Chapter 5
I dragged the carrier up a small wooded hill near my place.
At the outdoor gym overlooking the neighborhood, I stopped.
As soon as I reassembled the arms, legs, and torso from the carrier—
【If you’re going to chop me up, at least warn me!】
Sir Isra shouted.
“Would it change anything if I warned you?”
【I could at least prepare myself mentally. 】
That’s like the dentist saying, “Open wide if it hurts.”
Still.
I’m a considerate master.
“Fine. I’ll warn you before dismantling you next time.”
【Better yet, do not dismantle me at all.】
That’s difficult.
Walking around the city with an undead wouldn’t go well.
Either the police would show up.
Or the Rift Management Bureau would give me penalty points.
Neither is good.
【I swear on my knightly honor, I would never attack the living!】
“I believe you. Not sure others will.”
【What a bleak era, where even a knight’s oath is doubted. 】
Please don’t judge modern society by your continent’s standards.
The elderly people exercising glanced at us, then continued their routines.
【There are living people here as well.】
“They’re used to it.”
The regulars at this gym are always the same.
When I first trained undead control here, it was rough.
I bought so many bottles of Bacchus as apologies that I lost count.
It took a long time to reach this “just ignore it” stage.
Enough small talk.
Let’s get to it.
“Teach me the Imperial Swordsmanship.”
【I warn you. My training will be harsh.】
“I’m fine.”
Five years of waiting.
I finally found a way to improve undead control.
Any training is fine.
If this cursed body can improve.
【With Heavenly Martial Body, your coordination should already be better.】
“If I were satisfied with that, I wouldn’t ask you to train me.”
【Very well. If you are prepared, I shall not hesitate. 】
Sir Isra tossed a white bone.
Instinctively, I reached out—
“Oh?”
It landed smoothly in my palm.
Normally, I’d fumble or barely catch it.
Is this the Heavenly Martial Body?
【Why are you so surprised?】
“You wouldn’t understand.”
The humiliation of tripping over your own feet chasing a soccer ball.
Sniff.
Catching a flying bone this easily is emotional.
【Stop being pathetic.】
Tsk.
Not even a moment to savor it.
“So what now?”
【Shape the bone like a sword.】
“Got it.”
Scrape—scrape—
As I carved the bone, Sir Isra picked up a long stick nearby.
【Watch carefully.】
He pointed the tip upward.
Holding my carved bone in both hands, I mirrored his stance.
Whoosh!
The stick cut a straight line downward.
Chilling.
The killing intent in that strike sent cold sweat down my back.
How does a stiff undead body move like that?
【Now swing as I did.】
Whoosh!
“I did.”
【Again.】
“…?”
【Again.】
Whoosh—
【Again.】
After ten repetitions, my forearms tingled.
【Hmm.】
He sounded displeased.
“I’m copying you exactly.”
【I am swinging according to this body. It does not suit you.】
I couldn’t tell the difference.
He stroked his chin.
【We shall use a more forceful method. 】
Whoosh!
On my eleventh swing—
Crack!
The stick struck my shoulder and leg.
Damn.
So “forceful” means physical correction.
A groan slipped out.
【Too much tension in your shoulders. Why are your legs relaxed?】
“I need to tense my legs too?”
【The lower body supports the upper body. 】
I adjusted and swung again.
Crack!
The stick hit my arm and waist.
“Ugh.”
【If your hips twist, your center of gravity shifts.】
How long did that continue?
Crack! Thwack!
Arms, thighs, shoulders, hips, and ribs.
Everything hurt.
But something strange happened.
As I kept swinging—
I started to feel something.
Not clear.
But something.
At some point—
[Skill—Imperial Swordsmanship has been registered.]
[Strength +2]
[Agility +1]
[Stamina +1]
[Imperial Swordsmanship]
Type: Martial Arts
Rank: A
Category: Passive
The orthodox swordsmanship of the Arcturus Empire’s Imperial Knights.
Well-balanced in offense and defense, renowned for its completeness.
Understanding: 1%
A translucent window appeared.
【The skill has registered?】
“Yeah. But why not the revised version?”
【Tsk. You cannot even walk yet and wish to fly. 】
“What does that mean?”
