The morning mist slowly drifted through the streets of Mistvale.
Aster stood just outside the inn where he had reappeared after logging back into Divine Nexus.
He inhaled deeply.
The breathing rhythm of Iron Body Foundation came naturally now.
Every breath felt smoother than before.
Not only inside Divine Nexus...
But he knew the same breathing method would help Yevhen's body in reality.
A smile appeared on his face.
"My goals are finally clear."
No more uncertainty.
No more wandering.
He had a path.
First...
Seek the Truths hidden within the Primal Codex.
Second...
Discover why his grandfather appeared inside this world.
Third...
Find the Divine Swordsman's legacy.
And finally...
Become strong enough to heal himself and support Elena.
"I'll work twice as hard."
"If other players train eight hours..."
"I'll train sixteen."
"If they master one path..."
"I'll master every path."
He touched the place where the necklace had once rested.
Although the physical necklace had become an empty shell...
He could still feel the quiet presence of the Primal Codex within his soul.
"...Let's begin."
Aster headed toward the village training grounds once again.
Unlike yesterday, the area was far more crowded.
News about players earning money in the future had spread throughout the world overnight.
Everyone trained with renewed determination.
Some desperately practiced sword swings.
Others repeatedly cast beginner spells until their mana was exhausted.
The atmosphere had changed completely.
Dreams...
Now had value.
Aster ignored the noisy practice fields.
His destination lay farther inside.
Past the ordinary instructors.
Past the beginner sparring rings.
At the very end of the training grounds stood a lone practice hall built entirely from aged stone.
Unlike the other instructors...
Only one person trained there.
An elderly swordsman.
His silver hair was tied behind his back.
Simple gray robes covered his lean frame.
At his waist rested a worn steel sword with countless signs of use.
He wasn't demonstrating techniques.
He simply swung his sword.
Again.
And again.
Every swing was identical.
Calm.
Precise.
Without wasted movement.
No spectators surrounded him.
Most players glanced once before walking away.
"...He's only doing basic swings."
"Let's find someone stronger."
"Probably just another tutorial NPC."
Aster, however...
Stopped walking.
His instincts told him otherwise.
Each swing carried a rhythm.
Each step flowed perfectly into the next.
It looked simple.
Too simple.
Almost...
Perfect.
Aster quietly activated his unique skill.
Echo of Origin.
Golden light flickered inside his eyes.
Observing Target...
Analyzing Sword Principles...
Unlike previous observations...
The analysis took much longer.
Nearly half a minute passed.
Then...
The Primal Codex responded.
Skill Detected
Twin Flash Step
Rank: Uncommon
Compatibility: Very High
Weapon Requirement:
Sword
Aster's heartbeat accelerated.
"An Uncommon skill..."
Finally.
The first offensive technique worthy of the Primal Codex's trial.
The next window appeared.
Copy Skill?
YES / NO
Without hesitation—
YES.
Warmth surged through his body.
Unlike Iron Body Foundation...
The sensation gathered around his legs.
His feet.
His hips.
Finally...
His sword arm.
Knowledge poured into his mind.
One step.
A burst of acceleration.
The body shifted diagonally instead of directly forward.
The first slash forced the opponent to defend.
The second arrived before their balance could recover.
Fast.
Elegant.
Efficient.
Temporary Skill Acquired
Twin Flash Step
Rank: Uncommon
Instantly accelerates the user's movement before unleashing two consecutive sword slashes.
The first strike creates an opening.
The second exploits it.
Duration:
30 Minutes
Comprehension:
0%
Aster slowly exhaled.
"So this..."
"...is an offensive Uncommon skill."
The elderly swordsman finally stopped swinging.
Without turning around, he spoke.
"You."
Aster froze.
"...Me?"
"If you're going to watch..."
"...don't merely watch with your eyes."
The old instructor slowly turned around.
His sharp gaze settled on Aster.
"Watch with your feet."
Aster frowned.
"My... feet?"
The instructor nodded.
"Young swordsmen always stare at the blade."
"They believe victory lies in the sword."
He tapped the ground lightly with the tip of his weapon.
"But the sword arrives only because the feet brought it there."
He demonstrated a single step.
Only one.
Yet Aster immediately recognized it.
It was the beginning of Twin Flash Step.
The instructor smiled faintly.
"A slow sword reaches nothing."
"A fast sword reaches little."
"But the right step..."
He disappeared.
For the briefest instant—
He seemed to vanish completely.
Then he stood several meters away.
His sword remained sheathed.
A gust of wind swept through the training hall.
Only then did a wooden practice dummy behind him split cleanly into three pieces.
Aster's pupils contracted.
"...Incredible."
The instructor calmly returned his sword to its resting position.
"You copied something."
The words struck Aster like lightning.
His breathing stopped.
"...I don't know what you mean."
The old man merely chuckled.
"No."
"You copied the movement."
"But not the reason."
Aster's heart pounded violently.
He noticed...
The instructor looked toward the open sky.
"That technique isn't about swinging twice."
"It isn't even about moving quickly."
He looked back at Aster.
"It's about arriving before your opponent realizes you've already moved."
He resumed his practice.
"As long as you chase the sword..."
"...you'll never understand the step."
Silence followed.
The Primal Codex quietly opened inside Aster's consciousness.
A single sentence appeared.
Comprehension Hint Received.
Truth does not begin with the blade.
It begins with the first step.
Aster slowly smiled.
Another Truth awaited him.
And this one...
Would begin not with his sword.
But with how he chose to walk.