Chapter 91: Classification

Mist Forest.

"Rustle."

The faint sound of breeze brushing past tree canopy.

Leaf stems trembling, yellowed leaves with curled, worm-eaten edges detached from branches.

Spiraling downward.

Just like the tens of thousands of its companions on the ground, three seconds later it would become part of the forest's entire yellow-brown leaf carpet.

Then over four to five months, gradually withering and rotting, ultimately becoming faint nutrients nourishing some clump of weeds' growth.

Whoosh—

An unnatural but more fierce and sharp gust interrupted this process.

The withered leaf already abandoned by the tree's renewal due to life force loss was almost instantly shattered by the sharp cold wind.

Transforming into small, fragile leaf fragments, drifting and dancing in the air like dust.

Landing on the rough, textured bark of an oak tree nearby, falling on the tender, fresh stem and leaf surfaces on the ground.

Also following chaotic air currents, sticking to messy, fine black hair tips.

"Whoosh!"

Forcefully shaking my body, I shook off the leaf and grass fragments covering my clothes and hair.

I turned my head, looking behind me.

As if trampled through by some beast,

In the woods filled with dense undergrowth and tough shrubs, a crushing trail about ten feet long splattered with juice was clearly left.

The effect looked pretty good.

Yet I couldn't help frowning, not satisfied.

What I was currently practicing was naturally the combat skill the barbarian Forgan had taught me two days ago—

【Fang Hunt】.

The effect he'd displayed that day was exceptionally absurd, almost collapsing the entire cave. Dozens of goblins and their bear goblin chief were smashed to pieces like bowling pins.

But in reality, 【Fang Hunt】 itself was positioned more like some kind of "charge," "displacement" technique.

Whether to add attack attributes during the combat skill's use completely depended on the caster personally.

As for what I'd seen at the time—the attack effect spreading through the passage like ice snakes, even carrying some mental intimidation meaning.

I was more inclined to believe it was the power and effects attached to the barbarian's own profession.

And being able to smash monsters to powder—perhaps 【Fang Hunt】 provided partial speed and kinetic energy bonuses, but ultimately it was still because of the barbarian's exaggerated body strength comparable to metal and stone.

Although far from reaching "being deceived" level, practicing these days I always had a bit of "seller's display" versus "buyer's display" illusion.

Didn't know when I could reach his "lawn mower" level.

Fortunately, it was after all a genuinely useful, real combat skill.

Different from those suspected combat skill books I'd bought at town general stores before, that "robbing Peter to pay Paul" terrible training experience of endlessly patching holes.

Practicing 【Fang Hunt】 was like 【Whirlwind Slash】 before—gave me a sense of steady progress step by step, improving a little each day.

Even if problems appeared during the process, after spending time and energy solving them and forming muscle memory, they wouldn't recur.

Actually learning it even made me feel somewhat at ease.

And specific training methods, plus the combat skill's partial surface-level principles, also became clear as I gradually familiarized myself.

Through high-intensity training, coordinating leg, waist-abdomen and back muscle groups to release the force stored within in extremely short time.

Adjusting step frequency, controlling speed...

Plus special breathing methods, improving force exertion techniques and timing, adjusting the entire body's skeletal center of gravity within a range suitable for the combat skill's activation.

Somewhat more plainly, as an analogy:

Like a winter wolf buried deep in snow, staring at prey and poised to strike.

Exploding with full body strength, like a spring pouncing forward to bite.

The blade was its claws and fangs.

Originally from northern highland barbarian tribes.

【Fang Hunt】 at the very beginning imitated those powerful predators' hunting movements, combined with human body advantages, gradually developed and formed by some exceptionally talented combat master.

According to Forgan, practicing in snow as deep as calf and knee worked best.

Just that right now after all we were in the continent's heartland without suitable environment, so could only make do.

Of course, aside from the above, there was one most critical point to mastering the 【Fang Hunt】 combat skill:

Before each training session, I had to have the barbarian's help, letting some special cold energy he emitted penetrate deep into my body along muscle patterns and meridians.

—No longer needed after getting started.

Although in my previous life I'd seen online that many professional athletes also had similar "ice baths," they were usually after intense exercise, used to relieve muscle fatigue and accelerate body recovery.

