After returning to my room, I examined the key I had obtained from the prison.
It was a black key about 10 cm long, with a red gem embedded at the end.
Of course, I knew how to use the key from the original story.
'Press the red gem at the end of the key and twist it into the air as if inserting it…'
The red gem at the end of the key began to glow. It was proof that it was working. I twisted the key I had thrust into the air.
The space around the key began to distort, and a white portal shimmered into existence.
'Success.'
The key to the ancient warrior training ground.
This key opens a portal to an artificial dungeon used as a training ground for warriors during the ancient civilization era. The portal lasts for one minute.
Once the portal is opened, it can be opened again after 12 hours.
In the original story, Kyle trained inside this dungeon. Training here is slightly more effective than training outside.
'Let's give it a try.'
Without hesitation, I stepped into the portal.
'Oh!'
The training ground came into view.
What I saw was a clear blue sky and a training ground carved out of rock. The training ground was incredibly vast, with green trees planted here and there. Beside it, a stream of clear water flowed quietly.
It looked exactly as described in the original story. By the way, no living creatures inhabit the stream. The water is drinkable, and you can even bathe in the lake downstream.
"This entire space is mine now."
I grinned and headed toward the training ground.
A clear female voice echoed from all directions in the training ground.
I wasn't surprised since I already knew about it.
"Yeah, nice to meet you. But who are you?"
Her words were exactly the same as in the original story, down to the last detail. I chuckled and nodded.
"I'm Eugene Pruckus."
"Funny. I'm the one who wants to train. Do you have the right to tell me what to do?"
I spat out the words carelessly.
After all, this thing is just an emotionless AI. There's no need to be polite just because it has a pleasant, announcer-like voice.
"Enough. Let's go straight to combat."
In the original story, Kyle also said Kartman's basic training was meaningless. The essence of the ancient warrior training ground lies entirely in combat training.
"Tsk!"
I clicked my tongue. This reaction from Kartman wasn't in the original story. It seems my young body is the problem.
'Do I have to do basic training to build my body? That's pointless. My body will naturally develop as I grow.'
Once the growth penalty is lifted, I'll be able to exhibit physical abilities far beyond those of an ordinary person, even without physical training.
Training my body here seemed like a waste of time no matter how I looked at it.
"Start with combat."
No matter how many times I tried, the response was always the same.
Not possible.
I frowned. It seemed I had no choice but to do basic training.
'Is there no other way…?'
As I pondered, I suddenly thought of a method. I wasn't sure if it would work, but trying it wouldn't hurt.
The ancient civilization era was the peak of magic and engineering. Kartman is merely a product of the pinnacle of magic and engineering.
'It's not exactly an electronic device, but it's definitely some kind of similar-technology.'
Thinking of the Illusiter Device, it seemed quite possible.
"Hack!"
[Hacking successful.]
[You can control the combat training ground Kartman for 12 seconds.]
It worked. Although it was only about 10 seconds, I could control it as I wished.
I quickly spoke to Kartman.
"Kartman, I am your master now! My commands are above the laws of the Feylont Empire!"
I clenched my right fist and trembled with joy. Kartman was now completely mine.
"Start combat."
"Sword."
A combat dummy appeared in the center of the training ground.
It was a wooden puppet-like dummy. The puppet held a sword in its hand, and its head was marked with the number '1.'
At the very least, its body shape was identical to a human's. The sword it held was made of iron, but the blade was dull. As far as I know, the basic warrior stage uses dull swords for safety.
The combat dummy stood still, its black eyes fixed on me.
'There are a total of 100 stages, I think.'
Stages 1-15 are for Basic Warriors.
Stages 15-40 are for Aura Users.
Stages 40-89 are for Aura Experts.
Stages 90-100 are for Aura Masters.
Kyle only cleared Stage 100 in the latter half of the original story.
'What a shame. I was curious how far I could go in reality, but with this body…'
I took out a dagger from my inventory.
I wanted to use the Hwaryeonbido, but it was too big for my small body. The dagger was just right.
"Hah... Was a dagger always this heavy?"
Thinking about how Lexi had knocked it out of my hand in one go… I couldn't help but sigh.
I gripped the dagger in a reverse grip and checked my Yeongcheon Style. Perhaps because my body was smaller, there were some creaky parts, but it wasn't a big issue. I could still use the Yeongcheon Style's combat techniques properly.
As I approached the combat dummy, I thought to myself.
'With the Yeongcheon Style I've learned… I should be able to reach at least stage 20, right?'
I stopped at an appropriate distance.
"Kartman, begin."
The combat dummy charged at me, gripping the iron sword with both hands.
'In the original story, it was said that combat dummies are almost identical to humans. They have the same habits as humans.'