【The Isra Form is my personal refinement of the original style.】
Master the original first.
Then you can learn the superior, revised form.
【Hah. I understand my senior’s feelings now.】
Why are we talking about seniors?
【It took you mere hours to grasp the essence of the first form! How could I not be shocked!】
So that’s why the skill registered.
I’d heard skills could be passed in different ways.
Didn’t expect this.
【I thought it would take days.】
“Is it a Heavenly Martial Body?”
【Partly. Also because we are spiritually linked. 】
Sir Isra clicked his teeth.
【It took me two full days to perfect the first form!】
Ah.
That’s what bothered him.
I was stunned.
I knew my coordination improved when I caught that bone.
But this fast?
【You look doubtful.】
“Can you blame me?”
【Summon the small zombie again.】
Click—
I reassembled the mini zombie from the carrier.
“Awaken.”
A faint light filled its eyes.
“Uuuugh.”
Let’s see.
I handed it a stick.
“Perform the sword form.”
“Uuuugh.”
Whoosh!
Chills ran down my spine.
It was just a stick.
But it felt like a blade slicing toward my neck.
Just like when Sir Isra swung.
Even though this tiny zombie lacked real power—
The sharpness was there.
“It’s even stranger that I can feel this.”
Before Heavenly Martial Body, I would have thought it was flailing around.
【Because you understand the first form.】
If my understanding increases.
If the number and quality of undead grow.
What then?
Imperial Swordsmanship is A-rank.
And beyond that—
Sir Isra’s Revised Form.
My undead would have few rivals.
“Goosebumps.”
Motivation achieved.
【The road is long. Do not grow complacent. 】
“Who said I would?”
Five years I endured.
Waiting for sunlight.
This chance—
You think I’ll waste it?
“I can train all day.”
【Let us see how long that enthusiasm lasts.】
He twisted his cheek.
****
The next day.
“Yaaawn.”
I stretched as I opened my eyes.
What?
My body feels incredible.
Last night I felt like dying.
Now I feel like I’m back in elementary school.
【Heavenly Martial Body.】
Sir Isra stood beside the bed, looking down at me.
“Were you like that all night?”
【Guarding you is my duty.】
“Next time, block your senses and rest.”
【I shall consider it.】
Not for your sake.
Having a zombie guard you ruins sleep quality.
Still.
A grin crept onto my face.
【Why are you smiling? 】
“Because it wasn’t a dream.”
Otherworldly soul.
Freedom from cursed clumsiness.
A-rank swordsmanship.
I worried it would vanish overnight.
It didn’t.
“Whew.”
【You sigh after smiling. Hard to keep up with you.】
“Just stand there.”
Let me have my relief.
I checked the status window.
[Imperial Swordsmanship]
[Proficiency – 3.1%]
Strength: 51 → 56
Agility: 44 → 48
Stamina: 51 → 55
Endurance: 9 → 11
The reward for pain.
Total stat gain: 15.
At E-rank, each level gives 5 bonus stats.
That’s like leveling up three times.
【Growth will slow. Do not expect too much. 】
“Stat growth itself is huge.”
Hunters raise stats in two ways.
Leveling.
Or elixirs.
If people learn that sword training increases stats—
Chaos.
【Training again today?】
“No.”
I have a Heavenly Martial Body.
Imperial Swordsmanship.
Now—
Time to test my undead in real combat.
“I’m clearing a gate.”
【Oh?】
“Sir Isra, you don’t step in.”
【Are you certain?】
“I need a performance test.”
The promotion exam is on the 10th.
Today is the 3rd.
One week left.
To measure my undead control—
Nothing beats real combat.
【Hahaha! I could clear the exam myself.】
“I’m not relying on you.”
Five years of stagnation.
I’ll break through myself.
【I like your ambition.】
“Not doing it for you.”
This is resolved.
As a hunter.
To grow stronger.
I packed my enchanted carving knife.
Hammer and chisel.
Portable tools.
【You seem burdened.】
“Can’t help it. I’ll need them to craft undead inside the gate.”
【What?】
“If I bring only you, there’s no room left.”
To properly test undead control—
On-the-spot creation is most efficient.
