I entered the room alone and took out the items I had bought earlier, placing them carefully on the desk.
Then, the first thing I did was open the Swordsmanship Book of Spieth.
“All right, let’s see what swordsmanship is all about.”
With a swelling sense of anticipation, I opened the book and slowly read through its contents, leaving no word unread, absorbing it all patiently.
Tap.
As I finished reading the entire book, a Notification Window appeared before my eyes.
-You have read the Swordsmanship Book of Spieth.
-Skill ‘Quick Sword’ has been acquired.
The information about Quick Sword naturally organized itself calmly inside my head.
It wasn’t just about speed; it was a swordsmanship style that took its time to find proper footing, connecting one strike to the next smoothly and seamlessly.
“Whoa, once I get the hang of this, it’s going to be incredible.”
Even just by skillfully applying a few techniques etched into my mind, I felt I could create several deep wounds in an enemy’s body in an instant.
But the Notification Window wasn’t done.
-Skill ‘Quick Sword’ has been integrated into ‘One-Handed Swordsmanship’.
-The level of the skill ‘One-Handed Swordsmanship’ has increased.
I was bursting with the urge to go outside right away and try out my skills, but at this late hour, there was nowhere suitable.
Besides, if I started swinging my sword in front of the inn or in the middle of town, the guards would surely come running.
So, I calmed my excited heart and instead pulled out a Magic book.
“Brr…”
The moment I opened the Magic book, my heart started pounding even harder than before, forcing me to take a deep breath.
“Is this really magic?”
It was only natural to be excited.
After all, magic didn’t exist in the society of my previous life.
And now, here I was, about to learn it.
How could I not be thrilled?
“I bet I’ll learn it as skill forms, just like swordsmanship.”
I recalled various magic skills.
The first one that came to mind was none other than the teleportation magic—Teleport.
Everyone must have dreamed of it at least once.
Like when you’re commuting to school or work, struggling through hellish public transportation.
Just like the protagonist in the comic I read as a kid used to do, that was the magic I had longed for—Teleport.
Then there were Fly magic, one of humanity’s dreams to soar through the skies, and Fireball, which could be used following a brilliant blaze.
The types of magic were seemingly endless.
But first, I had to learn the basics, right?
I opened the topmost book in the box.
The contents were all about Mana.
The book was twice as thick as the swordsmanship book, and the dense text almost hurt my eyes.
The longer I sat and read, the more my waist began to ache.
-Skill ‘High Concentration’ level has increased.
Even as another Notification Window appeared before my eyes, I brushed it away and focused on the book.
Finally, after finishing the last page, yet another Notification Window appeared.
-You have learned the basic theory of magic.
-You have understood Mana.
-Achievement ‘Understanding of Mana’ acquired.
-All stats increased by 1.
-Skill ‘Mana’ acquired.
I first checked the skill related to Mana.
“‘Understanding of Mana’ is a passive skill that helps wield more powerful magic, right?”
This was a skill that would greatly assist me.
“Now that I have the Mana skill, the next thing to do is to learn the other three books one by one.”
I calmly read through them, acquiring three types of magic simultaneously.
-Skill ‘Magic Missile’ acquired.
Skill ‘Fire Bolt’ acquired.
Skill ‘Light’ acquired.
I blinked several times, rubbing the fatigue from my eyes.
“Did I really learn it?”
I cautiously opened my eyes with a doubtful look.
“Light.”
At that moment, the energy within my body subtly slipped out, and a white glowing sphere appeared above my palm.
“Hahaha.”
I couldn’t help but laugh out loud.
I really had learned magic. And I could use it.
“Yes! Oh yeah!”
Unconsciously, I shouted in joy, forgetting it was the middle of the night.
Knock, knock.
Hearing a knock on the wall from the next room, I hurriedly covered my mouth with my hand and smiled cautiously.
After a long while of quietly celebrating, I collapsed flat onto my bed.
I had read a total of five books.
Naturally, I was exhausted, and my consciousness slowly began drifting into the world of sleep.
“Starting tomorrow… hmm… I’ll be busy.”
I gave up on making plans before going to sleep.
“Tomorrow’s matters… I’ll think about them tomorrow…”
And I fell asleep just like that.
***
The next day, I woke up bright and early with the rising sun, eyes sharp and clear.
I headed straight to the washbasin and then made my way to a simple tavern to order breakfast.
After filling my stomach properly, I set out today’s schedule.
‘First, after breakfast, I’ll start with some light physical training, then swordsmanship practice, eat lunch, and then do magic training.’
From now on, I planned to keep the morning and afternoon schedules fixed, and in the evening, I would learn things that could help with survival.
‘The problem is that maintaining this routine will cost money.’
I had less than 80 silver coins left in my possession.
That was barely enough to stay in an inn for ten days, and I would have to go out to earn money again in a few days.
I’d have to move again in about a week.
Just as I was finishing my meal,
“Oh, the newbie is finally awake.”
A group of mercenaries was descending from upstairs.
They were all preparing to leave and return to the County of Veric.
“Will you be staying here a few more days? Take care of yourself.”
“You’re strong, so as long as you’re careful, you’ll live long.”
“You’d be better off going to the County of Veric to learn more.”
