**Episode 030: Close Combat Skills**

Today, the three of us went out again to level up. I, determined not to repeat the blunders of yesterday, headed to the tattered backyard.

Today, I want to start by confirming combat-related skills and then proceed with the verification of production skills.

“Let’s start with Ki Combat.”

This is a technique that amplifies life energy called “ki” to fight by wrapping it around oneself. We, who gained inhuman physical abilities due to the awakening of our statuses, can further enhance our physical abilities, attack power, defense, and speed by wrapping our bodies in ki.

I followed the instructions in my head and wrapped ki around my body. A faint amber aura condensed around me, visible enough to be visualized.

“This feels incredibly versatile.”

When enveloped in ki, a feeling arises that I can do anything now. However, I make fun of myself, realizing that I shouldn’t get carried away.

“Let’s try moving right away.”

I moved in that state.

“Nowaahhh!?”

Just like yesterday, my legs got tangled, and I fell. Although I thought I was accustomed to the increase in abilities, it was an improvement beyond catching up.

The effect is probably more than double.

However, there was an appropriate price for that.

“Idadadada…”

It was the damage and pain caused by moving the body beyond its limits. The moment I released the Ki Combat, I couldn’t even stand.

Experiencing pain even lying down was a first for me.

“Haa… Haa… Haa… Haa…”

And another thing was an abnormal level of fatigue. Perhaps, this was also the price for moving the body beyond its limits.

The pain and fatigue didn’t disappear for a while, causing a halt in the verification process.

However, recalling the Healing of Sacred Magic, I could eliminate the pain by using it. So, I decided to use Healing immediately the next time I used Ki Combat.

Still, this fatigue was quite challenging, so I had to consider when to use this skill.

“Despite the tough experience, let’s try sword techniques next.”

Currently available sword technique skills include Gale Thrust, Continuous Slashes, and Cross Cut. Additionally, the effectiveness of sword technique skills includes a vague sense of how to move.

“Gale Thrust!”

When I consciously activated the skill in my mind, my body moved as if assisting without any preliminary movement, and a thrust was unleashed without delay.

As a result, a large hole appeared in the trunk of a tree in front of me, and it promptly toppled.

“The initial speed is so fast that it’s barely visible even to myself…”

I stared at my hands in amazement.

“Next is Continuous Slashes.”

I moved my focus to ki and activated the Continuous Slashes skill in my mind.

—Zubazzah!!

Although I only slashed once, the tree was mysteriously attacked twice. It was a curious skill that, even though I only attacked once, it hit twice. However, the attack power decreased for each hit.

Lastly, there was Cross Cut, a technique where a sword is swung rapidly in the shape of a cross, and a cross-shaped slash is released, causing cross-shaped wounds on the opponent.

Let’s try these without using buffs.

“Gale Thrust!”

When I activated the skill in my mind, my body moved, and a thrust was unleashed without any preliminary movement.

As a result, the trunk of the tree in front of me bore a large hole, and it collapsed as it was.

“Hmm. The power reduction for a single slash was mentioned, but honestly, I don’t understand this.”

Since the tree was easily cut with a single strike, I couldn’t grasp the degree of power reduction.

“Lastly, we have Cross Cut.”

I moved to another tree and activated the Cross Cut skill in my mind.

My body moved, and the sword swung at a tremendous speed, cutting the air in a cross shape. The moment the cross was completed, a red and white flame-like cross emerged, flying towards the previous tree.

—Zuban!

When the light of the cross hit the tree, the trunk was cut in the shape of a cross, piercing through several sections.

“This is quite a powerful skill.”

I contemplate the dire situation, resting my chin on my hand. I express my thoughts, acknowledging that the annihilating power of magic is overwhelmingly higher. However, considering that it doesn’t seem to consume any magical energy flowing from my body when using it, I think it’s not bad for regular use.

“Hey, are you still at it?”
“It seems you haven’t collapsed today.”
“Nii!”

I hear the voices of the two behind me, and fluffy creatures jump into my arms. When I turn around, there are Shuji and Satoshi. And in my arms, being cuddled against my chest, is Enjyu.

Ah, Enjyu’s cuteness melts away today’s fatigue, soothing me.

“It’s not like you to collapse two days in a row.”
“Well, it’s possible for Rokudo.”
“That’s right. It happened once.”

After responding to the words of the two after being purified by Enjyu, I was completely denied.

“Did that really happen?”
“Yeah, during the screening of the theatrical version of your favorite work, ‘Assassin Girls,’ you were drawing fanart every day, passing out from exhaustion.”
Certainly, at that time, I was too excited, drawing illustrations every day and posting them. But I didn’t intend to overexert myself. I just lost consciousness without realizing it.

“Well, that couldn’t be helped. Since the goddess descended to the theater, you had to post illustrations every day to spread the word.”
“As expected of the missionary of Assassin Girls, or rather, bodysuit, you were called. But now, since it’s a matter of life, let’s take care of our bodies.”
“Okay.”

When I replied with a dissatisfied expression, Satoshi smiled warmly and said,

“I agree.”

I strategically retreated and followed his words. After confirming that electricity and gas are still usable, we discussed each other’s achievements, took a bath, washed Enjyu, stood guard, and then went to bed with Enjyu.