READ NOVEL ONLINE Chapter 6: Rising tide
Chapter 6: Rising Tide
The morning came with a fiery dawn, its warm hues splashed across the horizon, as if the world itself were bracing for the storm ahead. Kenji stood by the beach, his katana in hand, watching the tide roll in. The battle with the masked swordsman had made one thing painfully clear: his current strength wasn't enough. If the system was his guide, then he would have to trust it—push himself harder, take every opportunity to grow.
The system chimed, a familiar sound that had begun to feel more like a partner than an intrusion.
"New Task: Train to unlock your first Sword Technique. Reward: 'Wave Splitter' Ability."
Kenji's eyebrows rose. A sword technique? He hadn't unlocked anything like this before. The tasks so far had felt mundane—strength, speed, endurance—but this was something different. Something powerful.
He tightened his grip on the katana. "Alright, let's see what you've got for me."
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The Training Begins
Kenji spent the next several days diving into the task. The system guided him with subtle cues, almost like a master instructing a student. At first, it started with basic movements: refining his footwork, perfecting the arc of his swings, and enhancing his balance.
The villagers, seeing Kenji's intense focus, gave him space but watched in awe. They had already seen his skill, but now it seemed he was pushing beyond his limits.
"Kenji-san," one of the children asked during a break, "what are you doing?"
Kenji smiled, wiping sweat from his brow. "Getting better."
The child tilted his head. "But you're already so strong!"
Kenji crouched, ruffling the boy's hair. "Strong isn't enough when people are counting on you. There's always room to grow."
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As the days passed, the training intensified. The system began introducing more complex instructions:
Swinging his blade with the force to slice through thick logs.
Practicing strikes that could deflect arrows fired at him from a distance.
Meditating by the sea to synchronize his breathing with the ebb and flow of the waves.
With each session, Kenji felt himself improving. The katana felt lighter, as if it had become an extension of his will. His movements became smoother, his reactions quicker.
The system rewarded his efforts incrementally:
"Task Completed: Perfect your stance. Reward: +1 Balance."
"Task Completed: Deflect 10 projectiles. Reward: +2 Reflexes."
And then, after a particularly grueling session of practicing sword strokes against the rushing tide, the system finally spoke:
"Task Completed: Train to unlock your first Sword Technique."
"Reward Unlocked: 'Wave Splitter' Ability."
Kenji felt a surge of energy flow through him, a warm, tingling sensation that started in his chest and spread to his fingertips. His katana seemed to hum in response, its blade shimmering faintly.
He instinctively understood what he had gained: the ability to channel his energy into a concentrated strike that could cut through almost anything, as though splitting the sea itself.
Kenji couldn't suppress his grin. "Now we're talking."
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A New Threat Approaches
The peace that followed his training was short-lived. Late one evening, as Kenji sat with the villagers around a fire, a warning bell rang out.
One of the scouts came sprinting from the forest. "Pirates!" he shouted, panic lacing his voice. "There's a ship docking on the far side of the island!"
The villagers erupted into a flurry of activity, their newly learned defense strategies kicking into gear. Kenji stood, calm but alert.
"How many?" he asked the scout.
"At least twenty men," the scout replied. "And their leader… he's huge. Like a monster."
Kenji's eyes narrowed. He turned to the villagers. "Stick to the plan. Get to the safe zones, and don't engage unless absolutely necessary."
They nodded, fear etched on their faces, but there was also trust. Trust in Kenji.
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Kenji made his way to the far side of the island, where the pirate ship loomed like a predator in the dark. The moonlight revealed a group of rugged, armed men stepping onto the shore, their laughter and jeers carrying across the night.
At their center stood their leader: a hulking brute nearly seven feet tall, with rippling muscles and an enormous battle-axe slung over his shoulder. His presence was oppressive, his deep voice booming as he barked orders at his crew.
"Find the 'Wanderer Sword,'" the man growled. "I'll make him kneel before me."
Kenji stepped into the clearing, his katana gleaming in the moonlight. "You're wasting your time."
The pirate leader turned, his eyes narrowing as he took in Kenji's calm demeanor. "So you're the one causing all this trouble. You don't look like much."
Kenji smirked, his stance relaxed but ready. "Why don't you find out?"
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The Battle Begins
The pirate leader roared, charging forward with his massive battle-axe. The ground shook with each step, and his first swing came down with the force of a falling boulder.
Kenji sidestepped effortlessly, his katana slicing through the air to deliver a quick counterstrike. The blade grazed the pirate's arm, drawing first blood.
The pirate leader snarled. "Lucky shot!"
Kenji didn't respond. He focused on the rhythm of the fight, the system feeding him subtle prompts:
"Dodge left. Counter low. Feint high."
With each move, Kenji felt his confidence grow. The pirate leader was strong, but he was predictable—a brute relying on raw power.
As the fight raged on, the pirate's frustration became evident. His swings grew wilder, his movements slower. Kenji bided his time, waiting for the perfect moment.
When it came, it was like a flash of lightning. The pirate leader raised his axe for a final, desperate blow, leaving himself wide open.
Kenji took a deep breath, channeling his energy into his blade.
"Wave Splitter."
With a single, fluid strike, Kenji unleashed the technique. The air seemed to ripple as the katana cut through the pirate's axe, splitting it cleanly in two. The force of the strike sent the pirate leader crashing to the ground, defeated.
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Victory and Growth
The remaining pirates, seeing their leader felled, quickly surrendered or fled back to their ship. The villagers emerged from their hiding spots, cheering as Kenji returned to the village, his katana still glowing faintly.
The system chimed in his mind:
"Task Completed: Defend the village. Reward: +10 Strength, +5 Leadership."
"New Milestone Achieved: Intermediate Swordsman. Unlock: Increased Stamina and Focus."
Kenji sat by the fire that night, listening to the villagers celebrate. He knew the road ahead would only get tougher, but tonight, he allowed himself a moment of pride.
He was growing stronger, step by step. And with each victory, he moved closer to his goal—not just survival, but mastery.