Chapter 113
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 113
Chapter Title: Sword Soul
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Jun knew about Shylock because of a post from a user on the <Blackout> game community site in the past.
A user there had uploaded a video of multi-casting multiple spells in an instant.
Countless mage users, captivated by that flashy combat style, asked for the method, but the poster only left a hint saying, "I used an artifact," and then deleted the post.
Naturally, many users erupted in anger and wandered around searching for that artifact.
'I had inferred that Shylock had it...'
But since he didn't know exactly what the artifact was, it was hard to bring it up rashly.
Yet it had ended up in his hands like this.
'An unexpected gift.'
Already, various applications were coming to mind.
"How does it work?"
"Inject mana into the ring, and the spirit will appear in your dreams. Then send the knowledge you want to share to the spirit."
"I see..."
At the same time, Jun pulled up the spirit's knowledge from his memories of his past life.
'Dream Spirit. Exactly as the name implies, a spirit that inhabits dreams. An extremely rare specimen...'
For the most part, it didn't differ much from what Marshar had explained.
"So, what's the name of this artifact?"
"Dream Petal."
"...?"
Why such a silly name?
"No other name?"
"I don't know. The old man named it that."
"Then I'll call it 'Phantasm'."
"That's up to the owner."
With that, the conversation ended, and Jun left Marshar's room satisfied.
Meanwhile, Marshar decided to stay with Shylock at the Gilenoi Merchant Guild for the time being.
Shylock just wanted to live quietly, and Marshar wanted to experiment with mana fluid bodies.
Naturally, Cloi did her utmost to keep the two by preparing the best environment possible.
"I hope business talks with those two go well later."
But that was still a distant prospect.
"Now then... shall we spend some money?"
The dividends from the magic stone dungeon that Jun had brought back after subjugating the Goblin Lord in the past.
Jun smiled as he checked the amount.
This would allow him to outfit his comrades with a few more pieces of gear.
"Shylock. Do you need any money by chance?"
"What now?!"
"I'd like to buy a few of the artifacts you have."
"Do you own several mansions or something? No, you couldn't buy my artifacts even if you offered a mansion!"
Unfortunately, Shylock was right.
Compared to a year ago, it was a lightning-fast fortune, but buying even one of Shylock's artifacts would leave him penniless.
And in truth, Shylock's artifacts drew too much attention from others.
Since he couldn't carelessly reveal their origin, he'd have to find another way.
'But in this situation where I can't even go outside, it's frustrating.'
By now, news of the White Whale Mercenary Corps' survival must have spread throughout the industry.
He couldn't go searching for gear on foot in the capital teeming with artisans.
In the end, Jun ordered related supplies from Cloi, and in the meantime, thoroughly studied the illusion magic book she had procured.
A few days passed like that, and his comrades finished preparing to depart.
"Whoa, what's this?"
"Gear for you all."
The equipment and supplies arrived piled high in the carriage.
Jun explained each one calmly.
"First, Aiden. Take this."
"What... is this?"
"Greaves. Made from the hide of a 'Balrog' monster from the upper layers."
"What?! The ones the Violet Unit mercenary band killed?!"
"Violet Unit?"
"Ah, sorry. Characters from a novel."
"...Well, it's not that impressive. The durability is on the weaker side for upper-layer monster hide. Of course, it'll hold up to the 6th layer."
Still, there was a separate reason Jun had gone to the expense of acquiring them.
"Your [Beast Body] pairs well with armor made from monster hides by nature."
"True, I got used to the Destroyer's hide quickly."
"Yeah. These Balrog greaves should have a similar effect."
"Thank you!"
Meanwhile, he handed Maya thick cloth shoes.
"These are made from Arachne silk. Great shock absorption, and above all, lightweight."
"I'll use 'em well."
Maya jumped a few times after putting them on and smiled in satisfaction.
Finally, it was Eleanor's turn.
"What's... this?"
A green liquid in a glass vial.
"Spirit's Tear item."
"Oh? I've heard of it. Something for enchanting gear, right?"
"Close. Semi-permanent effect."
Spirit's Tear was an extract from trees inhabited by wood spirits.
"Apply it to the robe you're wearing, and it'll gain magic resistance."
"Not bad."
Eleanor's gear as a senior priest wasn't bad at all.
It boasted durability that could block most swords, with enchantments like auto-clean and auto-repair.
However, having multiple enchantments made it vulnerable to magic, so Jun aimed to fix that with the Spirit's Tear.
"By the way, Captain, don't mercenary bands usually buy their own gear with personal funds?"
"True. But not always."
Even now, Jun paid his comrades regular salaries.
The money piled up under Aiden and Maya's names was probably no small sum.
"Upper-layer groups often provide gear directly like this."
