Benar, a character from the Elden Ring, is also one of the earliest characters players can encounter.

Our first meeting with him was inside a broken hut after passing through the checkpoint, where he teaches people combat skills.

Because Benar’s teaching of combat skills perfectly met Gong Qiying’s needs, he appeared here just as he was.

But the adventurers didn’t know who he was, they just thought he was...

"Why did a strange uncle show up!?"

Sai Ke fell to the ground in surprise, blinking his eyes blankly.

"It seems he came from the small house next door." Jockra did notice the detail, but was still a bit confused.

The situation didn’t really matter; this strange uncle looked very strong, just the overly heavy-looking armor he wore was not something a regular person could handle, so his strength must be online.

So are they about to be saved by this masculine hero from the sky?

"Howl!"

The wild wolves let out a pathetic wail, lunging at Benar futilely, but one couldn’t help but wonder if their teeth could really pierce through his heavy armor?

Benar’s feet suddenly blurred a bit, without knowing what kind of movement he made, he dodged the wolves’ pounce in a blink and flashed to the side, slashing one wolf in half with his heavy greatsword.

This is the combat skill [Shattering Step]!

At the same time, three wolves silently circled behind him, leaping up to launch a fierce attack.

"Watch out!" Sai Ke wanted to step in and help, but his body was too weak to move. If it wasn’t for his armor being chopped up by soldiers upfront, he wouldn’t be this pathetic against the wolf pack.

Benar didn’t panic, instead, he sunk his stance, and the blade shone brightly.

The sound of the air being smashed by great force rang out, as he turned his body swiftly, impossible for Sai Ke’s eyes to follow, and decapitated the three wolves with a swirling slash!

Combat skill [Swirling Slash]!

The remaining pack was already having thoughts of retreat, some who were not firm in spirit were already turning to flee, but the knight in front of them won’t give them the chance.

Benar continuously performed shattering steps, appearing in the midst of the pack in the blink of an eye, fiercely smashing down his two-handed greatsword, causing the hard ground to crack as molten lava bubbled in the crevices, enough to cause excruciating pain at just a touch.

"Boom!"

As Benar pulled out the greatsword, a burst of scorching lava poured out, engulfing the surrounding wolves, truly like a small volcano erupting in this place!

Combat skill [Molten Lava]!

"Wow wow wow!"

The remaining lava flowed in all directions, Sai Ke exclaimed and retreated continuously, his shoes almost catching fire.

The lava ignited the surrounding vegetation, smoke billowed forth in the flames, the red firelight completely dispelling the chill on Storm Hill, even the storm that lingered here for so long quieted down temporarily.

Benar turned around in the fire, his resolute face, perfectly fitting the image of a "warrior" from a hero’s legend, looked at the adventurers and asked:

"Are you alright?"

Jockra swallowed, nodded with a complex expression, it was unclear what she was thinking.

"So strong!" Sai Ke was much simpler, his eyes shone like a fully charged flashlight.

His keen eye immediately noticed Benar’s different aura, clearly he was a residual shadow from the dungeon.

But this suited his expectations perfectly, he jumped up in front of Benar excitedly, asking:

"That was so strong, was what you used just now a combat skill, how can a combat skill reach that level!"

Seeing Sai Ke turning into a fanboy, Benar couldn’t help but grin, revealing a charming uncle-like smile and said, "Are you also a fan of combat skills?"

Sai Ke nodded like a pecking chick.

"Then come with me, this is not the place for talking." He patted the youth’s shoulder, sending a steady sense of reassurance through his big hand into Sai Ke, and he followed without hesitation.

"Hey..." Jockra wanted to say something, but her companion had already hopped and skipped into the house.

"Really," she shook her head in some irritation, turning to look at the mountain fire growing larger due to the lava, wearing a "throw caution to the wind" kind of expression, "Aren’t any of you going to clean this up!"

In the broken hut.

"I’m Benar, a knight, and just like you, a Faded." Benar’s tone and demeanor matched his appearance, exuding a sense of competence.

"I’m Sai Ke!" Sai Ke said immediately, his nose twitching slightly, why did it smell like something was burning outside?

"Sai Ke, huh? I have a question for you."

Benar looked at him, his face becoming more solemn than during the battle, imparting a sense of a major decision-making moment in a game.

"Will you continue to fight continuously in this Boundary Land?"

"Even if the Golden Law is broken beyond repair, will you still trust the guidance of the blessing?"

Sai Ke listened and thought for a moment, then said, "Of course."

What a joke! The Sain Dungeon had finally come within his reach, and he had finally succeeded in chasing his dream. Of course, he would stay there indefinitely; the only thing that could separate him from Sain would be death!

