Defected Dark Healer’s Rise to Wealth
Urklow raced through the darkness of the forest, as if plunging into the depths of a swamp.
Perhaps relying on his superior senses, he navigated the unseen terrain and obstacles effortlessly, making not even the faintest sound. Even as he carried me in his arms, I could hardly feel any vibrations—like I had merged with the rushing wind itself.
However—
“You came to defeat me, didn’t you!? Stop running and face me, Urklow !”
Pursuing us relentlessly was Marrow, the Sage of the East.
Keeping pace with us from above, he attempted to halt Urklow ’s run by unleashing a barrage of light projectiles, raining them down like a meteor shower.
Of course, Urklow evaded them with ease. However, as those projectiles struck the ground, they exploded into dazzling flashes, illuminating the darkness around us.
“It seems he won’t let us escape so easily.”
“No kidding. And he’s making a real spectacle of it.”
Urklow clicked her tongue in irritation as he dodged another wave of attacks.
“At this rate, the other elves are gonna show up.”
He was right. The flashes of light in the otherwise pitch-black forest were far too conspicuous. The elves stationed nearby would inevitably notice the battle and come to support Marrow.
“Marrow must have planned for that. There’s no way he’d chase us alone for long.”
“Heh, who knows? Maybe he’s just lost his cool and is acting on impulse.”
“No, that would be ridiculous.”
Marrow was a man called a “Sage.” He couldn’t be so reckless just because he was angry… right?
“Well, if he really is a fool, that just makes things easier for us.”
“A fool, huh!? Gahaha!”
Urklow burst into laughter, but I wasn’t merely mocking Marrow—I was seriously considering the possibility.
The title “Sage of the East” had led me to assume he was a brilliant strategist. But what if that wasn’t the case?
It was possible.
Very possible.
So far, Marrow’s decisions had been mostly poor.
He had used young elf soldiers as disposable pawns in a trap, deployed powerful war assets in a staggered and inefficient manner, and now he was chasing Urklow alone.
Every move he made went against basic battlefield strategy.
“So that means… there’s no hidden trump card coming? If that’s true, then our victory is all but assured.”
“Whoa there, calling it a win already? That’s a bit premature, don’t you think? He’s still a Sage, after all.”
“I know. But this isn’t arrogance or carelessness.”
From beneath Urklow , I looked up at Marrow as he flew above us, still unable to close the distance.
“No doubt, the Sage of the East, Marrow, is a powerful warrior. But we’ve already seen his limits.”
“His limits?”
“The limits of his strength, his skill, and his leadership. The deeper those limits go, the stronger one appears. But once they become clear, all that remains is to formulate a strategy to counter them.”
Through our two encounters with his war assets and our direct clashes with him, we had gathered enough information to understand the scope of his holy and divine magic.
“Even if he were weak, the unknown is always more terrifying.”
“…Yeah, I get what you mean.”
Urklow let out a short breath and smirked.
“I especially get that feeling when I look at you.”
“Hah? Me?”
Me? My physical strength was barely a puddle.
Maybe my magical reserves were a bit deeper—like ten or twenty centimeters at best.
As I pondered that, Urklow suddenly spoke up.
“We’re almost there, Kiwi. And Marrow’s still tailing us.”
Urklow sniffed the air and smirked.
I still saw nothing but the same trees, but if he said we were close, then we must be.
I tightened my grip on Urklow ’s body.
“Alright, don’t let go…!”
The next moment, Urklow leaped high into the air—bursting through the canopy and soaring straight toward Marrow.
With his black claws raised to strike—
“You left yourself open!”
Before the attack could land, Marrow let out a triumphant shout.
A wall of light blasted Urklow away, sending us tumbling through the air like prey struck down from the sky.
More bursts of light immediately followed, concentrating on Urklow with rapid, piercing force.
—Dark Heal.
The wounds closed the moment they were made, preventing any fatal damage.
But Dark Heal couldn’t negate physics.
The impact of the attacks still sent Urklow hurtling through the air, and I clung tightly to him to avoid being thrown off.
“You won’t escape!”
Marrow’s eyes were locked onto us.
His voice was wild with excitement as he poured an impossible amount of holy power into his next assault.
His attacks rained down, targeting only us.
“I’ll tear you apart until your magic runs dry, Dark Healer! Hahaha—!”
Marrow laughed maniacally, raising a blade of light.
Then, in a flash, he closed the distance—so fast it was as if he had teleported.
His face was right in front of us.
He swung his sword down—
And at that moment—
“—Huh?”
He crossed the line.
He froze.
Too late.
What was the real purpose behind the Demon Kingdom’s strategy of pushing the front lines forward?
Normally, it was to expand territory and limit enemy movements—basic military tactics.
But for the Demon Kingdom, there was another reason.
“Welcome to the Demon King’s path, Sage of the East.”
The moment I spoke, the night sky crackled with light.
Not the light of Marrow’s magic.
Not the light of the stars.
A deep, violet lightning tore across the heavens.
And then—
“—It’s been a while, Marrow.”
He descended.
Clad in lightning, the Demon King, Lumac Augron.
From directly above Marrow, he raised his boot—wreathed in purple sparks—
And stomped down on Marrow’s back.
“Lumac !? You bas—”
“Consider this my greeting.”
With that, his boot flared with electricity—
“Aaaaaaahhhhhh!?”
