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A Knight Who Eternally Regresses

A Knight Who Eternally Regresses

Soul Pung · Baga Yaga

4.0 1040 chapters 180 views

Though it may be a weathered, crumpled, and fading dream. I held on without surrender. Through each repeated day, I ran toward tomorrow's light. Becoming a knight, bright and resolute.

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Dropped into Murim with an Instant Kill Skill Ongoing
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Dropped into Murim with an Instant Kill Skill

Iron Lotus

132 ch ★ 4.8 Action
I'm an Infinite Regressor, But I've Got Stories to Tell Ongoing
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I'm an Infinite Regressor, But I've Got Stories to Tell

Shin No-ah

485 ch ★ — Modern Fantasy

Audio chapters (710) · 31–60

Chapter 31 Encrid executes a diversionary plan to attack an enemy camp by having Mac and the squad create a distraction while he and Andrew infiltrate. After Mac draws attention by throwing a stone, Encrid is discovered by a spearman. Using the Valen Mercenary Three Swords Style, Encrid manages to kill the soldier, but is immediately confronted by a formidable enemy commander. Despite a significant skill gap, Encrid's thrust is expertly parried, leaving him with a graze on his neck. The commander, distracted by a massive fire started by Andrew and a thug-background soldier, prioritizes saving the camp's flagpoles over pursuing Encrid. As the squad retreats, they are pursued by five soldiers. The group suffers heavy casualties, with Enri being severely wounded. Guided by Enri's knowledge of the terrain, Encrid leads the survivors toward the Green Pearl plains to shake the pursuers. As dawn breaks, the scout team successfully reunites with the main force, having survived another day of repeated cycles. 14:44
Chapter 32 Following a successful but chaotic scouting mission, the company commander of the 'Gray Hound' unit—a tenacious independent company of the Aspen Duchy—is left frustrated by the breach in his camp's defenses. Despite the infiltration by Naurillia creatures that set the camp on fire, the commander resolves to hunt down the unknown scout leader responsible. Meanwhile, Enkrid and his surviving squad members—Andrew, Mac, and Enri—return to the main camp. The scout platoon leader is bewildered by the squad's survival and the improbable nature of their success, which Enkrid attributes to luck. As they walk back, Enkrid reflects on his role as a knight and the weight of responsibility for the five comrades who died during the mission. Upon arriving at the barracks, the group finds chaos unfolding; a fight has broken out between Rem and Ragna Zaun in front of the troublemakers' barracks. 13:18
Chapter 33 The Company Commander reviews a report from the scout platoon leader regarding Encrid's squad. Despite having only ten men, the squad successfully infiltrated an enemy camp and set it on fire, with five members returning with significant achievements. The Commander, skeptical of Encrid's mediocre skills, wonders if his success is due to sheer luck or if he is an Aspen spy, but ultimately decides to report the matter to the battalion commander. Meanwhile, in the unit camp, Rem is suffering from extreme boredom. He engages in a heated verbal exchange with Big Eyes over cigar prices and observes the various eccentricities of his squadmates, including Krais, Jaxon, a religious fanatic, and the perpetually sleeping Ragna. To alleviate his boredom, Rem challenges Ragna to a duel. The two engage in a high-level sparring match that draws a large crowd of astonished soldiers, demonstrating skills far beyond the average soldier. Encrid arrives just as the fight reaches its peak. While observing the duel, Encrid experiences a moment of profound realization regarding his own training and the nature of his repeating days, resolving to find a new way to grow stronger. The duel concludes with Rem and Ragna acknowledging each other's skill. As the crowd disperses, the six surviving members of the squad—Encrid, Rem, Ragna, Jaxon, Krais, and the religious soldier—reunite, confirming Encrid's safe return. 12:40
