Chapter 79
Chapter 79
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 79
Chapter Title: Heading Home
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Heading home.
"I've got a question."
"What is it?"
"Why are you running away?"
"Because I can't cause trouble for someone whose life I owe."
"...?"
Diago tilted his head.
As if he couldn't comprehend my words.
"Cheong Yurang is the daughter of the Beast King, right? And she inherited a special bloodline."
"That's right. She's the top candidate for the next Beast King... and the closest thing to a hero."
Diago nodded at my words and replied.
"From what I could tell, beastkin don't seem to like humans much. So it wouldn't be good if rumors started flying between her and me."
I'd actually prefer if there were some.
But I owed her my life. Plus, there was that secret between us.
"...So you're saying you bolted because you were worried about a scandal with a human?"
"Exactly."
"Even after the Beast King publicly declared it?"
"He did?"
I gave Diago a puzzled look.
I wasn't exactly an expert on politics.
But the Beast King hadn't said anything like that.
"...He glossed right over your connection to Cheong Yurang."
"That's because his daughter caused a scene. People get even more suspicious when troublemakers suddenly announce a marriage."
And it had played out exactly like that.
He'd begged me to take his tomboy daughter off his hands, but the moment marriage came up, he'd shoot me these subtle glares.
Speaking from experience.
I'd wondered why, but he'd always say the same thing whenever he saw me.
Too many women around me.
Weird.
I was the type who only had eyes for one.
"...You're... No. Did the Holy Sword give you any advice on this?"
"Nope."
The Holy Sword snorted at my words.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ -Hmph! You think I'd meddle in such trivial nonsense? Men go gaga at the sight of women anyway, and women turn into hopeless fools when they fall in love. Your actions are perfectly sensible! "...It says that."
"Come to think of it, the Holy Sword was made for exactly this kind of thing."
Diago made a face like this might be turning into a dangerous situation.
"Guess I'll go train then."
"Train? In this situation?"
"Eh, nothing else to do."
"Yeah, I'll handle the carriage and whip up some food, so you've got no jobs left."
Diago grumbled.
You used me too, so this evens out.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ The Holy Sword spoke.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ -Your swordsmanship peaks incredibly high, but your lows are abysmal. That was because I hadn't learned proper swordsmanship.
It was the result of just eyeballing it roughly.
I drew the Blood-Soaked Sword and Whisper of the Wind.
'...Come to think of it, I need to give this to her too.'
Now that I'd recruited Rishiel to the party, I had to hand over Whisper of the Wind.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ -I've been wondering since last time, but why do you use dual wielding? 'To use Dark Moon properly, two swords are more convenient.'
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ -Fair enough. Elven swordsmanship relies on agility and unpredictability. Any other reasons? 'It's the most familiar to me?'
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ -That's it, huh. The Holy Sword spoke in a cold tone.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ -Then allow me to explain why dual wielding is a bad idea. 'I've heard it before.'
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ -But you haven't really felt it, have you? Talent lets you brute-force anything. Try doing exactly as I say for just one day. First, that tree over there looks good. I sheathed Whisper of the Wind and walked toward the tree.
If the Holy Sword was this confident, there had to be something to it.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ -Focus on the sword. Now slash the tree with it. Slash.
The tree split cleanly in one stroke.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ -Good, your fundamentals are solid. Now try splitting off one more strand from there. 'One more strand?'
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ -Yes. That's the foundation of authentic hero swordsmanship, reserved only for heroes! 'Authentic hero basic swordsmanship?'
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ -You said you won't become a hero anyway, but your bad luck overflows. Every incident, and there you are. '...'
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ -So you need at least the bare minimum strength. I stared at the tree as the Holy Sword instructed. Splitting sword energy into one more strand here?
'What the hell does that even mean?'
I closed my eyes and focused.
If the Holy Sword said it, there must be something to it.
And then.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
What is this? A dream?
I'd felt this sensation a few times before.
'Dark Moon, Black Sea, Dark Sky.'
And the demon that appeared when I saw Veronica.
A similar feeling.
Whoosh.
A man in black attire appeared. He wore a black coat, his face obscured.
And a sword.
'...The Holy Sword?'
He wielded the Holy Sword. And he was gazing at the sky.
"This time too... how many exactly..."
But his voice didn't reach me. We were close, yet it was like static interference.
As if I wasn't worthy to hear this conversation.
I examined the man, then suddenly felt a chill.
On the opposite side from him.
There were countless... things.
'...What the hell is that?'
Beyond the horizon.
Innumerable monsters.
Some were familiar to me.
The Labyrinth.
The monsters I'd hunted there swarmed in hordes.
'...Even lowballing it.'
