◈ Episode 44. A Chain of Surprises (1)
Harkon spoke.
"You must walk the path of the sword."
But that was probably just something you say when you don’t really know what it entails.
『His innate magical talent was such that he could mimic most spells just by seeing them. Not to mention a physical potential that rivaled it.』
2.
It was Grangpel's setup, slapped together by bolting on everything that was considered cool back in the day.
Giving up any one of them would literally be a waste of talent.
Of course, it wasn’t even a position where I could give any up……!
'It’s not enough to dig only one well.'
That was because of the Demon Hunter, a class both loved and loathed.
As I’d said, save for when hunting demons, I wasn’t just missing a screw—I was missing several.
Thanks to that ambiguous performance, it was a class that forced you to allocate your stats ambiguously as well.
Truly a vicious cycle.
'But.'
The weakness of having no particular area of excellence.
That weakness.
I would turn it into the advantage of having no weaknesses.
I had set that grand goal.
Above all, because I had Grangpel’s talent.
That was why I had chosen this opponent.
[Silver Mane Leopard: Lv.300]
Level 300.
Among the monsters that respawned in the Yusra Kingdom, it wasn’t particularly strong.
But my level was a mere 226.
When considering that level gap, taking it down alone should be nearly impossible.
'Since the natural enemy relationship hasn’t even activated.'
Most importantly, the current me was in my screw-loose state.
Yet the reason I chose it as my opponent?
It was simply because of pride.
"That arrogant personality is no different from a cat’s."
Since it had bared its fangs first.
With a personality like mine, I couldn’t just let it slide.
I adjusted my clothes with utter composure.
"Unfortunately, I hate cats."
Shhk—!
I drew my training sword.
Though it was a training sword with a dull blade, being a rare item meant its attack power wasn’t lacking compared to swords of the same level. Moreover, I had sword qi.
Hummm—!
The feeling of becoming one with the sword.
I slowly raised up my sword qi.
……
Damn it.
The moment a faint light coated the blade, my stamina began to drain at a frightening rate.
Yet there was no wavering in my stance.
"For one with its tail raised high, you’re quite docile."
Grrr—!
Do beasts understand insults about themselves too?
The Silver Mane Leopard roared fiercely.
But it couldn’t charge in easily.
Most likely thanks to this stance that showed no openings.
"However, I don’t have the leeway to wait until you lower your tail."
To be exact, I don’t have the stamina……!
If it won’t come, I’ll have to go to it.
However, I didn’t move a single step from my spot.
'Knowing my place—that’s one thing I’m good at.'
Even if I had comprehended sword qi, I probably couldn’t take it down with swordsmanship alone.
Unless the natural enemy relationship had activated.
'You can tell that just by looking at the stats.'
The two stats that affect swordsmanship.
[Strength]
and [Agility].
Because I’d invested all my level-up points into mana.
Even if I had stats raised through class quests, it was only natural that my absolute numbers fell behind those of swordsman-type classes at the same level.
'The moment I move recklessly, I’ll be counterattacked.'
I might get my nape bitten off in an instant.
That was what a level gap of 74 meant.
But.
'That’s exactly why I put myself through all that hell, damn it!'
As I said, I had no intention of digging just one well.
Crunch—!
The immediate manifestation of magic.
The reason it was possible was because the target of interference was 'stone.'
To the extent that I didn’t need to waste effort on the searching process.
Because I was familiar with the stones of this Yusra Kingdom.
Kya, kyuung—?
A stone pillar surged upward.
The flustered creature moved its body every which way.
And so, it failed to realize.
"It would have been nice if you’d understood when I asked nicely."
Gradually.
The fact that the distance between us was closing.
I maintained my stance and honed my sword qi.
'I have to finish this as quickly as possible.'
I wasn’t in a position to act leisurely right now.
You could tell just by looking at my mana consumption.
Back when my natural enemy relationship was active, I could make dozens of stone pillars erupt at once without breaking a sweat.
'……I really still have a long way to go.'
In my current screw-loose state, just handling a few stone pillars was causing my mana to decrease noticeably.
I was reminded once again of the importance of good gear.
If I hadn’t had the [Hexagram Brooch], I would already be worrying about mana exhaustion.
Hummm—
The leopard drew closer, driven forward by the surging stone pillars.
I steadied my breath and raised my sword.
That breathing and stride were also copies of Harkon’s movements.
Therefore, there were no openings.
Swish—!
By the time you realize, it’s too late.
Kyaaaak—!!
A diagonal slash.
The instant the blade, wrapped in faint sword qi, met the leopard—
A sensation at my fingertips.
"!"
It wasn’t an illusion.
The sword was truly vibrating.
At the same time, Harkon’s words surfaced in my mind.
"Sword qi grows denser on the battlefield where life and death intersect, and takes on its own unique color."
"From now on, you must learn through real combat."
I felt I could understand, even if only a little, why Harkon had said that.
