The robot lunged at me with mechanical precision, its arm extending with alarming speed toward the right side of my head. I barely managed to raise my sword in time, the metallic clang reverberating through the air as I parried the blow. The intense impact sent a jolt of pain through my muscles, leaving them quivering from the force.
'Huh? Why am I feeling pain?'
I thought, bewildered by the sudden sensation.
Before I could fully process the thought, another punch was already hurtling towards my face. I crossed my arms in front of me just in time, absorbing the brunt of the attack to avoid breaking my wrist. The pain this time was even more intense, shooting up my arms and leaving them throbbing.
'What's going on?'
My mind raced with confusion.
Usually, in moments like these, the calm clarity of '[Sovereign's Path]' would wash over me, but now, my mind was a chaotic mess.
I tried to activate the skill, willing myself to feel the familiar surge of control and detachment. But nothing happened. There was no change, no comforting calm.
Panic started to set in as I realized I was facing this relentless machine without the protection and clarity that '[Sovereign's Path]' provided.
The robot advanced again, its unyielding metal body reflecting the harsh light, while I struggled to regain my composure and figure out what had gone wrong.
As I tried circulating mana in my body with Overclock, another punch struck my solar plexus.
"Ugh."
The force of the blow knocked the wind out of me, and before I could recover, another punch landed on the side of my waist, sending a wave of intense pain through my body. I crumpled to the floor, gasping for breath.
"UGH... Huff, that hurts."
I grunted in pain, struggling to regain my composure. Every muscle in my body screamed in agony, and I could feel the bruises forming already.
"Why can't I activate '[Sovereign's Path]'?"
No matter how hard I tried to channel my mana, the familiar sensation of calm authority remained elusive. The robot loomed over me, its cold, mechanical eyes unblinking as it prepared for another attack.
I tried again and again, leading to no hope.
Another punch appeared in front of me, and before I could react, it connected with my chest, sending me sprawling onto the floor.
"Huff.."
"Dang it… since when have I been so reliant on that skill?"
I grabbed a mana recovery and stamina potion and chucked it down.
"UGHHHHH"
Aggravating pain coursed through all parts of my body, as I barely managed to hold in my tears.
"Huff... huff.. ah this is painful.. extremely painful."
I got up again with my sword ready to block the punches.
I got up again, gripping my sword tightly, ready to block the incoming punches.
'I need to remember to simultaneously activate Overdrive while blocking the robot's mimicked punches from the Mercenary King.'
His ruthless style of punching, leads the opponents to falter in many ways. This is why he is known for being the Mercenary King, being able to do every task assigned to him. From clearing dungeons, fighting monsters, and fighting extremely strong humans. He is on par with a SS-ranked class individual. Perhaps even be the peak of SS-ranked right now but little news about him ever comes out.
I readied myself in the basic sword stance from Shinra style, just as another punch came straight for my face.
"Ugh,"
I grunted, deflecting the blow with my sword.
I sidestepped to the robot's side, using the precise footwork from Shinra style, and launched a counterattack:
[Distant Slash]
But it was easily parried, and the robot struck my knee.
I crumbled to the ground, only to be met with another punch aimed at my head.
Rolling to the side, I narrowly escaped the blow and quickly stood up, readying my sword for another attack. Channeling mana through my body, I prepared to unleash [Distant Slash].
With a burst of speed, I launched myself towards the robot.
Cling!-
My sword connected with its shoulder, but it retaliated with a powerful side punch to my head, launching me across the training room.
"Putui—"
I spat out blood and quickly gulped down another set of potions, feeling the intense pain sear through my body.
"Ugh, I really can't get used to this."
I readied myself, bracing for the next round, and repeated the process all over again.
Relying on muscle memory and the eye coordination of this body, I used basic swordsmanship skills from the system to aid me. Activating Overclock, I continuously channeled mana through my veins, despite the damage it caused.
I launched into the footwork again, feeling the core components of Shinra style in both swordsmanship and movement. I quickly exchanged blows with the robot, my focus sharpening with each strike.
Cling-
I landed a hit on it, only to be met with another punch towards my side, I quickly turned my wrist to block with the full brunt of its attack.
"Ugh"
I stepped back and took another punch with my body, but this time, I struck back, aiming at its thighs.
Cling-
"Ohhhh, a clean slash this time!"
The robot quickly launched a straight punch, which collided with my sword. The force of the impact sent me flying towards the opposite wall once again.
I lasted four moves this time.
I drank another set of potions, enduring the unpredictable pain of repairing my body.
I got up and unleashed [Distant Slash], but the robot quickly appeared in front of me.
