—
Inhaling and exhaling deeply, Richard used his rejuvenating breathing pattern and ran at full speed in the midst of the monsters. Wanting to employ the Fourth Form: Whirl of Blue Sky, he halted and switched to the First Form: Dance of the Whirlwind to avoid breaking his sword after a few powerful attacks. However, he knew this attack was not enough to take down the ice elementals.
So, while dancing amidst the frozen wasteland, bringing warmth to the graveyard of a once vibrant city, Richard adjusted his breathing once again. Instead of focusing on pure physical strength like the Fourth Form, he channeled this rejuvenating energy into the scorching warmth of the flame that was conjured when using his breathing pattern.
No, not a breathing pattern, but a breathing technique since it was now complete. Sadly, the blade he was holding could not bear the continuous cycle from the First Form to the prototype Fifth Form that he was about to use. The ever-changing elements would instantly shatter the blade.
Applying the prototype posture he had created in his mind, he danced with the warmth of his surroundings, creating a combustion of flame that could harm enemies outside the range of his sword. Richard executed the prototype Fifth Form outward, transforming all of the rejuvenating breath protecting him into a lethal move capable of large AOE damage.
Every step, stroke, and dance painted the frozen ground with ever-changing winds of haze. Everything was for the canvas, everything for the damage. A single mistake could be fatal, as his body did not have an aura encompassing him like the other four forms.
Richard didn't know how much time had passed in his trance-like state, mowing down the monsters, but his concentration broke when he heard the sound of a portal opening. Bang—a club-like hand from an elemental hit the temple of his face, throwing him to the ground. Luckily, before the freezing element completely damaged his head, he switched his breathing to the Third Form, which was very close to the element of fire, burning the ice and leaving a scar where his smooth skin had been.
"What in the flying fuck is happening here?"
"Lambert, there! Aard quickly!"
Foom.
His hair swayed strongly because of the stray winds. Richard looked at the elemental beside him, thrown back several meters to the ground. Standing up and touching his bleeding temple, he sighed, realizing he needed to refine his body outside of battle since his durability without the breathing technique was too weak.
"You're welcome, dude."
Frowning at the cat-eyed swordsman named Lambert, Richard shook his head, not bothering to explain the incident further. Continuing his dance to clear a path for Margarita's company, he heard their conversation fading as he moved away.
"Is that our Wolf School swordsmanship? But why does it look like just a variation of the Whirl?"
"Wow. What a gentle, sexy young man."
"Keira! Is my handsomeness not enough?!"
"Oh dear. It's just a compliment, there's no need—Eh, is that Margarita? It's…"
Entering the town after clearing a 200-meter area around the caravans, Richard heard Margarita ordering everyone, "We walk on foot! Grab everything you can! Now, form a line! Anyone who is already titled adept, do rotations to cast protective shields! The harbor is just around the corner!"
Slashing a monster that got too close to Jaina, who was not yet casting the protective barrier because she was taking his bent katana and tattered kimono from the caravan, Richard dashed forward to the front of the company, mowing down monsters to create a safe passage. As townsfolk who had not yet evacuated joined their company, Richard doubled his effort and concentration, even unknowingly adding a touch of wind element to his slashes, creating a larger AOE attack.
After fifteen minutes of running and gliding around the block, slashing every enemy in sight, Richard finally saw the harbor in the distance, filled with monsters and survivors. Fortunately, many soldiers wearing blue-striped uniforms were defending the defenseless folk until they safely reached the dock, where the protective bubble shield was located. Additionally, these soldiers were helped by a ragtag group ranging from dwarfs and clowns to beggars and pirates.
"Roche, look! Another survivor!"
"Thank Melitele. Gudrun! Four more ships and I will give you 2000 crowns!"
"Ptui! Bah! That was Whoreson's money, not yours! Or should I say 'Doppler's' money?"
"Imke!"
"DON'T YOU DARE—"
"Darling…"
"Fine."
Slashing the last hound in the area, Richard gazed at the chipped and destroyed Ofieri blade in his hand. Lamenting for the blade unsuited for his breathing technique, he took a spare sword from a fallen soldier and continued to the next block, where Witch Hunters, Redanian soldiers, and temple guards bearing the emblem of fire were defending against wave after wave of monster attacks.
"By the Eternal Fire, who was that? Anyway, it doesn't matter. Quickly bring the holy brazier onto the ship so we can leave this place."
"But Hierarch Cyrus! He is the divine protector! Look, he put down the monsters with the same fire as the Eternal Fire! Maybe, maybe this is a divine sign!"
"BLASPHEMY! Guards! Throw this Deacon to the monsters. He is not fit to carry the mantle of the Eternal Fire."
"No! Hierarch Cyrus! I beg of you! It is true! The fire that this man conjures is the same or almost better than those in the holy brazier! Maybe, maybe he is the Eternal Fire himself!"
"HOW DARE YOU! BLASPHEMY, BLASPHEMY, BLASPHEMY! Give him fifteen lashes before tossing him to the monsters."
By the time fifteen lashes were done and the poor guy was tossed aside and almost chewed by the monsters, Richard finally arrived at the location. Seeing the man in question unconscious and unable to move, he focused on clearing the monsters that were clearly drawn to him since the rest of the Eternal Fire soldiers were focused on boarding their ships after bringing the holy brazier over. Alone, defending the north side of the harbor, he tripled his effort to slay the monsters.
—