Right.

Is there anyone else in this world who understands the *Vertical Slash* as well as I do?

This phenomenon wasn’t exactly unexpected.

The system that had overtaken the world might look like a villain or some kind of evil game assistant, but surprisingly, it had an excellent understanding of individual skills and incredible observational abilities. It was exceedingly fair when it came to awarding rewards.

In other words, as long as you showed a high level of understanding, the system would recognize it as a skill.

*The same logic applied to how I was able to master the Formless Sword.*

It wasn’t as though he’d achieved the realm of unity with the Divine Sword by simply receiving a special skill.

Ever since Suho chose the path of the sword, he had trained tirelessly, never taking a day off in his quest to become stronger.

As a result, he not only became the world’s greatest swordsman, but also received the system’s recognition, ascending to the realm of Divine Sword Unity and mastering a skill known as the *Formless Sword*.

Still, Suho felt slightly disappointed with the system’s evaluation.

To be called the Sword God and yet only receive a skill rank of B?

He could understand it, though.

*The system can’t judge everything just by seeing it once.*

This was especially true for physical techniques.

So, no matter how exceptional the talent, the system rarely granted an initial skill rank higher than B.

Of course, there were a few exceptions with special skills.

For basic techniques, however, B was the usual starting point. If someone wanted a higher rank, they’d need to prove they deserved it.

Perhaps it was a beginner’s luck kind of thing.

Suho swung the metal rod horizontally, slashing through the goblins around him.

**[You have a high level of understanding of Horizontal Slash.]**

**[The system is evaluating your skill.]**

**[Congratulations! You have mastered Horizontal Slash (B).]**

After Vertical Slash, he gained the skill *Horizontal Slash*.

Once again, the skill rank was B.

Suho then thrust the rod forward like a spear.

**[You have a high level of understanding of Thrust.]**

**[The system is evaluating your skill.]**

**[Congratulations! You have mastered Thrust (B).]**

Thrust was no different.

Next, he swung the rod diagonally.

**[You have a high level of understanding of Diagonal Slash.]**

**[The system is evaluating your skill.]**

**[Congratulations! You have mastered Diagonal Slash (B).]**

Each time he swung the rod, a skill was added.

Right.

This was indeed the world he remembered.

Then it happened.

**[You have a high level of understanding of swordsmanship.]**

**[Vertical Slash, Horizontal Slash, Diagonal Slash, and Thrust skills have been integrated into ‘Basic Swordsmanship’.]**

**[Congratulations! You have mastered Basic Swordsmanship (B).]**

With all three slashing skills and the Thrust skill combined, they were automatically grouped under the name *Basic Swordsmanship*.

It was only natural.

The system worked according to certain rules, and when specific skills were gathered, it would automatically combine them for the sake of efficiency.

Still, the rank was B.

But this was better.

A single integrated skill was easier to level up than multiple scattered skills.

*Basic Swordsmanship…*

Seeing the term “Basic Swordsmanship” brought a slight smile to Suho’s face as he remembered the past.

Every famous swordsman started with Basic Swordsmanship before developing their own unique techniques.

In Suho’s case, his own style was called *Suho’s Sword*.

Suho planned to recreate *Suho’s Sword* this time, too.

*Then again, there’s no need to recreate it. My swordsmanship is already Suho’s Sword.*

Suho swung the rod a few more times, quickly dispatching the remaining goblins.

Then a new system message appeared.

**[Level up!]**

**[All stats increased by 1.]**

**[You have earned 1 bonus stat.]**

He had leveled up.

He hadn’t even chosen a class yet, but he was already leveling up.

Seeing this, the firefighter asked in astonishment, “W-were you a player?”

“Not yet.”

“Uh…?”

Ignoring the firefighter’s confused expression, Suho didn’t bother looting the goblins’ bodies.

Right now, that wasn’t what was important to him.

Instead, he reopened the class selection window he had delayed earlier.

**[Choose the power you wish to pursue.]**

**[Warrior]**

**[Mage]**

**[Archer]**

**[Healer]**

The class selection window appeared in front of him.

Later, people would come to understand that this choice could be postponed. There was no penalty for waiting, and players often chose their classes after taking an aptitude test created by the Association.

Of course, Suho originally chose the path of the Warrior, eventually becoming a swordsman and reaching the rank of Sword God—so he was on the right path from the start.

That’s why he had initially intended to choose Warrior again. He thought he could grow even faster by following the path he already knew.

But then he shook his head.

No matter how familiar he was with this path, when it truly mattered, the title of Sword God proved weak and powerless.

*If only I had been able to cure All Poison…*

After eating the heart of Venom, known as the ultimate poison-resisting demon, he had believed that poison would never be an obstacle again.

But Suzuki’s All Poison surpassed even his immunity.

This led Suho’s gaze to linger on the Healer class.

