Chapter 183
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 183
Chapter Title: Mana Man Kim Katt
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"At first, I wasn't sure what it was, but as I was swinging the knife, I started to feel it creeping up... It was a bit foreign, sure, but no doubt about it. That was mana."
Karin explained to me, who was utterly confused, that I had mana.
I was just dumbfounded.
Even now, I was still debating whether to draw my knife or not.
"Huh? This guy's still frozen? Hey, it was a joke, a total bluff. Why would I kill my own apprentice? I was just talking shit to liven up the mood."
With that, she stabbed the knife into the floor and crossed her arms—a gesture that she wasn't going to attack. Only then did I realize I'd been had, and I let out a breath.
Whoa.
I really thought I was done for.
"...For real. No bullshit, that was fucking terrifying. Guild Leader, you don't secretly go around killing people like that when you're out and about, do you?"
It was a perfectly reasonable suspicion.
In my eyes, this woman was the type who'd grab someone she didn't like every night, slice them up, and dump them in the sewer without a second thought. That killing intent from earlier was damn near real. You think I can't tell jokes from the real deal?
"Do I look like that kind of person to you?"
"Honestly? That ambush earlier scared the shit out of me."
"I've been a mercenary for years—bluffing like that's basic. But a pussy like you actually kills people that well?"
No, fuck. This crazy bitch who gives off serial killer vibes 24/7 suddenly charges at me saying she's gonna kill me—how could that not be scary? And on top of that, she's a badass who uses mana?
I sighed and answered.
"Yeah... well, I can't die, so I kill the other guy instead."
"Ah, right. You were the soft-hearted type. Anyway."
Once I retrieved my knife, Karin approached and started circling me, observing closely. Her gaze felt like it was peeling back my very essence, making my back heat up. It was like being examined in my birthday suit.
"I can tell just by looking. Most dumbass mercenaries don't even realize they've awakened mana. They just think it's their grit. Then, after pushing through hell like you did, one day it suddenly shows. Looks like you're the same."
Her long explanation continued.
"You naturally awakened mana in battle and burst it out in that moment. You didn't feel it because it was such a tiny amount that you used it right up... Yeah, that fits everything."
So that's how it was?
During the fight, a speck of mana recovered, and I instinctively unleashed it for that superhuman power? Karin grabbed my forearm again, probing as if to feel my mana.
"Yeah, that's mana alright... From what you said earlier, you split that orc clean in half, right? Anything weird happen then?"
I guess I need to give more details.
"Uh... yeah, there was something."
"Spill it."
I explained to Karin about the manic episodes I'd been having. I was aware of it. I knew something like a mental illness might have cropped up.
It was obvious. In this world, getting beaten to shit and clawing my way to survival meant ditching some common sense and humanity.
But after twenty-plus years of built-up morals and values, cutting them off cold turkey isn't something even a psycho can do easily. In that process, some mental twist was almost inevitable, I figured.
Of course, they'd mostly worked in my favor, so I hadn't sweated it. But lately, it was getting serious, so I was seriously worried.
Anyway.
Not sure where to start, I ended up holding Karin hostage for about thirty minutes, pouring out everything I wanted to say... from the changes in my inner world to my mindset with the sword, my drive to get stronger, and Cloude's approval... all of it.
"Yeah, that's exactly it. Oh, and to understand what I'm saying here, you gotta know about this concept called 'macho' first..."
"Whoa."
Karin, listening to me, gaped.
"This is fucking serious."
"So, macho means... What? Yeah, it's a serious issue."
"This guy's even more of a psycho than I thought?"
"Huh? Why?"
She suddenly looked freaked out and backed away.
Hold up.
This was the most important part?
I was just about to explain macho.
"Fuck. I've counseled kids on the battlefield before, but this is heavy. Hang on, let me sort my thoughts... I don't give a shit about macho, Precambrian era, Berlin, Marx, or Hitler? No clue. Just shut up for now."
In my explanation, I'd veered off into tangents, and it seemed to throw her. But what can you do? Once bitten by a snake, you fear ropes, right?
Plus, after nearly dying for real, my words might've been a bit scattered.
Come to think of it, sparring with Karin had recovered some mana? The world felt spinny, but my senses were sharp.
Just like with the orc.
An unknown impulse whispered to me... Was this whispering entity Buddha or Hwanung? No idea.
