The Healing Solaris Cleric

Chapter 73: The Underwater Kingdom, Aquavera (4)

The Silk Road was the name of the trade route that passed through the desert and the cities around the oases. Countless merchants ventured onto this road of dreams, each with their own goals. But why was it called the road of dreams?

Because goods from other civilizations brought in money.

Humans of all eras had a desire to collect! And items from other civilizations were enough to fulfill this desire.

“It was a good deal.”

“Yes, it was a good deal.”

The weapon shop owner Kaul, grinned widely, holding 30 gold coins stamped with the Rashion royal seal.

Of course, Kai also had a wide smile on his lips as he watched.

It was truly a good deal.

Getting a full set of magic armor and weapons made from bluesteel, suitable for level 70, for just 30 gold was undoubtedly a bargain.

The sword's performance is lower than the Longsword of the Awakened One, but the armor is better than the Armor of the Undead set.

Of course, since it wasn’t a set item, it lacked sweet options like cooldown reduction or damage reduction, but the basic options between level 50 armor set and level 70 bluesteel armor were significantly different!

Kai left the weapon shop, checking his increased defense and magic resistance.

The first... Now I understand why rankers are desperate to earn that title.

The benefit of being the first to discover something, being able to monopolize everything was an advantage that couldn't be compared to anything else.

Now then, shall we take full advantage of the perks of being the first to discover?

Kai strolled through the city with a relaxed attitude, like a child with a playground all to themself at dawn.

“Huh?”

While leisurely walking down the street, Kai suddenly tilted his head.

Some merfolk were swimming around with tridents or swords on their backs.

But I heard merfolk have great magical talent?

So why were they carrying close-combat weapons?

Unable to contain his curiosity, Kai approached them and asked for the reason.

“Huh? Of course, we can use magic. Like this.” In response to Kai’s question, one of the merfolk showed a ball of light in their hand, continuing with a smile, “But close combat, which the naga excel at, can be tough to counter with magic alone. So we started practicing both magic and weapon skills.”

“Both magic and weapon skills?”

That meant they weren’t too different from the Magic Knight class!

As Kai's eyes widened, the merman with the trident nodded. “We were on our way to the training hall. If you're curious, why not join us? I'd like to see human swordsmanship as well.”

“That would be great, thanks.”

Naturally joining them, they arrived at a dome-shaped training hall.

The muscular merman who appeared to be the master had a long, flowing white beard.

“Huh? What’s a human doing here?”

“He wanted to observe, so I brought him along, sir. Plus, I’d like to see human swordsmanship too.”

“What? You didn’t even ask for permission from the master...”

When some of the other trainees protested, the white-bearded master raised his hand to quiet them. “I heard from the prince that he’s a trustworthy human, so there shouldn’t be a problem.”

“I... I see.”

The students fell silent after just one word from the white-bearded master!

The master, who showed overwhelming charisma, then ordered the merman who brought Kai. “Since you brought him, you should test his skills.”

“Yes, sir.”

Though the sparring match happened unexpectedly, Kai was full of confidence.

Yeah, I feel good about this.

In Frica, he fought the Wyrm Lizards, in Glendale he faced the Orc Lord and Orc Sorcerer, and in Aquaria, he battled Trebinzer, the King of the Filthy Rats, and two level 100 knights. All those enemies had a much higher level than himself.

Kai was accustomed to fighting against the strong, growing by breaking down high, solid walls one by one.

And now my body feels lighter than ever.

With The Three Treasures set and bluesteel equipment, his movement was freer than on land.

His recent experience and excellent condition boosted Kai's confidence.

“Why don’t you start?” The merman, holding a two-meter-long trident, beckoned him with a finger.

Instead of getting angry, Kai nodded with a pleased smile.

Opportunities like this are rare.

Merfolk were at least level 150 high-leveled NPCs.

It was his first time sparring with them, and it was his first underwater sparring too.

I should adapt to underwater combat by sparring with the merfolk.

With his decision made, Kai's body bent back like a bow and then swiftly cut through the water.

At the same time, the merfolk watching the sparring let out their amazement.

“Wow!”

“He's a surprisingly good swimmer for a human!”

“Looks like Diergon might have met his match today!”

The merfolk's reaction stemmed from seeing a human who could swim so well.

Kai, having made a strong impression with his swimming skills, naturally raised their expectations.

Seems like he's a great warrior among humans.

No wonder the prince treats him as a guest of honor.

When you think about it, an average person wouldn't be able to come to Aquavera.

However, as Kai and his opponent's weapons clashed relentlessly, the expressions of the merfolk became subtly uneasy.

But...

What's with this weak human?

Kai only showed simple sword strikes that made his swimming skills seem wasted!

Although Kai tried to add rotational force to his thrusts to surprise his opponent, Diergon deflected them effortlessly with his trident, scoffing.

As the sparring match didn't go as planned, Kai's expression darkened.

Underwater combat... it's more challenging than I thought!

Front, back, left, right, and maybe on top, fighting on land required only those five directions.

However...

Fwoosh!

Diergon propelled himself upward with great force from the ground, thrusting his trident.

And all Kai could do was twist his body awkwardly and desperately deflect the attack!

Clang!

In his five months of gaming, Kai had never encountered attacks coming from below.

The range I need to watch has only doubled... but the difficulty feels like it's increased at least threefold.

Unable to withstand Diergon's pressure, Kai was quickly pushed into a defensive stance and cornered. Seeing this, Diergon whipped his fins and rushed toward Kai, aiming to deliver a clear defeat.

Then I'll go for the win here too!

