Chapter 49: Gael Marching Breathing Technique
It didn’t rely on pure physical Power. Instead, it could mobilize the user’s internal Energy, channeling it into their fists and feet to unleash even more terrifying destructive power.
However, there was a slight downside.
Lance hadn’t officially chosen a Profession yet, nor had he learned any Skills that could build up an Energy Pool.
So, when it came to using Energy, all he could do for now was look on helplessly.
’Looks like I’ll have to get a Breathing Technique and see if it can unlock my Energy Pool.’
Lance clenched his fists, feeling the ferocious techniques settle into his mind.
It was exactly what he needed.
He had just been worrying about where to find a suitable unarmed Combat Skill to meet the requirements for the "Pale Guard" Profession.
To think that a simple gift from Amber had solved this huge problem for him.
Lance looked at the remaining stack of cards on the table, his feelings growing complicated.
He carefully placed the cards back into the black velvet box.
This gift was far too valuable.
He strongly suspected that sweet, simple Amber had no idea the item even had such a hidden function.
’I’ll have to find Amber tomorrow.’
Lance stroked the box. It felt like it was burning his hand.
The Skill was already learned, and it wasn’t like he could just spit it back out, but he had to be clear with her about this.
His conscience would bother him if he just took the benefit without saying a word.
He cleaned up all the remaining trash in the courtyard and scrubbed the borrowed grill.
Only after finishing all this did Lance drag his weary body back to his second-floor bedroom.
He lay spread-eagled on the soft new bed, staring at the unfamiliar ceiling.
Although his friends’ departure brought a trace of melancholy, he knew that being sentimental wouldn’t change anything.
Only by becoming stronger could he meet them again someday, in a better position.
’Time to sleep.’
Lance rolled over and pulled the blanket over his head.
Tomorrow was a new day.
Starting tomorrow, he would no longer be just a Copyist.
He was a true, full-time Adventurer, and it was time to make a push for the "Pale Guard" Profession.
...
「The next morning.」
Now that he had quit his job as a Copyist to become a full-time Adventurer, and with the small fortune he’d earned from selling medicine, Lance felt it was time for a complete gear overhaul.
Early in the morning, Lance made his way through the familiar, noisy Artisan District.
He had been here a few times before and already had a rough plan for his upgrades in mind.
This time, he spared no expense, walking right past the Ordinary leather goods shops and into an armor smithy with a hanging hammer for a sign.
After a great deal of careful selection and haggling, Lance settled on a well-made, reinforced Chain Armor Shirt.
The shirt had a thick Demon Hide lining, with an outer layer woven from countless fine iron rings.
It was far from light, but its substantial weight provided an unparalleled sense of security.
Lance tried moving his arms, the iron rings rubbing together with a soft, metallic RASP.
The Defense Power of this composite armor was far beyond that of simple Leather Armor.
If he had been wearing this solid piece of gear back at the shallows, there’s no way those Goblins’ Stone Spears could have pierced the small of his back. At worst, they would have only left a few bruises.
To Lance’s greater satisfaction, the Chain Armor Shirt came with an integrated Chain Armor Wind Hat.
Pulling up the hood protected the entire back of his head and his neck, saving him the cost of buying a separate Helmet.
The other pieces of his armor were upgraded to match, of course.
His Arm Guards and Shin Guards were both swapped out for heavy-duty, leather-and-iron hybrid pieces. The metal strips reinforcing them were no longer cheap pig iron, but refined steel.
As for his hand-held equipment, he mercilessly discarded his old Wooden Round Shield, which was practically scrap.
In its place was a Kite Shield faced with thick steel plating.
This type of Shield, narrow at the bottom and wide at the top, offered a larger defensive area. Moreover, its pointed tip could be used as a weapon in close-quarters brawls.
With the addition of a sharp new Short Sword, Lance stood before a mirror, fully kitted out. He looked at his reflection, armed to the teeth, and nodded in satisfaction.
The whole set cost about twenty-two Silver Coins, but the quality was absolutely top-tier.
This gear was more than enough for him to handle anything in the outer regions of Copper Creek Forest.
Lance pulled up his Chain Armor Wind Hat, concealing most of his face, and headed for the Adventurer’s Guild fully armed.
He pushed open the main doors. The Guild hall was abuzz with voices.
The successful completion of the joint sweep mission had breathed new life into the once-sluggish mission hall.
A large number of gathering quests had been posted, and countless Adventurers were crowding around the request board, picking out suitable targets.
Lance wasn’t in a hurry to join the bustling crowd.
He glanced instinctively toward a familiar counter.
The cheerful, brown-haired girl, who was always smiling and occasionally slacking off, wasn’t there.
In her place was an unfamiliar middle-aged receptionist.
It seemed Nia had taken the day off.
Last night’s farewell party had clearly hit the sweet, simple girl hard. She probably needed some time to process her feelings.
Lance sighed softly and looked away.
Everyone has their own challenges to face.
He also noticed many young men and women in the Guild today dressed in violet.
Under the guidance of what appeared to be instructors, they left with various teams.
’They must be the students from the academy Nia mentioned.’
After a few glances, Lance paid them no more mind and walked straight to the dedicated window for exchanging Merit Points.
His primary goal today wasn’t to take on quests for money, but to carefully select a suitable Breathing Combat Technique.
Although the techniques of the [Azure Dragon Extreme Intent Style] were already imprinted in his mind, he couldn’t use the most crucial part of the Skill without the Energy to power it.
He desperately needed a Breathing Combat Technique to unlock his body’s Energy Pool.
"Could you check my current Merit Points?"
Lance handed over his Plaque.
The clerk behind the counter took the Plaque and operated the cumbersome Magical Machine for a moment.
"Mr. Raven, you received 2 points of Merit for reporting the anomaly at the gathering point last time."
"Additionally, for your outstanding performance supporting the Vanguard Team and rescuing teammates during the joint sweep operation, the Guild has specially awarded you 20 points."
"Your current Merit total is 22 points."
points.
Lance looked at the number and nodded slightly.
For a rookie, this was already a considerable sum.
"Could I please see the exchange catalog for Breathing Combat Techniques?"
The clerk handed him a thick catalog.
Lance flipped open the catalog. His finger slid quickly down the page, finally stopping at the very bottom of the first page.
It listed the Breathing Technique with the lowest requirement that the Guild currently offered.
[Gael Marching Breathing Technique: Exchange requires 100 Merit]
This was already the cheapest, most common technique in the entire catalog. The others started at three hundred, or even five hundred, points.
Breathing Techniques held a foundational position in this world’s Profession System.
Tracing back to a savage era even more ancient than that of the first Hero, humanity had yet to master the secrets of High Tier Magic and were little more than food for the terrifying Mythical Creatures.