Chapter 34 Following a dangerous scouting mission, Enkrid returns to the infantry camp exhausted and wounded. Rem, Jaxon, and Big Eyes (Krais) tend to him, with Jaxon applying ointment to a side wound. Enkrid reflects on his near-death experience and the mysterious enemy he encountered in the tall grass, feeling a strange competitive urge to face the opponent again. While resting and eating, Enkrid spends his time mentally practicing the Valen Mercenary Sword Technique, visualizing combat scenarios to improve his survival skills. Ragna observes Enkrid intensely throughout the rest period, though he remains largely silent. The next morning, Krais learns about the ambush in the tall grass, noting that the enemy's positioning seems strategically unusual. The 4th Platoon leader arrives to announce that the infantry battalion is moving east, toward the tall grass, as part of a larger deployment. As the troops march and set up a new camp, the tension in the air rises. During the transition, Jaxon contributes lizard meat to the squad's stew, and Ragna approaches Enkrid to ask why he pushes himself so hard through his training, hinting at a deeper concern for his well-being. 12:47
Chapter 35 In a makeshift camp, Ragna Zaun observes Encrid's unorthodox and desperate swordsmanship. Ragna, possessing an innate insight into combat, realizes that Encrid's reliance on survival-based, unrefined techniques has reached a plateau. Ragna questions Encrid's motivations, asking why he strives so hard despite his mediocre skills. Encrid reveals his profound dream: he does not just want to survive, but to become a knight who fights for honor, the poor, the sick, and those he loves. This sincere conviction sparks a new flame of motivation within Ragna, leading him to decide to walk his own path. Ragna offers to teach Encrid the sword, but with a heavy condition: Encrid must abandon his current mercenary style and rebuild his fundamentals from scratch. This process would temporarily strip him of his current combat effectiveness, essentially risking his life in future battles. Despite the daunting nature of starting over, Encrid feels an overwhelming sense of joy at the prospect of a clear path forward and wholeheartedly accepts the challenge to rebuild his swordsmanship from the beginning. 14:55
Chapter 36 Ragna Zaun begins training Encrid in swordsmanship, trading his own longsword for Encrid's arming sword to better suit Encrid's strength. The training is grueling, and Ragna provides constant, harsh critiques on Encrid's fundamentals. During their session, Rem arrives to scold them for skipping meals, leading to a brief bickering match between Rem and Ragna. As the training concludes, an enemy force appears, accompanied by a thick, unnatural fog created by the Duchy of Aspen's sorcery. The 'Fog of Annihilation' blinds the enemy forces while allowing the Aspen troops to see clearly. Amidst the chaos of invisible arrows and spears, Encrid finds himself caught in the fray. Despite Ragna's attempts to protect him, Encrid is repeatedly killed by enemy soldiers—first by a spear to the neck, and subsequently in subsequent loops. Each time he dies, the day resets. Encrid, driven by a newfound desire to master the sword, accepts Ragna's offer to continue training and enters the loop again, repeatedly dying to refine his skills through the time loop. 13:56
Chapter 37 Encrid undergoes an intensive, repetitive training regimen under Ragna Zaun, repeating the same 'today' hundreds of times. Ragna, a genius who struggles to explain natural movements, uses sarcasm to teach Encrid the fundamentals of swordsmanship, including footwork, weight shifts, and the concept of the 'attack line.' Over the course of approximately 250 repetitions, Encrid's skills improve from being unable to chop firewood to mastering complex techniques like binding and various slashing styles. Ragna becomes increasingly suspicious of Encrid's rapid progress, questioning if it is magic. During one repetition, Encrid experiences a dream involving a Ferryman who calls him a foolish idiot for dying repeatedly. After waking, Encrid questions Rem about magic. Rem explains the distinction between common magic and witchcraft, noting that witchcraft requires a medium or sacrifice and originated in the western frontier. As the training reaches its 250th day, Ragna decides it is time for real combat. As the squad prepares for battle, Encrid observes the enemy formation and notices they are clustered around six flagpoles and banners. Suspecting these are ritualistic mediums for witchcraft, Encrid prepares for the coming assault. As a thick fog rolls in, Encrid relies on his keen hearing to navigate the battlefield. 12:36
