Supreme Swordfiend

"So what I just drip blood on it?"

"Just a drop."

"Seems like some typical System bullshit Zerasos, can't I use mana instead?"

"Can you use your mana outside your body yet?"

"...No."

"Thought so, quit being a baby and just drip some blood on the ring kid."

The devil returned to his usual post-meal habits- flopping down into a bean bag, stretching out and preparing to enter another drake steak induced food coma. Leon followed his instructions, chewing into the skin on his finger to draw blood, the crimson droplets falling onto the copper ring.

They sank in, the metal greedily drinking of Leon's offering and yielding itself to him in exchange. In his mind's eye he could see it, a familiar white void. Empty, for now. Placing the Shifting Tides Style within required Leon to make physical contact with the manual. It had to be still, any sudden motion would abort the process of storing the item, though it only took seconds for the sharkskin tome to vanish once Leon had confirmed that it had to be kept still.

The whole process was visually dull, the manual just disappeared, materialising in his storage space with little fanfare. He had to focus on drawing it out again over the course of several minutes- that ruled out using the storage ring mid-battle to surprise an opponent by switching up his weapon. A useful tool, it would let him haul back any monster corpses going forward.

He'd been unable to capitalise on his slain foes before, but monstrous creatures like the carnotaurus or spinosaurus had to have more value to them beyond serving as enemies for Leon to defeat. The still empty Job field on his status would need to be filled with something eventually and the more materials he had on hand for any potential Job the better.

He would have loved to continue practicing his mana circuit skills but the day had been a tiring one. He'd been kept on his feet thanks to the points he gained in Power, the stat shoring up his declining stamina throughout the day, but even with the aid of this enhancement Leon was running ragged.

The increased Power had adapted Leon's body to more efficiently process energy, he could do more with less now. It didn't help him when he was out of energy though and there was no affect on his mental fatigue. Leon wanted to sleep, but first he had to make sure he didn't need to go out and run another dungeon.

"Zerasos, before you go fully comatose, please tell me there aren't any dungeons I have to run tonight?"

"None, too many raptors out there. You're tough but without night vision or proper armour it's not worth the risk- one of those little raptor shits just needs to get lucky once, you need to be lucky all the time. Get some sleep kid, tomorrow marks the start of carnotaurus hunting season and you'll need all your strength for those bastards."

The devil then rolled over to turn away from Leon. Taking the hint, Leon shut off the hot tub, drying off before collapsing into bed. He did not dream, on this night the swordsman was spared any dreamland meetings with supremely powerful beings. He slept like a baby.

Others were not so fortunate.

Selena Cole had always considered herself an capable woman. This assumption was being challenged by the Tutorial. She had thought that with time alone to hunt velociraptors she could grow strong enough to emulate Leon, strong enough to keep herself safe without relying on others.

She had underestimated the difficulty of hunting solo, her choice to become a [Novice] had limited the growth of her physical stats, she was unable to safely engage packs of raptors, forced to pick and choose her battles carefully, more of a cautious opportunist, an arcane sniper than the force of nature style that Leon typified. Progress was steady but far too slow due to her method of attack.

She had held onto one of the cores dropped by the red slimes the party had taken out, partly out of curiosity, partly out of an assumption that it had a use. Her single class skill, [Core Comprehension], allowed her to read the grooved lines and intricate patterns that defined the red slime, as a red slime. Its everything was laid bare to her, the core serving as a blueprint, mapping the slime's intricate design.

She had learned of mana, the energy in the air around them, learned how to absorb it through her breathing from the core's knowledge and successfully mimicked the slime's only spell after much trial and error- [Arc Fireball].

Unfortunately, these gains had costs. The fireball kept all its inherent disadvantages- it was easy to dodge and slower than it would have been if she'd been able to fire it straight rather than in an arc. Furthermore her meagre mana pool required frequent recharges which ate up plenty of time between kills. Still, it had served her well in picking off lone raptors, the sheer power behind each flaming orb more than enough to flambé the helpless lizards.

She'd done the dirty work of digging through one of their corpses, procuring a velociraptor core. It had lacked the same level of detail the slime's had, holding no spells. Instead it contained a detailed mana circuit, one designed to empower the creature's legs. When she tried to use it the circuit failed, fell apart before it could form. She shrugged it off and went back to hunting lizards. An empowerment to one's jumping ability was hardly a necessity for a prospective mage.

