As Ragna discussed the technique called Single Point Focus, he asked, “Are you going to learn it?”
“Of course.”
Enkrid didn’t hesitate for a moment.
‘When did he get this good?’
His fundamentals in the Northern Style Heavy Sword were solid. It wasn't just from swinging his sword in the air, simply learning the stances. It was honed in actual combat, fitting his body perfectly.
‘Amazing.’
The Squad Leader was a truly curious person. Just yesterday, his main strength was the unorthodox Vallen-style mercenary swordsmanship. Today, he displayed incredibly solid fundamentals.
“Who did you learn the sword from?”
“It cost a lot of money.”
He meant he had learned from a sword instructor.
‘It must have cost a fortune.’
It was understandable. Even if he had trained him himself, the result couldn’t have been better. In that case, he was worthy of learning what lay beyond the basics.
That was why he had brought up Single Point Focus. However, as Ragna spoke, he was inwardly skeptical.
‘Just because you learn it doesn't mean you can do it.’
He said he had developed it himself, but it was actually one of the secret techniques passed down in his family. Of course, he didn't teach it in its original form. He couldn't just hand out his family's secret arts to anyone.
So he taught a modified, improved version. Therefore, it wasn't entirely a lie to say he had developed the technique himself.
‘I've never actually seen anyone succeed, though.’
Ragna had seen fewer than five people enter a state of focus in his entire life. Considering the time he had spent wandering the continent and his experience, it was an incredibly small number.
‘What five, at best, it was probably about three.’
Two of the five were like a randomly shot arrow hitting a wolf in the head. They had merely picked up a bronze coin dropped by the Goddess of Fortune. So, the number of people who could properly wield the ability to focus was three.
It was something that required talent. Forgetting one's surroundings and becoming completely focused is not an easy task. This kind of talent wasn't limited to swordsmanship.
Some scholars displayed such concentration when studying and learning their fields. Moreover, they could put themselves into that state of focus at will. They did so by immersing and engrossing themselves.
Could it really be easy to do that while fighting? He couldn't help but be skeptical. Even if one experienced it for a moment through luck, they would not be able to master it.
‘Difficult, very difficult.’
Ragna had made Single Point Focus his own after stepping into it just once. But for Enkrid, it would be hard. But how could he have such a look in his eyes?
“Aren't you going to explain? I know the Righteous, Heavy, Illusion, and Flowing Swords well, so you don't have to talk about them. Teach me Single Point Focus.”
How could he be so straight and upright? It felt like looking at a righteous tree. A giant tree that stands tall, unburnt, even when typhoons rage and thunderstorms strike.
Even though it was likely little more than chasing clouds, the Squad Leader said he would learn. He even nodded his head as if he roughly understood. It seemed genuine.
Then again, the Squad Leader was always sincere. Whether he was training, swinging his sword, or doing anything else, he always gave it his all. Wasn't that impressiveness the reason he was teaching him this technique now?
“I think I get it,” the Squad Leader said.
Ragna nodded, even though he thought Enkrid had likely misunderstood. It was a nod of encouragement. He knew the limits of talent clearly.
It is often said that geniuses cannot see what lies at their own feet, but Ragna had seen what lay there while wandering the continent. He had descended into the underground, met the people who lived there, conversed with them, and crossed swords.
‘Talent.’
How many people had been broken by that one word. The Squad Leader would become one of them. It was the natural order of things.
Yet, because he did not give up, Ragna felt a surge of motivation watching him. It was selfish, but the Squad Leader's refusal to quit allowed him to walk his own path. So, he would teach him with all his might.
Ragna decided to do so.
“Forgetting your surroundings, forgetting yourself, until only pure focus remains. That is Single Point Focus. They say when your life is on the line, your past flashes before your eyes. It would be good to use that as a reference.”
“Oh? I see.”
For some reason, as he said this, the Squad Leader seemed to be only half-listening. He wasn't this kind of person. He certainly wasn't the type to give up just because something seemed impossible.
After that, he tried to forcibly boost his concentration by threatening him with his sword a few times, but the Squad Leader still couldn't enter a state of focus.
“Alright. Let's go.”
Despite that, he headed to the battlefield with a rather bright face. Seeing that, Ragna also felt a sudden surge of motivation.
“I suppose I'll have to warm up a bit more intensely today.”
Normally, he would lethargically swing his sword, showing the epitome of a lazy genius. Those were not words that should have come from his mouth. Enkrid stared blankly at this Ragna.
What's with this guy now. Well, it's not a bad thing that he says he'll fight seriously. Leaving the bright-eyed Ragna behind, Enkrid focused on what he had to do.
Today has begun again. Ragna's training method for ‘Single Point Focus’ was wrong. No, even if it was correct, the method that damn genius grasped in an instant was like clothes that didn't fit him.
Then is his own method correct? He didn't know if this method would work or not. So what should he do.
‘I'll just have to test it.’