Because I could recognize what that small tremor was.
'……My sword qi is growing.'
This too was likely thanks to Grangpel’s talent.
It was the moment I realized that fact.
Thud—!
The leopard rolled across the ground…….
What the hell.
……Don’t tell me, is it dead?
I couldn’t believe my eyes, so I replayed the battle in my head.
'I manifested stone pillars to lure it.'
But I didn’t deal direct damage with the pillars.
Because there would have been no reason to draw my sword otherwise.
Luring it in like that, just once, I had simply cut it down with sword qi.
And then it collapsed with a thud……!
'No matter how impressive sword qi is.'
Even if sword qi is the pinnacle of swordsmanship.
Does this even make sense?
My Strength and Agility combined are only 70.
But as if to prove the reality of the situation, a message appeared.
[Your level has increased.]
……At this point, I couldn’t help but hold expectations once more.
That grand goal—maybe it was actually achievable?
Yet not a hint of joy was on my face.
Even this was only natural to me.
As if to say so.
I checked the obtained loot.
[Pure Silver Fur]
[Grade: Magic]
[Restriction: None]
[Effect: None]
[Description: Though it appears to be fur, its essence is pure silver. Because it is silver, its absolute value is not great, but depending on its application, it may be recognized as highly valuable.]
Pure silver, huh.
As the description stated, it seemed useful depending on how it was applied, but it didn’t catch my eye at the moment.
Because I had just witnessed a possibility far more valuable than any loot.
'Even so, this path is clearly not an easy one.'
My hands shook as if afflicted with a tremor.
It was the aftereffect of unleashing sword qi.
'Even so, I have no choice but to walk that path.'
Because it was none other than the only path that would not sink into pride.
Besides, hadn’t I clearly witnessed the possibility of its realization?
'Sword qi grows on the battlefield where life and death intersect…….'
Even now, there was a gap of 74 levels.
To me, every battle was none other than a battlefield where life and death were on the line.
'Perhaps……?'
I might reach that goal faster than expected.
No sooner had I thought that than I shamelessly opened my mouth.
"Not bad for a warm-up opponent."
Yeah, someday this bluff will become reality.
It’s terrifying to think someone might actually hear me, really.
*Shadow Mercenaries.
One of the mercenary bands that ranked in the top three on the Arcana Continent.
But having been summoned to the world of adventurers, what good was a reputation that had become an old tale?
"Geuht—!"
The leader of the Shadow Mercenaries, Kichi, stretched with a groan.
"Still, this place has a bit of a hometown scent."
Enough to make her undo her tightly bound hair.
Kichi felt a fresh surge of emotion.
Her long black hair fluttered in the wind.
"Who would’ve known? Really."
The legendary treasure island, the Yusra Archipelago!
To think that the treasure island which had remained at the very top of the Shadow Mercenaries’ request list for generations would be discovered in the world of adventurers.
Kichi brushed her hair aside and smiled.
"Tsk, I need to collect the request fee, though."
Of course, it was a joke.
A mercenary band couldn’t help but be sensitive to rumors.
It was the same even in the world of adventurers.
Kichi knew about the Yusra Archipelago.
No, she had also grasped the truth about the Yusra Kingdom.
"So it was an ancient kingdom?"
That kingdom had reappeared together with its king.
The Shadow Mercenaries.
As a commander, she’d heard countless unbelievable rumors and requests, but…… this was one of the biggest incidents among them.
So she had come leading the entire mercenary troop.
"But where did they all go? These guys?"
A small elite unit, the Shadow Mercenaries.
Their entire force was barely ten people.
But even so, isn’t scattering the moment you arrive too much?!
In the end, it was Commander Kichi who had to suffer for it.
She bit her lower lip.
"……I’m not used to this kind of thing."
The reason Kichi had come to the Yusra Kingdom?
It was simple.
Kichi had planned to make the Yusra Kingdom the Shadow Mercenaries’ base. Of course, she didn’t mean their base on the Arcana Continent.
'The situation now is a bit different from back then, right?'
The Shadow Mercenaries had accepted any request without discrimination.
That was why a base had been nothing more than a temporary shelter they could abandon at any time.
But having been summoned to the world of adventurers, they could no longer live as they had before.
"A fresh start!"
They’d never had the chance to start over this cleanly.
Business, debts, even blood feuds!
The shackles binding the Shadow Mercenaries had all been left on the Arcana Continent when they were summoned.
Of course, the fact that the mercenary band’s funds had also been left behind in a secret warehouse was a problem, but…….
"……Anyway, a fresh start!"
Wasn’t the Yusra Kingdom an ancient kingdom that had just begun rebuilding?
Kichi swelled with grand dreams.
The Shadow Mercenaries, revered as founding meritorious subjects of the Yusra Kingdom!
Clean money they could spend freely without worrying!
Kichi’s eyes gleamed golden.
"……Even if I’m not used to it, I have to try."
