Chapter 11: Death with Death

After 14 days of ceaseless death, Franswift finally entered a new stage of training since mastering the basics of all kinds of weapons. Wilhelm began teaching Franswift how to begin to integrate his own style. He did not make him go through the basic techniques again since Franswift mastered them through the countless deaths he experienced, but he also decided not to teach any more than the basic techniques.

Franswift and Wilhelm clashed in the middle of the backyard. Wilhelm attacked with his sword aiming for Franswift’s body. Instead of the rough rolling and dodging he had used to do, Franswift used the spear in his hand to parry the attack. He then held the spear in one hand to increase his range and moved one foot forward while attacking as he tried to thrust the spear towards Wilhelm’s throat.

Wilhelm dodged the thrust by moving his head to the side. Next, he raised his sword in the air and struck downwards.

Franswift, in dismay, held his spear in both hands and put it up horizontally to block the attack. Contrary to his previous experience, the sword easily cut the spear in half and aimed for his head. He reacted instantly and abandoned the spear. But instead of retreating backward, he attempted to punch.

Blocking the punch with his palm, Wilhelm held Franswift’s fist then fiercely kicked him in the stomach. The sheer force of the kick sent him rolling away.

This is becoming a problem. Wilhelm clicked his tongue. Not only is he is becoming a copy of me, using the basic techniques without his own thought mixed, abandoning any ingenuity in using weapons he had. He is becoming more and more suicidal by the day and does not even realize it.

Franswift scowled, “That was a lot powerful than before. I was able to block those kinds of sword attacks before.”

Wilhelm said sarcastically, “Really? That’s your excuse? How about you explain those sorry excuse of attacks you have been doing then.”

Franswift did not utter other words and just picked the nearest weapon.

“Stop there.”

Franswift looked at Wilhelm in confusion for stopping him without reason.

“I do not like these results. Although you are good at using basic techniques now, you have become dull instead of creatively using different weapons like before.”

Franswift looked at Wilhelm and conveyed that he was in even more confusion. Aren’t basic techniques better than what I have been doing before.

He asked, “Is that wrong?”

“You currently don’t understand, but...” Did I get too greedy? Wilhelm held the spear with both of his hands. One was holding the shaft while the other hand palm was centered on the end of the spear. “After this, you will understand.”

As Wilhelm rolled the spear with his fingers, the spear began to turn bit by bit until it started rotating furiously.

Franswift picked a spear from the ground and got in the same stance as Wilhelm and tried to roll the spear and use the same technique as Wilhelm. he just rolled the spear a little bit, and instantly he heard a crackle in his fingers, he felt as if someone had tried to bite his fingers off. Blood oozed out of the bandages covering his fingers, and before he could realize it, he saw a gaping hole in his chest where his heart was supposed to be and Wilhelm’s spear covered in blood.

Franswift woke up from his death, only to be assaulted by the pain coming from his fingers. He hissed in pain and dashed to a bucket filled with white liquid in the room and dipped his hand in it. He felt a cool sensation in his hands, and the pain disappeared gradually.

Fortunately, the resource box started to have healing resources when he stopped getting killed in one move and started getting injuries during the training.

After five minutes, the white color disappeared from the liquid, and only clear water remained. Making sure his hands completely healed, Franswift took off the bandages on his arm, and his forearm appeared, riddled with scars.

Wilhelm peered from the back. No, it was bound one way or another. I should be happy he is holding up better than normal. The only thing that can be done now is to kick it up and try to finish it as soon as possible.

Franswift suddenly spoke. “How many times have you died before?”

Hearing no answer, Franswift turned around and saw Wilhelm looking at him with interest as he raised an eyebrow implying him to continue.

“Of course, none, since you are talking to me now.” Franswift looked down at his arms and said, “254. Till now, I have died 254 times. I want to remember those times I died, yet all my fears spring up the moment I try.”

“I am indeed alive, but that is a completely different thing. It doesn’t mean I haven’t gone through similar training. As for your fears, remember, you are the one who agreed to do this thing. You can stop anytime you want and try a different method.”

“Really? Is this really the choice you are giving me? Tell me what those methods will do for me then.”

“Ha!” One side of Wilhelm’s mouth curled up, and it turned into a grin. And the one time I try to comfort him turns into this.

“Alright, kid, let’s see how much you can handle.”

Black mist completely covered Wilhelm’s weapon, and this time it did not dissipate but kept hovering around. It churned and moved around, making it impossible to know what weapon is hidden inside it.

“From now on, you will not know which weapon I am using. In addition, I will be using advanced techniques with complex force applications. If you try to copy them, you will end the same as before or maybe worst.”

Franswift kept his silence. He just walked to the backyard, picked a huge axe from the ground, and held it diagonally in defense as he waited for Wilhelm to attack.

He just blinked, and in a flash, Wilhelm appeared to be releasing a string as a black arrow came flying towards him. Franswift moved to the side to avoid it, but since he dodged, his defense got disrupted. Taking ahold of this opportunity, Wilhelm closed in, raised up his weapon, and struck down.