'Gasp!' Coming out of the water, Ryou gasped for air.
After staying inside the water for ten minutes, he felt suffocated, unable to maintain his breathing routine. Even with his experience, he failed because diving deep put pressure on his body.
'It's different. It seems like I need to learn many things!'
But this new experience taught him something. During the last minute underwater, he felt desperate. At that moment, his body functioned without his will; his lungs expanded while blood moved to the vital parts.
'I dived only 30 to 35 meters, but I already started to feel the water pressure. If I have to dive deeper, I need to strengthen my body and master the breathing method.' Ryou mused.
The increased water pressure started compressing his lungs down smaller and smaller. Any further, it will damage his body.
'Looks like it will take time. This system task is not as easy as it seems.' From the next day onwards, Ryou began rigorous training, focusing on his Breathing Style and Tekkai.
Time passed by,
Aside from practicing his Nature Breathing style and Tekkai, Ryou practiced Pranayama, an ancient Yoga Breath technique that helps in the control of breath.
He repeated the practice every day with strict discipline and intense concentration.
After a month, Ryou finally managed to successfully maintain the breathing technique for an entire day without stopping during sleep, eating, or training.
After another few days of practice, he did it. Total Concentration Breathing: Constant. It drastically improved his physical strength.
Thanks to that, he was able to dive 80 meters and hold his breath for up to 30 minutes. Still, bearing the atmospheric pressure is pretty hard. Such pressure helped him to train his Tekkai.
As he descends deeper, the atmospheric pressure increases. It was pretty much black down there with no light. At first, the gloom intimidated him but he persisted and overcame it.
It took him 10 minutes to reach 80 meters and 15 minutes to ascend the same distance. He can't descend too sharply as the sudden change in pressure will harm his body.
It can only be done step by step with patience! 'The system is good with the Tasks.' Ryou could feel himself growing stronger as he persisted in diving deeper.
According to the map provided by the system, he needs to dive 120 meters down from the surface to get the crystal. Currently, he can't do it.
--
Another three months passed,
Deep in the lake, Ryou held a glowing rainbow-colored crystal in his hand. Its divine radiance illuminated the surrounding blackness.
"Wow... this is incredible!" he marveled. After admiring the crystal for a moment, he allowed the system to take it. The crystal disappeared from his hand while a ding echoed in his mind.
[~ Task complete: Obtained the rare ore: Rainbow-colored crystal
Reward: A sword that can Slay Demons [System made] ~]
Reaching the surface, Ryou dressed and summoned the system to claim his reward. As soon as he accepted the reward, a Japanese-style sword materialized in mid-air before him.
The sword's sheathed in a black scabbard that had golden and silver patterns. Ryou grasped the scabbard with his left hand while his right hand gripped the hilt of the sword.
He unsheathed it. The hilt of the sword was purple, adorned with golden linings. As for the blade, it's slightly curved and single-edged.
It's a long sword with a blade length of around 120cm, with unique patterns and dragon engravings. It's slightly heavy, but Ryou found it perfectly balanced.
"Schwing!" The sword made a satisfying sound as he swung it through the air.
"Ikazuchi," Ryou read the inscription at the bottom of the blade. "Thunder... a fitting name!"
From the system, Ryou learned that the sword was crafted from rare metals and hardened with lightning strikes. It was even rarer than a Nichirin blade and could be used to slay demons.
Just as he admired the sword, another ding sounded in his mind. The system panel appeared before his eyes.
[~ Task: Save Kanae Kocho from Upper Rank 2 Demon - Doma.
Details: Kanae and Doma will meet and fight in 10 days near Hako village.
Reward: Primary Lottery Draw + 2 Demon Points ~]
'Is the System joking, providing such a difficult task? With my current strength, I wouldn't know how I would die facing the Upper Moon.
Wait...the task is just to save Kanae Kocho from Doma. If it's just saving, it's possible.' Ryou thought.
Thinking, he then opened the status panel.
[~ Name: Ryou
Race: Ordinary Human
Skill: Nature Breathing - Basic [4/10], Tekkai - Intermediate [1/10]
Demon Points: 0 ~]
'With my Tekkai at the Intermediate level, I can withstand and effectively nullify some damage incurred from the Demons without getting injured.
But my breathing style is still basic. It's difficult to improve them in a short period. Only with Demon Points, they can be developed quickly.' Ryou mused and closed the panel.
"From here, it would take around 10 days to reach the location mentioned by the system. I need to hurry!" After packing his things, Ryou set off, leaving the place where he'd stayed for over four months.
--
The moon hung high in the sky, its light cutting through the clouds.
Near Hako village, a woman leaped from tree to tree. Her pace may seem leisurely, but she's quick in her steps. She's none other than Flower Hashira – Kanae Kocho!
She received a report from her Kasugai crow that a Demon was spotted at the Hako village. After hearing the news, she hurried over. By the time she reached, it was near morning.
Kanae walked inside the village, which had around fifty or so houses. The place was too quiet, devoid of any sound. The unnatural silence warned her senses of danger.
The air was freezing cold. Unsheathing her Nichirin blade, she prepared herself for any surprise attack from a demon lurking nearby
She slid open the door of a nearby house. As she opened the door, what came into her view was the sight of a family slaughtered in cold blood, their plentiful blood staining the walls, ceiling, and especially the floor.
But, there was no sight of a demon—only the bodies, their throats slit or crushed by brute force.
Steeling herself, Kanae checked the other houses with concern. The same grim scene greeted her. One common thing she noticed was, the female corpses were missing.
A frown deepened on her brow. She knew this wasn't the work of an ordinary demon. She heard of a demon that consumed only women… an Upper Moon. 'This will be a challenge...' Kanae murmured under her breath.
It was also at that moment that Ryou arrived at the village after a long, ten-day journey.