Securing the cooperation of the ponytailed woman...
I didn't expect it to be this easy.
I thought I'd have to attempt at least 10 times, changing my approach each time, before I could barely succeed.
Joy wells up inside me.
From now on, will I genuinely start to become stronger?
If this were a novel, it would probably read: "The Conqueror of the Grand Tower. His journey truly begins now."
"Name."
"Excuse me?"
"Your name. What is it?"
"Oh, it's Kim Jun-ho."
I was lost in thought and didn't respond immediately to the ponytailed woman.
But thinking about it, why is she using informal speech? Quite rude.
Of course, I didn't show my displeasure outwardly.
Given the situation, I should be accommodating.
"Can you tell me your name?"
I can't keep calling her "ponytailed woman" forever.
"...Choi Ji-won."
Choi Ji-won responded coldly.
Choi Ji-won... a gender-neutral name. It could be a male name like the historical figure Yeonam Park Ji-won or a female name like the actress Kim Ji-won.
Considering her boyish charm, I thought it suited her well. I should remember it.
"Alright."
The place Choi Ji-won led me to was the same corner of the ground where she had been practicing her swordsmanship.
"Hold the sword, as comfortably as you can."
"...Alright."
As before, I awkwardly held the sword.
"Swing it."
Hmmm.
The sound from the sword was hardly intimidating.
"Relax your shoulders. Spread your legs. Again."
Huumm.
"Your grip on the sword is strange. Your wrist shouldn't wobble. Again."
Huuuum.
"Again."
"Again."
"Again."
Every time I swung the sword, Choi Ji-won would point out corrections and tell me to do it "again".
This wasn't the swordsmanship lesson I had in mind... but it's fine.
Whooosh!
This time, the sound was quite threatening. My posture was also pretty good.
Considering it hasn't even been 30 minutes since I started swinging the sword awkwardly, this is undeniably rapid progress.
Of course, before regressing, I had some experience with the sword and had a sense of how to swing it.
Hiding my skills was part of the act.
Choi Ji-won probably isn't serious about teaching me. She probably sees this as a mere pastime.
But what if she realizes I have talent?
That I'm absorbing the techniques at an unnatural rate?
She might genuinely want to nurture that talent. It's as if I'm role-playing as a prodigy.
Now, marvel at my talent.
Be sincere in teaching me. I'll absorb it all like a sponge.
But Choi Ji-won's face was not filled with admiration but rather twisted oddly.
"...Why are you making that face?"
I asked cautiously, but Choi Ji-won didn't reply. She seemed lost in thought, tapping her right foot.
Did I make a mistake?
"You."
Finally, Choi Ji-won spoke.
"Was that an act earlier?"
"...Excuse me?"
Shink!
She drew her sword and pointed it at my throat.
"Your growth rate is unbelievable unless you're a genius. But if you're a genius, then your current display is too clumsy. The two don't match."
Damn.
This woman is much stronger than I thought. Just from watching me swing the sword, she figured out I was acting.
"What's your agenda? Approaching me? It doesn't make sense that you knew about me. You have some means, don't you? A power from a trait?"
Choi Ji-won's eyes flashed sharply.
Intimidated by her charisma, I swallowed hard.
"I...um..."
"You're nervous. Your heartbeat has increased."
"No, I mean, what's happening..."
Whack!
A powerful blow to the back of my head.
My vision flashed, and I could taste dirt in my mouth.
What happened? Did I fall? More importantly, my consciousness...
"We'll discuss the details when you wake up."
[You have taken damage.]
[You will regress to the first moment you entered the 0th floor.]
"Damn it! Where am I?!"
Surprisingly, the saying that a strong blow to the back of the head can knock you out turned out to be true.
I never thought I'd experience it firsthand.
It's an incredibly nauseating and dizzying feeling... definitely not something I'd want to experience again.
Anyway... Choi Ji-won noticed that I was hiding my strength. If the skill gap is too large, maybe acting doesn't work.
After all, a third-rate warrior hiding a sword behind his back wouldn't fool a top-tier martial artist.
I might have been too arrogant. Regardless of any special traits, that woman is overwhelmingly stronger than I am.
I shouldn't have thought I could deceive her from my level.
Of course, I didn't expect her to be the kind of woman who would scrutinize every lie... but it's good to know now.
Let's try again.
"Everyone! I'm not sure who's playing tricks, but in times like this, we must come together!"
I went through the passionate speech and the ensuing despair, just like before.
