The Crystalline Manticore roared, crystal shards shattering from its rapidly mutating body. Its amber eyes locked onto Kael, filled with an ancient malice that made lesser hunters freeze. But after seventeen deaths, Kael had learned not to flinch.


    He adjusted his grip on Marcus''s spear, the weapon feeling more natural in his hands than any sword ever had.


    [Skill: Combat Prediction Activated]


    The familiar notification appeared in his vision as the Manticore''s transformation reached its final stage. Crystal plates fused into jagged armor along its back, its tail ending in a gleaming, razor-edged spear. Raw mana pulsed in its throat, promising devastation.


    "Keep moving!" Kael called out, his voice steady. He caught glimpses of the others'' confused expressions. To them, he was just an E-rank who''d won a spear in a bet this morning.


    "Isn''t he supposed to be a swordsman?" someone whispered. "How''s he handling that spear like that?"


    Ms. Lee''s sharp eyes narrowed from her position near the wall. "Focus on the fight. Questions later."


    The Manticore lunged, crystal claws carving deep grooves into stone. Kael was already moving, Combat Prediction guiding his steps with practiced precision. The beast''s tail whistled toward him, but he deflected it with a practiced twist of the spear.


    [Title Effect Activated: Swordsman Who Has Talent With The Spear]


    "That stance..." Marcus muttered. "I''ve never seen him move like this."


    The Manticore pressed forward, each attack deadlier than the last. Kael matched it step for step, seventeen deaths worth of muscle memory flowing through him. His teammates stood transfixed, watching the E-Rank who could barely swing a sword yesterday now dancing with an C-rank monster.


    "I thought he was trained with a sword," one of the archers said. "How''s he better with a spear?"The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.


    Marcus coughed awkwardly. "About that spear... I didn''t exactly lose it in a bet..."


    The Manticore''s wings unfurled suddenly, massive sheets of crystal catching light. One powerful beat lifted it skyward. Kael turned and saw his team still standing there, mesmerized.


    "What are you doing?" he shouted. "Move!"


    [Skill: Dash Level 2 Activated]


    He surged forward as the beast unleashed its mana beam, the skill carrying him clear of the molten trench carved into the cavern floor. Heat seared the air around him, but seventeen deaths had taught him exactly where to step.


    "Has he made it past level 20 ?" someone called to Ms. Lee. "A reawakening?"


    "No," she answered, studying Kael''s movements. "But that spear work... it''s like he''s fought this battle a hundred times."


    The Manticore''s tail caught him with a glancing blow, sending him sliding across stone. Blood filled his mouth as he pushed himself up. Each death had taught him something new, but his body still felt every hit.


    [Combat Prediction] warned him of the beast''s next move. He rolled left as crystal claws shattered the ground where he''d been standing. The others finally snapped out of their daze, arrows finding marks in the monster''s armor.


    "Natural talent with a spear," Ms. Lee murmured. "Who would have thought?"


    The Manticore circled overhead, studying them with predatory intelligence. Kael had seen that calculating look seventeen times before. He knew what came next.


    [Skill: Dash Level 2 Activated]


    "Marcus! Left wing joint!" he shouted, already moving. The archer''s shot struck true, followed by a volley from the others. The beast crashed down with earth-shaking force.


    Kael didn''t hesitate. Combat Prediction guided his spear to the exact weak point he''d died seventeen times to find. He drove the weapon deep between crystal plates.


    The Manticore roared in agony, its tail lashing out in retaliation. The impact caught him squarely, and he saw the familiar glow building in its throat. There was no surviving what came next – he''d learned that much at least.


    But this time, as the light gathered, Kael smiled. Blood trickled from the corner of his mouth as he stared into those ancient amber eyes.


    "Found it," he whispered, satisfaction filling his voice despite the pain. "Your weak point... right there behind the third plate. See you again, you crystalline bastard."


    The light consumed him.


    His eyes opened to the familiar ceiling of his quarters, notifications already appearing:


    [The Nameless One watches with intrigue.]


    [Loop Nineteen: Active]


    [Skill: Combat Prediction Ready]


    [Title: Swordsman Who Has Talent With The Spear Active]


    Kael sat up slowly, mind already planning his next attempt. "Time to go get that spear from Marcus again," he murmured. "And this time... this time we end it."