Clunk!
My sword collided but this time, I was ready to stand steady.
"Ha… haa."
I unleashed multiple slashes towards the robot, vigorously cutting its reinforced body, which none of my slashes have managed to scratch it.
All robots in S rooms are designed to withstand B-ranked attacks, so its durability rivals a B-ranked person.
The robot launched a punch at me, but it was a feint. Before I could react, I felt an intense pain as the robot's kick struck my chin.
I was flipped through the air and collapsed onto the floor, gasping for air.
"Huff.. huff.. That really hurts man."
I felt like I was on the brink of collapse, with various pains coursing through my body. The potions worked swiftly, mending my split muscles and accelerating my mana recovery.
Despite the agony, I could sense my strength growing with each passing moment.
"Ah this feeling, it feels amazing."
I quickly got up with even more determination and once again, engaged in brutal-one sided bullying.
Time passed quickly.
I kept getting beaten down, but I forced myself to rise again, enduring the painful sting of the potions as they worked to heal me.
I launched the footwork once more, but this time, it felt different.
I could see a path before me, illuminated by countless stars, guiding me toward the robot. Each star indicated where to land and how much mana to channel into my feet.
For the first time, I felt the fastest I'd ever been, experiencing an unprecedented lightness. In an instant, I found myself directly in front of the robot, executing the first form of Shinra Style, [Distant Slash].
Cling-
The robot was momentarily thrown off balance but quickly recovered, launching a punch that I barely managed to react to.
I was again sent crashing into the wall, gasping for air as I struggled to form words.
"Ha... Wha-.. t... was.. tha..t?"
"You asked me to increase the power to D+ once you improved. I've determined that you have indeed improved."
"Ha..haa. Alright…"
I looked ahead and saw the status screen once more.
[ First Form of Shinra Style : [Distant Slash] Has Been Unlocked ]
[ Shinra Style's Footwork : [Shinra's Steps] Has been unlocked ]
"Finally.."
In the game, one has to imitate what the manuals have shown how to do but you could never perform those skills to its best until you have met the criteria. Which in this world, it should unlock for me once I've tried to perform them enough times.
"Hehehehe, all my hard work has finally paid off!"
I checked the time on my bracelet and I found myself depressed again. It hasn't even been 10 hours yet.
"Haaa.."
I sighed, I still have around 63 hours of torture left.
Since the robot increased its powers again, I will now consume the 2nd graded potions now. Leaving around 50 1st grade potions left.
"Ugh, I overestimated but it's alright. I can sell them."
I took two potions out, its color much more clearer than the 1st grade potions, indicating its better effects. I drank the potion and instantly found myself engulfed in unimaginable pain.
"UGHHHHHHHHHH"
I screamed, barely retaining my sanity as this torture lasted for 2 minutes.
"Huff… huff. Huff."
I underestimated how much of a difference the pain from 1st grade to 2nd grade potions are. No wonder people administer them to the unconscious. Simply because one will become unconscious anyways.
'Either I die here or I die in 5 days so it doesn't matter.'
But, I can feel myself getting stronger, this is so much better than playing video games all day long! I can see myself getting immersed in this training and setting the pain aside.
Now that I can unleash [Distant Slash] and [Shinra's Step] correctly, my mastery over the Shinra manual should've reached major mastery. And 2 more minor realms to pass until I can reach the 2nd realm. I will be gaining another technique for both skills.
With my newfound strength, I rose to my feet and assumed my stance. The difference was palpable.
My previously trembling arms were now steady and unwavering.
My body felt firmly anchored to the ground, yet light enough to react swiftly to any sudden movements.
My vision sharpened, allowing me to discern even the smallest details with clarity.
I could feel my reaction time accelerating, making me more agile and prepared for whatever came next.
With countless stars glittering around the robot, I launched myself, following the path towards the robot as I launched [Distant Slash].
CLING-
The sound was much larger and the impact it created caused the robot to misstep for a moment. But that moment, I quickly jabbed my sword towards the chin and launched another [Distant Slash], causing intense pain as I drained all my mana out of my body just for this slash and-
BOOOM—
The robot was launched towards the wall.
"HAHAHA, serve you right!"
But with all my mana and strength gone, I fell down face planted.
"Owwww, uh can you feed me the potions from over there?"
With a hint of desperation in my voice that I doubted the robot cared about, I watched as it quickly responded by shoving two potions into my mouth. I gulped them down, feeling the painful effects take hold.
"Ughhhh"
The pain was more manageable now but it still hurts.
I got up and commanded the robot.
"Change your prowess to a person of C- ranked now."
"As you request."