Chapter 20
The Path Not Taken (2)
There were many private sparring centers near the Hunter Market.
They catered to hunters who wanted to test newly purchased weapons or skills.
Yujin also visited one of them for the same purpose.
“Take this.”
He pulled Fafnir out of the Ring of Dark Abyss and tossed him a book—[Verdian Basic Spear Technique].
【Am I not the one who should be learning this?】
“You need to understand the essence of spear techniques too if you’re going to teach me.”
【You’re asking me to analyze spear techniques on the spot and teach you. You overestimate me.】
Well, maybe.
But Yujin knew exactly how exceptional Fafnir was.
‘Even when he fused with a Skeleton Knight, he still mastered swordsmanship.’
A 9-star existence—the level known as transcendence.
Fafnir had reached the ninth star even using a weapon he had never used in life.
If he hadn’t been killed so futilely by Arahan’s trap, a hunter family would have already formed around him.
‘His talent is trustworthy.’
At the very least, he would be a far better teacher than Yujin, who had zero connection to martial professions.
【I never thought I’d be asked for something like this in my life.】
“Don’t worry. You’re already dead.”
【Do you not understand figures of speech?】
Muttering, Fafnir began reading the Verdian Basic Spear Technique.
As a non-hunter, simply reading it would not immediately create a skill.
Only hunters gained the privilege of instant skill acquisition upon meeting conditions in skill books.
However, if one truly grasped the essence, they could reproduce techniques without system assistance.
‘This is why large guilds like Arahan are strong.’
Park Sungwook’s Kairak Spear Technique was not learned from a skill book, but from instructors inside Arahan.
Skill books were not everything.
Techniques could also be created through understanding and repetition.
‘Just like alchemy or necromancy—low-level spells can still activate if the structure is inscribed.’
While Fafnir struggled with the spear manual…
Yujin was not idle either.
‘I should recover from the sparring injuries.’
He activated Life Drain.
He drew out life force stored from an orc in the border region and fed it into Fafnir.
Torn muscle and flesh regenerated, and scales began to regrow over newly formed skin.
A recovery rate similar to a troll.
‘A divine spell that even restores undead.’
It had the limitation that the target must be nearby.
But the ability to restore undead instantly during combat was extremely valuable.
Low-tier undead like zombies could be treated as disposable.
But high-value undead like Fafnir could not be replaced so easily.
Repairing them normally required materials, catalysts, and focus.
And enemies would never sit still while a necromancer repaired units.
‘A divine spell useful for necromancers.’
It was ironic—holy magic that worked so well with undead.
By the time Fafnir’s body was fully restored—
【Hmm. I think I understand it roughly.】
“See? Told you it wouldn’t take long.”
【That’s only theory. Mastery comes from the body.】
Yujin and Fafnir stood facing each other, holding training spears.
【Learn the skill first.】
“Gladly.”
[Using Verdian Basic Spear Technique Skill Book.]
[Essence of the skill is engraved into the mind.]
The book turned to dust.
Basic spear stances surfaced in his mind.
‘Six forms.’
Form 1 – Basic thrust
Form 2 – Fast thrust
Form 3 – Spinning defense
Form 4 – Staff strike
Form 5 – Charge
Form 6 – Full-power thrust
Half of them were thrusting techniques.
Even the rest were simple in concept.
【You think it’s simple, don’t you?】
“Yeah. It’s good for self-defense.”
【That’s what happens when you only skim the surface.】
“Are you saying you’ve already found hidden insights?”
【Not at all.】
Fafnir raised his spear.
【So we’ll learn through the body from now on.】
“Fine by me.”
Before Yujin could even react, the spear shot forward toward his abdomen.
The blunt spear tip approached rapidly.
Yujin reacted instantly.
‘So you did adjust your strength.’
Their power gap was enormous.
If Fafnir had been serious, Yujin wouldn’t even have had time to perceive the attack.
So this speed—
‘It’s blockable.’
[Verdian Basic Spear Technique]
[Form 3: Spinning Defense activated.]
He rotated the spear based on the skill engraved in his mind.
Whoooom—
The spinning motion created a whirling sound.
Fafnir’s spear got caught in the rotation.
Good.
He tried to push it away—
Then—
“Ghk.”
A shock ran through his wrist.
His grip loosened.
The spear spun out of control and flew upward.
Thud!
The blunt tip struck his chest.
Nausea surged.
He barely stayed on his feet.
“Ugh…”
【You’re more foolish than I expected.】
Yujin caught his breath and asked:
“How did that happen? I clearly blocked it.”