Chapter 38 Encrid, despite lacking natural talent, utilizes his exceptional adaptability and the Heart of the Beast to survive a chaotic battlefield shrouded in magical fog. During a skirmish, he kills an enemy soldier by breaking his neck and uses the soldier's spear to strike others through the mist. He employs unconventional, modified swordsmanship techniques to cut through enemy lines, eventually killing nearly twenty soldiers despite being wounded. Meanwhile, the Duchy of Aspen's commander orders the Gray Hound unit to cut off the Naurillia Kingdom's retreat, ensuring a total massacre. The Naurillia battalion commander realizes they have been outmaneuvered by sorcery and the Gray Hound unit, but the fog makes it impossible to locate the enemy's magical medium. The battle ends in a crushing defeat for Naurillia, with only a few survivors, including a fairy company commander. After the battle, a dying Encrid is struck by crossbow bolts but finds joy in the combat experience, adhering to the principle of never letting go of his sword even in death. Upon waking from the time loop, Encrid seeks out Ragna to continue his training. He demonstrates rapid improvement through repeated combat and sparring, eventually mastering the fundamentals to the point where Ragna admits there is nothing left to teach him regarding the basics. 14:42
Chapter 39 Encrid practices the combat principle of "eyes, feet, hands" through repeated cycles of death and revival. By predicting enemy movements rather than merely reacting to them, he improves his efficiency, though a mistake leaves him with a thigh wound. During his training, he encounters a rat-bearded platoon leader from the Duchy of Aspen, whom he defeats. As his skills progress, Ragna Allman introduces him to the history of swordsmanship, specifically the five categories synthesized by the genius Leonesis Oniac: straight, heavy, illusory, swift, and gentle swords. Ragna begins teaching Encrid the "Focus Point," a technique involving extreme concentration. To demonstrate the necessity of heightened nerves, Ragna performs a strike so fast it grazes Encrid's neck, drawing blood. This leads to a heated argument between Ragna and Rem regarding teaching methods and the nature of the Polar Tribe. Encrid realizes that while "The Heart of the Beast" requires boldness in the face of death, the "Focus Point" requires the desperate struggle to avoid death to sharpen the nerves. As a fog rolls in, signaling a magical intervention, the battle resumes. Encrid uses his internalized knowledge of enemy formations to navigate the battlefield with lethal precision, utilizing daggers and his longsword to cut through soldiers. He maintains his ultimate objective: reaching the flagpole that serves as the medium for the enemy's magic. 14:07
Chapter 40 Encrid undergoes grueling, repeated training sessions to master 'Focus Point,' a technique taught by Ragna Zaun. Despite the physical agony and the psychological toll of facing death repeatedly, Encrid remains resolute, using his experiences to refine his combat movements and mental fortitude. He learns that the enemy's fog is a spell and discovers that of the six flagpoles, five are decoys. Returning to the battlefield, Encrid executes a tactical plan to destroy the flagpoles. He successfully breaks the first flagpole, though he struggles with the timing of his commands to his allies. He continues his mission, breaking the second, third, and fourth flagpoles over several days of intense combat, often relying on his ability to navigate the fog and his improved combat skills. During these battles, he works alongside Rem, who enters a berserk state to clear paths for him. Finally, Encrid reaches the innermost flag unit. As he stealthily approaches the final flagpole, he is intercepted by Mitch Hurrier, a squad leader from the Duchy of Aspen. Mitch, who has been waiting for a chance to kill Encrid, is frustrated by Encrid's complete lack of recognition. The chapter concludes with the two engaging in a fierce sword duel, with Mitch noting Encrid's significantly improved skill. 14:45
Chapter 41 Encrid engages in a high-stakes, intense duel against Mitch Hurrier, a soldier of the Duchy of Aspen. The battle is a grueling exchange of heavy sword strikes and precise techniques, with both combatants pushing their physical and mental limits. As the fight progresses, Encrid experiences a state of 'oblivion,' where he loses himself in the act of combat, achieving a profound mental clarity. Despite his growing skill, Encrid is eventually outmaneuvered when Mitch deflects a heavy downward strike, leaving Encrid's chest exposed. Mitch thrusts his sword through Encrid's chest. As Encrid lies dying, he regains his memories and identifies both himself and Mitch, revealing their respective roles as Squad Leader of Naurillia and Platoon Leader of Aspen. Mitch, realizing the depth of the combat, expresses regret at the loss of such a worthy opponent. Aspen soldiers arrive, noting that Encrid had sneaked into their position. As Encrid dies with a smile, he realizes he has achieved 'Focus Point'—a state of peak performance reached through life-and-death struggle. He recognizes that Mitch was the perfect adversary to help him reach this state, and he looks forward to using his ability to repeat the day to master this sensation. 14:21
