CHAPTER 17 - Awakening
Darkness.
Not the comforting darkness of sleep, but something deeper. Heavier. Like being submerged in water too thick to swim through.
Chris floated in that darkness, aware but not conscious, existing but not living.
Voices filtered through—muffled, distant, urgent.
"—his heart stopped—"
"—again, Brother Aldwin—"
"—too much blood—"
"—don't you dare die on me—"
Light flared somewhere beyond the darkness. Warm. Golden. It felt like hands reaching into the void, grabbing him, pulling him back toward something he wasn't sure he wanted to return to.
Pain exploded through his chest.
His back arched, body convulsing as his heart remembered how to beat. Air rushed into lungs that had forgotten how to breathe.
"He's back!" Aldwin's voice, strained and desperate. "Third time—he's back!"
Chris gasped, eyes snapping open.
Canvas stretched above him, swaying gently. The interior of a cart. He was moving. When had they started moving?
Faces appeared in his vision—Aldwin's gentle features tight with exhaustion, Iris's green eyes wide with barely-controlled fear, Lyra's dark gaze carrying something Chris had never seen there before.
Gratitude. And guilt.
"Don't—" Aldwin's hand pressed against Chris's chest as he tried to sit up. "Don't move. Your body is barely holding together. I've burned through half my mana keeping you alive, and I'm not letting you undo my work by doing something stupid like sitting up."
"How long?" Chris managed, his voice coming out as a rasp.
"Twenty minutes since you collapsed," Iris said, her usual cheerfulness completely absent. "You died. Three times. Your heart just... stopped. Each time, Aldwin brought you back, but—"
She didn't finish. Didn't need to.
"The field collapsed when you killed the last one," Lyra said quietly, her whisper-soft voice somehow making the words more significant. "I got out. Got to you. You were just lying there in your own blood, still gripping that sword like you'd forgotten how to let go."
Chris tried to process that. He'd died. Three times.
"The others?" he asked.
"We're clear of Thornhaven," Marcus's gravel voice came from somewhere outside the cart. "Village is still corrupted, but we extracted with the intelligence we came for. Mission success, despite your best efforts to turn it into a suicide run."
There was something in Marcus's tone that wasn't quite anger. Wasn't quite approval either. Just... acknowledgment.
"I need to—" Chris tried again to sit up.
"No." Aldwin's gentle voice carried absolute authority. "You need to lie still and let my healing magic work. You have seventeen separate lacerations, three cracked ribs, severe muscle damage in your right leg, and internal bleeding I'm still trying to stop. Moving will only make it worse."
Golden light pulsed from Aldwin's hands, washing over Chris in waves. Each pulse brought warmth and a strange tingling sensation as flesh knit itself back together, bones realigned, internal damage slowly repaired.
But it was slow. So slow.
"How bad?" Chris asked.
Aldwin's expression was grim. "Bad enough that if we were more than an hour from Rendercity, you probably wouldn't make it. As it is, I'm running out of mana faster than I'm comfortable with."
"Then save it. I can—"
"You can do nothing except lie still and let me work," Aldwin interrupted, his gentle voice carrying an edge now. "You threw yourself into an anti-magic field to fight four corrupted creatures alone while already injured from the ritual hall. You pushed your body past every reasonable limit. The only reason you're alive is because Lyra got you out of that field fast enough for my magic to work."
Chris looked at Lyra. She met his eyes, then looked away.
"Don't," she said quietly. "Don't thank me. You saved my life in there. I just... returned the favor."
"Still—"
"No." Lyra's voice was firm. "We're even. That's all there is to it."
But the way she said it, the way she wouldn't quite meet his eyes, suggested it wasn't that simple.
"Rest, Chris," Iris said, her hand finding his and squeezing gently. "We'll be back in Rendercity soon. Aldwin can finish healing you properly there, and then we can all collapse for about three days straight."
Chris wanted to argue. Wanted to ask more questions. Wanted to understand what had happened after he'd blacked out.
But exhaustion pulled at him like a physical weight, and Aldwin's healing magic was making his entire body feel heavy and warm.
His eyes drifted closed despite his best efforts to keep them open.
"Sleep," Aldwin said gently. "I'll keep you alive. That's my job."
Chris fell into darkness again.
But this time, it was just sleep.
---
When consciousness returned the second time, it came more gently.
Chris opened his eyes to find afternoon sunlight filtering through gaps in the canvas. The cart had stopped. Voices drifted from outside—Marcus giving orders, Iris responding with something that might have been sarcasm, Lyra's quiet whisper adding tactical observations.
His body still hurt, but it was a distant ache rather than the screaming agony from before. Aldwin's magic had done its work.
"Master," the System's voice slid into his thoughts, warm with something that might have been relief. "You are awake. Excellent. Your vital signs have stabilized significantly."
"Status?" Chris thought back.
[Physical Status:
HP: 43/100
Stamina: 18%
Major injuries healed, minor damage remains
Estimated recovery time: 3-4 days for full combat readiness]
"Better than I expected."
[Brother Aldwin is exceptionally skilled. He burned through approximately 80% of his mana reserves keeping you alive during the journey back to Rendercity. I recommend expressing gratitude when you see him next.]
"I will."
Chris sat up slowly, testing his body. Everything protested, but nothing screamed. Progress.
The canvas flap opened, and Iris poked her head in.
"Oh good, you're awake. Again. And staying awake this time, hopefully?" She climbed into the cart fully. "We're back in Rendercity. Just outside the guild. Marcus wants everyone present for the debrief, but Aldwin said you needed at least another hour before moving."
"I can move," Chris said, testing his legs.
