North God Style—Kiba Style

At this point, Dak paused.

A trace of hesitation and nervousness flashed across his face, which had reddened slightly with excitement.

Dak took a deep breath, as though he had made up his mind.

Then, in an expectant tone, he carefully said to Cui Ciyou:

"Lord Ciyou... I... Though my talent is poor, and my strength is nowhere near yours..."

"I studied some of the most basic introductory sword techniques and core principles of the North God Style with my father at the North God Style Dojo in the Dragon King Kingdom..."

"I also possess the strength of an intermediate North God Style swordsman!"

"If... if you do not mind..."

"I... I think... perhaps I could teach you the rudimentary North God Style sword techniques that I know?"

"Though my little tricks may not be worth mentioning in your eyes..."

"But... but the core combat philosophy of North God Style swordsmanship is 'use any means necessary, adapt to the terrain, defeat the strong with the weak, and survive desperate situations'!"

"It does not rely on powerful battle aura. It places greater emphasis on using the environment, understanding the enemy's mindset, and employing all manner of unexpected and dangerous tricks."

"I... I think the North God Style's way of fighting might... might be of some help to you?"

Dak finished everything he had pondered for a long time in one breath.

Then he stared tensely at Cui Ciyou, waiting for his answer.

Dak feared that his somewhat presumptuous suggestion would displease the hero who had saved him.

Most people in this world placed great importance on the inheritance of their schools, even the smaller ones outside the three major schools.

Someone like Paul in the original story, a master of all three schools, was instead an anomaly.

Cui Ciyou was indeed a little surprised when he heard this.

He had not expected this young man, who still seemed somewhat immature and innocent, to take the initiative to offer to teach him swordsmanship.

He looked at Dak's youthful face, slightly flushed with nervousness and anticipation, and at those bright eyes filled with pure admiration and goodwill.

The little bit of coldness in his heart melted away a little more.

I really do need to learn this world's combat techniques to make up for my fatal shortcomings.

And the North God Style's combat philosophy sounds... like it really suits someone like me, someone who does not like playing by the rules and has a bug-like ability like the Anti-Magic Field...

Besides, having a "teacher"—or perhaps a "guide"—who knows the local situation and bears me absolute goodwill is far better than stumbling around alone like a headless fly.

With that thought, Cui Ciyou no longer hesitated.

He slowly nodded at the young man before him.

Then, in a voice carrying sincerity and approval, he answered clearly:

"Alright, Dak. Then... I'll be relying on you."

"You're welcome, Lord Ciyou. I'll do everything I can."

After receiving Cui Ciyou's affirmative response, Dak nearly jumped up on the spot.

A brilliant smile instantly blossomed across his young face, like that of a child who had just received the most precious candy.

And so, in the open space behind the inn,

a brown-haired young man with little experience began teaching North God Style—Kiba Style—to a black-haired young man with immense physical strength.

Dak first tried hard to recall the foundational theories and core principles of North God Style swordsmanship that he had learned before.

Then, using language that was as clear, straightforward, and easy to understand as possible, along with exaggerated yet vivid gestures, he carefully explained the unique aspects of North God Style swordsmanship to Cui Ciyou:

"Lord Ciyou, North God Style swordsmanship differs from the Sword God Style, which seeks to kill with a single strike, and the Water God Style, which focuses on absolute defense and counterattacks."

"The core principle of the North God Style is 'survive by any means necessary, then defeat the enemy'!"

"Therefore, North God Style sword techniques have no fixed forms or routines. It is more like... a way of thinking in battle!"

"It demands that we keep a cool head at all times in battle, carefully observe the surrounding environment, and use every terrain feature, tool, and even the enemy's psychological weaknesses to create the greatest possible advantage for ourselves!"

"For example, the most basic technique is the North God Style's unique sword-holding posture—the 'North God Style: Basic Stance'!"

As he spoke, Dak picked up his ordinary knight's longsword and demonstrated it personally for Cui Ciyou.

He spread his feet slightly, shoulder-width apart.

He lowered his center of gravity slightly, his left hand loosely gripping the mouth of the scabbard.

His right hand held the hilt in a reverse diagonal grip that seemed casual but was actually full of possible variations, the sword tip hanging slightly downward and pointing toward the ground.

His entire body assumed a peculiar stance full of vigilance, yet one that seemed capable of launching an attack from any angle at any moment—a posture brimming with contradiction and uncertainty.

Cui Ciyou carefully observed Dak's every subtle movement and method of exerting force, firmly committing every word Dak said to memory.

Thanks to the extraordinarily sharp dynamic vision and powerful ability to learn and imitate he had gained through physical enhancement,

he understood all the key points almost as soon as Dak finished demonstrating the stance in full.

He picked up the iron sword in his hand and copied Dak, assuming a standard North God Style: Basic Stance.

Astonishingly, the stance displayed by this outsider, who had encountered North God Style swordsmanship for the first time, was actually... even more standard, steadier, and more... filled with an indescribable, heart-pounding aura of danger than that of Dak, the "teacher" who had studied the basics for years.

It was as though he had been born to be a swordsman of this school.

Dak looked at Cui Ciyou's sword stance, which was almost a perfect replica and even subtly surpassed his own in some details.

He could not help staring wide-eyed, mouth agape, unable to say a word for a long while.

Cui Ciyou's monstrous talent crushed and shocked his young heart once again—deeply, completely, and mercilessly.

Th-This is impossible?! Lord Ciyou... this is clearly his first time encountering the North God Style!

Why... why was he able to master this basic stance so perfectly after watching me demonstrate it only once?

He is even... even more standard than someone like me, who has practiced since childhood? Is this what a genius is?

Cui Ciyou, however, paid no attention to the complex look in the young man's eyes beside him.

At that moment, he was fully focused on carefully sensing the subtle changes and strange sensations produced by his body after assuming this peculiar stance.

He could clearly feel that once he assumed the North God Style: Basic Stance,

his center of gravity became more stable, his field of vision broader, and whether he attacked forward or dodged backward, everything seemed to become smoother and more natural.

Moreover, this seemingly loose and casual sword-holding posture truly allowed him to launch unexpected attacks faster and from a greater variety of tricky, strange angles.

Interesting... This unconventional combat style, full of variation and deception, really... suits my tastes.

A smile full of intense interest and anticipation curled at the corner of his lips.

Interesting!... North God Style—Kiba Style, huh?