Chapter 64

### The Interior of the <Temple>

While Recilia and Rad looked around with curiosity, I recalled the "setting" of this building that I had read about in the past.

"This place was created by a legendary treasure hunter to leave his power for future adventurers, with the help of a god. So, strictly speaking, this isn't a dungeon. It's a temple, just like the <Class Change Temple> in Freelia."

"This is... a temple?"

As I gazed at the walls that exuded a solemn atmosphere, I continued.

"Since it's not a dungeon, no monsters will appear here. The only thing you can gain here is the <Treasure Hunter> class. You won't get any experience points or hidden treasures. However, in exchange, the <Treasure Hunter> class is very useful for exploration and comes with many convenient skills."

The <False Siren>, which emits a non-damaging shockwave to attract enemies.

The <Master Gatherer>, which increases the range for gathering and allows simultaneous gathering from multiple locations.

The <Iron Gatherer>, which increases the amount of gatherable items by thirty percent when gathering multiple items at once.

The <False Siren>, which is like a subtype of a decoy gun, is useful for both repelling and gathering enemies, and the gathering skills directly boost income. While they're not absolutely necessary, having them will definitely make dungeon exploration much more comfortable. It's a class that every party should have at least one member with.

"Hey, hey! Exploration is all well and good, but I'm aiming to be a warrior..."

"Don't worry about that. While the <Treasure Hunter> class has many exploration skills, it turns out that the person who created it was more of a martial type, skilled in combat. There are tales of him storming dungeons in heavy armor, wielding his proud spear and sword to overpower numerous traps and gimmicks with sheer strength. As I mentioned earlier, the growth correction is more combat-oriented than <Brave Leo>."

I was skeptical when I first heard about it, but since that's the actual setting, there's nothing I can do about it.

"Anyway, this place doesn't have any 'monsters,' and there's no risk of losing your life. In other words, this is just an attraction."

"An attraction?"

Seemingly unfamiliar with the term, Rad asked curiously, and I smiled in response.

"It's a 'plaything.' So, let's enjoy it to the fullest."

With that, I walked toward the center of the temple. There, a large pedestal stood, and on the plate of the pedestal, words were engraved.

"To those who wish to inherit my power and will,

If you desire power, take the key without fire and overcome the three trials."

As I placed my hand on the pedestal, it emitted a faint light, and a small magatama with a string attached gently fell into my hand.

"Is that the 'key without fire'?"

Recilia, looking interested, peered at my hand, and I nodded in agreement.

"Yes. The goal is to complete two trials and turn this into a 'complete key'..."

But such details can be set aside for now.

"Anyway, watch this. I'll show you how to 'play' here."

With that, I stepped into the first trial.

### [First Trial]

Dodge the blade of my knight and light the first fire in the key

At the entrance to a fork in the path, a plate with those words was inscribed on the floor.

The mention of "my knight" was quite suggestive, but its true nature was quite straightforward. On both sides of the three-meter-wide path, stone statues of knights were lined up ostentatiously.

(Familiar. I used to come here quite often in the game days.)

For a first-timer, it would be nerve-wracking to figure out which of these statues would move, but I had visited this place so many times that I could guess without even using <Insight>.

Looking further ahead, at the very end of the row of stone statues, there was a pedestal identical to the one in the center of the previous room, from which a red light was emanating. It was the clear goal.

"Well..."

I readied the initial equipment sword, the Iron Sword, in both hands and took a step toward the goal. As if waiting for me, the third statue from the front began to move, landing on the floor with a heavy thud.

In terms of being a moving armor, it was similar to the <Knight of Sorrow> I used for infinite grinding, but while the latter was made of metal, this one was a stone statue of a knight. The weight was clearly different.

The stone knight, which looked sluggish, swung its halberd with a surprising amount of strength.

---

### Trial Armor Knight

LV 45

HP --- MP ---

Physical Attack 1 Magic Attack 0

Physical Defense 999 Magic Defense 999

Strength 1 Vitality 999

Magic 0 Spirit 999

Agility 100 Focus 100

---

Upon rechecking the stats, they were extremely one-sided.

The defense was extremely high, but the attack power was low.

The strength and attack power were even lower than the weakest monster, the goblin.

At first glance, it might seem harmless, but of course, that's not the case.

---

In this trial, the challenger will not receive any damage.

This is because the moment the challenger is hit, the magatama, which is the "key," will take the damage and shatter.

In other words, you cannot be hit even once, no matter how weak the attack.

This condition is quite strict.

Avoiding is fine, but guarding is not.

Guarding reduces damage but does not nullify it.

Moreover, you cannot deflect the attack with a weapon.

All of the enemy's attacks are arts or skills, so countering with a normal attack will result in damage.

Therefore, the correct answer is...

"--- <V Slash>!!"

I countered the knight's spear art with my own art.

When arts collide, they cancel each other out, and the weaker one is deflected.

Since this enemy's physical attack power is 1, my art will definitely overpower it!

The knight stumbled as its weapon was deflected.

However, I didn't press the attack.

The knight's defense is 999.

If I hit this body with a weak attack, I would be the one to stagger.

"<Lightning Slash>! <Flash>!"

Reading the trajectory of the attack, I used arts to counter it.

After the third deflection, the knight's spear glowed red.

(But sorry, I know that too!)

I stepped forward, ready for the attack.

Then,

"... <Piercing Wave>!"

The knockback skill with a blowback effect pushed the stone knight back a step.

The red art that is released after three deflections cannot be canceled.

So, I knocked back the main body to prevent the art from being activated.

From there, it was a repetitive task.

