Gwen wasn't offended by my words that were almost like a critique.
He recognized my skills and judgnt from what we had been through.
That's why he was willing to seriously consider what I had to say.
"It's the strength adapted to your poor equipnt. You had to fight without proper armor, shields, or weapons, so you adapted to that."
"Umm, indeed. But we had no choice."
"Of course. But things need to change from now on. You need to get used to a new way of fighting. I'll ensure each of you is fully ard to the level of knights."
"Knights?"
"Didn't I ntion it earlier? Full body armor, helts, shields, spears and swords, bows and arrows, and all other necessary military equipnt. Isn't that enough to arm you to the level of knights?"
"My goodness... You're going to supply each of us with all that? I had no idea you were talking about that much..."
Gwen's eyes widened. He hadn't expected the items I ntioned to be of such quantity.
But I disliked half-asures.
If we're doing it, it has to be done properly.
What I wanted was for each of them to be a strong soldier, fully ard.
If things go as I plan, their power will be a trendous force when we descend to the lower floors.
I could already imagine the surprised faces of the creatures on the 11th floor, which almost made laugh.
"So, please train them anew to suit that. I believe you're fully capable."
Of course, it was possible.
Gwen wasn't just anybody; he was a forr knight of the kingdom. He knew proper training thods.
"Leave it to . I'll make them into the elite of the elite."
A fla of determination ignited in Gwen's eyes. He knew better than anyone that strength here was directly linked to survival.
"Then prepare thoroughly. And when you judge that the preparations are complete, co down with us. Wouldn't that be the best course of action?"
"I agree."
"Then I'll leave it to you. We've said all we need to, so we'll be going now."
The elevator ascended.
"Did you really say you'd help them get ard to the level of knights?" Kamian asked. It seems he overheard my conversation with Gwen.
"Of course, it's true. Do I look like soone who speaks lightly?"
"That's not it. But I thought it might be a burden for you, senior, considering the extent of it."
"What's this? You're worrying about ?" I chuckled.
Indeed, properly arming dozens of people wouldn't be a light expense, even for .
But I've always had a principle since the real world: never skimp on spending where it's truly needed.
I knew from experience that it was the wise choice.
Besides, 'I managed to get 100,000 gold from the family ho, so what's the problem?'
The bold 100,000 gold I obtained from my father. I still had more than enough money to spend.
"It's not worry, just common sense..."
"Ah, don't worry about it. Do I look like soone who would make a losing choice?"
The elevator arrived with a jolt.
"I understand. You're definitely not that kind of person, senior."
"You know it well."
I grinned and opened the door to the elevator.
The familiar forest scenery greeted us, but the armored Giant was nowhere to be seen. He wasn't absent, just choosing not to show himself. He probably didn't feel the need to pay attention to a visitor he had already seen.
"He's not here." Annette murmured, seemingly relieved.
"He's definitely around sowhere."
"Really?"
Annette's eyes wavered.
"Don't worry unnecessarily. That human said he'd kill us if we revealed anything. As long as we don't blab, we're safe."
"But still..."
"Don't fret, let's head back. And you all did great today."
"Senior, you were really amazing today. Really, really." Annette seed deeply impressed by my actions, repeating 'really' three tis.
I smirked.
"And you, junior Annette, were incredibly amazing. Could we have dealt with the undead so easily without your Song of Healing?"
"That's because you taught ..."
"Ah, that's just talk. You're the one who made it happen."
"? But I didn't..."
"You did well."
I lightly patted Annette's shoulder, praising her. She blushed, perhaps embarrassed.
"But, senior." Kamian, who had been watching, spoke up.
"Hm? What is it?"
"You used a sword technique I haven't seen before."
"Oh, that. I learned sothing new."
"You're getting stronger."
Kamian's voice carried a mix of emotions as he spoke.
"Of course. There's nothing worse than stagnation, right?"
"You've beco stronger than when you first started, too."
"Really...?"
Kamian looked unsure, his confidence likely shaken by his past performance.
"I don't give empty praise. You've definitely beco stronger, thanks to real combat experience."
"Combat experience?"
"Think about it. Could you have fought like you did today a few months ago?"
"That would have been impossible."
Kamian seed to start acknowledging his own growth. After all, he would be the one to feel it most clearly.
