Chapter 15
Chapter 15
“Is that the unique weapon you were talking about?”
Evelyn said as the rough sword was revealed when the cloth covering it was removed.
She examined the sword carefully, stroking her chin.
“From the looks of it, it’s not bad. But right now, all you know is that this is a unique weapon, right?”
“Huh? No… well, I know some general information. Things like its name.”
⋯Ah, I see. She must have had a reason for asking that, so maybe I should have just said I didn’t know.
She frowned, then suddenly switched to a different topic.
“Aren. You’re my disciple, and I’m your master. I plan to teach you secret sword techniques. You and my younger sister will be in the same party.”
Why is she suddenly stating facts I already know?
“Yes, that’s right. Honestly, I still can’t believe Evelyn has accepted me as her disciple.”
Evelyn immediately responded.
“Then listen. Sometimes it’s better to just tell a disciple one or two big secrets. A master and disciple should have a somewhat honest relationship, right?”
“⋯.”
“Listen carefully. Usually, ordinary adventurers can’t view item information unless it’s a magic scroll or a spell.”
Evelyn pointed back and forth between the sword and me.
“It’s the same for unique items. Normally, a unique item requires a guild appraiser under a secrecy oath to fully examine it. But you already know some basic info?”
“⋯.”
“You came straight here after escaping the labyrinth. You couldn’t leave the knight order grounds during training.”
Evelyn shrugged while pulling something from an extra-dimensional space.
“I was going to give you an appraisal scroll if you said you didn’t know. But I found something strange unexpectedly.”
Ah, damn. I deliberately downplayed my knowledge, but it was a dead end.
Last time, I learned that each person could see stats and trait names, so I thought everyone could at least see item names or descriptions.
‘Lack of Isekai common sense again. I need to finish training fast and visit a library or something.’
I subconsciously asked Chaos.
‘By the way, Chaos, did you not know about the problem just mentioned? Couldn’t you have informed me beforehand?’
[Chaos says it’s hard to explain unless someone specifically asks, so it’s not a problem.]
⋯That’s true. Chaos usually displays system messages like ‘I say’ or ‘I worry’ about its actions. It’s not some AI that dumps information without being asked.
As my embarrassment faded, I felt bad for snapping at it.
‘I’m sorry for interrogating you like that.’
[Chaos says it was a slightly different tone and that it’s fine, so don’t worry.]
Having apologized to Chaos, I needed to clear Evelyn’s suspicion.
To avoid the awkward atmosphere, I said boldly.
“Actually, I mentioned something about my eye trait when we first met.”
“Right. I remember.”
“It doesn’t just let me see attacks—it also lets me see others’ stats, traits, and certain item info.”
She paused, then spoke.
“So thanks to that eye trait, you can see information about others, their trait details, and even item information instantly?”
I added that when I killed monsters, very rarely a glow appeared on their corpses, and touching it absorbed a random trait.
Evelyn clicked her tongue in astonishment.
“Wow… when you put it all together, that’s an insanely powerful trait. Not that I can say much, since I have equally strong traits.”
Not just one, but multiple traits?
“Oh, can you see my info now? Don’t worry, I won’t mind. Want to try?”
Evelyn pressed me eagerly.
“Usually, people are uncomfortable with others seeing their stats or traits. Aren’t you?”
I finished speaking, and Evelyn scoffed.
“Hmph. Who do you think I am?”
“Evelyn? My master?”
“⋯Who am I?”
⋯She wants a more elaborate answer.
“The highest-ranked 27th-floor deep adventurer, Grandmaster of the Silver Cross Knight Order, and my true master, the unparalleled beauty swordswoman Evelyn!”
“Pfft! Anyway, enough flattery. Let’s do this, alright?”
“Yes!”
If I hadn’t played along, I might have gotten scolded.
Evelyn tried to lighten the mood.
“Anyway, I’m your master, but first I’m a deep adventurer. Let anyone see if they want. Even if everyone in the world knows my information, hardly anyone would dare attack.”
She poked my nose with her finger.
“And why are you considered an outsider? You’ll be my disciple from now on. I also know you’re hiding something. Do you know how I survived this far?”
[Chaos frowns, noting her perceptiveness.]
“But I understand. You fell naked into the labyrinth. Of course, you’re confused and don’t know many things.”
She laughed, wrapping an arm around my shoulder.
“For now, I’m satisfied that you’ve revealed a major secret. When you open up more later, tell me then.”
⋯Master.
She released her arm as if the atmosphere was too awkward.
“Now! Let’s talk about this sword’s information as you see it.”
I described the Barrak’s name and details.
“And I happen to have a trait obtained from the monster that dropped this unique weapon. It gives strong lightning resistance, and I have a trait related to lightning as well…”
────
[Purple Lightning (C)] [A]
A trait absorbed from the Purple Kikero.
To control the destructive lightning of this human-mutant, a price must be paid.
Can grow through consistent use.
─ Without strong lightning resistance, using the trait deals lightning damage to the user and inflicts a shock status.
─ By focusing magic, can use the skill ‘Lightning.’ Causes headaches proportional to skill scale.
─ Can use ‘Lightning Step’ once per day. Stacks reset at midnight.
