Chapter 24: Dual-Wielding Sword Aura!
When Secret Sword Art was used with different weapons, the final combat stance would change, but the skill's effects were fixed.
How to specifically develop it…
Depended entirely on Liam's ideas. The first attempt he made was based on the aspect of short swords generating sword aura when swung.
Dual-wielding short swords.
And as a "Sword Soul," a weapon master in every sense, switching weapon styles didn't cause Liam the slightest bit of discomfort.
"Two-handed sword aura…"
"There shouldn't be a problem, right?"
He looked at the target in the distance ahead.
A total of five rookie-killer War Shadows. Trying a new combat style for the first time, Liam's overall approach would be relatively conservative.
There was no conventional opening move either.
His hands were crossed, resting on the hilts of the swords worn on either side of his waist. The all-around increase in physical strength brought by the improvement in his ability scores.
Made his forward dash extremely fast.
The grayish-brown cloak was gently blown up as the accumulated power in his legs instantly exploded.
As Liam's figure swept past the War Shadows.
The crossed-gripped short swords were instantly unsheathed. White, materialized sword aura slashes converged, ultimately forming a diagonal cross-slash.
The range of the sword aura coverage was extremely large.
And it was augmented by his dashing speed. The War Shadows, relying on combat instinct to raise their hands to attack, before Liam's figure even got close.
Were already cut in half by the extremely sharp slashes.
「Exp +67」
As Liam's agile figure passed through the gaps between the War Shadows, their irresistible bodies shattered, dissipating into black dust.
Thumb-sized magic stones and dropped items struck the ground.
Making crisp sounds.
"This combat style…"
"."
Enjoying the pure combat, Liam paused, his figure now steady, yet the excitement deep in his eyes was hard to conceal.
The result was already proven.
The combat methods provided by the Sword Soul template didn't need to follow the complex mechanics of the game; he could freely use his imagination.
This was definitely good news.
Especially with the update to his ability scores, the overall improvement in his physical strength, paired with Secret Sword Art, would only increase his power!
He picked up the spoils from the kills.
Liam didn't continue to linger in the current area. The most effective way to raise his level now was to head to the 7th floor.
To find Killer Ants.
Utilizing the monsters' characteristics to attract a swarm of Killer Ants, thereby obtaining a large amount of experience points.
In a sense, had he completely figured out the rules of the Dungeon?
Having decided on his next goal, Liam, a man of action, quickly reached the 7th-floor area, emerging from the staircase passage.
Yesterday's exploration had ended here.
At that time, his stamina was nearly exhausted. After clearing out that swarm of Killer Ants, his physical condition could only support a smooth return journey.
Now…
His ability scores had improved all around, and he hadn't gone through any battles that consumed a lot of stamina.
Liam, in peak condition, was itching for action, craving a trial that could push his limits and enhance his potential.
"Based on the scale and number of Killer Ant swarms."
"On average, three waves can provide enough experience to level up once. To reach today's goal, I'll need to defeat at least 10 swarms of ants."
It would definitely be a long and tedious process.
Before choosing to embark on this path, Liam had already steeled his resolve.
It was precisely in the tedious process of swordsmanship training, by constantly exploring the pinnacle of the way of the sword, that one could forge their own path!
He began exploring the current area.
Soon.
He found his ultimate target: Killer Ants, similar in size to Gecko monsters, but their entire bodies were covered in hard armor.
A common ailment of insectoid creatures.
Even though they had eyes, their vision in the dim environment was equivalent to none; they relied entirely on the vibrations in the air captured by the feelers on their heads.
To hunt their prey.
As Liam's footsteps drew closer, a lone Killer Ant decisively changed direction, its four hooked claws on its back.
Assuming a combat stance.
"A bit tricky."
What Liam meant here was the need to control his attack range to avoid killing it directly. He looked calmly at the monster in front of him.
His right hand held the short sword loosely, the tip almost touching the ground. But as he swung it upwards, an extremely fast white sword aura was unleashed with a flick of his hand.
It tore at the ground, leaving a mark.
It also appropriately reduced the damage the sword aura inflicted on the Killer Ant. As the dust settled, this slash accurately hit the monster.
Severing the left side of the Killer Ant's torso.
"Next..."
"It would be best if you call more companions."
Without launching further attacks, Liam sat on the ground while waiting, his attention focused on the surrounding walls. As a hunter.
Patience was paramount.
And the waiting time wasn't particularly long. Stones continuously fell from the wall on his front-left side, and a hole was still visibly.
Rapidly expanding.
Finally, from the cave, summoned by their companion, a swarm of ants rushed over.
Compared to the one he encountered last night, this was even larger. But in Liam's eyes, these were all mobile experience packs!
"Here they come!"
"I feel like I've seen this adventurer somewhere before?"
"."
With a huge backpack behind her, Lili, the supporter, was tallying her current harvest when she noticed the adventurer's figure lingering in the distance ahead.
Avoiding the exploitation of the Soma Familia members.
Had already become a habit. She hid in a dark corner to observe. It was only when her gaze lingered on Liam's highly recognizable face.
That she quickly recalled.
It was the adventurer she had met in the 6th-floor area a few days ago, still exploring the Dungeon all alone.
For new adventurers.
With no profit to be made, Lili actually had no interest in Liam.
And in front of Liam was a Killer Ant with severed limbs.
"This is..."
"What is he trying to do?"
Although not an adventurer herself, Lili also knew how dangerous Killer Ants were. If they couldn't be killed cleanly and decisively.
The endangered monster.
Would use a special method to call its companions. When the ant swarm support arrived, the danger would be maximized at that point!
The development of events didn't exceed Lili's expectations. A hole, gradually collapsing, formed in the distance ahead, and densely packed monsters poured out.
"."
Towards all adventurers, she harbored an equal, pure malice.
Even for Liam, a chance acquaintance, she still felt the same way, having no intention of warning him. She frowned and moved to hide.
As if sensing danger, Liam, not far ahead, slowly stood up.
What caught Lili's attention…
Wasn't his next move, but the two short swords Liam held in his hands, their entire bodies a silvery-gray.
The patterns on the sword bodies symbolized their considerable value!
"Hey!"
"When Killer Ants are in danger, they'll call their companions! You won't be able to handle so many of them!"
The reason for the warning was simple: to label Liam as a "fat sheep." Despite her inner disgust for adventurers.
From a purely interest standpoint, Lili chose to speak up and warn him.
If she could get her hands on both of these weapons, selling them should fetch enough money to pay the fee to leave the Soma Familia, right?
Building a good relationship in advance…
Would also facilitate her future actions. This tactic worked extremely well on new adventurers.
But Liam, after hearing the warning, didn't stop. Instead, he walked towards the Killer Ant swarm – undoubtedly an act of seeking death.
It was just that…
Liam's subsequent one-sided, overwhelming battle against the Killer Ant swarm.
Made Lili's face fall directly into silence. Even the thought of retaliating against adventurers in her heart wavered slightly.
When selecting a fat sheep target, she had her own criteria.
Members of those powerful Familias – stealing their weapons would very likely lead to retaliation.
As for the other type, it was adventurers with overwhelming strength like Liam, especially after realizing his motive.
The corner of Lili's eye twitched uncontrollably, "Directly using the sheer number of the Killer Ant swarm for Dungeon training?"
"Is this guy a lunatic..."
"Or does he have absolute confidence in his own strength!?"
(End of this chapter)