The thought process of youth is just that simple and pure!

Benar didn’t know what Sai Ke was thinking inside; he just nodded and, with a nostalgic tone, said,

"A true model of the Faded, such thinking is truly precious these days."

He changed the topic, saying, "So, are you willing to inherit my Combat Skill? I only know how to use a sword, pouring all my passion into Combat Skills... I want to pass them on, to pass them on to a Faded like you."

Sai Ke was stunned. He dug his ear and asked, "Sorry, what did you just say?"

"I said, I want to pass the Combat Skills to you."

"I’m willing!"

From the start, he had his eyes on Benar’s Combat Skills. Although it was just a simple Swirling Slash, the way Benar used it seemed powerful enough to slay gods and demons, with an extraordinary essence that drew him in completely.

Moreover, the effect of that "Molten Lava" looked indistinguishable from Magic; skills like this were rare and often the secret prowess of some family’s Fire Martial Arts Hall.

Now, hearing Benar willing to teach Combat Skills, as an ordinary person without any conditions to access higher-level Combat Skills of the Warrior Country, how could he not be excited?

"What are you talking about..." Just then, the drenched Jockra wobbled in, looking somewhat pale.

"He said he would teach me Combat Skills!" Sai Ke exclaimed excitedly, but upon seeing her condition, he asked, "Hey, why are you wet?"

Jockra’s brows twitched, with a "井" symbol formed on her forehead, really wanting to punch this oblivious guy in front of her.

If it weren’t for her efforts in putting out the fire using Water Magic, Storm Hill would have to be renamed Fire Storm Hill.

"Willing to teach you, that’s truly a blessing."

Jockra sized up Benar, with complicated emotions in her gaze.

Not long ago, she was planning to argue with Sai Ke, saying "all Magic in Sain Dungeon is taught by Mentors, while your Combat Skills aren’t," thus proving Sain Dungeon prioritizes Magic.

And yet, now a living Combat Skill teacher appears?

Even the mentors of Reyalucaria Magic Academy aren’t as vivid as this!

What’s going on? Is Combat Skill going to be popular too?

Instinctively touching her hair, she wondered how to deal with Sai Ke jumping in her face in the future. Meanwhile, Sai Ke was completely immersed in excitement, forgetting the magic vs. skill debate entirely.

"I can teach you too," Benar suddenly said to Jockra, "it’s best to spread Combat Skills widely."

"Huh, I can learn too?" Now it was her turn to be stunned, asking involuntarily, "Can a Magician like me learn?"

"There’s no discrimination in teaching."

Of course, necessary Lune couldn’t be less.

Jockra paused for a while, glanced at the Magic Array in her hand, and suddenly showed a serious expression, "I want to learn!"

"Can I learn that move with the erupting lava?" Sai Ke quickly asked.

Benar shook his head and said, "That move is too early for you; start with the fundamental Combat Skills first."

Sai Ke felt a little disappointed but soon was happy again, knowing he could learn more Combat Skills.

The Combat Skills he can learn now are simple and practical ones.

"Arrow Step" and its derived actions, "Battle Cry" which excites to enhance strength, "Patience" to strengthen the body, "Pierce" with dash and shield-breaking effect, "Shattering Step" for fast movement with lightweight steps, "Storm Blade" shooting spinning storms, "Swirling Slash," "Block," and more.

According to Benar, he provides guidance to give adventurers the basic understanding of Combat Skills and then give them the corresponding War Ash; he is just a guide, but truly transforming skills into one’s strength requires adventurers to strive while using them repeatedly.

At the moment, these are just the basic Combat Skills. After mastering them, if Sai Ke becomes stronger, more advanced Combat Skills could be taught, which are elevated versions of the basics.

This is undoubtedly a great motivation for Sai Ke.

However, learning Combat Skills also requires fitness. Even for these basic skills, with Sai Ke and Jockra’s current abilities, it’s a bit challenging to learn. They need to quickly enhance themselves at the blessing place.

Besides, even for the Combat Skills like "Lion Slash" and "Vacuum Slash," which Sai Ke already mastered, Benar could provide pointers for further improvement.

This is the post-service provided by Sain Dungeon — "Combat Skill Enhancement," enhancing the skills embedded in adventurer weapons to make them more powerful.

Of course, learning or enhancing skills all need to spend the most basic thing, which is Lune.

Unfortunately, due to repeated deaths in the front levels, the Lune they have can’t even afford the cheapest "Shattering Step."

Sai Ke felt deeply hurt about his penniless state, hitting his chest and ran out, shouting, "I will gather enough Lune, just wait for me, Teacher Benar!"

And so, young Sai Ke’s life...

Entered a bright and smooth path.