"You really can't take advice, can you?" Iris shook her head. "Fine. But if you collapse again, I'm not catching you. You're heavier than you look."
"Gee, thanks."
"Just stating facts." She offered him a hand. "Come on. Let's get this debrief over with so we can all collapse properly."
Chris took her hand and let her help him out of the cart.
Rendercity's streets stretched around them—normal, safe, blessedly free of corruption. The late afternoon sun painted everything in warm gold. Citizens went about their business, completely unaware that a demon's ritual circle was tightening around their city.
The team stood in a loose circle near the guild entrance. Marcus in his dented armor. Lyra favoring her left leg slightly. Aldwin looking more exhausted than Chris had ever seen him.
All of them alive.
"Can you walk?" Marcus asked.
Chris tested his weight. Everything held. Barely, but it held.
"Yeah. I can walk."
"Good. Guild Master wants a debrief immediately." Marcus gestured toward the Adventurer's Guild. "We report, we rest, and tomorrow we figure out our next move."
They walked through Rendercity's streets together, drawing stares from citizens who recognized the signs of a team returning from serious combat. Whispers followed them.
Chris ignored the attention, focusing on putting one foot in front of the other.
The guild's interior was crowded, but a path cleared when Marcus led them through. The tired receptionist looked up, saw their condition, and simply pointed toward the stairs.
"Second floor. He's expecting you."
They climbed in silence.
Guild Master Aldric waited in the conference room, hands clasped behind his back, looking out over the city.
"Report," he said without turning.
Marcus delivered the debrief with military efficiency—Thornhaven's complete corruption, the active ritual site, the map showing all twenty-four locations, the summoned creatures, the anti-magic field, their extraction.
He didn't mention the specifics of Chris's charge into the dead zone. Kept it tactical, professional.
When Marcus finished, Aldric finally turned to face them.
"You confirmed the ritual is active and part of a larger pattern. You retrieved intelligence about the circle's full scope. You all survived." His sharp eyes swept across each member. "Acceptable outcome."
"Acceptable?" Iris couldn't keep the disbelief from her voice. "We nearly died in there."
"Yes," Aldric agreed calmly. "Which is why retreating instead of dying was correct. Dead heroes don't stop invasions. Living adventurers with intelligence do."
He moved to the wall map, adding a notation to Thornhaven's position.
"Your information confirms our worst fears. The circle is nearly complete—twenty-four active sites, all feeding power toward some central purpose. But we have time, and we have knowledge."
"How much time?" Marcus asked.
"Ten days. Possibly twelve." Aldric's expression was grim. "After that, whatever The Pale Man has been preparing will activate."
Ten days.
The weight settled over the room like a burial shroud.
"What's our next move?" Lyra whispered.
"For you? Rest. Recover." Aldric pulled out a stack of coins—silver, not copper. "Payment for a successfully completed investigation. Hazard bonus included."
He distributed payment—twenty silver coins each. More money than Chris had seen since arriving in this world.
"Take three days minimum," Aldric continued. "Rest, resupply, heal properly. After that, we'll assemble strike teams to begin systematic purification of the ritual sites."
"I'm in," Marcus said without hesitation.
"As am I," Aldwin added.
Lyra simply nodded.
Iris looked at Chris. "Where you go, I go."
All eyes turned to Chris.
He thought about everything that had brought him here. The truck. The god. The shadow powers. The training. Lyra's life saved.
Ten days until The Pale Man's plan completed.
Chris had spent his first life being invisible, powerless, irrelevant.
He'd spent his second life becoming strong enough to matter.
The choice wasn't really a choice.
"I'm in," Chris said.
Aldric nodded. "Good. You're all dismissed. Report back in three days for tactical briefing."
They filed out.
In the hallway, Marcus stopped them. "Drinks tonight. The Copper Coin. We celebrate not dying."
It wasn't a request.
"Sounds good," Iris said.
Lyra nodded.
Aldwin smiled gently. "I don't drink, but I'll join for the company."
Chris agreed despite exhaustion pulling at him.
They parted in the common room, each heading to their own lodgings with promises to meet that evening.
Chris made his way through Rendercity toward The Copper Coin, body on autopilot while his mind processed everything.
The innkeeper looked up as he entered, her tired expression showing a flicker of surprise.
"You're back. And alive. Color me impressed."
"I try."
"Your room's waiting. Changed the sheets while you were gone." She slid a key across the bar. "You look like death. Get some rest before you fall over in my common room. I just mopped."
Chris took the key and climbed the stairs.
His room looked exactly as he'd left it—small, simple, clean.
Home.
He dropped onto the bed without removing his boots.
Twenty silver coins richer. A team that had survived the impossible.
And ten days until everything might end.
[Master,] the System said quietly. [You should rest properly.]
"In a minute."
[You have been saying that for several minutes now.]
Chris forced himself to sit up, began removing his battered armor piece by piece.
Finally down to basic clothes, he lay back properly.
"System," he said quietly. "The milestone. I completed it, right?"
[Yes, Master. However, full title integration was delayed due to your critical condition. I can complete it now, though I recommend waiting until you've rested.]
"What's the difference?"
[The Blade Adept title includes access to what I can only describe as a combat knowledge archive. The integration process will be intense. Your mind will need to process significant information. In your current state, it may be overwhelming.]
"How intense?"
[I will be transferring complete understanding of thirty-two fundamental sword techniques directly into your consciousness and muscle memory. It is comparable to having decades of practice compressed into moments. You will know these techniques as if you've trained them for years. But the initial integration will be mentally and physically taxing.]
Chris considered. He could wait, play it safe.
Or he could do what he'd been doing—push forward, accept the pain, become stronger.
