Weapon Shop, Song Clan Territory
The scent of polished wood and oiled metal hung heavy in the air as the siblings stepped into the Song Clan's weapon shop. Rows of blunt clubs lined the walls, each one glinting under the torchlight. Healing pastes and martial gear filled every shelf, promising both pain and recovery.
The shopkeeper, a burly man with scarred knuckles, gave a nod. "Two Elemental Stones for the clubs and paste."
Asier handed over the stones without complaint. With their purchases in hand, the trio turned toward the towering peak of Slash Mountain.
Slash Mountain – Training Camp
High atop the peak, where razor winds howled like ancient spirits, the siblings had set up camp. They chose this place deliberately—if they could train here, their bodies would adapt to the brutal winds and their combat efficiency would rise tenfold.
Ilargia unrolled a worn book and laid it flat on a rock. The cover was faded, but the name Oier's Clan Combat Manual still stood proud.
"It lists dozens of fighting styles," she said, flipping through illustrated pages. "But let's focus on blunt weapons and hand-to-hand."
Asier hoisted his club with a smirk. "How about a one-on-two sparring match? I'll take the club techniques and face both of you. We'll train our muscles and our coordination."
Nika cracked his knuckles, eager. "I've already memorized the fist techniques. Let's see how well I do."
Ilargia grinned, her tone playful. "Don't cry when we wipe the floor with you."
"Don't blink or you'll miss the beating," Nika shot back—and lunged forward with a powerful punch.
Ilargia blocked with her club, retaliating with a swift kick to Nika's chest. He grunted but twisted mid-air, delivering a return strike toward her abdomen—
—only to be blindsided.
A blunt force slammed into his ribs, sending him flying into a tree.
Asier helped Ilargia steady herself. "You need to coordinate better. Nika's the strongest in close-quarters. Distract him with your Night Phantom ability. I'll go head-to-head. I can barely read his moves as it is—and I won't last long without support."
Ilargia's eyes burned with determination. "Five minutes is all I need. Let's show him why I'm the eldest."
As Nika got back on his feet, he charged. Ilargia's body flickered, her form turning semi-transparent before vanishing completely.
"Oh? So we're using Innate Abilities now?" Nika laughed, radiant sunlight bursting from his body. "Let's play!"
Asier took the opportunity to hurl his club straight at Nika's face. Nika grabbed it mid-air with a scoff.
"What are you doing, Asier?"
Before he could laugh, a foot slammed into his face, knocking him backward.
"Oh, brute brother of mine," Asier taunted. "Maybe stop relying on strength and start using your brain."
Asier's eyes turned completely white—his soul-reading ability activating. It allowed him to read surface-level thoughts and emotions, though it required immense focus, making it difficult to maintain mid-fight.
Nika's instincts screamed. He twisted just in time, narrowly avoiding a deadly strike. A crater exploded behind him. Ilargia... Her ability is dangerous, he realized.
For over four minutes, the battle raged. Nika held his ground with his Strengthening Sunlight, muscles glowing and reinforced.
Then—an opening.
Asier feinted with his left. Nika took the bait. The real strike smashed into his chest, lifting him off the ground. Before he could recover, Ilargia appeared mid-air behind him, delivering a crushing blow to his back.
He crashed into the earth, dazed.
"I yield!" Nika groaned.
Ilargia applied healing paste to his back, grinning. "Still calling us weak? It took both of us everything we had to bring you down!"
"I won't deny it," Nika admitted, wincing. "But I gained a lot. Asier's timing is precise—it's like he reads my mind."
"You rely too much on your ability," Asier replied. "Focus your strength more efficiently, and you'll last longer. And yes—my retreating after each strike is calculated, not cowardice."
Nika nodded. "Also, Ilargia, even invisible, I could feel your presence. Your killing intent gave you away."
"I see…" Ilargia said thoughtfully. "That's a flaw. I'll work on suppressing it."
Asier flexed his fingers. "Our bodies are adapting. The mountain's pressure, the sparring... I feel stronger already."
Ilargia smirked. "Let's heal up and keep going. Next round, you both fight me!"
Ten Hours Later…
Ilargia materialized out of thin air, fist striking Asier across the jaw just as Nika's club slammed into his side.
With a bloody nose, Asier groaned. "I give up!"
Ilargia beamed. "You need a better poker face, little brother. I sensed your intent and redirected my attack."
Asier wiped his nose, wincing. "No wonder my soul-reading faltered…"
The trio had sparred ten times that day.
Muscles swollen. Bones reinforced. Spirits high.
Nika flexed proudly. "Our meat's already at Titanium Level—our muscles at Iron. At this rate, we'll reach Godly Meat before the month ends!"