With a sound like a thunderclap, Marrow was hurled to the ground, crashing with a resounding impact that sent dust billowing into the night.
.
.
.
.
.
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Top Tools for Learning Japanese: A Comprehensive Guide for Beginners and Beyond
Learning Japanese opens doors to a rich culture, unique career opportunities, and a rewarding personal challenge. Whether you’re captivated by anime, planning a trip to Tokyo, or looking to expand your linguistic skills, the right tools can make your journey smoother and more enjoyable. With so many apps, websites, and resources available, it can be overwhelming to know where to start.
This guide highlights the top tools for learning Japanese, catering to different learning styles, budgets, and proficiency levels. From gamified apps to immersive software and conversation practice platforms, these tools will help you master vocabulary, grammar, Kanji, and more. Let’s dive in!
Why Learn Japanese?
Before exploring the tools, it’s worth noting why Japanese is a valuable language to learn:
- Cultural Immersion: Understand anime, manga, and Japanese literature in their original form.
- Career Opportunities: Japan’s global influence in technology, business, and entertainment makes Japanese a sought-after skill.
- Cognitive Benefits: Learning a non-Latin script language like Japanese can enhance memory and problem-solving skills.
Now, let’s look at the best tools to help you achieve your goals.
1. Duolingo
- Best For: Beginners seeking a fun, gamified approach.
- Key Features:
- Free with optional premium upgrades.
- Bite-sized lessons on vocabulary, grammar, and sentence structure.
- Listening and speaking exercises to practice pronunciation.
- Gamification elements like points, streaks, and leaderboards.
- Why It Stands Out: Duolingo’s user-friendly interface and reward system make it ideal for building a daily learning habit. It’s perfect for beginners but may need to be supplemented with other tools for advanced learners.
2. Rosetta Stone
- Best For: Learners who prefer immersive, structured lessons.
- Key Features:
- Paid subscription with a focus on immersion.
- Interactive lessons covering listening, speaking, reading, and writing.
- Speech recognition technology for pronunciation feedback.
- Lessons build on each other for gradual progression.
- Why It Stands Out: Rosetta Stone’s immersion method helps you think in Japanese rather than translating from your native language. It’s ideal for serious learners looking for a comprehensive curriculum.
3. Memrise
- Best For: Vocabulary building with spaced repetition.
- Key Features:
- Free with premium options.
- User-generated courses and official Memrise content.
- Spaced repetition and mnemonic techniques for memory retention.
- Audio and video clips from native speakers.
- Why It Stands Out: Memrise excels at making vocabulary stick. Its use of real-life videos and community-driven content adds variety and cultural context to your learning.
4. Anki
- Best For: Customizable flashcard learning, especially for Kanji.
- Key Features:
- Free on most platforms (paid iOS app).
- Create custom flashcard decks or download pre-made ones.
- Supports images, audio, and example sentences.
- Spaced repetition system (SRS) for optimal review timing.
- Why It Stands Out: Anki’s flexibility allows you to tailor your learning to specific needs, like mastering Kanji or advanced vocabulary. It’s a favorite among serious learners for its effectiveness.
5. Tae Kim’s Guide to Learning Japanese
- Best For: Grammar-focused learners.
- Key Features:
- Completely free online resource.
- Comprehensive grammar lessons from beginner to advanced levels.
- Clear explanations with practical examples.
- Available as a mobile app for offline access.
- Why It Stands Out: Tae Kim’s guide is a go-to for understanding Japanese grammar. Its straightforward approach demystifies complex concepts, making it a must-have for self-learners.
6. HelloTalk
- Best For: Conversation practice with native speakers.
- Key Features:
- Free with premium options.
- Connects you with native Japanese speakers for language exchange.
- Text, voice, and video chat options.
- Built-in correction tools and translation features.
- Why It Stands Out: HelloTalk bridges the gap between textbook learning and real-world conversation. It’s perfect for practicing speaking and listening in a supportive environment.
7. Kanji Recognizer
- Best For: Learning and recognizing Kanji characters.
- Key Features:
- Free app available on Android and iOS.
- Draw Kanji on your screen to search for meanings and readings.
- Provides stroke order, example words, and readings.
- Offline functionality for on-the-go learning.
- Why It Stands Out: Kanji Recognizer is a handy tool for quickly identifying and learning Kanji. It’s especially useful for beginners struggling with character recognition.
Tips for Maximizing Your Learning
To get the most out of these tools, consider these strategies:
- Set Clear Goals: Whether it’s mastering 100 Kanji or holding a 5-minute conversation, specific goals keep you motivated.
- Practice Daily: Consistency is key. Even 15-30 minutes a day can lead to significant progress.
- Mix and Match Tools: Use a combination of apps for well-rounded learning. For example:
- Vocabulary: Duolingo or Memrise.
- Grammar: Tae Kim’s Guide.
- Speaking: HelloTalk.
- Kanji: Anki or Kanji Recognizer.
- Embrace Mistakes: Language learning is a process. Don’t be afraid to make errors—they’re stepping stones to fluency.
Conclusion
Learning Japanese is a journey that requires dedication, but with the right tools, it can be an enjoyable and rewarding experience. From gamified apps like Duolingo to immersive platforms like Rosetta Stone and conversation tools like HelloTalk, there’s something for every learner. Start with the tools that best fit your style and goals, and don’t hesitate to experiment with different combinations.
Ready to begin? Choose your first tool and take the first step toward mastering Japanese today!
