Chapter 44

◈ Chapter 44. A Series of Surprises (1)

Harkan said,

"You must walk the path of the sword."

But I guess he doesn't really know what he's talking about.

* * *

『With innate magical talent, he could mimic most spells just by watching them. Moreover, he had physical potential that rivaled his magical abilities.』

It was a middle school second-year's way of thinking, attaching all the good traits to Grangfell's character.

Each one was a waste of talent to give up.

Of course, the conditions didn't allow for any of them to be abandoned...!

'Even digging one well isn't enough.'

This was due to the class, Demon Hunter, which I both loved and hated.

As I mentioned, except for hunting demons, it was as if several screws were loose.

Due to its ambiguous performance, the class forced me to allocate stats ambiguously.

It was a vicious cycle.

'However,'

The drawback of having no outstanding traits.

I intended to turn this weakness into a strength.

I set this grand goal because I had Grangfell's talent.

That's why I chose this opponent.

[Silver Mane Leopard: Lv.300]

Level 300.

It wasn't particularly strong among the monsters that respawned in the Yusra Kingdom.

But my level was only 226.

Considering the level difference,

It would be nearly impossible for me to take it down alone.

'Not to mention, the predator-prey relationship didn't activate.'

Most importantly, I was in a state where several screws were loose.

So why did I choose to face it?

Simply out of pride.

"You're as arrogant as a cat."

The leopard bared its fangs first.

I couldn't just let that attitude slide.

I calmly adjusted my clothes.

"I'm sorry, but I don't like cats."

Click!

I drew my training sword.

Though it was a training sword and the blade was dull, as a rare item, its attack power didn't fall behind that of a sword of the same level. Besides, I had sword qi.

Whoosh!

The feeling of becoming one with the sword.

I slowly gathered the sword qi.

...Damn.

The moment a faint light appeared on the sword, my HP started to drain.

But my stance remained unwavering.

"Pretty well-behaved for someone with their tail up."

Roar!

Did even beasts understand insults?

The silver mane leopard roared fiercely.

However, it couldn't easily charge at me.

Mostly because my stance left no openings.

"But, I don't have the luxury to wait until you lower your tail."

More accurately, I didn't have the HP...!

If it didn't come to me, I had to go to it.

But I didn't move a single step from my position.

'I know how to gauge the situation, at least.'

No matter how much I understood sword qi,

I couldn't defeat it with swordsmanship alone.

Unless the predator-prey relationship was activated.

'I can tell just by looking at the stats.'

The two stats that affect swordsmanship:

[Strength] and [Agility].

Due to pouring all my level-up points into magic,

Even with the stats increased through class quests, it was natural for the absolute values to fall behind those of sword-wielding classes at the same level.

'If I move recklessly, I'll be counterattacked.'

It might tear out my throat in an instant.

A 74-level gap was that significant.

However,

'I knew this, so I went through all that trouble. Me!'

As I mentioned, I had no intention of just digging one well.

Crack!

Instantaneous manifestation of magic.

The reason it was possible was that the target of interference was 'rock.'

I was familiar with the rocks of the Yusra Kingdom, so I didn't need to put much effort into the exploration process.

Meow, meow?

Spikes of rock shot up.

The confused leopard moved its body around.

So it didn't realize.

"Would have been better if you understood when I spoke nicely."

Gradually,

The distance between us was closing.

I maintained my stance and refined the sword qi.

'I need to end this as quickly as possible.'

I wasn't in a position to take my time.

Just looking at the mana consumption, I could tell.

When the predator-prey relationship was active, I could make dozens of rock spikes rise simultaneously without any issue.

'...I still have a long way to go.'

In my current state, with several screws loose,

Even handling a few rock spikes was visibly draining my mana.

I once again realized the importance of gear.

If I didn't have the [Hexagram Brooch], I would have been worrying about mana exhaustion from the start.

Whoosh!

The leopard, pushed by the rising rock spikes, approached.

I adjusted my breathing and raised my sword.

The breathing and steps were also imitating Harkan's actions.

Thus, there were no openings.

Swish!

By the time it realized, it was too late.

Roar!

Diagonal slash.

The moment the blade, enveloped in faint sword qi, met the leopard,

I felt a sensation in my fingertips.

"!"

It wasn't a hallucination.

The sword was really vibrating.

At the same time, Harkan's words echoed in my mind.

"In the battlefield where life and death are at stake, sword qi becomes denser and takes on its unique color."

