Pagma's Swordmanship

[You have defeated a canyon lizardman.]

[You have defeated a canyon lizardman.]

[You have defeated a canyon lizardman.]

[You have defeated a canyon lizardman.]

[You have defeated a canyon lizardman.]

[A damaged sapphire has been acquired.]

[Crude Scimitar has been acquired.]

[316,000 experience has been acquired.]

[316,000 experience has been acquired.]

[316,000 experience has been acquired.]

[Your level has risen.]

[Your level has risen.]

"Haa. haa. haa."

Gilgamesh breathed heavily, his chest rising and falling as he steadied himself. 

After his first encounter with the lizardmen, more and more monsters emerged, drawn by the noise of the fight. He was soon outnumbered, but he hadn't backed down. All he could see was a sea of experience points offering themselves to him, and he had seized the opportunity with both hands. Now, with two-thirds of his health remaining, he stood amidst the aftermath, victorious but exhausted.

He opened his inventory and pulled out an Intermediate Health Potion, downing it in one swift motion.

[1,500 health has been restored.]

The warmth bitter of the potion spread through his body, soothing his aches and replenishing his strength. But before he could fully recover, a new threat made itself known.

Tadak!Tadak!Tadadak.

The sound was bizarre and sinister, a rapid tapping that echoed through the canyon. Gilgamesh's instincts screamed at him to move. He looked up just in time to see a massive creature descending the curved canyon wall with terrifying speed.

It was a canyon spider, a top predator among the canyon's monsters. As large as two 15-ton trucks, its grotesque form was a nightmare come to life. Its eight legs moved with unnatural precision, and its small, beady eyes glinted with malice. This was a level 180 monster, a creature so feared that even the canyon lizards and lizardmen avoided it, hiding in caves to escape its deadly webs.

"SCRREECHHH!!"

The canyon spider let out a piercing screech, its mandibles clicking as it launched a thick strand of webbing toward Gilgamesh. The web shot out in a cocoon-like form, spreading to a width of three meters in less than a second. If it hit, Gilgamesh would be immobilized, easy prey for the spider.

The canyon spider's head was incredibly small compared to its huge size. As soon as the head stopped right in front of him, the mouth of the spider opened wide and the sharp teeth revealed a threatening appearance.

Gilgamesh then swung his sword, but the canyon spider avoided his attack while hanging on the web, and then fired a web towards him.

Swaeeek.

Aware of the danger, Gilgamesh moved his body, avoiding the spider web. But that was just the beginning, the real onslaught has just started.

Syuk!Syuk!

The spider's attacks came in rapid succession, its webs forming a deadly net in the air.

"Dammit!"

Gilgamesh moved frantically, relying on his instincts and agility to avoid being ensnared. But he knew he couldn't keep this up forever.

'If this continues, I'll become tired and unable to do anything,' Gilgamesh realized. He needed to turn the tide of the battle, and fast.

There was a need to stop it from easily launching those webs.

Gilgamesh quickly put away his Black Greatsword and pulled Nightedge from his inventory.

"Dark Slash!!"

He made a decision and cast Dark Slash toward the torso of the canyon spider. The spider was hit by Dark Slash and shook a few times while hanging on the web. But it wasn't a substantial blow.

[You have dealt 248 damage to the target.]

"F**k." Gilgamesh cursed at the canyon spider's ridiculous defense.

He was frustrated when the canyon spider started firing the spider webs even more quickly.

"Fuhh, there is no other way then," Gilgamesh said. Because the canyon spider was hanging on the webs, there was quite a distance between him and the canyon spider, and the only way to deal with it was with his Dark Slash which is a ranged attack. Gilgamesh then took a deep breath and concentrated. Then, Nightedge was enveloped with a blue aura.

This was a skill that he gained when his swordsmanship stepped into Intermediate Swordsmanship.

[Aura Enchant]

The wielded weapon will gain additional fixed damage and ignore defense.

Mana Cost: 400

Skill Duration: 1 minutes

Cooldown Skill: 5 minutes

The degree of freedom in Satisfy was infinite. That also applied to skills. It was possible for users to create completely different effects depending on how they used or combined their skills.

Now he had somewhat figured out the pattern of the spider webs, so he easily avoided them and accurately aimed Dark Slash at the canyon spider.

Then!

"Dark Slash!"

The combination of Dark Slash and Aura Enchant created a big arch of energy that hurled at Spider Canyon, then a message window popped up.

[The new skill fusion has succeeded.]

[Fusion skill 'Aura Slash' has been created.]

[Your intelligence has increased by 10 due to the successful fusion of a new skill.]

[Aura Slash]

The force of Dark Slash has been strengthened with Aura Enchant.

