Chapter 7: Training Part 2
'Status.'
Status:
Name: Francisco 'Chico' Sol
Race: Human
Current Tickets: None
/Abilities\
-Active (1/2)-
Conditioning
Storage: Weather, Masochist Soul, Lightning Spear, Light Shield
/Items\
None equipped
Storage: Demon King's Daggers
/Skills\
Intermediate Hand to Hand Combat
/Traits\
Elite - Leaf Clover
Common - Charming Smile
Common - Animal Lover
Common - Flexible
/Familiars\
None summoned
Rare - Mimic
"Lets slot in Masochist Soul, as well."
/Abilities\
-Active (2/2)-
Rare - Conditioning
Rare - Masochist Soul
'Heh, the synergy is going to go crazy.'
Chico had just come from a week-long training montage, and while he was happy with his current changes…he could do even better now.
And so it was decided, the grind wouldn't stop, though now he wouldn't have to go until his bones cried out in anguish, thankfully-
New quest: The grind NEVER stops
Description: Continue the grind. Push past your limits. Train more efficiently than ever before.
Duration: 7 days
Reward: Silver Trait Gatcha Ticket.
[Hidden objective: ??]
*Hint Hint* There was once a man who trained so hard…he became bald.
'Welp…there goes that plan.'
'Trained so hard that he became…bald…?'
Chico's eyes widened, he recognized the unspoken words from the hidden objective.
"One Punch Man."
I mean…it has to be. Right?
It's quite the workout regimen, especially for a falnaless human. But with these two abilities by my side…it might just be a piece of cake. He would do it. And he would conquer it.
"Well then…let's get started."
——————————————————————
The grind had begun again.
With Masochist Soul and Conditioning active, Chico dove headfirst into the absurd routine: 100 push-ups, 100 sit-ups, 100 squats, and a 10-kilometer run. Every. Single. Day.
Day 1 was rough. The workout felt endless, sweat dripping, lungs burning. But when he woke the next morning, the pain was dulled, his body already recovering. The synergy of his abilities kicked in hard—just as he expected.
By Day 3, the rhythm had set in. Wake up, train, run, recover, repeat. He checked in at the Guild around midday, mostly to log his presence…but more truthfully, to see Ariel.
She was always there, smiling lightly when she saw him. Their conversations were never long, but they were easy—warm. He asked about her day, she teased him about his soreness. On the third visit, she even handed him a cold cloth with a chuckle. "Don't die out there, Chico-san."
Every other day, he met up with Cole.
"You're serious about training with a blade now?" Cole asked on Day 2, after Chico requested training.
"I want to get good," Chico said. "I don't want to fumble again."
Every other day, Chico met up with Cole for sword training.
They started simple—stances, swings, balance. Chico still moved more like a brawler than a swordsman, but he was eager, and Cole was patient.
On the second session, Cole began with a different lesson.
"Here is a lesson for you," Cole said, drawing his own blade with a smooth flourish. "There are many different kinds of blades—and each serves a different purpose. Learn that, and you'll start to see the weapon not just as a tool, but as an extension of how you fight."
He gestured to his sword. "This? Standard longsword. Balanced. Good for slashing, thrusting, defending. Works in most situations."
Then, he pointed at Chico's daggers. "Yours, though? Shorter. Serrated. Lethal in close quarters. You don't swing them like a sword—you dance around the edge. Feint. Evade. Strike when the opening shows."
Chico nodded, listening intently.
"Your blades aren't about brute strength," Cole continued. "They're about precision. Speed. You use them to punish mistakes. Get in, hit hard, and move before they can touch you."
They trained with that principle in mind. Cole taught him how to flow—how to shift weight between steps, how to pivot instead of block, how to strike from unexpected angles.
"You're not trying to overpower your opponent," Cole said during one sparring round. "You're trying to outthink them. Stay close, but not committed. Make them miss. Then finish it."
Chico struggled at first. His instincts screamed to press in, to brawl. But he began to understand. Each time he dodged cleanly, each time his blade came close to landing a real hit—he saw the style forming.
A different kind of warrior.
"You're not swinging a sword like me," Cole said near the end of their session. "You're wielding fangs. Keep that in mind."
Chico nodded again, more confident this time. "Got it. Dance, bite, vanish."
