Chapter 597
Chapter 597
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 597
Chapter Title: Scent of Spring
-----------------------------------------------------------------
The technique Ristina demonstrated was remarkably similar to the Internal Heavy Hand Technique.
—Striking the exterior to shake the interior.
That was precisely what the Internal Heavy Hand Technique was all about, but this went even further. It didn't even require a strike—just a simple touch, channeling mana to rupture the internals from within.
Mastering this alone would undoubtedly grant an overwhelming edge in close combat. When sword strikes weren't feasible, or deploying fist and kick techniques proved tricky, in those chaotic, tumbling moments, it could clinch the victory.
It could even go beyond damaging the opponent directly, extending to shattering their weapon outright.
If you didn't know how to counter it, you'd just get smashed and die—no question.
—Of course, it was all possible with sword aura too.
I didn't even need to touch with my bare hands; coating my blade with sword aura let me pulverize anything. That approach had better reach and was simpler to boot.
In essence, this was the pinnacle of auxiliary techniques.
Fist and kick arts were supplementary to weapon techniques from the start, after all.
"Let me start by explaining the knack."
"Yes!"
"You're eager, huh. Still, it's a tough skill, so don't expect to pick it up right away—take it easy. Get into stance."
—Pa-pa-pat!
I immediately assumed the lethal preparatory stance for the Executive Fist Technique.
Ristina frowned at the sight, circled behind me, and began adjusting my posture.
"Drop that shitty stance. Just stand normally."
"No."
"Clench your fist, extend your arm. Then manifest your mana like that."
She wanted me to manifest fist aura?
—Tszz-tszzzt.
I extended my arm as instructed and summoned the fist aura.
A blue haze immediately rose like heat shimmer, mana draining in the process. I could wield sword aura at will these days, so fist aura was a piece of cake.
"...You're pretty good at this."
Ristina murmured while fiddling with my forearm.
"Heh heh heh, right? I'm good, aren't I?"
"Yeah. Fucking good. Now open your palm."
I unclenched my fist and spread my palm.
"Imagine creating mana spikes on your palm, and try it."
"Pardon?"
"Like manipulating mana so spikes protrude across your entire palm. That's the feel—then infiltrate the interior and convert it into a shock all at once. That's the core of the technique. Give it a shot."
"Pardon?"
I had no clue.
"Hold on, sis. Your explanation's way too vague. I don't get it."
"Can't quite grasp the sensation?"
"Yeah."
She was saying to shape the rising mana like spikes on my palm, but with my current skill, I couldn't fine-tune it that precisely.
I didn't even know how.
"How's anyone supposed to get it in one day? Just practice with that image in mind. It's normal not to know. You can't master mana control from explanations alone. You figure it out through trial and habit."
"Ah."
That hit the nail on the head.
"Makes sense. So, drill it roughly until it sticks?"
"No, that's just step one. Once you get the feel, we move to the next. No idea how long it'll take, but at your level, you'll pick it up quick."
It was a demanding skill requiring time and effort. What we were practicing now was just the basics.
Anyway, nothing was impossible for Heavenly Demon Kim Katt.
"Alright. I'll master it right now."
"Ha, cocky brat."
Ristina stepped in front of me, and I practiced grasping the sensation with my palm open. I infused mana trying to make the hazy aura spike upward like thorns.
Of course, it didn't work.
"...You little punk."
—Squeeze.
Ristina, who had been watching, suddenly jabbed her index finger into my forehead.
"What punk? Come on, sis. Seriously—go lie down."
"No way, we've barely practiced! And I already showered!"
"Heh heh heh, kidding. Gotta practice."
"Seriously, what...!"
I still had more than half my mana left.
"Keep practicing!"
I stood there, listening to Ristina's guidance, manipulating the mana manifesting from my open palm. But the hazy aura just scattered like haze, as expected.
Fucking hard.
"I really don't get it."
"It's your first time today—of course you don't. Took me ages; trying it in one day is reckless."
"True."
Everything demanded persistence and effort.
Consistent training and tempering, honed through real combat. And inhuman repetition fueled by grit—that's what made a person strong.
Well, I didn't expect to master this anytime soon. Time was plentiful anyway, so I'd take it slow.
Completing something like this would make Cloude happy too.
"One thing upfront: don't try using it imperfectly. Forcing an incomplete technique in battle is dangerous. If you want to use it for real, master it first."
I got the safety lecture too.
"Karin said the same."
It was the same warning from when I first used sword aura.
True experts knew these ironclad rules inside out.
"Eh, at your level, you already know all that. It's weirder if the teacher doesn't warn you."
"I won't use it in real fights, so relax. Think I'd pull that after all I've been through?"
"...Fair point."
And so, under Ristina's guidance, I kept training, steadily depleting my mana.
No real progress, not even a hint of the sensation.
I could feel about 10% mana left.
Call it a day.
"Even with no mana, keep visualizing the sensation and practice. That's how it sinks in."
"I'll do it whenever I get time."