"Do it," he decided.
[Master, I must advise caution—]
"I know. Do it anyway. I'd rather integrate now than wait."
The System was silent, then: [Very well. But first, you should see what else has changed. You have accumulated significant experience from recent combat.]
A screen materialized before Chris's eyes.
╔═══════════════════════════════════════════╗
║ EXPERIENCE GAINED ║
╠═══════════════════════════════════════════╣
║ ║
║ Goblin eliminations (Ch 11): 50 XP ║
║ Bandit elimination (Ch 12): 75 XP ║
║ Dire wolf pack (Ch 13): 200 XP ║
║ Path of the Blade milestones: 400 XP ║
║ Thornhaven mission: 300 XP ║
║ ║
║ TOTAL XP ACCUMULATED: 1,025 ║
║ ║
╚═══════════════════════════════════════════╝
Chris stared at the number. Over a thousand experience points.
"What can I do with this?"
[XP can be allocated to several growth paths, Master. Allow me to explain the system.]
Another screen appeared.
╔═══════════════════════════════════════════╗
║ XP ALLOCATION OPTIONS ║
╠═══════════════════════════════════════════╣
║ ║
║ SKILL RANK UPS: ║
║ F → E rank: 100 XP ║
║ E → D rank: 200 XP ║
║ D → C rank: 400 XP ║
║ (Cost doubles each rank) ║
║ ║
║ STAT IMPROVEMENTS: ║
║ Level 1→2: 1 XP ║
║ Level 2→3: 3 XP ║
║ Level 3→4: 5 XP ║
║ Level 4→5: 7 XP ║
║ Level 5→6: 10 XP ║
║ Level 6→7: 15 XP ║
║ Level 7→8: 20 XP ║
║ Level 8→9: 30 XP ║
║ Level 9→10: 50 XP ║
║ (Total to max one stat: 141 XP) ║
║ ║
║ NEW SKILL UNLOCKS: ║
║ Basic skills: 150 XP ║
║ Advanced skills: 300+ XP ║
║ ║
╚═══════════════════════════════════════════╝
"Show me my current stats," Chris said.
[Displaying current status.]
╔═══════════════════════════════════════════╗
║ Name: Chris ║
║ Level: 1 ║
║ Title: Shadow Young Lord ║
║ Rank: E ║
║ HP: 43/100 ║
║ MP: 50/50 ║
║ XP: 1,025 ║
╠═══════════════════════════════════════════╣
║ STATS: (Scale 1-10) ║
║ Strength: 3 ║
║ Agility: 4 ║
║ Endurance: 5 ║
║ Vitality: 4 ║
║ Intelligence: 6 ║
║ Charisma: 4 ║
╠═══════════════════════════════════════════╣
║ Shadow Skills: ║
║ - Shadow Control (F) ║
║ - Blink (F) ║
║ - Shadow Rise (F) ║
║ - Shadow Sense (F) ║
╠═══════════════════════════════════════════╣
║ Sword Skills: ║
║ - Precision Strike (F) [Passive] ║
║ - Piercing Thrust (F) [Active] ║
║ - Rapid Strike (F) [Active] ║
╠═══════════════════════════════════════════╣
║ Servants: 1/1 ║
║ - Scout (Shadow Goblin) - F rank ║
╠═══════════════════════════════════════════╣
║ Path of the Blade: COMPLETE ║
║ Pending: Blade Adept title integration ║
╚═══════════════════════════════════════════╝
Chris studied the information, mind already calculating possibilities.
"Before we do the title integration," he said slowly, "I want to understand what I'm working with. Tell me about Blade Adept. What exactly does it give me?"
[An excellent question, Master. Blade Adept is the first tier of sword mastery. When integrated, it will provide you with thirty-two fundamental sword techniques—basic attacks, guards, footwork patterns, and defensive forms. These are foundational techniques recognized throughout this world. Nothing suspicious or unusual that would draw attention.]
"Only thirty-two? That doesn't sound like much."
[It is everything, Master. These thirty-two basics form the foundation of all sword combat in this world. Every advanced technique, every master-level form, every legendary sword art builds upon these fundamentals. You cannot skip the basics and expect to achieve true mastery.]
The System paused.
[Think of it like a pyramid. The base is wide and solid—these thirty-two basics. As you master them through practice and combat application, you will unlock the next tier: fifteen intermediate techniques. Master those, and you reach advanced level, equivalent to a C-rank swordsman. Above that lie expert techniques, then master level, then Sword Saint, and finally...]
"Sword God," Chris finished.
[Correct. Each tier requires mastery of the previous. You cannot rush this process entirely. However, I must clarify—I am not simply teaching you these techniques. I am transferring complete knowledge directly into your consciousness and muscle memory.]
"Meaning?"
[Meaning your body will already know how to execute these thirty-two techniques. Your mind will understand the theory, application, timing, and variations as if you've practiced them for years. A normal student must learn through observation and repetition over years. You will receive compressed mastery instantly.]
Chris felt his breath catch. "So I'll just... know them?"
[Yes. However,] the System's tone became more serious, [there is a difference between knowing a technique and mastering it in real combat. Your mind and body will understand the forms perfectly. But until you've applied them in actual fights, your execution will be perhaps 60-70% of ideal efficiency. The first few times you use each technique in real combat, there may be small imperfections—timing slightly off, transitions not quite smooth.]
"But after a few fights?"
[After applying them in real combat situations? You'll reach 90-95% efficiency. Perhaps even higher with dedicated practice. This is still dramatically faster than traditional learning—days or weeks rather than months or years. But it means your first real test of each new technique carries some risk of imperfect execution.]
"So I know what to do, I just need to refine it through actual use."
