Samael wiped off the sweat trickling down his chin as he hungered for air, something he did not expect as continuous rank-ups and stat changes have boosted his stamina above the roof. However, his beliefs are once again challenged by a single rabbit.

These past few days, all he and Ajax have been doing is wake up, eat, train, short rest, train, and the cycle repeats.

Killing the rabbit is undoubtedly one of the hardest things Samael has encountered. The rabbit was like the wind, shifting to his attacks and ever so agile. No matter how much he tries, he fails.

But it didn't discourage him. In fact, Ishkar's words kept repeating in his mind about how passive and blind he was. Samael has drawn multiple conclusions, but knowing the man, he would have meant it literally.

Still, Samael is still confused about how he is passive. Wasn't aggression the act of attacking your opponent without mercy and great intensity? Not giving them time to recover or think? Was he truly missing something?

Plus, what does Ishkar mean by blind? Was he not seeing something he should be seeing right now? Or perhaps he's unable to detect an important aspect of this training?

A soft sigh escaped Samuel's lips. Ajax's training was far easier by his standards; he just has to fight monsters and hone his combat abilities. Sure, it's much riskier, but that's the environment he's used to too.

Sitting down, Samael watched the rabbit hop around mindlessly, drifting through the endless desert. However, his attention soon shifted when a figure overshadowed him.

It was Ishkar.

"Tired?" Ishkar asked.

"No, just... unsure," Samael said.

"Why?" Ishkar asked. "My commands were simple."

"Simple, yes... but not as simple as you think," Samael replied.

Ishkar's eyes narrowed as he watched the ghost hopper in front of the boy. "Come," he said.

Samuel's brows furrowed as he rose up and dusted himself. "Where are we going?"

"To the battlefield," Ishkar said plainly.

Although Ishkar knew that Samael improved best when taught, learning by yourself is also an aspect one must master because he cannot always live in the shadows of those that are ahead of him.

On their way, Ishkar also fetched Ajax, saying the same thing. "Follow me."

After some time traversing the endless desert, they soon arrived at a ruined village far from the great wall. But contrary to what Samael expected, there were no abominations in their path.

Sitting around a campfire, Samael felt rather unsure, as he's used to the fact that such things are bound to attract unruly enemies. But throughout the rest of the night, nothing happened.

When morning came, Samael woke up early just to realise Ishkar had already begun to hunt. Following his steps, Samael found the man in a faceoff with an abomination in the transcendent rank.

Watching quietly by the shadows, Samael keenly observed Ishkar's moves.

Ishkar remained still for a while, watching the beast circle him as though he were prey. However, he soon made his move as he clenched his fists, blood beginning to form in his knuckles.

Reacting to this, the beast circling him pounced straight at him, jaws wide open, aiming to tear off his throat. But he remained calm.

But to Samael's surprise, Ishkar didn't wait for an opportunity to counter; instead, he rushed in with one forceful kick to the ground.

The abomination in front of him could not react in time as Ishkar slammed his fist straight to its face, sending it barreling back. Yet he wasn't done yet.

Not giving the beast time to even stand up, Ishkar once again pounced, his arms wide open with spikes jutting out—the same attack he used on Samael.

Seeing this, the beast hastily jumped to the side only to be halted in his steps as Ishkar grabbed its leg, hurled him in the air, and smashed him straight on the ground, causing a large explosion.

The beast, still alive, roared as it began to mindlessly claw at Ishkar. However, Ishkar did not dodge or block; instead, he countered as he slipped past the attacks, each time throwing a mean punch at the gaps the creature made, pummeling him even more.

But defying Samael's expectations once more, Ishkar switched his fighting style midway as he blocked the creature's claw from reaching him before smashing his fist against its chin and throwing it in the air.

However, before it could even reach some height, Ishkar once again grabbed the creature by the leg, dragging it down as he leaped and slammed his knee straight to its skull, blowing it to pieces.

The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.

Landing back down, Ishkar went straight to cutting up its body for the meat.

Samael's eyes remained fixated on the man, events of what just happened still flashing in his mind. It was indescribable how he fought and the beauty in it. Something Samael did not expect to find in combat.

But his eyes widened when he soon realised something.

He was not breathing.

In the entirety of the fight, Samael had creased to breathe under the tension of the fight. Was this what the beast Ishkar was fighting felt?

Returning back to their camp, Samael sat down as he recalled the fight. Each move and action Ishkar took, he engraved in his mind.

When noon came, Samael began his training once more as he chased after the rabbit without end. He slashed, hacked, and used his element, but to no avail.

Frustrated, Samael threw his axe down the ground, causing the sand to rise as he released a muffled scream.

Not only did he feel annoyed that it felt as though he made no progress, but something else was bothering him. As if he was missing something in his fight.

But what was it?

Picking up his weapon once more, Samael began chasing after the creature again. He kept going after it without stop, every single time failing without a doubt. Soon, the skies had darkened, and he had made no progress again.

Silently watching by the side, Ishkar shook his head as he went back. Samael followed suit shortly afterwards.

