Chapter 45

Chapter 44: Rapid Growth

[Day 1]

The training tasks proposed by Red Wave continued from morning till night.

Swinging, 30,000 times per movement.

Stabbing, 30,000 times per position.

Achieving a total of 60,000 movements was practically impossible.

It wouldn't have been difficult if it was just about the number of repetitions.

However, if the movements were not perfect, the count wouldn't increase.

If the force was not properly applied, or if the gaze and posture were even slightly off, it wouldn't count towards the goal.

- Can't you even do this much!

The day ended with Red Wave's scolding.

[Day 2]

Today, I was determined.

The numbers started to appear in my mind as soon as I entered the training ground.

I swung and stabbed the sword without stopping.

One hour passed.

Another hour passed.

By midday, I couldn't help but curse.

"Damn, how can you expect me to do this in just one day!"

In the end, I only managed to complete half of it for the whole day, and I collapsed as soon as I entered the room.

[Day 3 - Day 6]

Unlike other choices, this training didn't make time pass quickly.

Instead, it felt like time stretched out with each movement.

I even thought that if I could cut out the time for eating and using the toilet, I could do more.

At least, I managed to reach about 70% of the goal, which was some consolation.

There's still a long way to go.

Whether it's just a feeling or not, my whole body aches, and I want to lie down and rest quickly.

[Day 8]

Now, the number increases honestly with each movement.

Indeed, the movement is important, but the gaze is even more crucial.

The intent to kill the enemy.

The determination to face everything.

These seem to reflect in the count.

[Day 13]

Damn. Why do I have to stab the lower part?

[Day 14]

I brought a chamber pot and placed it in a corner of the training ground.

Because the time for using the toilet was too precious.

I also reduced the time for eating.

Because eating more means more time for using the toilet.

[Day 16]

Die! Just die, damn it, wherever I stab.

[Day 17]

"Roar!"

I couldn't help but shout.

I did it.

I finally completed 60,000 movements with very precise actions.

[Swinging has been created.]

<Swinging>

Swinging to the side (1/10,000)

Swinging forward (1/10,000)

Swinging backward (1/10,000)

Damn...

Really.

I can't help but curse this guy in front of me.

The training task increased from 60,000 to 90,000.

[Day 18]

Thinking about it, I could have said it increased by 30,000.

I struggled with the posture for a few days, but once I mastered the movements, filling the count wasn't that difficult.

[Day 19]

I filled up to 80,000 with all my effort.

10,000 more.

It's not an impossible number.

Surely, by doing this, I will become a supreme master, right?

[Day 21]

I just do it.

I don't think about why I'm doing it or what I'm doing.

If I don't die, I'll succeed eventually.

[Day 25]

I barely missed the last 100 counts by midnight.

It's fine.

Although I was delayed due to an urgent need to use the toilet, I will definitely complete it tomorrow.

[Day 29]

"Roar!"

I did it.

Finally...

[The number increases to 20,000.]

What?

What did you just say?

[The last day]

I entered the room around midnight.

I was waiting for the reward time for my hard work over the past month.

And soon after midnight, the reward appeared.

<Your one-month training results are as follows.>

None.

"..."

I slammed my head into the ground.

Thud! Thud! Thud!

After a few slams.

"Roar!"

I lost consciousness foolishly at the last moment.

* * *

The crazy training continued for another month, and yet Seohwi didn't stop.

He tried and tried to fill the numbers. Even after more than two months, he had barely crossed the halfway mark.

By the third month.

He found a way to speed up the process.

By performing swinging as a continuous action, it was possible to fill the count.

For example, swinging while stabbing.

Or stabbing while swinging to fill the count even faster.

By the fourth month.

When he filled all the counts, another topic began to emerge.

[One-Element Small Horse Technique]

1st form: Black Line Knot (0/10,000)

2nd form: Flying Swallow Slash Shadow (0/10,000)

3rd form: God and Demon Soul Snatch (0/10,000)

However, Seohwi didn't follow the forms.

It wasn't because the training became harder or he wanted to rest.

It was due to a lingering question.

'Why can't I perform the same movement perfectly?'

Whether he was bathing.

Or cutting.

Or eating.

Even before going to bed, this thought kept popping up, making it impossible to focus on anything.

He also lost interest in filling the forms of the One-Element Small Horse Technique because of this.

Basic forms that even street thugs would know.

But the way one perceives them changes completely depending on where one places the meaning.

Performing several stabs, if they are 'perfectly the same,' changes the intensity of the training.

And currently.

The idea of 'perfect' was clouding Seohwi's mind.

"Maybe I should try increasing the number of repetitions."

If the idea of perfection is the problem, maybe changing the approach would help.

If tens of thousands are not enough, maybe millions would do.

If I keep doing it, maybe I'll find the same movement.

I don't know if it's the right answer.

But at least it's better than doing nothing.

Swish! Swish! Swish!

Day after day.

Seohwi repeated swinging, cutting, and stabbing the sword.

Blisters formed, burst, and hardened on his hands dozens of times.

As long as his body could move, he repeated the actions.

Even after five months, the training continued.

Now, the number of repetitions had no meaning to Seohwi.

He just kept performing the same movement all day long.

* * *

Early morning.

Red Wave sat in a chair, chin in hand, reading a report.

In front of him stood a white-haired, bearded education officer, standing with a determined posture.

"......As the content shows, he is truly outstanding. I dare to speculate that he will become a supreme master within a few years."

Bae-ryeong, who had been observing, added an explanation.

Red Wave spoke after finishing the report.

"All of them have excellent scores."

On the table, the report not only contained evaluations of several individuals but also their backgrounds and histories.

Their ages, origins, and backgrounds.

Martial arts, specialties, and interests.

Rustle.

Red Wave sorted a few pages and said.

"Yao Lin and Chil Song, and Yong Jin are well-known, but it's surprising that So-ryeong has shown such potential."

"So-ryeong has an extraordinary mind, which can easily deceive ordinary people. Passing the martial arts path is also a part of that."

"Indeed, Gwonma has a keen eye."

"I agree."

Red Wave nodded, seeing Bae-ryeong's agreement.

The four geniuses in the report were personally selected by Gwonma.

They were not just strong in martial arts but had special talents in their respective fields.

This is a characteristic of the Special Command Unit, which specializes in tracking.

Those with outstanding skills perform tasks better.

"By the way, is the next Special Command Unit leader still meditating?"

"Yes."

"Is he not training at all?"

"......Yes."

"Hmm."

Red Wave stroked his chin with a serious face.

After practicing the basic Three Elements Sword Technique, one should naturally move to the next level.

But he has stopped there.

Recently, it was reported that he spends the whole day meditating.

"Personally, I have some reservations......"

Bae-ryeong hesitated, and Red Wave looked up.

"Perhaps it's not right to appoint him as the Special Command Unit leader."

"......Why?"

"Hasn't he been repeating the basic cutting, stabbing, and swinging for months? Shouldn't he quickly master the forms and move on to training methods that prepare for variables? Wasn't that what the Master intended to teach?"

"Did it seem that way?"

"Is there something I missed?"

"Two things you missed."

"......What?"

Bae-ryeong blinked, and Red Wave stroked his chin again.

Then, he met