Medieval: Kingdom Come: Deliverance

A true master swordsman is someone who can effortlessly execute various combos, as if they were mere fingers on their arm. In Peter's camp, Carter the tomcat, Conrad the lone wolf, and the old monk Martin are such figures.

Having such a treasure trove, how could Peter return empty-handed? He had learned quite a few combos from them during this time.

Peter learned the left and right slashes, horizontal slashes, and knee strikes from Master Cat. These three combos are very effective against light and chainmail opponents, and also have a strong taunting effect against heavy and plate armor opponents. They can lure enemies into attacking recklessly, and then defeat them using Master Cat's counter-attack.

I learned a move from Master Conrad called the "Fiore Half-Sword," also known as the "Flower Half-Sword." As the name suggests, it involves holding the sword in the right hand and grasping the lower, unsharpened blade with the left, quickly closing the distance for a core thrust. It can also be used with disarm control, making it suitable for quickly breaking through guards.

I learned the Crushing Blow from Master Martin. This move originally required the use of a shield to deliver a devastating blow to the opponent's neck, causing a comminuted fracture. For those with immense strength, an elbow strike can be used instead of a shield, suitable for inflicting severe damage on heavily armored or plate-armored enemies. Unless it's a life-or-death struggle, it should be avoided as much as possible.

As dawn broke, the central plaza of the Devil's Canyon camp was still shrouded in a thin mist. The embers of the campfire were still burning, and dewdrops clung to the wooden fence like fallen stars.

A figure was already standing in front of the cabin.

Peter was shirtless, sweat streaming down his back, gleaming like bronze in the morning light. He held a blunt training sword, his movements slow yet rhythmic—slashing, chopping, swinging, and thrusting, each movement precise as if measured by a ruler, his muscles contracting and relaxing like springs.

"Eight hundred and eighty-eight"

......

"Nine hundred and ninety-nine"

......

"one thousand."

With that whisper, the sword sliced ​​through the air one last time, emitting a clear, resonant hum. A system notification appeared:

[Complete 1000 basic stance practice sessions to gain +10 swordsmanship proficiency]

This was not a gift of talent, but the result of day after day of arduous practice. Since his transmigration, Peter has never ceased his exploration of the essence of swordsmanship. Even now, having reached the level of a "master swordsman," he still firmly believes that all techniques ultimately originate from the basics.

At the edge of the camp, Master Cat leaned against the wooden fence, a blade of grass between his teeth, squinting at the figure sweating profusely.

"This guy... he's insane," he muttered. "He sparred with over forty people last night, and this morning he's already completed a thousand basic training sessions. I've never been this rigorous when I was training my sword in my youth."

Master Conrad, standing beside him, stroked his beard, his gaze profound: "He's not practicing swordsmanship, he's refining his mind. Look at the trajectory of each of his sword strikes—there's no superfluous movement, it's as natural as breathing. That's the realm of 'comprehension'."

The old monk Martin approached quietly and said softly, "Yesterday I saw him use 'Crushing Strike' to pierce through three layers of wooden planks with a single elbow strike. That was a perfect balance of strength and skill. This child is truly gifted."

The three remained silent for a long time.

Finally, the tomcat sighed, "But I've only been teaching him swordsmanship for a month and a half! If this continues, he'll surpass me very soon. Is this what a genius blessed by the gods is like?"

Unbeknownst to them, Peter, hailed as a genius, was actually a cheat code. He possessed superhuman physique and regenerative abilities, allowing him to work far more diligently than ordinary people. And every bit of his effort translated into accumulated skill points without ever declining—that was truly terrifying.

Ordinary people practice one day and improve one day; if they don't practice, they've wasted ten days. But Peter only accumulates and improves; that's the joy of being a master—the positive feedback is too obvious.

Effort makes me happy!

After morning exercise each day, there is intense work and preparation. Peter personally joined the carpentry team, working, eating, and living with them, all in an effort to gain their favor.

木工组如今有先后俘虏的商队护卫6人、村庄护卫队20人、猎狗僱佣兵15人、外加护卫队长克劳斯和猎狗队长艾斯2人，一共43人。

These 43 men were not ordinary farmers; they were people who had practiced martial arts for many years and had experienced combat. Rather than letting them atone for their sins in the carpentry group, it was more accurate to say that they were being tempered and their temperaments were being prepared for future recruitment.

The criterion for recruiting someone is having a favorability rating of over 60 with Peter, which unlocks their character panel. Only then will Peter feel comfortable using them.

But these 43 men were not like John the Big Mouth or his desperate bandits who would surrender at the slightest sign of hope. These men still harbored the unrealistic illusion that "if the outside world attacks, we will be rescued."

To shatter this illusion, Peter employed a combination of kindness and severity. Sharing work, meals, and lodging with them was kindness; using his free time each day to challenge them to duels was severity.

