Chapter 65
Chapter 65
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 65
Chapter Title: Layer Boss
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Opening my eyes, I saw the familiar ceiling of the inn.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [Skill: Swordsmanship level has risen to 5.] The swordsmanship level, which I'd thought was stuck for a while, shot up sharply.
As if all the previous blockages had cleared at once.
'Well, works for me.'
I closed my eyes and opened them again.
My hands still bore the traces of wielding a sword.
Profound Heaven.
The elves' swordsmanship was Dark Moon.
The orcs' was Black Sea.
And human swordsmanship was this thing called Profound Heaven.
'It was unique.'
Dark Moon brought down the darkness.
Black Sea cleaved through the darkness.
And Profound Heaven lifted the darkness back up.
'...They seem fluidly connected somehow.'
Black Sea felt a bit separate,
but Dark Moon and Profound Heaven seemed deeply intertwined.
Still, I'd fill in the gaps as I learned more swordsmanship.
'Beastkin and dwarf styles are left.'
There might even be one similar to the orcs'.
I wondered what they had in store.
The anticipation came naturally.
The reason was simple.
'...These sword arts are organically linked.'
Elven swordsmanship, which humans couldn't learn, and Profound Heaven, which only humans could.
Those two shared an organic nature. In other words,
'These two sword arts were originally one.'
And one more thing.
These weren't one-strike-kill techniques.
'They organically complement each other.'
Meaning they pressured foes like a chain of strikes.
It felt a bit absurd.
All these sword arts were transcendent techniques.
They let you ignore level gaps.
Dark Moon had let me smash that scarecrow back at level 1,
Black Sea had beaten Volkan,
and Profound Heaven
'turned my fight with Diago into a win.'
Though midway through, Diago had gone easy, and that weird sword had healed my wounds.
Still, for such sublime sword arts to actually be combo moves?
That thought brought the strange sword to mind.
'...Why'd he even have that thing?'
I let out a deep sigh.
Me using Plunder to steal Diago's sword.
'That was a holy sword fit for the Sword Hero.'
I knew it instinctively.
Every hero had a weapon that matched them.
No matter what else they used, heroes ended up with their holy weapons.
That's why Sword Hero was practically set in stone.
'Meanwhile, thieves are stuck with bows.'
Because elves had been the Thief Heroes for generations.
Though calling it a bow was debatable.
Anyway, the Saintess had a cross infused with divine power.
The Mage Hero had a staff holding the power of a thousand mages.
Each had their corresponding weapon.
But I was blatantly off.
I had the qualities of a Thief Hero, yet
'I wielded a holy sword.'
And it had even healed my body.
My head started aching.
I just shook it off and got up.
I'd head to the Labyrinth soon; no point slowing down over this.
'Too bad no level up.'
Usually after big incidents, but
maybe the Nightmare Steed counted as a Labyrinth monster,
so killing Diago wasn't feasible this time.
I geared up and stepped outside.
There stood Ermé, wearing an awkward expression.
"You okay?"
"Yeah."
My condition wasn't bad. Actually, pretty good.
"Celli's... sleeping fine."
I could see her dozing behind Ermé.
"She's young, so if you're not up to it, we can push to tomorrow."
"I'm good."
Honestly, I felt solid. Not overflowing with energy, but close enough.
Heading down with Ermé, there was Diago.
'What the hell, why's he here?'
Was yesterday's mess not fully wrapped up?
As I eyed him, Diago gave a wry smile.
"Sorry about yesterday."
"Got it."
"Don't be a sulky bitch over it."
Diago tossed something my way.
I caught it on reflex.
It was an odd emblem.
"What, a rune?"
"Rune?"
"Stick it on weapons to upgrade 'em. Some boost armor defense, earrings magic power, etc."
"Good stuff?"
"High cost, low return. Pricey as hell, so keep it."
Money pit, huh.
"You seem like the agile, speed type. Slap it on your shoes; it'll help."
I took Diago's advice and attached the rune to my shoes.
My body felt a tad lighter.
'...It has some effect.'
About equal to +1 Agility.
Didn't crave more, though.
If Ermé called it inefficient, it was.
Still,
'Got money now, so maybe later.'
I looked at Diago.
"So, what's the deal here?"
"Apologizing for yesterday."
Diago sighed deeply after that.
"And... that weapon you grabbed yesterday's causing issues."
"...?"
I was puzzled.
I didn't know why Diago had a holy sword, but I'd stolen and briefly used his.
'Used is a stretch.'
Just gripped the hilt, and it lit up, healing my wounds on its own.
Worked for me, since I got healed.
"Why's that a problem?"
"Wasn't at first, but seems it likes you."
