Chapter 44 – A Series of Surprises (1)

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Translated by Heavenly Cat

Read it only at Novelbyu.com & Utoon.net

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Harkon had said.

-You must walk the path of the sword.

But that was probably something said because he didn’t know well.

『His innate magical talent was at a level where he could copy most magic just by observing it. Furthermore, physical potential that did not pale in comparison to it.』

Eighth grader.

It was Granfel’s setting that brought together everything good with the sensibilities of those days.

To give up on either one would literally be a waste of talent.

Of course, it wasn’t a situation to give up either……!

‘Digging only one well is lacking.’

That was because of the love-hate class, Demon Hunter.

As I said, except for when hunting demons, it’s at a level where not one, but several screws are missing.

A class where stat distribution also had to be done ambiguously because of that ambiguous performance.

It was truly the repetition of a vicious cycle.

‘However.’

The disadvantage of having no outstanding area.

That disadvantage.

I shall change it into the advantage of having no weaknesses.

I had established that grand objective.

Above all, because I had Granfel’s talent.

That’s why I chose this opponent.

[Silver Mane Panther: Lv.300]

Level 300.

It wasn’t on the strong side among the monsters that respawned in the Yusra Kingdom.

But my level was a mere level 226.

When considering that level gap.

Defeating that guy all by myself would be close to impossible.

‘Because the Natural Enemy also didn’t activate.’

Above all, because my current state was missing some screws.

Even so, the reason I chose that guy as my opponent?

Simply put, because of pride.

“That arrogant personality is no different from a cat.”

Because the guy bared its fangs first.

With this personality, there was no way I could just let it slide.

Just calmly sorting my attire.

“It is a pity, but I dislike cats.”

Clang!

I drew the training sword.

Because it was a training sword, the blade was dull, but as a rare item, its attack power didn’t fall behind when compared to swords of the same level. Moreover, because I possessed sword force.

Wooooong!

The feeling of becoming one with the sword.

I slowly drew out sword force.

……Damn it.

As soon as the sword was imbued with a faint light, physical stamina drained away.

However, there is no wavering in my posture.

“Compared to raising your tail, you are well-behaved.”

Grrrrr!

Do beasts also understand curses directed at them?

The Silver Mane Panther roared roughly.

However, the guy wasn’t easily able to pounce.

Above all, it was likely due to this posture that showed no openings.

“However, I do not have the leeway to wait until you lower your tail.”

To be exact, I have no stamina……!

If you aren’t going to approach, this side has no choice but to go.

However, I didn’t move a single step from my spot.

‘Knowing my place, that is the one thing I do well.’

No matter how much I realized sword force.

For me, I probably couldn’t defeat the guy with swordsmanship alone.

It might be a different story if the Natural Enemy was activated.

‘Because I can tell that just by looking at my stats.’

The two abilities that influence swordsmanship.

[Strength] and [Agility].

The result of having invested all my level-up points into magic power.

Even acknowledging the stats increased from the Class Quest, it was only natural that the absolute values fell behind swordsman lineage classes of the same level.

‘The moment I move rashly, I’ll face a counterattack.’

I might get the back of my neck bitten off in an instant.

The gap of 74 levels was something like that.

However.

‘Because I knew that, I went through all that hardcore suffering. I did!’

As I’ve said, I don’t have the slightest intention of digging only a single well.

Crunch!

Instantaneous manifestation of magic.

The reason it was possible was because the object of interference was ‘stone’.

Enough that I didn’t need to put effort into the searching process.

Because I was used to the stones of this Yusra Kingdom.

Kyarr, kyarr?

A soaring stone pillar.

The flustered guy moves its body this way and that.

Therefore, the guy didn’t realize.

“It would have been better if you had understood when I spoke nicely.”

Gradually.

The fact that its distance with me was narrowing.

I refined the sword force while maintaining my posture.

‘I must end this as quickly as possible.’

Right now, I wasn’t in a situation to act leisurely.

I can tell just by looking at the magic power consumption.

When the Natural Enemy was activated, I was completely fine even when making dozens of stone pillars soar at the same time.

‘……Indeed, I still have a long way to go.’

As I am currently missing screws.

Just handling a few stone pillars was visibly depleting my magic power.

I once again realize the importance of equipment.

If I didn’t even have the [Hexagram Brooch], I would have had to worry about magic power exhaustion from early on.

Wooooo

The panther approaching as if being pushed by the soaring stone pillars.

I caught my breath and raised my sword.

That breath and stride was also something imitating Harkon’s action.

Therefore, there is no opening.

Slash!

It meant by the time you noticed, it was too late.

Kyaaak!!

A diagonal slash.

The moment the blade draped in faint sword force met the panther.

The sensation felt at my fingertips.

“!”

It wasn’t an illusion.

Really, the sword was vibrating.

At the same time, Harkon’s words coming to mind.

-Because on a battlefield where life and death intertwine, sword force becomes deeper and takes on its own unique color.

From now on, I have to learn in actual combat.

I felt like I could understand even a little bit why Harkon had said that.

Because I could notice.

