[SYSTEM NOTIFICATION]
Skill Efficiency: 9%.
Style Points: 100%.
Note: Congratulations, you've unlocked "Random Enthusiastic Swinging" Lv.1. Warning: No monsters were harmed… yet.
Cian blinked at the floating text, groaning under his breath.
"Tch. You really like mocking me, don't you?"
But instead of slowing down, he gritted his teeth and kept going—slashing, thrusting, stepping back. His muscles ached, but the words of the old man echoed in his head:
> "Dominate the basics. Master them. That's where the real edge lies."
From the side, the old man let out a small laugh, watching Cian's form improve stroke by stroke.
Not far off, Shirayuki spun in place, chasing her own tail before tackling a pile of leaves. Solaira, back in her beast form, wore a flower crown half-tilted on her head as she pawed at the puffball hedgehog girl, both of them squeaking and tumbling around in a whirlwind of fur and laughter.
[SYSTEM LOG]:
Warning: Your allies are too adorable. High chance of distraction.
Cian's breathing slowed. His hands tightened on the wooden sword. The sounds of rustling leaves and playful giggles faded into a dull hum. For a brief moment—everything aligned.
He stepped forward and slashed.
fwip—!
In a blink, he was no longer where he stood.
A clean trail of cut grass split behind him, and a sharp gust rolled forward like a ripple. Cian's eyes widened as he turned.
"What… just happened?"
[SYSTEM NOTIFICATION]
You have awakened the skill: [Flicker Step]
Note: When your brain turns off and your instincts take over, wild things happen.
Warning: You're not fast. You just forgot to suck.
Shirayuki popped up from the leaf pile, blinking curiously. Solaira's ears perked as she tilted her head, eyes locked on Cian with a soft "Ohh~?"
The old man dropped his pipe.
"That footwork… That kid's gonna be a beast someday," he muttered, voice caught between awe and a smirk.
Cian just stood there, sword trembling in his hand, sweat dripping down his temple.
"I... I moved."
Then he grinned.
Cian, still panting lightly, looked down at his feet—he had just blinked forward again.
"System," he said, trying to stay calm. "Can you explain what that movement was?"
[SYSTEM NOTIFICATION]
Skill: [Flicker Step]
Type: Movement – Instinctual Dash
Effect: Your body compresses momentum and releases it in a blink-speed dash in your attack's direction.
Currently unstable. Triggered by pure focus and reflex.
Tip: The more you think, the worse it gets. Trust your body, not your brain, dummy.
Cian raised an eyebrow. "So… don't think. Just do. Sounds simple enough."
He planted his feet, took a calming breath, and tried again.
Flick!
He appeared a few steps ahead, the air slicing behind him.
"Yooo!" he laughed, spinning around. "This is actually—whoa!"
[SYSTEM COMMENT]
Nice. Still a bit clumsy, but at least you didn't fall on your face this time. Progress!
Solaira and Shirayuki glanced up from their little game—Shirayuki playing tag with a floating leaf while Solaira stirred the stew.
"He's blinking all over the place now," Solaira said, smirking. "Should we worry?"
The old man chuckled under his breath. "Nah. But if he keeps it up, the trees might start moving out of his way on their own."
Cian kept practicing, each step sharper than the last.
[SYSTEM TIP]
Flicker Step: Optimization in progress…
To fully minimize delay, reduce wind-up motion. Internalize the movement. Make it second nature—like blinking, but cooler.
New Objective: Flicker without warning. Scare your enemies. Impress girls. Mostly scare enemies, though.
Cian's eyes lit up. "Now that's a goal."
As the stew bubbled over the fire and the four of them huddled near, the old man leaned back against a log with a nostalgic sigh.
"Alright," he began, "let me tell you a tale. Not about me, of course—but about a poor sap who thought he could tame the wild with charm alone."
Cian raised an eyebrow. "Like… magic charm?"
"No, no," the old man grinned. "Romantic charm. See, this young lad once heard of a beast guarding a hot spring. Beautiful view, steaming water, but terrifying monster. So what does he do?"
Solaira leaned in, curious.
"He strips down to a towel, climbs a rock, and sings a love song to the beast. Full ballad. I'm talking high notes, tears in the eyes, reaching for the moon."
Shirayuki's ears twitched in confusion.
"The creature just stared at him like it had witnessed a crime against nature. Then it ran away."
Solaira burst into laughter. "It ran away?!"
"Fastest sprint I've seen. The beast probably feared a duet."
[SYSTEM MESSAGE]
Note to self: Singing to monsters not an official skill. But hey, 10/10 for emotional courage.
Cian gave a tired smile. "System… are you being supportive or sarcastic?"
[SYSTEM]
Why not both?
PS: If you try this, I'll prepare an obituary and a playlist.
Cian sighed, face in hand.
The old man continued, "Moral of the story? Confidence is great. But maybe leave the serenades to birds."
Solaira winked at Cian. "I dunno, maybe you've got a song in you?"
Cian turned bright red. "Let's not find out."