I had to learn in actual combat.

I somewhat understood why Harkan said that.

I could recognize the nature of that small tremor.

'...The sword qi is growing.'

This was also thanks to Grangfell's talent.

The moment I realized this,

Thud!

The leopard rolled on the ground...

What is this?

...Could it be, dead?

I couldn't believe it even as I saw it, so I reviewed the battle.

'I used the rock spikes to lure it.'

But the rock spikes didn't deal direct damage.

That's why I had no reason to draw my sword.

I lured it and then,

With a single slash of sword qi, that's all.

And it fell with a thud...!

'Even so, that's a bit much.'

Even if sword qi is the pinnacle of swordsmanship, still.

Does this even make sense?

The sum of my Strength and Agility is only 70.

But as if to prove the actual situation,

A message appeared.

[Level up.]

...At this point, I couldn't help but feel a renewed sense of hope.

That grand goal, maybe it's possible?

But there was no trace of joy on my face.

This was only natural to me.

As if saying so,

I checked the loot.

[Pure Silver Fur]

[Grade: Magic]

[Restriction: None]

[Effect: None]

[Description: It looks like fur, but its essence is pure silver. Though silver itself isn't of great value, it could be recognized as highly valuable depending on its use.]

Pure silver.

As the description suggested, it seemed useful depending on its use,

But it didn't catch my eye immediately.

After all, I had just witnessed a more precious possibility.

'Still, it's definitely not an easy path.'

Shiver, shiver...

My hands trembled like I had a seizure.

It was due to the aftereffects of emitting sword qi.

'Even so, I have no choice but to walk this path.'

It was the only way to keep my pride from sinking.

Besides, I had clearly seen the possibility of achieving it.

'Sword qi grows in the battlefield where life and death are at stake...'

With a 74-level gap, every battle for me was a life-or-death struggle.

'Maybe...?'

I might reach that goal faster than expected.

Just as I thought this,

I shamelessly spoke.

"Not bad for a warm-up partner."

Yeah, maybe one day this pretense will become reality.

I'm really scared someone might hear, though.

*

Shadow Mercenary Corps.

One of the top three mercenary groups in the Arcana Continent.

But what good is a legendary reputation in a world of adventurers?

"Ugh!"

Shadow Mercenary Corps leader, Kitch, stretched.

"Still, it feels a bit like home here."

She even untied her hair.

Kitch felt a new sense of nostalgia.

Her long, loose hair fluttered in the wind.

"Who would have thought? Really."

The legendary treasure island, Yusra Archipelago!

The treasure island that had been at the top of the Shadow Mercenary Corps' request list for generations, found in the world of adventurers.

Kitch smiled as she brushed her hair back.

"Damn, gotta get the payment."

Of course, it was a joke.

Mercenary groups had to be sensitive to rumors, even in the world of adventurers.

Kitch was already aware of the truth about the Yusra Archipelago.

"An ancient kingdom, huh?"

The kingdom had reappeared with its king.

Shadow Mercenary Corps.

As a leader, she heard many unbelievable rumors and requests, but this was one of the biggest.

So she led the entire corps to find it.

"But, where did they all go? These guys?"

Shadow Mercenary Corps, a small but elite group.

Even though the entire corps consisted of only ten people,

Wasn't it a bit much to scatter immediately upon arrival?!

In the end, the one who had to do the hard work was the leader, Kitch.

She bit her lower lip.

"...I'm not used to this."

Why did Kitch come to the Yusra Kingdom?

It was simple.

She planned to make the Yusra Kingdom the Shadow Mercenary Corps' base of operations. Of course, not in the Arcana Continent.

'The situation is different now, isn't it?'

The Shadow Mercenary Corps, which took on any request,

Treated their base as a temporary shelter that could be abandoned at any time.

But being summoned to the world of adventurers,

They couldn't live as they used to.

"A fresh start!"

There was no such clean slate.

Business, debts, even grudges!

The chains that bound the Shadow Mercenary Corps were left behind in the Arcana Continent when they were summoned.

Of course, the problem was that the mercenary group's funds were also left in a secret warehouse.

"...Anyway, a fresh start!"

The Yusra Kingdom was an ancient kingdom just beginning its reconstruction.

Kitch was filled with grand dreams.

The Shadow Mercenary Corps, revered as founding heroes of the Yusra Kingdom!

Clean money that could be spent without hesitation!

