Master Kallan led Drake away from the desolate village square of Veridian Rise, towards a small, secluded grove hidden just beyond the settlement's dilapidated palisade wall. Sunlight filtered softly through the canopy here, illuminating a patch of carefully tended, level ground marked with worn practice circles. A simple wooden weapons rack stood against a large oak, holding various training swords and staves. It felt peaceful, isolated, a stark contrast to the brutal repetition of the Guardian's chamber.
Drake stood respectfully, awaiting instruction. He was Level 10, his [Basic Slash] and [Defend] skills locked at a hard-won 95% SCR baseline – near-perfect, yet demonstrably insufficient against the Unbeatable Guardian. Hope warred with skepticism; could this old man truly offer anything more than the incremental gains achieved through his own relentless grind?
Kallan turned, his keen eyes assessing Drake. "You possess remarkable persistence," the old master began, his voice calm. "You have honed your execution through sheer will to a level few ever reach. But refinement through repetition can hit a ceiling. Sometimes, one must first truly understand the destination before the path becomes clear. Today's lesson is not about endurance, but about clarity."
He reached into a pouch at his belt and produced a small bundle of dark, fragrant sticks tied with simple twine. "Ancient techniques, passed down through forgotten lines," Kallan explained, holding out the bundle. "This is [Focusing Incense]. Its smoke, when inhaled during practice, temporarily quiets the mind's chatter, sharpens the senses, and allows a… deeper connection to the flow of an action. It will grant you a glimpse of what perfect execution feels like. Understand? A glimpse only. The feeling fades, but the memory, the understanding, remains as a target to strive for."
"Incense? Sharpened senses? Sounds like a temporary buff. But... 'glimpse of perfect execution'? If I can achieve 100% SCR even once while this is active..." Drake's mind raced, connecting Kallan's lesson with the core mechanic of his [Eidetic Execution]. If his talent locked the best performance achieved...
"I understand, Master Kallan," Drake said, taking the incense bundle carefully.
"Good. Light one," Kallan instructed, gesturing towards a small brazier nearby. "Place it where the smoke drifts towards you. Then, take up a practice sword and strike the post," he indicated a sturdy wooden post deeply scarred from countless impacts. "Focus only on the swing, on the feeling the incense provides. Let the technique flow."
Drake did as instructed. He lit one end of an incense stick; a thin tendril of sweet, slightly spicy smoke curled upwards, carrying an oddly clarifying scent. He placed it in the brazier, positioned himself so the drift washed gently over him, and picked up a plain wooden practice sword from the rack. He took a ready stance before the striking post. As he inhaled the fragrant smoke, the world seemed to subtly shift. Background noises faded slightly, the colours of the grove seemed sharper, and the air itself felt clearer, charged with potential.
He focused on the striking post, visualized the phantom line guide for [Basic Slash], and initiated the skill. He breathed in the smoke, exhaled slowly, and let his arm move, guided by the incense-enhanced focus and Kallan's quiet instruction from the side: "Smooth arc... extend through... feel the center..."
His swing felt different. Effortless, yet precise. Perfectly balanced, timed exactly with the phantom guide that now seemed almost tangible in his vision. THWACK! The impact was clean, resonant.
<< Skill Success! SCR 100%! PERFECT EXECUTION! >> << Damage Dealt: 45! >>
The number itself wasn't important, but the percentage and the 'PERFECT EXECUTION' tag were everything. Before the feeling of surprise could fully register, another notification chimed, confirming his suspicion.
<< [Peak Performance Replication] updated: [Basic Slash] SCR 100%! >>
It was permanent. The momentary glimpse Kallan had intended to provide was now locked in as Drake's new baseline, courtesy of his unique talent. Almost immediately, another alert followed.
<< Achievement Unlocked: First Perfect Strike! >>
<< Title Acquired: [Flawless Strike]! (Rank: 245th)! Effect: +10% Skill Effectiveness for all Perfect (100% SCR) executions. >>
"One hundred percent... locked! Just like that! And a title? Rank 245th... guess a few hundred others managed one perfect hit eventually. But mine is permanent. Plus 10% effectiveness on perfect hits? That makes 100% SCR even better..."
He quickly initiated [Basic Slash] again, without consciously focusing or relying on the incense, which already felt like it was fading slightly. His body moved automatically, flawlessly replicating the perfect 100% SCR swing he had just achieved. THWACK! << Skill Success! SCR 100%! PERFECT EXECUTION! Damage Dealt: 47! >>
It worked. His basic attack was now perfected. A huge grin spread across Drake's face.
"Master Kallan," he said, turning, excitement coloring his voice. "The incense... it worked better than expected. Could I possibly try the same for my defensive skill?"
Kallan observed him with a thoughtful expression, noticing the unnatural ease with which Drake replicated the perfect strike even after the initial attempt. "The focus granted by the incense is fleeting, but the memory remains," he said slowly, seemingly choosing his words carefully. "Very well. Defend against my strike. Feel the flow, meet the force, do not simply resist."
Kallan picked up a light wooden staff, seemingly non-threatening. Drake raised his [Rare Guardian's Buckler]. Kallan moved – not with blinding speed, but with perfect economy of motion, tapping the staff towards Drake's shield. Drake inhaled the last vestiges of the incense smoke, focused entirely on the incoming tap, anticipating the timing, angling his shield precisely as Kallan had instructed ("Meet the force... angle precisely...").
CLINK! A soft sound, almost gentle, yet the feedback felt utterly solid, perfectly timed.
<< Skill Success! SCR 100%! PERFECT DEFEND! >> << Damage Taken: 0! >> << [Peak Performance Replication] updated: [Defend] SCR 100%! >>
He'd done it again. [Defend] achieved and instantly locked. Another system alert immediately followed.
<< Achievement Unlocked: Immovable Object! >>
<< Title Acquired: [Versatile Execution]! Effect: Successfully executing any skill at Perfect (100% SCR) grants a minor reduction to global cooldowns for the next second. >>
"Perfect Defend! Zero damage taken! And locked at 100%! Another title too... minor GCD reduction after perfect hits? That could speed things up significantly..."
Drake lowered his shield, staring at his hands, then at Kallan, a sense of powerlessness replaced by burgeoning, almost overwhelming potential. He had entered this grove dejected, facing an impossible task. Now, through a combination of his own persistence, Kallan's guidance, the temporary boost of the incense, and the unique amplification of his [Eidetic Execution], his core combat abilities were elevated to absolute perfection. What Kallan intended as a momentary lesson in feeling had, for Drake, become a permanent transformation.
Master Kallan watched him, a flicker of surprise or perhaps deep calculation in his eyes, noting the second instance of immediate, flawless replication. He offered only a quiet nod. "You learn quickly, Drake. Or perhaps, you remember well. The feeling of perfection is now known to you. The application of it against true adversity remains your challenge."
Drake nodded, understanding completely. He felt immensely empowered, the daunting task of the Unbeatable Guardian suddenly seeming… less impossible. Difficult, yes. Demanding, absolutely. But now, with [Defend] negating damage entirely and [Perfect Slash] dealing maximum potential boosted by titles, he had tools. He had a chance.
He bowed respectfully to Master Kallan. "Thank you, Master. This guidance... was invaluable."
He felt truly ready now. Ready to face the Guardian again, armed not just with persistence, but with perfection.