Chapter 84
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 84
Chapter Title: Swordsmanship Guild
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The northern district of Labyrinth City was also known as the 'Guild District.' With so many guildhouses concentrated up north, the name had stuck naturally. And since there were far more than just a few guilds, anyone venturing into the northern district could see countless guildhouses proudly displaying their individual emblems.
"Hey, big guy? You look pretty strong. Interested in joining a guild?"
"Hm... You've got a solid build. How about our Martial Arts Guild?"
"Oh? You! You're an elf, right? Why not join our Camp Guild?"
As Alensia and I stepped into the northern guild area, people from various guilds started hawking their groups, trying to recruit us. And from the guilds doing the promoting, it was clear they came in every shape and size imaginable.
There were straightforward ones like the Martial Arts Guild, Spear Arts Guild, Cooking Guild, Stoneworking Guild, Rogue Guild... guilds with names I'd at least heard of, boasting considerable scale.
And then...
"You, got any interest in 'fur'? Join our Furry Guild and..."
"You. Quite the refined look you've got. How about our Hot Pink Guild? We only take men."
"Hey! That way... that direction!"
"??"
"Rider."
"?????"
"Join the Rider Guild."
There were guilds I'd never even heard of in my life. Wait, was that last guy an otherworlder or something?
"Ian? That's not our destination."
"Ah, right."
A few guilds had piqued my interest, but at Alensia's call, I shelved my curiosity and followed behind her.
"There sure are all kinds of guilds."
"Anyone can start a guild as long as they meet the requirements. And once a guild builds up enough fame, they can take on requests as a group. So they're all desperate to scout promising recruits."
"What are the guild founding requirements?"
"A minimum of ten members, a guild master qualified as at least an Intermediate Adventurer, and a guildhouse."
Ah, so that's why there were so many guildhouses. On closer inspection, some guilds rented out a single floor of a small building, while others owned multiple adjacent structures.
"And this is the Swordsmanship Guild."
"........"
Our destination, the Swordsmanship Guild, was one I'd heard about enough to know it was arguably the most famous in Labyrinth City. I'd expected a massive building to match, but what stood out was surprisingly modest. Sure, it was still bigger than most buildings around, but compared to the guild's reputation... it felt lacking somehow.
"....Sia? Is that you, Sia?"
".....Alex oppa."
A man standing at the Swordsmanship Guild's main entrance, his body marked with striking sword scars, spotted Alensia approaching and greeted her with a look of surprise. He knew her real name, so an acquaintance? And 'oppa'...
"......Are you feeling okay?"
"........."
Moreover, he seemed to know about Alensia's condition, immediately expressing concern. Unlike the man's beaming joy, Alensia wore a distinctly dark expression.
"Ah, this isn't the time. Let's go see Master first. He's here right now. Want me to show you?"
"....No, I remember the way."
"Right... Hm? Who's the guy with you?"
"Master's guest."
"Oh? Master's? Uh, okay. Then you lead the way."
Master?
I'd only heard we were heading to the Swordsmanship Guild... Did Alensia have a master here? But from what I knew...
'Alensia belongs to the Labyrinth Guild, doesn't she? Guild members can't join other guilds, right?'
True to her word about knowing the way, Alensia strode into the Swordsmanship Guild without hesitation.
"....Sia? Sia?"
"Sia! You're back?"
Guild members we passed—ones who looked like they held high ranks—recognized Alensia. Regular members didn't seem to, though.
Each time we ran into those people, they lit up with joy, but Alensia's expression remained shadowed throughout.
".....Here."
Alensia's steps finally halted at one spot. I'd heard she was going to see her master, but this was...
".....Is this right? Isn't this the training hall?"
"It's right."
With that, Alensia hesitated slightly, let out a sigh, and pushed open the training hall door.
At the center stood a man with long black hair and a sword scar on his cheek, dressed in clothes resembling a martial arts uniform, holding a sword as he waited.
"....Master."
"You're here."
Once inside, I got a clear look at his face. Wait a minute. That face—I'd seen it in a photo while passing the guildhouse...
"...Sword Saint?"
"You're Ian?"
Holy crap, her master was the Sword Saint? I knew he was the Swordsmanship Guild master and a member of the High Council...
"Sorry for calling you here... but wait a moment. I have business to finish first."
With that, Cain shifted his attention from me to Alensia. From the moment we'd entered, she'd kept her head bowed like a guilty child.
"Lift your head, Sia."
"......."
"I heard about what happened in the eastern district. I don't know what you did, but it looks like your body's recovered somewhat."
"....Yes."
"...Planning to head back into the Labyrinth?"
"Yes."
".......Pick up your sword, Sia."
Wait, what's with the atmosphere?
In the heavy tension, Alensia directed me to a corner of the training hall and grabbed a wooden sword from there.
