Kays Translations

Chapter 20: Shrinking

"Seah!"

I stepped forward and swung my right Poison Sword from left to right.

However, my Poison Sword was easily blocked by Eugen. It was as if it was anticipated, with minimal, harmonious movement. This scene showed Eugen's high skill level.

"You've improved since the beginning. But it's still not enough."

"Whoa!?"

I was easily pushed back by Eugen. Without using 'Physical Boost,' I'm just a chubby kid. I might be stronger than an ordinary child, but compared to an adult, I'm nothing.

"Come on, again."

"Okay... Seah!"

I took a deep breath and struck towards Eugen once more. It's a movement I've done many times before. It seems Eugen is trying to teach me how to get into the opponent's range.

The method for this is a special walking technique. It's a completely different way of moving the body, like leaning forward and moving as if falling, unlike normal walking, running, or jumping. It's a movement method I’ve never seen before. Eugen called it 'Shrinkage.'

It must have been what Eugen showed me during our first battle. It was astonishing. Thanks to 'Physical Boost,' I could barely keep up with it, but without it, I would have completely lost sight of it.

This is a technique I want to master at all costs.

Since I started learning swordsmanship from Eugen, I've realized there are various techniques beyond those appearing in games.

Skills are, so to speak, like special moves. However, combat isn't just about exchanging special moves like in a game. It's about positioning to set up a special move. The walking technique to achieve that position. Deception to prevent the opponent from detecting your intentions. Feints to disrupt the opponent’s stance, and the more you learn, the deeper it gets.

Now, it's almost a mystery how I managed to win in the battles with Eugen.

It really was just brute force, huh...

"Lower your stance more. Think of it as if you're licking the ground."

"Ah."

Not there yet...

This is quite difficult.

　◇

"Hmm..."

Although Eugen has heavily criticized my Shrinkage technique, when I tried it on dungeon monsters, it felt like I was exploiting their openings.

It's much easier to get close to monsters now and to take the initiative. Being able to take the initiative is quite significant.

Even though it's still incomplete, Shrinkage seems to be a powerful technique.

"That's amazing, Leon-sama. It's as if you're sliding across the ground."

"Thank you, Celia. But I'm still practicing. I haven't passed the test yet."

"I see. I don't know much about martial arts, but I'll support you from the sidelines."

Seeing Celia clench her fists with both hands is just too cute.

Screenshot? Video? It's already engraved in my soul.

"Even so, as expected of the third floor. There are more monsters that can't be defeated with just Blaze Shot..."

Celia furrows her brow with a troubled expression. Exciting, isn't it?

"We could increase firepower by using Fireball or Fire Arrow, but that would consume more mana..."

"Yes..."

"Let's save our mana for emergencies."

"But that means there won’t be support for you, Leon-sama..."

"If I need support, I'll let you know. I’ll count on you then."

"Yes..."

I remember having the same problem in the game. Magic is indeed powerful, but the MP consumption is so high that it can only be used in critical moments. Magic users often conserve MP for boss battles.

Well, in the later stages of the game, I used to gulp down MP potions anyway.

"Hmm..."

I think MP potions were available for purchase in the shops, right?

Then, I should buy MP potions. In the game, I saved up to equip myself, but now that I’m a member of a marquis family, even though I’ve been disinherited, I have plenty of money.

In that case, it’s fine to buy what I need from the store.

"Let’s clear the third level today and then go shopping."

"Shopping?"

"Yes, we’ll get MP potions and equip ourselves."

After clearing the third level, we used the staff monument to warp back to the dungeon entrance and left the dungeon.

We arrived at the commercial area on the south side of Baden. Here, we’ll get MP potions and gear.

But...

"Hmm..."

However, the commercial area didn’t have much of what I was looking for. There were indeed stores selling equipment and others selling potions, but they all seemed more like high-end shops. Not the kind adventurers would frequent.

Isn’t Baden an adventurer’s city?

Where do adventurers shop?

"Maybe I should ask that person over there."

I decided to approach a young man with a mohawk and shoulder pads who happened to be walking down the street.

"An adventurer? I have a few questions, if you don’t mind."

"Huh? What is it?"

"I’m looking for MP potions and gear for adventurers. Where can I buy those?"

"Oh, you won’t find that here. Adventurers buy their stuff in the West District. This place only sells things that look good or high-end items from dungeons. What, are you guys beginners?"

"Something like that. Thanks for the information."

"No problem. Let’s both earn enough to stay alive."

People really can be different from how they look.

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