Chapter 50: First Hunter King
The conditions for survival were as harsh as they could be.
Until the appearance of the pioneer known as the "First Hunter King."
While observing countless battles between Giant Dragons and other Mythical Creatures, he discovered that a special resonant frequency would emanate from a Giant Dragon’s chest cavity just before it unleashed its destructive Dragon Breath.
This mad genius began to imitate this frequency.
He forced himself to control his breathing rhythm, making his fragile mortal lungs adapt to the high concentrations of rampant Magic Power in the air.
This was the very first Breathing Combat Technique.
He thus took the first step for human Professionals, becoming the first mortal to walk the Ascension Ladder.
So-called Breathing Techniques are, in essence, methods of forcibly absorbing free-floating Ether Energy from the air through specific breathing rhythms and chest resonance.
It also builds a high-pressure circulatory system within the body, which in turn strengthens one’s physique and opens a reservoir for storing Energy.
Through daily training, one could also continuously expand its upper limit.
After thousands of years of evolution and refinement, this primitive and dangerous technique has spawned countless schools.
And the book before Lance, "Gael Marching Breathing Technique," was the most widespread version on the continent today.
Its founder was no peerless powerhouse.
Rather, it was an old Centurion, Gael Rodrigo, who had survived for a full forty years on the brutal battlefields of the Empire’s border before honorably retiring.
During his time as an instructor, he was keenly aware of the burden and danger the ancient Breathing Techniques placed on the body.
Thus, he used the most mainstream Breathing Technique of the time as a base and drastically eliminated all the radical elements that could cause physical injury.
This modified Breathing Technique sacrificed any bonus to Burst Power and had no fancy special effects.
However, it possessed unparalleled safety and stability.
Practicing this Breathing Technique could greatly improve a practitioner’s stamina and recovery, allowing a Warrior to last longer in a battle of attrition.
Solid.
That was its greatest feature.
Therefore, it was also nicknamed the "jack-of-all-trades" Breathing Technique, and was the top introductory choice for the vast majority of academy students and self-taught Adventurers.
Lance stared at the redemption booklet in his hand, his brow furrowed slightly.
This "Gael Marching Breathing Technique" was indeed the safest choice for a newcomer.
It could greatly enhance the user’s cardiovascular endurance, allowing a Warrior to maintain ample stamina during long-distance sprints or battles of attrition.
But therein lay the problem.
The core advantage of this Breathing Combat Technique was made completely redundant by Lance’s "Hevagmir’s Boiling" Talent.
He was already a monster with Unlimited Stamina. Learning another Breathing Technique to increase endurance was completely pointless.
It would produce no synergy whatsoever.
What he lacked now wasn’t endurance, but damage output.
What he really needed now was a Breathing Technique that could, like a water pump, instantly drain a massive amount of stamina and efficiently convert it into destructive power and Burst Power.
It didn’t matter even if the side effect was rapid stamina depletion.
After all, his stamina recovered quickly.
Only a high-burst, high-consumption Combat Technique could form a perfect complement to his Talent.
’My personality favors a steady approach, and I’m a firm believer in surviving at all costs.’
’But if I continue to be this cautious when choosing Combat Skills, I’ll really just become a punching bag who can’t fight back.’
’True caution means having an absolute defense while also hiding a dagger capable of a one-hit kill.’
Lance sighed and turned the page.
The remaining Breathing Combat Techniques each had their own merits; some focused on Power amplification, others on agility bursts.
But when he glanced at the exchange prices listed after them, he saw that the cheapest one required three hundred Merit Points.
Lance glanced at the pitiful 22 Merit Points to his name and could only close the booklet in resignation.
For an Ordinary Adventurer, even a daredevil type, it would take at least a year or two of accepting difficult clearing or gathering quests to save up this huge sum.
This growth curve might be just right for an ordinary person.
One step at a time, slow and steady.
But for Lance, who urgently needed to rapidly increase his strength to qualify for a Heroic Profession...
It was too slow.
Two years was too long; the opportunity would be long gone.
Just as he was worrying at the counter, wondering if he should try his luck at the Black Market...
The clerk who had been busy just a moment ago suddenly walked over quickly, a professional, polite smile on his face.
"Mr. Raven, please wait a moment."
The clerk bowed slightly, his tone respectful.
"The Guild Master would like you to come to his office. He said there’s something he wants to discuss with you in person."
"Me?"
Lance froze for a moment, alarm bells ringing in his mind.
’I’m just a newcomer who registered not long ago. Even though I made a bit of a name for myself during this clearing mission, it shouldn’t be enough to get the attention of the Guild’s number one, should it?’
"Yes, the Guild Master is waiting for you in his office."
The clerk confirmed again.
Although Lance was full of suspicion, he knew it wasn’t wise to refuse while on their territory.
He returned the booklet to the clerk, adjusted the Chain Armor Wind Hat he was wearing, and followed the clerk to the third floor.
Arriving before a heavy oak door, the clerk knocked lightly.
"Guild Master, Mr. Raven has arrived."
Necros’s resonant and powerful voice came from inside.
"Come in."
The clerk pushed the door open, turned sideways, and made a gesture to invite him in.
After Lance walked into the room, the clerk slowly closed the door from the outside.
In the spacious office, Necros was sitting behind a huge desk, reviewing documents.
Seeing Lance enter, the old man put down the quill in his hand and gestured to the chair in front of the desk.
"Have a seat. No need to be formal."
Necros had a pleasant smile on his face, completely devoid of the stern authority he’d had when he was berating his subordinates that night.
"Actually, I took the liberty of asking you here today because I have a special commission I’d like to entrust to you."
Before Lance could even ask, Necros started the conversation himself.
"I’ve seen your file, and I’ve also read the battle report submitted by Gareth."
"Although you haven’t been a registered Adventurer for long."
"But I see in you a wisdom for survival that many veteran Adventurers lack."
"You clearly have considerable strength, yet you prefer to take on safe gathering quests. You know how to size up a situation, and more importantly, you know how to remain calm in the face of danger."
The old man looked at Lance, his eyes filled with undisguised admiration.
"Young man, you are an Adventurer with great potential."
Hearing this generous praise, the expression on Lance’s face didn’t relax at all; instead, it grew even tighter.
’I know this routine all too well.’
’Having spent so many years in the corporate world in my past life, I knew that when a boss suddenly calls you into their office and starts lavishing you with praise about being young, promising, and exceptionally capable...’
’...it usually means they’re about to saddle you with a huge, dirty job.’