Drake stood in the quiet training grove, the lingering scent of [Kallan's Focus Incense] barely perceptible now. The change, however, was profound and permanent. His [Basic Slash] and [Defend] skills weren't just honed; they were perfected, locked at 100% SCR by [Eidetic Execution]. The implications were staggering – Perfect Defend complete damage negation, Perfect Slash's maximum damage potential boosted further by his new [Flawless Strike] title, and faster actions thanks to [Versatile Execution].
He turned back to Master Kallan, bowing respectfully. "Master, the insight you provided was… transformative," Drake said, deliberately underselling the permanent nature of the change. He didn't feel the need to explain the intricacies of his unique talent to the NPC, however helpful he'd been.
Kallan simply nodded, his keen eyes seeming to hold a hint of understanding, or perhaps just amusement. "The potential for perfect execution lies within all dedicated practitioners, young one. Experiencing it, even briefly, provides a target. Maintaining it under duress is the true test." He glanced down, his gaze lingering for a moment on the [Broken Twin Blade Hilt] visible at Drake's belt where he'd tucked it previously.
"That hilt you carry," Kallan said suddenly, his tone shifting slightly, becoming more serious. "It resonates with an ancient, dangerous power. Not of this immediate Threshold."
Drake instinctively touched the hilt. "You recognize it, Master?"
"I recognize the echo," Kallan corrected gently. "It speaks of twin souls, of mirrored purpose… concepts tied to Alvari swordsmanship far beyond standard Warrior disciplines. This fragment is but half of a greater whole, steeped in legends I only vaguely grasp." He looked directly at Drake. "If you truly seek to understand its nature, your path will eventually lead you far from these starting lands. There is an elder I once knew, a recluse named Jian, who delved deeply into such lost Alvari arts. He resides in the great city of Silverhaven."
Kallan paused, ensuring Drake was listening intently. "When you have grown stronger – perhaps after achieving Level 20, as is common before seeking specialization – but before you commit to any standard advanced path offered by Warrior guilds, seek him out. Find Elder Jian within Silverhaven. Show him the hilt. He, perhaps, can offer true guidance on its legacy."
<< Quest Updated: [Swordsman's Guidance] >> << New Objective: Seek Elder Jian in Silverhaven after reaching Level 20. >>
"Elder Jian... Silverhaven... after Level 20. Okay." [Perfect Recall] logged every detail – the name, the city, the level requirement, the connection to the hilt and Alvari arts. It was a long-term goal, filed away for later. The immediate goal remained.
<< Quest Complete: [Swordsman's Guidance]! Reward: 500 EXP, +50 Reputation with Veridian Threshold Independents! >> The EXP was negligible at Level 10, the reputation minor, but the unlocked skills and the clue about the hilt were invaluable.
"Thank you again for your wisdom, Master Kallan," Drake said sincerely.
Kallan gave another slight nod. "Persistence tempered with understanding may yet overcome the 'Unbeatable'. Go now. Face your trial."
With a final bow, Drake left the secluded grove. He didn't head back to the village; there was nothing left for him there. He moved directly towards the northern edge of the Verdant Threshold, towards the now-familiar stone archway leading to the Guardian Construct. His earlier arrogance was gone, replaced by a cold, focused determination built upon countless failures and the hard-won achievement of perfect execution. He felt ready.
He reached the platform, the archway shimmering before him. He focused his intent. << Enter Tutorial Completion Trial: Guardian Construct Confrontation? >> << Difficulty: UNBEATABLE >> << Confirm Entry? [Y/N] >>
Drake confirmed. The archway dissolved into the swirling portal. Beyond it, the massive Guardian Construct waited silently in its chamber. He stepped through, the portal closing behind him.
The Construct's cyclopean eye immediately locked onto him. It moved, initiating its opening attack – the impossibly fast standard jab that had previously left him critically injured even with a 94% block.
Drake stood his ground, shield ready. He watched the telegraph, the subtle tension in the arm joint. Now! He activated [Defend].
CLANG!!! The resonant sound of metal meeting force perfectly. << Skill Success! SCR 100%! PERFECT DEFEND! >> << Damage Taken: 0! >> << STATUS EFFECT APPLIED: [Guardian Construct] Off-Balance (-10% Def/-10% ASP for 1 sec)! >> << Effect Triggered: [Versatile Execution] - Global Cooldown slightly reduced! >>
"Perfect! Zero damage!" The relief was immense, but he didn't pause. Capitalizing instantly on the Off-Balance debuff and the slight GCD reduction, he lashed out with [Basic Slash].
SHINK! << Skill Success! SCR 100%! PERFECT EXECUTION! >> << Effect Applied: Flawless Strike (+10% Effectiveness)! >> << Damage Dealt: 55! >> (Base potential 260% + 10% title = 270%, hitting during -10% Def)
"Fifty-five damage! Finally, a real number!" It was still a tiny fraction of the boss's health, but compared to the previous single-digit hits, it felt like a cannon blast.
The Guardian recovered from its brief Off-Balance state and launched its second attack – the horizontal sweep. Drake met it with another perfectly timed [Defend]. << Skill Success! SCR 100%! PERFECT DEFEND! >> << Damage Taken: 0! >> << STATUS EFFECT APPLIED: [Guardian Construct] Off-Balance! >> << Effect Triggered: [Versatile Execution]! >>
Again, he countered instantly with a Perfect [Basic Slash]. << Skill Success! SCR 100%! PERFECT EXECUTION! Effect Applied: Flawless Strike! Damage Dealt: 56! >>
A rhythm emerged. Parry perfectly, take zero damage, apply Off-Balance. Instantly counter with a perfect, boosted slash during the debuff window. Reposition slightly if needed. Repeat. He flawlessly parried the stomp attack, the rapid double-jab sequence, the slower overhead smash that had terrified him initially – every blow negated entirely. His health bar remained untouched at 210/210. His [Well-Used Longsword] rose and fell, chipping away 50-60 points of health with each perfect counter-attack.
The Guardian's massive health bar began to visibly decrease. 90%... 80%... 75%... Drake felt a sense of detached focus, his actions driven by the perfect execution locked into his muscle memory and refined through countless deaths. The "Unbeatable" Guardian felt… methodical. Predictable. Beatable.
He continued the relentless cycle. Defend slash. Defend, slash. He pushed the boss's health past 60%, then down towards the halfway mark. He felt confident, almost serene in his perfect execution. This was the power his persistence had earned him.
The Guardian's health ticked below 50%.
Suddenly, the rhythmic flow shattered. A harsh alarm klaxon echoed through the chamber. The Guardian's blue eye flared violently, turning a burning crimson red. Metallic plates on its chassis shifted and retracted with loud grinding sounds, revealing previously hidden energy vents glowing with intense heat and what looked like missile pods integrated into its shoulders. Its entire posture changed, becoming lower, more aggressive.
<< WARNING: Guardian Construct entering ENRAGED state! Attack patterns altered! Lethality protocols engaged! >>
Before Drake could fully process the transformation, the Guardian lunged forward with speed far exceeding anything it had shown before, simultaneously firing a barrage of small, seeking energy projectiles from its shoulder pods while bringing a fist down in a completely new, complex, multi-stage slam attack.
"What the—?!" The perfect rhythm was broken. The known patterns were gone. The real fight, against mechanics he had never even seen, let alone practiced against, had just begun.