What the true identity of that small vibration was.

‘……The sword force is growing.’

This too would be thanks to Granfel’s talent.

It was the moment I realized that fact.

Thud!

The panther tumbled onto the floor…….

What is this.

……No way, it died?

Because I couldn’t even believe it while looking at it, I looked back on the battle.

‘I manifested a stone pillar to lure the guy.’

But I didn’t inflict direct damage with the stone pillar.

Otherwise, there would have been no reason to pull out my sword.

I just slashed the lured guy a single time.

With sword force.

Then the guy collapsed with a thud……!

‘No matter what.’

No matter if sword force is the extremity of swordsmanship.

Does this even make sense?

The sum of my strength and agility is a mere 70.

However, as if proving that this was a real situation.

A message popped up.

[Your level has risen.]

……At this point, I had no choice but to harbor expectations anew.

That grand objective, could it perhaps be feasible?

However, there was not a trace of joy on my expression.

Even this is only natural for me.

As if it was saying so.

I checked the acquired loot.

[Pure Silver Fur]

[Grade: Magic]

[Requirement: None]

[Effect: None]

[Description: Looks like fur, but its essence is pure silver. Because it’s silver, its absolute value isn’t great, but depending on how it’s utilized, its high value might be recognized.]

Pure silver, huh.

As explained, it seemed useful depending on its utilization.

But it didn’t catch my eye right away.

Because I had just witnessed a possibility more precious than loot.

‘Still, it’s certainly not an easy path.’

Tremble, tremble

My two hands trembling as if having hand tremors.

It was because of the aftermath of emitting sword force.

‘Even so, I have no choice but to advance on that path.’

Because it was as good as the only path where my pride wouldn’t sink.

Besides, didn’t I clearly witness the feasibility of it?

‘Sword force grows on battlefields where life and death intertwine…….’

Even right now, a whopping 74-level gap.

For me, every battle was as good as a battlefield where life and death intertwined.

‘Perhaps……?’

Faster than I expected.

Might I be able to reach that objective?

While I harbored such thoughts for a moment.

I shamelessly opened my mouth.

“As an opponent to warm up my body, it was not bad.”

Yes, surely a day will come when this bluff will also become a reality.

Honestly, I’m terrified wondering if someone might be listening.

*

Shadow Mercenaries.

One of the mercenary bands counted inside the top three fingers on the Arcana continent.

However, now that they were summoned to the world of adventurers.

What use is a reputation that has become an old tale?

“Done!”

The Shadow Mercenaries Commander, Kichi, stretched her arms.

“Still, it slightly smells like my hometown here.”

Tighten

To the point of untying the hair she had tied up.

Kichi felt a new emotion.

Her long, black straight hair fluttered in the wind.

“Who would have known? Truly.”

The legendary treasure island, the Yusra Archipelago!

To think the treasure island that had remained at the very top of the Shadow Mercenaries’ request list for generations would be discovered in the world of adventurers.

Kichi smiled as she swept her hair back.

“Sigh, I should receive the request fee.”

Of course, it was a joke.

The mercenary band had no choice but to be sensitive to rumors.

That also held true in the world of adventurers.

Kichi had already grasped the truth about the Yusra Archipelago.

No, the Yusra Kingdom.

“So it meant it was an ancient kingdom, right?”

And that kingdom revealed its appearance once again along with its king.

Shadow Mercenaries.

As a commander, one comes to hear many unbelievable rumors and requests but……. This was a major event that could be counted on one hand even among them.

So she came leading the entire mercenary band.

“By the way, where did they all go. These guys?”

Elite minority, Shadow Mercenaries.

Even if you say entire, it was only ten people.

Even so, isn’t it too much for them to scatter as soon as they arrived?!

In the end, the one suffering was the Commander, Kichi.

She bit her lower lip gently.

“……I’m not used to things like this.”

The reason Kichi visited the Yusra Kingdom?

It was simple.

Because Kichi was planning to establish the Yusra Kingdom as the garrison of the Shadow Mercenaries.

Of course, it didn’t mean a garrison back on the Arcana continent.

‘The circumstances are a little different between then and now, aren’t they?’

Shadow Mercenaries, who accepted any request indiscriminately.

Therefore, a garrison to them was nothing more than a temporary residence they could abandon and leave behind at any time.

However, since they were summoned to the world of adventurers.

They could no longer live like they did then.

“Which means a fresh start!”

There had never been an opportunity to make such a clean fresh start either.

Business, debt, and even grudges!

Because they were summoned leaving behind all the shackles that held the Shadow Mercenaries back on the Arcana continent.

Of course, the problem was that the mercenary band’s funds were also left behind in the secret stash when they were summoned but…….

“……Anyway, fresh start!”

Wasn’t the Yusra Kingdom an ancient kingdom that was just beginning its reconstruction?

Kichi was full of grand dreams.

The Shadow Mercenaries, revered as meritorious retainers in the foundation of the Yusra Kingdom!

Clean money with no need to read the room even if spent generously!

Kichi’s eyes were dyed golden.

“……Even if I’m not used to it, I still have to try.”

