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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: bchen3
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That evening.
“Oh, Ilhan! Are you coming to the stat training room with me?”
“Ah, I have some things to do.”
“Great, let’s go!”
I headed to the stat training room with Lim Gangcheol for a change.
It was for practicing and experimenting with the skill I had acquired through personal tutoring with the instructor.
[Black Shadow Step].
“By the way, Ilhan, are you going to the magic power training room again today?”
“Maybe?”
“You’re so consistent! I think I’ll soon be able to enter the third stage of mana breathing technique. I’m starting to get the hang of it!”
“So you’re going to the magic power training room too?”
“Of course not! Strength comes first, always!”
“……”
While exchanging idle chat with Lim Gangcheol, we had already arrived at the stat training room.
Leaving him behind as he chanted about strength stats like a slogan, I entered the magic power training room.
‘That shadow guy always practices his steps here too.’
I didn’t know why, but since it was something he did, it probably wasn’t meaningless.
For that reason, as soon as I found a suitable spot, I brought up my status window.
I lowered my gaze to the [Skills] section.
[Skills]
-Black Shadow Step(C)
Steps of the dark shadow
There, a fresh skill that had appeared just a few hours ago was clearly inscribed.
‘C-rank, huh. I thought it was unusual, but I didn’t expect it to be of this caliber.’
A C-rank skill, no less.
Even the instructor seemed quite surprised.
That was understandable since his stepping skill, [Flash Seven Steps], was B-rank.
Therefore, the instructor clicked his tongue twice—once at the skill rank of Black Shadow Step, and once at my growth speed.
I immediately figured out the reason for the speed, if not the rank.
‘Well, that guy has been using only Black Shadow Step lately.’
None other than the shadow.
Since the first change in his behavior, he had been repeating the same action until now.
Given that, it wasn’t that strange that I had acquired it in one go.
‘I’m slightly curious as to why he didn’t directly acquire it himself, though.’
If I questioned everything, there would be no end to it, so I let it slide.
Soon, I turned my attention to my original purpose.
‘So there are four steps in total, which means four forms, right?’
It was about utilizing the stepping technique.
I intended to experiment with it in various ways.
‘When acquiring the skill, I could use all four forms at once, but I was told I could also use each one separately.’
When I acquired the skill, the instructor gave me brief advice.
Each of the four forms of Black Shadow Step had its own utility, and using them all at once would reveal yet another effect.
I decided to first focus on understanding the utility of each form.
‘He said I just need to think about using the skill inwardly.’
Just to be sure, I silently recited the first line of the mantra for the first step.
My body responded immediately.
Swoosh-
My body flowed diagonally to the right from the front.
The stride was large, and the shape of my foot twisted drastically, but I no longer lost my balance.
‘Good, my posture doesn’t falter anymore.’
While smiling at the effect of the skill, I immediately moved on to the second step.
‘Second form.’
My posture naturally lowered, and the tip of my right foot turned inward.
Sssht-
As if grazing the floor, my body moved in an instant, sliding.
I had moved to a position facing where I had originally stood.
‘……to be able to get behind so easily.’
With admiration, I immediately deployed the third form.
At that moment.
Tadat-
Unlike before, my body moved with a small stride, as if taking short steps.
‘A half-beat faster movement……’
While engraving the sensation in my memory, I entrusted my body to the final form.
After completing all four steps of Black Shadow Step.
“……wow.”
I straightened my posture and let out a soft exclamation.
It was because I gained quite a lot from the first attempt.
However, being the first time, I didn’t seem to have grasped all the utilities.
‘Especially the fourth form, I’m not sure about. It seems somewhat more special than the other forms.’
Nevertheless, one thing was certain.
‘If I can master Black Shadow Step properly……’
Not only the virtual duel in two days.
But also the practical exam in the middle of the first semester would be no problem.
Of course, there was still one issue.
‘The remaining task is integrating it with martial arts.’
That is, harmonizing it with martial arts.
Evasion alone could never win, be it in virtual or real combat.
In other words, the true power of a stepping technique could only be exhibited when accompanied by attacks.
‘Still, I’ve found a clue.’
Black Shadow Step was already recognized by the instructor as a valuable stepping technique.
It was specialized in stealthily and sharply catching opponents off guard.
He added one more thing.
‘The movement that catches them by surprise. That itself creates an opportunity to utilize timing.’
In other words, given the characteristics of Black Shadow Step, there was ample room for combat application.
‘In the end, I acquired the skill with my own strength.’
Without the shadow’s help, I had sought out the instructor on my own two feet.
So the utilization was also entirely up to me.
‘Let’s do it.’
The goal was to skillfully and appropriately utilize all the steps of Black Shadow Step.
I intended to find a method this time as well.
With determination, I immersed myself in practice.
*
That night.
-Confirming the target’s unconscious state.
-Control of the target is transferred to [????’s Shadow]!
-Checking synchronization rate with the target.
-Current synchronization rate…… [12%]
-The synchronization rate is quite low!
-[????’s Shadow] acts according to consciousness imbued with somewhat low discernment and partial memories!
-[Skill] imprinted in consciousness has been activated!
…
…
…
Without fail, the shadow opened its eyes.
“……”
He immediately headed to the stat training room.
“Oh, Ilhan! Let’s fight hard today too!”
Lim Gangcheol giving a thumbs up.
After nodding once to him, he entered the magic power training room directly.
The shadow brought up the status window after finding a suitable spot.
Then he lowered his gaze slightly.
[Skills]
-Black Shadow Step(C)
Steps of the dark shadow
-[Skill imprinted in consciousness] Rapid Growth(C)
All types of training effects increased by 4 times
-[Skill imprinted in consciousness] Rapid Recovery(C)
All types of rest effects increased by 4 times
The corner of the shadow’s mouth lifted slightly upon confirming the newly created skill, [Black Shadow Step(C)].
