Tenebrous Wolf
Chapter 107: Weapons and Fighting Style

Chapter 107: Weapons and Fighting Style

Following his brief encounter with Briar in her Ether Sea, Klaus spent the rest of his time in solitude, focusing on a rigorous series of physical exercises to build muscle and strengthen his body

Exercises, by nature, were meant to strengthen the body — but just because he was training didn’t mean he’d grow stronger overnight. Unfortunately, that’s not how it worked.

Progress in physical development was a slow, grueling process. It demanded consistency, not bursts of passion. Muscles didn’t grow because he willed them to. They grew because he broke them down, over and over again, and gave them the fuel to rebuild stronger.

And even then, it wasn’t guaranteed.

There were days when Klaus felt no different than the one before. No spike in strength, no sudden burst of speed, or enhanced reflexes. Just aching limbs, sweat-soaked clothes, and a silence only broken by his own labored breathing. But that was the reality of growth — invisible, inconvenient, and often unrewarding until much, much later.

He already understood that well enough. There was no miracle solution. No secret technique that would fast-forward him to mastery. This wasn’t a manga where the main character could grow stronger in little time or be overpowered from the start. Even if that were the case, hypothetically, he wouldn’t be the main character. That role fit either the blonde Strider, Adrian, or the forsaken princess of the Luminous Clan, Seraphim.

Yeah. That sounded about right.

Just going off backstory alone, Seraphim was basically tailor-made for a protagonist role — powerful lineage, dark mystery, natural talent.

For side characters like him, this was the only path towards progress. Of course, apart from hunting Monsters of Chaos and absorbing their cores.

He didn’t need to be overly strong or all-powerful. He just needed to be stronger than his opponent. And the lonely road toward that path was filled with pain, misery, and discipline.

Repeat routines until they became second nature, and hone movements until he could execute them without thought.

It was tedious, even frustrating at times.

But in that tedium, Klaus found something close to peace. A solid rhythm and a definite structure. Something he could control in a world where so much else remained uncertain.

This was Nikolaos’ simple way of combating Chaos.

Later that evening, Klaus found himself quietly observing Seraphim as she practiced with her silver blade beneath the fading light of the Sunless Void. Her movements were elegant, almost haunting, as she sliced through the air again and again. He wasn’t just curious about her unusual armor or the sword she wielded — though the weapon, a terrifying Nightmare that even nightmare carapaces feared, was certainly worth noting.

But his interest went deeper.

He observed her movements very closely, studying her whole fighting style with silent focus, while his mind wandered to the greater mysteries surrounding this Forsaken World.

’Which fighting style is better? The short range of my gauntlets is definitely a problem. Maybe I should switch to something simpler, like a sword. Using a sword with my gauntlets sounds ideal, but that’s not an option. Tch. What to do? What to do?’

Klaus thought, feeling a massive headache creeping in.

His Nightmare [Bloodwulf] was a devastating weapon of light, capable of doubling his overall attack power, which was if not a monstrous boost by any measure. But for all its overwhelming might, it had one critical flaw: it could only be used in close combat.

Unlike a sword or a spear, Beowulf was made for close-range combat only. Its raw power meant little if he couldn’t close the distance. Its destructive force was real, but its area of effect was limited, forcing him into melee range with every fight.

That limitation, more than anything, was beginning to wear on him.

Sure, Klaus could crush monsters of the same rank with little issue. He had even taken down Nightmare Carapaces on his own, creatures far more formidable than shrouded beasts like Plague Ravagers or Scavengers.

However, much to the group’s misfortune, they had encountered nothing but Awakened Beasts these past few days.

Optimism had become meaningless. Sooner or later, they were bound to face an enemy that couldn’t be beaten with brute force alone or an opponent who wouldn’t fall after a few solid hits, no matter how strong Klaus was.

And in a battle like that, his gauntlets might prove completely useless.

Wasn’t this the very reason the Blackmane Stalker had fallen in battle?

Despite its monstrous strength and formidable defense, its chest had been split open by a single devastating blow.

Of course, someone might argue that its downfall was due to the fact it wore no armor. But the painful and undeniable truth was it took that fatal hit because it had gotten too close to the towering beast commander.

And that had just been another awakened monster.

In a world like this, there were bound to be even more terrifying awakened beasts, creatures far more stronger and vicious. And beyond them, beasts that existed above the awakened rank.

That thought alone made his whole body tremble.

Their small group was nowhere near ready for that kind of confrontation.

Frowning slightly, Klaus found himself in a predicament he couldn’t solve alone. Maybe he could ask the mysterious Seraphim for advice. She seemed to have some experience in the use of weapons. And if that doesn’t help, he can always approach Adrian.

However, how was he supposed to start a conversation without coming off as awkward or weird?

A few seconds later, his eyes widened. He’d found the perfect excuse.

Coincidentally, her limitless bottle was still in his possession. He hadn’t returned the Nightmare yet.