"...Pardon?"
Ermé's eyes widened instead, staring at Diago.
"What the hell does that mean, Master?"
"Still got that habit—polite speech without the honorific for me."
"No, what're you saying?!"
Ermé rarely got mad.
"Normally, that sword's hidden by the Empire... ah, no need to whisper. Anyone who matters knows."
As Ermé tried to cast a barrier, Diago waved her off and continued.
"Anyway, it was the Sword Hero's holy sword, hidden by the Empire. En route, I heard demons were after it, so I met you."
"Wait, you didn't connect with demons?"
"...Grh, couldn't refuse a favor from someone I knew."
"So he's the culprit? You catch him?"
Diago grinned chillingly at Ermé's question.
"Catch? He pays for using me."
"So why's it troublesome?"
"Right, back on track. I was transporting it on her request. Should've been fine."
"... ."
I stared at Diago in bewilderment.
Recapping:
'I arbitrarily stole the holy sword Diago was transporting, touched it briefly, and now it likes me, causing problems?'
-Nothing strange about it. Your sword talent's freakish, even to me.
'...More than that.'
This felt like a massive hassle.
Scale way bigger than before.
Empire folks or the hidden Sword Hero might learn about me.
'Why, though.'
-They're incompetent. Letting talent like you slip by till now.
Rishiel huffed indignantly.
Wish they'd keep ignoring me.
-Your growth's been too fast, too. Fastest in Labyrinth history.
'...Whatever.'
I'm cheating with the system.
If others had it, they'd level fastest too.
As I chatted with Rishiel,
Diago tossed out casually,
"So, you be the Sword Hero."
What the fuck?
*
"What bullshit is this?"
"Polite words don't make everything polite."
Diago chuckled dryly and said,
"Just like I said. Heroes' weapons have egos. Problem is, this holy sword likes you."
"I don't like it."
"Holy sword, y'know? Forged from Milky Way meteorites, tempered in the stars. Indestructible by mortal means, grants mystical powers. Legend says even after the Demon King slew the Sword Hero dozens of times, he revived."
That's horrifying.
Means he died dozens of times to the Demon King.
And above all,
"I'm not even a Sword Hero candidate."
"What're you on about?"
Diago gawked at me, like I was throwing a fit to dodge it.
"I'm really a thief."
"What... wait."
Diago stared blankly.
"Come to think, when we fought... my mana disrupted, speed slowed, holy sword went to your hand... don't tell me..."
"Stole it."
"...You stole that? Impossible. Stealing forms or concepts..."
Diago was stunned.
-Not incomprehensible.
Rishiel nodded, siding with him.
-Your Gift breaks norms. Steals concepts, souls, anything.
Rishiel eyed me oddly then.
-And you can even destroy some stolen stuff.
'Huh.'
Hard to feel it since I've always had it.
Feels off sometimes, but convenient, so I use it.
"That's... demonic arts, put differently."
"Demonic... yeah, unseen Gift so far."
Ermé nodded at Diago's words.
Who's the demon here?
"No, but thief? That swordsmanship..."
Before Diago could finish,
BAM! A explosion-like bang from the door.
Outside, a woman posed with one leg propped on the door, eyeing me.
"Wh-what! Intrusion? Kingdom bastards or orcs sniffing around..."
Diago whirled, glaring.
"What, the violent saintess."
"Shut your trap. Why should I come here and take shit from that prick. Ugh, annoying!"
Thud thud.
Veronica stomped over, proving her rage by slamming the table in front of me.
"You know this grumpy asshole?"
Diago sidled up, acting buddy-buddy.
I shook my head.
"And you, why're you here?"
"Empire busi—"
"Aha, errand boy? Scram, errand boys."
Veronica shooed him, then eyed me.
"Feed me quick."
"... ."
Why should I feed you?
I gave her a cold stare; Ermé panicked.
"No, don't cook for anyone else!"
What's with everyone over food?
'Just MSG-seasoned grub.'
Right to freak this much?
"Anyway, you're the sword's owner now..."
"Errand boy, shut it and gimme food!"
Veronica chucked ten gold coins at me, whining.
'...Fine.'
Cook first.
Can't resist ten gold.
*
Fed Veronica, handed off Diago.
Ermé and I slipped out to the Adventurers' Guild.
"Yo."
"Hey."
Glasses greeted us.
Teresa stood expressionless.
Behind, Rozante looked pallid.
"H-hey..."
"Why's he deathly?"
"Drank last night probably. At least no drugs; passing grade."
Priest average this okay?
As I pondered seriously, Glasses nudged my shoulder.
"What're you mulling? Labyrinth time."
We entered the Labyrinth.