Chapter 59

After that, we climbed through the hole in the ceiling that Lean had opened and immediately parted ways upon reaching the ground.

Lean said with a smile,

"…I finally think I understand what the teacher meant.

From here on, I'll be fine on my own.

I'll definitely show you more power by the time I reach Misra."

And with that, she went off somewhere alone.

…What exactly did she understand?

And what could that child possibly do to become even stronger at her age…?

She already seems strong enough as it is.

Questions abound, but for now, I decided I was done with 'ghost hunting.'

To begin with, I'm not particularly fond of ghosts or skeletons.

Moreover, I never expected to encounter something like that on the very first day.

Later, I found out that it wasn't actually a 'ghost.'

I had thought it was odd that such a creature was only considered a deterrent for rats.

It was called the 'Gray Wraith,' something entirely different.

When I first heard the story from the old man at the Adventurers' Guild, I broke out in a cold sweat.

The guild was just discussing that creature, and when I told them I had encountered it, the old man was surprised, saying, "You're lucky to be alive."

And he was right.

– Just a single touch, and it's instant death.

That was the kind of supernatural monster it was.

Those countless, giant tentacles.

I instinctively avoided them, but they were absolutely not to be touched. A single touch would drain your life and kill you instantly.

Even the toughest adventurer would meet a certain death.

In fact, thousands of people have died from it in the past.

It's a miracle I managed to survive.

I owe everything to Lean.

Without her, I would have surely been unable to avoid those creepy tentacles and would have met my end in that dark underground space.

Lean said she had completely eradicated it, so it wouldn't come back, but it's best to be cautious.

What happens once can happen again.

There's no guarantee that another one or two won't appear at once.

For that reason, since that day, I decided not to take any more 'ghost hunting' requests.

It was a strong experience from the very first time, and Lean has disappeared and can't be found.

The thought of encountering that thing again makes me lose the courage to go alone, and the 'ghosts' themselves have rapidly decreased in number, leading to fewer requests.

– Farewell, my unseen nemesis, 'Skeleton.'

I would have liked to fight one just to test my skills… but I think I'll put it off for a while.

"──Parii"

And so, I continue my practice in the forest.

The 'Leaf Practice Method' has made the surrounding trees noticeably more open, so I feel guilty and have sealed it away for a while.

So now, it's just regular practice.

Each swing makes the ground shake.

The heavy 'Black Sword' definitely helps with training, but it feels unsatisfying.

Repeating this over and over won't make me stronger.

I can feel the limits of this approach.

How can I become stronger…?

It's said that having someone of equal strength to train with is quite beneficial.

We can improve each other through mock battles.

But someone of equal strength to me… I can't think of anyone.

Come to think of it, I don't remember ever properly testing my strength against anyone.

And would there even be someone with the time to train with me?

– Maybe I should ask Lean next time.

As I was thinking this, a voice suddenly came from behind me.

"──Training alone in a place like this, huh?"

Standing there was a familiar man with a golden spear on his shoulder.

I couldn't forget his face.

He was the one who saved me from the army of the former empire, my savior.

Yes, his name is Gil—

Gil…?

Gil—

Gil—

Gil—

Gil—

"Can I be called Gil…?"

"What, the pause?"

Somehow, it's Bart… Yes, that's right.

The man who suddenly appeared behind me was the spear-wielding Gilbart.

"Gilbart, why are you here?"

"What… you remember my name? I thought you'd forgotten it."

"No, no way. To my savior. I remember clearly. Don't worry."

…It just took a while to come to mind.

"Savior? What's that? …Feel free to think what you want. Anyway, that's not important. Can you help me with something?"

"──Something?"

"Yeah. It seems Oaken found a 'Magic Armor' on the battlefield and wants me to test it. He asked me to give him my thoughts, and I was looking for a good opponent."

Gilbart's figure seemed to disappear for a moment.

– Fast.

I almost didn't see him move to my back.

"How about that? As a training partner?"

It seems he's here to be a sparring partner like before.

It's really a blessing.

"Yeah, that speed is fine."

"Good… that's a relief."

He said, and the spear-wielding Gilbart readied his spear.

"Let me tell you, I'm not holding back this time."

"Alright, I'm counting on you."

The moment I said that, his figure blurred again.

"Dragon Extermination Extreme Flash Thrust"

– Fast!

"Parii"

I deflected his spear instinctively.

I had seen that technique before.

Otherwise, I wouldn't have been able to deflect it so easily.

But – it's much faster than before.

It felt like he was here to kill me.

"Haha – That didn't reach, did it? Tough joke. Then… can I go even faster?"

"…Yeah, please. I'm still okay."

"Alright, here I come."

The smile on his face disappeared.

This time, he's serious.

– I can tell.

"Dragon Extermination Extreme Flash Thrust"

His spear accelerated so fast it seemed like a single flash of light.

– Focus.

All sound around me disappeared.

I poured all my senses into catching his spear and used all my strength to swing my sword.

"Parii"

Gilbart's spear tip and my 'Black Sword' collided, scattering golden sparks.

"– Haha – You blocked that too. The royal metal is chipped… Haha, what is this… This is fun. …With all these advantages, and this is what you can do?"

Gilbart laughed with enjoyment.

– He's laughing.

Even though my whole body is tense from that powerful strike, and my hand is shaking from holding the sword.

Indeed, this man is – strong.

"– Then, can I go even faster next time?"

And he says he'll go even faster next time.

As if it's nothing.

– As if it's the most natural thing in the world.

"– Yeah, please."

The words came out of my mouth without thinking.

That strike was already a speed I had never experienced.

I don't know if I can keep up with the next one.

But he's telling me to keep up as if it's natural.

To become stronger, I must exceed my limits.

I understand that much.

– Then, I'll see how far I can go.

I'll borrow his chest to see how far I can push myself.

I'll take the risk and challenge it.

Without that kind of resolve, I can't become strong.

"– No holding back next time. I want to see how far I can go."

"– Haha, you said it…! …Don't regret it."

And so –

I gripped the 'Black Sword' with all my might and took a stance, ready to receive Gilbart's next spear.