When morning came again, Samael was woken up by Ishkar's voice along with the sound of steel clanking. Sitting up, he saw Ajax and Ishkar in the middle of the camp, training.

"No, utilise your body more, shift your weight accordingly, and move your feet," Ishkar said as he kept adjusting Ajax's posture and movement.

The man guided Ajax each step along the way, making sure he knew where he was going.

Seeing this, Samael was once again reminded of Ishkar's fight with the abomination and the beauty in it. So he took up his weapon and went to train.

But like yesterday, it was futile as he found himself burdened by his progress.

Sitting by the camp again, Samael watched the Ishkar and Ajax duel.

"No! You're too plain and easy to read! Fighting isn't all about attacking; it's about creating opportunities and using that opportunity to win!" Ishkar said.

Hearing this, Samael's eyes glistened as he once more remembered his fight.

When morning came, Samael was gone early, way earlier than even Ishkar, prompting the man to follow after the boy.

Standing before the rabbit, Samael recalled Ishkar's fight. But this time, he followed each and every move he made, making sure no mistakes were made even if his attacks seemed rather sloppy.

Although he failed to capture the rabbit, Samael did not feel frustrated like before. Instead, he felt a form of satisfaction and a will to do more.

A small smile made its way to Ishkar's lips. Finally, he had begun to learn, to adapt, and to finally understand on his own.

Although it may seem like Samael was simply copying Ishkar, that wasn't the case. Instead, he was "feeling."

Soon, noon came, and Samael decided to take some rest, so he sat down in their camp and recalled the experience of copying Ishkar's moves. The feeling, the sensation, and the thrill he felt.

He now believes that what he was lacking was that feeling. He knew that if he had that, he would soar even higher than before.

But what was it?

After his break, Samael returned to his training, copying the man again. By now, nearly a week had passed.

Lowering his axe, Samael breathed out. Just what was it that he was lacking? No matter how many times he tries, he never seems to understand.

Lifting his blade, Samael examined his memory of Ishkar's fight. But this time, he tried to imagine what he could have done to prevent the man if he were the beast.

In his mind, he slowly, detail by detail, recalled all of Ishkar's moves. From the moment he lunged forward with great speed.

What could he have done then? Yes, dodge. Blocking would have ended the fight immediately, for Ishkar is like an unstoppable force.

Unstoppable force... Why is he like one?

Was it because of his strength? Speed? His power?

No, he must dig deeper. Simply copying him won't work now.

Ishkar's next move was to throw a punch, which sent the beast back. Afterwards, he dashed once more, intending to end the fight right there.

What could he have done?

Dash. It was the only possible move. Yet, even that did not work, as Ishkar simply dragged the beast by its foot.

There was simply nothing the abomination could do.

Attacking would have failed. Defending would have failed. Dodging would have failed.

He was truly an unstoppable force.

"An unstoppable force..." Samael muttered.

What is an unstoppable force?

Is it a force so strong nothing can defy it?

No.

While that may be partially true, that wasn't what made Ishkar so strong.

Looking at Samael's still figure, Ishkar's eyes widened. "Is he...?"

A soft chuckle escaped his lips. Samael really is a prodigy.

"Icarius, you bastard, where did you find such a monster?!"

Opening his eyes, Samael wielded his axe once more, a cold yet suffocating aura emanating from his body. It wasn't bloodlust or astral pressure. No, it was something vastly different yet, at the same time, similar.

Looking at the jumping rabbit, Samael's eyes locked in its figure. This time, he paid attention to its every move. The way its muscles flexed, its eyes darted, and the way it angled its body.

Sensing the odd aura coming from Samael, the rabbit hastily dashed away, leaving nothing but sand in its wake.

But it was different this time.

With one forceful stomp on the ground, Samuel's figure blasted forward, closing the gap with ease.

Sensing his intent, the rabbit swiftly evaded the downward slash as it hopped to the right, only for Samael to recoil back and follow up with a circular hack.

Panic ate through the rabbit as it bounced around frantically, attempting to find an escape route but to no avail.

Samaela's attacks were relentless as he steadily slashed his way through. Yet, the rabbit was still unharmed.

But not for long.

Dodging Samael's attack, the beast hopped back as it took one last look at the man, only to see an axe coming its way. Flexing its feet, it bounced back when it struck a hard surface, causing it to tumble down.

It had been cornered.

Shifting its gaze at Samael, the beast's eyes circled as its head was thrown high in the air.

A low thud echoed as its corpse sprawled at the sand, staining the golden ground in crimson.

Ishkar could only shake his head in disbelief. To think he would understand the concept so fast is beyond him.

Aggressiveness wasn't just about attacking your opponent and overwhelming them. No, it is far more than that.

You don't look for opportunities; you make them.

But most importantly, you don't just overwhelm.

Straightening his back, Samael shifted his gaze at his axe.

Yes, this was what made Ishkar so strong.

"He dominates."

You dominate.

That is the art of an aggresor.