Border Blades and Blonde Entanglements
Rumble—rumble— the carriage jostled noisily as it barreled onward without pause.
"……."
Sitting cross-legged, he continuously attempted to circulate his qi and regulate his breathing. Since all he'd learned was thievery, drawing on his innate energy any longer was getting tough. From now on, he'd have to seriously cultivate martial arts.
If I have time to spare, I should pick up some magic or holy power too.
After lightly completing a small heavenly circuit, his first priority was condensing qi in his dantian. One couldn't fly without being able to run, after all. Restoring the flow in his broken body came first.
"……."
Suppressing the stagnant impurities accumulated from the Reverse Blood Demonic Art as much as possible, he refined the energy throughout his body. His overall muscle power was lacking, but a hero was a hero—his bones and tendons were quite satisfactory. It was a bit late to start martial arts, but that wasn't a problem. He had experiences others didn't.
Good thing it ended well.
Continuing the small heavenly circuit, he sank into other thoughts.
"……Hm."
As he shifted his legs slightly, a heavy weight and a metallic jingle came from his back pocket.
The hefty reward he'd earned exposing the sub-tower master's misdeeds.
What the hell did she do to her disciples?
He'd initially proposed the deal thinking they'd handle the aftermath…
"Master… that crazy bitch is dead? She used people as sacrifices… Such a horrific act!! Leave it to me!! She published my thesis under her name, and because of that, I've been…"
"No! I'll do it, I'll do it! That lunatic kept me from graduating… I'm a tenth-year apprentice at the Magic Tower…!"
"Let me handle it!"
He hadn't expected her to have zero reputation like this. Far from a transaction, they were volunteering. Maybe even her disciples were furious about the inhumane experiments.
Or it could just be deeply personal grudges…
Some probably coveted her research or position, but it didn't matter now. By this point, news of the sub-tower master's crimes would have reached the tower master. They'd handle it themselves.
Anyway, jingle—! this windfall that wasn't even his to begin with was a massive profit. And this wasn't the end.
His inventory held the elixir and black ribbon from the treasure hall, plus the remaining gold coins.
To avoid trouble, he'd dyed his noticeable hair black and thrown on a disguising robe over his clothes. He could ignore the Magic Tower for a while.
Moreover…
◈ Faint power of time lingers within.
◈ Visit an appraiser—might learn what this is.
Cleared Prologue Quest
This thing's been nagging at me.
An unidentified item just meant its power was unknown—the appearance should be the same… but he couldn't even guess what this was.
A round orb the size of a small tangerine. White, so maybe vanilla flavor if eaten? A bit disappointing it wasn't a weapon, but you never knew until you checked. Could be an Extreme Mode exclusive item.
Rumble—rumble—
"Hey! Drive straight, will ya?!"
"How do you even call this driving?"
"You think we're at the racetrack or something?"
"……."
Which was why he was heading to the kingdom's border region now. Going straight to the Royal Capital in Ersha Kingdom to find an appraiser might be fastest. Prices rose the farther out you went.
But with demon king army spies already infiltrating the kingdom en masse—and even a high mage like the sub-tower master collaborating with them for experiments—it went without saying.
This sub-tower master incident was publicly recorded as handled by a swordmaster, so exposing his movements over something like this wasn't ideal.
Time was tight; he needed maximum efficiency. Plus, the guys he was supposed to team up with in "friendly competition" were all idiots… He could only trust himself.
"Hoo…"
He let out a sigh without realizing.
"What's troubling you, young man?"
"…It's nothing. I'm fine."
He brushed off the other passengers in the carriage and resumed his small heavenly circuit.
For now, ditch the bow and magic…
The Bow Hero might be better than the first two, but getting used as a pawn didn't inspire trust.
And the Sword Hero…
Still hasn't left the empire, huh?
Who knew what he was doing, but skipping the trial meant he was probably off his rocker nine times out of ten. As the ancient sages said, one out of five heroes wasn't right in the head…
This is hopeless.
