Hand To Hand Sky Technique

--- Akira ---

Even the expression she showed when she was deep in thought was something I considered incredibly attractive.

That's the reason my appetite was stirred so early in the morning.

Love truly makes one fall low, dare I say so.

You could call this the case:

She fell first, but he fell harder— kind of thing.

As much as I wanted to stay in bed and look at her, I had things to attend to.

No matter how tempting it was, I couldn't afford to laze around.

As the dawn light filtered through the windows, I gently kissed her forehead, feeling the softness of her skin against my lips.

She grumbled in her sleep, her eyebrows furrowing slightly, but she didn't wake up.

I smiled at the sight, stroking her hair in the process.

It was like running my fingers through strands of silk, and I couldn't get enough of it.

I knew I had to leave, but I couldn't resist spending a few more moments like this.

With a heavy sigh, I reluctantly pulled myself away from her, getting out of bed and starting to get dressed. It was going to be a long day.

---

First of all, something pleasant had finally arrived my way.

[Your understanding of the Sword has reached a certain threshold]

[The Skill [Hand-To-Hand Sky Technique] has been added to the [Skill Shop]. From now on, you will be able to purchase it at the cost of 50 Skill Points]

[Note: To ensure Fairness, the Skill [Hand-To-Hand Sky Technique] will be shown to you in its Description, Effect, Limitations as stated in the First Trial. Your [Sky Sword Art] will greatly benefit from the implementation of this Skill]

[Skill Shop: 

[Hand-To-Hand Sky Technique] (NEW!)]

[Hand-To-Hand Sky Technique]

[Description: Understanding of the body is a must to reach the Awakened Swordsman class. This skill is tailored for Akira Bashira's use; It has received its owner's strong desire to be able to use their own hands as weapons to cut through their enemy and made that reality.

Together with the [Sky Footwork], you can use the [Sky Sword Art] without the need to use the [Sky Sword Technique]]

[Effect: Executing the [Hand-To-Hand Sky Technique] will amplify all skills and talents related to the Body]

[Limitations: Your level of Martial Arts directly influences the strength of this skill

You cannot use this skill and [Sky Sword Technique] at the same time]

[Cost: 50 Skill Points]

[Note: This skill is currently incomplete because you do not know enough Martial Arts. Keep accumulating them and form your own Martial Art. That will be a crucial step to reach your goal]

Without hesitation, I spent 50 Skill points to acquire the skill [Hand-To-Hand Sky Technique]. It had been a while since I last thought about that skill. Without it, I wouldn't have been able to defeat Fiona Frost.

True to Fairness's promise, the skill had indeed been strengthened. Just attempting to use it was evidence of its improvement.

Although the skill was still incomplete, as it could only draw from [Karate] as its base martial art, it didn't let me down.

But the prompts didn't actually stop after the things related to this skill. In fact, there was another important detail to address.

[You have spent a significant amount of time in the 2nd Trial. As a result, a new Task will be added]

[Task: Reach lv.100 in 1 Active Skill and 1 Passive Skill(0/2)]

Luckily, this Task isn't an impossible one. It might be challenging to increase two skill levels that high since I don't have real control over what levels up, but it's still better than absurd tasks like becoming the King of Midgar.

The bottom line is, I can't afford to waste time leisurely because this is just the beginning. Tasks will only get tougher from here on, and I can't risk them becoming too difficult for me to handle.

As much as I'd like to take my time, it's simply not feasible.

Putting that aside, you thought that was over, but unfortunately, that's not the case.

[New Chain Quest!]

[Cult of Diablos: Forcing Them Out]

[Description: You have done a good job leading Shadow Garden against the Cult of Diablos, effectively cutting a big chunk of their strength. Although that is the case, the Cult is not to be underestimated. They have not shown their real cards yet. As such, you will need to force them to take you seriously, if you want to face the True Leaders.

Tasks To Complete:

Cleanse the Holy Church(0/1)

Cut off the Cult's core facilities(0/39)

Eliminate the 20 Strongest First Children(0/20)

Grant True Death to the active Knights of Rounds left(0/4)

Time Limit: 120 Days

On Failure: The True Leaders will not show themselves 

On Success: Level Up(35), 3 [Skill Tickets], 3 [Question Tickets], [Purification] Magic]

Over the past three years, I've taken on numerous tasks related to the Cult of Diablos, and the rewards have been getting better with each one.

One of the rewards I earned is the [Fly] Magic, which pretty much does what it says on the tin—it lets me fly.

Using this magic comes with its own set of limitations and it's not the easiest skill to master, so I haven't used it as much as my other skills, but it's definitely intriguing.

On the other hand, Purification seems to be more practical and useful compared to [Fly].

I'm definitely not immune to poison or any other harmful substances that could enter my body, so completing this quest is essential for my safety.

Regarding the quest description itself, it appears that my suspicions were correct.

Despite my efforts to thwart many of their plans, the Cult still doesn't seem to take me seriously.

It's understandable given their long-standing presence, but their arrogance will soon come back to haunt them.

They'll soon regret underestimating me.

---

Author's Note:

You should be able to guess where we're going. 

Yes, it's the end.

I can't believe this 2nd Trial is taking me so long lmao.

My rough estimate of 30 chapters per Trial is crying in a corner...