Chapter 53: I’ve Won

“Hilde, can you teach me martial arts?”

“Martial arts?”

Hilde tilted her head.

She was drying the mushrooms she had picked.

“They’re smaller than Master’s~” she added, not forgetting a pure sex joke.

“Martial arts… are you referring to the Royal Martial Arts I use?”

“I want to learn techniques now, not just brawl.”

Before coming to the uninhabited island, I wasn’t the combat type.

Even now that I’ve grown, I don’t have a single attack Skill.

Well, I do have one.

The attack Skill I obtained while clearing the Wolf Hunting Quest last time.

▶ Acceleration Burst

Rank: B+

Type: Skill

Description: Temporarily accelerates the body’s movements. You can use it on your legs to quickly dash forward, or on your arms to swing a sword multiple times. Let’s explore its various other uses!

The Skill’s name is Acceleration Burst.

In short, it’s a Skill that makes your movements faster momentarily.

‘It’s not bad… but it’s a bit far from actual combat techniques.’

It’s closer to a buff, perhaps.

The ‘Behold, the Emperor’s Divine Decree’ from the last Draw was also a buff Skill.

In reality, the only Skill I possess with a direct effect is just one.

Only ‘Telekinesis’ that the Goblin Shaman used.

‘But even that has become a bit awkward to use in actual combat.’

It’s easy to think you can achieve unparalleled feats with Telekinesis, but…

That’s only possible for mana monsters like Shin Seom-hwa.

With my low mana, even using Telekinesis won’t produce immense power.

My own fists would probably be stronger.

‘Still, I don’t want to just raise my mana solely for Telekinesis.’

Regardless, I’m in the close-combat category.

For now, I want to invest in Strength or Agility.

So, in effect, I have no usable attack Skills in actual combat.

‘If there’s no other way, I’ll cover it with technique.’

The previous fight with the wolf proved my stats were sufficient.

Now, I’ve decided to learn martial arts in preparation for stronger enemies.

Especially since Hilde, who has A-rank combat skills, is right in front of me.

▶ Status Window

Name: Hilde Elizabeth Gardner

Race: Human

Class: Noble Maid

Level: 8

Patience: 11/12

Affection: 17/17

Obedience: 14/15

Lust: 14/16

Skills: Dignity (A), Service (S), Cooking (F), Royal Martial Arts (A)

Key Traits: Devotion, Service, Obedience, Dignity, Lustfulness, Possessiveness, Devilish Charm (NEW!)

Additional Abilities: Hunting Efficiency Increase, Male Morale Boost, Alcohol Tolerance Down

Her Royal Martial Arts Skill is an impressive A-rank.

It’s practically top-tier.

‘……What’s this Devilish Charm trait, though?’

A trait I hadn’t seen before suddenly appeared.

Additional traits like Lustfulness, Possessiveness, and Devilish Charm…

Isn’t this quite dangerous?

‘Well, it should be fine with Hilde.’

How many times have Hilde and I had sex?

Hilde’s Affection, Obedience, and Lust have risen at an incredible rate.

At this point, it’s not just being head over heels; it’s like a free pass to her vagina.

There isn’t even a one-in-a-million chance that Hilde would cause me trouble.

After organizing my thoughts, I continued speaking.

“I’ve wanted to learn Hilde’s Royal Martial Arts for a long time.”

“Hmm, will I be able to teach it well? I didn’t learn it formally either.”

She’s at that level without formal training?

Hilde must be quite the genius type.

“It’s fine. Your martial arts skills are truly amazing. Few people outside the island could fight like that.”

“Hehe… Hearing you say that makes me feel a bit shy.”

“And actually, there’s something I want to test by learning martial arts.”

“Test?”

I ate a dried fruit lying next to the mushrooms.

The sweet aroma naturally brought a smile to my face.

“When I met the Team Leader, I suddenly gained a buff Skill.”

“Ah, that’s right.”

“And just when I was thinking about raising Agility after Strength, the acceleration ‘Skill’ appeared.”

It’s as if the Skills that appear are assisting my growth.

