Balance: Chapter 2 – The Blade of Beginnings
The chapter begins with Haruki gripping the black sword he had discovered deep within the cave, its aura radiating through his body.
"What? How can you pick that up?" the mystery man said, his voice a mixture of awe and disbelief.
Haruki tilted his head, confused by the man's reaction. "It's just a sword, isn't it? Of course, I can pick it up."
The man stepped closer, his dark cloak billowing faintly as he walked. His stern gaze pierced Haruki. "That's not what I mean. That blade is no ordinary sword. It's the First Black Blade, a weapon of immense power and a legacy spanning centuries. My name is Dante. Consider yourself lucky you're still standing after touching it."
Haruki frowned. "It's just a weapon, right? It feels… strong, though. Like it's pumping energy straight into me."
Dante sighed. "That's exactly the problem. A blade like that isn't for someone untrained. Its power can overwhelm you, consume you if you're not careful. You're not ready."
"I can handle it," Haruki said stubbornly, his grip tightening on the hilt.
"Can you now?" Dante smirked. With a wave of his hand, the black blade vanished from Haruki's grasp.
"What did you do?!" Haruki exclaimed.
"I stored it in my inventory," Dante replied casually.
Haruki blinked, puzzled. "Inventory? What does that mean?"
Before Dante could answer, Aiko approached, brushing her dark blue-black hair back. "The inventory is a skill tied to the system. It's like an invisible space where you can store items and retrieve them whenever you need."
"The system again," Haruki muttered, recalling her earlier explanation.
"Yes," Aiko said, smiling faintly. "The system lets you manage your zetsu levels and unlock skills like inventory, combat abilities, and more. It's how this world functions."
Dante interrupted, tossing Haruki a large dagger. "Since you're so eager to train, use this for now. It's less dangerous for someone your level. You'll start with basic blade work. Once you master two sword styles, maybe I'll let you touch the black blade again."
Haruki caught the dagger, testing its weight. It wasn't nearly as impressive as the black sword, but it felt balanced. "Fine. Where do we start?"
The Training Begins
Dante led Haruki to a clearing outside the cave, the ground firm beneath their feet and surrounded by tall trees that swayed gently in the breeze. The sunlight dappled the ground in patterns of gold, providing the perfect setting for their training.
"We'll begin with the Lunar Blade Style," Dante said. "It's an assassin's technique focused on speed, precision, and hitting vital points. You'll learn to move like a shadow, striking before your opponent even realizes you're there."
Haruki's eyes lit up. "That sounds awesome! Let's do it!"
Dante smirked. "Don't get too excited. The Lunar Blade requires patience, discipline, and precision. Without those, you're just flailing around with a blade."
The training began with footwork. Dante demonstrated how to shift his weight, his movements fluid and almost serpentine. Haruki mimicked him, his initial attempts clumsy but determined. Next came dagger strikes, with Dante showing how to aim for critical points: the neck, joints, and tendons. Haruki practiced tirelessly, his movements growing sharper with each attempt.
Days turned into nights, and Haruki's skills began to take shape.
The First Spar
"You're progressing faster than I expected," Dante admitted after a week of rigorous training. "But theory isn't enough. It's time to put your skills to the test."
Haruki's eyes widened. "You mean… a fight?"
"Exactly. First to land a strike wins," Dante said, drawing his own dagger.
Haruki nodded, gripping his dagger tightly. The air grew tense as they faced each other, the clearing silent save for the rustling of leaves.
Dante made the first move, lunging forward with blinding speed. Haruki barely had time to react, stepping back just as the dagger's edge passed his cheek.
"Too slow," Dante taunted, disappearing into the shadows of the trees.
Haruki's eyes darted around, his senses on high alert. He remembered Dante's lessons about anticipation and staying calm under pressure. Closing his eyes for a moment, he focused on the faint sounds of movement.
There.
He spun just in time to parry an attack from behind, their daggers clashing with a metallic ring. Sparks flew as their blades locked, and Dante's smirk widened.
"Not bad," Dante said, pushing Haruki back with a sudden burst of strength.
Haruki stumbled but regained his footing quickly. He darted forward, feinting a strike to Dante's left before pivoting to aim for his right side. Dante sidestepped effortlessly, countering with a quick slash that Haruki barely avoided.
The fight continued, each strike and dodge a testament to their growing respect for one another. Haruki's movements became faster, his strikes more precise, but Dante's experience gave him the upper hand.
Finally, Haruki saw an opening. Dante's stance shifted slightly, leaving his left side vulnerable for a split second. Haruki seized the chance, lunging forward with all his speed.
But Dante anticipated the move, twisting at the last moment and tapping Haruki's shoulder with his dagger.
"Gotcha," Dante said, stepping back with a satisfied grin.
Haruki dropped to his knees, panting. "How… did you know?"
"You're predictable," Dante said. "You rely too much on brute force and instinct. The Lunar Blade isn't about overpowering your opponent—it's about outthinking them. But you've improved. I'll give you that."
Haruki grinned despite his exhaustion. "Thanks, I guess."
The Journey to Town
The next morning, Dante declared that they would visit the nearby town to resupply and allow Haruki some rest. The world is amazing. It's like an adventure, but the wooden houses the large buildings even though this world has no technology. It's still so great. The view was amazing. swere a stark contrast to the quiet wilderness they had been training in. Vendors shouted out their wares, children laughed as they played, and the scent of roasted meat filled the air.
As they explored, Haruki wandered off, his curiosity getting the better of him. Turning a corner, he spotted two older men cornering a younger child, shoving him against a wall.
Haruki's fists clenched as he stepped forward. The chapter ends.