Chapter 42 Ragna Zaun attempts to teach Encrid the 'Focus Point' technique, a state of pure concentration. While Ragna is skeptical of Encrid's ability to master it due to the immense talent required, Encrid's determination inspires Ragna to teach him with full effort. Encrid struggles initially, failing to enter the state through force or instruction. To master it, Encrid utilizes his ability to loop time, repeating the same day through repeated combat and death. He duels Mitch Hurrier, a high-level soldier of the Gray Hound squad, multiple times. After ninety-four repetitions, Encrid successfully masters Focus Point, gaining complete control over his body and sword. He then approaches the 4th Platoon Leader to report that the Aspen Army is using sorcery, specifically noting suspicious activity around flagpoles and a potential sorcerer in the enemy camp. After informing the Fairy Company Commander of the sorcery, Encrid returns to the front lines, prepared to face the upcoming battle and break the enemy's flagpole. 16:38
Chapter 43 Mitch Hurrier, a highly talented and arrogant fighter from the Hurrier family, engages in a fierce duel with Encrid, an enemy soldier from a recent night raid. The battle is intense, with both combatants entering a state of extreme focus. Mitch utilizes his 'Wheel Slash' technique, but Encrid, having experienced this move many times in previous lives, anticipates the trajectory. Using his superior strength and a cracked sword, Encrid parries the strike and thrusts his sword into Mitch's chest, wounding him severely. As Encrid prepares to finish the fight, a mustached soldier intervenes to protect the wounded Mitch, and other soldiers use medicine to stabilize him. Encrid ignores the distraction and focuses on his primary objective: destroying the flagpole to dissipate the fog. He weaves through enemy lines, dodging quarrels and spears, and uses a combination of throwing knives and a thrown spear to tear the flag. The destruction of the flag causes the fog to dissipate. The chapter ends with Encrid facing a furious mustached soldier and a sorcerer, prepared to fight for his survival with a fifty-fifty chance of success. 16:44
Chapter 44 The Fairy Company Commander leads her unit through a chaotic battlefield obscured by magical fog. Despite the lack of orders from her incompetent battalion commander, she maintains formation and successfully defends her unit using her leaf-shaped sword, Naidil. When the fog suddenly lifts, she leads a decisive counterattack, sensing that a certain Squad Leader might be responsible for the change. Meanwhile, the captain of the Gray Hound company observes the fog lifting and orders his men to attack the Naurillia Kingdom's rear to aid their allies. On the front lines, Encrid is severely wounded by spears and crossbow bolts, fighting desperately with a broken sword. He engages in a tense dialogue with a mustached enemy soldier, refusing to give up because of his duty as a Squad Leader and his comrades, Rem and Ragna. Just as the mustached soldier prepares a fatal blow, a black panther with blue eyes—the same beast Encrid encountered previously—intervenes. The panther skillfully disables the enemy's crossbowmen and drags the wounded Encrid away to safety. As they are pursued by the mustached soldier, the platoon leader, Vengeance, arrives with reinforcements to rescue Encrid, successfully breaking the enemy's momentum. 15:11
Chapter 45 In a fierce skirmish, the Vengeance Platoon Leader clashes with a powerful Mustached man. The Mustached man overpowers Vengeance, leaving him incapacitated near Enkrid. As the Mustached man orders his archers to fire and his soldiers to raise shields, Enkrid enters a state of intense focus. When the Mustached man launches a decisive downward strike, Enkrid instinctively uses a deflection technique he learned from observing Mitch Hurrier. The technique successfully redirects the blow, resulting in only a deep shoulder wound for Enkrid rather than death. Surprised by Enkrid's skill, the Mustached man eventually orders a retreat, noting he will not forget Enkrid. Vengeance, recovering, tends to Enkrid's wounds and insists they rescue the injured black panther that fought alongside them. As Enkrid loses consciousness from blood loss, he hallucinates the Ferryman of the Black River, who taunts him to stop struggling and simply accept the endless repetition of the day. Enkrid internally rejects this, resolving to keep fighting for a tomorrow rather than settling for a perfect, repetitive today. Enkrid eventually wakes up in a tent, tended to by Rem, Big Eyes, and Jaxon. He finds the black panther safe by his side and is greeted by Ragna, who checks on his condition. Enkrid, having survived the day, prepares to face the next. 13:24