I seem to have a tendency to get Skills that match my traits.

“So, if you learn martial arts, there’s a possibility a similar Skill might appear.”

As expected of Hilde.

She’s quick to understand.

“Of course, it’s just a hypothesis. Even if not, learning martial arts is beneficial anyway.”

“Hmm, if Master wishes it, I’m happy to do anything. Ah, but…”

Hilde stopped talking and fidgeted, rubbing her fingers together.

Her face was even slightly flushed, as if embarrassed.

“If it’s okay… could you grant my wish too?”

“A wish?”

Honestly, it was unexpected.

I never thought Hilde would ask for something in return.

Usually, Hilde would just say it was fine even when I asked first.

‘She could have just asked comfortably.’

If it’s a request from Hilde like that, I want to grant anything.

But seeing her ask like this, could it be a difficult wish?

“What is it? Is there something you want?”

“Th-that is…”

Glance.

Hilde looked at me and said.

From her gaze, I felt a slight, very slight, intense longing.

“If it’s okay, I want to tie Master… up, switch our roles, and try…”

Whoa.

I subtly checked her traits.

Lustfulness, Possessiveness, Devilish Charm.

‘……The system has unleashed its poison on me.’

---

“Hmm, so you decided to learn martial arts from Hilde-ssi?”

Shin Seom-hwa, who was washing clothes by the stream, asked.

“……Wait a second. Don’t stare so intently at this.”

She was holding black underwear in her hand.

As my gaze turned there, her face flushed slightly.

You’d think she’d be getting used to this by now.

Shin Seom-hwa’s girlish side never disappeared.

If anything, she seems even more embarrassed, perhaps because it reminds her of sex.

“After seeing everything… why are you still so embarrassed?”

“…….I don’t know. I’m still shy.”

Hmm, this bickering dynamic with Hilde.

This isn’t bad either.

She becomes much more submissive in bed, too.

“Anyway, Hilde-ssi’s spear techniques were indeed amazing.”

“It seemed like she trained every day, even on the uninhabited island.”

Shin Seom-hwa and I both witnessed Hilde’s spear techniques up close several times.

I don’t know what Royal Martial Arts entails, but…

At the very least, Hilde’s skill is definitely outstanding.

“It was fortunate that someone like Hilde was with us.”

Since Shin Seom-hwa is a mage, she couldn’t teach martial arts either.

She looked at me with a curt gaze.

“…….Should I teach you magic too?”

“I don’t really have anything to learn right now.”

“Hmph!”

My Telekinesis is different from her ‘Queen of Webs’.

It’s a Skill where power is more important than technique.

Besides, the innate mana difference between Shin Seom-hwa and me is too vast.

Her techniques wouldn’t be much help to me.

“Then how about sparring?”

However, Shin Seom-hwa still proposed it with a subtle gaze.

“You sparred with Hilde-ssi before, didn’t you? Fighting a mage would be good experience too.”

“…….”

I calmly looked at Shin Seom-hwa.

Then she turned her head away, blushing.

“Wh-what are you looking at like that?”

“No, nothing.”

Is she perhaps jealous because I’m training only with Hilde right now?

Shin Seom-hwa already harbors a strange sense of rivalry towards Hilde.

Hearing my words, she must have felt unnecessary jealousy.

‘She’s a little cute.’

Thinking that only I can have this side of her makes me feel a bit pleased.

“Alright.”

“Really?”

“Yes, opportunities to spar with an A-rank Ability User aren’t common.”

It truly is a rare opportunity.

Someone like Shin Seom-hwa could probably get paid hundreds for just one sparring session or private lesson.

“Since just doing it seems boring, how about we make it like Hilde-ssi’s-a wish-granting match?”

“A wish?”

“The loser grants the winner’s wish. It’s more fun with stakes, isn’t it?”

Hmm, could she have been aiming for this?

Like Hilde, I can’t imagine what kind of wish Shin Seom-hwa would make.

“Are you sure? You might regret it like last time with the bunny girl outfit.”

“……Do you really think you can beat me?”

