After returning to my room, I stared at the key I had obtained from the prison.
It was a black, obsidian key about 10 centimeters long, with a crimson gem embedded at its tip.
Of course, I already knew how to use it from the original story.
Press the crimson gem at the key's tip and insert the key into the air as if unlocking something...
The crimson gem began to glow, confirming that the activation was successful. I twisted the key in the air.
Space distorted around the key, and a shimmering, pure white portal materialized.
Success.
The key to the Ancient Warrior Training Grounds.
This key opens a portal to an artificial dungeon used as a warrior training ground during the era of ancient civilizations. The portal remains open for one minute.
Once opened, the portal cannot be reopened for another twelve hours.
In the original story, Kyle trained within this dungeon. Training here is slightly more effective than training outside.
Let's see what kind of training we can do here.
Without hesitation, I stepped through the portal.
Whoa.
The training grounds came into view.
What I saw was a clear blue sky and a training ground carved into the rock. The grounds were vast, with lush green trees planted throughout. Beside it flowed a tranquil stream of crystal-clear water.
It looked exactly as described in the original work. For reference, no living creatures inhabited the stream.
The water was safe to drink, and bathing in the lake below was permitted.
"This entire space belongs to me," I muttered, grinning as I headed toward the training grounds.
Welcome, Warrior Candidate.
A clear, feminine voice echoed from all directions within the training grounds.
I wasn't surprised, having already known about it.
"Alright, nice to meet you. But what exactly are you?"
I am Katman, the training instructor for the Warrior Training Grounds. You can call me Katman for short.
The dialogue was identical to the original work, down to the last syllable. I chuckled softly and nodded.
"I'm Sung Yujin Prucus."
Warrior Candidate Sung Yujin Prucus. Officially registered.
Sung Yujin, your current physical body is still very young. Your growth is incomplete, making it unsuitable for rigorous training.
"That's ridiculous. Who are you to tell me what to do when I'm the one who wants to train?" I snapped, not caring how I sounded.
After all, this thing was just an emotionless AI. Just because it had a pleasant, announcer-like female voice didn't mean I needed to show it any consideration.
Katman respects Sung Yujin's opinion.
However, Katman recommends starting with basic physical training. Building a minimum level of physical fitness through foundational exercises before commencing combat training is advisable.
First, focus on building basic stamina.
"Enough. I'm going straight into combat practice."
In the original story, Kyle had also dismissed Katman's basic training as pointless. The true value of the Ancient Warrior Training Grounds lay entirely in its combat practice.
That is impossible.
According to Pylon Empire Law, warrior candidates who have not reached the basic physical level are prohibited from participating in Combat Practice.
"Tch."
I clicked my tongue. Katman's reaction was unprecedented, even in the original story. It seemed my youthful physique was the problem.
They want me to do basic training to build my body? That's pointless. My body will develop automatically as I grow.
Once the Growth Penalty was lifted, I would possess physical capabilities far surpassing those of ordinary people, even without dedicated training.
From any perspective, training my body here would be a complete waste of time.
"Let's start with Combat Practice."
Impossible.
According to Pylon Empire Law, warrior candidates who have not reached the basic physical level are prohibited from participating in Combat Practice.
I repeated my request several times, but the response remained unchanged:
Impossible.
I frowned. This meant I was stuck with basic training.
Is there no other way...?
As I pondered, a sudden idea struck me. I couldn't be certain it would work, but trying wouldn't hurt.
In ancient civilizations, magic and engineering reached their zenith. Katman herself was merely a product of the essence of these two disciplines.
It's not exactly an electronic device... but it's definitely some kind of advanced over-technology.
Considering the Illusioner, the possibility seemed quite promising.
"Hack!"
[Hack successful.]
[You can hack Katman of the Combat Training Grounds for 12 seconds.]
Success! Though the window was brief barely ten seconds I could control her completely.
I hurriedly addressed Katman.
"Katman, I am your master! My commands override the Pylon Empire Law!"
[Command system modification.]
