"Are you kidding, Father?! You know I can't even hold a sword properly, and you're telling me to fight you—the strongest swordsman in the entire world?!" Jun's voice cracked with disbelief, dread weaving through every word. His hands trembled slightly as he gripped the wooden training sword, its weight feeling like a mountain in his palms.
Shan Lion stood opposite him, his arms crossed over his chest, a faint smirk tugging at the edge of his mouth. His presence exuded authority and power—an unmovable mountain standing before a shivering sapling.
"You brat…" Shan scoffed. "Don't complain. Just come at me. I know you're a born talent, so stop whining and start the fight already."
Suddenly—
[Ding]
[Fight with your father with all you've got. You may earn a reward from this fight.]
Jun's eyes widened as the system notification appeared before him, the glowing letters hovering in the air like a divine challenge.
(Huh... Even the system wants me to fight now? And it'll give me a reward?) A strange laugh bubbled up in his throat. ("Ha…ha…ha… Then I should fight with everything I have… But wait—system! This is the strongest swordsman in the world we're talking about! Can't you give me something to even the odds? Anything! I'm not asking for much!")
[Ding]
[The host should not rely on others.]
[If you rely on others, you can never become strong.]
(Huh?! That's your answer?! What kind of advice is that in this situation? You're telling a bug to fight a dragon!)
[...]
(Tch… Now you're quiet, huh? I thought you were just a machine—but you can act like a smug old man too?)
Before Jun could argue further with the system, Shan's sharp voice pierced the air. "Hey, son… How long are you going to stand there mumbling to yourself? If you won't come to me… then I'll come to you."
Jun's heart nearly stopped. He looked up to see his father's figure blur forward, his steps heavy with intent, sword aura beginning to leak from his body like a suffocating tide.
"Wait! Wait, Father! Hold on a second—!"
Shan skidded to a stop just a few paces away, narrowing his eyes. "Huh? What is it, kid?"
Jun's voice rose an octave. "You're charging at me with that level of sword intent?! Do you want to kill me or train me?!"
Shan chuckled darkly. "You can't even handle this much?"
(You can't even handle this much?!) Jun fumed. ("This is like being drowned in a sea of blades…")
Shan's inner thoughts flickered through his eyes: (You brat… In the past, you crushed me like an insect every single time. Now, finally, I get a turn. Why would I hold back?)
"It's not 'this much'! It's overwhelming!" Jun shouted, his knees buckling slightly under the invisible weight of his father's aura.
Shan let out a dramatic sigh. "What a weakling…"
Jun gritted his teeth, rage flaring in his chest. "I know I'm weak! You don't need to keep rubbing it in!"
"Alright, alright," Shan said, waving him forward. "Stop whining and just come at me."
With a roar, Jun rushed forward, shouting with all the strength in his lungs. "Fine! I'm coming, old man!"
He raised the wooden sword high above his head and leaped, pouring every ounce of energy into a single desperate strike.
But Shan didn't even draw a weapon. He raised two fingers and caught the blade mid-swing— effortlessly.
A heartbeat passed in stunned silence.
"Sigh… Really… What a waste," Shan muttered. Then—bam!
He delivered a light kick to Jun's stomach, sending the boy sprawling backward across the ground.
Vermin, who had been watching nearby, gasped audibly. "M-My Lord! Was the kick necessary…?"
Shan turned to him, unfazed. "I didn't do that on purpose, though. My foot slipped on it's own…" A mischievous glint in his eyes. (If I got the chance I'll do that again. It's time to get revenge. Ha... Ha... Ha...)
The smirk on his face betrayed him.
(Liar… You enjoyed that, aren't you?) Vermin's thought.
Jun Lion lay on the ground, winded and defeated. (I really couldn't do anything. I'm pathetic… System, help me… Please…)
[You've gained 100 EXP from your first strike.]
[You may now master the Black Sword Technique to Beginner level.]
[Cost: 50 EXP. Proceed?]
Jun blinked. (Wait—what?! I can learn it now? YES! Do it!)
[50 EXP has been consumed.]
[Black Sword Technique (?) – Mastery Unlocked: 1st Form – "Darkness of the Heart"]
A shiver ran down Jun's spine as new knowledge flooded into his mind—a dark tide of intent, movement, and energy that wasn't just about swordsmanship. It was about suppressing the light within, drawing strength from a place most feared to touch.
(It's done… That fast? This… This is a jackpot!) Jun slowly stood, the pain from earlier already dulled by the adrenaline coursing through him.
He raised his head. "Hey… Father…"
Shan arched an eyebrow. "What is it now? Going to give up? Hmm? I think you're sca—"
"Who said I'm gonna quite!" Jun interrupted, his voice now calm, steady, and low. "I'm telling you… I'm coming for real now. Be prepared."
Shan's smirk widened. "Oh? Interesting…"
Jun tightened his grip on the sword and stepped forward. "Black Sword Technique… First Form—Darkness of the Heart!"
As the words left his lips, the temperature in the air dropped suddenly. The ground trembled faintly beneath their feet. Shadows crept in from the edges of the training ground like an incoming storm.
Then—darkness exploded outward.
A black mist oozed from Jun's sword, blanketing the entire training ground in unnatural gloom. The torches on the walls flickered violently, then died altogether. The light of the moon vanished behind a shroud of black.
A nearby man started clutching his chest. "W-What is this?! I… I can't breathe—!"
All around the training ground, servants and guards froze in terror. Whispers of panic erupted.
(What's happening?!)
(Why do I feel like I'm about to die?!)
(My heart… it feels like it's being crushed…)
The darkness was not just physical—it clawed at their minds, at their emotions, at their sense of safety and self. A deep, primal fear settled over them.
And at the center of it all stood Jun Lion, his eyes glowing faintly with eerie power.
Shan Lion stared at his son, a flicker of disbelief flashing in his eyes for the first time.
The boy he thought was broken…
…was no longer the same.
To be continued...