Continuous Surprises (1)
Harcon had said it.
"You must walk the path of the sword."
But that was just empty talk from someone who didn't know better.
Innate magical talent so profound he could mimic most spells just by seeing them once. And physical potential that rivaled it.
Middle school chuunibyou. It was the setup for Grandfell, who had crammed in every appealing trait from that era's sensibilities.
To abandon even one would be a criminal waste of talent. Not that there was ever room to give anything up...!
'Digging one well deep wouldn't cut it.'
It was all because of that love-hate class, Demon Hunter.
As mentioned, outside of hunting demons, it was like missing not just one screw, but a whole handful. The ambiguous performance forced equally ambiguous stat allocations. A vicious cycle, repeating endlessly.
'But.'
The drawback of having no outstanding strengths.
That drawback.
I would turn it into the advantage of having no weaknesses.
That was the grand goal I had set.
Especially since I had Grandfell's talents at my disposal.
And that was why I chose this opponent.
⊳ Level:300
Level 300. Among monsters respawning in the Yusra Kingdom, it wasn't particularly strong.
But my level was a mere 226.
Considering the level gap, taking it down solo was next to impossible.
'And Natural Enemy hasn't even triggered.'
Above all, I was in my screw-loose state right now.
Even so, why choose this beast? Simple pride.
"That arrogant temperament of yours is no different from a cat's."
It had bared its fangs first.
With this personality, I couldn't just let it slide.
I calmly straightened my attire.
"Regrettably, I despise cats."
Clink!─!
I drew my training sword. The blade was dull as it was for practice, but as a rare item, its attack power held up against same-level swords. Plus, I had sword aura.
Hummm─!
A sense of unity with the blade. I slowly drew up my sword aura.
......Damn it.
The moment faint light rimmed the sword, my stamina drained away.
But my stance didn't waver.
"For a tail held so high, you're surprisingly meek."
Grrrrowl─!
Did beasts understand insults too? The Silver Mane Leopard roared fiercely.
Yet it didn't charge recklessly.
Probably thanks to this flawless stance with no openings.
"However, I have no leisure to wait until you lower your tail."
More precisely, no stamina...!
If it wouldn't come, I'd have to go to it. But I didn't budge an inch.
'Know your place—that's one thing I do well.'
No matter how much sword aura I'd awakened.
I couldn't beat it with swordsmanship alone.
If Natural Enemy had triggered, maybe.
'The stats make it obvious.'
The two stats swordsmanship relied on: Strength and Agility.
Having dumped all level-up points into Magic, even with class quest gains, my raw numbers lagged behind same-level swordsmen classes.
'Move rashly, and it'd counterattack.'
It might snap my neck in an instant. That's what a 74-level gap meant.
But.
'That's why I went through all that hellish training. Me!'
As said, I had no intention of digging one well.
Krunch─!
Instant magic manifestation. Possible because the interference target was 'stone.'
No need for scouting effort—I was familiar with Yusra Kingdom stones.
Kyaa, kyarr─?
Surging stone pillars. The panicked beast twisted this way and that.
So it hadn't noticed.
"You should have listened when I spoke nicely."
How the distance between us was closing.
I maintained my stance, refining my sword aura.
'End it quickly.'
I wasn't in a position to play around. Mana consumption made it clear.
With Natural Enemy active, I could've summoned dozens of pillars effortlessly.
'......I'm still so far off.'
In this screw-loose state, even a few pillars visibly depleted my mana.
Tem boosts were crucial again. Without the Six-Pointed Brooch, I'd be fretting mana exhaustion already.
Hummm─
The leopard, pushed toward me by the pillars. I regulated my breath, raising my sword.
That breath and step mimicked Harcon's. No openings.
Slash─!
Too late when it realized.
Kyaaak─!!
Diagonal slash. The moment the faint sword aura-clad blade met fur.
The sensation at my fingertips.
"!"
No illusion.
The sword was truly vibrating.
Harcon's words echoed in my mind.
"On the battlefield where life and death clash, sword aura thickens further, taking on its unique hue. From now on, learn in real combat."
I somewhat understood why he'd said that.
I recognized the source of that faint tremor.
'......The sword aura is growing.'
Thanks to Grandfell's talent, no doubt.
The moment I realized it.
Thud─!
The leopard rolled across the ground......
What the hell.
......Did it just die?
I replayed the fight, unable to believe my eyes.
'Summoned pillars to lure it.'
But no direct damage from them. That would've negated drawing the sword.
Just one sword aura slash on the lured beast.
And it collapsed with a thud......!
'Even so.'
No matter how ultimate sword aura was.
Was this even possible? My Strength plus Agility totaled a measly 70.
But reality proved it, as a message appeared.
......At this point, I couldn't help but harbor expectations again.
That grand goal—maybe it was feasible?
But my expression held no joy.
As if this was only natural.
I checked the loot.
◈ Restriction: None
◈ Effect: None
◈ Description: Looks like fur, but its essence is pure silver. Not immensely valuable as silver alone, but skillful use might yield great worth.
Pure silver, huh. As the description said, potentially useful depending on application.
But nothing caught my eye right now.
Having witnessed a far more precious possibility than mere loot.
'Still, it's undoubtedly a tough path.'
Tremble─ My hands shook like palsy. Aftereffect of emitting sword aura.
'Yet I have no choice but to walk it.'
It was the only path to avoid sinking into pride.
Plus, I'd confirmed its feasibility firsthand?
'Sword aura grows on the battlefield of life and death......'
Even now, a whopping 74-level gap. Every fight for me was a life-or-death battlefield.
'Perhaps......?'
I might reach that goal faster than expected?
The thought lasted only a moment.
