Chapter 40
Chapter 40
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 40
Chapter Title: Ancient City, Leorados (5) - Knight
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1.
"Hoo..."
The meditation that started at dawn. I deeply exhaled while gathering the mana flowing into my body. It felt incredibly refreshing.
'My mana has definitely increased a lot.'
Now I could feel the paths of mana running beneath my veins. I'd been diligent with my training, and it was paying off.
Of course, it was all thanks to the mana cultivation method Anne had taught me. Without it, I couldn't have absorbed and wielded mana this quickly.
'Even if I'm not a knight, I won't lose to most mercenaries now, right?'
I rose from the bed. I laid the wooden basin that had been leaning against the wall on its side and drew up my mana.
Splash!
A stream of water poured from my palm. Thanks to this, I didn't have to pay extra for a bath at the inn.
The cold water was a bit uncomfortable, but I could always heat it up with fire if needed.
I soaked a cloth in the water, wiped down my body, and headed downstairs. When I sat in my usual spot, the waitress brought out breakfast on her own.
"Here."
I tossed her a few donghwa coins, and she smiled as she headed into the kitchen. It was a good time to sit back and leisurely survey the surroundings.
'Something feels off.'
Maybe it was my imagination, but the inn seemed unusually crowded today. At a glance, about half the tables were occupied. And for some reason, everyone was sneaking glances my way.
Judging by their gear, they were obviously mercenaries. What could so many of them want with me? The only thing that came to mind was Count Bardi, but that seemed unlikely.
'What's going on?'
The woman set down stew and meat on the table, and I quietly began to eat. As I chewed it over while eating, one reason popped into my head.
'It's because of last night.'
After trudging through that sticky swamp all day hunting and nearly depleting my mana, I'd been half out of my mind yesterday. That's why I'd made a mistake I wouldn't normally have—a mistake that drew the mercenaries' attention.
'They must've seen my bulging pouch and gotten greedy.'
This was inside the city, but the guards only patrolled the streets. In some dark alley or outside the walls, they could ambush me anytime.
Mercenaries were the type who would do anything for money.
'Even if not robbery, they probably want to tail me and pick up scraps.'
Once I had a rough grasp of the situation, I actually felt more at ease. Sure, they were annoying, but it didn't matter. I'd kill anyone who attacked, and beat off anyone who followed.
I finished my meal and stood up. As I straightened my clothes, the guys sitting around started packing their gear while shooting me nervous glances.
'Parasites.'
I clicked my tongue and stepped out onto the street, moving along. I didn't want to cause a scene inside the city, so I headed straight for the outskirts without hesitation.
'Getting nabbed by the guards would be a hassle.'
Not long after entering the swamp, a group blocked my path.
"You guys the first?"
At my question, their eyes widened slightly before they nodded. They were grinning.
"You knew?"
"Hard not to notice tails that obvious."
"And you still came out? You looking down on us, asshole?"
"Because I'm looking down on you. Idiot."
The mercenaries' faces flushed red with anger. They drew their weapons and shouted.
"Fucking bastard! Kill him!"
I drew my sword as they charged. No strategy, just brute force ahead—must be confident in their numbers.
Numbers definitely helped in mercenary brawls. But sometimes they didn't, like when the skill gap was overwhelming.
Whoosh!
I pulled the dagger from my waist and hurled it. The blade cut smoothly through the darkness.
Crunch!
"Arghhh!"
One guy who'd been charging tumbled without seeing it coming. The mercenaries flinched but didn't stop. If anything, they bulged their eyes wider and pressed on.
"Die, you fuck!"
I tilted my head to dodge a stab coming straight at me. Next came a blade slicing for my legs.
Whoosh!
I stepped back to evade, then surged forward with mana-enhanced power. My first target was the one who'd stabbed at me.
Puke!
The sword tip flew in a clean arc and pierced his throat. I twisted it out, spraying blood around.
"You fucking shit!"
Their faces grew even redder from their comrade's blood. Blood and rage widened their vision and movements.
There was one thing I'd been wrong about.
When Anne taught me, turning my basic swordsmanship into knight-level, I'd thought it wasn't that big a deal.
'Honestly, it hadn't been that useful until now.'
Sure, my crude movements smoothed out, posture improved, power output increased, and effort decreased.