"Good attitude—that's how you achieve things. You know, Katt, you seem really diligent up close."
"Heh heh heh, if I wasn't, I wouldn't be standing here."
"True enough."
Ristina met my eyes briefly, her face flushing as she spoke.
"What is it... The more I look at you, Katt, the more that vibe hits. First impression was just crazy bastard."
"I thought you were a total thug at first too, sis."
"Why me?"
"Kidnapping folks outta nowhere and offering 'em up? Duh. Mariel even cussed me out in front of you. Scary as hell."
Of course, she was still a thug now.
She'd uncovered the Martial Artists' Guild's secrets, after all.
"Ugh... True, but don't bring that up anymore."
Ristina clung to me, embarrassed.
"...You're my woman now."
"Yeah, yeah."
"Anyway, keep at it. Lots of uses for it. Teaching you 'cause it's you."
Grateful words, really.
This technique had infinite applications.
"Like this."
"Hm?"
Suddenly, Ristina grabbed my hand.
I thought maybe she wanted to hold hands, but no.
"Pretend it's a friendly handshake with a smile, then burst their hand—pretty lethal, right?"
She said that instead.
"...Sis, you've done that?"
"Of course."
—Fu-hut.
Ristina grinned as she replied.
She seemed like a klutz in bed, but as leader of that thug martial artists' crew, she was no joke. Even unarmed, she could hang with Karin. She'd walked plenty of tightropes to gain that power.
Rough stuff was probably daily bread.
"But why bother? Just crush it with grip strength."
"Atmosphere, darling. Atmosphere."
Yeah, that'd be scarier.
"Honestly, it's more useful on monsters than people. Super effective against ones with tough hides or shells. No matter how hard, smash their skull and boom."
"Oh, yeah."
No armor could withstand the Internal Heavy Hand Technique—total wipeout.
Though sword aura could do it too?
Point was, doing sword feats barehanded mattered. Life threw plenty of no-weapon scenarios. And attacking with just a touch? That had deeper implications.
"So, what do you think?"
"Of what?"
"I'm pretty strong myself, right? Now you know not to mess with me."
Ristina crossed her arms smugly.
Why did this sis keep begging to be handled rough?
"Got it loud and clear."
"Heh heh, good. Respect me a bit more."
Her arrogant face sparked that urge to ravage her again.
"Naturally. Now, brace against the wall here."
"What?"
"Just once more at the end. Please?"
"Ugh...! You really...!"
Grumbling, Ristina flushed, obediently slipped off her panties, and placed her hands on the wall.
"You're thinking about it all day... That good?"
She glanced back, wiggling her hips teasingly.
"Perfect."
I patted her ass gently, dropping my shorts. The feel in my hand was exquisite. Ristina's rear had that addictive touch.
"Ahk...! Don't just smack it... What do you even think my ass is...?"
And so, I spent time with Ristina.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ "Hng, so that's what you learned?"
Back home, explaining to Karin, she nodded.
"Good job. Since you made her your wife, milk her for all she's worth. Grateful, anyway—next time I see her, maybe thanks instead of a smackdown."
Karin, seated on the sofa, sheathed my honed dagger-sword and beckoned with a finger. Come here.
I approached, and she pulled me into a tight hug.
"Kyaa ha ha, but my hubby's conquering everything with his dick?"
"What?"
Hugging me, Karin patted my crotch.
"Hm? Conquering with this. That thug bitch handing over her secret technique."
"Heh heh heh, yeah? She taught me."
"Didn't expect her to cave easy. So, how much did you fuck her to be this late?"
Karin nuzzled affectionately, peppering my cheek with kisses.
"More than expected. Heh heh heh, why? Horny?"
"Sis is always horny."
She kept kissing, even tugging my cheek.
"But don't get so fixated you neglect basics. Finish sword drills, manage mana allocation, master it all. You're home—focus."
"Was planning to. You know I'm diligent."
"Yeah. I do."
Life was busy without work.
Morning training till lunch, now adding Internal Heavy Hand practice—nearly all day.
Staying home meant staying busy.
"Darkie back?"
"Yeah, Winia."
Mid-convo with Karin, Winia and Cloude emerged from downstairs.
"What, everyone was down there?"
"Magic experiments with Lisha-nee. Sis just watched."
Hanging with Lisha, huh. We'd set up a mini workshop in the basement. Lately, those two tinkered a lot.
"Heh heh heh, Katt's here?"
"Yeah, yeah. Where's Alraune?"
"Cleaning up with Lisha."
"Got it."
Good to see Alraune settling in. Lately, Lisha was teaching her, researching if she could tap her original powers.
Would suck if they burst out uncontrollably.
Preventive measures.
I told Cloude and Winia about today's lesson too. Cloude was thrilled; Winia praised it. Good is good.
Though, itching to get back to work. But no dice—they wouldn't greenlight it. Snow was melting, but those mountains still gleamed white.
Spring didn't come till the snow fully thawed.