Chapter 23. Self-Development (2)

A pale white light spread over the dull asphalt like a red carpet, ending at two waiting doors.

Bold letters hovered in the air between them:

← Start of Training │ Completion of Training →

Of course, part of him wanted to skip ahead and complete everything in one go.

There’s no doubt that this is only the beginning of the restructuring process.

[You have selected Start of Training!]

[Please open the door and proceed.]

Proceed, huh.

Eun-Ho stood frozen, eyes sweeping across the emptiness around him. It didn’t matter whether he moved or stayed still, there were only ever those two doors. Beyond them, there was nothing. No buildings, no landmarks but just a vast, blank void stretching into oblivion.

He had no clue where either path would lead. Therefore, he took a breath and steeled himself for whatever came next.

“Summon.”

With that single word, his blade appeared—sleek and sharp, with a weight that tugged at his clothes and grounded him instantly.

“Eun-Ho!”

Ji-Eun suddenly reached out and grabbed the hem of his shirt, her long fingers tightening anxiously.

“Where are you going? Our lodging’s this way.”

Her eyes fluttered rapidly in confusion. Who could blame her? One moment, they were walking side by side beneath the hush of night. Then, out of nowhere, the man beside her summoned a sword into existence. Anyone would be shaken.

“You go on ahead.”

“What? But what about you?”

“I think it’s my turn now.”

He stopped in front of one of the doors which was narrow enough that only one person could pass through at a time.

His hand wrapped around the cold metal of the doorknob.

“What do you mean, your turn? Turn for what?”

“Self-development,” he said simply.

Clack.

The door swung open, revealing a dense mist beyond.

“Petrify,” he muttered.

He reached his fortified right hand into the fog and waved it slowly. There was no burning, no numbness nor strange scent. The air did not seem toxic—at least, not yet.

“Get some rest. There’s no need to worry.”

Seeing Ji-Eun’s face twisted with concern, he gave her a calm, reassuring smile. Then, through the threshold of the door, he stepped forward into the hidden ground beneath the fog.

Then, the message came.

[Subject Lee Eun-Ho will now be transported to the Training Institute.]

The Training Institute sounded harmless at least by name, just as harmless as that scentless mist was. However, Eun-Ho knew better than to let his guard down.

“I’ll be back soon,” he said.

He meant it because this was a reward, after all.

***

He had not closed his eyes—not even for a second—yet it felt as though the entire world had. As if he had been trapped in the eye of some great, slumbering giant, his vision was smothered by a colossal eyelid, only to reopen to an entirely new scene.

[Subject Lee Eun-Ho has been transported to the Training Institute.]

Before him stretched a pure white room. A massive screen covered one entire wall, and opposite it stood a single steel door.

Hmm... I was expecting something like a corporate retreat center.

However, this space felt more like a lecture hall than a training ground.

As he stepped closer to the screen, an announcement played over hidden speakers.

[Please select a course.]

[Available courses are limited based on your current rank.]

A small window, about the size of half a sheet of paper, appeared on the screen. It was densely packed, like a university syllabus, full of course titles and descriptions.

The problem, he figured, was probably his laughably low rank—Prospective Candidate.

That had to be it because the list in front of him looked like someone had mashed together a circus brochure with a fantasy novel.

“What the hell are these classes?” he muttered.

[Charismatic Leadership Class]

- In this chaotic age, who will lead the lost masses? Begin your journey into the imperial art of rule, designed for the leaders of tomorrow!

- Completion Reward: Unlocks Leadership (Lv. 1) skill

The flashy pitch, worthy of a snake oil salesman, was almost impressive.

[Omnivore Cooking Class]

- Do you miss real food? Craving fresh ingredients? Look no further! Discover the exquisite flavors of dishes made from monster carcasses!

- Completion Reward: Unlocks Omnivore Cooking (Lv. 1) skill

There was actually a course that promised a bizarre skill called Omnivore Cooking.

“What is this nonsense?” Eun-Ho muttered.

Then again, given how the world was now, maybe some of these would actually come in handy. However, right now, neither fame nor food was his main concern. After all, the things that were trying to kill him weren’t ambition or hunger, but monsters and trials.

After a quick mental check, Eun-Ho made his decision.

[Basic Swordsmanship Class]

- Do you want to understand the foundations of weapon mastery? Know yourself, know your sword, and win every fight!

- Completion Reward: Unlocks Basic Swordsmanship (Lv. 1) skill

The only real weapon he had—the Razor Beak Blade—needed to be wielded better.

That last trial made it painfully clear that when both of his skills, Acceleration and Petrify were on cooldown, he was helpless.

I need a stronger foundation.

[Selection confirmed.]

[Please proceed to the classroom.]

***

He opened another door. This time, it led to a narrow corridor so cramped that even a single person could barely squeeze through. Strangely, though there were no visible lights, the hallway was bathed in a soft, ambient glow. At the end of the passage, it widened into a silent, empty chamber.

