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Chapter 4 - Chapter 4 – Preparation, Start of the Rise

After walking for what felt like hours, Raindirk finally reached his destination — the Awakeners' Hall.

The massive glass-and-stone building gleamed under the pale glow of mana lamps, towering like a cathedral for warriors. Inside, awakeners of all ranks came and went, their confident steps echoing against the marble floor. The air carried a faint metallic scent — the smell of steel, sweat, and dreams.

Raindirk, dressed in his ragged clothes, drew more than a few stares as he entered. He ignored them and walked straight to the front desk.

"I'd like to register as an independent hunter," he said, his tone steady despite his exhaustion. "I just awakened. Can you help me?"

The receptionist, a young woman with short auburn hair and a professional smile, nodded politely. "Of course, sir. May I have your name and registration code?"

Raindirk provided both, and after a few moments of tapping on her holo-screen, she looked up again.

"All right, Mr. Raindirk. Your registration is complete. As a new member, you're eligible for the Beginner Hunter Subsidy. You may choose one of two benefits." She lifted two fingers neatly. "First option: a basic combat technique of your choice, plus forty-eight hours of free use of our training rooms. Second option: a forty-percent discount on your first purchase of equipment or potions at Tier 1."

Raindirk didn't even hesitate. "I'll take the first one."

His empty pockets made the decision for him. The receptionist nodded, almost as if she had expected it.

"Understood. There are five available basic techniques to choose from: the Basic Sword Art, Basic Spear Art, Basic Bow Art, Basic Movement Art, and Basic Fist Art."

Raindirk couldn't help but let out a faint laugh under his breath. I don't even have a weapon, he thought bitterly. I'm really poor.

"I'll take the Fist Art," he said finally.

"Very well," the receptionist replied, handing him a thin, transparent chip roughly the size of his thumb. "Insert this chip into the slot beside your training room door. You'll have forty-eight hours of free use. After that, you'll be charged per hour."

She pointed toward the stairway that led to the upper floors. Raindirk bowed slightly in thanks and headed up without delay.

The training floor was quieter, lined with dozens of reinforced glass rooms glowing with faint blue runes. He found one marked Room 24, slid the chip into the socket, and stepped inside.

The room was small but spotless — padded floor, metal walls lined with energy conduits, and a faint hum of machinery that filled the air. The moment the chip clicked into place, a soft light shimmered, and a holographic projection appeared before him.

It was a burly man with silver hair and arms like steel cables. His expression was calm but stern.

"Welcome, trainee," the hologram said in a deep, measured tone. "I am the AI Instructor for the Basic Fist Art. All commands are voice-activated. You may begin the demonstration, request corrections, or ask for guidance at any time."

Raindirk's eyes widened slightly. "An AI instructor… this is handy," he muttered. For someone who grew up on the fringes of society, this level of technology still felt unreal.

"Let's start," he said quickly, eager to begin.

"Confirmed," the AI replied.

The hologram stepped into a combat stance, every motion smooth and deliberate. It began demonstrating the forms — the correct way to shift weight, tighten the core, and release a punch that used the whole body instead of just the arm. Raindirk watched with complete focus, his eyes tracing every detail before mimicking the movements himself.

At first, he stumbled. His footing was uneven, and his punches lacked rhythm. But he kept going. Every repetition felt easier than the last, his muscles adapting almost unnaturally fast.

Half an hour later, just as he wiped sweat from his brow, a faint panel appeared in front of him.

Self-training: Basic Fist Art detected.

Skill learned.

Basic Fist Mastery (Lv.1) – 20%

Raindirk froze, panting hard. Then, warmth spread through his body like liquid fire. He felt the knowledge settle into his bones — the proper stance, the tension points, the flow of force. It was as though his body itself remembered.

"Basic Fist Mastery…" he whispered, tapping the panel mentally to open its description.

Basic Fist Mastery (Lv.1)

When using punches as an attack method, damage output increases by 10%.

A grin spread across his face. "So it's true… I can grow stronger through training alone."

Excitement surged through him. He clenched his fists again, this time feeling the faint tingle of mana reinforcing his muscles.

"Who says auxiliary abilities are weak?" he laughed quietly, the exhaustion momentarily forgotten. "If I can train like this… I'll make my own path."

He resumed training, repeating the movements with renewed vigor. Each strike was sharper, each breath deeper. He was no longer just imitating the AI — he was learning.

Time blurred. Minutes turned to hours. Sweat drenched his clothes, but his determination never faltered. Every punch carried the weight of his frustration, his dreams, and his vow.

At some point, the system flashed again.

Self-training detected.

Skill: Basic Fist Mastery increased.

Basic Fist Mastery (Lv.2) – 10%

Raindirk slumped to his knees, panting heavily. His stomach growled loudly, and his arms trembled from fatigue.

"I… need to eat," he muttered.

"Understood," said the AI calmly. "Your provisions will arrive shortly."

Raindirk blinked in confusion. "Huh? What do you mean?"

"The training rooms include food provision service," the AI explained. "This ensures users can focus entirely on their sessions. However, please note that the meals are basic nutritional class. You may upgrade to a higher tier or decline the service at any time."

A soft ding sounded. A section of the wall slid open, revealing a tray that extended outward automatically. On it sat a simple meal — grilled meat, a few fruits, and a glass of water.

The smell hit him immediately, rich and savory. His eyes widened. It wasn't anything luxurious, but compared to the scraps he was used to scavenging, it was heaven.

He sat cross-legged on the floor and took the first bite. The warmth of the food spread through his chest like a comforting fire.

"This…" he whispered, a small, rare smile forming on his lips, "might be one of the best things that's happened to me today."

For a moment, all the exhaustion, pain, and loneliness faded away. The quiet hum of the room, the faint light of the hologram, and the taste of warm food created a fragile peace — a small reward for enduring everything he had so far.

He exhaled slowly and leaned against the wall, letting the moment sink in.

Tomorrow, he would go to the wilderness. Tomorrow, his real journey would begin.

But for tonight, for the first time in years, Raindirk allowed himself to rest — not as a starving orphan, but as an awakener on the path of his rise.

 

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