Wolf Blade (5): Magic Tower Invitation
It was a proposal that anyone else would have jumped for joy over, calling it a stroke of luck. But instead of being thrilled, Balun grew suspicious right away.
It was just too out of the blue. When had this guy even seen him to extend an invitation like that? Without even knowing who Balun was.
"What's the angle here?"
"No grand schemes or anything like that. I'm just intrigued by you. After watching you overwhelm all these swordsmen with your prowess."
"Intrigued? By me?"
"That's right. I watched your entire fight. It was incredible. A true valiant warrior, straight out of the legends of the Great Warriors reborn."
"You know what a Great Warrior is?"
"Of course. Among all the warriors in the world, the greatest is a Great Warrior. It's the dream of every barbarian who leaves their tribe for the civilized world. And you're here for that too, aren't you?"
Banet spoke with utter conviction. It made sense—he was convinced because every barbarian he'd ever seen dreamed of exactly that.
Becoming the ultimate warrior. Or showing off their strength. Just like every barbarian he'd encountered before, he was sure this one was no different.
But the barbarian before him was leagues apart from the ordinary ones.
"Nah."
"So... what?"
"Balun doesn't need that crap. What matters is wealth and glory. Piles of gold and jewels, vast lands."
"What?"
"Han River penthouse! Landlord life! A comfy, happy existence!"
Banet just blinked at the barrage of alien words. Balun caught his reaction late and realized his mistake.
He'd let his true feelings slip too much.
"Ahem. Just kidding."
"Y-yeah, figured as much."
"Actually, becoming a strong warrior is my dream."
It wasn't a lie. Balun's current goal was to get stronger, after all.
He'd already realized laws meant nothing in this world. Only strength mattered. He had to grow strong to protect himself in this godforsaken place.
Only then could he safeguard the fortune he'd build and the people who'd become his own.
But getting stronger wasn't Balun's true goal. In the end, wasn't the real point living well and eating well? While enjoying civilized life, no less.
That's why he'd escaped the tribe. Sure, a Han River penthouse was out of reach, but with effort, he could snag something similar. Like building a mansion in a sprawling estate and living like nobility. Or grabbing a place with a killer city view.
"Haha, a joke after all. Makes sense, I suppose. Never heard of a barbarian craving wealth and glory in my life."
This guy thinks barbarians are some other species. No, who in the world didn't love riches?
"I misspoke. Let me rephrase: I'd love to have a deep conversation with a powerful warrior like you."
"What kind?"
"We'll figure that out as we go. The point is, I'm interested in you, warrior Balun."
What the hell is this guy on about? Blind date vibes?
"I know it sounds odd. I get you're wary of me. Barbarians hate mages, after all. Nothing I say will sound good."
Banet picked up on Balun's reluctance and shifted to persuasion.
"But think about it. I helped you. Without me, you'd have had to fight every last Wolf Blade guild member. You'd have been in real trouble."
"..."
"So, doesn't that ease your guard a bit? Come on."
"Fair point."
Balun nodded. He fully agreed. That's why he hadn't been rude to Banet outright. The guy had helped him, and his goodwill was clear enough.
"Alright. Let's talk."
"Knew you'd come around! You're more open-minded than most barbarians. Love that attitude. So instead of chatting here, let's head to my Blue Tower right—"
"Here."
Banet's words cut off abruptly. He stared at Balun in confusion.
"Huh? Here?"
"Perfect spot. Cushy chairs. Comfy. Great for talking."
Balun patted the sofa. He even sat and stood a few times to demonstrate. The sinking leather felt amazing.
"W-well, true. But this isn't exactly ideal. You'd think so too, and honestly, so do I. I'm just a guest here."
"No problem. Balun won. Winner gets perks. Can use this."
"Hmm, valid. But... hmm."
Banet scratched his cheek. He hadn't expected such a stone wall.
This was why barbarians were tricky. They didn't communicate well. They only responded to strength and honor. Mages hated dealing with them.
Still, this barbarian was the best he'd seen. At least he could talk—and his continental common was decent, if a bit slurred.
"Fine. We'll talk here. Not a bad spot. Sofa's comfy."
"Exactly. What you wanna talk about?"
"Your fight. That stomping attack you used. Remember it?"
Balun tilted his head. Stomping attack?
"You mean slamming the ground?"
"Yes! That. How'd you do it?"
"Pushed power into my foot. Slammed hard."
Balun mimed stomping down.
"Like this. Boom."
"Obviously. But that's not what I'm asking. How does it work? That's the question."
"Work?"
"Yeah. How do you vibrate the ground without mana or even aura? It wasn't magic, didn't look like aura—so what was it?"
Banet gestured wildly, explaining fervently. Balun spotted the thick curiosity in his eyes, confirming Kalente's advice was spot on.
A memory of chatting with Kalente surfaced naturally.
"Don't reveal your Reinforcement Technique to others unless you have to. Keep it our secret. Oh, including Seria makes three. She's trustworthy."
"Why?"
"They'll covet it. Everyone will, but mages especially."
