Chapter 361
Chapter 361
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 361
Chapter Title: Debt Collection
-----------------------------------------------------------------
The next day, Elise departed.
"Then, Saint. I look forward to the day we meet again someday."
"Me too."
Who knew when we'd cross paths next.
A deep regret lingered, but since I believed we'd meet again, I didn't shed tears. I couldn't afford to let them fall anyway.
Drip.
"...Don't cry."
But somehow, I was already crying.
Elise reached out and gripped my shoulder.
"We are Divine Friends. This isn't a permanent farewell, so there's no need for tears."
"Right... We're Divine Friends. Farewell, Elise."
"Hee hee. Take care, Saint. Well then."
At least I got to see Elise's smile one last time. As she walked away, only the quiet silence of the morning remained.
All we'd done together was get caught up in some violent antics like murder and assault for a spell, but every moment felt like a beautiful dream.
"I cried."
I wiped my tears and, as planned, headed off to see Karin.
Now that Elise was gone, before diving into the next task, I figured I'd ask Karin about Sword Aura. Cloudie didn't know much, but Karin might have some useful tips.
With that in mind, I made my way to the Swordsman Guild.
Not sure if I'd even get a chance to ask, though. If the guild members were in training, I'd squeeze in some sword swings during breaks and ask then.
"It's quiet?"
The guild was emptier than expected when I arrived.
Hah!
Taat!
A few guild members were practicing swordplay and conditioning in the training grounds, but that was it. Did they have some time off today?
I exchanged casual greetings with them and headed inside.
"Is Karin around?"
"You little shit... Why'd you show up so damn late again? Haven't seen you in days?"
Karin, lounging on the sofa, set down her cup with a piercing glare. It was a bit intimidating, but there was no real edge to it, so I figured it was fine.
"Been busy working. Went pretty far out and just got back."
"Yeah? Can't be helped then."
Black leather pants, white blouse, and her waist-length hair tied in a ponytail—it screamed Karin. She looked late thirties at most, but no matter how I squinted, she passed for late teens.
That glimpse of her pale nape sparked an urge to sink my teeth in.
But that wasn't the goal today.
"So, what's the business this time? Don't tell me my serial-killer hubby went and offed someone again?"
"How'd you know right off?"
"I can tell just by looking at you, punk. Kahaha, leaving you to your own devices, and you handle it perfectly. Gotta say, I picked a winner."
Kim Katt, the kid who kills real good.
"Picked well, huh. Well, that black-iron longsword you gave me? It handled like a dream. Big help."
I'd used Karin's black-iron longsword to gleefully sever the bandits' lifelines. Top-notch blade, and the feel was unreal.
A sword that let me harness 100% of the power from my mana-tempered body.
"It's a decent piece, yeah. So, wanna kick back and tell me about it upstairs?"
"Nah. Backyard."
Time to have her check my skills real quick.
She blinked wide at that.
"Wh-what? You bold little fuck, trying to bang me outside?"
"Say what?"
"Not that I hate it... but outside's kinda embarrassing..."
I blurted in confusion, and her face flushed as she averted her eyes. Just suggesting the backyard, and this reaction? Unreal.
"What the hell are you talking about? I just need some sword advice."
"You fucking asshole? And here I thought we were doing it!"
Her flushed face twisted into a beastly snarl in an instant.
"Wh-who said no? Outside's just... awkward for me too."
"You spineless little shit. Real men fuck anywhere, inside or out, right? Come on, read the room. I'm asking you to fuck me outside even though it's embarrassing, hubby."
"What the fuck is wrong with you?!"
Such a pervert sis.
Karin stood, grabbed a steel sword, and headed to the backyard. I followed.
Swordsman Guild Backyard.
The spot where I'd gotten busted mid-jerk-off in the past.
Our relationship kicked off half because of that incident. As I mulled it over, Karin pointed at the wall and grinned at me.
Fuck me.
"First, show me what you got. Haven't sparred lately, so I'm out of touch on how far you've come. Sword tips after. Easier that way."
"Oh, true guild master."
"Come at me. Full kill intent, like always."
Karin drew her sword, smiling as she assumed position.
Seasoned swordsman Kim Katt clocked it instantly. Just her stance radiated murderous intent.
Strong.
I hadn't noticed before, but now I sure did.
Her form alone gave away the matchup.
But I'd gotten stronger too. Still only good for lavishing her toes, but I bluffed it up and drew my blade.
"You sure about this?"
Come to think of it, all my wives outclassed me.
"My mana pool's grown lately? Might actually hurt you, sis. Feels like I've hit some sword enlightenment, y'know. Don't wanna injure my lovely wife... heh heh."
"Kahaha, you cute little shit. Trying to get me hot? Who told you to talk so adorable?"
"Huh?"
I took my stance, and suddenly I was the cute kid. Karin grinned like she was having fun.
