Danmachi: Gacha Draw

"Ais, what do you think a powerful swordsman needs the most?" Link asked Ais in the courtyard. 

"A sharp sword?" 

The taciturn blonde girl still spoke simply and clearly. 

"A sharp sword?" 

After Link heard this, he shook his head.

"I once heard about the exploits of a powerful swordsman. To him, everything in the world can be a sword. Even branches picked up from the ground can be used as swords. Use them, and I think that what makes a swordsman truly powerful is not the sword, but here." 

Link pointed at his heart. 

Of course, it was impossible for Ais to understand something so profound, so doubt naturally showed in her eyes. 

Link had no choice but to say, "Let me demonstrate it to you." 

Ais nodded. 

Link randomly chose an open space and took out the most common sword made by the Hephaestus Family from the system space.

He took a sword stance, calmed himself down, and prepared to slash with the sword.

Link felt his vision clear. 

The entire world seemed to lose its color in a flash.

An instant later, everything became clearer. 

In this state, he could even clearly see the texture of the stones and leaves and feel the rhythm of the butterfly wings flapping near the flowers. 

Everything seemed to be alive at this moment, breathing its own unique breath, whether slow or fast; each thing had its own distinct rhythm. 

The entire world appeared alive at this moment. 

This is... 

A realm of swordsmanship. 

Feel the breath of all things. 

Link did not choose to cut with the sword but instead held it and swept it.

The long sword quickly pierced through a small half of the leaves, like a breeze, gently lifting and placing the branches and leaves down as if lowering a curtain. 

Not a single leaf bore a mark from being struck by the sword. 

It was as if nothing had happened. 

Although this attack seemed a little weak, it was actually very light.

It was even harder to control the longsword's edge without leaving marks on the leaves. 

Link pulled back his sword and looked at Ais again. 

Ais nodded slightly. She held the Desperate' and imitated Link's previous action, casually sweeping it toward the leaves.

As a result, the branches were directly cut off, and many leaves bore marks from the sharp sword. 

Ais's pupils shrank.

She then discovered Link's extraordinary swordsmanship and looked at him in surprise. 

With Hawkeye's sword skills, Link could certainly teach Ais a lot. 

First, start by sensing the breath of all things and cutting through steel. 

Cutting steel is just a stepping stone for a swordsman.

The next step is cutting irons or diamonds, right?

"That's probably it, Ais; you need to find the weak points. Even the most common weapons can cut through thin steel. Similarly, no matter how sharp the weapon is, it can't cut through blades."

"Maximum power control?"

As the youngest swordsman, Ais was, of course, a rare genius.

She quickly noticed every detail of Link's sword movements and began to learn under his guidance.

She have to work harder…

In her heart, Ais was also becoming excited.

She closed her eyes and focused on the sword in her hand.

After taking a deep breath, she gently swung the sword towards the branch.

Although the swing was gentle enough, some leaves still bore sword marks from the sharp sword of despair.

Ais frowned and became anxious.

In order to realize her long-cherished wish, she greedily sought stronger power, but in the past year, her strength had increased more and more slowly.

But Link, in front of her, rushed to reach LV. 4 in a short period of time.

How can one progress as fast as Link?

"Ais, she's really anxious."

Riveria, along with Finn and the others, were hiding in the distance and quietly watching.

After observing Ais' practice for a while, Riveria was the first to notice Ais' state.

"She must have been affected by Link."

Loki looked to the side with a smile.

Link was also there, repeating the actions and teaching Ais.

At first, Link only planned to give her a simple lesson and be done with it.

However, Ais had a dark look in her eyes, glancing at him from time to time like a resentful little daughter-in-law.

Uncomfortable under this pitiful and burning gaze, Link had no choice but to abandon his plan to rest.

"Ais, do you want to spar with me?"

Ais shook her head reflexively after hearing this but quickly nodded vigorously to confirm, "That's right."

Actual combat is the best way to become stronger.

The two of them separated and faced each other.

Link attacked first.

Of course, he wouldn't use the Zanpakutō.

Link only used the ordinary longsword made by the Hephaestus Familia in his hand.

He employed excellent swordsmanship and continued to engage with Ais together.

In the courtyard, swords flashed through the air.

Both of them swung their swords very quickly. In the blink of an eye, they exchanged more than ten strikes.

Ais gradually became exhausted and began to use magic.

Don't talk about ethics!

However, Link caught the mistake in her chant's pause and struck her head with the hilt of his sword.

She was defeated miserably.

"I lost."

Ais covered her head: "Link, you are so strong."

Ais squatted on the ground, her voice sounding rather resentful: "Why is Link progressing so quickly?"

(Translator-san: hacks, hacks my lady 😂😂😂)

Riveria, Finn, Bete, and others watching from a distance quietly pricked up their ears. 

"There is no secret."

Link continued shaking his head and said, "There has never been any secret to me becoming stronger." 

Link helped Ais up from the ground. 

"When I was at LV.1, most of the monsters that died under my sword were basically at LV.2 or LV.3. It's always been like this, constantly jumping levels and challenging them. In other words, my progress is all built from 'great deeds' one after another, and this is the reason I became strong so quickly." 

There was nothing wrong with what Link said. 

Whether it was Goliath, the leader of the room at the time, or Antares behind him, they all put a great deal of pressure on Link. 

The speed of his progress has always been outstanding, and everyone has become accustomed to it.

However, it is true that many of the monsters that died under his sword were above his own level.

These are great achievements that are difficult for ordinary people to obtain. 

Thinking about it this way, it is completely normal for his strength to have improved rapidly. 

Ais suddenly looked a little decadent.

Could the so-called shortcut to upgrading be countless great achievements? 

This is simply impossible to learn. 

She looked at Link in front of her with complicated eyes and couldn't help but feel ashamed of her previous jealousy.

The reason he became stronger so quickly was that he kept fighting for his life. 

"Not good!" 

Riveria also heard Link's answer.

Link's determination and strength flashed through her mind, but she immediately became worried for Ais. 

Actually... 

"If Link can do it..." 

Crazy thoughts flashed through Ais's mind. 

If great deeds are the only shortcut to leveling up, then it may not be possible without risking your life. 

She wants to become stronger, no matter what. 

However, the basis for this is that she must have a complement! 

Link noticed Ais's thoughts and couldn't help but be moved by this girl's determination to become stronger. 

But he also didn't want Ais to take risks and endanger her life for this. 

"Ais." 

"Huh?" 

"It can't be so stupid." 

Link saw through Ais's thoughts.

"There are other paths to follow, such as miracles, pure longing, or the desire to protect others. You can obtain the miracle of becoming stronger. From your words, I think it can be done." 

For example, in the original work, Link doesn't believe that Ais can't obtain Bell's 'skill.'

Seriously, after all, she is the heroine of this world. 

Instead of risking her life, it is better to think about this method and find another way.