“Tss Tss Tss.”

‘One-two.’

“Tss Tss.”

‘One-two-three.’

“Tss Tss Tss.”

‘Pivot. Diamond. Sprawl.’

“Huu.”

‘Sit out. Epic dark souls roll.’

“Hut.”

‘Up, One-two-hook-check.’

“Tss…”

There wasn’t a clock in this room so I had nothing to look at. All the walls were the same in this empty room. I asked specifically for a hard floor without a mat or carpet, but she didn’t give me that. It was fine, granted I could still condition my feet regardless. It would have been more efficient if I were moving on cement though. I had to build up my calluses as fast as I could with this new body. I couldn’t have my feet blistering and bleeding whenever I ran on harsh terrain. Obviously, I shadowboxed barefoot.

While I thought my muscle memory would be distorted given I was in the body of a child, it appears not. I could punch and move just as nimbly as I commanded with no lapse in certainty. Maybe muscle memory had little to do with muscles and more to do with the brain.

‘Upper, hook…’

“Tss Tss.”

It was a bit slower than preferable, probably because my muscles have not developed. Either way, I wasn’t going to stop myself anytime soon, because I knew I wouldn’t be able to continue if I did. The moment I gave myself any relaxation, I would lose the tensing in my muscles and it would lash back with a tiring sting.

I was primed for this kind of movement making it easier to gain endurance, strength, and among other things, stamina. I could practice swordsmanship, and while it worked out the same muscle groups, it wasn’t as efficient. I was also shit at swordsmanship so I didn’t get beat out of breath as much from… Come to think of it, what happened to that girl? Sam, was it?

‘Focus.’

“Tss. Tss-Tss-Hwaah!”

‘Shitty kick.’

Despite knowing the flaws, I could only grit my teeth and bear with the training. I could see all the subtle mistakes in my movement. It was a large part due to the fact that this body was skinnier and was built differently. I was too used to being bulky and heavy, so my fighting style was adapted around those traits.

I’d have to configure my style to match more of a machine gun since I was lighter on my feet and the skinnier arms made my punches appear longer.

‘Check. Teep.’

My push kicks were still passable, but I had to work heavily on flexibility. If I couldn’t send roundhouse kicks to the head area on command, it would be a major liability.

It was already the fifth day since I started this intense routine, and the delayed-onset muscle soreness that came every waking morning was no joke. Getting up wasn’t a problem for me though—it’s not like I had morning wood or a beard to manage. And my hair was perfectly tidy even without a morning shower. My schedule was perfect for fitting three sessions of physical activity every day. The first two were divided by a lunch break while the last was past dinner.

I trained my swordsmanship at night while I messed around with the martial arts I already knew in the first two sessions.

I checked my status as I got down to rest. Resting in a half-split position of course. I couldn’t let any time go to waste especially when it came to flexibility.

‘Status.’

~~~~~~~~~~

Name: Daniel

Race: Human

Title: Masochist

System: Crouching Dragon System (Mythical)

Merit Points: 1,300

Life Force: 80/80 (8 years)

Strength: 8

Physique: Conditioned Physique - Lvl.1

Magic: Mana Sense - Lvl.1

Techniques: Mana Channeling (Common - Lvl.1), Draconic Swordsmanship (Rare - Lvl.2), Draconic Thrust (Rare - Lvl.0), Draconic Sense (Epic - Lvl.0), Sweeping (Transcendent - Lvl.0)

Active Skills: Blurred Eyes (Epic)

Passive Skills: Dragon Hearted (Epic)

Curse: Unnoticed Potential (Legendary)

~~~~~~~~~~

I always wondered what the Techniques represented. They had levels while Skills did not. There must have been a reason for the distinct categorization. It also turns out that every time a Technique leveled up, I would gain 100 of those Merit Points. What exactly was the requirement for leveling up was what I wanted to know, but I was clueless as to the conditions.

There was also the fact that they all seemed to represent some subset of skills, like martial arts in particular. Draconic Swordsmanship was definitely a sword art and anything pertaining to violence was under the branch of martial arts. But in that case, why isn’t Krav Maga, Muay Thai, Boxing, Wrestling, or Mixed Martial Arts included? It felt strange that they weren’t included as Techniques, but it may have had something to do with the fact that the Techniques recorded in my status were bought from or given by the system.

Take the “Sweeping” Technique for example. I had a general idea of what it could do—I literally saw that guy performing it in that dream. All he did was flick his hands a little and a controlled tempest manifested itself. I didn’t understand the physics behind it and I had no clue how to do it despite knowing exactly how it should be done. If it was to flick my hand, I got the form and all of that down, but no matter how much I tried, no blade of wind came out of my hand. I was even starting to question if it were some ancient sorcery, but I knew it had nothing to do with magic. That Technique was the culmination of otherworldly strength and perfected body movements; that much I knew with absolute certainty. I experienced it first-hand in that black world: the same black world that showed me a reflection of myself performing the move. It was similar for everything else. I had a general idea of how all the other Techniques like Draconic Thrust and Mana Channeling worked.

Draconic Sense was a little different, but I also understood it to an extent. It had something to do with training foresight, intuition, and reflex. Outside of that, I didn’t really know since the reflection I saw just stood there in a daze.

Draconic Thrust was simpler when compared to its counterpart of a similar name. In layman's terms, it was a glorified uppercut that struck like a spear. I could probably apply the concept to physical weapons too.

Anyway, I’ve had enough rest now.

It’s back to hell for me.

—Samantha—

{You have slain a Dreadnought Vampire!}

{You have gained experience!}

{Limit Breaker [Skill] has leveled up!}

{Limit Break duration has increased!}

{Your base stats have increased!}

“You have completed the 76th trial,” said the all-too-familiar voice.

It came from up above even though there was only ceiling up there.

“24 left,” I cried under my breath.

There was no one here for me, but I was going to continue on.

I will never lose.

*Krrk

The gate opened to reveal another flight of stairs.

One more time. I had to do it.

I could still remember that frightened face before he was taken. He was completely helpless and I couldn’t stop it. What use was being the Hero when I couldn’t save my friend?

“Wait for me…”