Chapter 64: Dragon Hunting Breathing Technique, Ignite the Ether
"The term ’goblin ruins’ specifically refers to those of the Ancient Goblins, a race that once established a vast Mechanical Empire."
"They were an exceptionally intelligent race."
"In fact, the Airship Engines and Magical Elevators we use today, and even the very foundations of Magical Mechanical Science, are all based on the excavation and reverse-engineering of their ruins."
"Their civilization was magnificent, at one point even touching the realm of the divine."
"Unfortunately, their Empire was ultimately annihilated in a great war against the Giant Dragons."
"As for why exactly the war started, or how they were so completely wiped out in such a short time, archaeologists are still debating it."
Lance listened, captivated.
’This Breathing Technique is probably far more valuable than I anticipated.’
Necros looked at the booklet in Lance’s hand and continued.
"This Breathing Combat Technique was found in a vault in the core area of those ruins."
"It was originally inscribed on a Metal Plate in the Ancient Goblin Language. The copy you’re holding is a manuscript I later paid a hefty sum for, translated by a professional scholar from the Royal Capital."
The old man paused, giving Lance a moment to digest the information.
"Raven, you must understand."
"Before your Professional Level crosses into the Extraordinary Class, a Breathing Combat Technique will be the absolute core of your training."
"It not only affects the Source Melting Furnace you will construct at the Ordinary Level, but also determines whether you can build a stable Professional Star Track after advancing to the Excellence Level."
"The strength of your foundation will depend entirely on how firmly you take this first step."
As Necros recalled the contents of the Breathing Combat Technique, his expression grew complicated.
"I’ve seen countless Breathing Techniques in my life. Some focus on defense, others on speed."
"But this one... is the most purely, extremely enhanced for combat I have ever seen."
"It discards all gentle traits for self-preservation or endurance, stacking every single enhancement into destructive power."
"Based on the scholar’s speculation, I suspect this Combat Technique was originally created with the sole purpose of slaying dragons."
"It’s incredibly extreme, and incredibly dangerous."
The old man’s tone became exceptionally serious.
"Even so, are you certain you want to choose it?"
"I am."
Lance answered without a hint of hesitation.
’Rare, powerful, extreme.’
’Those three qualities combined meant this was the best resource he could possibly obtain at his current level.’
’And it was designed to slay dragons.’
’The weight of those two words was self-evident; Giant Dragons are the apex creatures of the Material Realm.’
’Any Skill associated with such a creature was bound to be at the pinnacle of power.’
"I’m ready, Guild Master."
Lance looked up, his gaze firm and unwavering.
"This is what I want."
Seeing the ambition in the young man’s eyes, Necros was silent for a moment before breaking into a smile.
"Bold."
The old man stopped trying to dissuade him.
"Since your mind is made up, you can begin your initial training right here."
"Don’t worry about losing control."
"My Professional Trait can render the surrounding ambient Ether Elements inert."
"If the Ether reaction inside your body shows any sign of going haywire, I will forcibly sever your Energy supply to save your life."
After retiring, he had chosen to come to Gray Rock Town to repay his old captain by training more outstanding Adventurers in his hometown.
This was also a promise he had made to his old captain.
At his age, the ambitions of his youth had long since faded. Now, he found more joy in seeing the next generation embark on their own grand journeys.
Watching these young people shine felt as if it were making up for some of his own past regrets. That was why he was always so willing to guide and help those with potential.
The old man didn’t rush him, waiting patiently instead.
Lance opened the booklet.
Although the text inside was written in the common script of the Kingdom, its phrasing was archaic and obscure, making it quite difficult to read.
The breathing rhythms it described were even stranger—uneven in length and even requiring one to hold their breath at illogical points.
As his eyes scanned the lines of text, the complex descriptions rapidly transformed in his mind into a clear diagram of the body’s inner workings.
This wasn’t just a book of Knowledge, but a Skill Book.
By the time he reached the last page, the complete operational logic of the Breathing Combat Technique was deeply imprinted in his mind.
At the same time, the system panel flickered imperceptibly as a new Skill entry appeared.
[Dragon Hunting Breathing Combat Technique LV1 (0/400)]
’Dragon Hunting Breathing Combat Technique...’
Lance was startled.
’So this is the true name of this nameless Breathing Combat Technique?’
’This also implied that my panel has some kind of identification function that can perceive the true nature of things.’
’And in all of human history, only one person had earned the title of "Dragon Hunting": the legendary First Hunter King.’
’I’ve hit the jackpot.’
Suppressing his excitement, Lance unhesitatingly invested the reward he had just received from the completed quest.
points of Skill Experience.
It wasn’t enough to level up the Skill, but as the experience points were injected, a torrent of insight on how to adjust his breathing rhythm and channel Ether flooded his mind.
The initial feeling of being completely lost vanished in an instant.
’At least I should have no problem activating it now.’
Lance closed the booklet, placed it on the table, and shut his eyes.
Seeing Lance put the booklet down, Necros knew the boy had memorized its contents and was about to make his first attempt.
The old man stood up.
He had seen many people practice Breathing Combat Techniques, including himself in his youth.
Normally, the first time someone practiced, they had to perform high-intensity, vigorous exercise to awaken the body’s dormant functions.
Only by pushing their heartbeat to its limit, making their lungs work like a bellows, could they capture the ambient Ether in such an extreme physiological state.
The body would then be where the Ether was ignited for the very first time.
Once it was successfully activated, the body would remember the sensation, allowing one to slowly transition to a static activation later on.
Necros was just about to suggest Lance go to the training grounds to attempt the activation.
"Alright, head to the training grounds..."
The old man’s words caught in his throat halfway through the sentence.
For he had just witnessed a dumbfounding sight.
Lance, standing in the middle of the rug, hadn’t moved a single step. He hadn’t even warmed up.
He simply opened his mouth slightly, and his chest began to rise and fall in an exceedingly bizarre yet rhythmic pattern.
HSSSS... HAAAA...
The sound of his breathing was faint at first, but in an instant, it grew as heavy as a drawing bellows.
The ambient Ether Elements in the surrounding air, as if drawn by a powerful magnet, began to converge madly toward the young man’s mouth and nose.
In Necros’s field of Extraordinary Perception,
he clearly "saw"
that the violent Ether, forcibly drawn into Lance’s lungs without any warm-up from strenuous exercise,
was somehow being directly...
ignited!