- PoV Ukyo -
I yawn wide—probably the tenth time now.
Honestly, I could die of boredom.
This floor feels like some ridiculous playground for kids swinging around wooden swords.
Kaen and his favorite green goblin... Gob... are busy slaughtering Rabbits for magic stones that can be converted into money.
Same scene repeating over and over: rabbit jumps, sword slashes, magic stone drops. Monotonous.
Lazily, I lean against the cold stone wall, my sheathed sword resting on the ground. Perfect position: I can watch the kid move without having to move much myself.
"Four," Kaen mutters, picking up the magic stone that dropped from the rabbit he just killed.
I touch my chin, eyes fixed on the kid. There's something different today I noticed it from the moment Kaen started fighting monsters.
Hm. He's definitely faster than yesterday.
His movements are sharper, more confident. Yesterday, he was still hesitant, relying only on tactics to deal with these rabbits... but now?
It's like something surged and changed within him overnight.
This kind of transformation isn't normal for ordinary humans.
Could this be what they call a god's blessing?
I've heard gossip from merchants that people who receive falna in Orario become different creatures from regular humans.
They develop quickly, surpassing normal limits.
But does their talent change too? Or just their physical abilities?
Interesting question, though the answer might be disappointing.
Kaen's getting stronger. That's a fact. But I'm guessing it's just because of the god's blessing that's how the system works here, mechanical and predictable.
So not that interesting to think about.
What really catches my attention isn't that unfortunate brat with his bad attitude. What's interesting is the green creature beside him.
Gob.
My eyes shift to follow his every movement. He slides low, his sword piercing a stumbling rabbit with perfect precision.
Like a needle threading through fabric... efficient and on target.
His movements... I draw a slow breath, unconsciously holding back my amazement. So efficient.
No wasted steps or swings.
No hesitation.
No unnecessary tremors.
Gob moves like water flowing around his target, and his attacks come like calm but deadly waves.
Perfect economy of motion.
Flawless.
Yes, flawless in execution. But there's something bothering me.
The technique itself? Honestly, it's pretty basic.
Simple slashes, straight thrusts basic movements anyone could learn.
But the way he does it... that's not something a monster should be able to do. It's a confusing paradox.
I keep watching Gob fight.
'His movements are so basic... seems like this Gob doesn't have a teacher and learned his sword techniques on his own,' I think, nodding to myself.
But basic movements polished to perfection.
I'm stunned.
My mouth opens slightly without realizing it.
These are the movements of someone who's trained the same basic sword techniques thousands no, millions of times until the movements became pure instinct.
I never expected a monster could reach this level of skill. Years of experience as a swordsman make me confident in my assessment.
Too bad his technique sucks.
If Gob were given high-level sword techniques complex techniques that require deep understanding of posture and energy flow... he might become a sword master in no time. Talent without proper refinement, like a rough diamond.
I smile thinly at myself, comforting my wounded ego for acknowledging a goblin's excellence.
Still, Gob's movements, however smooth, are too straightforward. Too honest. No deception, no deep variation. I'm sure I could beat him easily.
Of course. I'm a genius, after all.
Yeah, I really am a genius to see all this with just one glance.
Though I'm confused why I didn't notice yesterday... And only realized now that Gob has pretty decent sword skills.
In the distance, I see Kaen busy collecting magic stones near the wall.
Good opportunity for a little teasing.
With deliberately casual steps, I approach, then bend slightly so I can whisper in his ear.
"Kaen," I whisper in a tone slightly more serious than usual.
"That goblin of yours... he's special."
Kaen doesn't look up, just snorts softly while continuing to put magic stones in his pouch.
"Of course. Don't you know that already? Just being friends with a monster is special enough."
"That's not what I mean," I roll my eyes, slightly frustrated by his cold response.
"I'm talking about his skill. His sword movements..."
"They're way above average. Your goblin has incredibly good skills, even though his technique is still very basic... His sword technique could even beat your skills easily. Like clouds and mud."
My statement finally makes Kaen stop. He stands up straight, slowly turning his head toward me. His expression... slightly bitter.
Like I just touched a painful topic, an old wound that hasn't healed.
"Can you shut up?" Kaen says with displeasure.