Kichi intended to meet the king of the Yusra Kingdom.
She was confident in her abilities.
Of course, there was a competitor called the Lion Heart Knight Order, but.
"Let’s all get along like folks from back home. We should."
Even the Shadow Mercenaries had common sense.
The Lion Heart Knight Order, of course.
They hadn’t accumulated any grudges with the royal family.
She thought there was probably no particular reason for the Lion Heart Knight Order to be hostile to them.
Of course, there were adventurers.
"Pfft, no matter how you look at it, they’re not competitors~"
Maybe in the distant future.
For now, adventurers were not a major threat…….
That was what she had thought—until mere moments ago.
"……What the hell is that?!"
In an instant, Kichi’s large eyes narrowed.
……I must be seeing things.
Having been trapped between dense buildings, now seeing a hometown-like landscape after so long, my eyes must have popped out of their sockets.
But even squinting and looking closely, it was clear.
A faint light flowing from the sword.
That was definitely 'sword qi.'
Kichi was genuinely astonished.
'……He’s an adventurer?!'
An adventurer was emanating sword qi.
At this rate, she had no choice but to take back what she just said!
Still, she should approach to verify for sure.
'I shouldn’t get too close.'
If by any chance he was a user of sword qi, his senses would be incredibly sharp.
It was possible that he could see through her stealth.
Silently—Kichi approached, holding her breath.
And witnessed.
A sight even more unbelievable……!
"!"
It was certain.
That was sword qi.
But then what were those pillars surging from the ground?
'No matter how you look at it, that’s magic?!'
While emanating sword qi.
Simultaneously manifesting magic of that caliber?
An adventurer?!
"Not bad for a warm-up opponent."
And he hadn’t even gone all out.
Even if she ranted in front of the members, they wouldn’t believe her.
But the scene unfolding before her eyes was reality.
Moreover, Kichi could tell.
'……The sword qi has grown noticeably denser.'
That absurd growth speed.
It set off alarm bells for Kichi.
Kichi looked at the adventurer, the man.
'Just what is his true identity?'
An adventurer with such skill.
Surely that name would have been known even on the Arcana Continent.
Among the adventurers Kichi knew, there was no man like that.
‘……At any rate, thank goodness.’
Her decision to hurry to the Yusra Kingdom had been the right one.
If she had been even a little late, an adventurer who had popped up out of nowhere like that might have taken the position of founding contributor for himself!
Kichi quickened her steps.
“Hurry, hurry!”
For a brilliant new beginning.
For a life of earning honestly and spending lavishly.
The Shadow Mercenary Corps would pledge loyalty to the Yusra Kingdom.
To express that resolve, they ran toward the Golden Palace.
“……I don’t know who you are, but let’s never meet again. Ever.”
An adventurer who made her shudder just by thinking of him.
Unaware that the future of the Shadow Mercenary Corps lay under the authority of that adventurer, Hoyeol…….
*The aftereffects of sword energy.
Thanks to that, my exhausted body did not recover easily.
It felt, quite literally, as though all the energy had been drained out of me.
……Honestly, if I could have my way, I would not want to get out of bed.
“Does the Magic Tower not have anything like annual leave?”
However, this body, who lives and dies by formality and etiquette,
would never break an appointment.
As soon as I arrived at the Magic Tower, I headed for the Floating Garden.
The Floating Garden.
The Magic Tower’s only social venue.
It had an appearance worthy of its name.
It was an unreal sight as well.
The flowers and grasses growing there were far too beautiful.
I fully appreciated the scenery with my aesthetic eye.
And yet.
There was a form that was especially grating to my senses.
It was black, as if only that part had been painted over with ink.
A middle-aged man who did not suit the radiant Floating Garden.
I could tell instinctively.
That man was the senior mage of black magic studies.
Matisse Dean Karl.
As I approached, his attire stood out even more.
Most impressive of all were the rings on his ten fingers.
Each and every one of them must be a magic artifact.
‘The ones set with gems look expensive.’
I sat facing the man.
I intended to get straight to the point.
More than anything, the urge to remove the irritating Matisse from the Floating Garden was welling up inside me.
Having an aesthetic eye was exhausting in this way.
“?”
It was then.
The gemstones set in Matisse’s rings began to ripple.
In an instant, the gems turned black.
It was a blackness beyond pitch-dark, so deep it seemed alien.
Though I did not show it, I could not help but be startled.
Was this some kind of attempt to seize the initiative?
But it did not seem to be anything like that.
Why?
Because Matisse looked even more clearly shocked than I was.
Staring at the discolored gems, he murmured.
“What in the world is this resonance……?”
……Resonance?
What was that supposed to mean?
Whatever it was, I questioned him calmly.
“Senior Mage, Matisse Dean Karl.”
“……?”
“Is that ring related to the matter of our appointment?”
Clack—I lifted my teacup and added one more sentence.
“Answer wisely.”