Kai's movements instantly sped up as he used Supernova, allowing him to slip behind Diergon for the first time since the fight began.

Here's where I use Flood of Blades!

Attacking the opponent's blind spot and striking at a weak point was the pattern that had granted Kai countless victories!

But the next moment, Kai found himself crashing to the ground without even knowing why.

“Kugh!”

Everyone would have likely experienced it at some point. Walking down a flight of stairs, thinking they've reached the bottom, only to realize there was one more step. With no place to step, one would lose their balance, and their vision spinning.

Kai, feeling a similar sensation, gathered himself and got up.

"Ugh, what just happened...?"

Kai, unable to understand what even happened, asked in a dumbfounded voice, and Diergon shook his head.

"The master will explain it to you."

"Not sure what there is to explain..." The white-bearded merman quickly scanned Kai from top to bottom and nodded. "I can see what your problem is."

"My problem?"

Kai's eyes lit up. A common trait among players who didn't improve was their inability to recognize their own mistakes. But if someone pointed out their flaws and they could correct them, their skills would definitely improve.

After a brief silence, the white-bearded master gestured toward the training arena with his chin. "First, watch them spar. I'll explain afterward."

"Alright..."

Kai, tilting his head in confusion, quietly sat on a coral chair by the training hall's wall to observe the sparring.

***

Casting was the term used to refer to the time it took for most skills to be cast in MID Online.

Naturally, most players just stood still during this time. This way, they could concentrate and increase the accuracy of their upcoming skill.

And this wasn't much different for NPCs. Even the wizards in the Wizard’s Tower stood still and focused while casting spells.

But... what is that?

Kai felt as if he had been hit on the back of the head with a hammer, then hit again in the same spot.

They were casting skills while swinging their weapons! That was the unbelievable skill demonstrated by the merfolk.

Of course, there are a few rankers who can cast while moving, but...

Even among players, most couldn't even attempt it.

Casting time was the time to prepare a skill in the first place. Naturally, if one were attacked or lost focus during that time, the skill would be canceled. Therefore, that was an extremely risky move as the cooldown time and mana could go to waste!

It's hard to maintain focus while constantly moving.

But the merfolk took it even one step further.

"You're too slow today!"

"Hmph, that’s not for you to say!"

Boom! Boom!

While constantly clashing their weapons, they continued casting spells with the other hand. As soon as they retrieved their swords, their spells were ready and struck like lightning.

Rumble!

Boom!

They fired flames that evaporated the surrounding water and ice magic that froze even those flames!

As Kai watched their intense duel with his mouth dropped open, the white-bearded master approached him.

"What do you think?"

"Huh? Pardon?"

"Do you know what technique you were hit by now?"

"Given what I’ve just seen, there’s no way I wouldn’t know." Kai scratched his nose and continued, "I was hit by a spell, right? A spell from the other hand right after my sword was parried."

"Correct. To be precise, you were hit by Explosion, magic that explodes the air."

"I see..."

The white-bearded master glanced at Kai, who was dispirited, then turned his head.

He looked proudly at the merfolk who had begun sparring in separate areas and said, "Those kids are the future of us merfolk."

"Future?"

"Yes. We merfolk may excel in magic, but when the nagas high in magic resistance charge at us, it’ll be really tough to deal with."

"Well, yes, because you’re at a disadvantage."

"Right, we are. But in war, constant defeat isn't something you can just accept because of that term."

"I... guess so."

While it could be just a simple story for players, war for NPCs was a battle that could determine the future of their species. That meant it wasn't something they could simply accept because of unfavorable matchups.

"So, we merfolk pondered and researched continuously how we could slow down the nagas’ advance, and how we could use magic more efficiently and extensively."

"And that's how you developed that combat method?"

"Yes. There were many trials and errors, and it took a lot of time. But this is the final technique that our blood, sweat, and collaboration produced. Moving Casting."

"Moving Casting..."

"It’s a technique designed to clash directly with the nagas’ weapons on the front line while striking powerful magic right to their faces."

Kai was speechless as he was purely impressed.

Given the dire situation that could determine the future of their race, he thought about how many merfolk would have worked together to come up with this. Kai couldn't even begin to imagine their pain, anxiety, and fear.

"I heard from the prince."

Kai was confused.

"That you're planning to take down the naga offspring."

"Ah... so you did hear that."

“I'm telling you in advance, there's no way you can do it in your current state.”

"I agree..." Kai dropped his head in embarrassment.

How pathetic it must have seemed to claim he could handle the nagas when he couldn't even beat a single merfolk!

But the white-bearded master's next words took him by surprise. "I'll train you."

"Train?"

"Yes. Others may see you as a human swordsman, but that's not quite true, is it?"

"...How did you know?"

Kai looked surprised when the master discovered a secret no other NPC had noticed.

"First, your technique is too basic. I've seen human knights a few times when I’ve gone to the surface. Their techniques are complex but hold significant room for growth. And if I fought some of them on land, I couldn't guarantee I'd win against some of them.

However, your swordsmanship, in good words, shows strong basics that are fundamental, but bluntly speaking, it’s too basic. It makes it seem like you're a beginner who knows nothing else."

"Well..."

Kai couldn't say anything because it was true.

The only sword skill I have, other than the passive Swordsmanship of the Dawn skill, is Flood of Blades.

Kai, realizing an unexpected flaw in an unexpected place, showed eyes that were renewed with determination. "So what do I need to do?"

"There's a saying among the merfolk: when you're in the sea, follow the sea's rules."

"The sea's rules..."

When Kai showed eagerness to learn, the white-bearded master smiled through his beard and said, "Brace yourself. I'll teach you underwater combat from A to Z."