Enkrid moved along the familiar route. He ordered his men to get down, then to raise their shields, adjusting the friendly troops' movements. After that, he called for Rem.
“Sorcery! Who!”
Rem was foaming at the mouth upon seeing the sorcery.
“Follow me!” he said, tapping Rem on the shoulder from behind.
“Eh?”
“We're charging.”
“Huh? Squad Leader, did you eat something bad?”
Despite his words, he followed along well. It was the same route. This time, Ragna followed without even being called.
“A charge? If you're planning to break the enemy's vanguard, let's do it together.”
“Did you eat something bad too?”
Rem said, looking at Ragna who had followed. Ragna ignored him and ran forward. Although it was foggy, there were no major restrictions on their movements.
Rem was like a typhoon. The two axes in his hands crushed the enemy. He looked ready to slice through eighty infantrymen all by himself.
Ragna was like watching a heavy battering ram. He mercilessly smashed through the wall of infantry. He wasn't fast, but there was no mercy in his hands.
Whether quarrels flew at him or the enemy's spearheads came for him, he cut and slashed through them all with a single arming sword. It was an amazing skill.
‘At least special-grade.’
Special-grade was a level in the Naurilia Kingdom that referred to soldiers above high-rank. Above high-rank was top-rank, and beyond that was special-grade.
‘No, maybe top-rank.’
Enkrid still didn't know his own level clearly. So he couldn't grasp the level of those two either. In any case, this was not the time to be leisurely watching.
Taking the same route, Enkrid stood before Mitch Hurrier.
“Let's have a go.”
This time, he spoke first. Mitch's eyes widened, and then he showed a smile.
“You madman, you've come to die on your own two feet.”
He wasn't wrong. Even if he killed Mitch now, there would be no way to survive. But it was okay.
He didn't come here to die, but to clash with his best effort.
“Did you come looking for me? How astounding, this is the first time something like this has happened.”
Mitch expressed his bewilderment with his entire body.
“Why? Is this the first time you've received a confession? I came looking for you because I fell for you at first sight,” Enkrid said.
Mitch chuckled, then glared.
“My unit is the Grey Dogs, the Stubborn Lovers. It's been a long time since someone found me before I found them.”
“I see, so that's how it is. Are you upset? Should I hide again so you can come find me?”
“Nonsense.”
Mitch Hurrier charged. Enkrid steadied his breathing. He then ignited his will to enter a state of focus, and failed.
The outcome of the fight was decided quickly. His opponent was better than Enkrid. In skill, in mental fortitude, and in talent.
He wasn't an opponent you could challenge relying on fundamentals alone.
“What gave you the confidence to attack me? How did you even get this far?”
His lungs and intestines were shredded by the sword. It hurt like hell, as if someone had stuffed a red-hot piece of charcoal into his stomach.
“I attacked because I believed in myself. This time was a mistake, I think my mindset was wrong.”
Just because he was reliving the day, it wasn't easy to repeat the same experience.
“What?”
“I think I can do it next time.”
Just as enlightenment had come when he first entered the state of focus, he had gained a small realization now as well. So, let's try again.
“Even if I let you go, you'll die. There is no next time.”
“Isn't he a madman? Don't bother with him, Platoon Leader.”
Shing!
An enemy soldier next to him drew his sword and held it to Enkrid's neck as he spoke. Enkrid didn't wait and twisted his neck, letting the sword cut him directly.
Vwook.
The blade must have been well-sharpened, as a deep gash appeared on his neck along with a searing pain. From the violent movement, pain shot up from his stomach and neck simultaneously. A pain that felt like dying, no, since he would die soon, Enkrid endured the pain that truly led to death and opened his mouth.
“See you again.”
Leaving behind those words, he died, dripping blood.
Today began again. Enkrid sought out Mitch Hurrier once more.
“Nice to see you, friend.”
“……Don't tell me you came looking for me?”
“Yep. That's right. I came looking for the Platoon Leader of the Grey Dogs, the Stubborn Lovers. Let's have a go.”
“You crazy bastard.”
They fought again. Enkrid realized his mistake.
‘I can't force it.’
If you keep thinking that you have to focus, you get buried in that thought. Then what should I do. I just have to do it like the first time.
As if dancing to the opponent's sword, as if keeping rhythm with my own. Fight, and fight again. Eighteen todays were needed in the same manner.
Only then did Enkrid enter the state of focus again. He was so happy. Even as he lay on the ground with one arm cut off, a laugh escaped him.
He was happy enough to forget the pain.
“You're laughing?”
Seeing that, Mitch swung his sword down. That was the end.
Repeat again. Continue.
Until it works. Anyone watching would call him a relentless man. They would say his perseverance was incredible.
But for Enkrid, this wasn't something that required perseverance. Entering the state of focus. His swordsmanship, ingrained in his body through repeated combat and by swinging his sword against a worthy opponent, was improving.
