Chapter 8: Ecstasy (2)

“Whew…”

My entire body felt heavy as lead.

I sat on the edge of the bed, running a hand over my head wrapped in bandages put on by the healer.

“Yo–young master…”

The maid appeared, bringing a late-evening meal.

She seemed hesitant to speak, watching my expression closely.

I’d been waiting for her, too.

“How is your mother?”

“Sh-she’s improved a little. The healer called it a miracle!”

“That’s good.”

Mary, still uncertain, asked the question on her mind:

“Did the god Hor really answer my prayer?”

I softened my expression and answered gently:

“Yes, she answered your earnest prayer.”

Her face was still confused—but no longer filled with total disbelief like last night.

“Have faith. Right now, the only thing that can heal your mother is belief.”

Words alone wouldn’t do.

Faith doesn’t come easily.

I suddenly stood and took her hand.

“Stay still.”

She flinched, surprised, as I tried to calm her.

“This is the power of faith.”

Buzz…

A firefly-like glow flowed from my hand into hers.

“It’s… so warm.”

Her eyes widened, staring at her palm in wonder.

“And now? Still don’t believe in gods?”

She hesitated, then said:

“But gods… don’t exist!”

“You can choose what to believe. But remember: the god wants you to become a believer and be saved.”

Her eyes trembled with emotion.

“You’re not the only one. Your sincere prayer will heal your mother. The god is with you.”

Mary clenched her fists then grabbed my arm, pleading:

“I… I want to worship the god, too!”

‘Nice! A follower!’

As the system cheered inwardly, I quickly granted her the status.

[A follower has been appointed. Once per day, up to 100 faith can be gained from their prayers. Your blessing is with the lamb.]

And then another message:

[First follower! Limited reward—your hidden ability has awakened.]

***

After Mary left:

I pushed aside the cold food and stared into empty air.

In front of me was a small gift-box icon shimmering.

“My hidden ability?”

I hadn’t expected that.

Did this refer to an ability Richard already had, or something I—playing this game—had latent?

“Whatever it is… I have a terrible base body. A new ability can’t hurt.”

I took a deep breath and tapped the icon.

Ding!

A cheerful chime and light burst forth.

My heartbeat raced as the glow settled, and the system window appeared:

“New ability acquired – Hyperfocus.”

“Hyperfocus…?”

I’d never seen it before, but the name was intuitive.

Hyperfocus: intense concentration on something.

Honestly, it wasn’t a flashy ability—just a no‑rank skill.

The system then indicated:

[Your followers Mary (80 faith) and Melline (30 faith) prayed—gain 110 faith total.]

***

Morning came.

Their prayers greeted me to start the day—because Mary became a follower, I received more faith.

I had to make Melline a follower, too.

Waiting for Mary with the meal, I filled a cup with faith energy.

Then I decided:

[Mana Insensitivity is being alleviated.]

[Basic swordsmanship proficiency increased.]

[Rank: F → E.]

I could now feel a little mana more clearly—and my sword skill improved.

Perfect cadence—I could go forward step by step.

I left the rest of the faith unused.

After a quick breakfast, Aaron and I headed to the training grounds.

It had become part of our routine.

Aaron asked:

“Will you focus on sword training from now on?”

“Yes.”

He seemed genuinely concerned.

“I’ll support you side by side. Swordsmanship is about stable stances and rising skillfully.”

Sigh…

I underestimated him—he was going to follow one-on-one even in sword drills.

But his advice was helpful, so I didn’t object.

With a heavy sigh, I gripped my wooden sword.

Before I could react, Aaron spoke:

“Hmm, we should start with physical conditioning, shouldn’t we?”

“No—this week, I’m focusing solely on swordsmanship. I need to internalize what I learned.”

“A valid reason.”

I assumed the stance, recalling the painful training I’d undergone to learn it.

I chose to practice horizontal slashes first, feeling the sword’s weight and directing it cleanly and sharply.

Whoosh!

Even I felt the movement was clumsy.

Aaron offered his encouragement:

“Think of your feet as tree roots—your lower body must be stable. A knight’s foundation is like a rooted tree, drawing earth’s energy…”

“I know,” I replied.

Knowing and executing were worlds apart.

Only relentless training would bridge that gap.

I resolved to pour the day into horizontal slashes.

And I kept swinging—

Eventually, something strange happened: the noise around me faded.

Aaron’s chatter, other knights’ kiai—all vanished.

One slash per breath—nothing else entered my awareness.

“Hyperfocus activated.”

***

“Master?”

Aaron realized I was unresponsive—I had stopped answering his calls, just swinging my sword.

Eyes steady, like a still lake.

“What’s happening…?”

He rubbed his eyes.

‘Mu‑a‑jigyeong—a realm of selflessness?’

The extreme focus of a master warrior in a trance.

For the first time, Aaron felt awe from this supposed scoundrel.

‘Can this really happen?’

It was only the second day since I held a sword.

Yet…it happened.

My presence radiated throughout the training ground.

“This… This is…”

“Shh.”

All the other knights fell silent, keeping their swords lowered, surrounding me.

It was their respect and protection for one seeking enlightenment.

I was the only one moving in the quiet.

‘His stance next…’

The knights watched as my twisted sword paths began straightening.

My unstable footing rooted firmly.

Every motion etched into my mind—my body adjusted.

“Huh—so this is a Bartenberg.”

Aaron turned, noticing Vallach standing there, arms crossed.

Normally protocol demanded respect—but right now, the knights defended me.

Aaron whispered:

“Master has entered hyperfocus. Please excuse our breach of etiquette.”

“Fine.”

Vallach never cared for protocol. He’d come for me alone.

“How long has it been?”

“Two hours.”

Vallach squinted at me, thinking.

“Don’t tell him I came.”

He turned and left the training ground with lighter steps.

Swish!—

My sword’s sound followed his retreat.

Training continued for hours.

The scoundrel Richard—once broken by mana insensitivity—now held the attention of every knight.

For hours.

Aaron watched, body straining, sweat dripping.

‘His physique neared its limit. Shouldn’t he stop?’

Aaron gauged the moment—and—

Crash!

“Master!”

Before he could do anything, I collapsed.

[You exited the hyperfocus state.]

[Basic swordsmanship proficiency significantly increased.]

[Rank: E → C]

“Ah…”

I blinked slowly.

I was indeed on the training ground—but now I lay in my bed.

My entire body ached, and any movement triggered sharp pain.

‘I may have underestimated Hyperfocus.’

That strange sensation lingered in memory.

It must have been the true hyperfocus state.

My body was drained—but my mind, light as a feather with achievement.

I glanced out the window—moon hanging in the early night sky. How long had I been unconscious?

‘Still, I shouldn’t overuse it.’

Training until collapse—it’s too easy to damage my body.

Next time, I’ll ask Aaron to stop me at a safer point.