Then I brazenly opened my mouth.
"Not bad as a warm-up."
Yes, someday this bravado would become reality.
Scary if anyone heard. Seriously.
*
Shadow Mercenary Corps.
One of Arcana Continent's top three mercenary groups.
But now summoned to the adventurers' world.
What use was past glory turned to mere legend?
"Urgh─!"
Shadow Mercenary leader Kichi stretched.
"Still, this place has a bit of a hometown vibe."
She unbound her hair, overcome with nostalgia.
Her long black hair fluttered in the wind.
"Who'd have thought? For real."
The legendary treasure isle, Yusra Archipelago!
Top of the Shadow Mercenaries' eternal request list—and now found in the adventurers' world.
Kichi brushed back her hair with a smile.
"Tch, gotta collect that fee."
Of course, a joke.
Mercenaries had to be rumor-sensitive.
Even more so in the adventurers' world.
Kichi had grasped the truth of Yusra Archipelago. No, Yusra Kingdom.
"So it was an ancient kingdom, huh?"
And it had reemerged with its king.
Shadow Mercenaries heard unbelievable rumors and requests as leader.
But this was top-tier news.
So she'd brought the whole corps.
"Where'd they all go, these guys?"
Elite few, Shadow Mercenaries. Barely ten total.
Still, scattering immediately upon arrival? Too much!
In the end, leader Kichi bore the hardship.
She bit her lower lip.
"......Not used to this."
Why seek Yusra Kingdom? Simple.
Kichi planned to make it their base.
Not like on Arcana Continent, of course.
'Things are different now.'
They'd taken any request back then. Bases were temporary, discardable.
But summoned to the adventurers' world.
No more living like that.
"New start!"
No cleaner fresh start either.
Business, debts, grudges! All chains left on Arcana.
Though secret funds stayed behind too...
"......Anyway, new start!"
Yusra Kingdom, ancient realm just rebuilding.
Kichi brimmed with grand dreams.
Shadow Mercenaries, founding heroes of Yusra!
Clean money to spend freely!
Her eyes gleamed gold.
"......Not used to it, but gotta try."
She'd meet Yusra's king.
Confident in her skills.
Sure, Lion Heart Knights were rivals.
"Let's get along, fellow countrymen."
Shadow Mercenaries had standards.
No grudges with Lion Hearts or the royals.
No reason for hostility, right?
Adventurers were around, but.
"Nah, not real competition~"
Maybe far in the future.
For now, adventurers posed no threat...
That was her thought until moments ago.
"......What the hell?!"
Suddenly, Kichi's big eyes narrowed.
......Hallucination, right?
Cooped in dense buildings, now seeing hometown scenery—eyes must be playing tricks.
But squinting closer confirmed it.
Faint light from the sword.
Definitely sword aura.
Kichi was genuinely shocked.
'......An adventurer?!'
An adventurer emitting sword aura.
Had to retract her words!
To confirm, she approached cautiously.
'Don't get too close.'
If sword aura user, senses would be razor-sharp.
Might detect her stealth.
Creep─ Kichi held her breath, sneaking nearer.
And witnessed.
An even more unbelievable sight...!
"!"
Definite sword aura.
But those pillars rising from the ground—what?!
'That's magic, no matter how you look!'
Emitting sword aura while manifesting that level of magic?
An adventurer?!
"Not bad as a warm-up."
And not even full power.
Her squad wouldn't believe her ranting.
But this was reality before her eyes.
Plus, Kichi noticed.
'......The sword aura noticeably thickened.'
That absurd growth rate.
It sparked alarm in Kichi.
She eyed the adventurer, the man.
'What the hell is he?'
Skill like that—his name would be known on Arcana too.
No such adventurer in her knowledge.
'......Good thing we came quick.'
Judgment to rush Yusra was right.
A bit later, and this popped-up adventurer might snag founding hero spot!
Kichi hurried her steps.
"Faster!"
For brilliant new start.
For honest work and lavish spending.
Shadow Mercenaries would pledge loyalty to Yusra.
Racing to the Golden Palace to declare it.
"......Whoever you are, never meet again."
The mere thought of that adventurer made her shiver.
Unaware that under that adventurer—Hoyeol—the Shadow Mercenaries' future lay...
*
Sword aura aftereffects.
My drained body wouldn't recover easily.
Utterly spent, like my very essence sapped.
......Really didn't want to leave bed.
"No such thing as leave in the Mage Tower, huh."
But this body, slave to decorum and etiquette.
Wouldn't break promises.
Upon arriving at Mage Tower, straight to the Floating Garden.
Floating Garden.
Mage Tower's sole social venue. Matched its name with splendid exterior.
Unreal scenery too. Flowers and grass overly beautiful.
I savored it with my Aesthetics sense.
But.
One figure sorely offended.
Like inked black only there. A middle-aged man clashing with vibrant garden.
I intuited: Senior black mage, Matis Din Karl.
Approaching, his attire stood out more.
Especially the rings on ten fingers.
Each a magic tool, no doubt.
'Gems look pricey.'
I sat facing him.
Meant to cut to chase.
Especially with urge to eject eyesore Matis from garden surging.
Aesthetics this exhausting.
"?"
Then.
Gem in Matis's ring rippled.
In an instant, turning blacker than pitch—alien black.
I hid my startle.
Intimidation tactic?
But no.
Matis looked more shocked than me.
Staring at discolored gem, he muttered.
"This resonance......what?"
......Resonance?
What now?
Whatever, I calmly pressed.
"Senior Mage, Matis Din Karl."
"......?"
"Is that ring related to our appointment?"
Clink─ Sipping tea, I added.
"Answer wisely."