[Modification complete.]
[Please issue your command, Master Sung Yujin Prucus.]
I clenched my right fist, trembling with joy. With this, Katman was completely mine.
"Begin Combat Practice."
[Command confirmed.]
[Preparing Combat Practice Stage 1
[Stage 1 Combat Doll summoning complete.]
[Which Combat Doll would you like to practice with?]
[Available Stage 1 Combat Dolls: Sword, Spear, Sword and Shield, Bow, Wolf, Eagle.]
"Sword."
[Summoning Combat Doll.]
[Please indicate when you are ready to begin combat.]
[A Combat Doll materialized in the center of the training ground.]
It was a wooden mannequin, holding a sword in its hand and marked with the number '1' on its head.
At least its body was shaped exactly like a human's. The Combat Doll wielded a sword made of black iron, but its blade was dull.
As far as I knew, basic warrior stages used dull-edged swords for safety.
The Combat Doll stood motionless, its black eyes fixed on me.
There were a total of 100 stages, right?
Stages 1-15: Basic Warrior Stage
Stages 15-40: Aura User Stage
Stages 40-89: Aura Expert Stage
Stages 90-100: Aura Master Stage
Kyle only cleared Stage 100 in the latter half of the original story.
Too bad. I was curious how far my real-world self could go, but with this body...
I drew a dagger from my inventory.
I would have preferred to use the Hwaryeon Flying Dagger, but it was too large for my current small body. The dagger was just right.
"Ha. I didn't realize a dagger could be this heavy."
Remembering how Lexi had effortlessly flung it aside last time, I couldn't help but sigh.
I gripped the dagger in a reverse grip and checked the Youngcheon Style techniques.
Perhaps due to my shrunken body, there were a few creaking joints, but nothing serious. I could still execute the Youngcheon Style's combat techniques properly.
As I approached the Combat Doll, I thought, If I've mastered the Youngcheon Style... I should at least reach Stage 20, right?
I stopped at a suitable distance.
"Katman. Begin."
[Combat Practice automatically ends if the warrior is deemed to be in danger.]
[Combat Practice ends immediately if the warrior indicates surrender.]
[Combat Practice Stage 1 begins.]
The Combat Doll gripped its iron sword with both hands and charged at me.
"The original text stated that Combat Dolls are nearly identical to humans, meaning they share the same habits."
Combat Dolls are described as having the same field of vision as humans. They can hear sounds and even feel sensations like the wind.
If that's the case... it should work.
Youngcheon Style Combat Practice: Wall Boundary.
The Combat Doll's eyes turned to look behind me. Proof that it had worked.
I grinned and slashed my dagger across the Combat Doll's wooden flank as it passed.
A red mark appeared on the doll's side, indicating a critical hit. There was also a blue mark, signifying a valid hit.
[Combat Ended.]
[The warrior has triumphed.]
[The Combat Doll vanished without a trace.]
"Easy. Too easy," I boasted.
"Honestly, being an Aura Master isn't all that impressive, is it? Hahaha."
[Retry Combat Practice Stage 1?]
[Challenge Combat Practice Stage 2?]
"Stage 2, obviously. Stage 1 is for noobs."
He waved the dagger in his hand through the air as he spoke.
[Preparing Combat Practice Stage 2.]
[The Combat Dolls in Stage 2 can wield swords, spears, greatswords, sword and shield, bows, or take the form of wolves, eagles, or Orcs.]
"Orc? Hmm. Good choice. Orc."
A Combat Doll materialized.
Unlike the Stage 1 Combat Dolls, this one carried no weapon. Instead, it was significantly larger, standing over 2 meters tall with disproportionately large hands and feet.
"Begin."
[Commencing Combat Practice Stage 2.]
[The Combat Doll charged toward him, moving noticeably faster than the Stage 1 versions.]
How far will Wall Boundary work?
He activated Wall Boundary. The Combat Doll's eyes flickered the technique had worked.
Easy win secured~.
As I sidestepped the Combat Doll, preparing to slash its flank, it twisted its body and swung a fist at me.