"Use a real sword."
"......This is enough."
"If that's your will."
With that, Alensia gripped her wooden sword and charged at Cain.
Up until now, Alensia had been an insurmountable wall for me.
Even with her mana circuits damaged, her swordsmanship remained intact.
Learning the sword from her and sparring briefly every morning, I'd never once landed a solid hit on her. She'd toyed with me using pure swordplay, without any mana.
And now that very Alensia...
"You've rusted. Separate from your mana circuits, your swordsmanship itself has dulled."
"........."
"You think you can return to the Labyrinth with this level of skill?"
"........."
"I told you never to set foot in the Labyrinth again."
Alensia endured Cain's words in silence, gritting her teeth as she swung her wooden sword. Each trajectory was a beautiful strike beyond my current ability to comprehend, yet Cain deflected them all effortlessly.
"How long will you cling to the name 'Alensia'?"
"..!!!"
"You're 'Sia.' Not 'Alensia.' Do you think Allen would want you doing this?"
"...Grk."
In an instant, Alensia's stoic mask shattered with the sound of grinding teeth, and blue mana haze erupted from her. Her speed surged beyond visual tracking, a blue flash engulfing Cain.
Witnessing that mana wave sent chills down my spine. An attack I couldn't block no matter what. The sheer force in that torrent—if I stood before it, I'd be obliterated in one blow.
"Pathetic."
"!!!"
Cain spat coldly and swung his sword once...
...The mana split apart.
"...!!!"
A sight I doubted even as my eyes beheld it.
The overwhelming mana surged forward as if to pulverize everything in its path, yet with a single sword swing, he cleaved it. No better word—the mana flow shattered into fragments and scattered.
"You forcibly circulated your mana. Drank a potion before coming? You're still far from full recovery."
"......."
"I'll say it again. Stay out of the Labyrinth."
"......"
At those words, Alensia glared at Cain with an inscrutable look, then left the training hall without another word.
Should I follow? As I wavered, Cain beckoned me over and spoke in a flat tone.
"Pick up your sword."
...Me too?
I hesitated, reaching for a wooden sword in the corner, but Cain stopped me.
"Not that. Draw the sword you normally use."
"........"
Since my opponent was the Sword Saint, I didn't argue and drew my favored red longsword.
"Come at me whenever you're ready."
"........"
Why suddenly draw swords? What was that talk with Alensia? Why call me here? Questions swirled, but...
First strike wins.
-Slash!
No mana loaded, just a horizontal swing. But as Cain lightly raised his sword, mine glanced harmlessly off its flat.
'Not yet!'
I twisted my wrist half a turn, righting the downward-gliding blade, then slashed upward from below. Cain sidestepped half a pace, evading without a blink.
Relentlessly, I leaped my right hand up, overlaid my left, gripped two-handed, and unleashed a barrage: overhead chop, thrust, diagonal sweeps.
-Clang! Kak!
Cain dodged or deflected every strike with minimal, fluid motion.
"You've half-learned it."
"....!"
Those words hit hard—like accusing me of neglecting my daily sword training. I gritted my teeth and activated skills.
"Limit Break, and Mana Manipulation."
Limit Break & Mana Manipulation
The sword's momentum exploded, tearing air as it thrust at Cain's eyes.
"Honest attack."
A brief comment, then he angled his blade flat. My empowered strike slid off powerless; a light swing from him wrenched my sword's path like it stuck to his, unbalancing me along with it.
"....Grk!"
"Ho?"
"Sensory Amplification. Amplify balance sense!"
Another skill. I didn't know why he wanted me to attack, but I held nothing back. My crumbling stance stabilized; toes lightly touching ground, I twisted my center, whipping the sword upward.
"Your balance improved suddenly."
Even that, he anticipated—tilting his head to dodge, regripping, and smacking my wrist with his hilt. My grip loosened, nearly dropping the sword, but...
"Ngh...."
"Hm?"
"Heavenly Touch. Grip strength surge."
I held on. Clenching my half-open hand, squeezing mana, I spun the blade sideways in a thrust.
"As expected, half-learned."
"????"
The instant I thrust, Cain—who'd been in front—now stood behind me.
Shock brief, I whipped the sword lightning-fast at vital spots. Muscles twisted forcibly, altering my extension and mana flow.
-Skrrk!
My sword traced its most ideal arc yet, surging with otherworldly momentum.
".....What just...?"
"Your fusion of mana and swordplay is immature. You learned from Sia, but she couldn't teach mana properly."
I let Cain's words flow past, staring blankly at the system message. Just from tapping pressure points to correct my form, my skill leveled up...
"Continue?"
".....Yes!"
I don't get it. But right now, Cain's trying to teach me. No idea why...
Focus on this moment.