The combat dummy's field of vision is the same as a human's. It can hear sounds and even sense things like wind.
'Then… it should work, right?'
Yeongcheon Style combat technique: Wall Stream.
The combat dummy's eyes turned toward my back. It worked.
I grinned and slashed the dummy's side with my dagger.
A red mark appeared on the wooden dummy's side. It meant a critical hit. There was also a blue mark, which indicated a valid hit.
The combat dummy disappeared without a trace.
"Easy. Too easy."
I boasted.
"Honestly, being an Aura Master isn't that impressive, is it? Haha."
"Of course, stage 2. Stage 1 is for weaklings."
I swung the dagger in my hand through the air as I spoke.
"Orc? Hmm. Nice. Orc."
The combat dummy appeared.
Unlike the stage 1 dummy, it wasn't holding a weapon. Instead, it was larger. It was over 2 meters tall, with unusually large hands and feet.
"Begin."
The combat dummy charged at me. It was definitely faster than the stage 1 dummy.
'How many stages will Wall Stream work on?'
I used Wall Stream. The dummy's eyes wavered. Wall Stream worked.
'Gotcha~.'
As I passed by the dummy, I tried to slash its side, but the dummy twisted its body and swung its fist at me.
"Huh!"
Startled, I twisted my waist to dodge the fist.
The dummy didn't stop and charged at me recklessly.
The term "orc" wasn't wrong. There was no pattern to its punches and kicks. It was like a complete amateur swinging wildly.
'The problem is, if I get hit even once, I'm in big trouble!'
Using footwork, I dodged its punches and kicks and stabbed the dummy's left shoulder.
A blue mark appeared on the dummy's shoulder. It meant a valid hit. The speed of its left fist slowed slightly.
'I just need to stay focused, dodge all its attacks, and exploit its openings.'
Its wild punches and kicks made it easy to find openings.
I continued to exploit the dummy's openings, and eventually, the dummy's entire body turned blue and collapsed to the ground.
'If it were human, it would have fallen much sooner. Is it because it's an orc?'
I took a deep breath. My stamina was already dropping, likely because my stats were low.
I took out a water bottle from my inventory and gulped it down to quench my thirst.
I had no intention of stopping here.
***
An assassin combat dummy threw a dagger at me. I took a step back and dodged the flying dagger. While the dummy's attention was on the dagger, it closed the distance to me in an instant and swung the dagger in its hand.
Clang!
The daggers collided. I was pushed back slightly. I was at a slight disadvantage in terms of physical strength.
'This is because of the difference in size.'
The combat dummy closed in on me.
Unlike the orc from stage 2, it wasn't reckless. I could sense a pattern in its movements. It had definitely learned basic martial arts.
'This is so annoying!'
If I showed even the slightest opening, it would notice like a ghost and precisely target my weak spot.
'The size difference is the problem. The size difference!'
The combat dummy was big, and I was small. Simply put, even if we swung the same sword, the range was different.
A distance I couldn't reach even if I stretched my arm was within its reach. This put me at a ridiculous disadvantage.
Use my small size? Easier said than done. If I tried to get close, it would use its feet to keep me at bay.
'There's another problem. This isn't my first battle. If this continues… I'll tire out first.'
The combat dummy also gets tired. That's how it's programmed. I confirmed this up to stage 3.
Clang!
The dagger I swung was deflected to the side. My torso was completely exposed.
'I'm screwed!'
The combat dummy didn't miss the opportunity. It swung its dagger and struck my shoulder. The blade wasn't sharp enough to cut, but it left a bruise. It would probably turn into a nasty blue mark.
'If it's come to this, I'll push through and finish it!'
Gritting my teeth, I ignored the pain in my shoulder and stabbed the dummy's abdomen. However, the dummy's knee strike hit my stomach first.
"Ugh…!"
My grip weakened, and I dropped the dagger.
My body floated upward, and my eyes met the dummy's. The dummy didn't move.
My body fell to the ground. The dummy stood above me, silently watching.
I tried to get up but winced at the pain in my stomach and lay back down in a proper position.
The hard ground was a bit annoying, but as I lay there looking at the sky, I started to feel better.
Recovery is faster inside this training ground.
"Shut up."
I rested for a while before getting up again. The reason I lost to the assassin combat dummy was because I was exhausted.
In reality, I had reached stage 7.
I fought the stage 6 dummy in perfect condition after using a Complete Recovery and won. But in stage 7, I fought while slightly tired and lost.
'Damn it. Even with the growth penalty, I didn't think I'd fail to reach stage 10….'
If it weren't for the growth penalty, I would have reached stage 20.
'No, not stage 20. I would have reached stage 30. Definitely.'
***
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