Chapter 1: Knight Breathing Method

In the dim canyon, howling winds whip up sand and stone, and a heart‑pounding duel is unfolding.

The young Knight attendant Robin, clad in mottled armor and wielding a longsword, shows fearless resolve in his eyes.

Opposite him, a pack of rag‑clad Thief Guild members circle like vicious wolves, their mismatched weapons exuding a blood‑thirsty aura.

The thieves strike first; a hulking brute swings a massive battle axe, the wind roaring as it cleaves toward Robin.

Robin moves swiftly, sidestepping; the axe crashes into the ground, sending up a cloud of dust.

He follows up with his longsword, the blade slicing a thief's arm, blood spurting instantly. Yet the Thief Guild is numerous, and Robin is soon surrounded.

He blocks left and thrusts right, each sword swing accompanied by a harsh metallic clang.

Scratches already mar his armor, sweat streams down his forehead, but he does not waver.

A skinny thief lunges from behind; Robin senses danger, spins, and blocks the dagger with his sword.

The two lock in a stalemate; Robin drives his strength, shoving the thief to the ground, then ends him with a sword.

The battle reaches a fever pitch, cries of killing and cries of pain echo through the canyon.

Robin's breathing is rapid and heavy, each inhalation burning like scorching coals filling his lungs.

The sword in his hand feels unbearably heavy, as if not forged of steel but a towering mountain pressing his arm to the point of pain.

His body is covered in wounds; blood seeps from each cut, soaking his tattered clothes, mixing with sweat and dust, leaving him looking utterly disheveled.

The world before his eyes blurs, enemy silhouettes twist into black shadows that mock his helplessness with every sway.

"I'm a man with a system; I won't die here!" Robin shouts wildly in his mind, the voice like a trapped beast's roar, full of resentment and resolve.

His legs tremble, yet he stubbornly supports his body, the sword uselessly swinging before him, trying to fend off the tide of foes.

Just as darkness threatens to engulf him, a crisp sound of hooves suddenly rings.

The sound begins like distant thunder, then in an instant rushes forward like a raging storm.

Robin jerks his head up, a flash of disbelief flashing in his eyes.

A dozen cavalry ride in like black lightning, their armor flashing cold glints in the sun, spears like a forest, murderous aura radiating.

Behind the cavalry, nearly a hundred fully‑armed infantry march in orderly, powerful steps, rolling in like a steel torrent.

"Reinforcements have arrived!" Robin summons his last ounce of strength and lets out a deafening roar.

That shout, like the bell of dawn, dispels the fear and despair in his heart.

He feels a new power surge within him, the power of hope, the yearning for victory.

The cavalry charge first into the enemy ranks, their warhorses neighing, forelegs raised high, pounding heavily upon the foes.

Spears thrust like poisonous snakes, each strike accompanied by enemy screams and splattering blood.

The thieves are caught off‑guard by the sudden assault, their formation instantly thrown into chaos.

The infantry follow, tightly arrayed, shields linked together, forming an unbreakable wall.

Their longswords and battle axes swing under the shield cover, each attack precise and lethal.

The thieves retreat step by step under the steel onslaught, like autumn leaves swept mercilessly aside.

Robin refuses to yield; he endures his body's pain, grips his sword again, and joins the fight.

Robin lies on the battlefield strewn with blood and dust, his limbs feeling as if hammered by a heavy mallet, every muscle twitching, every bone seeming about to collapse.

His chest heaves violently, gulping breath, gazing at the sky above, tinged hazy by warfire, feeling his soul still drifting in the earlier heart‑pounding duel.

At that moment, a steady tread draws nearer.

The leading cavalryman, tall and imposing, extends his hand, slowly pulls back his visor, revealing a rugged, wind‑scoured face, a slight smile of approval at the corner of his mouth, and says, "Robin, you did well."

That voice, like a bolt of electricity, instantly revives a spark of life in Robin.

He bites his teeth, palms on the ground, trying to rise, but his legs are as soft as noodles, failing after several attempts.

Yet his gaze stays firm, a stubborn vigor shining through; after a brief struggle he finally manages to stand with great difficulty.

He straightens his spine, though his body still trembles uncontrollably, and with all his might slaps his right hand heavily on his chest, letting out a battlefield‑wide shout, "Fight for the lord, die only after victory."

The leading Knight is none other than the chief Knight of Lord Bloet, Great Knight Damiya Klaun.

He nods slightly, his eyes full of admiration as he looks at the young man before him, scarred yet still burning with fighting spirit, feeling a quiet awe.

Damiya steps forward, his strong hand patting Robin's shoulder, and says, "Good kid, today you brought glory to the domain; your bravery will be remembered by all."

Robin lies quietly on the wagon, his body swaying slightly with the board's jolts.

His eyes are tightly shut, his face weary, yet his heart still ripples with emotion.

The comrades around bustle—some collecting weapons, some tending the wounded—immersed in the post‑battle hustle and relief, no one notices Robin's actions.

Seizing the gap, he silently lets his consciousness sink into his mind, and the familiar System Panel slowly floats into view.

Basic Swordsmanship: Sword attack power increased by ten percent, Experience: Max

Basic Hand‑to‑Hand Combat: Close‑range combat attack power increased by ten percent, Experience: Max

Robin's gaze lingers on these two lines for a long while, his eyes filled with complex emotions.

He recalls the arduous journey from clueless beginnings to reaching the limit, a hardship only he knows.

Countless days and nights, sweating in the training grounds, tempering life and death in battle, earned today's result.

Yet his smile quickly fades; Robin knows the achievement before him is merely the end of one stage.

To break the ceiling of these basic skills, the only path is to advance and become a Formal Knight.

"Knight Breathing Method…" he murmurs in his mind, the soon‑to‑be reward, his eyes showing a hint of expectation and resolve.

Since becoming a Knight attendant, Robin has always harbored the dream of becoming a Formal Knight.

In this battle, he earned merit with his courage and skill, bringing his dream one step closer.

As long as he obtains the Knight Breathing Method, he will have a chance to formally join the ranks of Knights.

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(Chapter End)