Preparation

[Learned Momentum Slash, current level Lv.1]

Looking at the golden text that appeared before him, Roland couldn't help but recall the profound feeling of being able to cut through anything just moments ago.

"With this kind of power, even the impenetrable scales of mutated Kobolds probably couldn't withstand it, right?"

This thought filled Roland's heart with an irrepressible surge of joy.

He fell backward onto the ground, his chest heaving violently. It took a long time before he could gradually regain his breathing rhythm.

When he managed to support himself on his still trembling legs, the feeling of utter exhaustion from having all his strength instantly drained was still fresh in his memory.

"But with my current strength..."

Roland shook his head helplessly.

"If I don't enter the Focus state, I probably can't even execute a complete Momentum Slash, and after each use, I'll fall into a brief period of weakness."

"It seems this Combat Skill can only be used as a last resort and shouldn't be used lightly."

Despite this, Roland felt no remorse or frustration.

Mastering this Combat Skill meant his strength had already reached a brand new level.

"The next step is to practice repeatedly and strive to use Momentum Slash freely without relying on the [Focus] Trait!"

With this determination, Roland dragged his slightly unsteady steps back to the dormitory.

As soon as his body touched the bed, he fell into a deep sleep, not even bothering to wash up.

The next morning, Roland followed his routine and first went to the blacksmith shop to complete the work Hawk had assigned him.

After lunch, he was planning to find Darko to inquire about the Adventurer's Guild, but unexpectedly, the young noble found him first.

"Hey! Roland!"

Even though his leg injury hadn't healed, Darko was still full of energy.

The sunlight cast a brilliant halo over his dazzling golden hair, making him shine.

"Heh heh."

Looking at Darko's brilliant smile, Roland's mood couldn't help but brighten.

"Your injury isn't healed yet, why aren't you resting in bed?"

"Don't mention it."

Darko waved his hand, unceremoniously squeezed into the room, and sat down on the edge of the bed.

He casually tossed his oak crutch aside, stretched, and complained.

"I've only been lying down for a day, and I'm going stir-crazy. How about you?"

As he spoke, he tilted his chin, pointing to the battle skill scroll on the table that had already been put away.

"How's your research on Momentum Slash coming along?"

Research? I've already managed to use it successfully.

Although he thought this, Roland didn't say it out loud.

After all, he had personally experienced the difficulty of learning Momentum Slash.

His ability to barely master it was largely due to the assistance of the [Focus] Trait.

So, despite his good relationship with Darko, Roland chose to keep a low profile.

It wasn't that he was afraid of jealousy, but overly astonishing talent often attracted unnecessary attention.

This was different from his previous blacksmithing and swordsmanship skills.

The difficulty of those two skills combined probably wouldn't even be half of Momentum Slash.

Therefore, Roland simply shook his head slightly and subtly changed the subject.

"You've come at the perfect time."

He took out a new cup, filled it with clean water, and handed it to Darko.

"I actually have something I need your help with."

"Help? Of course! Just tell me..."

Darko readily agreed, but paused halfway through his sentence.

As if remembering something, he scratched his head with a hint of awkwardness and changed his words.

"Uh, maybe tell me what it is first?"

Although Roland noticed Darko's unusual hesitation, he didn't probe further and spoke directly.

"I'd like you to help me get introduced to some experienced veterans so I can learn combat techniques from them."

"Combat techniques?"

Darko's gaze unconsciously drifted to the iron sword in the corner.

"If I may be so bold, Roland, your swordsmanship is already quite exceptional. I daresay even my former sword instructor couldn't match you."

"It's not swordsmanship."

Roland poured himself a cup of water and sat down on the wooden chair, explaining calmly.

"It's the skill of using other weapons, like short-handled weapons such as daggers, or polearms like spears and battle axes."

"This..."

Darko looked confused.

According to his education, these weapons were primarily used on the battlefield.

Daggers could still be understood for self-defense, but spears and battle axes...

Was Roland planning to join the army?

Despite his mind full of questions, Darko heartily slapped his chest.

"Leave it to me! I'll have my servants find some experienced old soldiers right away."

Seeing Darko readily agree, Roland's worried heart finally settled.

Currently, there were only two paths for him to learn combat skills.

One was to leave the manor and seek training at grounds run by retired veterans.

However, this would not only cost a lot of money but also require long journeys, which would be a waste of time.

The second was to ask for guidance from close friends like Peyton and John.

But not everyone had a profession panel that allowed them to quickly master skills like he did.

Although Peyton and John were experienced, a person's energy was ultimately limited.

One of them specialized in swordsmanship, while the other excelled at archery. They only had a superficial understanding of other weapons, far from being able to teach others.

Since the matter of learning skills was settled, Roland smoothly brought up his second question.