A safe zone?

Painted on the floor was a white circle just large enough to resemble a safe zone.

[Subject Eun-Ho has entered the classroom.]

Everything else was pure black. The spotlight was focused entirely on him, as if he were a lead actor on a theater stage. Beyond the hallway behind him and the circle beneath his feet, the world had vanished into shadow.

[Only one weapon may be brought into the Basic Swordsmanship Class.]

[Do you wish to bring the Razor Beak Blade?]

“Yes.”

Before he even finished saying it, a deep drum echoed through the room—loud and close. The air around his skin suddenly felt heavy, as if thickening. Then, an invisible force tugged at him from below, making him feel as if he’d been caught in a vacuum cleaner.

What the...

[With the classroom effect activated, your swordsmanship proficiency is increasing rapidly.]

Pop—!

The heavy pressure surrounding him vanished in an instant. There was still a faint, lingering discomfort like static under the skin, but it faded quickly.

Ssssshhh—!

Then came a sound like silk tearing softly.

The darkness ahead slowly peeled away, parting like curtains. From the crack in the shadows, a figure stepped forward. He was wearing a white shirt and black slacks, with a massive, obsidian longsword stretching over a meter long.

That sword and that outfit... Is that me?

Every detail, from head to toe, matched himself—it was like staring into a mirror. His perfect double stood across from him, silent and unmoving, like a reflection waiting to come to life.

Even the way it lifted its sword into a combat stance was hauntingly familiar.

“A doppelgänger? Is that what this is?”

The other Eun-Ho said nothing. He just stared back, as if waiting for something.

— Know yourself, know your sword, and win every fight!

Only now did the line from the class description start to make sense. What an incredibly intuitive system.

They’re really making sure I understand.

No method reveals one’s strengths and weaknesses more clearly than facing oneself in battle.

[The Basic Swordsmanship Class will begin shortly.]

[Please check the course objectives!]

Click.

Then, the switch flipped. From above, bright light poured down, washing away the thick darkness in seconds.

Eun-Ho squinted, and as his eyes adjusted, a translucent window lit up on the wall.

[Course Objectives]

1. Understand Blocking. (0/100) 2. Understand Thrusting. (0/100) 3. Understand Slashing. (0/100)

Blocking, thrusting, and slashing sounded simple enough. Right then, his silent double began to move.

Eun-Ho instinctively mirrored the stance of his other self, preparing for what came next.

[Three, two, one. The class is now beginning.]

Swish—! Swish!

There was no time to prepare. The doppelgänger’s blade flashed, slicing through the air like lightning. The clean, precise, and absolutely lethal blow came straight at him.

Tap! Clang! Clang!

Eun-Ho stumbled backward, barely dodging blow after blow.

What the hell?!

The bastard was not holding back. Strike after strike came at him—relentless, sharp, familiar.

It was his sword which was the blade he had crafted and honed. Besides, now, it was aiming right for his neck matching his speed exactly.

If that’s how it was going to be, I have to use my skill.

“Acceleration!”

“Acceleration!”

The moment the word left his mouth, the doppelgänger echoed it perfectly and simultaneously.

It can copy skills too?!

Both of them lunged at once.

Swoosh—!

Eun-Ho sprang upward, aiming a downward slash at his double’s shoulder.

Clang! Skrrrk—!

However, the double raised its sword and parried cleanly, twisting the blade to deflect the attack. Then, its blade sliced down diagonally, grazing a strand of Eun-Ho’s hair.

Whip—!

He struck once, twice then three times, without emotion and hesitation. Each attack was a cold, mechanical attempt to sever his opponent’s limbs.

His clone did not just have his skills—it had better technique. Eun-Ho’s Acceleration and Petrify skills were useless. On paper, it was a completely one-sided fight. However, Eun-Ho narrowed his eyes.

No way I’m losing to some cheap knockoff.

He did not want to lose to his duplicate, especially not one that was just an unfinished version of himself.

At that moment, a new idea hit him.

“Trial reward.”

Let’s try this.

[Please select your trial reward.]

For the first time, the expressionless face of his clone twitched.

“One point into Acceleration and two points into Petrify for enhanced right-arm strength!”

If the clone had copied him, then there had to be a moment when that copy was made. Therefore, he was curious what would happen if he got stronger after that snapshot.

[Acceleration(Lv. 2) has been upgraded to Acceleration(Lv. 3).]

[Upon casting, one second will be extended to 15 seconds.]

[Petrify(Lv. 8) has been upgraded to Petrify(Lv. 10).]

[The effect now extends to the entire right arm.]

“Go on then. Try copying this as well.”

The way the clone winced ever so slightly made Eun-Ho smirk.

“Acceleration. Petrify!”

