Chapter 43: Jackson Cutter (1)

Jackson Cutter arrived at the Copperhead Manor a step behind Damian Hassen.

"What, they want me to use this place?"

Jackson Cutter looked around the tent the servant had shown him to and burst into anger. It was cramped, and only a few old leather sheets were laid on the floor. There was nothing but a bed and a desk.

"Do you know who I am? I'm the Ogre Slayer, Jackson Cutter!"

Jackson Cutter shouted at the servant, who trembled and replied, "Y-Yes, even the butler knows, sir."

"Then why did they assign me this place? Are you out of your mind?"

"But, sir, even if you tell me…."

The servant spoke as if he felt wronged.

Jackson Cutter sighed deeply. As the servant said, there was no point in getting angry at a subordinate.

"Get out of here right now."

The servant fled from the tent as if he were running away.

As soon as the servant left, Jacques Noire entered.

"It was noisy from outside."

Jacques Noire said in a cold, emotionless voice.

"Master, you see, they assigned me this shabby tent even though they know who I am. How can I tolerate this? I have to protest…."

Jackson Cutter complained bitterly.

Then Jacques Noire grabbed Jackson Cutter by the neck.

"Choking!"

"You've been too relaxed lately. Do I look like someone who will listen to your complaints?"

"S-Sorry… I'm sorry!"

Jackson Cutter shouted desperately. Only then did Jacques Noire release his grip on Jackson Cutter's neck.

"Try to be as quiet as possible here. If you cause a commotion and get kicked out of the tournament, I won't forgive you."

"I understand, Master."

"Remember, your goal is to win the jousting tournament."

Jackson Cutter, looking for a reaction, asked, "But Master, why do I have to win the jousting tournament? Can you tell me the reason…?"

"It's necessary for my ultimate goal."

"Your ultimate goal… Do you mean reaching the Master level?"

"Yes."

Master.

The supreme level, known as the true superhuman.

If others heard it, they would say he was crazy. Reaching the Master level was almost impossible.

But Jacques Noire's expression was infinitely serious.

"So, how does winning the jousting tournament relate to your ultimate goal…?"

Jacques Noire glared at Jackson Cutter.

Jackson Cutter quickly shut his mouth. If he pressed further, he would surely suffer.

"I'll go investigate the Copperhead family and the participants. You focus on preparing for the jousting tournament."

"Understood."

"One more thing, if you encounter Damian Hassen, ignore him."

"Huh?"

Jackson Cutter looked at Jacques Noire, puzzled by the order.

The reason Jackson Cutter was participating in this jousting tournament was to expose Damian Hassen's true nature.

It was hard to bear that a scoundrel like Damian Hassen was more famous than himself.

But to ignore him?

"There are too many unclear points about Damian Hassen. He might be the biggest variable among the participants in this jousting tournament."

Jacques Noire said in a serious tone.

"So, don't touch him until I verify the rumors."

"But… didn't you see how worthless he is, Master?"

On the day Jackson Cutter assaulted Damian Hassen, Jacques Noire was nearby and even witnessed the entire assault.

Yet, he gave such an order?

"Are you dissatisfied with my order?"

Jacques Noire's voice carried a hint of displeasure.

Jackson Cutter hurriedly bowed his head.

"I'm sorry, Master."

"Understood."

Jacques Noire reiterated his instructions and left the tent.

As soon as he confirmed Jacques Noire's footsteps had faded away, Jackson Cutter said disdainfully, "What a coward."

Jacques Noire always acted like that.

Whenever there was a suspicious situation, he would back off.

This time, he was clearly scared by the rumors about Damian Hassen.

"And if you're going to give orders, at least explain them in detail. What does winning the jousting tournament have to do with becoming a Master?"

Their relationship was closer to that of a master and a slave rather than a teacher and a student.

After all, the reason Jacques Noire taught Jackson Cutter was to use him for his own purposes.

"I'll show you. Once I reach the Middle Class, I'll kill you first."

However, despite his contempt for Jacques Noire, he had to acknowledge his teachings.

Jacques Noire had spent a long time researching many sword techniques and mana cultivation methods to reach the Master level.

The knowledge he gained was enough to elevate Jackson Cutter, who was just a thug, to the Low Class level in a short time.

Jackson Cutter's goal was to learn more from Jacques Noire and reach the Middle Class level.

"Staying here makes me feel dirty."

Jackson Cutter, annoyed, stepped out of the tent.

