To test the difference after upgrading his skills, the most straightforward method was to use Triple Slash—a move with high stamina consumption and heavy physical strain.
Naturally, that was exactly what Liang Yue chose to do.
The ant swarm, lured in by the danger signal, had gathered in front of him. Maybe it was just his imagination, but… after so much slaughter of Dungeon monsters, the group before him seemed a bit larger than usual.
"That's fine too."
"Clearing out this wave will get me to my level-up goal just as well."
If this had been a typical Dungeon run, facing this many monsters might have gotten his adrenaline pumping.
But after countless battles, his eyes had grown numb to the sight. The only thing driving him now was the desire to see the upgraded skills in action.
In the dim, cramped corridor, surrounded by endless fighting, the whole thing felt less like an adventure and more like a tedious day job.
Without further delay, he stepped forward toward the swarm, setting up Triple Slash's opening stance. The power in his legs exploded in an instant—his speed now beyond what most adventurers could even react to.
Much less the Killer Ants, who fought only by instinct. Holding a shortsword in each hand, every forward dash and slash sent arcs of sword aura flashing like moonlight, cutting through the swarm.
The expanded reach not only shredded the monsters directly ahead but also those instinctively trying to rush in from the sides.
They didn't stand a chance.
With three consecutive surging strikes, Liang Yue burst through the swarm's encirclement. As he stopped and turned back to finish the job, the sight before him made him pause—after just one Triple Slash, the number of ants had dropped dramatically.
Compared to before—when the skill was unupgraded and he only had one sword—this was on a whole other level.
Back then, it had been like a lone warrior charging the front lines, cutting a path through the enemy.
Now?
With two swords and upgraded skills, the result was a qualitative leap.
The wider slashes kept the ants from flanking him, tearing them apart faster than they could close in.
Instead of a solo charge, it now felt more like a fully coordinated infantry assault.
"Double-sword sword aura is really effective against large groups… and after upgrading, I can feel the stamina cost drop. The strain on my body is lighter too."
Analyzing the battle, he confirmed what he had hoped—leaving him mentally refreshed despite the fight.
The few ants that had escaped the previous wave were already surging toward him again.
A thought popped into his head.
"Push my body to the limit."
If skill cooldowns here were really just stamina drain and physical strain—
Could he keep chaining skills as long as his body could take it?
"In theory, yes."
"My body can still handle it. Might as well give it a try."
Decision made, he reset into the opening stance for Triple Slash and launched himself at the oncoming ants again.
The short interval between uses made the stamina drain obvious, but the skill's effect didn't drop at all.
The unstoppable arcs of sword aura ripped apart everything ahead, carving open a path.
[EXP +68]
"…."
Looking around, there wasn't a single monster left—only magic stones on the ground, marking the swarm's annihilation.
Leaning against the wall, muscles aching, Liang Yue caught his breath—but the smile on his face didn't fade. His theory had been proven.
No cooldown meant no limits.
As long as his body could take it, he could keep using the same skill over and over.
Thinking back to all the stat growth from his training so far, plus this newly confirmed way to fight, he could only say one thing:
"If it's not locked… then it's open."
Even if the discomfort lingered, that was his own problem. It had nothing to do with the skill.
After all—
This was Liang Yue's own brand of Chinese-style Iai slash.
"Full coverage, half grip."
Like a fully loaded freight truck barreling at full throttle into a wall of monsters, sending every obstacle flying out of his way.
——
Time eased the muscle ache. Once he'd recovered enough to make a safe trip back to Orario, Liang Yue finally set out.
The swarms had filled his pouch with magic stones, and combined with yesterday's haul, the total was worth at least 40,000 valis.
"…."
Leaving Babel Tower, he saw the sky painted with sunset colors, clouds burning on the horizon while a warm wind carried the day's heat off the sunbaked streets.
On another day, he might have found it beautiful. Today, he didn't have the mind for it.
Heading straight for the Guild, he planned to exchange his magic stones and materials for cash—then keep his promise to Syr from that morning and have dinner at The Hostess of Fertility.
As for what she was planning… he didn't bother thinking about it. A quick meal and then home to collapse—that was the fastest way to shake off the fatigue.
The Guild was bustling, with plenty of adventurers finishing their day's run.
Even the exchange counters had lines, but Liang Yue didn't mind waiting.
From the other side of the hall, Eina spotted him while handling paperwork.
Pushing her glasses up slightly, she felt a strange tightness in her chest. She hadn't seen him at the Guild yesterday, and now he stood at the end of the exchange line, looking visibly worn out.
The deep exhaustion between his brows made her frown.
This kid must be pushing himself too hard.
Talented, independent, and working himself beyond reason to support his Familia alone—she already had a good impression of him. And their private interactions had been pleasant enough to make her keep a closer eye on him.
If she had a cup of tea to offer him right now, maybe it would help a little.
"Um… Eina?"
A nearby adventurer, following her line of sight, realized she was looking at someone else. Irritation flashed across his face.
Seizing the chance, he said, "You've helped me a lot lately. How about I treat you to dinner—do you have time?"
"Sorry."
"During work hours, there's a rule against discussing unrelated matters."
Eina's polite, professional smile didn't waver as she rejected him outright.
Turning back to the counter, she brewed a cup of strong tea, then started walking toward Liang Yue.
She didn't spare the man so much as a glance as she passed him.
She'd seen plenty of so-called "consultations" that were really just excuses to hit on her. If not for her job, she wouldn't even bother talking to them.
The rejected adventurer stayed rooted in place, staring as she carried the tea toward Liang Yue.
His face twitched. He could guess exactly what was going on.
"…So bringing that kid tea counts as 'within the rules'?" he asked sharply.
"This is my break time," Eina replied without missing a beat, turning to him with a far warmer smile than before. "So I'm free to do as I like."
"???"
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