Chapter 96
Chapter 96
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 96
Chapter Title: [Abyssal Miner] Could This Actually Work?
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Gray hair and a shabby robe.
At a glance, he looked like a kindly aged, handsome old man.
But those thick pectorals, the abs pulled taut inward, and the tightness of his hamstrings bulging even through his clothes.
This old-timer had a body far superior to mine, honed by years of training and traits.
Compared to him, my own muscled frame felt a bit scrawny.
'Sword Saint Asina Pendragon.'
A human standing at the pinnacle of this world's power.
The mentor to the original protagonist, Kyle.
I'd binged [Abyssal Miner] multiple times just to see Luna's cleavage—there's no way I wouldn't recognize him.
'But why is he here already?'
According to the original story, he wasn't supposed to become Kyle's master until a bit later.
Not the exact timing, but around when Kyle was clearing the 3rd floor?
He'd retired and gone searching for a village to settle in, didn't like it, backtracked, and passed through Lumina Mining Village again—a place he'd already visited once.
Then he spotted Kyle by chance and popped out of nowhere.
[What a waste of talent!]
That's how he took Kyle as his disciple in the original plot.
But right now, Kyle was still crawling around the 2nd floor, recovering from the beating he took recently.
So why had this old geezer suddenly appeared in front of me?
'Butterfly effect from my meddling?'
Even if that was it, I couldn't pinpoint the cause.
What had I changed from the original since arriving?
Taking down Viper's gang.
Snatching Kyle's later 3rd-floor opportunity early.
Helping Erika.
Saving old man Hans and Lisa.
Stopping Kyle's event where he gets nursed by Luna after his beating.
Beating up those red scorpions or whatever that weren't supposed to be there and normalizing Fire Stone distribution.
'That's it.'
No matter how I racked my brain, none of that seemed connected to why this Sword Saint, who should be in another village, was here.
I was truly stumped.
'Wait a sec...!'
Then, after ages, my genius brain kicked into gear, and a flash of insight hit me.
I think I knew why he'd shown up.
Just passing by? No way in hell.
He had a purpose, and that purpose was right next to me: Erika.
In the original, he'd taken Kyle as a disciple because of his talent.
But who was shining with even greater talent than the original at this point?
'Erika.'
I wasn't an expert in swordsmanship, but Erika was growing faster than in the original thanks to my help.
So it wouldn't be strange if the Sword Saint had taken a liking to her.
He must've seen her swordplay by chance, thought she had potential, and approached with a gleam in his eye.
'Jackpot.'
The Sword Saint becoming Erika's master?
That'd turn her from a simple bus driver into an astronaut.
Erika slicing through mine monsters after one-on-one lessons from the Sword Saint, while I leisurely looted items and mined ore from behind.
We'd blast through floors faster, snag those rare ores I'd aimed for, and accelerate our growth.
The perfect pillar husband setup... no, the pinnacle of party play.
I'd lean porter-ish, but long-term, our growth would skyrocket.
'Perfect.'
The stronger Erika got, the more benefits came back to her boyfriend—me.
The foundation of my harem construction would solidify.
"Ehehehe..."
A laugh slipped out before I knew it.
Yeah, old man. Good timing.
Train our Erika hard and turn her into a national-level swordmaster.
I'll cheer her on from the sidelines like a pro.
'Did he read my mind or something?'
Suddenly, the Sword Saint furrowed his brow slightly and took a step back.
"...Young man, that look in your eyes is quite unsettling."
"Ah, sorry. You just look so cool, sir."
I hastily schooled my expression and buttered him up first.
This guy had eyes like a hawk—I had to be careful.
I couldn't let on that I knew his identity yet.
A lowly rural miner recognizing that face would be suspicious as hell.
"You said you were just passing through, right, sir? Judging by the sword at your waist, you're an adventurer...? Any chance you're thinking of imparting some wisdom?"
I subtly pushed Erika forward as I spoke.
'Feast your eyes on this raw gem.'
The talent lump you're seeking is right here.
Not that punk Kyle—make my girlfriend your disciple.
"My girlfriend has some talent with the sword. I've been coaching her, but her learning speed is so quick, it's rewarding."
"L-Lee Jun! What are you saying all of a sudden...? I'm still sorely lacking."
"No need to be modest. Honestly, you're way better than me."
I had no clue, but it was probably true.
"That's only because you've been helping me..."
But then.
"Hm, yes. That girl—not bad. Good sword too."
