The follow-up attacks ca naturally, dismantling the beetle’s defences, each cut building toward inevitable victory.
Noah’s footwork kept him constantly in advantageous positions while his blade work prevented any aningful counterattack.
The final stroke marked the Beetle’s death.
There it is.
The notification brought imdiate satisfaction mixed with tangible improvent.
Noah could feel the difference; he suddenly felt that his previous attacks were nothing but childish swings. His sword awareness increased substantially, and he gained more intuitive understanding of combat timing and distance.
Level 5 swordsmanship. That puts in the competent territory.
Three dead beetles lay scattered across the hunting ground. Other newbie demons in the area had taken notice of his kills, several nodding with respect.
They had seen the way he had improved, from his first beetle kill to his third kill.
Not bad for soone who started with wooden practice swords a few weeks ago. I wonder how Alissa and Kip are doing. Kip is probably casting large fireballs, and Alissa...she has probably beco an apprentice swordsman...Whilst I’m out here celebrating that I finally beca a Novice swordsman.
The system’s voice sounded in his mind, completely shattering his happiness.
[Sorry to break it to you, host. But you are not a Novice Swordsman. Whilst you have reached level 5, and indeed you do have the skillset of a Novice Swordsman. You do not have their combat power, simply because you cannot control your aura. Therefore, you are nowhere near as threatening as a Novice Swordsman.]
Noah’s smile stiffened upon hearing the system’s words.
’Does that an I can’t kill tier 1 monsters now?’
[No host. More like you can’t survive against tier 1 monsters...let alone kill.]
’System...you know you can answer without being sassy...right?’ He thought rolling his eyes.
[Host...I can hear you...]
"Ahem," He coughed before continuing.
’So what do I do now? How can I control the so-called aura you are talking about?’
[To control aura, you need to be able to have magic. Aura is an extension of magic made manifest with weapons. It’s not a separate energy by itself. So, to answer your question. You would be able to control your aura by simply levelling up your Mana Control skill to level 5.]
[Once you level it up, you will then have the ability to start controlling your aura.]
’Ahh, I see.’ Noah had a look of understanding on his face as he listened to the system’s explanation.
He had thought that he would need to start from the beginning once again to try and control his aura, but it seed like he was close.
As long as I level up my Mana Control skill...I will then be able to finally control magic and aura. That will make a Novice Mage and a Novice Swordsman.
Noah focused inward, feeling for the mana that supposedly flowed through his body. It was there, but he was unable to harness its powers.
Level 4 Mana Control. Just one more level.
’Ti to test my new power.’ He thought, a grin forming on his face.
A lone beetle approached from the treeline. Tier 0, sa as the others he’d been fighting.
Noah approached the lone beetle with more confidence than before, his stance instinctively changing into good form. His feet found the optimal distance, his sword arm extended at the perfect angle.
The beetle noticed his approach and imdiately went into combat mode. Its mandibles clicked nacingly as it prepared to charge.
Co on then.
The creature lunged forward with surprising speed, but Noah’s eyes tracked its movent effortlessly.
His sword swept upward in a perfect arc, eting the beetle’s trajectory at precisely the right mont.
Swish!
The attack cut through the air before making contact with the beetle.
The blade sliced through chitin like butter, opening a devastating wound across the beetle’s belly. Black ichor sprayed across the ground as the creature’s montum carried it past Noah’s position.
One clean strike. That would have taken more attempts before.
The beetle collapsed, its legs twitching briefly before going still.
Noah stared at his sword, amazent flooding through him. The improvent was significant; he had gained a lot of power from the recent level up that which made him feel incredibly excited.
Noah stared at his sword, amazent flooding through him.
"Impressive," called a voice from nearby.
Noah turned to see a demoness walking towards him with a smile on her face.
"You made that look easy," she continued, nodding toward the dead beetle.
"I’m still struggling with single targets."
"Thank yo—LOOK OUT!"
Noah moved instinctively, stepping between the demoness and two beetles that had erged from the tall grass.
Their close proximity didn’t give him a chance to think.
Two at once.
The first beetle launched its aerial attack while the second flanked from ground level. Noah’s blade found the airborne creature’s neck, imdiately killing it, but focusing on one opponent left him vulnerable to the other due to his lack of experience in fighting groups.
Shit! I made a mistake. I should have positioned better.
Pain ran through his left arm as the second beetle’s mandibles found their target. S
harp chitin pierced cloth and skin, drawing blood while the creature’s grip tightened.
"Argh!" Noah grunted, more from surprise than agony.
Get off.
He shook off the beetle and yanked it away from his arm, feeling fabric and skin tear in the process.
The creature hit the ground hard, montarily stunned by the violent separation.
Noah’s blade ended its confusion permanently.
"Oh no! I’m so sorry!" The demoness rushed forward, guilt written across her face.
"I should have been paying attention! I’ll pay for your treatnt—"
"It’s fine," Noah interrupted, reaching into his jacket pocket. "Really, don’t worry about it."
He withdrew one of the wrapped loaves he’d brought as ergency supplies.
"Bread?" she tilted her head, confusion replacing her concerned look.
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