Chapter 5: Awakening in Battle

The moment the goblins lunged forward, Han didn't hesitate.

His body moved on instinct—he dashed toward the nearest goblin, sword raised. His blade came down in a sharp arc, aiming to cut the creature down in a single strike.

Clang!

Han's eyes widened.

The goblin had parried his attack.

"What—?!" He barely had time to process before the goblin retaliated, its jagged blade slashing toward his ribs. Han twisted his body, dodging by a hair's breadth.

"This goblin's way stronger than the tutorial ones! Isn't their level difference only that of two?"

"Shit! Playing the game as a master and as a hero is really different!"

His grip on the sword tightened. There was no time for hesitation. He immediately went on the offensive, unleashing a flurry of rapid slashes. But the goblin wasn't just some mindless creature—it blocked, evaded, and counterattacked with unexpected skill.

Damn... it's not just stronger—it's smarter too.

But Han wasn't about to back down.

He pressed forward, pushing the goblin into a relentless exchange of strikes. Blow after blow, he tested its defenses, searching for an opening. His heart pounded, adrenaline coursing through his veins. He couldn't afford to lose. He wouldn't lose.

Then, he saw it.

For just a split second, the goblin's guard slipped.

Han reacted instantly.

With a sharp thrust, his sword pierced straight through its chest, sinking into the goblin's heart. The creature let out a strangled cry before going limp, its body collapsing to the ground.

Han exhaled, his gaze snapping up to assess the battlefield—only to freeze at what he saw.

Six goblin corpses.

All chopped up.

All by Shay.

"...Sigh."

Han let out a long, weary breath, rubbing his temple.

"So this is why my heroes complained every time they were in a party with a higher-star hero… it's truly unfair."

There was no struggle. No challenge. Shay had cut them down like weeds.

He turned to her, gripping his sword.

"Shay!" He called out, his voice steady.

The knight turned to him, her expression unreadable.

"Can you leave those three goblins to me?"

Shay glanced at the remaining goblins, then back at Han. A small smirk tugged at her lips.

"Sure. Let's see what you can do, Khan."

Han's eye twitched.

I swear, I'll get stronger

And with that, he charged forward.

He lunged at the first goblin, his sword cutting through the air in a swift arc.

Clang!

The goblin parried with ease.

Its blade deflected Han's attack without effort, and before he could react, it retaliated with a brutal counterattack. Han barely managed to raise his sword in time, the force of the strike rattling through his arms.

Shit, they're stronger than I thought!

Undeterred, he pressed forward, attacking again. But once more, the goblin blocked it—this time with even less effort. Blow after blow, Han tried to land a strike, only to be met with failure. His movements felt sluggish, predictable, like he was swinging blindly without purpose.

Then, things got worse.

The other two goblins charged in, their jagged blades gleaming under the dim light.

"Fuck! I can't fight them all—"

But before panic could take hold, a voice cut through the chaos.

A calm, steady voice.

"Khan, that's not the proper way to use a sword."

Han gritted his teeth. Even now, she was correcting him?!

Shay's tone didn't waver. "Right now, you're swinging your sword without meaning, without direction. A blade isn't just about speed or strength—it's about intent. Every swing must have a purpose."

Han barely had time to process her words as he desperately fended off the three goblins, their relentless attacks forcing him onto the defensive.

"You're reacting instead of acting," Shay continued, watching him with sharp eyes. "You flail, you slice, you stab without thinking—but a true swordsman doesn't simply attack. A true swordsman chooses their moment. Their strike isn't wasted movement—it's inevitability. You must see the path before you swing. You must know where your sword will land before you even move."

Her words hit him harder than the goblins' attacks.

The path…?

Han's mind sharpened, his breathing steadying as his muscles tensed in anticipation.

"I have to concentrate on the path I want my sword to take…"

The goblins rushed at him again, but this time, something changed.

Han's grip on his sword tightened. He saw the battlefield—the way the goblins moved, their attacks, their weaknesses. Time seemed to slow, his mind cutting through the chaos.

"I have to choose the right time and place…"

For the first time, he wasn't just reacting.

He was deciding logically.

And in that instant, Han moved.

His mind no longer clouded by hesitation, he flowed like water between the goblins' attacks.

Dodge left. A blade whistled past his cheek.

Step forward. Another goblin's strike narrowly missed his shoulder.

Slash—

In a single fluid motion, Han weaved through their attacks, his blade flashing like silver lightning.

Schlck!

Three heads soared through the air.

The goblins didn't even have time to react. Their bodies remained frozen for a split second before collapsing lifelessly onto the ground.

At that moment—

[Skill Awakening!]

A translucent notification flashed before Han's eyes.

[The hero, Han (☆), has awakened the skill, Basic Swordsmanship!]

[Han (☆)'s Basic Swordsmanship has risen to level 3!]

Another notification immediately followed.

[Skill Awakening!]

[The hero, Han (☆), has awakened the skill, Combat Logic!]

Han barely had time to process it. His chest heaved with exertion, his fingers still wrapped tightly around his sword.

…That felt different.

Before, his attacks had been wild, desperate. But just now—

His movements had been clean. Efficient. Lethal.

This wasn't just swinging a sword anymore.

This was fighting. This is strength! The strength I need to survive in this damn game!

Shay observed him quietly, her sharp eyes gleaming with intrigue.

"Not bad."

Han exhaled, catching his breath. A slow smirk crept onto his face.

"…Took me long enough."

[Stage Clear!]

A familiar blue glow surrounded Han and Shay as their bodies began to break into shimmering particles.

[Shay (☆☆☆☆) level up!]

[Han (☆) level up!]

[Rewards Acquired:

2000G, Steel (C) x2, Copper (C) x2,

Leather (C) x2]

[MVP - Shay (☆☆☆☆)]

[Shay (☆☆☆☆) has been put into the favourites!]

[Han (☆) has been put into the favourites!]

To be continued...

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See? Han is now stronger than in the original, and he will only get stronger since he has Shay who can guide him in swordsmanship.