────
I realized that when absorbing traits via divine power, it seems somewhat tailored to me.
‘When I absorbed a low-level concealment trait from a goblin archer, the description was too short to notice.’
Unfortunately, I didn’t inherit lightning resistance, so I couldn’t dodge electrification or survive the lightning bursts that almost killed me.
“Alright, this trait isn’t a simple ‘can control lightning’ like a high-level trait. Grade C? What are its derived skills?”
“Grade C. Skills are Lightning, which requires focus, and Lightning Step, usable once per day.”
Evelyn thought for a moment and spoke.
“Let’s try Lightning first. Since it causes headaches based on scale, we need to find a balance suitable for combat. Start with the weakest!”
“Okay.”
I gripped the sword with my right hand to gain lightning resistance.
[Strong lightning resistance applied.]
[Health decreased by one level.]
‘Lightning.’
As I muttered the skill, I instinctively designated where and how strong to strike, and how much focus was needed.
Start weak.
Crack─
Boom.
“Ugh.”
“Are you okay?”
“Yes. I used it at the weakest, but my head still aches.”
“Hmm, now the strongest!”
The strongest, targeted far away… Focus!
Crack. Crack─
Kraang─!
⋯
⋯
“Aren, Aren! Are you conscious?”
Her voice brought me back.
Sitting up, I felt a delayed throbbing in my head.
‘Ugh.’
A ringing in the back of my head pierced like static.
‘Was I lying down? I tried the strongest and just collapsed?’
I clutched my head. She said:
“Try the other one when your body recovers. Lightning Step can only be used once per day, so no rush. Drink potions and rest first.”
I drank a potion and looked ahead.
The designated area was completely devastated.
Purple traces remained on the ground, sparking.
“The recoil is intense for a C-grade skill. Now that I have a feel for it, I’ll get used to using it in combat.”
My head still throbbed, and she wanted me to continue? Ugh.
“Ughh!”
I spent the whole day enduring the headache with potions, finally finding the right balance.
The next day, still holding my throbbing head, I arrived at the training ground. Evelyn greeted me with a smile.
“Arlen, you’re here! Ready? It’s finally time to learn swordsmanship.”
Finally, the training was in its final stage!
Clenching my fists to calm my excited heart, Evelyn gestured.
“Turn around. I’ll show you how to infuse magic into your sword.”
Turn around? Infuse magic?
She wasn’t just guiding sword posture or explaining moves.
“You look curious. I think I know what you’re thinking. I’m different from others.”
She clicked her tongue and continued, swinging her arms.
“Most teachers focus on posture correction and explaining what each move means. But… hmm.”
Isn’t that how most swordsmanship is taught?
“Even if some expert might do it differently, my method is better than most amateurs. Turn around. I’ll teach you magic control and train you in combat.”
I turned, and she placed her hands on my back.
“Focus. I’ll channel some magic through the sword along the path of Explosive Swordsmanship.”
Explosive Swordsmanship?
“This is a dangerous skill. Mismanaging magic could burst your blood vessels, and overuse can cause irreversible body damage.”
Magic flowed from her hands into my back.
“First, the basic path. The foundation is crucial, so memorize it.”
Closing my eyes, her magic swirled throughout my body.
Violent and intense, yet flowing along precise paths at controlled speeds.
“Next, when you need to twist the path mid-swing, use this secondary route.”
“Ugh!”
Magic coursed explosively through my shoulders and arms, then returned to normal.
“Finally, the Explosive Blood technique. I’ll let you feel it briefly, then revert immediately, so hang on tight.”
Crack.
“───!”
It felt like my blood reversed flow. My insides twisted painfully, yet immense power surged.
“Stop.”
“Cough.”
Her hands left my back, and I vomited a large amount of blood.
I’m going to die. Never use that again.
A system message appeared before my eyes.
[Skill ‘Evelyn-style Explosive Swordsmanship’ acquired.]
────
[Evelyn-style Explosive Swordsmanship] [A]
Swordsmanship devised by deep adventurer Evelyn, originally specialized for greatswords, now adapted for any weapon for the user.
─ Can channel magic along fixed paths to enhance attacks. Doing so rapidly reduces sword durability.
─ Can forcibly alter path mid-attack by exploding magic internally. Puts great strain on the body.
─ Skill ‘Explosive Blood’ usable. Overuse may be fatal.
────
“You got the skill safely?”
“Yes. But, uh… I hope I never have to use Explosive Blood.”
Evelyn scratched her cheek.
“I just wanted you to experience it. Having secret moves is always good.”
So basically, only use it when facing death.
“Of course, extremely dangerous. Don’t use it unless your life is at risk. Now, let’s move from theory to practice!”
Since there were no wooden swords, I asked:
“Are we really using real swords for practice?”
“Yes. I’ll use a supply iron sword, you use that Barrak sword. Put everything you’ve got into it.”
I hesitated, and Evelyn laughed.
“You don’t think you can touch me, right? Don’t dream. Give it your all!”
Of course, I couldn’t harm her even if I wanted.
Still, I couldn’t just stand there.
“Then I’ll go first, rookie!”
I charged at her, starting the final training.
“You’ve done well. Now go to the Adventurer’s Guild. Training is over!”
Day 14. All the training was finally complete.