DanMachi: It's destined to lose its self.

Kopii woke up after a long, drawn-out sleep, and despite the words he had told himself yesterday, he didn't understand how to quickly improve his martial arts skills. He didn't know which direction to go. Maybe he should just intensify his training? Or spend all his time in the dungeon, exploring its dark corners? Alright, Kopii would do both. As he always did, in principle, only he would be more decisive, more purposeful, more confident in his actions. Kopii got out of bed, got dressed, stretched, and pulled on his half-mask. Kopii looked at his two swords, and at that moment, Kopii began to doubt their effectiveness. He had bought one of the swords, but unfortunately, he had never used it even once. "Maybe I should replace my weapon?" he thought, "but with what, and what difference does it make since no one can teach me?"

Kopii started swinging the sword without any technique, chaotically, as if it were something self-evident, and if he changed his weapon, it might negatively affect his progress. The progress he dreamed of, the progress that should lead him to greatness. After all, he would have to relearn how to use it, rethink his approaches, and change his tactics. Kopii thought about this important question for a long time, but then it dawned on him: Naaza could teach him how to use a bow! It was a brilliant idea, since she was a Level 3 archer. Kopii didn't wait and went downstairs, as if expecting adventures, he saw her, Naaza, behind the counter as always, lost in her thoughts.

"Good morning, Naaza!" Kopii said with enthusiasm.

"Good morning, Kopii," she replied, slightly opening her eyes from fatigue.

"I wanted to ask you for a favor, would you mind?"

"What kind of favor?" she asked, looking at Kopii with slight wariness.

"Can you teach me how to use a bow?" he said, feeling the excitement growing inside him.

Naaza held her breath, digesting his request, and seemed deeply thoughtful. "You use a sword."

"I've thought a lot about the pros and cons of the sword. In reality, I'm just waving it around in different directions without any technique. But if you teach me how to use a bow, then I'll at least have a basic technique and understanding of how to use it properly."

Naaza thought for a moment, weighing Kopii's arguments in her mind. She knew he was diligent, but she was concerned about his approach to fencing, which seemed really chaotic, like a spontaneous gust of wind. Perhaps the bow would indeed help him structure his skills and develop a more conscious approach to combat.

"Okay, I agree," Naaza finally said, emerging from her thoughts. "But keep in mind, a bow is not just a toy. It requires concentration, precision, and discipline. Are you ready for that? But only in the evening, I have work, as you know."

"Good," Kopii replied, feeling a new fire of interest ignite within him.

Kopii didn't waste time and went outside, where, as always, he went for a run, filling his body with energy. After the run, he headed straight to the Valiant Tower, where the usual commotion reigned again. He didn't pay much attention to it and went down into the dungeon, striving for new challenges.

In the dungeon, Kopii was surrounded by the familiar semi-dark corridors, the air was cool and damp, almost like in a forgotten past. He moved cautiously, clutching his usual swords in his hands. Despite the doubts that plagued him in the morning, he now felt their familiar weight and balance, which gave him confidence.

The first goblins appeared around the corner almost immediately, as if conspiring to scare him. Kopii automatically adopted a fighting stance. "Indeed, no technique," he thought, watching the approaching opponents. But even such a chaotic style was effective against low-level monsters, and he knew it.

Kopii quickly dealt with the goblins and moved further into the dungeon. He decided to go a little lower than usual to meet stronger enemies. The time he had before his evening lessons with Naaza had to be used as productively as possible. Kopii decided to take a risk and went down to the third floor. He didn't see anything new compared to the first and second floors, only the number of goblins and kobolds increased. But Kopii continued to be determined.

Soon, Kopii encountered a pack of kobolds. They were more organized than the goblins and worked together, trying to surround him. Kopii felt his pulse quicken, as if alarming lights were lit inside him. He realized that simply waving swords was no longer enough. He needed to think quickly and move more effectively.

He began to use the surrounding walls to dodge attacks and break up the kobolds' formation. Instinctively, he began to notice patterns in their movements, predicting their next steps, like a skilled forecaster. Perhaps some logic was emerging in his chaotic style, which inspired hope.

After a short but intense battle, Kopii defeated the kobolds. He felt tired, but also satisfied at the same time. He had managed to survive and even improve his skills, even if only a little, but it was significant.

When the time came, Kopii left the dungeon and headed to the guild, to his training. He was determined to learn how to shoot a bow and bring something new and exciting to his fighting style. He knew it wouldn't be easy, but he was ready for any difficulties.

In the evening, as agreed, Naaza was waiting for Kopii. They went outside and headed to a ruined area of Orario, and Naaza began to explain the basics of archery, as if introducing him to the amazing world of a unique skill. Kopii listened attentively, trying to remember every word, every detail. He understood that this was his chance to become better, and he was not going to miss it. Naaza showed Kopii the correct stance, how to hold the bow and string, how to aim. At first, nothing worked: the arrows flew all over the place, the string painfully hit his fingers, and the bow seemed disobedient and heavy, as if testing his strength. Naaza patiently corrected his mistakes, explaining again and again, until Kopii began to feel the bow as an extension of his arm, as something alive.

Gradually, the arrows began to hit closer to the target, and the movements became smoother and more confident. Kopii began to understand that archery is not just pulling the string and releasing the arrow. It is an art that requires concentration, patience, and control, just like in battle. He remembered his mindless swings of swords in the dungeon and realized that Naaza was right: he really needed technique.

After several hours of training, Kopii felt his muscles tired and his fingers numb from the tension of the string. But he didn't give up, continuing to train persistently, smoothly honing his skills until it got dark. Naaza silently watched his efforts, seeing how he gradually progressed and became better.

When they finished, Kopii felt exhausted but satisfied. He understood that this was only the beginning of a long journey, but he was determined to become a master of archery. He thanked Naaza for her help and promised to continue training every day, as if swearing before himself. In his room, Kopii pondered how his fighting style would change when he mastered the bow, and anticipated the new opportunities and tactics that would open up to him in the dungeon.

Kopii didn't want to give up the sword, because he always believed that the sword would be his additional weapon. And the bow would become the main one, but before that, he still needed to work hard and spend a lot of time training.

And so, two weeks passed, as he constantly trained with Naaza. His routine was quite simple: in the morning, warm-up, then the dungeon, and in the evening, training with Naaza.

"That's all, Kopii, I won't teach you anymore," Naaza said with a slight sadness in her voice.

"What?! Why?" Kopii exclaimed, not believing his ears.

"I have nothing to teach you," Naaza replied softly. "Your talent is high, Kopii, and everything that I could teach you, I have taught you. And now you just need experience, that's all."

"I understand," he said, realizing that he had to overcome new obstacles.

"What floor have you descended to already?" she asked, interrupting his thoughts.

"I'm on the fourth floor," Kopii reported, proud of his achievement.

"That's a very good result for a beginner! Descending to the fourth floor alone is impressive. But it's dangerous. There will be more monsters on the next floors. You need to find a team, Kopii, because you won't go far alone, but be careful with the team: many are looking for profit everywhere. But alright, it's late, let's go," she finished, and Kopii, unable to argue anymore, followed Naaza.

Kopii tossed and turned in bed for a long time, pondering Naaza's words, which haunted him. On the one hand, the prospect of sharing loot with someone didn't inspire him. He was used to relying only on himself and his strength, including his swords. On the other hand, he understood that Naaza was right: sooner or later, he would hit a ceiling fighting alone. The fourth floor was already noticeably more difficult than the previous ones, and he felt that he lacked the experience and knowledge to effectively resist the large number of goblins and kobolds that could appear at any time.