[Precisely. Think of it as the difference between reading about swimming and actually swimming. I provide the knowledge—you forge it into skill through experience.]
Chris nodded slowly. It made sense. The System was giving him an enormous advantage, but it wasn't making him instantly perfect.
"And these thirty-two techniques—they're known in this world?"
[Every competent swordsman in Eloria knows them or variations of them. They are taught in military academies, knight orders, and mercenary schools. When you use these techniques, observers will simply see a well-trained fighter. Nothing more.]
Perfect. The cover story he needed.
"What about your archives?" Chris asked. "You mentioned before that you contain knowledge from multiple dimensions. How much do you actually have?"
The System was quiet for a long moment.
[Master, what you are receiving—the Blade Adept knowledge—is comparable to a single grain of sand on a beach. My archives contain sword techniques from countless worlds and dimensions. Magic systems that would take lifetimes to master. Weapon forms for every conceivable armament. Martial arts from civilizations that no longer exist. Combat philosophies from realms you cannot imagine.]
Chris felt his breath catch. "How much, exactly?"
[If I were to give you all the sword knowledge I contain at once, your mind would shatter from information overload. If I were to describe the full scope... imagine an ant looking at Mount Everest. That is the scale we are discussing.]
"Mount Everest," Chris repeated quietly.
[And that is merely the combat knowledge. I also contain magic systems, crafting techniques, survival skills, political strategies, historical archives, and more. I was designed to be a complete knowledge base for survival and growth across any dimension.]
Chris lay back on the bed, staring at the ceiling as he tried to comprehend the scope of what he carried with him.
"Why give me so little at a time, then?"
[Because you are not ready for more, Master. Your mind and body need time to integrate what you receive. Your foundation must be solid before we build higher. And most importantly—you must earn each tier through your own effort. I will not create a hollow warrior who knows a thousand techniques but has mastered none. Quality over quantity. Depth over breadth.]
"So even if I had unlimited XP, you wouldn't just dump everything into me?"
[Correct. The XP system allows you to accelerate certain aspects of growth—ranking up skills you've already practiced, improving stats through targeted enhancement, unlocking new abilities you've demonstrated readiness for. But it cannot replace actual experience and mastery. Think of XP as fertilizer for a garden. It helps things grow faster and stronger, but it cannot create a plant from nothing.]
Chris absorbed that. It made sense. He was being given tools, not shortcuts.
"One more question before we integrate," Chris said. "The techniques you're giving me—are they just sword techniques? Or is there more?"
[The Blade Adept title specifically focuses on sword combat. However, my archives contain techniques for every weapon, hand-to-hand combat, movement arts, and more. As you progress and demonstrate capability, additional knowledge categories will become available.]
"Movement arts?"
[Techniques for enhanced mobility, evasion, positioning. Some are physical, requiring no magic. Others blend physical skill with energy manipulation. For example, there is a technique called Flash Step—a burst of speed covering short distances instantly. Another called Shadow Step, which allows brief invisibility during movement. Quick Step for rapid dodging. Phantom Walk for silent movement. And many others.]
Chris's interest sharpened. "Could I learn those?"
[Eventually. First, master the basics. Prove you can walk before attempting to run. But yes, Master—my archives contain movement techniques from dozens of combat traditions. When you are ready, they will be available.]
"And I can use XP to unlock them?"
[If you meet the prerequisites, yes. Some techniques require certain stat thresholds. Others require mastery of prerequisite skills. The System will guide you toward appropriate growth paths based on your current capabilities and combat style.]
Chris felt excitement building despite his exhaustion. The possibilities were staggering.
"Alright," he said finally. "I'm ready. Integrate the Blade Adept knowledge."
[Confirmed. Beginning integration. Master, this will be intense. I recommend lying down and remaining still.]
Chris was already lying down. "I'm ready."
[Very well. Brace yourself.]
The world exploded into knowledge.
It wasn't pain—not exactly. More like his mind suddenly had to make room for something vast, and the process of expansion felt like his skull was being reshaped from the inside.
Information poured in.
Not as words or images, but as pure understanding. His muscles remembered movements he'd never made. His hands knew grips he'd never practiced. His feet understood footwork patterns from combat traditions he'd never heard of.
The thirty-two basics flooded his consciousness:
GUARDS—Seven fundamental defensive positions. High guard, low guard, middle guard, ox guard, fool's guard, plow guard, roof guard. Each one a foundation for countless variations. His body knew how to transition between them smoothly, how to shift weight, where to position the blade for optimal defense and counter-attack.
STRIKES—Eight primary attacks. Vertical descending cut. Rising diagonal slash. Horizontal sweep. Thrust. Draw cut. Half-sword thrust. Pommel strike. Cross guard hook. Every angle, every application, every subtle variation in grip and hip rotation burned into his muscle memory.
FOOTWORK—Six core movement patterns. Advance step. Retreat step. Side step. Pivot step. Cross step. Triangle step. The geometry of combat made flesh, each step positioning him for attack or defense, creating angles or denying them to opponents.
PARRIES—Five essential deflections. Inside parry. Outside parry. High parry. Low parry. Circular parry. Not blocking—redirecting. Using minimal force to move maximum threat, creating openings while defending.
RIPOSTES—Three fundamental counters. Direct riposte following a parry. Counter-riposte anticipating the opponent's counter. Delayed riposte creating timing traps.
TRANSITIONS—Three linking techniques. Bind to control opponent's blade. Wind to redirect incoming force. Change to switch lines of attack mid-motion.
Each technique came with complete understanding—not just the mechanical execution, but the tactical application. When to use each one. How to chain them together. What openings they created. What vulnerabilities they exposed.