Chapter 46 Encrid recovers from severe stab and puncture wounds in a tent. A healer informs him he will not have permanent disabilities. Big Eyes, a healer, visits Encrid and discusses the value of a Blue-Eyed Black Panther's claw. Rem enters and engages in typical banter before questioning Encrid about how he identified the enemy's sorcery. Encrid uses a mix of truth and lies, claiming he learned about sorcery from a former settler friend and deduced the flag was the medium by observing strange formations. Rem asks where Encrid went during the battle, and Encrid jokingly claims he was chatting with his axe, though he actually toppled the flag. The platoon leader visits, noting that while the fog was indeed sorcery, he finds it absurd to believe a low-ranking soldier like Encrid could infiltrate the enemy lines to destroy the medium. After two days of recovery, Encrid discusses his newfound combat intuition with Rem and Ragna. They explain that his ability to react instinctively is a result of intense combat experience, a Focus Point, and the influence of the Heart of the Beast. Despite his injuries, Encrid expresses a desperate desire to spar, which both Rem and Ragna dismiss as madness. The chapter concludes as the Fairy Company Commander enters the tent and directly asks Encrid how he broke the sorcery. 13:29
Chapter 47 Following the battle, the Fairy Company Commander confronts Enkrid regarding the destruction of the spell's medium, a flagpole. Enkrid admits to throwing a spear at one of six flagpoles, having deduced the real one was the medium through scouting and prior knowledge. After a brief, ambiguous exchange where the Commander remarks they are connected by fate, Enkrid's companions—Rem, Ragna, Jaxon, and Big Eyes—tease him about his perceived charm with fairies. Big Eyes then reveals that a squire from the Red Cape Knights has arrived on the battlefield. This squire is a candidate for becoming a junior knight, a warrior capable of surpassing human limits. The arrival of such a combat expert explains why the enemy forces have not yet retreated. The platoon leader orders an immediate deployment to push the front line toward the enemy base. Despite his injuries, Enkrid insists on watching the deployment. As the unit marches, they witness the squire in action. The squire, wearing a red cape, moves with supernatural speed, leaving afterimages and outrunning a massive volley of arrows from enemy archers by accelerating through the ground, demonstrating combat prowess that truly transcends human limits. 12:53
Chapter 48 A squire wearing a red cape single-handedly wreaks havoc on the Duchy of Aspen's forces, demonstrating terrifying swordsmanship and movement. The squire uses a combination of quick sword and middle sword techniques to bypass shields, evade crossbow fire by leaping into the air, and eventually reaches the enemy camp. There, the squire kills the commander's bodyguard and then pierces the commander's neck, effectively ending the immediate threat. As the squire returns to the main camp, the Troublemaker squad observes the combat from the sidelines. While Rem, Ragna, and Jaxon analyze the squire's skill, Encrid enters a state of profound realization. By observing the squire's movements, Encrid's Focus Point activates, allowing him to perceive the underlying mechanics of the middle sword technique and how it intersects with other styles. This enlightenment provides Encrid with a clear vision of the path toward becoming a true knight, helping him understand his own limitations and the way to overcome them. As the allied forces charge and the battle concludes with the enemy in full retreat, Encrid's resolve is renewed, and he prepares to leave his life as a low-ranking soldier behind to pursue his dream of knighthood. 15:18
