swing (swɪŋ)
noun
1. The action of a forceful motion, involving the movement of an object, typically with the intent to deliver a stronger strike or impact.
Example: The knight's swing cleaved the enemy's shield in two.
2. A sweeping motion through the air or space, often involving momentum.
Example: The pendulum moved in a steady swing.
3. The ability to influence or control the motion of an object in a deliberate, directed manner.
Example: His skill allowed him to manipulate the swing of his blade effortlessly.
Origin: Middle English swingen, from Old English swingan – to strike or move rapidly.
(See also: arc, sweep, strike)
-------------------------------------------
20 Years Ago...
"What is [Hard Swing] again?" Magus asked, narrowing his eyes skeptically, as if he hadn't heard Van clearly the first time.
Van grunted, rolling his eyes. "You can swing stuff really hard with your hands, or something. Do you want it word for word, harem fucker?"
"Haha, no... Jeez, that's just brutal." Magus snorted, shaking his head with an amused grin. After a short chuckle, he added, "But seriously, just so we're ready—what's the cooldown time and mana usage?"
"Oh, let me check..." Van muttered, opening his status window. His eyes scanned the display before landing on the skill.
"...Huh," he murmured, furrowing his brows. "There's only the skill's name and description here. No cooldown. No mana usage. I guess that's... kinda cool?"
"YOU'RE FUCKING CRAZY!!??" Magus exploded, grabbing Van by the shoulders and shaking him. "YOU HAVE A COOLDOWN-LESS, MANA-LESS ACTIVE SKILL AND YOU'RE JUST SHRUGGING IT OFF, YOU INSANE BASTARD!?"
"I mean... it's just a skill that lets me swing stuff harder. Not exactly game-breaking like your skills," Van replied, his tone dismissive as he lazily brushed off Magus's outburst.
Magus froze mid-shake, his face twisting into a mix of disbelief and reluctant agreement. "...I... I... guess you have a point," he muttered begrudgingly, still staring at Van as if he'd missed the bigger picture.
"But," Magus finally added, leaning back with a thoughtful grin, "you can use it endlessly. That's still pretty cool!"
----------------------------------------------
Back in the present, as the skeletons swarmed and piled onto Van, a single question surged through his mind:
How endlessly?
The thought consumed him, gnawing at the edges of his consciousness. It lingered, even as the fire and chaos raged around him. Focusing so intently on the question, Van could only muster two words when the dust cleared and the skeletons lay scattered after the explosion that reverberated through the cave:
"I swung," he said simply, his voice flat and distant, as if the explanation itself eluded even him.
Kota froze, his expression twisting in disbelief. 'He swung? What does he mean, he swung!? That's not an answer!' The thought reverberated in his mind as he stared at Van.
But for Van, the meaning of his words—however simple—was rooted in action, not explanation.
'...It was a gamble, but as it turns out, I'm good at gambling,' Van reflected, glancing at the aftermath of his work.
YOU ARE READING
Betrayed, I Met The Demon Lord
FantasyVan and his friend Magus had reincarnated in another world with magic. Tasked to kill the demon lord, they set forth. Van was granted very rough skills that made life for him in that world a living hell, yet he muscled through. Magus however, was be...