Kitch's eyes turned golden.

"...Even if I'm not used to it, I have to do it."

Kitch planned to meet the king of the Yusra Kingdom.

She was confident in her abilities.

Of course, there was a competitor, the Lionheart Knights.

"Let's get along nicely, fellow countrymen."

The Shadow Mercenary Corps also had common sense.

They didn't want to build a grudge with the royal family.

The Lionheart Knights had no reason to be hostile to them, right?

Of course, there were adventurers.

"Eh, they're not really competitors, though~"

Maybe in the distant future.

But for now, adventurers weren't a significant threat...

That's what she thought just a moment ago.

"...What the hell is that?!"

Suddenly, Kitch's large eyes narrowed.

...Did I see it wrong?

Maybe I was just seeing things after being trapped in a crowded city and finally seeing a familiar landscape.

But even when I narrowed my eyes and looked closely, it was clear.

The faint light flowing from the sword.

That was definitely 'sword qi.'

Kitch was genuinely shocked.

'...An adventurer?'

An adventurer was emitting sword qi.

I have to take back what I just said!

Still, to confirm, I should get closer.

'I can't get too close.'

If it's a user of sword qi,

Their senses would be incredibly sharp.

They might even see through my stealth.

Silently, silently...

Kitch approached quietly.

And she witnessed it.

An even more unbelievable scene...!

"!"

It was clear.

That was sword qi.

But what were those pillars rising from the ground?

'That's definitely magic, no matter how you look at it!'

Emitting sword qi while

Simultaneously manifesting magic at that level?

An adventurer?!

"Not bad for a warm-up partner."

And that wasn't even at full strength.

My fellow members wouldn't believe me even if I ranted about it.

But what I saw was reality.

Moreover, Kitch noticed.

'...The sword qi has noticeably thickened.'

That unbelievable growth rate.

It raised Kitch's alarm.

Kitch looked at the adventurer, the man.

'What is his true identity?'

An adventurer with such skills.

His name would surely be known in the Arcana Continent.

But Kitch didn't know any adventurer like him.

'...At least it's fortunate.'

It was a good decision to come to the Yusra Kingdom quickly.

If we had been even a little late, such an adventurer might have taken the place of a founding hero!

Kitch quickened her pace.

"Quickly, quickly!"

For a brilliant new start.

For a life of honest work and lavish spending.

The Shadow Mercenary Corps would pledge their loyalty to the Yusra Kingdom.

She ran towards the golden palace to express this resolve.

"...I don't want to see you again, whoever you are."

The adventurer, whose mere thought made her shudder.

The adventurer, under the authority of Ho Yeol,

Was unaware that the future of the Shadow Mercenary Corps rested on him...

*

The aftereffects of the sword qi.

Thanks to them, my exhausted body didn't recover easily.

It felt like all my energy was drained.

...Honestly, I don't want to get out of bed.

"The magic tower doesn't have something like annual leave, does it?"

But this body, which lives and dies by etiquette and formality,

Would never break a promise.

As soon as I arrived at the magic tower, I headed to the floating garden.

The floating garden.

The only social space in the magic tower.

It lived up to its name with its magnificent appearance.

The scenery was surreal.

The flowers and grass were excessively beautiful.

I appreciated the scenery with a discerning eye.

However,

There was a particularly irksome figure.

It was as if that part was painted black with ink.

A middle-aged man who didn't fit the bright floating garden.

I instinctively knew.

This was the senior black magic scholar, Mathis Dean Carl.

As I approached, his attire became more noticeable.

Most striking were the rings on his ten fingers.

Each one was a magical tool.

'The ones with gems look expensive.'

I sat across from the man.

I wanted to get straight to the point.

Mostly because I wanted to get rid of the irksome Mathis from the floating garden.

Aesthetics can be so tiring.

"?"

That's when it happened.

The gems in Mathis's rings began to shimmer.

Suddenly, they turned black.

It was a black so dark it was almost alien.

Though I didn't show it, I couldn't help but be startled.

Was it a show of intimidation?

But it didn't seem to be.

For some reason,

Mathis looked even more surprised.

He muttered, looking at the discolored gem.

"What is this sensitivity...?"

...Sensitivity?

What does that mean?

Whatever it was, I calmly pressed the issue.

"Senior magic scholar, Mathis Dean Carl."

"...?"

"Is that ring related to the matter at hand?"

Click

I added a word as I picked up my teacup.

"Answer wisely."