The Sword Saint gave Erika a quick once-over and nodded indifferently.
And that was it.
'Huh?'
Why the lukewarm reaction?
He might not rate [Hakuna Kirimaru] since it was gear-dependent, and the original didn't hype it much.
But this was the guy who'd drooled over Kyle just swinging his sword—why so cool toward Erika?
'No way...'
Doesn't take female disciples or some boomer mindset?
In the original, he only formally taught Kyle, occasionally tossing advice to Erika on the side.
Was that why?
'Kinda makes sense?'
Not because Erika's hot and it's awkward or anything.
Back in the day, he was so handsome that nobles and even an emperor's daughter proposed like crazy.
As I floundered, the Sword Saint's gaze shifted from Erika to me.
And that look—it was unnervingly intense, like he was licking me over with his eyes.
'What? Why's he staring at me?'
Just as my mood soured, he spoke.
"You, that lump of metal. Isn't it heavy?"
"Heavy as hell. Over 200kg."
"So you've been swinging that thing around like a brute?"
"Brute? This is prime manly training, packed with romance."
"Romance... heh heh."
He chuckled, shoulders shaking with mirth.
What was so funny?
"Quite the amusing fellow."
Then he strode up and grabbed my forearm out of nowhere.
'Fuck, startled me.'
Ghostly movement—I only noticed after he'd gripped me.
I instinctively tried to yank free, but his vise-like hand, like an industrial press, wouldn't budge.
My strength stat had risen from steady training, yet this?
Magic? No signs of it.
'What the hell.'
I knew his body was better, but this strong?
His feats in the original seemed like magic-enhanced physicals.
Nope—pure muscle power was insane.
The old man stayed spry for a reason.
"Truly peculiar."
He kneaded my forearm, mumbling, then—without permission—pumped his mana into me.
In a wuxia novel, this'd be casus belli for murder, guilt-free.
Mess with that mana inside, and I might explode.
'Not that I can do shit.'
What could I do against someone this superior?
After probing with his mana, he withdrew it, released my arm, and...
"Sir, uh... not there..."
Started groping my thigh.
"Hold still. Let me check closer."
"..."
"Solid. Really solid."
I got what he was doing, but it bordered on harassment—I wanted to report him.
Was weakness a crime?
"Your mana circuits are wide open, but the flow's poor. Like they were forcibly widened with elixirs. Yet the muscle quality's excellent."
"...Is that a compliment?"
"A compliment, lad—a big one. At your age, having mana circuits that open and muscle density like that? Not easy. Either blessed by fortune, innate, or both."
My body was strengthened in various ways.
Natural from Steel Body's density and skeletal changes, post-awakening grind and training muscles, mana absorbed killing mine monsters.
But stats boosted by elixirs like Abyss Fragment, Spirit Flower, Abyssal Serpent Heart, Divine Pill: Wind Nourishing Pill.
Spirit Flower opened my circuits; Abyssal Serpent Heart boosted mana affinity and expanded them.
Spot on.
'Freaky old man.'
I couldn't help but click my tongue in admiration.
"What's your name, lad?"
"Lee Jun. D-rank miner."
"Lee Jun. Lee Jun..."
The Sword Saint mulled my name.
Then he tossed out an unexpected offer.
"Mind swinging that thing at me once?"
"Pardon? Swing it?"
"At me. Hit me with that brute-iron hunk."
"...Have you lost it, old man?"
My true thoughts slipped out.
I knew he was like this, but the sudden dive was disorienting.
Erika looked shocked too.
"Lee Jun, this grandpa... seems off. Let's just go."
She tugged my clothes and whispered.
Normal reaction.
"Nah, it'll be fine. Doesn't seem like a bad guy."
I whispered back.
But I knew.
This old man wasn't crazy—just indulging his quirks.
Too strong too young, zero social skills.
Lived by his whims; no one could stop him.
Impressive he'd mellowed with age.
'Said the same to Kyle.'
Swing once.
Kyle refused to attack an elder, so he pushed till near-death, saying he'd attack until Kyle did.
'A test? Why me?'
The question arose, but I shelved it.
Disappointing he ignored Erika, but if I caught his eye, crumbs might fall my way.
Not a disciple, but basic sword tips or form correction would help immensely.
World's top swordsman, after all.
"You sure you're okay with this? Looks ain't lying—this thing's no joke. A graze and you won't walk straight."
I feigned concern while regripping my Heavy Iron Demon-Slaying Sword.
No risk—he wouldn't die even at full power.