Shin Seom-hwa declared confidently.

True, Shin Seom-hwa, having regained her abilities, is an A-rank Ability User.

If it were me in the past, I would have been crushed in less than a second.

But what about now?

“Rather, you, Team Leader, will be the one regretting it.”

“That won’t happen, so don’t worry.”

“Then, since we’re talking about it, let’s do it right away.”

I got up from my spot.

Just in time, the laundry was also finished.

“Huh? Now?”

“Why? Are you not confident?”

“…..You’ve really grown a lot.”

I stood in the open space with Shin Seom-hwa, who wore a bold smile.

A 1-on-1 duel with a mage.

It’s common industry knowledge that close-combat fighters usually have the advantage, but…

With someone like Shin Seom-hwa, the story is different.

‘Okay, let me prepare a bit.’

I opened my status window.

The stat points I had saved up without using last time.

I planned to use them on this occasion.

【Agility has surpassed 20!】

【Upon reaching a certain threshold, you acquire a new Trait!】

【Trait, ‘Nimble Movement’, acquired!】

▶Nimble Movement (E)

Category: General Trait

Description: Your Agility has increased to the point where one might say, ‘Oh, they’re quite fast!’ Overall action speed sees a slight increase! Senses become sharper!

▶Status Window

Name: Kim Jinwoo

Level: 8

Strength: 23

Agility: 25

Durability: 5

Mana: 5

Potency: 5

Spirit Power: 0

(Stat Points: 0)

Traits: Golden Finger (A), Tool Crafting (E), Dismantle (F), Axe Mastery (E), Cooking (D), Body Reinforcement (E), Nimble Movement (E)

Skills: Draw, Appraisal, Telekinesis. Behold, the Emperor’s Divine Decree

Agility, instantly raised to 25.

And as expected, I acquired a new Trait as well.

‘Impressive.’

Seeing it like this fills me with a sense of accomplishment.

The days I struggled to survive on the uninhabited island.

It feels like just yesterday I was fighting Goblins risking my life.

Now I’ve become this strong before I knew it.

“What are you grinning about? Aren’t we starting soon?”

“No, let’s start right away.”

I took out my Adol Knife and took a stance.

Combining it with the weapon bonus, I could feel strength flowing into my legs.

‘Maybe this…’

“You shouldn’t push yourself if you think you’re going to lose, just in case you get hurt.”

“Don’t worry about that.”

Golden threads burst forth from Shin Seom-hwa’s hands.

Her Skill, ‘Queen of Webs’.

Manipulating threads made of mana at will.

It’s an ability that’s practically omnipotent in offense and defense.

I couldn’t even properly see it before, but…

‘Now I can see it!’

Is it thanks to Nimble Movement maximizing my senses?

I can feel the movement of the threads.

I put all my strength into my feet.

‘Acceleration Burst!’

-Thump!!

In an instant, my body shot forward like a bullet.

An incredible speed that even surprised myself.

My arm reached Shin Seom-hwa before the threads could even touch me.

“…..Huh?”

-Kuh-gung!

My outstretched hand went straight for Shin Seom-hwa.

Shin Seom-hwa’s delicate body fell onto the floor.

At the same time, my Adol Knife was pressed against her neck.

‘I won.’

What I did was simple.

I just used my Skill to approach her at maximum speed.

‘Once a mage’s distance is closed, the game is over.’

Even so, me beating Team Leader Shin Seom-hwa?

And this easily?

The me from society wouldn’t have believed this, not even as a joke.

“Wh-what?”

Shin Seom-hwa still had a look of utter confusion.

Well, if even I, the participant, am surprised, how much more must she be.

Shin Seom-hwa was probably a bit careless, admittedly.

But a win is a win.

“The loser grants the winner’s wish, right?”

“Ngh!”

I reached out and lifted her skirt.

Her smooth thighs and black lace panties were visible.

“It might be a little difficult to grant your wish.”

I took out the rabbit tail-shaped anal plug.

Shin Seom-hwa’s face turned bright red.

Though, it was a grave she dug for herself.