I can evolve everything

"If that's the case..."

Renn gripped his sword, a thoughtful glint in his eyes.

"Even without using cheat codes to evolve, as long as I keep practicing along this line of feeling... in two weeks at most. No, maybe ten days, I'll be able to get the basics down and integrate this move into actual combat."

This realization gave Ryan a sense of peace he had never felt before.

While the cheat system is powerful, the growth that comes from his own understanding and hard work gives him a more tangible sense of becoming stronger.

"However, don't get too excited yet."

Karen walked over and nudged Ryan's heel with her foot.

"Although that last move was very good, your center of gravity was still too high. Although you managed to thrust out that sword, if your opponent dodges to the side and counterattacks, your lower body will easily be compromised. Remember, the 'half step' in the first part of this move is not just for generating power, but also for changing your move at any time. You need to leave yourself room for maneuver."

As the old knight spoke, he drew another sword he carried with him and demonstrated it again.

"Did you see that clearly? Your heels can't be planted firmly on the ground; you need to adjust them as needed."

Ryan nodded seriously and immediately began to make adjustments according to Karen's instructions.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

Eleven days have passed since we left Tiemu Town.

It was dusk, and the cold wind had subsided slightly.

The three men were leading their horses through a canyon.

There's some noise.

Ella, who was walking at the front, suddenly stopped.

The half-elf girl's ears twitched, and she began to report the information she had heard.

"To the left front, it should be behind that rock. There are many breathing sounds, probably five or six."

She lowered her voice, her hand already on the hilt of her sword.

"It's a wolf."

Karen sniffed; the faint, pungent odor couldn't escape the old hunter's nose.

"In this kind of weather, it's just an ordinary dire wolf that's starving; it's not that strong."

The old knight did not draw his sword, but instead crossed his arms and leaned against the rock beside him.

"Raine, Ella. It's your turn now."

"I knew it." Ella rolled her eyes. Despite her complaint, the girl moved with lightning speed.

Just as they were getting closer to the source of the sound, several gray shadows darted out from behind the rocks.

Those were five enormous dire wolves. Their gray fur was covered in ice crystals, and their eyes gleamed green. Saliva dripped from the corners of their mouths onto the ground, emitting white steam.

"Awooo—!!"

The lead dire wolf let out a howl, and the pack instantly scattered, forming an encirclement.

These beasts were clever; they realized that the old man leaning against the rock was not someone to mess with, so they set their sights on the seemingly weaker Raine and Ella.

"Three are mine, two are yours. The loser has to pay for dinner tonight."

Ella chuckled softly, and her figure vanished from the spot in an instant.

The Wind Whisperer's Breathing Technique is activated.

The rapier in his hand slashed through the air, instantly leaving bloody marks on the two dire wolves that pounced on him.

Meanwhile, on Rennes' side...

The two dire wolves, one on each side, lowered their bodies and growled softly.

As hunters in the wasteland, they were quite patient, slowly narrowing the encirclement while searching for Renn's weaknesses.

Raine took a deep breath, his feet slightly apart, and his longsword pointed diagonally at the ground.

He didn't move. He was waiting.

"call--"

The dire wolf on the left could no longer contain itself. It pushed off with its hind legs, leaping into the air and charging straight at Renn.

[Iron Wall Stance].

Raine stepped forward with his left foot, and his longsword instantly rose to a standstill, the side of the blade wedging itself against the dire wolf's gaping jaws.

"Snap!"

The sharp wolf fangs bit into the longsword, sparks flying everywhere.

The immense impact traveled along the blade.

But with the amplification from his breathing technique, Raine easily withstood the blow, his spine taut as he channeled the force into the ground beneath his feet.

It's blocked. But that's not all.

Just as the dire wolf's teeth were caught on the sword, preparing to struggle,

Rennes launched an attack.

He pushed off hard with his back foot, which was originally intended as a fulcrum.

[Half-Step Collapse Sword]!

With a flick of his wrist, Renn's longsword, which he had been using to parry, thrust out instantly. Instead of withdrawing it to stab again, he plunged the blade directly into the dire wolf's mouth!

A muffled thud.

The longsword pierced through the back of the dire wolf's head and emerged from the back of its neck.

The enormous creature didn't even have time to scream before its body stiffened instantly and then went limp.

One blow kills.

This combo moves flow smoothly, without any unnecessary movements. Defense is the charging of power, and blocking is the attack.

"pretty."

Karen, who was standing to the side, raised an eyebrow.

Although there are still some flaws in the movements, the fact that he can use this move so calmly in actual combat shows that Renn has basically mastered the basics.

Meanwhile, on the other side of Renn, the dire wolf saw its companion had moved forward and was waiting for its chance to strike.

"Trying to launch a sneak attack?"

Just as Raine shook off the wolf carcass from his sword, the dire wolf seized the opportunity to circle around to his side and rear, its claws sweeping towards his waist.

Ryan didn't even turn around.

With his current physical condition, he could hear even the sound of snowflakes falling at this distance.

He used his waist to generate force, and swung his longsword backward with a backhand motion.

The sword's edge sliced ​​through.

The dire wolf that had attempted to ambush the enemy let out a mournful howl as its forepaws were severed at the root, and it tumbled to the ground.

Renn turned around, took a step forward, and finished off the opponent with a last-hit.

The two dire wolves were dealt with in less than ten seconds.

"Looks like someone's in charge of the barbecue tonight."

On the other side, Ella also finished her battle.

The dire wolf over there was covered in a dense network of sword wounds, each one severing its tendons. It wasn't dead, but lay paralyzed on the ground, unable to move, as if its bones had been removed.

"Your swordsmanship is too violent. It's not as sharp as mine."

Ella flicked the blood off her rapier, looked at the wolf carcass at Rein's feet, and although she said it with disdain, her tone sounded like praise.

"However... the efficiency is quite high."

Raine sheathed his sword, calming the slightly agitated energy within him.

"As long as it kills the enemy, that's fine."

He bent down and began to dispose of the wolf carcass.

These few intact wolf pelts could fetch a good price in the fortress, and as for the wolf meat... although it's sour and astringent, it's a rare source of protein in the wasteland.

Karen walked over and kicked the dire wolf whose skull had been pierced with her toe.

"The sword penetrates to the very marrow of the brain, its power reaching the very depths."

The old knight nodded.

"It seems you are indeed a promising swordsman. To be able to integrate your defensive stance with the new moves I taught you in such a short time... Renn, when you become a full knight, perhaps you can try applying for the Night Watch's examination."

"The Night Watch?"

Ryan stopped what he was doing and looked up at Karen.

"That's an elite squad of knights from the Northern Knights," Karen explained. "Only true combat experts can go in. The mortality rate there is high, but the promotion rate is also the fastest. Most importantly..."

The old knight pointed north.

"That's the place closest to the truth."