"This? Why?"
"On the surface, it's a mysterious power that creates superhuman strength without mana. Perfect bait for a mage's curiosity. They'll treat you like a lab rat. Human experimentation guaranteed."
"Eek. Balun no lab rat!"
"Exactly. So keep quiet. Unless you want trouble. Be honest: do you think folks approaching a barbarian like you have good intentions or shady ones? Shady wins by a landslide."
It was advice Kalente had given before Balun left. Back then, he hadn't bought it. Coveting this uncool, meh ability? Didn't make sense.
But now? Kalente was right. Look at this mage's eager eyes.
Balun could feel it. This guy's eyeing me like research material.
"Not asking you to teach it. Just the principle. How'd you generate that power? What force? Some new energy I don't know?"
"Dunno. Balun just slammed ground. Boom."
"Ugh, not easy. How do I explain so you get it?"
Banet sighed heavily, assuming Balun just didn't understand.
Big mistake. Balun got it perfectly. He just wasn't playing along.
Plus, it wasn't wrong. He had just slammed the ground. What more explanation?
"Different angle. What'd it feel like? Like heat rushing through veins? Worms crawling? Describe however you can."
"Power up, muscles bulge. Slam ground. Booms. Strong!"
"Enough. Stop."
Banet gave up. He moved to his second question.
"Fine. The chainmail rip? How? No mana there either. Can you explain?"
"Oh, that. Easy. Power up, muscles bulge. Pull. Rips. Strong!"
Balun mimed yanking cloth with both hands.
Banet sighed softly and nodded.
"Thanks. Helpful."
"Glad it helped. Haha! Talking's great!"
Balun laughed heartily. Banet watched, thinking, Barbarian's a barbarian after all.
No clue Balun had trolled him right back.
* * *
Banet clearly wasn't satisfied—his curiosity barely scratched.
"Shame. First valiant warrior in ages, and we part already."
"Same."
"If you want deeper talk, visit the Blue Tower. I'll rush to meet you."
Even on departure, sales pitch.
"Got it. Will do."
Balun didn't refuse. No need to make enemies.
No point reddening faces over suspicion.
"Gotta go. Tower's been empty too long."
"You free to leave? Weren't you a guest?"
"Guest, not prisoner. My choice."
"True."
"See you. Valiant barbarian."
"Go, mage."
"But really, not coming? Inviting you to the main tower could lead to real insights..."
This guy's persistent as hell. What was so fascinating about a dumb axe-swinging brute?
"Balun not hating it. But busy. Can't go."
"Fair enough. Oh, right—Philip's awake. Check the treatment room upstairs."
"Awake?"
"Yeah. Said he has words for you. Looked dead serious."
"Got it. Heading up."
With that, Banet left the Wolf Blade guild HQ.
Balun exited the parlor and climbed to the treatment room. There was Philip, propped up with pillows, half-sitting in bed.
"Ah, you came."
"You called?"
"Yeah. I did."
Balun tilted his head. No hostility. Almost friendly...
"Drink?"
"Nah. Had tea with the mage."
"Figures. Banet the mage seemed taken with you. Wanted to take you along, but you passed."
"Busy. Lots to do."
Not taken with me. Wants me as lab rat.
Balun had zero interest in experiments. Follow to the tower, and boom—human test subject. Horrifying.
"So, why'd you call?"
"To say thanks."
"Thanks...?"
As Balun puzzled, Philip sat up fully, slid off the bed, and knelt before him.
Balun's eyes widened. What the—?
"What's this?"
"Thank you. For saving my life. For saving Wolf Blade."
Philip bowed his head low.
"I tried to take yours, but you spared me. In a deathmatch, no less. You're my benefactor. That's what I wanted to say."
Balun wanted to ask: 'How does that even follow?'
Shouldn't he be pissed?
"And sorry. Wanted to say that too."
"Suddenly?"
"Heard from my men about what happened. You got screwed over by Wolf Blade. Just used the forge, and nearly died for it."
"Yeah."
"As guild master, I apologize. Couldn't live with myself otherwise."
Philip bowed again.
"Had no idea. Never dreamed my men pulled that on Pordel's adventurers."
"No idea?"
Balun tilted his head. Possible? For the top dog?
"I don't run the guild. Sub-master and five Wolf Leaders handle it. I just swung my sword all day. So yeah, clueless."
"Huh."
"But excuses. I'm still the leader. My fault. Not worthy of knighthood."
"I get it. But no need for—"
"As atonement, proper compensation."
"Huh?"
Balun shut up. His eyes widened.
Compensation? For real?
"Money for others, but you're barbarian—no love for coin. So, how about fine gear that suits you...?"
"No, gimme money!"
Balun yelped.
If compensating, use cash! Obvious, right?
Who pays victims in stuff? Not a veggie trade.
"Money?"
"Yes!"
"For real? Nah, politeness. You'd be embarrassed taking gifts from your near-killer."
"No, Balun wants money—"
"Figured. Already ordered top armor. Hope you like it."
No, cash, not gear!