Chris's body convulsed on the bed, back arching as neural pathways rewired themselves to accommodate the flood of information. Sweat poured down his face. His hands clenched and unclenched, fingers tracing invisible blade movements.
[Integration at 30%,] the System reported calmly. [Your brain is adapting well. Continue breathing. Do not fight the process.]
Chris tried to breathe. It was harder than it should have been. His autonomic systems were being overridden by combat reflexes trying to establish themselves.
More knowledge crashed in.
APPLICATIONS—How each basic technique applied in specific combat scenarios. Against armored opponents. Against multiple enemies. In confined spaces. On uneven ground. Mounted combat. Fighting while injured. Defensive dueling versus aggressive assault.
VARIATIONS—Regional differences in execution. The Aeloric military favored power and aggression. Southern duelists preferred precision and economy of motion. Eastern schools emphasized fluid transitions. Dwarven methods prioritized low stances and stability. Each variation was valid. Each had strengths and weaknesses.
COMBINATIONS—How the basics linked together into coherent fighting styles. Aggressive offense chains. Defensive counter-fighting. Balanced adaptability. Specialized applications for specific weapon matchups.
[Integration at 60%,] the System announced. [Peak neural stress approaching. This is normal. You are doing well, Master.]
Chris wasn't sure "well" was the right word. His mind felt like it was being stretched like taffy, expanded to fit information that shouldn't fit inside a human skull.
But he could feel it working.
He could feel his body learning. Adapting. Accepting the knowledge as if it had always been there, just dormant, waiting to be awakened.
TIMING—The rhythm of combat. When to attack. When to defend. When to wait. The tempo of blade work, the syncopation of footwork, the pauses that created pressure more effectively than constant motion.
DISTANCE—The crucial measure of safety and threat. Long distance where only thrusts reached. Medium distance where cuts became viable. Close distance where wrestling and pommel strikes dominated. The constant dance of maintaining or closing gaps.
ANGLES—The geometry of survival. How stepping off-line by mere inches could turn a killing blow into a near-miss. How creating diagonal approaches multiplied attack options. How controlling the centerline dominated engagements.
[Integration at 90%,] the System said. [Final phase beginning. This will be the most intense moment. Brace yourself.]
Chris didn't have time to brace.
The last surge of information hit like a tidal wave.
MASTERY PATHS—How to progress beyond the basics. Which techniques to focus on for his body type. Which combinations suited his natural reflexes. Which applications matched his combat style. The roadmap to intermediate techniques glowing like a beacon in his mind.
MUSCLE MEMORY—His body finally catching up to his mind. Synapses firing in patterns they'd never used before. Muscles remembering movements they'd never made. The gap between knowledge and execution closing as the integration reached completion.
UNDERSTANDING—The deepest level. Not just knowing how to do something, but understanding why. The principles underlying every technique. The philosophy that made a swordsman more than just someone who swung sharp metal.
Chris gasped as the integration completed.
His mind settled. The pressure released. The knowledge was there now, as natural as breathing, as fundamental as his own name.
He knew thirty-two techniques.
No—he understood them. Completely. Totally. As if he'd spent years mastering each one.
[Integration complete,] the System announced. [Blade Adept title successfully incorporated. How do you feel, Master?]
Chris lay on the bed, chest heaving, sweat soaking through his shirt.
"I feel like I just lived twenty years in twenty minutes," he said hoarsely.
[An apt description. Your neural patterns have been fundamentally altered to accommodate sword mastery. The experience is necessarily intense.]
Chris sat up slowly, testing his body.
Everything felt different.
Not wrong—just more. Like his proprioception had expanded. He was aware of his center of balance in ways he'd never been before. His hands felt incomplete without a blade in them. His feet wanted to settle into guard stances automatically.
"Show me the updated status," he requested.
A screen materialized.
╔═══════════════════════════════════════════╗
║ Name: Chris ║
║ Level: 1 ║
║ Title: Shadow Young Lord ║
║ Secondary Title: Blade Adept (I) [NEW] ║
║ Rank: E ║
║ HP: 43/100 ║
║ MP: 50/50 ║
║ XP: 1,025 ║
╠═══════════════════════════════════════════╣
║ STATS: (Scale 1-10) ║
║ Strength: 3 ║
║ Agility: 4 ║
║ Endurance: 5 ║
║ Vitality: 4 ║
║ Intelligence: 6 ║
║ Charisma: 4 ║
╠═══════════════════════════════════════════╣
║ Shadow Skills: ║
║ - Shadow Control (F) ║
║ - Blink (F) ║
║ - Shadow Rise (F) ║
║ - Shadow Sense (F) ║
╠═══════════════════════════════════════════╣
║ Sword Skills: ║
║ - Precision Strike (F) [Passive] ║
║ - Piercing Thrust (F) [Active] ║
║ - Rapid Strike (F) [Active] ║
║ - Blade Adept Foundation (32 Basics) ║
║ [Integrated - 0% Combat Refinement] ║
╠═══════════════════════════════════════════╣
║ Servants: 1/1 ║
║ - Scout (Shadow Goblin) - F rank ║
╠═══════════════════════════════════════════╣
║ Path of the Blade: COMPLETE ║
║ ║
║ NEW: Blade Adept Progression Path ║
║ Current: 32 Basic Techniques (0% Refined)║
║ Next: 15 Intermediate (Locked) ║
║ Unlock Requirement: Master basics to 80% ║
╚═══════════════════════════════════════════╝
"Combat refinement?" Chris asked.
