Uncharted Territory of Sword Training
As the day wore on and it was already 12 PM, Joo-Hee returned to her room after taking a bath. She couldn't help but feel a bit embarrassed as she thought, 'I know this is my body now, but taking a bath is still really weird and... a bit lewd.' Her cheeks flushed as she recalled what happened earlier. Her self-consciousness was evident, but as much as she longed for her old form, there was nothing she could do about it now.
She sighed as she sat on the bed, scrolling through her phone to distract herself. She came across some videos of hunters fighting in close combat, watching them with a mixture of fascination and hesitation.
Joo-Hee understood the weight of her realization. She couldn't remain as someone who simply healed from the back while everyone else fought. She had been granted a system, and with it, she could try to learn a variety of skills. While it gave her mage skills, it was clear her class was called a 'Sage'—someone destined to acquire knowledge and wisdom.
She called forth the system, her mind focused on one question: How could she register a close-combat skill? She knew it was essential to make up for her weakness in melee confrontation, especially if she wanted to increase her chances of survival when venturing into dungeons.
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[Sage Enlightenment System]
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Name: Lee Joo-Hee (Jake Garcia)
Class: Sage of Eternal Leaf
Level: 1 (50/100)
HP: 140/140 | MP: 260/260
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Stats:
— Strength: 11
— Dexterity: 13
— Vitality: 14
— Magic Power: 26
— Intelligence: 18
— Wisdom: 19
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Skills:
— Healing Touch (Skill Level 1 - 23%): Amplified healing abilities, allowing for rapid recovery of wounds and ailments.
— Verdant Growth (Skill Level 1 - 17%): Manipulation of plants and nature, enabling the user to control and accelerate plant growth.
— Nature's Embrace (Skill Level 1 - 21%): A protective barrier formed from natural energy, capable of shielding the user and others from harm.
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Quests:
[Strengthening Bonds]
— Objective: Spend time with Sung Jin-Woo and support him in his recovery.
— Reward: +30 EXP, +3 Intelligence.
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After a while of hovering over her system and contemplating possible ways, as if the system had sensed Joo-Hee's growing determination, a new notification appeared before her:
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[New Quest: Embrace the Warrior Within]
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Jake's eyes widened in surprise. Without hesitation, he opened the quest details, his heart racing as he saw the rewards—Basic Swordsmanship or Martial Arts. "Perfect," Jake muttered, a small grin forming on his lips.
She accepted the quest immediately, knowing it was the next step in her journey to becoming more than just a healer. 'To think the system issued the third quest in an instant. Was it desperation that triggered the quest? I better explore this more later,' she thought.
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[Embrace the Warrior Within]
— Objective: Embark on training to master close combat skills. Achieve at least Basic Proficiency in either Swordsmanship or Martial Arts. Your progress will be evaluated based on your mastery of fundamental techniques, control, and combat instinct.
— Reward: +50 EXP, +5 Strength, Basic Swordsmanship (Skill Level 1) or Martial Arts (Skill Level 1).
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Her eyes lingered on the third quest. The system had provided him with exactly what he needed—an opportunity to gain combat skills.
Joo-Hee was rather excited. Magic might be otherworldly and majestic, but using swords or practicing authentic martial arts was any guy's dream. Her body might seem fit and healthy, but it was not naturally inclined toward combat, based on the memories she inherited. And yet, she couldn't afford to remain weak. She truly needed to learn how to fight, especially now that she was in another world.
The next morning, Joo-Hee sought out the nurse and learned that there was a man on the 1st floor named Kang Ho, a grizzled veteran who now worked at the hospital, helping Hunters rehabilitate after injuries. A former A-minus Rank Hunter himself, Kang Ho had been forced to retire after a brutal incident left him unable to fight at full strength.
Joo-Hee had watched him from afar, noticing the quiet authority in the man's movements and the way others respected him.
After breakfast, she found him in the training area, where he was sorting through a stack of weights. "Mr. Kang, good morning! I'm Lee Joo-Hee, a B-Rank healer," Joo-Hee said, her voice a little more confident than she felt inside.
Kang Ho turned, his eyes narrowing in mild surprise. "So, what can I do for you, Ms. Lee?"
Joo-Hee took a deep breath, knowing this was a crucial moment. "I was wondering... if I could ask you for a favor," she started, her voice slightly hesitant. "I saw how you were teaching the hunters here... I—I also want to learn how to fight with a sword. So, please, teach me, Mr. Kang!" She bowed slightly, her gesture polite but sincere.