Deals 300% of your attack power to a target in an arch with a radius of 5 meters, it can ignore enemy defense while also dealing 5,000 fixed damage to the target.

Skill Mana Cost: 500

Skill Cooldown Time: 10 minutes

Skill Usage Conditions: Nightedge

Zreengggt!1

The dark bluish purple aura, reminiscent of a sword master's technique, flew toward the canyon spider with devastating speed.

"Kieek?"

The spider scrambled up its web, trying to escape, but it was too late. The aura struck with unrelenting force.

Peeeeeong!

[You have dealt 5,455 damage to the target.]

[You have dealt 5,000 damage to the target.]

"Krecgh!"

The canyon spider let out a guttural cry as it was thrown from its web, crashing to the ground with a thunderous impact. Yellow liquid spewed from its mouth, and its massive body left a crater in the canyon floor. The spider flailed helplessly, its legs twisting in the air as it struggled to right itself.

Brgurrghddughh!!!

The canyon spider crashed into the ground, causing a huge crack. It fell on its back and was so big that it couldn't raise its body. Gilgamesh was confident that now was his chance to get rid of it. He then drank a mana recovery potion and leaped toward the canyon spider while equipping his Black Greatsword.

It couldn't raise its body yet, but the spider kept trying to resist. The eight legs waved and threatened him several times, but he only had light injuries on his shoulders and thighs.

"Now...!"

He laughed as the eight legs twisted in the air, then stabbed the Black Greatsword deep into the canyon spider's chest.

Puok!

The back, legs, and head of the canyon spider were all covered with a thick shell. But the chest was covered with hair. In other words, the chest of the canyon spider didn't boast an overwhelming defense, unlike the other areas.

[You have dealt 4,326 damage to the target.]

[You have dealt 5,000 damage to the target.]

"KREEAACHHHAKKK!!!!!" A terrible scream of the canyon spider echoed throughout Kesan Canyon.

Puoook!

[You have defeated a canyon spider.]

[The canyon spider's leg has been acquired.]

[The canyon spider's eyeball has been acquired.]

[The canyon spider's spiderweb has been acquired.]

[387,500 experience has been acquired.]

[Your level has risen.]

Gilgamesh stood over the spider's lifeless body that began to turn into a grey light, his chest heaving as he caught his breath. The battle had been grueling, but he had emerged victorious. With a grin, he sheathed his sword and looked up at the towering canyon walls.

___

As Gilgamesh engaged in his dramatic battle against the canyon spider, a figure watched from the shadows, his sharp eyes taking in every move. The man was tall and lean, with long, unkempt hair that framed a face marked by years of hardship. His clothes were worn and tattered, but there was an air of nobility about him, a remnant of his former life.

"This is the first time in ages that I've seen someone take care of a canyon spider alone," the man murmured, his voice low and gravelly. "His skills are decent, but his growth rate... it's extraordinary."

He observed as the canyon spider lost its web and crashed to the ground, its massive body landing on its back. The creature flailed helplessly, unable to right itself without a nearby surface to anchor a new web. If it had landed on its stomach or had terrain close enough to fire a web, the battle might have ended very differently. Luck had played a significant role in Gilgamesh's victory, but the man couldn't help but admire his resourcefulness and determination.

"His ability grows every time he hunts a monster," the man noted, his eyes narrowing thoughtfully. "His potential is beyond imagination... He seems a good choice to be my agent of revenge."

The man's name was Piaro, once the strongest knight of the Saharan Empire. He had been a knight captain, a hero revered by many, until he was framed as a traitor. Betrayed by those he trusted, Piaro had been forced to flee, his life reduced to hiding in the treacherous depths of Kaesan Canyon. But even in exile, his thirst for justice—no, vengeance—burned brightly.

"Asmophel..." Piaro muttered, his voice dripping with venom. The name of the man who had ruined his life and the lives of his colleagues. "I will make you die a cruel death!"

Piaro's hands clenched into fists, his nails digging into his palms. He had spent months plotting his revenge, but he was trapped. Trackers scoured the continent, searching for him, and he couldn't leave Kaesan Canyon without risking capture. He needed someone to act on his behalf, someone strong, resourceful, and driven. And now, he believed he had found that person.

***

"So is right here."

Kwaaaaaaah!

The north of Kaesan Canyon was home to the breathtaking Loran Waterfall, a 1,300-meter-high cascade that roared with the power of nature. The water vapor around the waterfall created a dreamy, almost ethereal atmosphere, and rainbows danced in the mist, transforming the area into a scene straight out of a fairy tale.