[The percentage represents how well you've applied the techniques in real combat situations. You have the knowledge, but you haven't field-tested it yet. As you use these techniques in actual fights, the refinement percentage will increase. At 80% refinement, you will have demonstrated sufficient mastery to unlock the intermediate tier.]
"How fast can I reach 80%?"
[That depends on how often you engage in combat and how effectively you apply the techniques. Based on your recent activity level, estimate two to three weeks of regular combat encounters. Possibly faster if you face diverse opponents that force you to use the full range of basics.]
Two to three weeks to unlock intermediate techniques. That was... incredibly fast compared to normal learning.
Chris stood, testing his balance. His body settled into a guard stance automatically—middle guard, blade positioned at forty-five degrees, weight evenly distributed, ready to move in any direction.
Except he didn't have a blade.
His hand felt empty. Wrong.
"I need to test this," he said.
[I recommend waiting until you've rested and healed, Master. Your body is still recovering from—]
"Just simple movements. No full combat. I need to know if this is real or if I'm hallucinating from blood loss."
The System sighed—an odd sound from a supposedly emotionless construct.
[Very well. But keep it gentle. You are still healing.]
Chris moved to the center of his small room, giving himself as much space as possible.
He took a breath, settled into his stance, and began moving through the forms.
Guard transitions first. High to low to middle to ox. Each shift felt natural, fluid, like water flowing downhill. His body knew exactly how to pivot, how to shift weight, how to position his invisible blade.
Then footwork. Advance step. His leading foot glided forward, his back foot following in perfect measure, maintaining his stance throughout the movement. Retreat step. Side step. Pivot step that rotated his entire body while keeping his guard aligned.
Strike patterns. Vertical cut descending from high guard. Rising diagonal slash. Horizontal sweep. Each one executed with precision his conscious mind couldn't have managed, his body moving with the confidence of muscle memory that had taken years to build.
Parry drills. Inside parry deflecting an imaginary attack. Outside parry redirecting another. His arms knew the exact angles, the minimal force required, the way to turn defense into immediate counter-attack.
"Master," the System said quietly. [You should see yourself. Your form is... exceptional.]
Chris stopped, breathing slightly harder than normal but not winded.
"It works," he said, almost disbelieving. "It actually works. I know these techniques like I've trained them for years."
[You have trained them, in a sense. The knowledge transfer included not just intellectual understanding but kinesthetic memory—your body's memory of movement. However, I must reiterate—this is laboratory-perfect form. Real combat will test you differently. Opponents don't move in predictable patterns. Terrain isn't always flat. Fatigue affects execution. The first few times you use these techniques against actual enemies, expect imperfections.]
"But I have the foundation."
[You have an excellent foundation, Master. Better than most swordsmen achieve after a decade of training. What remains is the crucible of combat to temper knowledge into true skill.]
Chris nodded, settling back onto his bed. The brief exercise had tired him more than it should have—evidence that his body was still recovering.
"Alright," he said. "Now let's talk about the XP. I have 1,025 points. What should I prioritize?"
[An excellent question, Master. Let me provide recommendations based on your current situation and upcoming challenges.]
The System brought up the XP allocation screen again.
[You face several growth paths:
OPTION ONE: Stat Enhancement
With 1,025 XP, you could significantly improve your physical attributes. For example:
- Raising Strength from 3 to 6 costs: 1+3+5 = 9 XP
- Raising Agility from 4 to 7 costs: 1+3+5 = 9 XP
- Raising Endurance from 5 to 8 costs: 1+3+5 = 9 XP
This would make you significantly more physically capable, improving your baseline combat effectiveness across all techniques.]
"That's only 27 XP total to raise three stats by three levels each?" Chris asked, surprised.
[Correct. The early stat levels are deliberately affordable. It is the higher levels that become expensive. Raising a stat from 9 to 10 costs 50 XP alone—more than doubling your Strength, Agility, and Endurance combined.]
"So I should focus on broad improvements rather than maxing one stat?"
[For now, yes. A balanced approach serves you better. However, there is another consideration...]
The System highlighted a different section.
[OPTION TWO: Skill Rank Ups
Your Shadow abilities are all F-rank. Ranking up even one to E-rank would significantly enhance its power and versatility. For example:
Shadow Sense F→E (100 XP):
- Range increases from 25m to 50m
- Prediction accuracy improves
- Can detect hostile intent with greater clarity
- Begins to sense magical signatures
Shadow Control F→E (100 XP):
- Range increases from 5m to 15m
- Can create more complex shadow constructs
- Control becomes more precise
- Can maintain multiple manipulations simultaneously
Blink F→E (100 XP):
- Range increases from 10m to 25m
- Cooldown reduces from 30s to 20s
- Can blink with greater precision
- MP cost decreases slightly]
"Those are significant improvements," Chris observed.
[Indeed. However, ranking up skills is expensive. With 1,025 XP, you could rank up ten skills to E-rank, or five to D-rank, or invest in a mix of skill ranks and stats.]
"What about new skill unlocks?" Chris asked.
[OPTION THREE: New Abilities
You currently lack any movement-based techniques beyond Blink. For 150 XP, you could unlock Quick Step—a physical burst of speed requiring no magic. For 200 XP, you could unlock Shadow Step—a stealth technique that makes you briefly invisible while moving through shadows.]
The System paused.
[There is also the question of your sword skills. Precision Strike, Piercing Thrust, and Rapid Strike are all F-rank. Ranking them up would make them significantly more effective. However, with your new Blade Adept foundation, you may find that mastering the thirty-two basics naturally improves your application of these skills without XP investment.]
Chris rubbed his temples, thinking through the options.
"Recommendations?" he asked. "What would you prioritize if you were in my position?"
[I am not in your position, Master. But if I were to offer tactical advice...]