【You tried to deflect force without dispersing it. Of course it won’t work.】
“That’s not because you’re stronger than me?”
【Heh. You already know I adjusted my strength to match you.】
Tch.
Didn’t work.
【Again.】
The moment Yujin grabbed the spear again, Fafnir stepped forward.
Same target.
Yujin focused.
‘Not this time.’
He strengthened his arms.
Life force from goblins, orcs, and frogmen surged through his body.
[Verdian Basic Spear Technique]
[Form 4: Staff Strike activated.]
CLACK!
He met the incoming spear cleanly.
This time, he successfully deflected it.
‘If I push forward—’
He stepped in—
His vision blurred.
Thud!
“What—?”
He was on the ground.
A delayed realization.
Fafnir’s spear had struck his back after rebounding.
“You used the rebound?”
【Correct.】
“You even reversed my force…”
【You blocked well—but you didn’t account for follow-up trajectory.】
Fafnir demonstrated again, flicking his spear casually.
The blade hovered in front of Yujin’s face.
【Feel that?】
“…So I need better control of where I deflect?”
【Good. You’re catching on quickly.】
Fafnir smiled.
Yujin gritted his teeth and raised his spear again.
【Again.】
Ah.
This is going to be bad.
Cold sweat ran down his back.
“Even if I ask you to go easier… you won’t, right?”
Despite his words, he tightened his grip.
Fafnir watched him quietly.
One hour later.
“Haah… haah…”
Hot breath escaped his lungs like a furnace.
Sweat poured down like rain.
His arms trembled violently.
He had been knocked down countless times.
Huh?
‘Why am I on the ground again?’
He had tried to strike—but everything blurred.
Too late again.
Fafnir had already hit his back.
“You used rebound timing again…”
【Correct.】
“You’re exploiting my own strength…”
【You blocked well—but still lost timing.】
Fafnir twirled the spear.
The blade hovered near Yujin’s face again.
【Understand now?】
“…So positioning matters.”
【Good instinct.】
Fafnir grinned.
Yujin gritted his teeth again.
【Again.】
Ah.
This is definitely screwed.
One hour of training passed.
“Haa… haa…”
His lungs burned.
Sweat soaked the sparring field.
His arms trembled uncontrollably.
He had reached his limit.
〔How pathetic.〕
“Shut up, useless constellation.”
It wasn’t that he gained nothing.
He had seen countless thrusts.
He had tried to respond.
He had failed every time.
But—
He had kept moving.
【You didn’t give up.】
“Because I asked for this.”
Even if he was repeatedly struck, he was learning.
Skill book assistance had helped him grasp basics.
But Fafnir—who only read the book—understood it better.
‘So much for system assistance.’
His body ached everywhere.
Without healing, he might not be able to stand tomorrow.
【Have you grasped the essence?】
“Essence? I just tried not to get hit.”
【That is the essence of combat.】
Fafnir spun his spear.
【In that sense, this spear style is not bad.】
“Not bad?”
【Simple techniques that return to fundamentals are often the most effective.】
Fast thrusts.
Exploiting openings.
That was Fafnir’s interpretation.
‘Ah… so that’s it.’
Yujin replayed the past hour.
The spear’s properties.
Focusing force into the tip.
Using the shaft for wide attacks.
Simple movements—but all essential.
‘No wonder this is a core technique.’
His true goal was not this basic form.
It was the hidden upgrade:
Verdian Destruction Spear Technique.
But even the basic form was more valuable than expected.
【You found a treasure by chance. You’re lucky.】
“Does getting beaten count as luck?”
【Unfortunately, I’m not good at explaining things verbally.】
“…How unfortunate.”
Yujin muttered sincerely.
If Fafnir’s training had no effect, that would be one thing.
But it worked.
Painfully.
Efficiently.
Ironically, it suited him.
【Your physical talent is decent. You could’ve become a martial hunter.】
“I used to fight a lot in the orphanage. This is nothing.”
【Now I want to train you even more.】
“Is that because you enjoy hitting me?”
【I won’t deny it.】
That bastard.
Yujin lay back on the ring.
【You can quit anytime.】
“After this? No chance.”
He stared at the ceiling.
The road not taken.
Becoming a priest was already a gamble.
But—
‘I’m going all in.’
If it can be used, he will use it.
Even his own body.
Strength from Life Drain would not go to waste.
And martial ability required experience.
Sweat was a cheap price for power.
【You really don’t plan to quit.】
“Were you testing me?”
【A sudden withdrawal would be troublesome.】
Yujin let out a short laugh while looking at Fafnir.