"Yes, you've beco stronger. But it's not all about experience. You need to rebuild your basics."
"I felt that myself. Right there on the spot."
The last duel with Turk at the swordsmanship hall. He had felt sothing from it and imdiately asked Turk for instruction. The guy had thoughts befitting a protagonist.
"Good, that's the way. Are you practicing the Imperial style 8 every day?"
"Every day, diligently."
"Keep at it, and you'll find sothing. I guarantee it."
"I'll take your advice to heart." Kamian responded earnestly. By now, he must trust completely when it cos to becoming stronger.
After all, I've been showing him exactly what it looks like to grow in strength.
"Do well. Don't hold back."
"Ha, there's no way I will..."
Provocation always worked better on him than encouragent. It was fun, though.
"Let's stop chatting and go. It's getting dark."
***
Godwin's House.
"You've already finished?" Godwin looked at with disbelief.
He had given two tasks, and considering one of them involved actual combat, he thought it was impossible for to have finished so soon.
"That's right. If you don't believe , test ."
I said, tilting my head. Since I had surpassed the level of task completion, it was natural for to be confident.
"Hmm, of course, I'll have to test you."
Godwin scoffed and drew his sword. It was a lethal executioner's sword.
"I'll strike you with my sword right now. If you want to live, block it."
He ant to strike with the Executioner's Strike.
The opponent was Godwin. He was not a man to show rcy in his hands.
It ant a mont of carelessness could cost my life.
However, I was overflowing with confidence.
I even turned my back to him as I spoke.
"Go ahead."
Showing one's back to soone with a sword? There was no more defenseless posture than that.
Therefore, deliberately adopting such a posture was tantamount to mocking the opponent. It was as good as saying, "I can handle you in this posture."
"Have you ever seen such a madman?" Cold anger could be felt in Godwin's voice.
Though I couldn't see his face, he was undoubtedly glaring at with a fierce look.
"Can't you see I'm prepared?"
My hands were tightly gripping the sword, ready to counter with the Executioner's Strike at any mont.
To be precise, it was the evolved strike.
Since there were no blind spots, I could counter from behind at any ti.
But Godwin didn't know that, so his anger was sowhat understandable.
"Fine. Let's see if you're prepared or just fooling around."
Bang!
A powerful stomp.
Whoosh!
Simultaneously, I felt Godwin's sword cutting through the air towards .
My body reflexively responded. It was the result of training and real combat.
A single turn.
And imdiately transitioning to an upward slash.
Boom!
The collision sound was unimaginable for a clash of swords. It was the result of the shock from the Executioner's Strikes colliding.
From my hand to my arm, I felt a tingling sensation.
The strong pressure made it seem like my whole body would stagger.
However, I clenched my teeth and stood my ground without retreating.
Eventually, we stopped in a standoff, swords clashing.
"You blocked it?" Godwin muttered in disbelief.
He knew the technique he had taught better than anyone.
That it was impossible to turn around and execute the technique in an instant.
"Any problem?" I said, grinning.
Godwin frowned and withdrew his sword.
"No, no problem. It was a good strike."
"Thanks for the complint."
"But."
"But?"
"That wasn't the technique I taught you."
"I made so improvents on my own. It seed useful."
"Hmph, you're not an ordinary guy."
Godwin gave a aningful snort and continued.
"If you've learned everything, hand over the dicine and get lost."
"Co on. We're not just any acquaintances, are we? Saying sothing so heartless? Of course, I'll give you the dicine."
I took out the dicine pouch and tossed it to Godwin.
Thud.
Godwin caught the dicine pouch.
"Don't expect a thank you."
"Ah, that's not enough."
"You're changing your tune now?"
"Would I do that? It's just that we have a good relationship, so I thought you could do another favor."
I pressed on, knowing full well.
Godwin was subtly feeling indebted.
His ntal illness, which no place in the world could find a cure for.
, bringing him the miraculous dicine that could cure him.
He subtly felt that the value of the dicine and the technique he taught were not equivalent.
That's why, despite his outward appearance, he was feeling uneasy inside.
Knowing his true feelings, I boldly asked for a favor.
"One is not enough."
Godwin wasn't a character to be discarded after learning just one sword technique.
He had more value to be utilized.
Having learned the Strong Sword, the next was the Illusory Sword.
He was the character who could help learn that Illusory Sword technique.
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