Sword Art Online: Moonlight Swordman.

The training ground was neither too large nor too small, just enough for the echoes of metal clashing against wood to resonate through the air.

Surrounding the area were rows of weapon racks filled with a variety of arms...single swords, dual swords, spears, and battle axes.

But they all had one thing in common.

They were made of wood.

Players could rent them for training at a rate of 3 cor per hour.

These weapons were nearly indestructible.

All of them were neatly arranged, reflecting the dim glow of the torches mounted on the walls, casting an eerie yet mysterious atmosphere.

A gentle breeze swept through, causing the wooden training dummies, positioned in perfect alignment, to sway slightly.

Made of hard wood and tightly wrapped in straw, they stood motionless, yet it felt as if they were silently observing every move of the players in the training ground.

The shouts of players blended with the rhythmic clash of metal against wood, creating a chaotic yet steady symphony.

The sound of weapons striking the dummies rang out with precision, followed by the crack of splintering wood and the labored breaths of players pushing themselves to their limits.

Ren stood in a corner, his gaze sweeping over the silhouettes of those immersed in their training.

Each movement...decisive and powerful, filled him with admiration.

Some wielded their swords with lightning-fast precision, their blades gleaming coldly as they slashed down, carving deep marks into the dummies.

Others moved with the grace of dancers, spinning their long spears effortlessly, the weapons whistling through the air.

Ren tightened his grip around the worn-out spear in his hands, the rough texture irritating his palm.

He took a deep breath, the scent of earth and aged wood lingering in the air.

A tinge of envy crept into his heart as he recognized the vast gap between himself and them.

Another gust of wind swept past, sending a shiver down his spine.

Ren bit his lip, forcing himself to suppress the insecurity gnawing at him. No matter how much he admired or envied them, he had no choice but to move forward.

The spear in his hand trembled slightly, mirroring the fear buried deep within him.

He stepped forward, his gaze locked onto the dummy in front of him.

The wind blew again, rustling the dry leaves scattered beneath his feet.

Across the training ground, a few scattered figures continued swinging their weapons with unwavering focus.

If an outsider were watching, they might wonder:

"Why? Why are these people here? Are they testing out newly learned skills on these unfortunate dummies?

Or are they simply venting their frustration?"

The answer was no.

Leveling up and acquiring powerful gear were essential to determining a player's strength in any MMORPG.

Sword Art Online was no exception.

But.

The combat system in Sword Art Online wasn't solely about levels or superior equipment.

It required players to master their weapons, unlocking their full potential through a unique system:

Weapon Mastery.

Weapon Mastery wasn't just a statistic, it was a true measure of a player's skill.

It reflected their combat experience and ability to adapt to different weapon types.

No magic. No supernatural energy. In this world, only skill and mastery determined survival.

To unlock combat techniques, players needed to achieve a certain level of proficiency with their weapon.

Every swing, every thrust, every precise strike contributed to their Mastery Points.

Once enough points were accumulated, the Weapon Mastery Level would increase, unlocking stronger skills and essential support effects:

Beginner (Lv.1): +10% damage.

Novice (Lv.2): +15% damage, -5% skill cooldown time.

Adept (Lv.3): +20% damage, -10% skill cooldown time.

Expert (Lv.4): +25% damage, unlocks advanced skills.

Master (Lv.5): +30% damage, increased attack speed.

Weapon Mastery not only enhanced power but also reshaped the way players fought.

It provided a smooth, uninterrupted combat experience without the constraints of complex energy bars.

However, every skill had a cooldown period, forcing players to strategize each attack carefully.

A basic skill for spear users:

[Snake Bite] – The Bite of the Serpent

Description: A swift and powerful thrust, striking like a serpent's bite. Effect: x1.3 damage, 5-second cooldown.

This was the first skill Ren obtained when choosing the spear as his main weapon.

But he wouldn't be able to unleash its full potential without mastering Weapon Mastery.

Ren took a deep breath, eyes fixed on the dummy before him.

He took a step back, then lunged forward, the spear tip thrusting out in a lightning-fast motion.

'[Snake Bite]', he called out the skill's name in his mind.