Completely different from mine.

I wasn't clear on the specific principles. After all, I had no precision detection equipment, nor was I an expert professor in related fields. Being able to roughly have a vague understanding of my current training direction was already quite good.

As for the rest...

Could only say,

Fantasy world matters—mind your own business.

"Huff..."

Chest heaving, I exhaled a long breath.

The lengthy white mist surging from between my lips and teeth vaguely showed some crystalline ice points within.

Reaching out to touch my waist, abdomen and thighs, skin temperature had already returned to normal levels.

Knowing the cold energy was exhausted, continuing to practice would yield little.

So I turned around, walking toward camp's direction.

Had to find the barbarian to recharge me again.

......

......

Bone-chilling wind, howling snow grains like tens of thousands of knife blades, scraping and cutting the man's rough, tough skin.

Between ice rocks, scorched firewood embers glowed faintly. Completely burned pine resin transformed into flying ash merging with snow powder.

Pale broken bones pierced through thick beast fur coat. In his mouth was a nose-pungently rich bloody smell like rust.

"They're still here."

The collapsed totem wound with thorns, in the vast pale dim light, condensed an illusory figure aged and elderly.

"Bite the frost, death will not come."

"Chief..." The rough man slumped in a blood pool muttered hoarsely, the wolf skin cloak on his body long stained crimson red.

"Let ashes be born from snow. Ancestor spirits protect you above the stone monuments, my child."

Withered fingertips nurturing fungal threads, like hazy light under winter clouds, penetrated the leather coat, lightly touching his chest.

"Live on, carrying the Frostthroat clan's name."

"Forgan."

......

"Crack pop!"

Branch fibers suddenly burst under flame burning, producing an abrupt sound.

In Forgan's ice-blue eyes like cold pools, imperceptible ripples stirred.

Raising his head, gaze looking toward camp's edge.

I saw through swaying tree clusters, a figure with two swords on his back was pulling at surrounding thorn shrubs, somewhat difficultly breaking free from them.

Tightening the cloth bag hanging at my waist, I greeted him and walked into camp.

The barbarian before me was as always.

Eyes reflecting firelight, without any extra movements, also not making any sounds.

Just sitting by the bonfire like an ice block.

Already used to it. Two days of contact let me have an initial impression of this powerful high-tier professional beside me.

Honestly, if not for the highly directional beast fur attire and tribal-flavored surname.

I fundamentally wouldn't think he was a barbarian.

After all, in the world's eyes, this type of race symbolizing primitiveness and roughness, this profession releasing power rooted in fury and nature, had always been entangled with vocabulary like "reckless," "straightforward," "crude."

Yet Forgan beside me at this moment was like ice rock wrapped in fury, suppressing all blazing heat and restlessness under forest cold.

And if one day, when flames burned fiercely, melting the thick ice layer, the terrifying fury beneath capable of smelting metal and stone would also reappear in the world.

"Finished?"

A low, heavy voice came from ahead.

Surprised at his active conversation, I hurriedly swallowed the hot water in my mouth.

Deep breath, exhaling cold air, I pointed at the increasingly faint ice crystals in the air.

"Mm, used up."

Then came classic silence.

Clearly actively starting the conversation, yet after I responded, he stopped talking again.

Made me feel awkward inwardly.

But similarly already used to it.

I knew he hadn't not heard or was pretending not to want to answer—purely due to personality.

At least these two days when I asked him combat skill-related questions, Forgan taught very carefully.

Not saying he answered every question, but often in the end he could help me find where difficulties lay through actions, easily solving them.

From start to finish, calm and taciturn, as if all fury was covered by the frost cold he emitted.

Having trained hard around camp all day, thinking to rest a moment briefly.

So I wasn't in a rush to have him replenish cold energy for me.

Just while drawing out the beheading longsword for patient maintenance, with some hesitation and doubt, I tentatively asked:

"You saw before, my 【Whirlwind Slash】... which profession should it belong to?"

On Ephara Continent, to obtain professional level, the condition that must be satisfied was:

Master three combat skills corresponding to the profession and practice one to "proficient" level.

With my previous body's foundation and possible bonuses the system panel might bring, I'd already raised 【Whirlwind Slash】 to max level.