She'd gained a few levels, working her way back towards the first dungeon, intending to spend the night within its halls. With a fire spell in hand she had a much greater chance of clearing the dungeon on her own, earning some loot in the process.

In the woods, still a ways to the dungeon, the darkness of night engulfing her. That had been as far as Selena had gotten when they'd caught up to her.

Mike emerged first, a new sword gleaming in his hands. Larger, more rugged looking than his previous one. Fury, of the self-righteous variety, dominated his emotions, his voice ringing out as Selena pulled herself away from the latest flash cooked velociraptor.

"Found you traitor. Gillian's dead because of you. Come quietly and we'll make your death quick."

Selena burst into laughter at Mike's pompous declaration.

"You sound like a total dick Mike, seriously, that was your best line? Come quietly? What are you, a cartoon villain now? Plus, how could I even be a traitor when I wasn't loyal to your little group to begin with? You want to do it this way, fine by me- but you'll have to take me down by force."

Mike held his arm up, signalling his party to advance. He was flanked by Timmy and Elizabeth, Francis bringing up the rear. Selena had extended her wand, pointed directly at the group, tension ratcheting up as both sides waited for an opening to strike.

Mike broke the tension.

"You aren't him Selena. You don't frighten us."

"Oh yeah? Maybe I should remedy that."

Her [Arc Fireball] exploded from the tip of her wand, scattering the group as they dodged out of its way. Timmy chose to break right and rush at her daggers drawn, Elizabeth had her bow drawn and aimed at Selena. Mike charged head on, sword drawn, while Francis seemed to hesitate before launching his own fireball at her. It was luck more than skill that saw her survive, a roaming pack of raptors had been brought over by the noise, cutting in just before Timmy could reach her, absorbing the attacks of the other humans for her.

She ran, recklessly lobbing fireballs behind her as she did so, attempting to create an inferno that would block their pursuit once the raptor pack was dead. Mike's shouts were rising above the roars of the raptors.

"We'll find you Selena- I'll never stop coming for you!"

She spared a moment to shout back.

"That's fucking gross Mike, keep it to yourself!"

Then it was back to running, seconds turned to minutes as the dungeon entrance came into view, Selena hurling herself into the ominous cave mouth, just as an arrow thwacked into the ground behind her.

She was gone, beyond their reach now, safe within the halls of the Slime King. The dungeon would allow no others entry until her trial was complete

"God-fucking-damn it!"

Mike was furious, at Elizabeth for missing the shot, at Francis for hesitating with his spell. at Selena, for betraying them when they needed to be united more than ever. Mostly though, he was furious at himself. If he'd been faster, or stronger he could have saved Gillian, could have caught Selena.

A little voice in the back of his head whispered to him as he knelt outside the dungeon, hands clasped around his greatsword.

"Leon wouldn't have failed- he'd have caught her."

He dismissed these intrusive thoughts- yes Leon would have caught her, no doubt about that. The difference was he wouldn't have bothered to start chasing her.

He operated alone, no team to look after, no group to hold together.

Perhaps his way had been right all along- was the path to power too narrow to walk alongside another, let alone an entire group?

Francis held a hand to Mike, a smile on the young man's face. Happiness at their group's failure he supposed. He couldn't hold it against him, not everyone had the grit to perform what amounted to hot blooded murder.

"You sound now Mike? I know we didn't get her this time like, but sure, you know yourself. She'll turn up at some point lad."

Helped to his feet by Francis, Mike turned to face the twins, checking their expressions. The two seemed satisfied with their performance, caring more about the experience gains from takin down the raptors than the failure to kill Selena. Timmy spoke first twirling his dagger in the air as he did so.

"What the kid said Mike- we'll get her eventually. For Gillian."

Timmy's sister spoke up as her brother flubbed his toss, his dagger plummeting to the ground.

"Can we get back to hunting raptors now? If we want that top spot we need to get moving."

Mike looked at his group and cast off his thoughts of moving solo. Not everyone could walk the path alone, especially in this unfamiliar world. He needed them as they needed him.