"Oh... So our hearts are already at upper-layer level?"
"Heh, something like that. We've never walked a safe path anyway. Best to do our utmost while we can."
The others might not know, but Aiden, who had been with Jun from start to finish, nodded vigorously.
"We really... have to do everything we can."
If even one element had been missing from their journey so far, they wouldn't be chatting here now.
Aiden understood Jun's words 120%.
"Finally, take this."
"Mana fluid body? Why do I need to carry this?"
"To maintain the illusion magic I'll cast from now on."
With that, Jun cast the spell using the mana he had been gathering.
"...?"
Even though the spell activated, nothing seemed to change, so everyone tilted their heads.
Jun grinned at them.
"I said it was illusion magic. Not an illusion."
"Ah."
"Other people around us will see us as different people."
Jun chose illusion over phantasm because it was easier to maintain long-term, and above all, [Mirror of Mosilas]'s power varied greatly depending on the caster's mana.
"Got it. Anything else we need to know?"
"Identities. I'm a caravan leader affiliated with the Gilenoi Merchant Guild. Eleanor, you're the deputy leader. Aiden and Maya are escorts."
"Ooh..."
With that, the group boarded the carriage Cloi had secretly prepared and set off.
For reference, none of the four knew how to drive a carriage, so they had to use an expensive golem coachman.
"That golem's pricey, so don't lose it."
"I know."
With Cloi's farewell as the last, Jun and his comrades headed for the Intrass Mountains.
The Intrass Mountains were located in the northeast of the empire, a range where white snow never melted.
However, the weather wasn't too harsh, and there wasn't a particularly threatening monster ecosystem, making it relatively peaceful.
"Shall we set up camp around here today?"
"Yes, Senior. I'll get ready right away."
Thanks to the illusion magic, perhaps?
Since Jun and his group set off, there hadn't been any notable encounters.
They only crossed paths with a few travelers coming the opposite way, once or twice at most.
'I was honestly worried, but it's smoother than expected.'
Unlike <Blackout>, the game's setting, Jun didn't have much knowledge about the surface world.
He worried about encountering unknown monsters, but...
'Overthinking it.'
A week had already passed since leaving the capital.
The horses Cloi prepared were excellent and never tired easily. At this rate, they'd arrive faster than planned.
"Now we can relax a bi—?!"
"Senior!"
At that moment.
As if his words had jinxed it, an enormous presence suddenly surged toward them.
A savage and sharp aura could be felt from afar.
Aiden and Maya immediately reached for their swords, but Jun calmly held them back.
"Everyone, stay put."
"It's dangerous."
"I know. That's why stay still."
Whoever it was didn't bother hiding their presence as they charged in.
He couldn't pinpoint exactly who, but he could make a guess.
"Probably someone attending the banquet. So act like you don't know. When I give the signal, turn your heads that way."
It would be suspicious not to notice someone emanating such an aura up close.
After a brief wait.
"Now."
Aiden and Maya turned first, followed a few seconds later by Jun and Eleanor.
There...
"What the hell is that."
As the sun set, something massive was charging toward them.
Jun had already identified it with [Bright Eyes], but it was still hard to accept reality, so he asked again.
"What is it, that thing."
"That... an Owl Bear? I think."
"..."
Owl Bear... To be precise, someone carrying an Owl Bear corpse was sprinting up the mountain path.
Soon, he reached Jun and the group.
As Aiden and Maya instinctively reached for their swords, Jun stopped them.
Jun met the opponent's gaze with a calm expression.
Where had he spent his time in solitude?
His clothes were tattered everywhere, a single iron sword hung at his waist.
And finally, the appearance of an old man covered in beard.
Jun invoked the Golden God's name.
"May Lord Gortes bless you. Who might you be?"
"Eh? Merchants?"
"Yes."
"Pleased to meet you. I'm Aden."
"Aden...?"
Then Aiden's eyes lit up.
It was a name impossible not to know.
"Are you Sword Soul Aden?"
"Kehkeh. You know this old man's name?"
"How could I not!"
One of the famous masters in the empire.
Among them, the Sword Master handling the 'sword'—Sword Soul.
The level 8 user set down the Owl Bear corpse with arms sturdy despite his age.
"Pleased to meet you. Where are you folks coming from?"
To the light question, Jun gave his prepared answer.
"Commissioned by the Gilenoi Merchant Guild. I don't know the details—just to transport these goods."
"Hoo... I see. This banquet will be quite lavish. Kehkehkeh."
"Banquet, you say?"
"Yes. A grand one up above."
"Ah... No way?"
"That's what you're thinking."
Unlike the ferocious aura on his approach, Aden smiled gently.
"This must be fate. How about some meat?"
Aden pointed to the Owl Bear corpse.