A new screen appeared showing a suggested allocation:
╔═══════════════════════════════════════════╗
║ RECOMMENDED XP ALLOCATION ║
╠═══════════════════════════════════════════╣
║ ║
║ PRIORITY ONE: Physical Stats ║
║ Strength 3→6: 9 XP ║
║ Agility 4→7: 9 XP ║
║ Endurance 5→8: 9 XP ║
║ Vitality 4→7: 9 XP (helps HP/recovery) ║
║ Total: 36 XP ║
║ ║
║ PRIORITY TWO: Key Shadow Skill ║
║ Shadow Sense F→E: 100 XP ║
║ (Most impactful for survival) ║
║ ║
║ PRIORITY THREE: Combat Skill Ranks ║
║ Precision Strike F→E: 100 XP ║
║ Piercing Thrust F→E: 100 XP ║
║ Total: 200 XP ║
║ ║
║ PRIORITY FOUR: New Movement Skill ║
║ Quick Step unlock: 150 XP ║
║ (Physical movement, no MP cost) ║
║ ║
║ TOTAL SPENT: 486 XP ║
║ REMAINING: 539 XP ║
║ ║
║ RESERVE: Keep ~500 XP for emergencies ║
║ or opportunities that arise ║
║ ║
╚═══════════════════════════════════════════╝
[This allocation balances immediate combat effectiveness with long-term flexibility. The stat improvements make you physically stronger across all activities. Shadow Sense enhancement dramatically improves your tactical awareness. The sword skill ranks make your proven techniques more powerful. Quick Step gives you a movement option that works even in anti-magic fields. And you retain enough XP to adapt to unexpected situations.]
Chris studied the recommendation carefully.
"Why Vitality? I was considering Intelligence or Charisma instead."
[Vitality affects HP pool and recovery rate. With Vitality at 7, your maximum HP would increase from 100 to approximately 140, and your natural healing would accelerate by 30%. Given your tendency to engage in life-threatening combat, this investment may literally save your life. Intelligence and Charisma, while useful, are less immediately critical to your survival.]
That made sense. Chris had nearly died—had actually died, three times—just hours ago. More HP and faster healing weren't glamorous, but they were practical.
"What about Shadow Control or Shadow Rise?" he asked. "Those don't make the priority list?"
[Shadow Control is powerful but situational. You use it primarily for Scout and minor manipulations. Ranking it up would be beneficial, but not as immediately impactful as Shadow Sense. Shadow Rise is even more specialized—you currently have only one servant and use it rarely in public. I recommend ranking those up once your core combat capabilities are more solid.]
Chris nodded slowly. The logic was sound.
"And you recommend keeping 500 XP in reserve?"
[Yes. XP is a resource, Master. Spending it all immediately leaves you with no flexibility if new opportunities arise. Perhaps you discover a skill that synergizes perfectly with your Blade Adept techniques. Perhaps an emergency requires immediate power. Perhaps you find a teacher who can train you in something valuable if you meet certain prerequisites. Maintaining reserves allows you to adapt.]
"Alright," Chris decided. "Let's do it. Execute the recommended allocation."
[Confirmed. Beginning XP allocation now.]
[Allocating XP to Strength enhancement. 3→6. Cost: 9 XP.]
Chris felt warmth spread through his muscles. Not painful, but intense—like every muscle fiber in his body was being reinforced, thickened, made denser. His arms felt heavier, more solid. His core tightened with new strength.
When the sensation faded, he flexed his hand. The movement felt... powerful. More forceful than before. He'd gained perhaps 30-40 pounds of effective strength in seconds.
[Allocating XP to Agility enhancement. 4→7. Cost: 9 XP.]
This was different. His muscles loosened, tendons becoming more elastic. His joints felt more fluid, range of motion expanding. His nervous system quickened, reaction speed increasing. When he moved his hand experimentally, it traveled faster than before, the motion crisp and precise.
[Allocating XP to Endurance enhancement. 5→8. Cost: 9 XP.]
His lungs expanded, breathing becoming easier, deeper. His cardiovascular system strengthened, heart beating with more efficiency. Lactic acid tolerance increased. He felt like he could run for miles, fight for hours. The bone-deep exhaustion from the Thornhaven mission eased slightly—not gone, but more manageable.
[Allocating XP to Vitality enhancement. 4→7. Cost: 9 XP.]
Warmth flooded through his entire body, different from the muscle-specific heat of Strength enhancement. This was systemic, cellular. His HP bar flickered on the status screen—maximum increased from 100 to 140. The various cuts and bruises covering his body tingled as accelerated healing kicked in. He felt... more alive. More resilient. Like his body had decided it was harder to kill than it used to be.
[Base stat improvements complete. Total cost: 36 XP. Remaining: 989 XP.]
Chris stood, testing his upgraded body. The difference was remarkable. He felt stronger, faster, tougher. Not superhuman—he estimated he was now at the level of a well-trained athlete rather than an average office worker. But the improvement was undeniable.
"This is incredible," he said.
[The early stat levels provide the most dramatic improvements per XP spent, Master. Diminishing returns set in at higher levels. Now, proceeding with skill enhancements.]
[Allocating XP to Shadow Sense enhancement. F→E rank. Cost: 100 XP.]
The world expanded.
Chris gasped as his awareness suddenly doubled in range. Where before he could sense shadows within 25 meters, now that range stretched to 50 meters. The entire inn came into his perception—the innkeeper downstairs cleaning tables, a few patrons in the common room, the night guard walking past outside.