At that moment, he met Sophia Russell, who was coming out of the tent opposite.

"Oh, Sophia. You also felt suffocated and came out?"

"Jackson!"

Sophia shouted and hugged Jackson. Jackson held her in his arms.

"It's boring to stay in the tent all the time."

"Of course, we understand each other. I also came out because I felt suffocated."

"Great! Let's go for a walk together!"

Jackson Cutter wrapped his arm around Sophia Russell's waist.

As the two of them walked around the tournament grounds, they encountered Damian Hassen.

"Isn't that Damian Hassen?"

Jackson Cutter met Damian Hassen.

"Meeting you like this is really a pleasure."

* * *

When his face hit the ground, Jackson Cutter inwardly wondered,

Why did I lose?

The moment their hands touched, Jackson Cutter exerted all his strength.

He intended to break Damian Hassen's arm and throw him to the ground.

But it was Jackson Cutter who ended up on the ground. He couldn't even figure out how he lost.

"J-Jackson!"

Sophia Russell screamed from beside him. Jackson Cutter, getting up from the ground, said, "I'm fine. I'm…"

His body wobbled as he tried to stand up. His head spun, and he felt nauseous.

"Oh, you're tough? You got a direct hit to the jaw and you're already up?"

Only then did Jackson Cutter realize what had happened.

Damian Hassen didn't just throw him to the ground. He adjusted the angle to deliver the maximum impact to his jaw.

"You damn brat…!"

The Damian Hassen Jackson Cutter remembered was a pathetic fool.

A man who begged for mercy after being beaten by his fists.

To be hit by such a person? It was the ultimate humiliation.

"The rumors weren't completely false, it seems."

Jackson Cutter gritted his teeth. He was overwhelmed by intense anger.

"Surely you don't think you can end this with just a cheap trick?"

Jackson Cutter gripped the hilt of his sword.

Damian Hassen shrugged and looked at his brother.

"Abel, did you see? He tried to draw his sword first."

"Brother…"

Abel Hassen sighed deeply but didn't try to stop Damian.

"If you're going to do it, show him what you're made of."

"Of course."

Damian Hassen pushed Abel back and asked, "Are you ready?"

"Sure, I'm ready."

Despite his rising anger, Jackson Cutter was puzzled.

Damian Hassen had no weapon in his hand.

"…Why aren't you drawing your sword?"

"You're not worth it."

Damian Hassen pointed his finger. Jackson Cutter couldn't understand the situation for a moment.

"…Are you going to fight me with just your finger?"

"If you feel uncomfortable, I can use a stick."

Saying that, Damian Hassen looked around. Jackson Cutter's face turned red with anger.

"…I'll cut off all ten of your fingers and eat them!"

Jackson Cutter drew his sword.

But just as he was about to charge, someone grabbed his wrist.

Jackson Cutter turned to the side, dazed.

Jacques Noire.

His master was standing there.

* * *

"…M-Master."

Jacques Noire didn't respond to Jackson Cutter's words. He only stared at Damian Hassen.

Damian also looked at Jacques Noire.

Though he didn't show it outwardly, Damian was quite impressed.

The higher a knight's level, the higher the wall they face.

It's a hundred times harder for a Low Class knight to become a Middle Class knight than for an Aspirant to become a Low Class knight.

Therefore, the higher the level, the greater the difference in skill among knights.

Top-tier Middle Class knights could kill lower-tier Middle Class knights with a single strike.

'Impressive. That black mage I saw last time wouldn't stand a chance against him.'

Damian thought of the leader of Uraan.

The leader of Uraan was a black mage who had reached the 7th tier and specialized in combat.

The man in front of him could easily kill the leader of Uraan.

"Amazing."

Jacques Noire broke the silence.

"That scoundrel became so strong in such a short time. It's hard to believe."

Jacques Noire looked at Damian with interest.

"I'll apologize for my student's rudeness."

Jacques Noire took Jackson Cutter and left. Sophia Russell hurriedly followed them.

"Abel, do you know who that man is?"

"He's a Middle Class knight named Jacques Noire."

Damian silently repeated Jacques Noire's name.

One of the reasons Damian came here was to avenge Jackson Cutter and Sophia Russell, but also to help Abel.

If so, a clash with Jacques Noire was inevitable.

'This might be a chance to see a proper sword fight after a long time.'

Damian's lips curled slightly.

It seemed this jousting