Sword Saint (3): The Forgotten Blade
Hero Gallery. A typical internet community where posts about heroes and villains popped up frequently. Among them, there were occasional hot topics worth calling bait. And that was anything to do with swords.
Sword | Gun | Strong? X | O
Long range? X | O
Varied abilities/types? X | O
Fast? X | O
High potential? X | O
Requires tons of effort? O | X
Weak even after training to death? O | X
Who'd use swords lolololol
Honestly both suck, but guns better than swords. Guns you can carry and snipe mana-less villains sometimes. No training needed.... Swords? Swing and get wrecked. lol Especially potential—swords have none, straight X. Swordsmanship has regressed too much. Any famous techniques from wuxia eras passed down? Even if, who'd learn? Insanely hard. Mana's just magic on use, body becomes weapon if coated. So lots of martial arts/fist styles.... Swords? Weak blades, no techniques, fading away. Upvotes 169 | Downvotes 5 Total comments: 110 [By registration ▼]
I stared blankly at the man who had hit me. Taller than me, with a fitting scruffy beard—a mature elder. But he exuded that old-man swagger vibe. Above all, the sword I'd used in my past life was wrapped in cloth and held in his hand.
I couldn't tear my eyes away.
"Hey, you alright?"
"Ah. Yes, I'm fine."
"Good. Thought I hit you too hard. Kahaha!"
The elder patted my shoulder with a hearty laugh. Even that light motion carried power—enough to easily beat low-rank E or D heroes.
"Well, seems you're fine, so I'll be off."
Confirming I was okay, he turned to leave. But knowing he had my past-life sword, I couldn't just let him go. I hurriedly stopped him and asked urgently.
"S-Sir! If I may, could I see that sword for a moment?"
"Huh? This one?"
"Yes. That sword... I want to see it."
Trembling voice. Shaking pupils. He knew I looked weird at a glance, but oddly, he didn't want to refuse. My gaze on him—no, on the sword—was desperate. Like reuniting with a lost lover. He guessed Lee Seojin had his reasons.
"...Well, now. Wanting to see a sword. Unique taste."
"...I use swords, so."
"You use swords?"
His eyes widened in genuine surprise. In hero society, weapons like swords, guns, spears were practically useless. With mana, the body itself became weapon and shield. No need to make them, nothing comparable anyway.
"Hoo... Using a sword. You look like a hero, so among them, unique... no, one of a kind?"
"...Dunno. Don't know if other heroes use swords."
"Haha! No one does."
"Pardon? How can you be so sure?"
A question I knew the answer to. Seemed dumb, but had to ask. His words implied something deeper.
"Because I made swords myself to supply them, but they never accepted a single one."
"...Pardon? You made swords yourself... You're a blacksmith?!"
"That's right. Don't I look it?"
"Ah... Y-Yes. Thought you were a hero."
"Haha! A hero, eh. Thanks for the high praise, young man."
The elder laughed heartily, clearly pleased. But a tall, burly old man like this—I should've seen him somewhere, yet no memory. Blacksmiths making swords are rare; surely visited one... Even if I ignored people in my past life, wouldn't I remember? But nothing.
Answer was simple. Remember him from now on.
"Sir! Rude on first meeting, but one request?"
"Huh? Request? Ah, the sword. My head—"
"No. Not wanting to see that sword..."
Deep breath. Calmed racing heart. Instinct told me: This meeting was a once-in-a-lifetime chance. Had to stay sharp.
"I want to buy a sword from you...!"
"Hmm? Buy this sword?"
"No. Not that. I want... another sword you made."
My past-life sword was legendary. Perfect for my ability, sharp enough to cut anything, unbreakable till death. But how I got it? No memory. No sword users, no blacksmiths. Like picking it off the street—no one'd question. But performance was unreal. If this elder made it, he had better ones. Get one, and I'd surpass past-life me...!
"Hmm... A sword, eh..."
Caught off-guard, he stroked his beard. Unheard proposal? Looked puzzled, surprised. After silence, he smiled faintly and asked.
"How much can you pay?"
"Pardon?"
"Said you want to buy. How much?"
No demo, straight to price. Normal person'd be weirded out, but not Lee Seojin.
'My swords have value. State your price.' A test."Price..."
Lee Seojin thought. And thought. Best response? Too high: bootlicker. Too low: insult. Needed balance, but what amount?
"10 billion. That work?"
Han Sujung jumped in.
"Oh? Who's this kid throwing big numbers?"
"My junior. Sorry to butt in, but thought you needed help."
"Haha. Unexpected. But I asked the young man, not you."
"Gonna help anyway, what's it matter? This much money is..."
Elder shook head. Looked at Seojin seriously.
"Your thoughts? Take her money instead?"
Seojin shook head firmly.
"No."
"Sunbae?!"
Han Sujung panicked at the unexpected reply, then calmed to persuade.
"Sunbae, swords are important to you, right? This elder's seem amazing, that's why buy?"
"Yeah. But no need your help."
"Wh-Why? Swords matter to you! You always swung around, trained, lamented needing a good one?!"
She stared desperately. Seojin met her eyes. Strange gaze passed. What thought? What memory? He smiled faintly, patted her head.
"Swords matter to me. But... you're more important. Can't take such big help."
"...Huh?"
Head patted, bowed—did she hear right? Recalling, face reddened. Head down to hide, but volcano erupting inside, super embarrassed.
"Tch. Hey, flirt elsewhere. Sickening."
"Ahaha... Not flirting, sorry if it looked that way."
Pat done, Seojin faced elder. Short breath, eye contact.
"1 billion."
"Hoo. 1 billion? She said 10. Why?"
"Max I can pay. And haven't..."
Seojin grinned.
"Seen your sword yet."
Confident. Elder stared piercingly. Then...
"Kahakaka! Spot on! Never properly showed one!"
Wrapped in cloth, only hilt visible—that's how Seojin knew. Later requests, subtle mind games, hadn't seen blade yet. But words meant more. Elder stopped laughing, pulled business card from pocket.
"This is..."
"My forge. Flies buzzing, but visit sometime."
No name, no phone—just address. To Seojin, worth a million troops.
"Thought no weapon requests, no one taking my swords... Lucky meeting at entrance."
"Really?"
"Haha! Come anyway! Show better than this!"
"Tomorrow."
Bowing farewell to departing elder.
"...Ugh... H-Hah..."
"Huh? What's up, Sujung-ah?"
Han Sujung behind, super embarrassed. Approached, but she swatted hand, fled.
"S-See ya later~!! Going first, sunbae!!!"
"Huh? Hey..."
Gone in flash. Seojin awkwardly watched.
※ That evening. Sisters asleep, but Seojin couldn't sleep. Unexpected luck tense, but excitement of getting stronger kept him up. Thought haggard face bad for elder, forced sleep. Soon, deep slumber.
But...
"...Oppa asleep?"
"...Seems so."
Thought sleeping, but sisters whispered, quietly rose.