And this also meant I only needed to learn two more combat skills to complete advancement.

But what troubled me was that until today, I still hadn't figured out 【Whirlwind Slash】's specific classification.

Could only hope Forgan, whose strength and experience obviously far exceeded ordinary professionals, could help me solve this puzzle.

But unexpectedly.

Regarding this, Forgan just lightly shook his head.

"Very hard."

The number of combat skills in this world was more than snowflakes drifting in ice storms.

Even those human "legends" standing at the pyramid's peak couldn't possibly identify every combat skill's belonging.

Especially mainstream professions like "Warrior" and "Rogue"—the combat skills under their banners were countless.

—Even the Adventurers' Guild itself continuously collected and updated large amounts of combat skills every year.

Even different guild branches, due to their different geographic locations, had obvious variations in commonly seen combat skill types on their lists. For example:

Swordfish Bay's Adventurers' Guild collected combat skill types mostly leaning toward underwater combat and ranged attacks.

While Rock Shadow City's guild branch, because it was located in the Underdark, possessed large amounts of combat skills suitable for casting in narrow terrain.

In this situation, Forgan could only judge based on 【Whirlwind Slash】's characteristics that it belonged to close-combat type basic professions.

Seeming to perceive the disappointment in my eyes.

The barbarian raised his head to glance at the sky, suddenly standing up.

Turning to leave camp.

"Follow."

The muffled voice came.

I hurriedly followed.

......

【Fang Hunt】

Although originating from highland tribes, the combat skill itself didn't borrow the "fury" that was barbarians' core power.

Just the purest physical technique catalyzed under harsh natural environment.

Therefore, like the gap where two circles overlapped and coincided.

It simultaneously belonged to two basic professions:

【Warrior】 and 【Barbarian】.

This was also one reason why Forgan could still decide to teach 【Fang Hunt】 to me even unable to confirm what 【Whirlwind Slash】 belonged to.

And on the other hand, most critically.

The reason he felt I didn't need to worry whether choosing the wrong combat skill type would require starting over from the beginning.

Was...

"Crack."

Tree branch lying on the meadow was crushed by falling boots, producing a crisp sound.

I looked at the goblin cave before me emitting stench with a familiar shape and appearance.

Corner of my mouth slightly twitched.

"Again?"

Inwardly actually didn't really resist.

【Fang Hunt】 had already practiced against air for two days. Basic force exertion techniques were all learned.

According to my impression of the barbarian's approach, it indeed should be time to accelerate combat skill proficiency through actual combat.

After all, he also had limited time—being slightly aggressive was very normal.

But unexpectedly,

This time Forgan's actions were completely different from before.

He not only didn't restrain his aura beforehand, allowing that magnificent pressure from a high-tier professional to spread wantonly in the air.

He even actively walked at the very front, leading me all the way into the cave.

Still in the passage at the entrance, I'd already heard from deep in the cave those goblins who'd detected uninvited guests—panicked, terrified shrieks.

Immediately after,

Awoooo—

A long, sharp wolf howl, accompanied by forest-cold wind, echoed between stone walls.

I only felt goosebumps all over.

At the same time, those noisy, piercing calls also seemed devoured by the wolf howl, disappearing completely.

When we walked into the open space deep in the cave, nearly thirty goblins were already lying scattered in all directions, eyes rolled back, fainted on the ground.

In the entire field, only one bear goblin that looked barely adult remained, gripping the mace in its hand, trembling and curled up in the cave corner.

My expression turned strange.

I actually saw deep fear on this savage monster's face—one that ate raw meat and blood, had killed countless bottom-tier adventurers, with naturally vile nature.

Forgan stopped walking, casually picking up a club from some goblin on the ground.

Surface covered with frost.

Toward the bear goblin's direction, lightly tossing.

Bang—

Ice crystals mixed with broken stones instantly burst in the dim cave.

The stick stuck firmly into the rock wall.

And the bear goblin's right hand gripping its weapon also severed flush at the root, falling to the ground.

Force control was just right—aside from this caused no other injuries.

Even thoughtfully helped me seal the wound with frost, lest excessive bleeding cause it to lose combat power during training.

"Go ahead."

He said as much.