"Don't worry. This old body's dodge game is solid."
His smug grin with hands behind back made me want to wipe it off.
"Full power okay?"
"What? Pfft. Go for it."
"Then, no holding back."
Quick chat and rest had fully recovered my stamina via Blessing of the Earth.
Peak condition.
First, I pulled mana from my circuits, maxing body reinforcement.
Heart pounding like war drums, all physicals boosted.
Then Mana Coating on the sword, spread thin via recent practice.
Not full wrap—focus on the striking surface.
Blade usual, but blunt, so edge area.
Shit next to sword aura, but mini-version maybe.
"Hoo..."
Sword Saint hummed approvingly.
Infuriating.
I kicked off, unleashing my drilled moves.
'Overhead smash!'
This sword's weight made it prime; most efficient attack.
Simple, devastating power.
'A high-held sword ain't for slashing—it's for smashing, crushing, rending.'
Whoosh—!
First full mana draw—blazing speed toward his crown.
'He'll dodge, right?'
Or at least parry.
But then.
Tick.
All momentum vanished, like the sword lost power—absurdly anticlimactic stop.
He'd blocked my Heavy Iron Demon-Slaying Sword with one upright finger.
Eh?
Huh?
"...?"
This make sense?
Sword Saint or not, flesh and blood.
No mana.
One finger stopping my full-power strike, effortless?
"Strength's solid. Shame it's just brute force."
Tsk-tsk, then flicked his finger.
That light gesture overpowered my reinforced grip—I dropped the sword.
It flew, smashing a lung through a wall; recoil sent me staggering to regain balance.
Palms throbbed, hands shaking.
Sword Saint stood nonchalant, untouched, yet...
His presence crushed the space.
Thud.
Knees buckled; I knelt.
'This... is Sword Saint Asina Pendragon...'
The old man unchanged, no major injury.
Only my mindset shifted.
Finally realized: I thought I knew him from manga panels, limited framing.
The gap to reality was this vast?
"Lee Jun!"
Erika blocked my front.
Hand on Hakuna Kirimaru's hilt, draw-ready, shouting.
"Who the hell are you? What did you do to Lee Jun...!"
"Whoa, easy, miss. Just a bit of fun."
"Fun? Fun?"
"Erika, stop."
I halted her drawing with murderous eyes.
Let loose, she'd swing; he matches intent against serious foes.
No kill, but months bedridden.
"Lee Jun? But! That guy hurt you."
"Nah, he told me to attack, then blocked. See? Not a scratch. Just startled. Fine, right?"
I stood, showed hands to reassure.
Shock gone, steady.
No visible wounds, but she checked me anyway.
"You're really okay."
"Yeah. More importantly, sir—not your average joe."
"Just a passerby old man."
Bullshit.
"Sorry about that. Your strength surprised me; got carried away."
Mouth apologized, eyes gleeful—not sorry.
"Anyway, lad—that sword? Wrong way."
"Huh?"
"Pushing with force only—you can't control recoil. Use the weight, don't fight it."
Sudden coaching.
I wanted tips, but this pivot from convo flow?
"C'mon, once more. No mana."
He approached; Erika growled like angry Nyarly beside.
FYI, angry Nyarly's scary.
Anyway, Sword Saint ignored her, adjusted my form.
I fetched the sword, assumed position as directed.
"No, not like that. Move this part like so."
"Like this?"
"No. Relax shoulders, twist waist..."
Pat waist, nudge legs with foot, grab elbow for angle, explained.
Vague with Kyle; super patient with me.
I pique his interest?
"Yes, spread feet more. Exhale... now!"
Swing on cue.
Whoosh—!
Air-slicing whoosh utterly different.
Space itself screamed, tearing.
"Oh..."
Awe slipped out.
What the—this old man.
Just tweaks, feel transformed.
Thought he only taught prodigies like Kyle; handles normies fine too.
One guided swing, proficiency skyrocketed, near-cap grade rose.
"Feel different?"
"...Insane."
"Heh heh. I swung a blade decently in my day."
More than decent—you ruled the continent.
His face lit with satisfaction.
Normally, I'd never ask, but his interest suggested maybe...
After hesitation, I spoke.
"Uh, sir..."
"Yes, lad?"
"If it's not too rude... would you take me as your disciple?"
"What? Be my disciple?"
His eyes narrowed, displeased?
'Ah, fuck.'
Wrong move?
Like original, talent not enough—no dice?
In panic that this chance might never return, I started babbling whatever came to mind.