This Hero is Too Curious! - 88 This Hero and Styles!

“Well that was… unique. I can tell that you won’t be able to take on 2 at once without any problems though. You need to learn how to use styles before these guy’s buddies show up.” He began, though I began to shrink slightly. Implying that we are going to die if I don’t figure out something is fairly horrifying. Double this with the fact that Jaq has been freaking me out a bit by taking things at his own pace, I’m not exactly very comfortable… It seems Jaq has taken notice of this.

“Relax. It’s not that hard. If you’re really level 12, and from what I saw you definitely are, then you should be able to do it.”

“W-Well… Fine! How do I do it? What even is a style anyway? You didn’t explain when we were fighting like you said you would!”

“Yeah yeah. I get caught up in fights, it’s my bad habit. Sorry about that. Anywho… A style is basically just a maximization of your ability that you are using. The two most basic styles are Style: Attacker and Style: Defender. I’m certain you can tell what they do, but they’re really good beginner styles. After you activate them you’ll become much more powerful in the regard of whatever ability you’re trying to maximize.”

“So… They’re just optimizations? They just set your ability to the max when you use it?” I could feel the tension in my shoulders relax slightly. This isn’t too complicated. I could probably do this actually.

“Somewhat, but that’s really only the basic styles. When you get to the more in depth styles they become way more complicated. Some of the strongest styles we know of can make people stronger than entire armies.” He finished talking by clenching his fist as hard as he could. The sound of his muscles tightening could be heard all the way where I was.

“Wait so is this like a form? Is there a super saiyan style?”

“I guess you could call it a combat form. As for ‘super saiyan’ I don’t know what that is, but styles can be invented and changed at the user’s discretion, so it’s entirely possible.”

I stood silently for a moment. I know we don’t have a lot of time to work this out, but I need to think. If styles are what he says they are, then theoretically I can make a style for anything. Kany, Erana, and Tael can also make and use styles. Does the Demon King have styles? Do strong monsters use styles? Is this an adventurer secret or is it written about somewhere?

“Now listen up, to activate a style, there are a few prerequisites and conditions that you need to fulfill. For Style: Attacker, you only need to be at least level 10, activate 3 offensive based skills, and have at least 1 level in a class that is based around using weapons such as swords.” Jaq took a fighting pose and lowered his sword towards the ground as he exhaled sharply, readying himself. “Warriors Might, Strike, Maximum Charge.” He said as his body began to glow with a faint red outline. A faint steam began to emanate from his body as his muscles bulged slightly. I couldn’t describe the feeling of being near him, but he gave off the aura of a hunter that was ready to pounce on his prey.

Jaq quickly exhaled as the steam ceased and the red aura dissipated. His muscles shrank slightly as a result of him dropping the power.

“See? Easy!” He turned towards me and smiled. “Now it’s your-” He began, but a black sphere that was giving off a sizzling noise was tossed into the center of our hiding spot. Jaq and I didn’t need to say a single word. We both jumped out of the pit as fast as we could. Unfortunately, this brought us face to face with the other 4 hobgoblins that had been waiting. Before I was able to take a fighting stance, I heard a loud boom where we had just been standing as a wave of heat came over me and blew my hair around.

“Okay kid! Trial by fire! You don’t have a choice now! I can handle 2 and you can handle 2! I can’t save you right now because my hands will be full! Style: Attacker!” He shouted out as he rushed his opponents, taking them by surprise.

The two hobgoblins that stood before me eyed me. My sword was pointed towards them, but theirs were pointed towards me as well. They were being cautious. They definitely knew that since their buddies hadn’t emerged that we had killed them.

I can’t let them take the initiative. I need to act now. Come on Kenji. You can do this…

3 offensive based skills… I shifted myself lower to the ground. The opponents in front of me shifted themselves as well, readying themselves for my charge.

“Ability Boost: Attack, Strike…” And my final ability, my new level 5 warrior skill… “Warriors Might.” I could feel my muscles begin to bulge with power. My body was giving off steam just like Jaq had been doing prior. I could feel it in my mind, like there were pieces of a puzzle floating around, they were ready to be assembled. There’s only one thing left to do now…

“Style: Attacker!” I shouted out. A red aura began to envelop me as I could feel my body begin to change.

The hobgoblins took my shout as their opportunity and made a beeline for me. I could see their movements as if they were moving in slow motion compared to me. My thoughts when it came to taking them down were clear.

First… You, on the left. I’ll handle you.

I sidestepped their tandem slashes as their swords struck the dirt that I once stood upon. I raised my sword ever so slightly, finding the exact right angle.

It’s strange, it’s like everything in the world has stopped existing. The only things that are here anymore are myself, my enemies, and my weapon in my hand. I could feel my weapon being pulled towards a specific spot towards the enemy, like a string was being pulled.

My sword flew towards the monster with a speed that would make a bullet ashamed of itself. The Hobgoblin could barely place its sword between my attack and itself to block, but that proved fruitless. My blade cleaved its weapon in two as my cut went straight through its abdomen and left through the other side, cutting the foul beast in half. After a moment I could hear the sound of its sword falling to the ground while its body soon followed.

I couldn’t appreciate my newfound abilities just yet. I need to handle the second one.

This gorilla of an opponent showed true horror on its face. It turned around and began to run, but it was too late.

I held my sword like a javelin and threw it as hard as I could at the pathetic opponent in front of me. After only a moment, the blade went straight through its head and out the other side. The hobgoblin fell limply to the ground with a sickening crunch.

I ran towards my sword to take it out of the beast. I can spare to not be focused entirely on combat now, so I decided to look towards Jaq and see how he’s doing.

Both of his opponents are lying dead on the ground. By the looks of things, he just finished his business too.

I pulled my sword that had been dyed red from blood out of the skull of the dead hobgoblin. Once I had ensured that no other enemies were nearby, I exhaled sharply as I loosened the tension inside of me and released the style.

A wave of exhaustion swept over me, but it was not enough to make me collapse or even be incapable of acting. It was more along the lines of a chunk of my stamina had just been used. This must be the drawback of using a style, but I’ll need to ask about them more before I can draw my own conclusions.

Jaq ran up to me, patted me on the shoulder, and pointed towards a few bushes indicating that we needed to hide. I followed his lead.