There were at least hundreds.
The horde stretching to the horizon was that vast.
A normal person would flee in terror.
But the man lifted the Holy Sword with an air of annoyance.
And swung it once.
From above down.
Slash.
One swing.
But his sword wasn't just once.
The monsters began to be cleaved apart. One swing splits them in half. Then halves again.
Halved once more.
'...What is that?'
Impossible swordsmanship.
But deep down, I wondered.
'Swordsmanship?'
I recognized it as such.
"Still."
The man looked my way.
No, he muttered to himself, as if speaking to someone.
"... ."
But.
His voice didn't come through.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ "... ."
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ -What's wrong? You zoning out? Hm, was my instruction that hard? "No, I think I can do it."
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ -Hmph, even for you, it'd take a full day. "Nah, I got the hang of it."
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ -Hm, prideful type, eh? How about a bet then? "A bet...?"
That piqued my interest.
As my eyes lit up, the Holy Sword spoke in a confident tone.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ -That's right, a bet. If I win, you obey me without question. 'And if I win?'
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ -Hm... what to offer? You wouldn't care if I just obeyed you. '...How'd you know?'
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ -Don't underestimate my years! I've met countless heroes over thousands of years and observed the humans they encountered. I know humans better than you do. The Holy Sword floated up suddenly as it said that.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ -Behold the power of this Holy Sword! Flash!
The Holy Sword began to glow.
⚔ STATUS ⚔ ⚡ Strength: 38 💨 Agility: 43 ✨ Magic Power: 47 💪 Stamina: 38 🧠 Mind: 38 👁️ Sense: 38 ◈ Gifts -[Rogue Mastery (S)], [Plunder (S)], [Demon Slayer (S)], [Sword Master (A+)], [Archery Master (A+)], [Violet (A)], [Elf's Compounding Ability (A)], [Mana Control (B)], [Synthesis (B)] ◈ Skills -[Lightning Strike (A)], [Hidden Space (B)], [Charging Shot (B)], [Shadow Dance (B)], [Poison Arts (B)], [Running (D)] ◈ Techniques -[Swordsmanship (Lv 30)], [Archery (Lv 25)], [Martial Arts (Lv 10)], [Throwing (Lv 8)], [Poison Mastery (Lv 5)] ...The status window appeared.
Is this the Holy Sword's power?
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ -This is your status window. The Holy Sword spoke smugly.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ -These days they call it a gift card or whatever. Anyway, your stats... Ho? Not many gifts, but top-tier for Lv 4... The Holy Sword trailed off.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ -Wait, how do you have this many gifts and skills? Three S-ranks? No, Sword Master and Archery Master are S-rank originals? The Holy Sword muttered in disbelief.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ -Skills aside, why do you have the Elf's Compounding Ability? Can you acquire every race's traits? The Holy Sword's voice trembled.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ -...More importantly, how do you have Sword Master and Archery Master at A-rank? 'Even if you ask, they just ended up that way.'
And that's how it was.
For others, S-grade came first, then S+ added descriptors.
But after my first evolution, mine always looked like that.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ -Utterly ridiculous. Why are those two only A-grade... The Holy Sword seemed at a loss for words.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ -No way. Does it expand that far? This isn't demonic tech—it's higher-dimensional... something even gods can't... The Holy Sword's voice mixed fear and excitement.
'What the hell is it?'
Don't keep it to yourself—tell me too.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ -Ho, could it be the Goddess? The Holy Sword said that to me.
What nonsense.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ After that, the Holy Sword rambled incoherently for a bit.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ -Could it be the War God? "Nope."
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ -...Not a god? "Yeah."
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ -For real? You can be born with this talent without being a god? The Holy Sword's voice was frantic.
But couldn't it tell if I was lying?
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ -Holy Swords discern their master's truth from lies. Even without that... I don't sense any deceit from you. The Holy Sword continued, then addressed me.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ -Anyway, you shatter my common sense in every way. 'So, decided on the bet?'
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ -Use me however you like. '...All loss for me.'
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ -Argh! This Holy Sword offers to serve you alone! It was throwing a tantrum.
Whatever, fine.
I focused. I knew how to do it now.
Because.
'I saw it.'
In the dream... no, whatever that scene was.
Dream, future, or maybe the past.
'Ermé was there.'
I cleared my stray thoughts.
A bit unsettling, but.
My body moved.
From above to below.
In the exact same stance as the man I'd seen.
Slash.
From above to below.
The tree stump split.
A sword mark gouged the ground beside it.
'...First try, off on the angle.'
Despite my disappointment.
The Holy Sword cried out in shock.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ -What? Why'd it work? Told you it would.