Chapter 19
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 19
Chapter Title: An Adventurer's Private Tutoring for Her -4-
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Cultivation methods are ultimately settings modeled after the internal energy techniques from wuxia tales.
That's why, among the hidden pieces in Akarite, there's the Breathing Technique from a multitude of martial arts manuals that crossed over from the wuxia world.
True to its roots as the foundation of all cultivation methods, it boasts the highest efficiency.
To learn it as a playable character, you have to wipe out the basic cultivation foundation that Robert has built up, which is why it divides players—some love it, some hate it.
'Did this one ride in on a shooting star way back when, too?'
When I first got it, it was a perfectly intact book, so I didn't think twice. But then I remembered that natural phenomenon I'd seen before the entrance ceremony.
If that was the signal for a hidden piece, then this must have come down on a meteor as well. Pretty amazing that it held its shape as a book.
I wonder what principle allows that.
"Master this, and you'll be able to control that eye of yours without any issues."
"Please...!"
Rike's thirst for revenge burned with pure intensity.
She still had her pride, but that wasn't reason enough to pass up the opportunity right in front of her.
Having resolved herself up until now, she accepted my offer.
I sat down behind Rike and placed my hand on her slender back.
"My cultivation method is called Ancient Breath Renewal. You don't need to worry about the name."
"Eut...!"
"What sets Ancient Breath Renewal apart from ordinary cultivation methods is that it uses the dantian—a space in the lower abdomen rather than the heart—to accumulate mana."
As I guided the mana, she let out a small groan.
It wouldn't be pain, more like a ticklish sensation, as if a thin thread was brushing across her entire body.
"My power isn't something negative. Don't resist—just follow slowly. For the first step, we'll gather the residual mana in one place."
Typical cultivation methods accumulate mana in the heart and circulate it through the heartbeat for use.
'...Her basic comprehension is higher than mine? Now that's talent.'
Rike followed my guidance perfectly, without a single mistake.
When I first learned the Breathing Technique, I bungled the understanding and suffered like hell. But here she was, grasping this unfamiliar method on the first try.
I was just reciting the lines from the book verbatim.
She fully understood my explanations and moved her mana in sync with mine, without the slightest hesitation.
"You decide the shape that will hold the gathered mana. I think of it as a vessel, but others might imagine a well or a pit."
"Hup... Haah..."
"Good. Remember that sequence well. I'll show you once more."
Talking about the Eight Extraordinary Meridians or the Twelve Principal Meridians would just confuse her.
I kept it simple, numbering the steps as I led her.
"Repeat this to gradually shape your dantian. Cast aside any impatience—this is the first point. Then..."
The chirping of mountain birds filled the air.
By the time we'd finished the basics of the cultivation method, dawn was already breaking.
"Now, draw up just a tiny amount of mana into your eye."
A purple glow began to flicker in Rike's eyes.
Finally, she could wield the skill at will.
"Th-thank you...! Hngh...!"
The moment the Breathing Technique lesson ended, Rike's upper body collapsed forward.
Sweat dripped down her jawline in steady drops.
Practicing the Breathing Technique was tough enough, but guiding and teaching it was several times harder. I was drenched in sweat too, looking like a drowned rat.
At least we'd cleared the biggest hurdle.
Rike dozed off in my arms from exhaustion before she knew it, but I pushed through without sleep, racing all the way into the afternoon.
Our destination: the Tristan Duchy.
Also known as Coven.
I slipped in here too, suppressing my presence and scaling the walls.
I rented a room, washed off the sweat-soaked grime, and changed Rike into something more comfortable.
Not that it changed much—she still had to wear the robe.
We finished a simple meal of stew I'd brought from the inn, washing it down with coffee for me and milk for Rike.
"We start today."
"...Yes!"
Nematos is worldly and covets sacrifices.
But the means to that end is ultimately black magic.
They could use their own mana, but they prefer sacrifices for guaranteed results and effects on a higher level.
"Nematos has branches depending on their objectives. Each branch is bound to have at least one executive-level member, a skilled black mage, or a swordsman."
Some executives reside permanently to guard the branches, while others patrol.
"The name of that ragged old man we're after is Hell Broom."
"Hell Broom..."
Rike's expression twisted.
Her emotions were starting to show on her face more clearly now.
"That damn geezer excels in black magic that messes with the senses rather than direct combat—illusions and disorientation. Assuming I don't use artifacts, he's my perfect counter."