"<Tri-Edge>! <Swallow Return>!"

I used arts to push the knight back down the path.

How many, or rather, how many dozens of times did I use my skills?

"<V Slash>! <Hurricane>!"

I used wind pressure to suppress the red glow and pushed the stone knight back to about halfway down the path.

---

### Thud!

Another statue landed on the ground with a deep, resonating sound.

"Alright, this is where it gets serious."

I raised my lips in a smirk as I watched the second knight approach with its halberd ready.

---

The sound of weapons clashing echoed through the temple.

The two stone statues on either side of the path thrust their halberds at me in unison.

But I didn't falter.

Even with two opponents, I had a weapon in each hand.

"In essence, it's one-on-one!"

The arts I launched from both hands simultaneously deflected the weapons of the two knights.

I thrust my sword into the red-glowing knight on the left while deflecting the halberd of the knight on the right.

I used a feint art to deter the deeply poised knight on the left and blew back the knight on the right, which was glowing red from behind.

I moved my hands independently, yet managed the common resources.

If I misread the art's cooldown, I would fail, and if I misjudged the trajectory of the enemy's attack, I would be finished.

--- Deflect, deflect, deflect, push.

--- Push, deflect, deflect, deflect.

The rapid changes in the battle and the exchange of techniques made my brain feel like it was burning out.

But,

"Haha! Hahaha!"

I was laughing without realizing it.

My thinking speed had accelerated, and endorphins were flooding my brain.

Engaging in a fierce battle with a strong enemy, using all the skills I had, was a situation I had always dreamed of since childhood.

Moreover, this was just a game, and I wouldn't lose my life even if I failed.

"There's no way this isn't fun!"

I laughed and swung my sword.

Push, deflect, parry, blow, and deflect again...

"Huh?"

Suddenly, the flow of my sword movements was interrupted.

The tip of my sword had caught on one of the dummy statues lined up horizontally.

"Damn...!"

The pause was brief.

But in this battle, the cost of that moment was too great,

---

*Crash!*

The magatama shattered with a sound as the stone knight's halberd struck my chest.

---

### "These things are so dry, aren't they?"

The moment the magatama shattered, the stone statues lost interest in me and slowly returned to their original pedestals.

I wanted to give them a hard time, but since no damage could be dealt and the path would reset for the next challenge, there was no point in moving.

I sighed, sheathed my swords, and returned to the central room where Rad and Recilia were waiting.

"Good work, bro."

It seemed they had been watching me the whole time, despite their serious expressions.

Feeling a bit embarrassed by their welcome, I cleared my throat and explained.

"Well, the enemies here are perfect for practicing arts in real combat. Hitting them also helps increase the class proficiency."

However, my words didn't elicit an immediate response from them.

After a long silence, Rad spoke with a serious look.

"... Watching you just now, I realized it again. Your sword skills are really amazing, bro."

"Really?"

Being praised by Rad, who is usually not very straightforward, left me at a loss for words.

Rad looked down for a moment but then raised his head and declared with his usual competitiveness.

"But! I'll definitely catch up, no, I'll surpass you one day!"

Our gazes met, and his eyes were as straightforward as ever.

---

In the past, I would have said, "Sure, good luck," and left it at that.

But now...

"Sorry, but..."

I looked Rad straight in the eye and declared clearly.

"--- Sorry, but I don't plan to lose. I'm aiming to be the 'strongest swordsman' too."

I had thought it would be fine to live a moderate life in this world.

But when I obtained the <Sword Saint> class, which I had long given up on, my desires grew.

I'm not the "main character" or anything.

I'm just someone with a bit of game knowledge, not a genius or a prodigy.

But maybe, just maybe, I can dream of being the "strongest."

Rad looked at me with wide eyes, surprised by my words, but then...

"What, what's with you, bro? You look even cooler than usual..."

He shook his head and declared with his rebellious eyes.

"I won't lose either!"

We stared at each other with burning eyes.

Despite thinking it wasn't my style, I found it somewhat enjoyable.

"Next is my turn. I'll definitely catch up!"

Rad confidently extended his hand toward the pedestal, gripped the magatama, and headed for the trial.

And the heat didn't stop there.

"I don't want to be left out."

In front of the pedestal where Rad had just left, Recilia spoke quietly.

"I'm not interested in being the strongest. But..."

Her usual nonchalant attitude.

But her eyes were different.

"--- Protecting you is my responsibility. For that, I will become stronger than anyone, even you."

She looked at me with the same intensity as Rad and declared clearly.

"--- That's, that's one thing."

"Huh?"

When Recilia didn't move from in front of me after her declaration,

"Since it might take a while, and while we wait for Rad to return, can you teach me arts?"

"Here?"

When I asked, she slightly averted her gaze and continued quickly.

"It would be a waste not to use our free time effectively, and we haven't had a one-on-one training session in a while. So, while we're here..."

"But, is it okay to learn from a rival?"

"That's... If I want to get stronger, I can't be picky about enemies or allies."

Despite her composed appearance, she seemed quite earnest, and I couldn't help but chuckle.

"Of course, if you don't want to, I won't force you..."

"No, it's fine. Let's do it."

To be honest, I feel a sense of crisis as Recilia and Rad continue to improve rapidly.

But I decided to do my best to make everyone around me stronger and to become even stronger myself.

"In return, no compromises."

"Of course! I look forward to it!"

And so, we began our first one-on-one training session in a long time—

"Damn! I lost in an instant... Uh, e, er... Why am I being glared at so intensely?"

Rad, who had returned after being defeated in the first attack and only ten seconds into the trial, was glared at by Recilia with a look of mortal enmity.