Gilgamesh stood at the edge of the waterfall, his eyes wide with wonder. The sheer scale and beauty of the place were overwhelming. The intersection of rainbows and the thunderous fall of water was a sight few would ever witness. This was the Loran Waterfall, named after its discoverer, Loran, the founder of the Eternal Kingdom. It was one of the most sacred places for the people of the Eternal Kingdom, yet it was devoid of tourists. The dangers of Kaesan Canyon—its ferocious monsters and treacherous terrain—kept the common people away. Even adventurers rarely made it this far.

Kuwaaaaaaaah!

The sound of the waterfall was deafening, a constant reminder of nature's raw power. Gilgamesh took a deep breath, savoring the moment. "It's really amazing," he said, his voice barely audible over the roar of the water.

But he wasn't here to admire the scenery. With a determined look, Gilgamesh leaped into the waterfall, the cold water crashing against him as he pushed through to the other side. As he had expected, there was a small cave hidden behind the cascade. The walls of the cave were adorned with ancient murals, their colors faded but their details still clear. They depicted a man dancing with a sword, his movements fluid and precise.

"This is Pagma's..."

The man in the murals had hawk-like eyes, a slender, egg-shaped face, and features that would have been considered strikingly handsome. If Youngwoo still had his original appearance, he might have noticed the uncanny resemblance between himself and Pagma. While Pagma's beauty was ethereal, with long black hair and a delicate frame, Youngwoo's features were more robust, his short black hair and muscular build giving him a more rugged appearance.

Despite his slender frame, Pagma wielded a massive greatsword with ease, the blade dwarfing his body. Yet, in the murals, he moved with the grace of a butterfly, his swordsmanship a perfect blend of power and elegance. Each mural depicted a different stance or technique, forming a sequential guide to Pagma's legendary swordsmanship.

Gilgamesh studied the murals intently, his eyes tracing every line and curve. He moved from one to the next, absorbing the details of each technique. Finally, he reached the last mural, its surface partially obscured by moss. He brushed the moss away, revealing the final piece of the puzzle.

As he did, a notification window popped up.

[Pagma's swordsmanship has been acquired.]

[You have completed the first class quest. Return to Blacksmith Kaela.]

[Pagma's Swordsmanship]

Lv. 1

-When the skill is deactivated-

You can become one with the sword at any time. Increases physical attack by 20% and critical hit rate by 10%.

* This effect is only applied when a sword type weapon is equipped.

* The skill consumes no mana.

-When the skill is activated-

Become one with the sword. Wave, Restraint, Link, Kill, Transcend. You can unleash a total of five sword techniques.

* The effect of the deactivated skill will be lost.

* 20 mana is required to activate the skill.

* Once deactivated, it will take 10 seconds until the skill can be activated again. Nothing will be consumed when deactivated.

[Wave]

Unleash a violent sword dance like a high wave.

Inflicts 155% of your attack power to all enemies within 1m, as well as reducing their speed.

Skill Usage Conditions: Have a sword type weapon equipped.

Skill Mana Cost: 350

Skill Cooldown Time: 120 seconds

[Restraint]

A restrained and understated sword dance.

Overwhelms the surroundings. No one will have access to you for three seconds.

* Does not apply to the undead.

Skill Usage Conditions: Have a sword type weapon equipped.

Skill Mana Cost: 300

Skill Cooldown Time: 300 seconds

[Link]

A dazzling sword dance that is like the wings of a butterfly.

Deals 500% of your attack power to a single target.

Skill Usage Conditions: Have a sword type weapon equipped.

Skill Mana Cost: 350

Skill Cooldown Time: 100 seconds

[Kill]

A killing sword that expresses hatred.

Deals 1500% of your attack power to a single target. There will be a bleeding and desperation effect.

Skill Usage Conditions: Have a sword type weapon equipped.

Skill Mana Cost: 1,200

Skill Stamina Consumption: Consumes 50% of your stamina.

Skill Cooldown Time: 500 seconds

[Transcend]

A sword dance that transcends imagination.

Your attack power is doubled and your default attacks will turn into ranged attacks.

Skill Usage Conditions: Have a sword-type weapon equipped.

Skill Mana Cost: 1,800

Skill Duration: 30 seconds.

Skill Cooldown Time: 3,000 seconds

"Good," A satisfied smile spreading across Gilgamesh's face. But he wasn't done yet. He spent the next few hours in the cave, practicing the sword dances depicted in the murals. He moved through each stance and technique, his body mimicking Pagma's movements with increasing precision. Even without activating the skill, he could feel the power and grace of Pagma's swordsmanship flowing through him.

The cave echoed with the sound of his footsteps and the swish of his blade as he trained, the murals serving as both guide and inspiration. By the time he was done, his muscles ached, but his spirit was invigorated. He had taken the first step toward mastering Pagma's legacy, and he was ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.