"Darko, you mentioned the Adventurer's Guild before..."

"Ah, that!"

Darko was clearly in a good mood because he could help, and he tilted his head back, drinking the water in his cup.

"Though I only heard about it from the guards in the manor."

"It's said that a few years ago, monster disturbances occurred frequently all over the place. Although lords like my father would send troops to clear them out, their forces were limited, and there were inevitably places they couldn't reach."

"Then, at some point, this organization called the Adventurer's Guild suddenly appeared."

"They specifically posted bounties, gathering idle mercenaries and adventurers to hunt down monsters."

As he spoke, Darko stroked his chin thoughtfully.

"I really wonder who is operating behind the Adventurer's Guild. Hiring people to clear out monsters is no small expense."

"I heard that when the Adventurer's Guild was first established, many people were watching for a laugh, and merchants predicted they would go bankrupt sooner or later."

"But no one expected that after so many years, the Adventurer's Guild not only wouldn't disappear but would appear all over the country. It's truly intriguing..."

Roland wasn't interested in why the Adventurer's Guild had lasted until now or why it was all over the country. He just silently noted the information and then nodded slightly, continuing to ask.

"Darko, do you know where the Adventurer's Guild has branches within Blackwater Territory?"

Although he didn't understand why Roland suddenly asked this, in the manor, very few people would chat with him about such things like a friend.

Therefore, Darko pondered for a moment and then excitedly held up two fingers.

"As far as I know, because Blackwater Territory is remote, there are only two Adventurer's Guild branches in the entire territory."

"One is in Mist Creek Town near the Black Fir Forest, and the other is in Pine Wood Town, not far to the east of the manor."

"Mist Creek Town, Pine Wood Town."

Roland softly repeated the two place names and quickly made a decision.

Although his strength had greatly increased after learning Momentum Slash, he was still no match for powerful individuals like Knights who possessed extraordinary abilities.

And the Black Fir Forest adjacent to Mist Creek Town, even with Knight Beckham stationed there, had not seen the monster disturbances cease; it had even reached a stalemate.

This was enough to illustrate its danger.

Roland only wanted to complete the Warrior profession's advancement, not seek his own death.

Therefore, after a brief deliberation, he made his decision.

In the following time, Roland asked Darko in detail about the situation around Pine Wood Town.

Fortunately, Darko was an absolute hunting fanatic. He often took guards to hunt in the vicinity of the manor and was quite familiar with the nearby Pine Wood Town.

Through their questions and answers, Roland quickly gained a preliminary understanding of Pine Wood Town, and the sky outside the window gradually darkened.

"Alright, Roland."

Darko, whose throat was dry from talking, finished the water in his cup and wiped the water droplets from his chin.

"It's getting late. If I don't go back soon, my father will get angry."

Thinking of Baron Foslin's enraged expression sent a shiver down his spine.

"As for finding an old soldier to teach you combat skills, don't worry, I'll get it done in a day or two if things go smoothly."

"Thank you very much, Darko."

"Hey! Friends don't say such things, it makes us strangers!"

Darko stood up, leaning on his oak cane, and patted Roland's shoulder with force, a sincere smile blooming on his face.

After seeing Darko off, Roland closed the door and sat at the wooden table, lost in thought.

As the saying goes, to do a good job, one must first sharpen one's tools.

Weapons were another matter, at least he had an iron sword to use.

But he absolutely couldn't go adventuring wearing these rags when he knew he was going to fight monsters.

Of course, he could ask Darko to help him get a set of armor.

But firstly, Baron Foslin's territory was limited, and fine armor was already precious.

Secondly, the war in the Black Fir Forest was urgent, and even the front lines were struggling for equipment, so how could they spare any for him?

Even with Darko's intercession, it would likely be futile.

Through his observations during this time, Roland knew very well that although Baron Foslin lived a life of luxury, he was never ambiguous about important matters; otherwise, he wouldn't have continued to support Knight Beckham in clearing out monsters.

Furthermore, the reward for treating Darko had already been fulfilled in the form of combat skills, and Baron Foslin would never bestow armor for no reason again.

With this in mind, Roland pondered carefully.

"Regarding the knowledge of armor forging, Mister Hawk hasn't taught me yet, and recently, ore has been scarce."

"However... perhaps I can sew a set of leather armor?"

"I can ask Mister Hawk about it tomorrow. If it's difficult to make, I'll think of another way."

Having made up his mind, Roland cast aside the complex thoughts in his mind, picked up the iron sword beside him, deactivated the [Focus] Trait, and repeatedly practiced Momentum Slash until he was utterly exhausted before falling into a deep sleep.

The next morning, just as he was preparing to head to the blacksmith shop, Matthew brought news.

Bronson had returned.

However, the scholar's condition looked quite terrible.