"Thanks guys- let's get back to the grind then. Francis, mana levels?"

"50% lad."

"Alright, rest up, we'll move out when you're topped off. Liz, arrow stocks?"

"Filled, quiver already regenerated the few I used on our run here."

"Good, make sure you're not idling at capacity though, use one every now and then to get a feel for your bow. Timmy, eyes up- I need you to keep a watch on the treeline."

"On it boss man."

Mike checked his equipment, ensuring his blade was cleaned as they waited for Francis to regenerate his mana. None of them were particularly proficient with their weapons of choice yet, Timmy taking watch duty as an excuse to practice his dagger strikes, while Elizabeth pinged arrows off into the darkness, more shots than not hitting the tree she was aiming for.

Their rest was interrupted by the daily ranking board's arrival.

"Day 1 Complete! Congratulations to the 74.5% of you who survived! Now displaying the ranking for your instance!"

1. Leon Knox

2. Selena Cole

3. Mike Hamilton

4. Francis O'Hara

5. Timmy Gallia

6. Elizabeth Gallia

Timmy was first to break the silence.

"Well no surprises there- psycho's got top billing again, how high was his level Mike- you hit him with an [Inspect] right?"

"Eleven- ten levels higher than us. He wasn't a [Warrior] either, he was a [Swordsman]. An educated guess tells me he'd be stronger than us at the same level thanks to his class. We're even falling behind Selena. Francis, you done yet?"

"Aye lad, if youse are already then let's head."

The party of four vanished into the woods, their hunt for raptors continuing until they could stand their hunger no longer, forced to stop and make camp, grilling velociraptor meat over an open fire, sleeping in shifts until day broke once more.

The night passed, the second day dawned in the Tutorial, Leon once again rose to the calls of Zerasos.

"Good morning Sleeping Beauty, no kisses for you though- up and at 'em, you got lizards to kill kid!"

Groggily Leon rose, rubbing his eyes as he yawned.

"How the hell can you even make that reference... you been watching Disney movies in here Zerasos?"

"That's for me to know and for you to never ask about again- now get up!"

It was becoming routine- strap the armour on, belt his swords to his side and back and then procure a hearty breakfast.

"Fridge god, I am going into battle- I want only your strongest meal."

The benevolent god provided Leon an entire pepperoni pizza. Overkill for breakfast, but delicious enough for him not to care.

"Oh, kid- 'fore you head out, quick heads up- no new dungeon today. The next one on the list is too goddamned tough for you right now, even with that stupid powerful move you have now. Focus on your circuit, get used to using it in battle and pump your levels up as high as you can. Once you're at around level 20 you should be strong enough to tackle the next dungeon. Hit the Blight Marsh if you're running outta tough carnotaurus to take on."

"Got it- any other things to keep in mind?"

"Yeah- try and develop that style you created. Leaning on the one you have is good for now, but all the true greats build their foundation on their own styles. Borrowed techniques will only get you so far. Put everything you kill in the ring, thing has more space than you'll ever use. Also- let me know what Job you're thinking of taking and I'll see if the System will send in a tutor for you. Odds are low it'll be allowed, but I'll try my best to swing it for ya kid."

A Job- one spoke to Leon, it had done since he'd seen Starscourge in his dreams.

"I want to learn to smith. A truly great swordsman should be able to forge his own blades after all."

A thoughtful look passed Zerasos' face as the devil considered the request.

"Makes sense, most warriors take up Jobs that let them forge their own gear. I got great relationships with some guys on my home world, but thanks to us digging into your bloodlines you have an offer on the table. I'll reach out, see if she's still interested. Now scram, I got work to do!"

The morning air was crisp and cool on Leon's skin, his eye naturally drawn to the ashy remnants of the campfire noting the carnotaurus that was rummaging through them.

"There can't be anything worth eating in those ashes anymore can there?"

[Swordsman's Eye] showed Leon the dino's level.

"Level 15 Carnotaurus Sastrei- A dinosaur that adapted to hunting smaller prey. Utilises swift bites and bursts of speed to run down foes."

Grinning to himself, Leon drew Bladeless.

"Oh yeah, you'll serve as a fitting warm-up."