Cole gave a grin. "Now you're getting it."
And so, the sword training continued. They sparred lightly. Chico picked up bruises, sure, but he was learning.
Day 4. Guild check-in. Ariel noticed the faint welt on his arm and gave him a sly look. "Let me guess…more training?"
Chico nodded. "Yeah, from Cole-san himself, been training with some daggers."
She laughed gently. "Well, you look like your improving."
By Day 5, Chico's body felt stronger. The soreness didn't last. His runs became faster. His forms, tighter. Even Cole admitted, "You're improving steadily. Some take years to master a single blade, but you have some talent."
Sword training continued on Day 6. This time, Cole pushed a little harder, testing Chico's reactions and counters. He didn't win, but he didn't embarrass himself either.
Afterward, they shared a moment leaning on a fence post, catching their breath.
"Tell me Chico-san, why are you training so hard." Cole said.
Chico was silent for a moment, thoughtful. "I want to be stronger, I want to be able to protect myself."
"But why? Knowing what you truly want can be important for your goals."
Chico went silent again. "What I truly want…huh." It's been about two weeks since he was transported here, and yet…he didn't know what he truly wanted. Not yet at least.
"It's alright to not know what you want. I'm sure you'll find out soon enough." Cole gave him a pat on Chico's shoulder, their training session coming to an end.
That evening, back at the Guild, Ariel caught him lingering a bit longer near the counter. "So, what's next, Mr. Adventurer?" she asked.
He shrugged. "Finish this week strong. Then maybe… some much needed rest."
She smiled. "Good, remember Chico-san, we're only human."
"Yeah." Chico replied with a smile.
Day 7 arrived like thunder. The final set. Chico gritted his teeth, powered through the last round of his training—push-ups, sit-ups, squats, and the final 10K. He ran harder than before, faster, driven by something deep.
That night, drenched in sweat but feeling unstoppable, he stared at the ceiling of his room at the inn, heart thudding calmly.
He had made it.
He had pushed past his limits.
Now time to seep the rewards.
'Gatcha?'
Feat achieved! Complete The Grind NEVER Stops
Description: Complete 7 days of training with Conditioning and Masochist Soul active
Hidden objective completed: Train like the strongest!
Description: Train like the strongest part time hero, but be warned, continuing this training regimen could make you go bald…or will it?
Rewards: Silver Trait Gatcha Ticket, 7 Random Bronze Gatcha Tickets
Oh.My.Gatcha,
8 total Gatcha…
LET'S ROLL THEM BABY.
'Roll all Gatcha.'
Kakyoin's Gift (2.5 Rarity, 0.83% odds)-Uncommon Trait-
Married women and milfs find themselves more attracted to you and consider you a potential romantic interest more easily.
&
Four Arms (1.7 Rarity, 0.76% odds)-Common Ability-
Allows you to manifest another set of arms in addition to your current ones. The second set of arms is as easy to control as the first pair.
&
Wooloo (1.5 Rarity, 4.1% odds)-Common Familiar-
Pokemon - Wooloo is the sheep Pokemon, which means it is a supernaturally cute and strong sheep with super luxurious wool that grows back entirely within 5 days compared to the average Wooloo. Despite being a powerful beast it has no combat instincts or skill so don't expect combat from it.
&
Charming Smile (1.3 Rarity, 3.2% odds)-Common Trait-
Your smile is really charming, helping people feel more at ease and comfortable with you. Or more attractive to women.
&
Intermediate Blacksmithing (2 Rarity, 1.59% odds)-Uncommon Skill-
You are experienced enough in blacksmithing to be called a real blacksmith. You know how to forge weapons, armour and various tools that are of decent quality, enough that a warrior would use them without apprehension.
&
The Straw Hat (0.7 Rarity, 1.1% odds)-Trash Item-
One Piece - Holds a lot of sentimental value to a certain sun god but not much material value.
&
Novice Shooting (1.6 Rarity, 2.77% odds)-Common Skill-
You know how to handle firearms, you are no marksman but you are as good as the average soldier at aiming and shooting projectiles. You will however improve much faster than other people if you choose to train yourself.
&
Animal Lover (1.9 Rarity, 1.39% odds)-Common Trait-
All mundane animals like you, and non-mundane ones like you more easily.
"What the…"
Chapter 7 End