The Sword's Memory
I delved into the Weapon's Memory.
The first thing that appeared was researchers gathered around the weapon.
"We did it! Success!"
"Congratulations, Director!"
"Now you'll possess power beyond any equipment. If the chairman, having absorbed Damian's power, wields this weapon too, those ability users won't stand a chance."
The director carefully lifted the long sword. A black-lacquered hilt and an elongated blade. The blade was quite thin and long, almost like a zanbatō.
So this is what it looked like. No wonder the fragments were so thin.
The researchers continued their experiments. Abilities kept being added to the weapon, and as time passed, its power grew ever more immense.
Then one day, a man glanced around furtively and quietly touched the sword.
"Hamilton. What are you doing?"
Startled by the voice, the man swung the sword in panic. It looked like he intended to steal it.
"With this, I can become an ability user too."
The disheveled man grabbed other parts as well. In between, I caught a glimpse of writing in a notebook.
1. Return to Bares and check abilities.
2. Confirm if it works with my power, not Damian's...
The man's destination: 'Bares'. The notebook revealed it.
Just as I discovered this clue, the final scene played out.
Guards burst in, clashing with the man. He seemed skilled enough, taking down two guards single-handedly.
...But in the process, the blade shattered into multiple fragments.
Flash.
The memory ended there.
After blowing up the mansion, I boarded a train right away. Its destination: Brockton.
The region called Bares from the notebook was a district under the major city of Brockton.
Is this some kind of quest for Damian?
Not that I was following the system's intent, of course.
In fact, Brockton was one of the starting points for playable characters.
If this was orchestrated by the developers... then maybe others have been pulled in too.
I kept all possibilities open. I'd try anything to survive.
Brockton suited my situation perfectly. It was far from the escaped lab, and an ideal place to start.
To think this is really inside the game...
Beyond the window stretched a wasteland. Wild horses roamed it, pursued by monsters. Trees and grass with forms impossible in reality. Seeing them made it sink in that I was truly in the game world.
Screeech!
Then it happened. The train came to a sudden halt.
Passengers murmured in unrest. Soon, a conductor entered the car.
"P-Passengers, this is an announcement. There's an unexpected obstacle on the tracks. Please remain seated while we stop and clear it promptly."
His tone was grave, but he couldn't hide his serious expression. This wasn't some ordinary blockage.
In games, situations like this always triggered quests.
No way...
I opened the window and checked the tracks. Monster corpses piled high in the middle.
They didn't die on their own. Someone had deliberately blocked the way.
"L-Look over there!"
"B-Bandits?"
"Bandits! It's bandits!"
People peered out the windows, faces paling. Even in the game, events like bandit raids or named monster appearances happened constantly.
...The bandit leaders sometimes had decent weapons.
In the distance, countless white lights gleamed. Bandits targeting the train, no doubt. But among them, one light stood out—green.
Green...
White (normal), green (advanced), blue (rare), purple (heroic), red (legendary).
That was how the developers graded equipment. Of course, that wasn't all—ancient or unique grades existed too.
"Th-The bandits are getting close!"
Passengers pressed against windows, trembling and shouting. The bandits rode raptor-like monsters, dodging the guards' rifles with ease.
They'll board soon.
Over fifty by rough count. A lot for bandits. The train guards alone wouldn't hold.
Maybe if it were the city 'Guards'.
Anyway, it meant danger for me too...
"Kyahahaha! Stay put! Huh?"
"Board 'em! Board!"
"Kill 'em all!"
Rifles were useless against close-range bandits. Their momentum surged.
Shrrrk! Shaaaack!
"Gurk!"
"Guuuh!"
As guards fell to their attacks, passengers drowned in terror.
Level 3 at most. Perfect for my current level.
Brockton was a starting area, so bandit groups here weren't high-level. I could handle them.
Thud. Whiiiish!
I hurled a dagger. Control wasn't perfect yet, and the distance was decent.
"Huh? What's th—! Gah!"
Shrrrk!
I'd aimed for the head, but it hit the thigh. But as a Weapon Summoner, I didn't wield directly.
I yanked the dagger upward, targeting the throat.
"G-Guhk!"
Not a clean pierce, but fatal. Blood spurted from the neck as he collapsed.
Experience gained: 50
They gave EXP too. In Esperro's lore, anyone with minimal power had levels, even non-monsters, and yielded EXP.
"Wh-What was that?"
