Longsword

Chapter 46: Longsword

This time, David chose the Long Sword Mastery (80% mastery) Knowledge Light Orb. The yellow orb moved from the Shadow Servant into David's body and was absorbed by his soul almost instantly.

An illusion appeared before David. It showed someone practicing swordsmanship. As before, he couldn't control the swordsman's body and could only experience what the swordsman felt.

The swordsman held a longsword and practiced a set of ordinary basic longsword techniques—the same techniques David had practiced himself.

But compared with this swordsman, David's grasp of the basic longsword techniques was like a child's next to an adult's.

Because he had already learned the basics of longsword technique, even if he had only reached 5% of the entry level, it was easier for him to absorb the knowledge.

This was different from learning other combat skills, which he had all started with no experience at all.

David was utterly absorbed in experiencing the swordsman's basic longsword techniques. His mastery of the longsword climbed rapidly from 5% of the entry level.

When the practice ended, the swordsman's enemies became Zerg. His sword grew more fierce, and every strike carried tremendous killing power.

David had absorbed Knowledge Light Orbs for the War Hammer, Heavy Axe, shield, and sniping. Aside from the Sniper Armored Warrior, he had never encountered an Armored Warrior who could kill a Level 1 Zerg alone.

But this Longsword Armored Warrior used quick, nimble swordplay to inflict wound after wound on the Hunter Mantis.

The Hunter Mantis was one of the weaker Level 1 Zerg, but it was still a Level 1 Zerg. Usually, it took several Armored Warriors working together to deal with one.

As the Hunter Mantis accumulated more wounds, it grew slower and slower. The Longsword Armored Warrior didn't rush, continuing to wear it down with skill.

The Longsword Armored Warrior was like an experienced hunter: calm and unhurried. His longsword swept like the wind, each pass drawing green blood from the Hunter Mantis.

David learned from the Longsword Armored Warrior that when fighting Zerg, a longsword user had to keep moving. A longsword wasn't a heavy weapon, so it couldn't both inflict a serious wound and produce the knockback effect of a heavy weapon.

In other words, when a longsword struck a Hunter Mantis, its user had to account for the creature's counterattack. A War Hammer was different: a solid hit would always produce the knockback effect unique to heavy weapons, preventing the Zerg from striking back immediately.

That was why the Longsword Armored Warrior kept wounding the Hunter Mantis instead of striking at its weak points. Without confidence in a killing blow and without an ally to help, rushing an attack would only put himself in danger.

At last, the longsword pierced the Hunter Mantis's heart. By then, almost all its green blood had drained away, and its Insect Shell was damaged all over.

This experience also showed David how tenacious the Zerg were. And this was only a Hunter Mantis.

Next, the Longsword Armored Warrior faced other Level 1 Zerg, but he continued to wear them down over long fights, killing them one by one.

David could clearly sense the Longsword Armored Warrior growing more skilled. The swordsman was always alone and never fought alongside anyone. Eventually, David could no longer sense any further growth in his swordsmanship.

The Longsword Armored Warrior's opponents then became other Armored Warriors. Compared with fighting Zerg, his battles against other Armored Warriors were more like one-sided massacres.

At some point, the Longsword Armored Warrior acquired another longsword and became a Dual-Sword Armored Warrior.

David opened his eyes. The instant they did, his gaze was as sharp as that of the Dual-Sword Armored Warrior in the illusion.

Fortunately, David's Mental Strength was as high as 3.4, and the killing intent's influence was suppressed.

He went to his bedroom and picked up the scabbard. The moment he gripped it, a feeling of connection with his mind arose.

Suppressing the urge to practice the basic longsword techniques, he carried the scabbard to the Underground Gym.

Standing in the middle of the gym, he gently brushed his hand over the sword hilt. The Dual Swords in the scabbard seemed to come alive and leaped out.

He tossed the scabbard aside and caught the flying swords in both hands.

He felt as though he wasn't practicing swordsmanship at all. Instead, the Dual Swords were leading him in a dance.

He and the Dual Swords seemed made for each other. The Level 2 Longswords in his hands moved swiftly one moment and with sudden speed the next.

The basic longsword techniques flowed through his hands, giving him insights every bit as profound as the Storm Hammer Technique.

"Maybe Uncle Gallen was wrong. I was born to wield a longsword!" David stopped and looked at the Dual Swords in his hands, murmuring to himself.

Perhaps it was because stories of swordsmen and sword immortals had been imprinted on his soul from his previous life. Longswords had been a symbol of culture in that life.

David believed this talent came from his own soul, not from his predecessor. At least, as far as he could remember, his predecessor had shown no particular talent for the longsword. Otherwise, he wouldn't have had only 5% entry-level mastery.

He sheathed the longswords. He had a feeling that even though he had practiced only once, he could already use them to fight an enemy.

But he wouldn't change his plans and risk his life by wielding a longsword against a fully qualified Armored Warrior. That would be the worst choice.

With a little over eight hundred kilograms of strength, he would be completely overpowered by an Armored Warrior with more than a thousand kilograms of strength—not to mention the other man's speed advantage.

David looked up at Gia Star in the sky, feeling very good. The mastermind behind the scenes wouldn't target him again anytime soon, so he could leave home without worry.

He had gone to bed very late the night before, but still woke up promptly at six. After practicing one set of the Eighteen Forms of Body Technique, he went outside early to wait for Myron.

"David, you finally feel like going out for some fun!" Myron leaned out of his Gladstone Type VI car and opened the door on the passenger side with a grin.

"Myron, sorry for the trouble today!" David got into the car and took the passenger seat.

"David, don't mention it. It's no big deal. By the way, why are you interested in the city wall? There's nowhere else worth going in the morning, anyway. The nightclubs aren't open yet!" Myron waved dismissively.

"No way—you've been going to nightclubs?" David asked in surprise.

Panshi Planet lay within the dangerous War Star theater. Although it was less affected than some places, danger was everywhere.

In such an environment, places where people could blow off steam did very well. Drinking and sex were popular ways to let off steam.

But the ban on minors wasn't just a sign; it was the law. If caught, their guardians could go to prison. That was why David was so surprised by Myron's remark.

"No, I was just saying!" Myron said sheepishly when David pressed him, looking as if he'd been caught in a lie.

Come to think of it, Myron trained a lot every day. And even if he didn't think about himself, he had to consider how it would affect his father, Mayor Bernard. He couldn't very well get his father into trouble.

The Gladstone Type VI car headed toward the edge of the city. The closer they got, the more run-down the buildings became.

Unlike Lanka Street, where David lived, Lanka Street was in the center of the city and was the safest area. This place was near the city wall. Although the Zerg couldn't attack it, people felt far less secure here.

That was why the wealthy never chose to live here. Only people with low incomes lived in this area.

David couldn't help shaking his head. Even in the age of interstellar travel, class divisions remained severe.

And despite it being the interstellar age, few people could actually leave their city and move to another. It took not only a lot of Credit Points but also the proper authorization.

Without the necessary authorization, ordinary people could live only in one city until they died.

That was what happened to high school students who failed to get into college. Without authorization, they became workers in some job, found a partner who also lacked authorization, and raised children.

"David, the Federation has a trillion people. Poverty is inevitable. Father has done everything he can to change things, but most of these people have lost their purpose in life and are content with the way things are. It's hard to change them," Myron said with unusual feeling.

David smiled helplessly. He was just an ordinary person; there was nothing he could do to help others.