"Hah!"
Startled, I twisted my torso to dodge the punch.
The Combat Doll didn't stop, charging at me relentlessly.
The Orc hadn't been wrong. There was no pattern to its punches and kicks just the wild flailing of someone who knew nothing about combat.
The problem is, it's got the physique to make those hits dangerous if they land!
I moved with practiced footwork, evading its strikes and stabbing the Combat Doll's left shoulder.
A blue mark appeared on its shoulder, indicating a successful hit. The speed of its left fist slowed slightly.
Stay focused, dodge every attack, and exploit its openings.
With its wild, erratic strikes, finding those openings was surprisingly easy.
I continued to exploit the Combat Doll's openings, eventually causing its entire body to turn blue and collapse to the floor.
If it were human, it would have fallen much sooner. Is it because it's an Orc?
[Combat Ended.]
[The Warrior has emerged victorious.]
I took a moment to catch my breath. My stamina was already draining, likely due to my reduced stats.
I pulled a water bottle from my inventory and gulped down the contents, quenching my thirst.
I had no intention of stopping here.
[Combat Practice Stage 5 has begun.]
The Assassin Combat Doll hurled a dagger at me. I sidestepped backward, evading the projectile.
While its attention was fixed on the dagger, the Combat Doll seized the opportunity to close the distance in an instant, swinging its own dagger.
Clang!
Daggers clashed. I retreated slightly, acknowledging my slight physical disadvantage.
This is because of the size difference.
The Combat Doll clung to me.
Unlike the Stage 2 Orcs, it wasn't recklessly aggressive. Its movements felt methodical, suggesting it had mastered basic martial arts.
This is fucking tough!
The moment I showed the slightest opening, it sensed it like a ghost and precisely exploited the gap, stabbing in with deadly accuracy.
The size difference is the problem! The size difference!
The Combat Doll was large, while I was small. Simply put, even if we wielded the same sword, its reach was far greater.
A distance I couldn't reach with an extended arm was easily within its grasp. This put me at an absurd disadvantage.
Exploiting my small stature? Easier said than done. Every time I try to slip past its guard, it uses its feet to keep me at bay.
There's another problem. This isn't my first fight. At this rate... I'll tire out first.
Even Combat Dolls get fatigued. That's how they're programmed. I confirmed it myself in the 3rd Stage.
Clang!
The dagger I swung was deflected sideways.
My torso was completely exposed.
Shit!
The Combat Doll seized the opportunity, swinging its dagger down on my shoulder. The blade wasn't sharpened, so it didn't cut, but the impact left a deep bruise. It'll probably turn a nasty shade of purple.
Now that it's come to this, I have no choice but to push through and end this, even if it means overexerting myself!
Clenching my teeth and ignoring the pain in my shoulder, I stabbed the Combat Doll in the abdomen. But the doll's knee struck my abdomen first.
"Ugh...!"
My grip loosened, and I dropped the dagger.
My body floated upward, and I met the Combat Doll's eyes. The doll remained motionless.
I crashed to the ground. The Combat Doll stood over me, silently watching.
[Combat Ended.]
[The Combat Doll has won.]
I tried to sit up, but the pain in my abdomen made me grimace. I lay back down on the floor in a proper posture.
The hard floor was irritating, but staring up at the sky calmed me down.
Within this training grounds, recovery speed is enhanced.
[Master's basic physical abilities are insufficient.]
[Intermediate Training is recommended for Master.]
"Shut up."
I rested briefly before rising again. My defeat against the Assassin Combat Doll was due to my exhaustion.
In truth, I had reached Stage 7.
In Stage 6, I used Complete Recovery to fight the Combat Doll at full strength and emerged victorious. In Stage 7, I fought while fatigued and was defeated.
Damn it. Even with the Growth Penalty, I didn't think I'd fail to reach Stage 10...
Without the Growth Penalty, I would have reached Stage 20.
No, not just Stage 20 I would have reached Stage 30. Definitely.