Kang Ho looked at her for a long moment, as if weighing her words. His voice, when he finally spoke, was low and gruff. "You're a healer. Why would you want to take up a sword?"
Joo-Hee met his gaze, her eyes steady and full of resolve. "I want to learn how to defend myself. I know our duty is to heal others, but I've seen enough to understand the truth. Without those protecting us, we are nothing but easy targets for monsters. If I want to survive, learning to use a weapon could at least give me a fighting chance..."
Kang Ho's brow furrowed, skepticism clear in his expression. "You've never trained before, right? Swordsmanship isn't something you pick up on a whim. You're walking into something that'll take years to master, and that's if you survive the learning curve."
"I don't have years," Jake said, his voice firm. "I need to be strong now. I won't always have someone to protect me."
Kang Ho's gaze softened, a flicker of respect in his eyes. "You've got guts, I'll give you that. But guts aren't enough to wield a sword, Ms. Lee."
Joo-Hee knew that, as someone from a peaceful world, it would be hard for her to adapt immediately to this new one. Still, with a sense of determination, she bowed and said with conviction, "Then please teach me, Mr. Kang! I... promise I won't disappoint you."
For a moment, Kang Ho was silent, then he nodded slowly, a smile tugging at his lips. "Alright, Ms. Lee. But don't say I didn't warn you—this won't be easy. Change your clothes first and come back here afterward."
She went to the nearby changing room and changed into the training clothes provided earlier. When she returned wearing a dojo robe, excitement bubbled inside her. Entering the inner part of the training center, Joo-Hee found herself in a traditional room, with wooden practice swords lined up neatly on a rack.
Kang Ho stood waiting, a stern expression on his face. He handed Joo-Hee a wooden sword, which felt surprisingly foreign in her small hands. "Before we begin, let's see your stance," Kang Ho instructed.
She attempted to mimic stances she had seen in martial arts and sword-fighting scenes from movies and anime. However, it quickly became evident how little practical knowledge she actually possessed. Kang Ho stepped in, correcting her form—adjusting her grip, positioning her feet, and straightening her posture until she was standing in a proper beginner's stance.
"That should do for now. Don't forget this stance when you practice in the future," Kang Ho instructed, his tone firm but patient. He began pacing in front of Joo-Hee as he continued, "Let's begin. Ms. Lee, remember—swordsmanship isn't about flashy or glamorous moves like the ones you see in animations or read about in books. It's about control, precision, and discipline. Most importantly, it's about mastering the basics. You need to build a strong foundation..."
Joo-Hee listened intently, absorbing the veteran's words like a sponge. After a few moments of careful explanation, the training began. Kang Ho drilled her on the basics—slashing, stabbing, slicing, blocking, parrying, and even riposting attacks. He emphasized footwork as the foundation of every move, correcting every mistake with a sharp word or a light tap of her own practice sword.
Hours passed, and Joo-Hee's body ached from the relentless training. Yet, she pressed on, her determination unwavering. Whenever the fatigue became overwhelming, she cast [Healing Touch] on herself, washing away the weariness in her muscles. Each swing of the wooden sword was deliberate, her footwork carefully adjusted as she internalized Kang Ho's teachings.
Every slash and parry carried her burning desire to master the way of the sword. As she swung the practice blade for what felt like the thousandth time, sweat dripped from her forehead. Her slender arms and shoulders screamed in protest, but she refused to give in, gritting her teeth as she pushed through the strain.
Then, just as she completed another swing, a familiar chime echoed in her mind, cutting through the silence of the room. A glowing system notification appeared before her eyes:
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[You have completed the quest, "Embrace the Warrior Within."]
[You have gained +50 EXP and +5 Strength.]
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Before Joo-Hee could catch her breath, another chime rang through her mind as her quest finally finished. A surge of strength flowed through her body, making her feel empowered as if the lingering fatigue had been washed away.
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[You have leveled up to Level 2. Gained +2 Strength and +3 Dexterity.]
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The system automatically distributed his status points, and Jake felt an immediate surge of power ripple through his body. His muscles tensed, his movements felt quicker, sharper. Just as he began to process the change, another notification appeared, prompted by his tireless sword practice.
Just a second later, another blue panel appeared before her, and Joo-Hee couldn't help but feel a sense of satisfaction wash over her as she thought, 'Finally, some leverage in this world!'
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[You have acquired a skill, Basic Swordsmanship — Skill Level 1 ]
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