Training (2/2)

It has been 20 minutes since the fight has begun and although I am literally almost to the point of passing out, Rachel is just slightly panting. I knew she would be better than me but she keeps surprising me, whether it be her strength or stamina. I've been coming up with a strategy, but I'm not sure how to conduct it. I'm thinking of going to her with a feint attack and then use a more complicated move from my skill. The chances of success are low as I have not mastered the skill and Rachel's reflexes aren't a joke.

"Ryle! Are you done already?"

"Not yet."

After contemplating for some time, I decided to try it out. This is my last struggle and this fight isn't going anywhere. I took an attacking stance once again, my legs are almost going to give in but I need it for a couple more seconds. I took a deep breath and looked at Rachel, she looked back with eyes of excitement as if she knows this is my last resistance in this fight. Readying myself, I moved my feet.

'Boom'

The sound of my feet leaving their spot ran across the area and I went forward. I reached in front of Rachel and did a basic diagonal swing once again, but right before the swords touched, I pulled back. My tired legs began moving as I crept behind Rachel, I moved my sword across my neck and reaching my shoulder in order to create momentum. Right at this moment, my entire body was raging with pain but the adrenaline kept me going.

Rachel had long seen me get behind her but she didn't even try to stop me as she wanted to see my final move and I was a little too fast to her surprise. She then began charging her own final move by doing the same stance she did before. Her eyes glowed, telling me she's going to do the move seriously with effort.

I then used everything in my body, every ounce of strength got pulled into my arms, I swung. Rachel also thrust towards me and our attacks collided.

"Butterfly Style: 2nd Strike!"

"GAAAAHH!"

I screamed while colliding with her sword, at first, my attack was somewhat winning but then I started losing strength and we were left in an even exchange. We continued the collision until I finally lost the exchange... or so I thought. Right when I was about to pass out, I saw Rachel stumbling her steps before falling on her knees while looking exhausted.

With a smirk on my face, I started walking but before I even completed my first step, I lost my consciousness.

---A few hours later---

"ugh."

I had woken up on my bed, it looks like they carried me here. My entire body is really... sore, it felt like I got rammed by a bull but wasn't left with any injuries, just the pain. I then looked at the bright text box next to me.

[Congratulations! You have improved skill 'Basic One Sword Style' proficiency from Basic to Novice! +100 Points]

[Congratulations! You have had all statistics over the number 15! +150 Points]

[Congratulations! You have tied with human 'Rachel' +100]

"Damn. That... is a lot of points."

I thought I could've only gotten points through good deeds and defeating pirates but now I'm getting them for increasing my strength or defeating humans? Wait I didn't even defeat her it says I tied with her.

"Hey, system, how come I get points for this stuff... didn't you say I only get them when accomplishing my goals?"

[Indeed! However, getting stronger is also your goal as you cannot do extremely good deeds or kill pirates as a weakling!]

"That... is understandable. The last question, don't I need to defeat my opponents in order to gain points, I only 'tied' with Rachel"

[You're kind of stupid haha! The reason you got points for the match even though you tied with her is that it benefits you when fighting a stronger opponent. As she is much stronger than you, it is a great feat to tie with her. If you were to defeat her then you could've gotten points beyond your comprehension!]

"Uh, okay thanks..."

This system still is really ruthless, I don't know if it is a joke or he actually thinks I'm stupid. Well, I am quite obnoxious when I keep pestering over information, I should just be grateful for the points I am receiving after a tough fight.

[No problem! You currently have available skills and items to purchase, would you like to check?]

"Oh yes, please."

[Skill Shop Available! Current Skill Available: 4]

| Basic Hand-to-Hand Combat: 50 Points

| Basic Gun Management: 50 Points

| Death Flash: 300 Points

| Dark Mirage: 300 Points

"2 new skills... they sound interesting."

[Do you wish to see their information?]

"Yes, please."

[Death Flash]

| Is a quick move that requires a strong body in order to utilize. It flashes across the opponent/s, slashing them in a quick manner. The strength of the slash can be altered as long as the User has a proficiency of 'intermediate' otherwise the slash will usually end up killing the opponent.

[Dark Mirage]

|Changes opponent/s vision into a pitch-black area, which allows the user to move at quicker speeds and use more advanced techniques, as the skill also slows down the opponent.

After a few moments of pondering, I made my decision.

"hmm, both of these skills are very useful. However, I will have to go with 'Death Flash'. I don't have any powerful attacking/finishing moves, the last move I used on Rachel was literally my entire body's strength combined. If I have 'Dark Mirage', it won't be as useful since I don't have any strong damaging moves in the first place. Therefore I should go with 'Death Flash'."

[Accepting User's Request! Purchases have been made!]

Before I even heard the last sentence the immense information started flowing into my head. It was painful at first and I was somewhat curled up while holding my head. After a minute passed, the pain went away and I felt very refreshed.

"Woo, that was painful."

Letting out a sigh of relief, I just remembered something.

"Wait what about items?? Open the item shop."

[Item Shop Available! Current Items Available: 5]

| Basic Katana (Rarity: Common): 30 Points

| Basic Firearm (Rarity: Common): 40 Points

| Basic Long Sword (Rarity: Uncommon): 50 Points

| Basic Weight Vest 40 lbs (Rarity: Uncommon): 40 Points

| Basic Weight Vest 60 lbs (Rarity: Uncommon): 60 Points

"There's only one new item... maybe it is because I already bought the Death Flash Move and I don't have enough points..."

I don't need another Katana nor do I need a firearm and longsword. I don't plan on learning them since I'm somewhat proficient in swordsmanship, focusing on this is more efficient. So I'll go with the Weighted Vests, and the higher the better.

"System, I want to purchase the 'Basic Weight Vest 60 lbs'"

[Accepting User's Request! Purchases have been made!]

Then a black weighted vest fell from the sky, I tried catching it but in the end, it was a bit heavier than expected and fell on the floor.

'Thump'

"Did I overdo it with the 60 lbs? No... the harder it is the better, more improvement."

Now steeling myself to improve and get stronger, after fighting with Rachel, I now understand just how weak I am compared to others. I must try harder if I want to obtain my goal...

[Haha good motivation!]

"Th-thanks?"