"No way! An ability user?"
"They said no ability users boarded!"
Bandits whispered in confusion. But could they counter it? No, this was tech they'd never seen.
Whish! Thunk!
Now for the others. I shifted the dagger from the first bandit to them.
A bit shaky, but it embedded properly. Then I swung it fast at close range.
Shrrrk! Shrrrk!
Experience gained: 50
Experience gained: 50
Incredible.
The sound of slicing flesh and bone. The scent of blood. Adrenaline surging through me.
Damian's instincts reacted to every detail, honing focus in battle. Far more vivid than VR gaming.
Step. Step.
I walked past passengers to check the fallen bandits. Eyes locked on me.
"A-Are you an ability user?"
"Thank you! Truly, thank you!"
They expressed gratitude, but I ignored it. Unless they were mine, no interest.
"Th-Thank you, mister..."
A blonde girl approached. I ruffled her hair with a big smile.
"No injuries?"
I cared little for others. Orphaned in an accident that took my family—including my much younger sister.
Maybe that's why kids got to me. They reminded me of her.
"...The bad guys scared me."
"Stick by your mom. It's dangerous here."
"Y-Yes!"
The girl returned with an anxious look. I made a funny face; she beamed back.
My heart eased a bit.
A few daggers.
After she left, I scanned the floor. Daggers dropped by the bandits. I picked one up.
Whoosh.
Memories flooded in. He was taking orders from a man.
The boss: over 2m tall, burly. Blue light gleamed in his eyes.
...That's Keen Eyes. A swordsman ability user?
Keen Eyes. Exclusive to swordsman class. Superhuman dynamic vision to read all movements.
Swordsmen deflected bullets and saw through spells with it.
And that wasn't all. His left arm wasn't flesh—a solid metal prosthetic.
An ability user through and through. A bandit with mods, huh. But probably botched work.
Mods cost a fortune here. Maybe from thieving, but official routes? No way. Black market for sure.
Cheap, but side effects galore. Weaknesses aplenty.
...There.
The boss clutched his side, looking uncomfortable. Post-mod rot?
Target that.
Exploit any weakness. No room for mercy when survival's on the line.
With current mana, I can handle one more.
Swish.
Replaced the damaged dagger, registered a new one. Now dual-wielding daggers. Agility +2 total?
"Kyaaaah!"
Then—a scream from the next car.
"Damn bastards! They've taken hostages!"
"Wh-What do we do?"
More bandits holding people hostage. They glared murderously at me.
Targeting me, apparently.
"This punk dares touch our boys?"
"Show yourself now!"
They wanted me front and center. Fine by me—I had to go kill them anyway.
"Drop whatever you're holding! Or these punks lose their heads!"
Hm, drop the weapon? No issue. I don't fight holding anyway.
Slowly set the dagger down, raised hands high. To ease them further.
"P-Please spare us..."
"Shut your trap. No funny business from that guy, no deaths. Got it? Heh."
"U-Uuh..."
A bandit licked a woman's cheek. Provoking me, probably...
Whatever. Just plotting their end.
"Saw you with a sword—decent swordsman? Think you can take us barehanded?"
"Don't lump us with normal bandits! You'd freak knowing our boss's origins!"
"Better make sure. Send your weapon over!"
They hadn't seen how their pals died. Send it to them? Perfect—my accuracy issue solved.
Tap! Whish!
As requested. Dagger landed before them; their confidence soared.
"Heh heh. Always hated ability user scum. How to kill ya? Hack off your arms so you never sword again? Huh?"
"........."
"Look at him. Scared speechless. Kahahaha!"
"Kyahahaha!"
Laughter filled the car. Hostages despaired; guards too.
Except me. A faint smile crept on my lips.
Then I casually swung my raised hands.
"Huh? Smiling? This guy's lost his m—! Gack!"
Thunk!
Accuracy? Irrelevant. Dagger was at their feet. Just lift.
It pierced one's jaw.
Swish! Swish swish!
Not done. Finish thoroughly—keep swinging.
And... I had two daggers now.
"Grk!"
"Guhk!"
Dual daggers slashed: arms, legs, thighs, guts. Rapid, thorough butchery.
Experience gained: 50
Experience gained: 50
Experience gained: 50
EXP poured in with each fall. Weapon Manipulation proficiency rose nonstop.
Then a new message appeared.
Skill Point acquired.
Leveled up, gaining my first skill point.