Chapter 22: I Originally Wanted to Refuse

However, although it has a high element of nonsense and sounds like it was written on the spot, the skills and methods recorded in this “Genuine Sword Techniques” are indeed real.

Martial arts are different from magic; the latter relies on elemental affinity. If you can’t learn it, then you just can’t learn it, no matter how hard you try. But martial skills are essentially more about technique. As long as your physical attributes are up to par, and with the right methods, you can naturally use them.

Especially in this real world, if there truly are players who have brought over combat techniques from games and have developed their own understanding through integration, then recording that less complex portion in written form and teaching it to the residents of this world is indeed a possibility.

Of course, that requires a very high level of comprehension.

After all, players learn skills by directly selecting them from a skill tree. They learn first and then comprehend, while ordinary people without a system must first grasp the essence transmitted through words by predecessors before daring to attempt techniques from another world.

Miss Vilyric glanced at the original owner of the room, who was huddled in the corner, trembling and at a loss.

Lan Tuls had previously mentioned that although the Tuls Family had sought the powerful one’s moves, they were too esoteric, and no one had ever unraveled them. She was the first clan member in three hundred years to grasp even a little of it.

If merely relying on this absurdly nonsensical book could lead to uncovering the truly valuable content from the game, then this little girl’s talent for swordsmanship would indeed be astonishing. If she could receive guidance from a renowned teacher…

But that was just wishful thinking; Vilyric had no knowledge of martial arts, and since they were strangers, there was no way she could spend time or energy nurturing her…

Wait? Perhaps this could be…

“Hey, you are Lan, right?”

“Uh? I, I am…”

The noble girl, her double ponytails now falling into long black hair, still cowered there, not daring to meet Vilyric’s gaze. Vilyric couldn’t help but feel puzzled. Did she really look that intimidating?

Or was it that the little dragon daughter’s claw had delivered such a blow to her blade that she couldn’t recover? They always say that scams harm people…

“Um… let me make it clear, we didn’t intentionally run away earlier. Something unexpected happened.”

Upon hearing Vilyric mention serious matters, Lan seemed to regain some spirit and secretly glanced at the stoic Miss Giant Dragon standing nearby, looking utterly dejected.

“You don’t need to explain; that woman can catch my Iaijutsu with a finger and easily break my magic slash. Her strength likely surpasses legendary realms. It’s no wonder you felt so fearless. If a fight had erupted, the third team would have likely been wiped out…”

Feeling that this line of reasoning was too weak, Lan gritted her teeth and said fiercely.

“But don’t think I’ll thank you for holding back earlier! A criminal is still a criminal, and as a guardian of the city, I won’t yield to you!”

“Hey hey…”

Watching her put on a brave face even though she lacked confidence, Vilyric couldn’t help but chuckle.

“Understand this, you are in our hands now. Is it really wise to say such things?”

“Hmph… since I was born, I, Lan Tuls, have never known fear! Otherwise, why would I join the inner guard and form the third special squad?”

“Hmm… is that so…”

Vilyric shook her head while slowly pacing around the room.

“How much have you grasped this ‘Genuine Sword Techniques’?”

“Eh? I… what do you mean?”

Wanting to assert her position, Lan initially thought, “Why should I tell you?” but Vilyric changed the subject so quickly that she was caught off guard, and before she knew it, her response softened, leaving her feeling secretly frustrated.

Miss Priestess didn’t care much for the girls’ petty thoughts and responded after a moment of contemplation.

“Let’s rephrase it then. The move I mentioned earlier, the ‘Iaijutsu’, is that your strongest ability?”

“Hmph! I… well, yes, that is indeed the strongest move I comprehended from the ‘Genuine Techniques’…”

Poor Miss Lan, despite gathering the courage to stand her ground, quickly withered under the glare of the super fierce black-haired girl.

“I see…”

Thus, the situation became rather clear.

The ‘Iaijutsu’ was a level 20 skill that had transferred directly over without any name change from the game “Fantasia”. It’s commonly referred to as the ‘Draw Slash’ and acts as an introductory and prerequisite move for many skills within the sword skill tree. Basically, any player of that type would know it.

In fact, aside from the lengthy ramblings that seemed ripped from some martial arts novel, the genuinely valuable portion of “Genuine Sword Techniques” does indeed place the content related to ‘Iaijutsu’ prominently at the forefront—it’s the signature skill understood by the novel’s protagonist when entering the martial world.

This means Lan, while having learned some of the moves left by that guy, understands them only at a very superficial level, basically still a beginner, while the skills recorded in this “Genuine Techniques” actually reach up to level 60.

With that misleading book tucked away into her bag, Vilyric straightened her expression.

“Now, I’ll ask just once, so think carefully before answering—Lan Tuls, do you want to collaborate with me to deepen and truly master the related sword techniques recorded in this book?”

“?”

Upon hearing the White Robed Girl’s suddenly serious tone, Lan froze for a moment, her eyes flashing with uncontrollable astonishment and confusion.

Perhaps Vilyric’s attitude would seem arrogant and overbearing, but the terrifying power displayed by the blonde girl earlier served as a strong backing for her words, leaving Lan unable to dismiss the consideration.

“…”

Honestly, she was genuinely moved.

Rationally speaking, the other party is a criminal and has shattered the beloved sword that Lan cherished above all. She should have outright refused and loudly rebuked this arrogant person.

But… the conditions proposed by the other side were simply too enticing…

Lan Tuls has always, or perhaps it is essentially true, been a rebellious girl at heart.

Her actions can never be judged by common sense.

Though she hails from the Tuls Family, well-known for their scholarly prestige, she stubbornly took up arms. Even when her family refused to cooperate, she relied on her own efforts to study the texts stored in their treasury, mastering the miraculous sword techniques of her predecessors and singularly reaching the sky-level heights step by step.

The family culture is steeped in a strong aversion to magical beasts and other races, yet Lan remains indifferent, treating them as mere enemies that require dealing with as part of her job; her attitude toward humans or other races is essentially no different.

Otherwise, the third squad wouldn’t have become a specialized unit dedicated to capturing human criminals.

Her opposition to Vilyric and others was merely a professional necessity, especially after discovering that they were actually hunting down poachers who were forcibly conscripted by the higher-ups.

This is something many wished to do but dared not, and even Lan felt she couldn’t meddle due to certain reasons. Deep down, she secretly admired these audacious girls.

Or rather, yearned for it.

To act boldly without being constrained by politics, race, and prejudice, to do what one wants and should do, just like the ‘Hero’ depicted in the “Genuine Sword Techniques.”

What Lan truly desired had already been vividly reflected in the blade called ‘Demon Slayer.’

Demon Slayer didn’t slay magical beasts; it was about cutting down the unfair evil, the demons of her own heart.

She opened her mouth with great difficulty, as if carrying the weight of a thousand pounds on her shoulders to take a step forward.

“I… agree to your terms; now, what’s the price?”

   

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