*What if I could become a healer even stronger than Isabella?*

Of course, the Healer class was often seen as weak.

In reality, it had very few offensive skills; most were geared toward defense, healing, and buffs.

But Suho had just acquired swordsmanship skills effortlessly while fighting goblins.

It was a testament to the system’s fair ability to assess skill.

So he began to wonder.

If he could gain swordsmanship skills this way, was there any need to take the Warrior path again?

The answer was no.

*Skills learned based on talent are available regardless of class. Just like how I recently acquired swordsmanship skills.*

However, most of the abilities Healers gained didn’t come from talent; they required the system’s support to acquire.

No matter how devout a person was, they couldn’t heal patients with prayers alone.

Finally, Suho made his decision.

**[You have chosen Healer.]**

**[Do you truly wish to walk the path of the Healer?]**

In response to the system’s prompt, Suho nodded.

Immediately, a light enveloped him.

**[You are now a Healer.]**

**[You have been awarded 5 bonus stats.]**

**[You have acquired Healing Light (F).]**

**[Congratulations on becoming a true player.]**

**[The system wishes to give you a small gift.]**

**[Please choose a weapon from the system’s armory.]**

Suho had officially become a Healer.

Simultaneously, the system opened its armory to provide him with a welcome gift.

Naturally, Suho chose a sword.

He selected a longsword with an ideal length and weight.

**[You have acquired the Beginner’s Sword.]**

There was no need to check its stats.

It was sure to have the lowest attack power and durability.

Still, it was better than a metal rod.

Next, Suho opened his status window.

“Status window, open.”

**[An Suho]**

- **Level**: 2
- **Class**: Healer
- **Strength**: 2
- **Health**: 2
- **Mana**: 2
- **Perception**: 2
- **Bonus Stats**: 6

Suho stared at his pitiful status window.

Having returned to the past, this outcome was expected.

After a brief moment of thought, he allocated two points each to Strength, Health, and Mana.

The reason he allocated points to Mana was simple.

*Healing skills also depend on Mana.*

People often referred to healing skills as holy techniques, while mage skills were called magic.

However, according to the system, holy techniques were actually called Divine Magic.

So, they were influenced by Mana.

This is why most Healers invested all their stats into Mana.

Other stats would increase naturally with each level up.

But Suho didn’t follow this method.

*To me, Healer is only a secondary role; my main focus is still swordsmanship.*

Later, once he advanced far enough as a Healer, he could compensate for his lacking Health and Strength with buff skills.

But that was a concern for the future.

Even though Suho was a Sword God from the future, he still needed a minimum stat foundation to regain his former power.

After distributing his stats, Suho approached the firefighter, who was staring at him in confusion.

“This might hurt, but bear with me.”

“Huh? Gah!”

Without hesitation, Suho yanked the arrow from the firefighter’s body.

Blood spurted out, and he immediately cast *Healing Light* on the wound.

**[Casting Healing Light.]**

**[The designated area is now healing.]**

*Healing Light.*

A basic skill possessed by all Healers.

Despite its simplicity, even high-level Healers continued using it.

The most powerful skills often had simple, straightforward effects.

He recalled *Holy Light*, the skill Isabella had used.

*That skill, too, had started as Healing Light.*

Once the firefighter’s wound was fully healed, he stared at Suho in astonishment and asked, “You’re a Healer too?”

“As of now.”

“Huh?”

“Well then, take care.”

Having healed the wound, Suho had no more reason to linger.

He turned and looked toward the Gate portal in the middle of the intersection at Sindorim Station.

Goblins were still swarming the area, and it seemed that Hunter players hadn’t arrived yet.

A good opportunity, he thought.

For unpredictable Gates like this, if he timed it right, he could enter before others.

*If my memory serves me, this Gate should be manageable at my current level.*

When no one has entered a Gate, it’s possible to predict the Gate’s internal environment and difficulty based on the monsters it releases.

Of course, Suho knew exactly what this Gate was.

In his past life, Suho had almost died because of it.

This time, he decided to handle it personally.

That Gate had nearly taken his life before, making it something of an old nemesis.

Slashing down the goblins approaching him, Suho stepped into the Gate portal.

**[Entering Gate.]**

**[Loading Gate information.]**

**[Green Red]**

- **Entry conditions**: Unknown
- **Max players**: Unknown

A brief system message.

That was all the information available.

Since no one had ever entered, the system provided no information on this unknown Gate.

Most people avoided uncharted Gates. After all, entering blindly could lead to death if the difficulty turned out to be insurmountable.

As Suho entered, the Gate portal closed behind him.

Now, only two outcomes would reopen it.

Either the player inside would die, or the Gate would be cleared.

But Suho had no intention of dying.

Dream or reality, it didn’t matter to him.

This was the beginning of An Suho’s return as the Sword God-rank civil servant.