Sometimes he appears as a beautiful woman, other times as a mature, dignified man to meet clients.
That was why he went around representing Nematos for customer meetings, despite lacking the gift of gab.
For Nematos's prosperity, he traveled the continent's branches, procuring sacrifices and luring in those who needed black magic.
'It'd be ideal if we ran into him right here.'
In the game, Hell Broom appeared at Nematos branches with variable probability depending on the location.
"Even on patrol, he's still an executive—he won't work nonstop. He'll have to stay at some branches for a while."
I decided on a straightforward approach.
Check every branch where his appearance rate was high in the game.
"This isn't just about skipping academy—it's a real race against time."
The longer it dragged on, the sooner the black mages would notice the incident at one branch.
Then the remaining branches would tighten security and go on high alert.
"What we're doing now is already insane—like poking a beehive as a duo. But we can't get greedy. Preserve our lives first, or there is no 'next'."
"...Is there anything I can do to help?"
"Of course. If Hell Broom counters me, then that old man is Rike's counter."
I stared into Rike's violet eyes.
This whole plan hinged on her from the start.
Duke Tristan was a man who chased women feverishly—enough to give his wife feverish jealousy—and had an insatiable greed for artwork.
But he wasn't the type to fall for black mages.
Born a predator of a duke.
Immensely proud and arrogant.
The very idea of borrowing someone else's power to solve his problems was absurd to him.
So when Nematos came knocking, he didn't get involved.
In fact, he'd tried to kill the black mage offering to help with a blade—and failed, they say.
Thanks to the duke's bold actions, Coven outwardly remained a black-magic-free zone.
But I had my reasons for coming here.
'It's true the duke flew into a rage and attacked the black mage who approached him.'
Because the duke rejected Nematos and even attacked them, they established a branch inside his territory.
It was only natural to take from an enemy rather than secretly drain the blood of a sponsoring noble.
A suitable spot in the duchy to supply high-quality sacrifices.
The place Nematos chose: an orphanage.
Coven's orphanages fall into two categories.
Those run by the Church, and those run by individuals.
The ones officially operated by the Church are always overflowing with children, swarmed by orphans desperate for a single meal.
Private orphanages, on the other hand, don't have the best reputation.
Of course, there are good people who run them out of pure goodwill.
But this story isn't one of those heartwarming tales.
Currently, a chronic plague afflicting the Harun Empire.
When famines hit, parents abandon children they can't feed; bandits and monsters create orphans in droves.
Coven, as a duchy, is no exception.
Duke Tristan has no clever solution—and no desire to find one.
With his personality, he wouldn't donate to or pay attention to orphanages.
'The land is vast, but it's hardly prosperous.'
The lord's indifference leaves homeless folk and orphans rotting in the streets.
A few vanishing wouldn't raise eyebrows or worry anyone.
It's a wonder the black mages aren't drooling over the place.
"Hmmm~"
The wind atop the steeple felt refreshing.
As the sun set and lights flickered on in the orphanage, shadows of frolicking children danced in the windows.
On the surface, it looked like a haven of happiness, utterly peaceful.
'Just like in the game...'
Nearby was a silent, empty stable.
No beastly stench, just completely dried-out hay.
Right beside it, wooden stairs led down to a sewer reeking of rot.
After dark, maybe one person passed through this narrow alley every ten minutes at most.
Hardly a place for an orphanage.
'Doesn't seem like anywhere else with more people around.'
For a branch supplying fresh sacrifices, staying out of the public eye was ideal for them too.
I scanned the area once more, then headed back to the inn.
"I can do this!"
We had to head out again, but we were still in the room.
Before starting, I needed to dope Rike up.
Two potions left, but she was clutching her mouth, fighting back nausea.
"Urp—my stomach feels so full already..."
"You still have to drink them."
She'd barely eaten anything up to now—practically anorexic—so her stomach had shrunk to nothing. Even a few potions were a struggle.
I hated force-feeding her like torture, but it was for her safety.
No compromises on matters of survival.
It'd be ridiculous to falter against a black mage over a mere potion.
She steeled her resolve with deep breaths and boldly chugged the remaining two.
"Ugh—!"
Rike hurriedly clamped her hand over her mouth.
After a brief moment to settle, she finally stood from her seat.
This place saw almost no visitors besides staff even in the daytime.
Now, in the hour of beasts, uninvited guests had arrived.
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