Frankly, if it was just about rewards, the desert region was best—but without divine weapons, magic, holy power, or even proper martial arts,
Going now would be perfect suicide bait.
He needed minimal self-defense to escape emergencies. It wouldn't matter much later anyway. The hardest gates had to be cleared first—that's why he'd chosen the border region.
Rumble—neighhh—!
"We've arrived!"
With the coachman's shout, the carriage jolted hard once more and came to a stop.
The last village at the border region's entrance. Technically still kingdom territory past here, but currently considered disputed.
"……."
Stepping down, he headed straight to the village outskirts without rest. Was it rumors of the demon king's eastern continent conquest nearing its end?
"Those vicious demons swallow people whole without even chewing."
"Not just demons—evil devils are rampaging too, I hear!"
"Then hurry up and flee already!"
"What's guaranteeing the demon king army won't invade our Ersha Kingdom? Let's head to the capital quick!"
Twice as many people were entering the village to flee to the capital rather than venturing to the border. He wondered if the kingdom knew.
"Isn't that…?"
Anyway, his task remained unchanged. His steady stride halted before sturdy iron gates.
First, need a weapon.
Far more efficient than going to church HQ for a ritual to claim a Divine Weapon. He had money—no need to grovel.
A mansion so massive it clashed with surrounding homes. The Barden family banner fluttered wildly by the main gate.
One of the kingdom's top three blacksmith clans, famed for magic weapons infused with mana. Half-ruined for various reasons, but their prestige endured.
Maybe that's why—as he stepped through the grand gates,
"Hurry up and get in line."
"Came all the way from the north for magic gear."
"Hey, what's the holdup?"
Hundreds queued for Barden weapons. And the family guards were frisking every guest's belongings…
This'll take forever.
So… he spotted servants working nearby. Picking a loitering one, he approached.
"Excuse me."
"What can I do for you?"
"Here to pay for goods."
Shaking the heavy coin pouch, the servant glanced around in panic.
"You came in person? Uh… the head butler is inside…"
"I've been here a few times. Main gate's jammed—mind opening the side door?"
No lie. In the game.
"Right, my bad… this way, sir."
Merchants couldn't resist payments and deliveries. Following the servant through the side door, he strode in briskly.
At least something went right.
"No idea why inspections take so damn long."
"Mine took seven hours."
With people down to a tenth, he'd be in quick.
"Probably guarding magic gear tech leaks."
"The power of magic swords, eh…"
Swords should stick to basics. Magic swords were bullshit.
**********
About thirty minutes later? The guests ahead vanished; it was his turn.
Faster than expected.
What he sought: the masterpiece of the previous family head, Basha's Sword. Perfect length, unmatched durability, sharpness to cleave bones. Others didn't know, but its performance ranked top five in the kingdom.
Then, a wavy-blonde beauty approached with five or six men in tow.
"Lady Lena, won't you spend your life with me?"
"Marry me!"
"You look stunning today, milady."
In an elegant blue dress, she shoved the men aside irritably.
"I'm just here for a weapon. If you want to help, vanish."
"Lady Lena, how could you say that?!"
"What do you desire? I'll fetch it at once…"
The beauty, as if entitled,
"Move."
Shoving queued people aside, she headed his way. Arms crossed, he stared silently.
"Why's everyone just watching?!"
"…Shut it. That's a baron's crest! Don't stir trouble."
"B-But I waited seven hours…"
"Commoners like us have no choice."
She reached him.
Well, look at her.
"Lady Lena, please marry me!"
"No! Be my partner…!"
The blonde, arms crossed,
"What're you doing? Move it."
She glared.
"With me…"
"Ha—! So annoying! Now even this guy…? Face is decent, but… Shouldn't you introduce yourself first?"
"With me…"
"Marry me? Well… proposing to a beauty like me, it's natural to tremble. Just a bit low on confidence…"
What nonsense.
"Out of my way."
"…Wha, hey!"
Pushing the lady's head aside, he strode inward.