Chapter 49 Following a hard-fought victory against the forces of Aspen, the Naurillia soldiers celebrate with a mix of madness and joy. Encrid, reflecting on the battle and his own struggle to survive, reaffirms his ambition to become a true knight. During the victory celebrations, Encrid's squad members—Rem, Ragna, Jaxon, and Audin—interact amidst the chaos. While some celebrate the alcohol, others remain stoic or critical. The battalion commander approaches Encrid to acknowledge his significant contribution in tearing the sorcery medium, promising a substantial reward upon their return. Encrid also has a brief, mysterious encounter with the beautiful Fairy Company Commander, who hints at the magnitude of his achievement. Meanwhile, in the Duchy of Aspen, the King and the Duke are furious over the loss and the breach of unwritten rules caused by Naurillia's deployment of a squire. Minister Ekins realizes that Naurillia used General Frog's presence as a convenient pretext to break the stalemate. Ten days later, once fully recovered, Encrid immediately seeks out Rem for a sparring match, followed by Ragna, continuing the squad's eccentric daily routine. 13:58
Chapter 50 Following the battle, Encrid maintains a rigorous training routine, sparring with Rem, Ragna, and Jaxon to refine his skills. He utilizes the techniques they taught him, including the Focus Point technique. During a reward ceremony held two weeks after his return to the Border Guard, the battalion commander publicly acknowledges Encrid's role in breaking the spell, awarding him a substantial reward. Despite this recognition, Encrid faces jealousy and mockery from other soldiers who doubt his achievements. Jaxon intervenes by threatening two soldiers who were spreading rumors about Encrid. Encrid uses a portion of his reward to purchase a new sword containing Valyrian steel from a local blacksmith. Seeking to advance his rank, Encrid challenges an intermediate-rank soldier to a promotion match, arranged by Krais (Big Eyes). During the match, Encrid finds his opponent's skill level surprisingly low and easily trips him, leaving Encrid confused by the soldier's lack of competence. 16:19
Chapter 51 Encrid participates in a promotion match to gain recognition from intermediate soldiers. He first defeats a former mercenary with a trip, much to the confusion of onlookers. His second opponent, a heavy infantryman wielding a spear, attempts a swift thrust, but Encrid uses Ragna's advice to maintain focus, dodges the attack, and uses a combination of a feinted thrust and a shin trip to bring the soldier down. Andrew Gardner and Mac observe the duel, with Mac noting that Encrid's skills have improved tremendously and that even he would find a fight against Encrid difficult. Vengeance also watches the commotion. Kreise Allman provokes a third soldier from the 2nd Platoon to fight Encrid, mocking the man for his previous insults toward Encrid. The third soldier, despite his initial hesitation, engages Encrid. Encrid remains focused, avoiding the mistake of underestimating his opponent. He wins the third match through superior technique, locking blades and tripping the soldier to secure victory. The onlookers, including former critics, are left in awe, with some murmuring the nickname "Spellbreaker." Following his victory over the three intermediate soldiers, Encrid declares he is ready to face a superior soldier. A member of the elite Frontier Guard, a royal direct unit known as the Frontier Slaughterers, steps forward with interest to challenge him. 14:35
Chapter 52 Encrid participates in a duel against Torres, a skilled Squad Leader from the elite Border Guard. Despite the initial perception of Encrid as a low-ranking, unskilled soldier, he demonstrates exceptional skill, using instinct and precise movements to counter Torres's high-speed attacks. The duel becomes intense when Torres discards his shortsword for a dagger; Encrid manages to catch the blade with his palm to prevent a fatal blow, resulting in minor injuries to his hand and cheek. The fight is interrupted by Naidil, the 4th Company Commander, who prevents the duel from escalating into friendly fire. Following the match, Torres shows respect to Encrid, acknowledging his skill and formally introducing himself. This event serves as a major turning point for Encrid's reputation; soldiers who previously doubted him, including Bell, Vengeance, Andrew Gardner, and Mac, now defend his honor and recognize his true capabilities. While the battalion commander remains indifferent to Encrid's rising status, the general atmosphere among the troops shifts from mockery to respect. Two days later, while on guard duty with Rem, Encrid is approached by the commander of the 1st Company, the leader of the Turtle Heavy Infantry, suggesting a new development or meeting. 15:14
