Chapter 79

Ten minutes before the event was set to begin -- in-game time, that would be about thirty minutes before.

When I logged into the game, what caught my eye was the sight of players rushing about.

It seemed they were preparing for the event, heading to the gates in all directions to take their positions.

With not much time left until the event started, I decided to head over to meet Altrius as quickly as possible.

"Hey, teacher! Did you just log in?"

"Huh? What is it, Hizuru? You haven't gone yet? I thought you logged in before me."

"I was waiting to greet you, and you say that? Come on, really!"

Hizuru, who had run over while calling out to me, looked indignant at my words.

However, in reality, quite some time had passed between when Hizuru logged in and when I arrived.

Waiting here the whole time would have been a waste of time.

Hizuru seemed to realize this as well, as he let out a small sigh and spoke with a half-lidded gaze.

"I came back here after buying consumables, so there wasn't much time lost. Well, maybe it wasn't really necessary."

"Hmm? Why's that?"

"It's Eleanora. She rented small clan houses in all directions and started producing and selling alchemical potions there."

"Alchemical... potions, you mean. I didn't expect her to start setting up supply lines already."

Indeed, potions were known for being cheap and mass-produced quickly.

Indeed, if they were available near the gates, it would be possible to replenish healing items during the event if they ran out.

Alchemical potions could be generated quickly as long as the materials were available, and with Eleanora's financial power, collecting materials would be easy.

It seemed that a large amount of materials had been gathered during the final preparations before the event.

"They were on sale at a discount, and of course, they were selling like crazy. It's like a convenience store, isn't it?"

"Ah, like a convenience store near the train station..."

Placing a convenient store where people gather is an old idea, but its effectiveness is guaranteed by history.

If there's an opportunity, I might visit when it's useful.

"Anyway, you're heading north, right?"

"Yes. It's a shame I can't go with you, teacher..."

"Well, I guess I'll have to watch a recording. But in this game, there should be other opportunities, right?"

Hizuru nodded with a wry smile.

There's no point in complaining now. The battlefield is already decided.

"Alright, teacher. Good luck."

"You too, do your best."

I lightly tapped Hizuru on the head and set off towards the east.

Among the players heading this way, there seemed to be more armored players compared to others.

Their designs were somewhat similar, apparently based on the armor Altrius wore.

In other words, that blue and silver color scheme was proof of belonging to 'Camelot'.

While observing this, I summoned Lumin from the familiar crystal.

"Good morning, Father."

"Ah, you seem to be in good shape. Today's the main event, you know."

"Yes! Please leave it to me, Father."

Lumin had already checked her equipment and movements yesterday.

Surprisingly, she had improved to a level where most of the movements I taught her could be used in actual combat.

I was truly amazed that she could improve so much in such a short time.

However, in the current situation, this was a good thing, and I should let her fully utilize her abilities.

"Father, as we discussed yesterday, we're going to charge straight into the demons, right?"

"Yes, that's right."

"Is it really possible...?"

Seeing Lumin's worried expression, I couldn't help but chuckle.

I understand her concern, but I have no intention of changing our strategy now.

After all, that is the true essence of the Kugenshin Tojutsu.

"Lumin, I haven't told you this, but... what do you think is the reason why the Kugenshin Tojutsu is unparalleled?"

"Huh? That is..."

"Is it the soft form that deflects and cuts any attack, or the hard form that penetrates through defenses? Or perhaps, the technique to kill an enemy in one move at close range, or the footwork to create openings by confusing the opponent?"

"...Isn't it all of them? There's no hierarchy among them."

"Good answer. I would have scolded you if you had chosen one of them."

There is no hierarchy in the principles of the Kugenshin Tojutsu. They all stand under one philosophy.

However, there is a fundamental technique that underlies them all.

That is the essence of the Kugenshin Tojutsu, the answer that the ancestors who struggled to reach the realm of all things finally found.

"The most important thing in the Kugenshin Tojutsu is controlling yourself."

"Controlling? I'm sorry, Father, I don't quite understand—"

"In terms of what you've experienced, it includes controlling your center of gravity. Mastering your own body and mind, and controlling them freely... that is the physical control method developed by the Kugenshin Tojutsu in its pursuit of the realm of all things, different from its principles."

The principles of the Kugenshin Tojutsu are powerful and difficult to counter, but they are just one means of attack.

The realm of all things is not something you can reach by simply repeating attacks.

Therefore, the true main event of the Kugenshin Tojutsu is this physical control method.

"That is the Kugenshin Tojutsu's battle etiquette. It is a self-control technique that is said to have strangled hundreds of people with just a few people."

"Father, you can use it...!"

"Yes. In this era, there's no need to use it, so it has fallen into disuse... probably only me and the old man can use it all."

To be precise, I can't use everything.

After all, the final technique of the battle etiquette is the realm the old man reached—the realm of all things.

Among the principles of the Kugenshin Tojutsu, the only thing I can't use is that one.

It is the realm of the sword I vowed to reach someday.

"I don't use it often, and I wanted to show it to Hizuru too... but there's nothing I can do about it. You should observe it thoroughly."

"Y-Yes, Father!"

Smiling at Lumin's excited expression, I turned my gaze to the east gate, which was now in sight.

Indeed, a large number of players had gathered and were preparing for defense, forming a solid formation.

Then, I noticed a tall man standing in front of the gate. The familiar blonde man seemed to have spotted me and was walking over with a cheerful smile.

"I've been waiting for you, Kwon."