It was the perfect reason to approach her without seeming out of place.

Figuring now was as good a time as any, Klaus rose to his feet, the limitless bottle in hand, and cautiously approached Sera.

She paused mid-swing as she noticed his presence, turning her head with a hint of surprise in her expression. Klaus offered a friendly smile, extending the bottle toward her.

"Sorry to interrupt, but I noticed you’ve been practicing for quite a while... and also realized I never got around to returning your bottle."

Seraphim stared at the bottle for a moment, then at him. Her silver eyes reflected the dim glow of the Sunless Void, unreadable and distant. Klaus held his smile, though a bead of sweat trailed down his temple. For a second, he wondered if she even remembered lending it to him in the first place.

Then, she lowered her blade.

"Ah," she said softly, reaching out to take the bottle. "Thank you."

There was a pause. It wasn’t tense, but not exactly comfortable either. Klaus stood there awkwardly, trying to gauge whether he should leave or speak. Seraphim uncorked the bottle, took a small sip, then turned her gaze back to him.

"...You’ve been watching me for a while now."

’Damn. Was I that obvious? I thought I was being subtle.’

Klaus scratched the back of his head, offering a sheepish chuckle.

"Yeah, sorry. It’s just... I was curious. About your fighting style, I mean. It’s efficient and very refined. I have no experience but it seems like you’ve been doing this a long time."

She regarded him for a few seconds, then returned the bottle to her side.

"I have."

Following that short response was another silence.

Klaus shifted his weight.

"Mind if I ask you something? It’s about... combat. Tactics, really."

She tilted her head slightly but didn’t say no. So he took that as a ’yes’ and continued.

"My nightmare is quite strong if I must say, I’m talking about my gauntlets, but... It’s only applicable in close range. That’s fine for now, I guess. But if we come across something we can’t overpower quickly, I’m not sure it’ll be enough. I’ve been thinking about switching weapons, but... nothing feels right."

Seraphim said simply:

"I see. Because your current strength is lacking so you feel inadequate and the path forward is unclear. Is that it?"

Klaus blinked.

"Yeah. That’s... exactly it, actually. Do you have any advice on how to deal with that?"

Seraphim fell silent for a moment, as if weighing his words carefully. When she finally spoke, her voice was calm and certain.

"Your weapon should reflect your goals. But if you’re seeking consistency, then the sword is the simplest and most reliable choice."

Klaus tilted his head, genuinely curious then asked:

"Why is that?"

She paused again, but this time only for a moment. When she answered, her tone became smoother and more fluid, as though speaking on a subject she knew intimately. There was a quiet confidence in her voice, one that contrasted her usual guarded demeanor.

"Every weapon serves a different purpose. Spears are ideal against enemies with reach or height. War hammers are excellent for breaking through armor. Axes are used for cutting. Maces are easier to maintain and require less finesse. But swords..." She glanced at her silver blade. "Swords are more versatile."

She raised the sword.

"This sword isn’t the strongest. It’s sharp enough to cut through monster flesh, but not enough to cleave armor. And I chose it knowing that — not for its raw offensive power, but for what it represents: adaptability."

The blade glinted as she turned it in her hand.

"A sword can pierce, cut, bash. It can be used effectively at varying ranges. It’s swift and maneuverable. Every part, from the tip to the pommel, can serve as a tool for attack or defense. You don’t need to excel in everything. You just need to adapt."

’Adaptation, huh? Isn’t that ironic?" Klaus thought with a smile.

"It may not be specialized, but it doesn’t need to be. It’s reliable. You can use it in tight corridors or wide fields. Against beasts, men, or nightmares. That’s the value of versatility, it gives you options when you’re out of time."

Klaus nodded, taking it all in.

"So... it’s not about being the best at one thing. It’s about being ready for anything."

Seraphim lowered her sword.

"Precisely. A weapon should complement your weaknesses and sharpen your strengths. Your Nightmare gauntlets force you into close quarters. That’s fine, but only if the fight stays in your favor. You need something that lets you disengage, reposition, or strike without always rushing in. That something is your mind."

With a slight pause, she added:

"Regardless of your weapon of choice, whether it’s a sword, a spear, an axe, a mace... At the end of the day, they’re just a weapon. They cannot think on their own. You’re the one wielding them. Therefore, you’re the weapon."

Finally done with her explanation, she looked at him and asked:

"Do you understand?"

Klaus thought briefly before answering.

"... I think I do. Thanks, Sera. That really helped more than I expected."

Seraphim blinked at the nickname, then allowed a brief, almost imperceptible smile to surface.

"You’re welcome."

Then, without another word, she turned back to her practice.

Klaus didn’t leave right away. He just stood there for a moment, watching the elegant arcs of her sword as they carved through the void. The clarity he’d found wasn’t complete, but he had gained something of equal value; a direction.

And in this world of chaos, even a single step forward was enough.

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