Chapter 53 Encrid is approached by Graham, the 1st Company Commander, who offers him a transfer to the elite 1st Company. Encrid politely refuses the offer. Graham expresses gratitude toward Encrid for his survival during the recent battle, noting that the true hero was Encrid (the Spell Breaker) rather than the incompetent Battalion Commander. After a friendly farewell, Encrid walks through the bustling market of the Border Guard city, observing the influx of merchant guilds. He feels he is being watched by a mysterious figure in an alley. Returning to the barracks, Encrid finds his squad in chaos. Rem, Ragna, and Jaxon are reacting to rumors that Encrid is abandoning the unit. Rem attempts to defend the squad's honor, while Ragna and Jaxon make cynical remarks about their survival prospects. The tension is interrupted by Torres, a member of the Border Guard, who arrives with a mission. Torres's presence triggers a sudden, intense display of killing intent from Rem, Ragna, and Jaxon, who move to protect Encrid. Despite the tension, Encrid de-escalates the situation and leads Torres outside. Torres, shaken by the squad's combat prowess, delivers his message: he invites Encrid to join the Border Guard, a prestigious royal unit. Encrid responds by questioning the ultimate purpose and direction of the Border Guard. 13:17
Chapter 54 Encrid is approached by Torres, the platoon leader of the Border Guard, who offers him a position in the elite unit. Torres explains that the Border Guard consists of soldiers who have reached the limits of human capability through effort and talent. However, Encrid refuses the offer, realizing that the Border Guard focuses on efficient killing methods and irregular techniques rather than the foundational swordsmanship required to become a knight. Encrid reveals his true ambition: to become a Knight of the Red Cape. Torres warns him that he will regret his choice, but Encrid remains resolute. Returning to the barracks, Encrid finds a young black panther that has wandered in and caused chaos, including scratching Big Eyes. The squad members—Ragna, Rem, Jaxon, Audin, and Big Eyes—discuss the situation. When Rem questions his refusal of the Border Guard, Encrid declares his intention to become a knight. Instead of the usual ridicule, his squad offers various reactions, ranging from Ragna's fiery gaze to Audin's prayers for his perseverance. Encouraged by this support, Encrid continues his training. Two days later, while on market patrol duty, Encrid is suddenly and fatally stabbed in the stomach by a dagger. As he dies, the screams of a waitress are the last thing he hears. 15:14
Chapter 55 While on market patrol in the border city of Naurillia, Encrid is accompanied by soldiers Jack and Bo. During their patrol, they engage in casual conversation, with Jack challenging Encrid to a spar. As they enter the market, a child in rags suddenly falls toward Encrid, but the child is actually a half-blood fairy assassin. The fairy stabs Encrid in the abdomen and heart, while Jack and Bo—revealed to be accomplices—hold Encrid still. The assassin, part of an independent company from Aspen known as 'A Persistent Lover,' mocks Encrid before fleeing. As Encrid bleeds out, he realizes Jack, Bo, and another soldier named Rotten were part of a conspiracy to avoid dangerous scouting missions. Encrid dies as a passing maid screams at the sight of the blood. Encrid suddenly wakes up in his barracks, realizing he has regressed in time. He is in his squad with Rem, Big Eyes, and Audin Pumrei. To prepare for the upcoming duty, Encrid asks Audin to teach him a barehanded training method designed to prevent body stiffness in the cold. After training, Encrid returns to the market for his patrol. Anticipating the assassination, he attempts to strike Jack and Bo, but the half-blood fairy moves with incredible speed, throwing a double-sided blade that embeds itself near Encrid's heart. As the fairy whispers that a persistent lover never forgets their prey, Encrid prepares himself for the cycle to begin again. 14:10
Chapter 56 Encrid undergoes intense muscle-stretching training led by Audin Pumrei to prepare for the cold. During the session, Rem and Ragna join in, demonstrating exceptional flexibility. Jaxon returns and, after Encrid describes a unique throwing weapon, identifies it as a 'Whistling Knife'—a lethal assassination tool. Encrid's blue-eyed panther, Big Eyes, remains wary of the group. As Encrid heads to duty, he is accompanied by Jack and Bo, who attempt to lighten the mood with excessive praise. At the market, a ragged man attacks, and Encrid uses Bo as a human shield to defend himself. However, the half-fairy assassin, revealed to be a master of Whistling Knives, strikes with incredible speed, piercing Bo's heart and then Encrid's. As Encrid dies, the assassin mocks his ability to anticipate the attack. Encrid's final thoughts are of the ferryman's mocking laughter before he wakes up again at the start of a new day. Determined to overcome the 'wall' of this loop, Encrid immediately seeks out Jaxon to trade for information regarding the Whistling Knives. 14:32