“Acceleration. Petrify!”

The two used the same words, but the effects were not the same anymore.

“Come on! If you're gonna copy me, at least do it right.”

***

Ten seconds remained.

Clang—!

Steel collided with steel, ripping through the air with a metallic screech so sharp it sounded like space itself had torn open.

[You have understood Blocking! (1/100).]

[The parameters required for skill activation are being calculated.]

Eun-Ho remained silent, amazed.

Eight seconds remained.

The doppelgänger’s sword came screaming toward him again—fast, wild, desperate. It cut through the air like it meant to open his throat in a single, merciless stroke.

Seven seconds remained.

The doppelgänger aimed for the head, shoulder, thigh then head. The fake feinted low—aiming for Eun-Ho’s left leg—then twisted mid-swing, redirecting toward his now-exposed right flank.

Five seconds remained.

However, Eun-Ho was ready. He raised his right arm and caught the blow squarely.

Thump!

The metal clashed against the stone with a dull, thunderous boom.

Eun-Ho smirked. “Not bad for a stone shield,

huh

?”

Three seconds remained.

Clang! Clang! Clang!

They traded blows in a blur, neither giving ground. They had equal strength and equal speed as they were flawless stalemates. The doppelgänger’s face twisted with frustration.

Finally, one second remained.

Eun-Ho let the tension slip from his blade just slightly. Then he ducked low and fast, barely slipping beneath a sweeping strike.

Tick—!

Just like that, the doppelgänger’s time ran out while his own reset to five seconds. He rose fluidly from his crouch, watching the clone slow dramatically.

An opening!

Without hesitation, he drove his sword toward the exposed side. It was a strange sensation—his sword, hands, and feet moving in perfect sync.

Everything was going great, except he had to do this a hundred times.

[You have understood Thrusting! (1/100).]

[The parameters required for skill activation are being calculated.]

***

“

Haaa...

”

Eun-Ho did the training a hundred times. He filled that count to the brim without shortcuts and slacking.

[Seven hours have passed since the class began!]

[All course objectives have been achieved.]

[Please check the current status board!]

[Course Objectives]

1. Understand Blocking. (100/100)

2. Understand Thrusting. (100/100)

3. Understand Slashing. (100/100)

The neatly filled-out progress board looked exactly like a report card that was earned through pouring in half a day of solid effort.

Ding!

[All the parameters required for skill activation have been calculated.]

[Congratulations! You have unlocked the skill, Basic Swordsmanship (Lv.1)!]

It was the first skill he earned not by chance but through effort.

Suppressing a smile, Eun-Ho called out, “Check Basic Swordsmanship.”

[Would you like to check the skill: Basic Swordsmanship (Lv. 1)?]

“Yes.”

[Skills]

Basic Swordsmanship(Lv. 1)

- Increases attack power by 10 when wielding any longsword.

- Proficiency: 0%

One thing set it apart from the skills Acceleration and Petrify was that this skill did not require activation.

[Unlocking Basic Swordsmanship has opened the Swordsmanship skill tree.]

Another key difference was that it could not be leveled up with points, and only through increasing proficiency.

[You have completed the Basic Swordsmanship Class.]

[The rewards have been granted.]

[Return through the exit door.]

Fwoosh—!

The next moment, the entrance lit up, glowing softly as if welcoming him home.

A ten point attack boost and a whole skill tree to explore.

A normal person would be satisfied or even grateful. However, that was not the case for Eun-Ho.

Swoosh—!

He lunged at the doppelgänger, blade aimed at its neck. It stood frozen, still as a statue now that the class had ended.

Swoosh! Slash!

The clone flinched, narrowly dodging. For the first time, a flicker of confusion sparkled in its otherwise lifeless eyes.

He wasn’t doing this out of bloodlust since he didn’t even need to kill it. All he wanted was a bit more profit.

[The proficiency of the skill Basic Swordsmanship (Lv.1) has increased!]

[Classroom effect applied: +1%]

Yes!

Unlocking a skill was just the beginning.

“I can make the skill proficiency go up.”

Then, he remembered the system message he received earlier.

[With the classroom effect activated, your swordsmanship proficiency is increasing rapidly.]

As long as he remained inside—whether class was active or not—he could keep leveling the skill.

If used wisely, I can make real gains here.

“Looks like I’m gonna be training here some more,” Eun-Ho said looking at the doppelgänger.

For a moment, he could have sworn the doppelgänger sighed, but it was probably just his imagination.

[You have completed the Basic Swordsmanship Class. Please exit through the door.]

The system kept urging him to leave. However, he was not budging.

“I’m not leaving unless you drag me out.”

[The proficiency of the skill Basic Swordsmanship (Lv.1) has increased!]

[Classroom effect applied: +1%]

Why would anyone walk away from free buffs? This was a goldmine, and he was intending to squeeze every drop from it.