"I know my skills are mediocre, but do you need to compare them to a genius? You probably don't know this... Gob is a very genius monster. He can mimic techniques he sees. And not just mimic—he can perfect them too."
The world seems to stop spinning.
I feel a cold sensation creeping from my neck down my spine, like ice gripping my backbone.
Kaen's words echo in my head, refusing to be believed.
"You're... serious?" Without thinking, I immediately grab his shoulder and shake it.
My eyes stare straight into his, demanding an answer, begging this to be just a bad joke.
"That goblin can mimic anything and perfect it?"
Kaen looks shocked at my overreaction. He rubs his temples, looking annoyed at my grip.
"Yes. That's what I said. I was shocked when I found out too... No! Why are you so surprised? Don't you already know?" Kaen says with wonder and confusion.
Slowly, I release his shoulder, letting my thoughts sink into the chaos that suddenly takes over.
Mimic?
Then perfect it?
Throughout my life, I've met many talented people.
Some have permanent memory able to remember every detail of a movement with just one look.
But their bodies still have limits. Muscles need training, reflexes need shaping, and it takes years to reach mastery.
Even geniuses need time.
I, a genius myself, wouldn't dare say I could master techniques quickly without practice.
But this goblin... this lowly creature has truly terrifying talent.
Something that violates all the rules I know about learning and combat ability.
This Gob... he doesn't just mimic. He perfects it.
That means... he doesn't just copy movements. He understands the essence of the movement, then adapts it into his own body and makes it better.
Talent like this...
Terrifying.
Absolutely terrifying.
I stare at Gob's back as he picks up magic stones from dead monsters. Suddenly, a crazy thought pops into my head.
What if...
What if... he mimics all the sword techniques I have?
I have many techniques. Fast movements, feints, motion illusions I've learned throughout my life.
Could Gob mimic them all? And perfect them until... he could beat me?
The thought is both terrifying and exhilarating.
Heat burns in my chest.
Passion!
This is the same passion I feel when finding a challenging opponent!
I want to teach him!
Want to see how far that terrifying talent can develop! My imagination runs wild picturing the possibilities.
But as quickly as that passion came, a cold sensation like ice water douses me, extinguishing my enthusiasm with harsh reality.
Wait.
Gob is a monster.
If he becomes too strong... if he's able to perfect every human technique he sees... The implications start unraveling in my mind like tangled threads slowly opening.
Wouldn't that be a threat to humanity?
My mind immediately goes back to my former student... someone I gave knowledge to sincerely, but who used their power for evil.
Someone I had to end with my own hands.
Though in the end I failed to kill my student because they ran away so fast.
That memory still feels like an open wound, even after all these years.
Will I repeat the same mistake?
A decision forms in my mind quickly. I have to monitor Gob. I have to know his intentions before making any decision.
"What are you thinking?" Kaen asks, his voice pulling me back to reality.
I snap out of my dark thoughts, then quickly return my annoying, carefree expression.
A mask I've become very comfortable wearing.
A wide smile appears on my face, hiding the tension that just took over.
"Nothing," I answer lightly, with a forced indifferent tone.
"Just thinking about how pathetic your life is when you're even surpassed by a goblin."
Kaen's face darkens.
I quickly change the subject... "By the way, when are we going down to floor 10?"
Kaen sighs a gesture I know very well, a sign he's annoyed with my behavior and trying to calm himself.
"Now."
Without saying much more, he turns around, walking toward the dark stairs with steady steps.
Gob follows him silently, like a loyal shadow following its master.
I watch both their backs, my mind still spinning with plans and worries.
I'll be watching you, Gob.
If you have a good nature, if your heart isn't dark, I'll train you. This will be very interesting!
A challenge I've never faced before.
As for Kaen?
I smirk inwardly, a little evil to amuse myself.
Let him suffer his jealousy.
Let him watch Gob get stronger every day thanks to my presence.
If he gets mad?
Who told him to have such an annoying personality?
He deserves it.
With deliberately slow movements, I pull my sword from the ground.
"Alright, let's hope Gob is a good monster," I mutter to myself, a voice only I can hear.
With light steps hiding the unease beneath, I follow them down to floor 10 while carrying a bag that feels heavy.