A faint glow flickered at the spear's tip as the skill activated.

For a split second, he felt a surge of power rush through him, making his heart race.

But the spear only grazed the dummy's shoulder. Losing balance, he staggered and nearly fell.

Ren planted the spear into the ground, gripping the shaft tightly, using it like a staff to steady himself and prevent a face-first fall.

He let out a frustrated sigh, staring at the untouched dummy.

To reach a higher level, Ren had to train relentlessly, fighting without rest.

This system wasn't just a test of strength, it was a trial of patience and determination.

No shortcuts. No luck.

Only effort and true skill could pave the way to the top.

As for Ren's current Weapon Mastery:

Weapon Mastery:

Spear: Beginner (1/100)

He would unlock more skills upon reaching 25, 50, and 100 Mastery Points at the Beginner level.

At that point, his Weapon Mastery would advance to the next tier.

Additionally, each Weapon Mastery level granted passive effects.

For example:

Beginner (+10% damage.)

Ren recalled Kirito's words:

"If you want to get stronger, leveling up isn't enough. You have to master your weapon. In this world, combat power doesn't come from an experience bar, it comes from the weapon in your hands."

This was the first thing Kirito taught Ren when he started familiarizing himself with this world. He still remembered it clearly.

'Maybe just a few more times… and I'll get used to it.'

Ren took another deep breath, gathering all his strength into his hands.

He had to fight, not just against the lifeless training dummy in front of him, but also against the fear and uncertainty that were holding him back.

Gripping the spear tightly, he felt the coldness of the wooden shaft seep into his palms. Taking a deep breath, he fixed his gaze on the wooden dummy before him.

The distance was just right to strike.

Snake Bite, the basic skill of a spear user. A swift and powerful thrust, like the bite of a serpent.

"Snake Bite!"

A faint green glow flickered along the spear's tip. The air hissed as the weapon shot forward with terrifying speed.

The dummy remained still, its button eyes...or whatever seeds they were made from empty and lifeless, as if it had long grown accustomed to being struck.

But… once again, Ren missed.

The spear did not obey his command.

"Again… Why can't I control it?"

That feeling returned...helplessness and confusion. Every time he activated a skill, his body was swept along by an invisible force, beyond his control.

Ren clenched his spear tighter, his expression filled with frustration.

Could there be something hidden within this skill?

He recalled what Kirito had said on his first day:

"Sword Art Online is not just a game. If you want to survive, you must understand the true nature of the weapon you wield."

But what was that true nature?

It felt as if a shroud of mystery surrounded the spear in his hands, preventing him from uncovering its true power.

Ren looked at the other players on the training grounds.

They wielded their weapons with ease, as if they were extensions of their own bodies.

Their movements were smooth and precise, so fluid that it almost looked like a perfect dance of battle.

Sharp slashes, powerful thrusts. Their skills activated seamlessly after each normal attack, without a moment of hesitation.

Why was he the only one struggling?

'Am I rushing things?' Ren let out a sigh and observed the players around him.

There weren't many, but all of them were training diligently.

The sound of weapons striking the dummies rang out rhythmically, like the steady beat of a war drum.

They interwove skills between normal attacks, their rhythm flawless and effortless.

Constant use of a weapon would improve mastery.

'Maybe… I should start with the basics,' Ren thought.

Taking a deep breath, he tightened his grip on the spear and thrust it forward.

The spear tip sank into the dummy, but with barely any force.

It felt like stabbing into empty air.

Ren repeated his thrusts and basic swings.

Everything was correct in technique… but something was still missing.

He could almost always hit his target, but it felt… hollow and meaningless.

Ren's footwork was unsteady, lacking any sense of coordination.

Several times, his own steps tangled, nearly causing him to trip.

A swing too forceful threw him off balance, and the spear's shaft rebounded, slamming hard into his shoulder.

A sharp pain shot through him, making him stagger as he struggled to regain his footing.

Ren grit his teeth, frustrated with himself.

Why was he so weak?

He looked at the spear in his hands, feeling as though he was holding something foreign and distant.

But he refused to give up. He kept swinging the weapon. Ren believed that if he kept trying, he could master it.

He just wasn't used to it yet.