Overall helpful, but not as much as I'd hoped.
But right here, right now, knight swordsmanship was showing its true power.
'I can see it.'
The mercenaries' crude swordplay was plain as day. A sensation I hadn't felt in that mad village—was it my improved swordsmanship? Or just because I wasn't panicked?
Didn't matter. What mattered was I could see everything. Normally, seeing wouldn't mean reacting, but my steadily trained strength and agility responded sharply.
Slash!
I easily dodged an attack and severed a mercenary's neck. Blood splattered my face; I smirked and recovered my weapon.
I flicked an incoming sword away with my wrist guard. Sparks flew wildly as I swung the hilt with all my grip.
Slish!
The blade moved in a bizarre path, slicing their necks. No effort, but utterly lethal.
"Guhk... kuhuk..."
Blood gushed uncontrollably; they clutched their throats themselves. Pointless—it only delayed death by moments.
After clearing the first group, I lowered my sword and caught my breath.
Whoosh!
My sharp senses caught an arrow flying from the brush. I swung as I'd been taught; it hit the flat of my blade and dropped.
"Fuck, is he insane? How'd he block an arrow in this dark?"
"Who cares? Everyone charge!"
The boss-looking one yelled, and the others rushed in. I grabbed a random shield from the ground and covered my chest and neck.
"You fucking shit!"
I bashed away the attack of a screaming charger with my shield. The idiot who dropped his weapon from the shock got my sword in his throat.
"Arrrgh!"
I kicked the body to retrieve my sword, then shielded up again.
'Getting cautious.'
After five more dropped, the reckless chargers hesitated into a encirclement. Doubt crept onto their faces.
Probably roped in with promises of a big payout. But facing a monster like me, fleeing crossed their minds—not weird.
'Time to settle that dilemma.'
I spat on the ground and growled.
"If you're thinking of running, head to another city. The moment I see you in Leorados, I'll kill you by any means."
Their conflicted faces twisted.
Mercenaries weren't complete idiots. Places to hear world news were few; taverns had the most gossip.
They'd probably overheard mercenaries from other cities.
'The world's gone to shit.'
They might not fully buy it, but they'd know. Telling them to go elsewhere was a burden.
"Don't bluff, you dog!"
So they had no choice but to charge. I raised my shield to block his view. Just a moment, but enough.
Puke!
From below upward in a diagonal, the blade tip pierced his chest. I felt the heart's throbs in my grip. And the fading spark of life alongside it.
Splash!
The second group was done. Fifteen mercenaries total. Lizardmen hunters, so decent gold and experience.
'Not small fry.'
I hadn't checked my status once since the lizardmen yesterday. How much had I leveled up after all these?
'Can't wait.'
*
I panted roughly, scanning around.
Corpses here, corpses there. Blood, brains, spilled flesh and guts defiling the area.
Lifting my head higher, lizardmen corpses came into view. Thought none at the swamp entrance, but they smelled the blood like ghosts.
'Really thought I was done for.'
If I'd wasted mana on the mercs, this could've been my grave. Well, theirs too.
I looked up at the sky. The sun hung right overhead. By my past life's knowledge, that position meant noon.
'Probably.'
Humanities major; memory fuzzy. Should've picked science if I knew I'd end up here. Not that it'd help much.
'Head back.'
Half the day left, but pushing into the swamp now meant lizard food.
Drip drip.
I generated water to wash the blood and brains from my face, roughly shampooed my hair. Cleaned my body too, then headed to the city.
Up the street to the mercenary guild; the bald receptionist stared in shock. Like, how are you alive?
"What do you need?"
I turned in the lizardmen crests for reward. Only eight, so not much.
"Thanks."
I bowed slightly and turned away. The bald guy looked curious but didn't pry.
Out of the building, back to the inn.
"You're back early?"
The waitress I'd tipped before looked surprised.
"Tired."
"Shall I prepare a meal?"
"Later. Bring the wooden basin up then."
Tossed her some coins; she smiled and said sure. Up the stairs, locked the door. Flopped on the bed, closed my eyes—deep fatigue hit. Felt like sleep would claim me any second.
'Still gotta check.'
I yawned hugely and opened the status window. The text floating in front of me made me jolt.
"Oh, fuck?"
Sleep vanished.