"Not looking down on you or anything, hubby, but you can't nick my skin. No matter how strong you get, not against me. So come on. Oh, but thanks for worrying."
True enough, but no way Heavenly Demon Kim Katt lets that slide. I schemed a sneaky jab while replying.
"If I can?"
"Ahh, you adorable fuck. Do it, and I'll call you oppa."
"Nah, that's a bit."
Ten years older, and her calling me oppa? Social suicide.
Cloudie's half-elf, that's fine. Not Karin.
"What, punk? Master then?"
"Wh-what?! Master?!"
Master!
"I'll do whatever you want too. Kahaha, you pervert. Go wild."
Hold up.
Think, Kim Katt.
Land one scratch, and she calls me Master—hell, does anything.
Then?
Bikini dance? Check. Long-overdue 4P? Check. Best case, pull in Risha for a 5P? Possible.
And Master... damn tempting.
Feels like total domination.
Sizzle.
Mana surged instantly.
It flooded my muscles and bones with explosive power. Perfect. I'd stacked plenty of experience.
That'd do it.
"Sis, too late for regrets. Gonna pour every ounce of mana into you. My perfected Longsword Style... even Sword Guild Master Karin can't stand against it. Get ready to submit."
"Punk, only place you make me submit is the bed."
Oh.
"Still, scarring you bugs me. Where's good? Clothes count? Worried, y'know."
"Unnecessary worry. Fine, graze my collar, I lose. Other terms?"
"No mana for you."
"Wasn't planning to anyway. Cheeky. Shut up and come at me."
Flash!
I lunged blade-first with footwork. Karin stayed chill as I charged.
Good.
Time to crush that arrogance.
Clang!
I poured my all into the first strike. Blocked, as expected. I shoved my foot forward, twisted my wrist.
Scrape!
Swordplay's all about combos.
"Ho? Nice momentum, solid technique. Grown a ton? Pressure's good. But enough?"
Karin parried flawlessly, syncing to every move. All my attacks deflected by her blade.
Of course, not over yet.
Counter incoming any sec—
Clang!
"Ugh! Fuck!"
Counter hit; I crossed guards and barely blocked. Even anticipating it, razor-close.
Karin smirked wickedly.
"Real fight, you'd be dead from that, hubby?"
"Holy shit."
Fucking terrifying.
She dialed it just to my limit.
I locked blades, binding hers tight—no release. Sloppy attack means death.
Stay glued, counter primed.
"Hey, hey. Strikes. No strikes?"
"Can't land 'em!"
She's footworking to shut down my kicks. Skill gap's huge.
Clang!
Stepped back, diagonal slash. She mirrored, countering.
"Dieee!"
Switched grip higher for leverage push, aiming to shove and shoulder-slice.
"Good idea, but big strength gap? Don't."
Failed, predictably.
Her blade at my neck.
"Fuck."
I pushed my limits, tried everything—no graze, not even collar.
All blocked; most cut off before launch.
"Kahaha, good work. Grown heaps?"
We stopped sparring, sat side-by-side on the steps.
Couldn't submit her, sadly. Stats and swordplay lacking, couldn't even tag cloth.
I was drenched; she looked post-stretch fresh.
Insanely strong.
No window for Longsword Slash either.
Mana draw? Instant loss.
Gulp.
I chugged from the canteen; Karin beside me spoke up.
"At this level, you could shred rookie knights. They're knights in name only—no real combat experience."
"What? For real? Me at that?"
Kim Katt, rookie-knight tier?
"Yeah. Take my word. But they've trained solid from childhood, so a few missions and you're toast. Don't get cocky around them. Not yet."
"Won't run into knights anyway. No plans to mess with 'em. If they hit, I take it."
Per Karin, rookies might suck, but clan-honed basics let even non-mana users kill me with sword alone.
A bit experience, and boom—killers.
But no beef with them anyway.
"Still, impressive for a late starter like you. Solid attacks. Most mercs couldn't hang."
"Heh heh, yeah? Don't know where to put myself."
Praise from Karin on swordplay? Confidence boost.
"Now spill on the kills, you murderer."
"Knew it'd come to that."
"Duh. Educator's perks."
"Murder tutor, more like."
One hell of an illegal teacher.
Anyway, she wanted it, so I recapped the bandit purge. Nothing special.
"So, nabbed some bandits this time. Nah, small fry. Dropped 'em easy."
All way weaker than me.
"Easy or not, kills are kills. Builds experience. Gotta get comfy ending lives cold, or you falter in the clutch. You know."
Chill face, brutal words.
I got some pointers from Karin—fixes, form tweaks.
Counter tips, using foe's strength—stuff I knew, but her demo upped my proficiency.
"Oh, Karin sis. Had a question for today."
"What? Fuck, but time for pounding's running out?"
"No."