Kichi planned to meet the King of the Yusra Kingdom.

She was confident in terms of abilities.

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

“Let’s get along well among hometown folks. Us humans.”

The Shadow Mercenaries also had common sense.

Not only did they not pile up grudges with the Lionheart Knights.

But they also didn’t with the Imperial Family.

She thought there shouldn’t be any particular reason for the Lionheart Knights to be hostile toward them.

Of course, the adventurers were present but.

“Ayy, no matter what, they aren’t competitors~”

If it were the distant future, maybe.

Right now, the adventurers weren’t a big threat…….

Thinking like that was an event from just until a moment ago.

“……What’s that?!”

In an instant, Kichi’s large eyes narrowed.

……I must have seen it wrong, right?

Because I’m seeing a scenery like my hometown after being cooped up between dense buildings for a while.

It must be that my eyeballs have spun out of control.

However, even when she narrowed her eyes and looked closely, it was certain.

The faint light overflowing from the sword.

That was definitely ‘sword force’.

Kichi was genuinely astonished.

‘……He’s an adventurer?!’

An adventurer was emitting sword force.

At this rate, she has no choice but to take back the words she just spat out!

Still, let’s approach to clearly confirm it.

‘I shouldn’t go too close.’

If he is a user of sword force by any chance.

His senses would also be incomparably sharp.

Perhaps he might even see through her concealment.

Tip-toe

Kichi held her breath and approached.

And she witnessed.

An even more unbelievable sight……!

“!”

She was certain.

That was sword force.

But what were those pillars soaring from the ground?

‘No matter how you look at that, it’s magic?!’

While emitting sword force.

He manifests magic of that level at the same time?

An adventurer?!

“As an opponent to warm up my body, it was not bad.”

Moreover, that wasn’t even him going all out.

Even if she spewed fiery speeches in front of the band members, they probably won’t believe her.

However, what unfolded before her eyes was reality.

Furthermore, Kichi could notice it.

‘……The sword force has visibly deepened.’

That nonsensical growth speed.

That aroused a sense of alertness in Kichi.

Kichi looked at the adventurer, the man.

‘Just what is his true identity?’

If he was an adventurer equipped with such skill.

His name would certainly be known back on the Arcana continent as well.

There was no such man among the adventurers Kichi knew of.

‘……In any case, it’s a relief.’

The judgment to quickly find the Yusra Kingdom was correct.

If she had been even a little late, an adventurer who popped out of nowhere like that might have taken over the seat of a meritorious founding retainer!

Kichi hurried her steps.

“Hurry, hurry!”

For a glorious fresh start.

For a life of earning honestly and spending lavishly.

The Shadow Mercenaries swear loyalty to the Yusra Kingdom.

To express that will, she ran toward the Golden Palace.

“……I don’t know who you are, but let’s never meet again. Us.”

An adventurer whose mere thought makes her shudder.

Under the authority of that adventurer, Ho-yeol.

Without knowing that the future of the Shadow Mercenaries lay there…….

*

The aftermath of sword force.

Thanks to it, my exhausted body did not recover easily.

Could you say it’s literally a feeling of being completely drained.

……Really, as far as my heart goes, I do not want to get out of bed.

“Is there not even such a thing as annual leave in the Mage Tower?”

However, there is no way this body of mine, who lives and dies by formality and etiquette.

Would break an appointment.

As soon as I arrived at the Mage Tower, I headed to the Floating Garden.

The Floating Garden.

The only social venue in the Mage Tower.

It possessed an excellent exterior fitting for its name.

It was also an unrealistic scenery.

Because the flowers and grass that had grown were overly beautiful.

I fully appreciated that scenery with my discerning eye.

However.

There was an exceptionally displeasing shape.

As if only that part was colored with ink, it was black.

It was a middle-aged man who did not match the radiant Floating Garden.

I could instinctively guess.

That person was precisely the Senior Mage of the Black Magic School.

Matis Dean Carl.

As I approach closer, that attire stands out even more.

What’s impressive above all is rings on all ten fingers.

Each and every one of them would be a magic tool.

‘The jewel-embedded ones look expensive.’

I sat facing the man.

I tried to get straight to the main point right away.

Because the desire to clear away Matis, who was above all offensive to my eyes, out of the Floating Garden surged up.

Discerning eye is this tiring.

“?”

That was when.

The jewels embedded in Matis’s rings began to waver.

In an instant, the jewels turning black.

That was black that went beyond pitch-black to the point of being heterogeneous.

I did not show it outwardly, but I couldn’t help but be startled.

What is this, dominating the encounter?

However, it didn’t seem to be something like dominating the encounter.

Why, you ask?

Because there was Matis, whose signs of surprise were more evident than mine.

He muttered while looking at the discolored jewels.

“What exactly is this resonance capacity……?”

……Resonance capacity?

What does that mean?

Although I don’t know what it is, I investigated him calmly.

“Senior Mage, Matis Dean Carl.”

“……?”

“Is that ring related to the business of the appointment?”

Clack

Lifting the teacup, I added one word.

“Answer wisely.”