[SYSTEM COMMENT]
Wise choice, Hero. The forest thanks you in advance.
As the moon rose high and the stew's warmth lingered in their bellies, the old man stood, brushing dust from his cloak.
"Well, I'm heading to the city for a few things. See you tomorrow, lad," he said with a nod, vanishing into the quiet forest path with only the sound of his soft coughs trailing behind.
Cian turned to head inside—only to be grabbed on both arms.
"H-Huh?!"
Solaira, wearing a mischievous smirk, pulled on one side, while Shirayuki, her soft grip firm, tugged on the other. Neither of them said a word—Shirayuki couldn't, and Solaira didn't need to.
"W-Wait, what's going on—!?"
The door to the cabin shut behind them.
[SYSTEM MESSAGE]
Brace yourself, hero.
Tonight's sleep will either heal your soul... or break your knees.
[SLEEP STATUS: MAX COMFORT ACHIEVED]
Outside, the morning breeze carried the scent of dew and stew leftovers. Cian was stretching, still sore from last night's "sleep." The old man stood by the tree stump, arms folded.
"Alright lad," he began, eyes twinkling. "Today's target isn't far. Bit of a rowdy one. Goes by the name Grarbulon. Big, hairy, ugly... and loves to grapple."
Cian blinked. "Grapple?"
> [SYSTEM]: Oooh, a monster that likes grappling?
Sounds like someone had a similar match last night, just in bed.
Cian turned red. "Shh! Not in front of gramps!"
The old man raised a brow. "You say somethin', lad?"
"N-No! Please go on…"
The old man shrugged. "Anyway, it's a close-combat beast. Likes to charge, grab, and toss. You'll need to match its pace."
> [SYSTEM]: Close combat? Wow, Cian, that's your specialty.
Especially when your opponent wears silk and giggles.
Cian facepalmed. "Can you shut up for once?!"
> [SYSTEM]: Can you stop blushing like a shoujo protagonist? No? Didn't think so.
The old man squinted at him. "You sure you're ready? You're twitchin' like a squirrel on spice."
Cian cleared his throat. "I-I'm fine. Let's go hunt that… hairy wrestler."
Behind them, Solaira peeked out the cabin, yawning with her shirt suspiciously crooked.
Shirayuki waved with both hands like a child.
> [SYSTEM]: They'll miss their cuddle toy. Don't disappoint your harem, champ.
Cian gritted his teeth.
"I swear… One day, I'm uninstalling you."
> [SYSTEM]: Error. I'm bound to your soul and shame. Good luck!
Cian walked along the narrow forest path, leaves crunching under his boots as birds chirped above like background singers to his thoughts. Shafts of sunlight pierced through the canopy, giving everything a soft, green glow.
> [SYSTEM]: According to the wrinkly swordsman's directions, your destination is up ahead… the cave known as Duskwallow Den. You've got 1 and a half days to find and "handle" the monster inside. No pressure. Just your honor. And maybe your limbs.
Cian exhaled through his nose. "Sounds easy when you say it."
> [SYSTEM]: It also likes to grapple, remember? Might be your kind of party, eh? A little... close combat?
He groaned. "Shh! I'm already regretting everything."
> [SYSTEM]: Oh come on. You were literally moaning last night—wait, nope, wrong log, my bad. Anyway, onward brave warrior! Into the forest where monsters are clingy and caves are steamy!
Cian picked up the pace, pretending he didn't hear that. The trees began to thin as the wind shifted—cooler, damp, and definitely cave-scented.
As Cian halted by the mossy tree at the fork in the forest path, he let out a deep breath and glanced up.
"...System, real talk. If I'm gonna fight some grappling-loving monster and I've only been swinging a wooden stick for like a week and a half… What's the first thing I need to do?"
> [SYSTEM]: Step 1—beg me.
Step 2—maybe, maybe I'll consider giving you an actual answer.
Cian blinked. "What?"
> [SYSTEM]: You heard me. On your knees, rookie. Show me them humble vibes.
He hesitated. Then with a groan, Cian dramatically dropped to his knees, hands clasped together like a desperate RPG protagonist out of potions.
"Great and wise System-sama, please, I beg you! Teach me how to not get bodyslammed into a tree!"
> [SYSTEM]: YEEESSSS! That's it! More! Add some tears! Cry for your answer, my pitiful sword-swinger! WAHAHAHA!
Cian faked a sniffle. "I-I just wanted to impress the old man… and not die alone in a mossy cave…"
> [SYSTEM]: Glorious. Fine! You earned it, you tragic protagonist. Listen up. Before you even think about fighting, you need to:
Observe its movement
Find a pattern
And use your speed, not power. Grapplers hate slippery prey. Be the soap, Cian. Be. The. Soap.
"...What kind of advice is be the soap?!"
> [SYSTEM]: The legendary kind. Now get up, my soapy warrior. Your clingy destiny awaits.
Cian facepalmed, muttering, "I hate you so much," as he trudged forward.
> [SYSTEM]: Love you too, Butterfinger-kun. Now let's go find your clinger beast.