Since you don't know what's good for you, then we'll beat you until you submit! Do what you did to get Stockholm Syndrome!

After a midday snack and a short rest, the carpentry team prisoners were summoned back to the training ground under the blazing sun. Many of them had actually gained weight while enjoying good food and drink and doing hard labor in the camp.

"Same rules as always." Peter stood on the stone platform, his training wooden sword pointing diagonally at the ground. "Whoever can withstand ten moves from me will be spared today's labor. Who wants to go first?"

The crowd stirred, but few stepped forward.

"It's that trick again, trying to lure us up to get beaten up!"

"He's too strong; I couldn't even withstand one of his moves."

"I can use techniques. I've been studying his moves for the past few days, and I refuse to believe I can't do it!"

"Then why don't you go?"

"No, no, let me check again, see if there are any new changes today..."

The carpenters were all talking amongst themselves, none of them willing to be the first.

"Let's call roll then. Klaus, you go first."

Peter pointed to the former captain of the guard in Troski village, lightly touched his chest with the tip of his sword, and performed a standard sword salute.

"Sigh, come on."

Former guard captain Klaus chose a wooden sword, raised it in salute, and struck first—a swift "slash" aimed straight at his head!

Peter did not back down, but instead went to meet him head-on.

Step forward with your left foot, and sweep the sword out from the lower left—a knee strike to start the attack!

Klaus instinctively parried, but Peter's sword strike was not yet finished. Using the rebound force, he slashed upwards at the throat, then turned right to chop at the collarbone—a three-hit combo!

"Clang! Clang! Bang!"

The third blow struck his shoulder blade, causing his arm to go numb and his longsword to slip from his hand.

Peter lightly touched his throat with the tip of his sword: "Defeat."

The entire room fell silent.

"Ace, come here!"

Peter then selected another person.

Ace, the leader of the Hound mercenary group, is a mercenary exile from northern Germany. He has chosen a pair of short wooden swords and is known for his cunning. He does not attack head-on, but instead circles around, waiting for an opportunity to strike.

Peter stood still, his gaze sharp as an eagle's.

Ace suddenly closed in, his two swords crossing, one thrusting at the face, the other slashing at the waist and ribs—a typical "cross-suppression" move.

Peter shifted his feet slightly, his left hand gripping the dagger in reverse to parry the sword aimed at his face, while his right hand swept the longsword horizontally—a horizontal slash!

The three consecutive strikes, "up → right → left," accurately hit the opening under his ribs.

Ace staggered backward, but Peter persisted, taking a half-step forward and suddenly lifting the hilt of his sword!

"Bang!" The hilt of the sword struck his chin, and he fell backward to the ground. Although it was made of wood, it almost made him faint.

"continue!"

Peter continued calling out names, standing in the center of the room like an insurmountable mountain.

Someone launched a fierce attack with "Rage Strike," but Peter anticipated the opening of the third strike with "Master Counter" and knocked the attacker down with the hilt of his sword. Someone tried to gang up on him, but Peter used "Left and Right Thrust Slash," attacking from both sides and tripping two people at the same time as if mowing grass. Someone charged with an axe, but Peter dodged to the side and used "Fiore Half-Sword Style" with his backhand, the tip of his sword piercing the gap under the attacker's armpit, causing him to disarm and surrender.

"Van Cleef".

When the last prisoner knelt down and surrendered, Peter, as usual, called out the "masked guard" behind him.

"Why do you always drag me into disciplining them?"

Oda's expression of utter despair was hidden by a black cloth, but even Doug, the spotted dog who had been watching the commotion from beside Peter, could sense the resentment in his eyes.

As expected, Aoda only made a few moves from his entrance to his exit.

Peter sheathed his sword, and the entire arena fell silent. Each battle lasted no more than five moves.

He doesn't kill or injure, yet he leaves an invincible mark on the hearts of every opponent.

Suddenly, a low growl rang out: "Peter! Peter!"

"Peter! Peter!"

The forty-three carpenters also joined in the shouting. This was an act of worship for the victors, a glory belonging to the strong.

Doug the dog nodded in satisfaction, feeling that his earlier attempts to change his voice and shout had not been in vain.

Among the onlookers, Old Martin commented, "He has transformed 'non-competition' into 'certain victory.' When he strikes, he strikes with deadly precision."

"He mastered the combos I taught him, and even improved upon them, making his attacks more ruthless and faster than mine!"

The male cat also smiled and praised it.

Conrad nodded silently.

"Ding, the carpentry team has gained 60 loyalty points to 8 members. Do you wish to accept their allegiance and open the character panel?"

"Ding, Oda Semi's loyalty has reached 60 points. Do you wish to accept his allegiance and open the character panel?"

"accept."

Peter instructed, "Master Martin, prepare the supplies for tonight's communion ceremony. I will give another blessing after communion."