"Ha..."
Heavy breathing echoed in the silence.
The air started to tremble. The aura around my body spiked. No—exploded.
Whoosh!
Mana surged toward my blade. Wait… what the hell? That's not just sword ki... it's forming something else.
Is that… an Imperfect Aura?
Somehow, while I was unconscious, my body managed to create a raw, incomplete version of real Aura. It wasn't perfect, but even an Imperfect Aura stood above sword ki by a mile.
My body moved on its own. The memories of the Heaven Slaying Arts stored in my mind... they surged forward like instinct.
SLASH!
My arm shot out with a stab aimed at the wolf's throat. The technique?
7th Form – Sky Piercing Stab.
The power behind it was insane—way stronger than if I had done it consciously—but the wolf's neck was still too tough. It didn't go in deep enough.
Did it not focus strength into just the arm like I usually do…?
No.
It pushed everything into the attack. Not just the arm. The whole body was flowing with magic and mana at once.
Then—
SLASH!
STAB!
THRUST!
It didn't stop.
My body kept going. One attack after another. Ruthless. Precise. Relentless. It used the Heaven Slaying Arts with no hesitation, no waste, no fear.
This wasn't me.
This was survival instinct turned into raw power.
The adrenaline coursing through it... this wasn't normal. Every strike got sharper. Every movement, faster.
It was using strength in ways I didn't even understand yet.
SLAM!!
The impact hit the edge of the mind realm.
This place... it looked exactly like my old training basement. That same closed-off underground space. Familiar. Claustrophobic.
The wolf couldn't keep up anymore.
It was bleeding. Fur shredded. One eye gone. Blood covered the floor. But my body… it just kept tearing into it. Like a predator playing with its food.
The predator had become prey.
And the prey?
Now it was the one pushing the tempo.
My body shifted its stance. Blade raised high. Still, calm. Waiting.
This pose...
Final Form – Divine Judgement.
The last technique of the Heaven Slaying Arts.
Then it moved.
"Ha..."
A deep, slow breath.
The next second, my body vanished.
SLASH!
A vertical cut split the wolf straight down.
SLASH!
A horizontal strike took its head clean off.
STAB!
The final blow—a stab straight into its skull. No resistance. No hesitation.
The wolf collapsed.
Its blood soaked the floor of the mind realm. My blade dropped from my fingers, clanging softly.
My body dropped to its knees… then collapsed completely.
Its job was done.
It fought when I couldn't. Protected itself. Bought us time.
Now, finally, it rested.
---
[Back in the Real World...]
"NGAHH!"
I shot up, eyes wide. Legs still crossed. Sweat pouring down my face.
"Damn it!"
I slammed my fist onto the cold stone floor.
Thud. Thud. THUD.
Even when my knuckles bled, I didn't stop.
"How the hell am I supposed to reach my old level if I can't even BREAKTHROUGH?!"
My voice cracked. My breath was shaking.
I clenched my fists, blood smearing against my palms.
"It's just so fucking unfair…" I whispered, voice hoarse.
"How do they expect me to beat that thing?" I muttered again, teeth gritted.
I wasn't just angry.
I was tired.
I was desperate.
I couldn't even reach Sword Enthusiast. That's supposed to be the beginner tier for serious sword users.
How the hell could I even get to where I used to be if I can't break this wall?
I sat there in silence.
"Damn it..."
I lowered my head, fists still clenched.
I couldn't believe it... I was scared.
Scared of that little bastard wolf.
I wiped the sweat from my eyes, focusing inward.
"Wait…" I said out loud.
My mana.
Something's wrong.
No—something's different.
I stood up. Wobbly at first.
"What the hell…?"
I focused, spreading my senses across my body.
I could feel it.
The mana flow—it wasn't clogged anymore.
The internal circulation that had been stuck for so long… it moved.
I broke through.
"What…? I thought I lost?" I mumbled, completely lost.
Wasn't that a failure?
How did I… win?
I sat back down again. Crossed my legs. Took a deep breath.
'What the hell did I even see in there...?'
Mana gathered into my veins once more.
Tch—hot...
The energy burning through me made me flinch. I focused harder. Let it seep into my flesh. Bones. Muscles.
"Ngh… what is this?"
Something was happening.
No.
Something had changed.
---
End of Chapter
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