As an ordinary human without innate strength or special talent, his primary objective is to train and improve his body enough to fight the demons.
Thankfully, his Nature Breathing style provides all the help he needs. After a quick look, he pretty much understood what kind of breathing style he had obtained.
'Nature Breathing!' It's completely different from all the breathing styles derived from Sun Breathing. Essentially, it focuses on pure strength, skill, and the elements of nature."
There are nine forms in the Nature Breathing style, along with a special breathing pattern.
When one performs the Nature Breathing style with a specific breathing pattern, they can draw a strand of natural energy present in the world and make use of it to improve their strength.
However, it's not that easy to achieve. It requires constant practice, mastery, and an understanding of nature.
"System, show me the status panel!"
[~ Name: Ryou
Race: Ordinary Human
Skill: Nature Breathing - Unranked [0/5]
Demon Points: 0 ~]
"System, how can I earn the demon points?" Ryou inquired.
"Host needs to kill a 'demon' to activate the system functions." The system responded.
"Ok. Why does it show 'Unranked' in the skill section?" Ryou asked, puzzled.
"Nature Breathing has levels based on your mastery, ranking from Unranked, Basic, Intermediate, Advanced, and Proficient."
[~ Each level determines your strength and ability to fight the demons,
-->Ordinary Demon - Unranked
-->Demon with special abilities - Basic
-->Lower Moon - Intermediate
-->Upper Moon - Advanced
-->Demon Progenitor - Proficient ~]
"What time period have I transmigrated into?" Ryou asked, concerned about the time period.
"There are three years remaining until the start of the series!"
"Good," Ryou gathered his thoughts and contemplated.
To activate the system functions, he needed to kill a demon. However, without sufficient strength and skill, it would be impossible to kill a demon even if it's an ordinary one.
--
He possessed an innate advantage in training his body and sword skills. On Earth, both of his parents were remarkable individuals: his father, a special forces officer, and his mother, a Kendo Grandmaster who ran a Kendo academy. From birth, they both trained him in their respective fields.
His father focused on honing his body and senses, while his mother imparted sword skills to him.
With the Nature Breathing style acquired from the system, he believe it won't be a problem for him to enhance his strength in a short period of time.
"Let's begin the training!"
Sitting in a lotus position, Ryou closed his eyes and began following the specific breathing pattern of Nature Breathing.
In the series, the ordinary 'Total Concentration Breathing' expands the user's lung capacity, enabling oxygen to reach every cell in the body, thus enhancing blood circulation and heart rate. This elevates physical and mental abilities to their peak.
However, Ryou's breathing method differed slightly.
Not even a minute had passed before Ryou let out a violent cough, clutching his chest in pain. "This breathing is challenging with my body so weak. I need to improve my basic attributes first."
He wasn't unfamiliar with breathing techniques, having practiced one during his childhood on Earth. Yet, the method provided by the system proved exceedingly difficult.
"It seems rushing won't work. I'll need to take it slow." Deciding on his course of action, Ryou stood up and began jogging around the mountain.
While running, he also collected wood and searched for valuable ore. He needs to give them to Uncle Daisi for money and food.
After jogging for an hour, Ryou did some basic exercises without overtaxing his body. Around noon, he found a valuable ore on the rock surface in the mountains.
He didn't know what it was, but that didn't stop him from unearthing them. To his surprise, he found more of them as he shoveled the outer layer.
After remembering the place and filling the bucket bag on his back with the ores, Ryou descended the mountain and went to find Uncle Daishi.
--
"It's iron sand, and it seems exceptionally pure. If I combine it with copper, I can create precious jewel steel.
Ryou, you are very lucky today. Did you see more such things where you discovered them?" Daishi spoke in an excited voice.
"Yes," Ryou confirmed.
"Good. Starting tomorrow, focus on collecting this iron ore instead of wood. With this, you won't have to worry about money or food," Daishi suggested.
Ryou nodded his head and spoke, "Uncle Daishi, I need a few things."
"Tell me, what do you need?" Daishi let out a happy laugh and asked.
Standing around six feet with bulging muscles and short black hair, no one would guess this Uncle Daishi is a 56-year-old man.
Ryou mentioned some of the things that are needed for training along with one katana and a heavy sword of extreme weight.
"Why do you need those things?" Uncle Daishi asked with his eyebrows raised.
"I am going to train myself to hunt Demons!" Ryou replied.
After hesitating for a second, Daishi asked: "Why the sudden change of heart?
"It's not sudden, Uncle Daishi. It's been some time since I slept well. Every time I close my eyes, the scream of my parents and a vision of them being killed by the demon comes to my mind.
If I don't avenge them, I don't think I can go on living. It's better to face it bravely than to cower in fear somewhere."
"You might die!" Daishi spoke sharply.
"It doesn't matter," Ryou replied firmly.
He wasn't exaggerating. He didn't just inherit the previous owner's memory, he also inherited his feelings, emotions, and the menacing presence of the demon that evokes fear.
If he doesn't avenge by killing the demons, there's a chance that feelings will transform into remorse. And, Ryou won't allow that.
Seeing his determined face, Uncle Daishi sighed. "So be it. If you need any help, don't hesitate to ask me."
"OK," Ryou affirmed.