Soon, he circulated the mana within his body in an instant.
Whoosh-!
As always, the magnificent wave of mana coursing through his body.
In that state, the shadow observed the flow within his body.
A weak but solid ‘foundation’.
A narrow but clearly open ‘path’.
After confirming everything, the shadow.
Grin-
Smiled deeply as if immensely satisfied.
Only then did the shadow begin to move.
Swish-
As always, bizarre and strange steps.
But today was a little different.
Pat-
Each movement followed quickly, and his entire body rippled with each step.
Similar yet subtly different.
Like a deeply cast shadow, appearing and disappearing mysteriously.
And so, as always, he simply repeated endlessly.
*
Two days later, Wednesday.
The 7th period began with the instructor’s explanation of the ‘virtual duel.’
“First, I will explain the basics, such as the grading criteria for virtual duels, the method of dueling, and so on.”
There were mainly three criteria for grading.
The first was the number of hits taken.
The second was the number of effective hits given.
The third was the time taken.
The points were distributed in the order of hits taken, effective hits, and time, with the score for hits taken being the largest.
The instructor briefly added the reason.
“In reality, that is, in actual combat, minimizing one’s own damage is more important than taking down the enemy.”
Therefore, it seemed that the virtual duel, which aimed at cultivating actual combat abilities, also focused on that aspect.
“The method is simple. When you wear the equipment placed at the entrance of the virtual duel room, a wooden doll, that is, a dummy data, appears. The duel ends when you defeat it.”
After explaining the method, the instructor immediately moved on to the first virtual duel.
“From now on, we will conduct virtual duels. The four cadets I call will immediately enter the ‘virtual duel room’.”
Following the instructor’s direction, four cadets entered the virtual duel room.
He immediately proceeded with the duel and spoke to the remaining cadets.
“You can check the virtual duel situation of each cadet through the hologram screen here. Even just watching will be helpful, so the rest of the cadets should focus as well.”
I immediately turned my gaze to the screen.
And then I recalled the four who had just entered.
‘Clearly, it was three experienced and one inexperienced, right?’
Martial arts experienced and inexperienced, they were neatly divided into two groups.
Therefore, I intended to compare their power differences through them.
The result revealed a much greater gap than expected.
‘The inexperienced is E rank, and the experienced ones are between C+ and B+ rank.’
The virtual duel results came out in ranks according to the grading criteria.
E rank was 10 points, E+ rank was 20 points.
In this way, A+ rank was a perfect score of 100 points.
Converting the results before my eyes into points, the inexperienced was 10 points.
The experienced ones were roughly between 60 and 80 points.
‘The gap is enormous.’
Watching a bit more, the score range of the inexperienced clearly emerged.
From E rank to D+ rank.
It was merely around 10 to 40 points.
‘I’ve confirmed the score range.’
Next, I closely examined the experienced ones.
As a result, I could clearly see the differences.
Their strikes were powerful, and there was no hesitation in utilizing weapons.
Of course, they weren’t perfect.
‘Overall, it feels rough and still unrefined.’
It was about proficiency.
As it was just the beginning of the semester, even the experienced ones were not yet mature.
‘Then it’s certainly doable.’
While I was exploring the possibilities alone.
“Ilhan, I’ll go first!”
Lim Gangcheol, Cha Eunwol, and Yoon Seolha.
My teammates’ turns came all at once.
‘I’m the only one next.’
While softly exclaiming at the coincidental situation, I focused on watching their duels.
Soon, I was able to witness surprising results.
‘……They should all be inexperienced.’
They were clearly different from the inexperienced ones so far.
Lim Gangcheol, who showed feral movements.
Cha Eunwol, who utilized mana even more skillfully.
Both exceeded expectations, but the key was Yoon Seolha.
‘Clearly, her movements themselves are distinctly different from the experienced ones.’
From attacks to evasions, they were simple and monotonous.
They were truly basic movements, but when Yoon Seolha performed them, the feeling was different.
‘Is that movement utilizing the textbook more than 100%……?’
She avoided attacks without excess and calmly counterattacked.
Without any special techniques, it took some time, but the number of hits taken was distinctly low.
The result was a C+ rank.
‘Indeed, Yoon Seolha is a monster.’
While I was softly exclaiming.
“The next cadets, please prepare.”
My turn approached.
“Ilhan, go show them!”
With Lim Gangcheol’s encouragement, I entered the virtual duel room.
The moment I put on the duel equipment, admiration flowed out.
It was because a wooden doll had appeared before my eyes.
‘It seems like you feel vibrations when you hit or get hit.’
While marveling at the impressive technology.
Creeak-
I prepared myself against its movement.
I waited for its first attack, partly to test the power of my stepping technique.
Then it suddenly charged at me.
“……”
I watched its approach with wide eyes.
It quickly closed the distance and came right up to me.
At that moment, I saw something black flickering at its feet.
‘……Shadow.’
More precisely, it wasn’t an actual shadow but the effect of the skill, an aspect of Black Shadow Step’s effect.
That was exactly where I needed to step.
‘Now.’
I recalled the first form of Black Shadow Step.
Simultaneously, my body flowed diagonally to its side.
As a result.
Whoosh-
I felt its strike passing by the side of my head.
It was close, but I didn’t feel any vibration.
From there, I was certain.
‘……It works. Then.’
Surely, the timing to catch it off guard would soon arise.
I avoided all of its offensives by going through the second and third steps.
After repeating this two or three times.
‘Now.’
The last step, the fourth form.
The moment to confirm its power had arrived.
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