But it wasn't just range. The quality of information improved. He could sense hostile intent more clearly now—not just "something dangerous" but gradations of threat. He could detect magical signatures, faint auras of mana that marked spells or enchanted items. And the predictive aspect sharpened, showing him probable actions rather than just immediate movements.
[Shadow Sense ranked up to E. Your tactical awareness has significantly improved.]
"That's... that's amazing," Chris breathed. "I can feel so much more."
[Indeed. This will serve you well in the coming battles. Now, continuing with combat skill enhancements.]
[Allocating XP to Precision Strike enhancement. F→E rank. Cost: 100 XP.]
His sword skills shifted, information flowing into techniques he already knew. Precision Strike's critical hit chance increased from 5% to 12%. Weak point detection became clearer, highlighting vulnerabilities with greater precision. The damage bonus on clean hits increased substantially.
[Allocating XP to Piercing Thrust enhancement. F→E rank. Cost: 100 XP.]
The technique he'd used to kill the bandit leader evolved. Defense penetration increased from 30% to 45%—on critical hits, now 65%. The charge time decreased from one second to 0.7 seconds. The cooldown dropped from 20 seconds to 15 seconds. And most importantly, the synergy with critical hits strengthened, making it even more devastating against armored opponents.
[Combat skills enhanced. Remaining XP: 789. Now unlocking new movement technique.]
[Allocating XP to unlock Quick Step. Cost: 150 XP.]
New knowledge flooded in—not as overwhelming as the Blade Adept integration, but still significant. Chris's legs learned a new motion, a way of channeling kinetic energy for explosive bursts of speed. It was purely physical, requiring no mana, working even in anti-magic fields.
Quick Step would let him cover 3-5 meters in a fraction of a second—not teleportation like Blink, but a physical burst that could dodge attacks, close distance, or create space. Cooldown of only 10 seconds. Stamina cost instead of MP cost.
[Quick Step unlocked and integrated. Your mobility options have expanded significantly.]
[Total XP spent: 486. Remaining: 539.]
The System displayed his updated status.
╔═══════════════════════════════════════════╗
║ Name: Chris ║
║ Level: 1 ║
║ Title: Shadow Young Lord ║
║ Secondary Title: Blade Adept (I) ║
║ Rank: E ║
║ HP: 97/140 [INCREASED] ║
║ MP: 50/50 ║
║ XP: 539 ║
╠═══════════════════════════════════════════╣
║ STATS: (Scale 1-10) [UPDATED] ║
║ Strength: 6 [+3] ║
║ Agility: 7 [+3] ║
║ Endurance: 8 [+3] ║
║ Vitality: 7 [+3] ║
║ Intelligence: 6 ║
║ Charisma: 4 ║
╠═══════════════════════════════════════════╣
║ Shadow Skills: ║
║ - Shadow Control (F) ║
║ - Blink (F) ║
║ - Shadow Rise (F) ║
║ - Shadow Sense (E) [RANKED UP] ║
╠═══════════════════════════════════════════╣
║ Sword Skills: ║
║ - Precision Strike (E) [RANKED UP] ║
║ - Piercing Thrust (E) [RANKED UP] ║
║ - Rapid Strike (F) ║
║ - Blade Adept Foundation (32 Basics) ║
╠═══════════════════════════════════════════╣
║ Movement Skills: [NEW CATEGORY] ║
║ - Quick Step (F) [Stamina-based] ║
╠═══════════════════════════════════════════╣
║ Servants: 1/1 ║
║ - Scout (Shadow Goblin) - F rank ║
║ ║
║ OVERALL COMBAT RATING: E+ [INCREASED] ║
╚═══════════════════════════════════════════╝
Chris stared at the screen, a slow smile spreading across his face.
"I'm stronger," he said. "Significantly stronger."
[Yes, Master. Your physical stats are now equivalent to a trained soldier or experienced adventurer. Your Shadow Sense rivals that of many D-rank scouts. Your sword techniques are more refined and powerful. And you have mobility options that work regardless of magical conditions.]
"How much stronger? Compared to before Thornhaven?"
[Estimate 40-50% overall improvement in combat effectiveness. More in specific areas—your tactical awareness has nearly doubled, your physical strength increased substantially, your sword skills are measurably more lethal.]
Chris lay back on the bed, exhaustion and exhilaration mixing.
He'd completed the Path of the Blade.
Earned the Blade Adept title.
Integrated thirty-two fundamental sword techniques.
And now, with XP allocation, he'd enhanced his core capabilities significantly.
"Not bad for someone who died in front of a truck two weeks ago," he said quietly.
[Not bad at all, Master. Though I must note—you still have three days before the tactical briefing. I recommend rest, then testing your new capabilities in controlled conditions before the real combat begins.]
"Agreed. But first..." Chris's stomach growled loudly. "Food. When's that team dinner Marcus mentioned?"
[In approximately two hours, according to the timing he specified. You have time to clean up, change clothes, and appear somewhat presentable rather than like someone who recently died three times.]
"Your consideration is touching."
[I try, Master. Now rest. You've earned it.]
Chris closed his eyes, feeling the changes settling into his body. Stronger. Faster. More capable.
But also more aware of what he still lacked.
539 XP remaining. Plenty of growth potential still untapped. Shadow Control and Shadow Rise still at F-rank. Rapid Strike not yet enhanced. Movement techniques beyond Quick Step waiting in the archives.
And the Blade Adept basics, still at 0% combat refinement, waiting to be tested in real battle.
So much potential.
So much still to learn.
But for now, rest.
Tomorrow would bring new challenges.
Tonight, he would celebrate surviving with people who'd become more than just teammates.
They'd become something he hadn't had in either life.
Friends.
The thought made him smile as sleep pulled him under.
[Chapter-17 ended]