"You're... Dean, right? You were waiting for me to arrive?"

"Yes. Master is waiting for you, please come this way."

Dean, the leader of the combat team I met at yesterday's meeting, was leading Lumin and me inside the gate with a polite demeanor, despite his imposing appearance.

The walls of Bergsarde were quite thick, and the interior was structured to accommodate soldiers for guard duty.

The gate itself was a double structure, making it quite difficult to break through.

We were led up a staircase inside the gate to the rooftop of the wall.

There, a young man was giving instructions to the surrounding players—

"Master, I've brought Kwon."

"Ah, thank you, Dean. And I've been waiting for you, Kwon."

"Likewise, you look in good shape, Altrius."

The young man, who continued to charm those around him with his beauty, smiled at us without realizing it.

Checking the surroundings, each player was performing their assigned role without hesitation.

Indeed, his leadership skills are impressive. Of course, after making such a bold statement, he should be able to handle this much.

"Well, are there any changes to the plan? Whether there are or not, what I'm going to do won't change."

"It's fine. As planned, I will march according to your actions."

"That's a relief. So—"

I glanced at the other side of the wall—the vast plain and the foothills beyond.

In the distance, a group of dark shadows was indeed approaching.

Although their full appearance was not visible due to the distance, there were a considerable number of them, likely reaching the thousands.

Despite their overwhelming numbers, I asked Altrius with a smile.

"How are the enemies looking?"

"According to the scouts, about three thousand. Most of the enemy forces are Lesser Demons and Slave Beasts."

"I've never heard of those names. The Lesser Demons sound like demons... what about the Slave Beasts?"

"They seem to be monsters enslaved by demons. The name is a general term, but the species include a variety of monsters. Most of them are monsters that appear in this area."

"I see."

I don't know how, but the demons seem to be controlling the monsters.

I thought of the 'Tame' skill I use, but it doesn't have the power to force monsters to do anything.

It's better to assume that the demons have some unique ability. Geryon also controlled the undead, after all.

"And the enemy formation... as you can see, they don't seem to be moving as an army."

"A mob, huh. Purely relying on numbers... are the Lesser Demons that strong?"

"Level 20 according to 'Identify.' They're not weak, but they're not strong either. That's about it."

Individually, they don't seem to be very interesting opponents.

However, the problem is that there are many of them. As with the ants before, numbers are powerful.

If a large number of level 20 enemies attack, it would certainly be dangerous.

However—

"...For you, they should be easy opponents. So, it's not very wise to adjust to me."

"Indeed, that might be true."

This time, we are also dealing with numbers.

While we may be outnumbered in sheer quantity, if we can turn it into a battle of many against many, there's no reason for us, who are superior in quality, to lose.

There's no need to specifically highlight someone like me.

However, Altrius still had a somewhat smug smile on his face.

"But, if it succeeds, it will be the most efficient. High risk, high return, isn't that great? If you're going to gamble, it should be at least that much."

"Hehe... I see."

Smiling at Altrius's words, I moved to the edge of the wall.

Indeed, if I can cut through them as I declared, and Altrius can keep up, the possibility of achieving the highest efficiency is high.

If he insists on it, there's no reason for me to refuse.

Then, I'll give it my all.

"Lumin, come here."

"Yes, what is it, Father—huh?"

As Lumin tilted her head and approached, I grabbed her hand.

Surprised by the sudden move, Lumin's eyes widened and she froze, but the next moment, her expression contorted.

Because I had suddenly jumped off the wall. Naturally, Lumin, who was pulled by the hand, fell with me—

"Y-You should have told me!"

—Light wings appeared on Lumin's back, immediately reducing the momentum of the fall.

Landing gently outside the wall, I chuckled and patted Lumin's head, who was floating in the air.

"Sorry, if you couldn't catch up, you would have had to take the fall yourself. Good reaction, though?"

"...Really now."

Smiling at Lumin's pouting face, I started walking forward.

I glanced back at Altrius, who was still on the wall.

"If you're ready, let's start."

My voice, not raised, probably didn't reach him.

However, my intention should have been conveyed. Altrius, with a slightly contorted but smug smile, immediately began giving instructions to the surrounding members.

With his back to me, I stepped onto the battlefield with Lumin.

■Avatar Name: Kwon

■Gender: Male

■Race: Human

■Level: 27

■Status (Remaining Status Points: 0)

STR: 24

VIT: 18

INT: 24

MND: 18

AGI: 14

DEX: 14

■Skills

Weapon Skill: Sword: Lv.27

Magic Skill: Enhancement Magic: Lv.19

Set Skills: Death Strike: Lv.17

MP Auto Recovery: Lv.15

Plundering Sword: Lv.14

Identify: Lv.15

Life Sword: Lv.16

Demon-Slaying Sword: Lv.7

Tame: Lv.12

HP Auto Recovery: Lv.12

Life Force Manipulation: Lv.9

Sub Skills: Mining: Lv.8

Title Skill: Fairy's Blessing

■Current SP: 30

■Monster Name: Lumin

■Gender: Female

■Race: Valkyrie

■Level: 1

■Status (Remaining Status Points: 0)

STR: 25

VIT: 18

INT: 32

MND: 19

AGI: 21

DEX: 19

■Skills

Weapon Skill: Sword

Magic Skill: Light Magic

Skills: Light Attribute Enhancement

Light Wings

High Magic Resistance

Medium Physical Resistance

MP Auto Recovery (High)

Wind Magic

Magic Circle

Boost

Title Skill: Spirit King's Servant