The difference this time was that I didn't hide my skills and swung the sword openly.
"Hold on. What are you trying to do now?"
Whether I hid my strength or not, to her, I seemed to appear the same. And just like before, Choi Ji-won blocked my path.
After accepting her offer to teach me the sword and exchanging names...
"Swing the sword."
Finally, I reached the same situation as the previous round.
Alright, if hiding my strength gets me caught, then I'll show her everything.
"Hup!"
Whooosh!
I showcased a strike that concentrated all my past experiences.
The trajectory of the sword looked pretty neat. Indeed, with each regression, I was improving.
"...Have you ever held a sword before?"
It seemed Choi Ji-won felt the same, as she cynically questioned me.
"...Haha. I was in the kendo club during high school. My posture is pretty good, right?"
I provided the excuse I had prepared...
"It's a lie."
Once again, Choi Ji-won's expression twisted.
"The bamboo sword used in kendo and the real sword you're holding have completely different weight distributions and feel. But your current posture is optimized for a real sword. You're hiding something."
"...Ah."
Is that so...?
Thud!
[You have taken damage.]
[You will regress to the initial moment of entering the 0th floor.]
"I had some private lessons from a relative who's adept with the sword."
"What's their name? I've memorized the names of all known sword experts in Korea. Tell me."
Thud!
[You have taken damage.]
[You will regress to the initial moment of entering the 0th floor.]
"I learned it in the military."
"I might believe basic sword or bayonet training, but learning a real sword in the military is a first. Do you take me for a fool because I'm a woman?"
Thud!
[You have taken damage.]
[You will regress to the initial moment of entering the 0th floor.]
Fine. I admit it.
In terms of knowledge related to swords, that woman knows way, way more than I do.
No matter the lie I craft, I can't deceive her.
She's not someone I can gain an upper hand over in my current state.
In the end, I chose my last resort.
"...Have you ever held a sword?"
"No?"
The expert among experts in swordsmanship. My knowledge of swordsmanship is based on martial arts novels and fantasy tales.
I can't win her over with words. I have to face her head-on and be genuine.
Please, just let it pass. Just teach me how to handle the sword...!
"...That's a lie. Your posture isn't that of someone with little experience."
Still, Choi Ji-won looked at me with suspicion.
Seeing her hand slowly move towards the hilt of her sword, I quickly spoke up.
"But it's true? When I shouted for the status window earlier... I just could do it. I think it's thanks to some special trait..."
Choi Ji-won, who had been biting her lip, seemed to contemplate.
She too had acquired superhuman abilities thanks to her trait, so she might find my story plausible.
"...What's the name of your trait?"
"Ah, that's a secret. If you tell me about your trait, I'll tell you about mine."
While Choi Ji-won was curious about my trait, she seemed reluctant to reveal her own.
After a long silence, she finally said:
"...Just hold the sword."
In the end, she decided to let it slide.
Receiving proper swordsmanship training, I could finally grasp the essence. Up until now, I knew nothing about swords.
I had barely dipped my toes into the vast ocean of swordsmanship and deceived myself into believing that I had improved.
The three hours I've trained now were more beneficial than the tens of hours I practiced alone.
Just by changing the direction of my foot, power was transmitted to the sword. Adjusting the angle of my elbow significantly reduced the strain on my arm.
It's like the mysterious mechanics of the body, a golden tower of knowledge built by geniuses.
"Whew..."
I wiped the sweat from my forehead with a satisfied smile.
Feeling the rapid improvement boosted my confidence.
Am I not a genius?
"...Among those I've taught, you seem to have the least talent."
Guess not.
Choi Ji-won licked her lips with a subtle expression.
"To even start making progress with you, it might take three years... I didn't expect you to lack talent to this extent..."
It seemed she regretted offering to teach me.
Was I truly that untalented? It hurt a bit.
"Forget whatever you've learned about swordsmanship. It might be even worse than not using it."
Choi Ji-won basically told me not to use a sword.
But...
"Will three years be enough?"
My pride was deeply wounded.
Am I really that incompetent? Are you sure?
I wanted to see her flustered.
I wanted to see her praise me.
I wanted her acknowledgment.
Thump!
In a gesture of determination, I fiercely slapped my chest.
I set a new goal.
I won't stop regressing until I gain Choi Ji-won's recognition in swordsmanship.
[You have taken damage.]
[You will regress to the initial moment of entering the 0th floor.]