They threw out various remarks, from concerns to encouragement, one by one as they left.
Since they were scheduled to depart with the merchant caravan early in the morning, they were hurrying.
“Solo.”
Finally, Alcars came down last.
He was holding something in his hand and flicked it toward my direction.
Whirrrrrik, snap!
I caught it and confirmed what it was.
Name: Kim Solo
Rank: D+
Traits: Skilled with sword and shield
Special note: Recommended by Alcars of the Veric Mercenary Guild
It was my Mercenary Badge.
I suddenly remembered that when I had finished my request and received payment, I had given the Mercenary Badge to the deputy chief and forgotten to get it back.
“I upgraded your rank and added my recommendation. No matter where you go, you won’t be looked down upon.”
“Thank you.”
Alcars had been considerate in his own way.
Thinking back, from teaching me about food to various other things, he had been a big help.
“Next time you visit the Veric territory, buy me a beer.”
“Yes, sir.”
“And mercenaries usually say this when they part ways.”
I waited cautiously, wondering what kind of farewell it would be.
“Live long. And let’s meet again.”
It was a parting that stirred something deep inside my chest.
I stood up, bowed my head politely, and greeted,
“Until next time.”
He patted my shoulder a couple of times and then headed outside.
I watched their backs for a moment.
They were the people I had made my first connection with.
A bit rough, but with warmth, decent skills, and above all, they had often said things that helped me.
Occasionally, they joked around, too.
My first bond was a good one, and I thought I would remember it for a long time.
***
I began my morning training.
The training started with the National Gymnastics routine.
“One, two, three, four! Two, two, three, four!”
It was one of the few exercises I remembered well, perfect for warming up before intense movement.
The National Gymnastics was great for moderately warming up the body.
Of course, one round wasn’t enough; I had to do it at least three times for my body to really heat up.
This was because my stamina had increased, a side effect of my rising stats.
I didn’t mind it.
“If anything, I want my stamina to increase more so I don’t get tired.”
I chuckled, recalling a battery commercial about not running out of power.
Once my body warmed up, I took a short rest and moved on to swordsmanship training.
Training Quick Sword, a fast and lethal style, I quickly became absorbed in swordsmanship.
‘This is fun…’
I was completely immersed, almost like entering a state of trance, focusing solely on swordsmanship.
How long had I been swinging my sword?
Before I knew it, my breath was heaving beneath my chin, and I had to stop the practice briefly.
“Ha….ha….., my stamina is really lacking.”
Even though I was in a trance-like state, it felt like less than thirty minutes had passed.
My fingers holding the sword had started to lose strength from the strain, but I clenched them harder to endure it.
After catching my breath, I lifted my head.
A Notification Window appeared, and a smile gently bloomed on my lips.
-Skill ‘Quick Sword’ has been integrated into ‘One-Handed Swordsmanship’.
-The level of ‘One-Handed Swordsmanship’ has increased.
-Level increased.
-You have received 5 additional skill points.
I couldn’t help but smile at how steadily I was growing.
Investing in stamina and continuing training.
I invested another skill point in stamina.
Immediately, I felt my stamina increasing in real time and raised my arms to continue swordsmanship training.
Swish, swoosh, slash!
Swinging my sword here and there, I kept going.
“Whoosh, crack, crack.”
After a while, my breath once again filled my lungs to the brim.
My body felt like a drenched sponge lying on the ground.
I was so exhausted that just standing on my two feet was difficult, and even my arms were shaking badly.
The thought of lying down and resting comfortably filled my head.
“No! I will endure and overcome!”
I forced that thought away.
Instead, I swung my sword one more time.
Swish.
My tired body couldn’t execute proper swordsmanship and only cut through the air.
But I gritted my teeth and swung again.
Swish.
This time, it was a clean strike, unlike before.
I had crossed the first stage beyond my limit.
Proof appeared as a congratulatory Notification Window before my eyes.
-Skill ‘Willpower’ has been acquired.
Surprisingly, ‘Willpower’ was a skill that encouraged me upon reaching my limit.
In other words, it was a skill that allowed me to exert power beyond my limits.
“Whoosh, I’m going to die.”
Of course, the cost of drawing power beyond my limit was a rapid depletion of stamina.
I stabbed my sword into the ground and collapsed, lying flat on the floor.
“Ah, I’m dying.”
I truly didn’t have enough strength to even move a finger.
“Ugh, I’m going to die. If I want to move again in the afternoon, I have to rest.”
I wasn’t going to spend the whole day training only like this. Overdoing it this early in the morning was not a good idea.
I had to consume just enough stamina while still getting effective training done.
“Damn. That’s easier said than done. Ah… I’m so mad.”
Regulating myself—no, the word ‘moderation’ itself was incredibly difficult.
As I pondered the word ‘moderation’, I suddenly remembered when Chief Kim asked me earlier, “What do you want for lunch?”
When I replied, “Anything, something moderate,” that guy barked at me, “Anything moderate? Dammit…”
“Damn that ‘anything moderate’. Damn lunch menu. Damn it, I’m so mad.”
I had no idea why that memory popped into my head at this moment, but frustration swelled up inside me so much that I felt like swinging my sword a few more times to relieve the stress.
So I spent the whole day swinging my sword.