It was so satisfying that it was simply enjoyable. Twenty-eight todays passed, and Enkrid got a feel for the state of focus. Through forty-eight todays, he became able to intentionally bring out Single Point Focus.
And through another ninety-four todays, he became able to bring out Single Point Focus whenever he wanted.
Complete focus.
It meant having full control over his sword and his body. Once he could do that, finesse was added to his strength. It was after he had mastered Single Point Focus.
“Teach me.”
He began the act of learning from Ragna again. After learning, he immediately displayed Single Point Focus, and Ragna furrowed his brow.
“What is this?”
“What?”
“It's like you've learned it somewhere before, but no, this isn't something you can learn just by being taught. Were you, perhaps, a genius?”
A genius?
Even with heavenly luck and tenacious experience, it had taken over a hundred repetitions to finally ingrain it in his body. Enkrid knew he had no talent, but he didn't dwell on it. He was just purely enjoying the present.
So he said the words that had become a habit from repeating today.
“I was lucky.”
“This is something you can do just by being lucky?”
Ragna was dumbfounded. Seeing that, Enkrid thought it was time to escape this 'today'. After pretending to be a genius by picking out and learning only the essence of Single Point Focus, he turned away from Ragna, who then asked.
“Where are you going?”
“To see the company commander.”
Ragna let Enkrid go. He was simply amazed that he had awakened to Single Point Focus in one go. Was the Squad Leader really a genius?
It didn't seem so. He did display Single Point Focus, but it had the precision of a statue hammered out countless times. It was definitely not something learned by seeing it just once.
‘How is that possible?’
Ragna, who had been pondering, quickly dismissed the thought. Pondering it wouldn't bring an answer, would it? Then, letting it be was the answer.
Just looking at a Squad Leader like that made his motivation surge. Enkrid, seeing Ragna's eyes shining again today, thought that no matter what, today must be a day his motivation surges.
‘I should just do what I have to do.’
This wasn't the time to worry about Ragna. In this fight, no matter what they did, their allies would suffer a blow close to annihilation. To prevent that, two things were needed.
One was to get rid of the Fog of Annihilation. The other was for their allies to lay low while the fog disappeared. He couldn't do both at the same time.
Enkrid had only one body. Breaking the flagpole also had its problems. Even after launching a surprise attack, he would have to escape from the middle of the enemy camp.
Enkrid had no intention of being trapped in today. Therefore, he had to shatter and destroy the strategy the enemy had prepared.
“I would like to see the company commander.”
Enkrid went to the Fourth Platoon Leader and said.
“……Now?”
It was a time when they could feel the battlefield approaching, so the atmosphere among the allies was on edge. To say he wanted to see the company commander in such a situation, it was understandable to be bewildered. The platoon leader was resting, his long spear leaning against the tent wall.
The platoon leader, who had been lying on a field cot with his boots on, sat up.
“Yes, now.”
“Why?”
“Because I remembered something I saw during a previous reconnaissance mission.”
The Fourth Platoon Leader looked at Enkrid carefully, then nodded and got up from his spot. A cracking sound came from his knees as the bones shifted. He stood up, stretched, and then asked.
“What is it?”
“I believe what the Azpen army has hidden is sorcery.”
“Sorcery?”
“Yes.”
The platoon leader stopped, about to take a step, as if doubting if this was right. But then he decided Enkrid wasn't one to spout nonsense and quickened his pace. If he has something to say, he should say it.
The company commander will make the judgment. Soon, they arrived at the company commander's tent and were allowed to enter.
“You asked to see me?” asked the green-eyed elf, the company commander.
The inside of the tent was cozy. Watching the short torch crackling as it burned, Enkrid nodded.
“Yes.”
“What is it about?”
It seemed she would give him an earful if it was nothing important. The Elf Company Commander's tone was cold.
“It's sorcery.”
Enkrid said without dragging it out.
“Sorcery?”
“The flagpole and the flag, the person I saw in enemy territory, was a shaman.”
Thanks to the horribly repeated today, his memory was hazy, but he hadn't forgotten what he saw there. Enkrid recounted what he had seen, embellishing it appropriately. Just enough to be able to persuade her.
If she couldn't be persuaded by this much, then it couldn't be helped.
‘I'll just have to do it again.’
It was the privilege of one who repeats today. Fortunately, the Elf Company Commander listened attentively to Enkrid's words.
“More details.”
“Of course.”
He claimed to have heard the enemy soldiers crying out to the shaman. The Elf Company Commander's eyes flashed. He didn't mention that a fog would roll in.
That would be too much. Sorcery is a secret and forbidden knowledge, not to be shared with outsiders. It didn't make sense for him to recognize it at a glance.
This was as far as he could go; now it was up to the company commander's capability. Enkrid relayed the message and returned to his post. He stood at the forefront of the battlefield.
Now it was time to get past Mitch Hurrier and break the flagpole.
‘This is all I can do.’
The rest was up to the commanders.
“Hoo.”
It was now time to surpass the self that was trapped in today.