"Hmm... There's this thing called magic resistance. Normally, if a regular guy like you suddenly generates mana inside, without resistance, it fucks up your body. Mild cases: obsessions or delusions. Severe: hallucinations or voices. That's why so many mercenaries go completely nuts."
Maybe King David?
"Especially those who awaken mana suddenly—they turn into perfect murder machines. Hmm, thinking back, that boosted our forces and income... Anyway, moving on."
Her words were long-winded and hard to follow, but the gist was: my mental glitches weren't some heart issue but side effects from surging mana due to low resistance.
What a relief.
I'd worried I was turning into a real nutjob, but her kindly counseling nailed it shut—nope. Felt better already.
"I felt something when I first sensed mana, but not as bad as you, so I dunno. Anyway, looks like your low resistance made your head spin temporarily. Might've even triggered the awakening."
With that, the heavy weight on my mind lifted. Of course. A true honorable great warrior with steel nerves like me wouldn't suffer some piddly illness.
Confidence surged.
As always, I am Kim Katt.
A smile crept up.
"Well, it's all just my guess. Anyway, congrats on awakening mana. Feels good to have taught my apprentice well. Told you you'd make a great killer. Got worried about your head for a sec, but real killers don't need common sense anyway."
"I'll ignore that last bit. So, bottom line—you're still sensing mana from me? It didn't vanish?"
"Yeah. Definitely."
—Shivers.
I was losing my mind, jumping for joy.
Explanation was long, half of it went over my head, but mana! Hell yeah! Time to celebrate! Felt energy surging again! I spun in circles for a while before stopping in front of Karin.
"Haa... haa..."
"What a fucking unpredictable guy."
I caught my breath.
I have mana.
No matter what, this is awesome.
So if I grow this mana, can't I become an overpowered macho munchkin badass?
—Bling bling.
Future me, king of machos, seemed to say that.
Motivation boiled over.
With mana, I can train it. D-rank adventurers? Fodder now. C-rank's next!
You. Like that mana pool, huh.
I've always been a hard worker! Hope's on the horizon! Maybe I'm born with hero powers. Dunno, but definitely. Kim Katt is the hero!
Good.
Time for Kim Katt to become a swordmaster.
I took a deep breath and asked Karin.
"Guild Leader. So how do I train this?"
"No clue. Figure it out yourself."
What?
"Different lineage from me. Can't really say. Gotta do it solo."
"What? I know jack shit—how am I supposed to train? No tips from a senior?"
"Senior?"
"No, my bad! Anything! Helpful advice for your apprentice! I'm fucking desperate here!"
Even if I'm a born hero genius demon king, you can't self-teach from zero. Without help, I'd lose this lead.
"Hmm, not sure... But if I had to pick one classic way: meditation and battle review. Replay fights in your head, recall using mana. Might click suddenly."
No click yet.
"...That's it?"
"I was fucking nice explaining, and that's all you got?"
"N-no... Thought there'd be something special."
"Then learn a proper training method."
"..."
Fair enough.
Mana in this world is beyond skills—it's 'something else.' A path to superhumanity. No simple training hacks. And if there were, not for me.
"Oh, speaking of meditation—borrowing tools helps too."
"Tools?????"
Doraemon?
Karin explained.
These tools aid meditation or revive old memories—magical stuff.
Using them makes recalling sensations or inner insights easier.
"Y'know... that thing. Lisha. You two know each other, right? Talk to her. Good idea."
"Ah, Lisha..."
"What? Why the face? Something awkward happen?"
Fucking plenty.
I got raped.
Straight-up drugged.
Not dying to go there. But recalling her sad face made me uneasy, even though it wasn't my fault. I'd even promised to come back before leaving.
"Tch, thanks for the advice. No one as reliable as you, Guild Leader."
"Right? While you're here, re-register. 5 silver."
"Sure. But starting tomorrow. I'll register then."
"Pay now. Work starts tomorrow. Need cash."
"Uh... here."
"Heh, you're a top guild member!"
Karin slapped my back—felt like my guts would burst. Half-gagging, I followed her into the office, said hi, then left the guild.
"Magic tools, huh..."
Head back to the dorm for now?
Nah. I'd just waste time there, mostly fucking around. Better hit the black magic shop? Mind's a mess.
Is the swordmaster path long and rough?
I paced the door forever before steeling myself.
"Fuck it."
Opportunities like this don't come often. For mana training, strength—I can handle discomfort. Not like I'm doing anything else. Just browsing magic items.
That should be fine.