiency of the Blade of Heart, Blade Arts First Technique: Throbbing Slash has drastically increased!]
[Awakener, you have gained an enlightenment!]
[Sense increases by 1]
"That's the weakest weapon arts I've first mastered.
"The principle behind the First Technique: Throbbing Slash is making your enemies feel the fear of death. It will temporarily skip their hearts' beating, deceptively sensing that they were slashed. However, these illusory slashes will only truly manifest in case they can't properly discern what's real or not. You have to remember, a split-second loss of composure in a fight can be an absolute decisive factor."
Throughout the numerous deaths that Ryder had forgotten to count, he managed to learn the essence behind such a technique suited for a katana-wielder. It was a harmless technique if utilized against opponents who did not falter upon its performance.
In other words, for things like trees and mountains that were inanimate objects, the Throbbing Slash was merely an illusion… at least that's what Ryder thought.
"That's probably what you are thinking right now. But that's wrong! The true mastered Throbbing Slash of the Blade of Heart Arts can be used against trees and the likes."
With a questioning gaze, Ryder slightly tilted his head. It was as though Gyuri's mannerism was something that he was gradually being inherited.
"You just have…"
Gyuri spoke as she formed a sword stance, sliding her foot backward, which caused his right foot to slide forward while her hands tightly grasped the katana after sheathing it back on her waist where the intricate scabbard was attached.
"…to make the trees and everything in your path fear you."
[Blade of Heart, Blade Arts First Technique: Throbbing Slash (Mastered)!]
Whoosh!
Slash!
It was then that everything in their surroundings such as trees, rivers, and even a few nearby mountains, turned into a wasteland…
Boom!
Even Ryder was friendly fired!
"Oops! S–sorry, Daddy! Hehe!"
'Crazy daughter…!' It was his last thought, seeing his body torn in half to death before the prompt from the Chuuni System rang in his soul.
Ding!
[You have died.]
***
The showcase of the tough love from his self-proclaimed daughter continued without an ounce of mercy. However, if there was something different, it was that Gyuri was doing her very best to match Ryder's strength to avoid killing him even though there were a few remaining instances of resurrection from the fraudulent bracelet.
In retrospect, Ryder did not solely die due to having to fight the monster of a Starlight who seemed to have a very close relationship with the Goddess of Identity.
Physical training…
Qi Overload…
He was put to the test for the sake of honing everything.
It was basically torture… basically.
"Remember it, Daddy. Blade Arts are best suited for the offensive; you should master another weapon art suited for defense. It doesn't mean that you cannot use the Blade Arts to defend yourself, though. After all, sometimes, the best defense is offense, right?" Gyuri said.
She then added,
"Also, only rely on equipment imbued with Qi Status if… and only if you are treading towards certain death. Well, considering your luck when you were playing the game, perhaps you're used to using trash equipment." She chuckled while Ryder remained silent.
Sensing his unusual silence, she looked at him with her scrutinizing playful eyes.
'You will get there, Daddy!' She thought to herself in delight.
"Let's continue. Are you ready?"
With various things surging in his mind, Ryder nodded in response.
***
One month had passed since Ryder's abrupt death. The beginning of the Lunar Circle Competition was around the corner, and the opening of the new batch of the Awakened Chuuni Academy was nearing minute by minute.
[You have killed an Orc Chief.]
[EXP has been obtained!]
[You have leveled up!]
[Chuuni Energy increases by 1]
…
[You have killed a Troll Chief.]
[A great amount of EXP has been obtained!]
[You have leveled up!]
[Stamina increases by 2]
…
[You have killed…]
"D–damn it! Huff... I–I feel like I'm back to being poor just like in the game!" Ryder leaned on the nearby tree after eliminating the last troll of a Troll Village.
These routine subjugations were what he was doing even before his self-proclaimed daughter approached him. However, if there was a noticeable difference, it was that Ryder was forbidden to utilize any criminal equipment that would allow a newbie Awakener to fight against such monstrosities.
It was his second to the last training, to say the least.
"Why, Daddy? Don't you like it?"
'Like I have the right to complain! Sigh, at least give me a proper weapon… Just why…' Ryder inwardly lampooned. In his grasp, an Uncommon-Rank katana was chipped nearing its destruction. What's more, his attire was a Common-Rank adventurer's garb and such.
In other words, he was forced to fight an Orc Chief and Troll Chief, which was normally done with party members in the game donning the same level of equipment he currently was wearing.
'With the [Moonfell Crescent] and the Ol'ranken Armor… I'm good at fighting monsters not compatible with my current level.'
Apart from the [Moonfell Crescent], Ryder also acquired pieces of high-ranked equipment from the Lust Gacha Boxes that were blessed by the Goddess of Identity, which included the Ol'ranken Armor, Seabed Strides, and Anasa's Gloves of Serenity; for the body, feet, and hands respectively.
"Stop sulking, okay? It's not yet time to celebrate! You've clearly improved, but you would have it difficult to see it for yourself because of your inward whining.
"By the way, let's proceed with the final phase of my act of love towards you, Daddy. Hehe!" Gyuri stopped his train of thought.
"Wh–what do you mean by that?" Ryder sensed something ominous, his black eyes looked for her who was sitting above the tree, cross-legged.
"Huh? Don't tell me you've already forgotten, Daddy. It's just been a month… Lihan! L. I. H. A. N.! Killing him is the final part of your training, which will certainly make you use everything you've learned from your beloved daughter so far… " She smiled, her gray eyes seemed to do the same, too.
Hearing this, Ryder's mind seemed to have been struck by a bolt of lightning, recalling what had transpired during his first Guild Commission. Subsequently, he couldn't help but let out a sigh of relief, causing Gyuri to look at him with inquisitive, innocent eyes.
"Huh? Why are you sighing, Daddy?" She asked, pondering.
"What do you mean? It's because it's about time I use my damn high-ranked equipment!" Ryder said.
Gyuri jumped from the tree and then softly landed on the ground. She then faced him, her cheeks puffed.
"Huh?"
Seeing this kind of expression, Ryder's countenance was gradually filled with horror.
"A–are you being serious right now...? D–do you really expect me to fight someone who managed to run and hide himself from the Venerable Sky Clan without using my high-ranked armor and weapon?!"
Gyuri nodded in silence, her cheeks still puffing.
'I know I was reckless some time ago, but this…'
A moment or two later, she opened her mouth, saying,
"You only have one resurrection instance left, and I thought before it disappeared, you'd behave like a true man. Maybe I should have the right to be disappointed, right? So, should I kill you, Daddy?"