Chapter 126: Combos

*Date: 33,480 Third Quarter — Kingdom of Satar, Capital City Parthanon*

A week passed with Demir learning to actually fight with sword and shield against capable opponents. Turbo and his cunning ways to deal with stronger foes really helped. They even hired some of the Rose Garden fighters to spar against Demir in order to prepare him against different types of opponents. A stocky dwarf with a hammer taught him how to handle power fighters. A lithe elf with twin daggers showed him the dangers of speed. A massive orc with a club demonstrated what raw strength could do.

But the week wasn't only spent on Demir's training. It was also spent worrying for his dwarven friends. There was a civil war in the dwarven lands, and the Iron Prince was playing dirty to stay in power. He was using goblins. Messages with Sin indicated that the goblin army was now only waiting as auxiliary forces outside the city. Demir had to signal caution continuously to Sin to keep him out of danger.

*"Stay back,"* he would write. *"Don't do anything stupid."*

*"I'm being careful,"* Sin would reply. *"But Timmy deserves justice."*

Brovick's side in the secluded valley was aware of the dangers growing, but the retired old dwarves weren't on the side of taking action. Demir was somewhat relieved by the news, and with the escalation of who would get the throne now on pause, he once again started full focus on his training of fighting arts.

When he took breaks from training, Demir was forging blades for his helpers. Turbo and his gang had proven invaluable. He had only promised to Turbo, but the rest of the crew was really helpful. And little by little, they were getting the remaining balance from Quarnion.

Frolin had first tried to downplay the situation, but Demir held his ground and showed him the door. The noble had expected his twenty percent cut anyway, but bringing scammers and asking for a cut was a serious scummy way to do business. Demir did not stand the humiliation by giving in to his extortion.

"You'll regret this," Frolin had said, his golden hair catching the light as he retreated. "I have connections."

"Use them, then," Demir had replied, his hand on his sword.

Frolin had left and not returned.

---

When Demir finished the weapons for Turbo's group, he carefully etched runes into each blade. He then forged beads onto each of them. The swords were now glistening with quality, faint magical light dancing along their edges.

Marco picked one up and tested its weight. "No other thief group will have this quality of weapons."

"Come on, they helped a lot. And they're not thieves."

Marven intervened, leaning against the doorframe of their workshop. "Not *just* thieves..."

Marco let out a laugh.

"You didn't even put beads in your own gear, but you're giving them away," Marco pointed out.

Demir continued to hammer the last bead into place. "Well, I was hoping to get another title upgrade before I upgrade my gear. But unfortunately..." He shrugged.

"Don't worry, I'm sure you're close." Marco set the sword down. "Speaking of advancing, how about fighting? Did you get any bzzt in training?"

"I did, yeah."

Marven pushed off from the doorframe, suddenly interested. "Oh, really? Does it decrease the charge attack time?"

Demir raised his head from hammering. "It did. But I also noticed certain attack patterns have really weird effects on me."

"What do you mean?"

"I mean it's like locking me in place, but also increasing my power and precision."

Marco's eyes went wide. "Like... like combos?"

"Yeah, exactly like combos. I should take notes on which ones are triggering which. It's versatile against different opponents." He stopped hammering, a grin spreading across his face. "Like, jab right, jab left, then feint a kick to throw their balance, and finally a huge swing. I learned from imitating Turbo, and I got a bzzt. I call it Turbo Charge."

Marco sat down heavily on a stool. "This game is truly endless. I now feel bad about just being a tester for stupid bugs."

Demir set down his hammer. "Anyway, I'm taking these weapons to the Rose Garden. And a little training after. Marven, please buy metal plaques and beads. I'll forge a new armor set for myself and try to add beads to my gear."

Marven saluted playfully. "Right on, boss."

Demir shook his head, then laughed.

---

When Demir arrived at the Rose Garden, he approached Kuza first. He gave six weapons to the wiry man and asked him to distribute them to the other members of their group. He took the last weapon and handed it to Turbo.

Turbo held the blade up, watching light dance along its edge. "Wow. Thanks, Demir. It's not as shiny as yours, but it'll do."

Kirious appeared beside them, hand extended and open. "Hey, don't be ungrateful." He turned to Demir. "Where's mine?"

"I didn't make you one."

Kirious's face fell. "Why?"

Turbo stood up, testing the sword's balance with practiced swings. "What do you mean, why? You're a treasure hunter. What would you do with a sword as nice as this?"

"But... I..."

"Shut up." Turbo turned to Demir. "Come on. Let's test these bad boys."

Demir hesitated. "With real weapons?"

"Hell yeah. The tournament is relentless. You player idiots kill each other there. I'm glad we're not that barbaric."

Kuza nodded sagely. "I don't know how the Emperor gives permission to that savagery."

Demir was baffled at these two acting like they were superior. "Mind if I remind you that you knocked me out and kidnapped me for coin?"

Kuza shrugged. "That's different."

"Yeah, we were hired," Turbo said. "We've been driven to crime because of this city's living standards."

Demir let out a laugh. "Dragged to crime."

Turbo grinned. "Okay, okay, you laugh. But get in the arena. Let me show you how this city also made us stronger."

Demir took his place in the arena and drew his sword. He had also brought his shield.

Turbo eyed the shield. "Is that thing just for show? What's the purpose of those scales?"

"Stop the shit talking and show me what you've got. These scales are for mages, to reflect spells."

"Then I'm glad I'm not a weak mage."

Turbo dashed. In an instant, he was on Demir. But now, thanks to his gear's stat bonuses, Demir was also faster. He read Turbo's attack pattern. He took the blow with the shield and swung in a short arc to test his reaction.

"Not bad, not bad." Turbo made two back steps in quick succession, then judged Demir and gestured for him to attack. "This sword made me faster. How is that possible?"

Demir pressed forward after the gesture, trying to corner Turbo. But Turbo's nickname existed for a reason. His side steps helped him escape from every corner Demir tried to box him into. They danced across the arena, blades singing.

"I'm actually a good smith," Demir said between exchanges. "I can add good stat points, unlike other smiths."

"Nice, nice. You've also improved."

Turbo suddenly shifted his rhythm. He zigzagged left when Demir expected right, and his foot swept out. Demir felt his balance break. In one fluid motion, Turbo drew his dagger and pressed it to Demir's throat.

"Dead," Turbo said simply.

Demir brushed dust from his clothes as he stood. "I lost again."

"Well, I hid it well, but you almost took me. Some of your swings are too powerful. I don't understand how some of them pack so much strength."

"It's basically player sword magic. You could probably do it too, but you'd have to learn from a master. We just have to time it correctly."

From that day on, Demir sparred with Turbo and Kuza daily. When they tired and left, Demir worked on the dummies to enhance his sharpness. There came a time when he had to leave the Rose Garden because of the illegal fights starting at night. During those times, he worked to forge new materials for himself and everyone else.

On the last day of the week, Demir finally got another bzzt from his new pattern.

He called it Relentless Defence.