Chapter 57 Encrid seeks information from Jaxon regarding the 'Whistling Knife,' a lethal, fast-moving dagger known as the Silent Rain Blade. Jaxon explains that the weapon is difficult to counter because it is nearly impossible to track with the eye once it is heard. He advises Encrid to focus on the assassin's hand movements rather than the sound. After a brief, blunt lesson on how to hold and throw various blades, Encrid prepares for the day. During a patrol, Encrid executes a plan to lure out an assassin. He trips Jack, killing him instantly with a guard sword, and then engages the assassin, a half-blood fairy, in combat. Despite using Jaxon's advice to focus on visual cues, the assassin uses a unique tactic, striking Encrid's forearm to disable his ability to hold his shield. A second dagger then pierces Encrid's heart, killing him. As he dies, Encrid taunts the assassin, suggesting they will meet again. Upon resetting to the morning, Encrid uses the knowledge gained from his death to approach Jaxon again. He offers anything, even a blank check, to learn how to handle the Whistling Knife, driven by an intense desire to master the weapon that killed him. 13:16
Chapter 58 Encrid spends his seventh repetition of the day training with Jaxon to learn how to throw knives. By combining the 'Heart of the Beast' boldness with intense concentration, Encrid achieves a breakthrough, grasping the edge of talent and experiencing a sense of euphoria. During a patrol with Jack and Bo, Encrid's heightened senses and relaxed state lead him to instinctively overpower both men in a sudden skirmish. This newfound perception allows him to enter a state of hyper-concentration, enabling him to predict and dodge most of the attacks from a half-fairy assassin. Although he successfully dodges several whistling knives, he is unable to avoid all attacks and is fatally wounded by three knives to the heart, side, and neck. As he lies dying, Encrid laughs, reflecting on the miracle of his progress and his refusal to succumb to despair. The half-fairy assassin calls him a crazy bastard before delivering a final blow to his neck. Encrid dies and sees the Ferryman once more before waking up to a new morning, satisfied with the glimpse of talent he achieved and the path he has discovered to overcome his limitations. 14:11
Chapter 59 Encrid experiences a fatal ambush by a half-blood fairy, Jack, and Bo, dying after being stabbed in the heart. Upon resetting, he spends ten days training. He demonstrates a highly advanced dagger-throwing technique to Jaxon, who is astonished by the skill. Jaxon explains the history of the Tangum technique, noting it was established by an assassin named Geor and is used for various throwing weapons, including the dangerous whistling knives. During a patrol, Encrid deviates from the assigned route to avoid a prepared ambush, instead confronting his subordinates, Jack and Bo, whom he suspects of being spies. When they draw their weapons, Encrid uses a combination of the Valen Mercenary Sword Technique and his new throwing skills to kill both men. As the actual assassins—a masked figure, Rotten, and a ragged assassin—arrive to finish him, Encrid uses the Tangum technique to kill the masked crossbowman with a single, lightning-fast dagger throw. The half-blood fairy observes the feat with interest. 14:17
Chapter 60 Encrid engages in a high-stakes duel against a half-blood fairy assassin on the outskirts of the city. The assassin, who possesses a complex regarding his appearance and a habit of licking his lips when focused, attempts to use whistling knives and a stiletto named Needle to kill Encrid. The assassin had previously neutralized several of Encrid's allies and a crossbowman by changing the assassination location to a more open area. During the fight, the assassin attempts to use a man named Rotten as a human shield, but Encrid anticipates the move. Encrid throws a knife that hits Rotten in the forehead, neutralizing the distraction. As the assassin rushes forward to deliver a killing blow with Needle, Encrid utilizes knowledge gained from a previous death to block the stiletto with his guard sword, causing the stiletto to break. In a continuous, fluid motion, Encrid draws his longsword and delivers a crushing blow that splits the assassin's face, killing him instantly. Encrid reflects that this was his tenth repetition of the day, noting it was his shortest loop yet. 15:29

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