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Episode 93

A week later. As the preliminary rounds of the qualifiers had concluded and there was a brief break before the main event, I received a call from Riley.

– Among the 20 intruding Hunters, we have successfully captured 19, just as you said.

‘One is…’

– Do you want me to inform you?

‘No, I can guess. It would be best to have everything ready for our visit with the Master tomorrow.’

– Understood.

With that, the call with Riley ended abruptly. I hadn’t even had a chance to help. Even though I had never seen them fight, I knew they were incredibly strong.

After all, it had been proven that Riley could withstand countless incoming Hunters for months, even under guerilla warfare conditions.

No matter how hard the Magic Books tried, it wouldn’t inflict significant damage to a C-rank or higher Hunter, making Riley’s resilience in such circumstances all the more impressive.

‘It’s embarrassing to have chatted with Riley like this…’

Regardless of the situation, it was satisfying to finally have an environment where I could fully focus on the swordsmanship and the match. The puppy the kids named Momo would be taken care of by Yuri for a while, and as I had mentioned earlier, the matters regarding the archives had been wrapped up.

Now, the negotiations for the archives to be treated fairly on Earth would be handled by Riley.

“…Shall we start again?”

As I wiped away the cooled sweat with a towel nearby, Yeon-woo muttered softly.

‘When one stops taking steps forward, that is when a person dies.’

I recalled someone answering my question about why we had to train so tirelessly with that very statement. Yeon-woo thought that statement was indeed true.

This world is dangerous. It’s still perilous now, and it feels like it’s only getting more perilous, as if riding an escalator that keeps ascending.

In places out of sight, the Gates continue to explode, spilling whatever is contained inside into the outside world.

Exploding again and again. Each explosion transforms into an ecosystem that is entirely different from the one already known. A world inhabited by unknown living beings merges with the environment of Earth.

The environment of Earth will naturally adapt to such a transformed world. However, just because Earth adapts doesn’t mean that humanity can adapt to that world.

It is the immune response of Earth to eliminate humanity.

It’s no wonder the Gates are called joke-worthy names; the difference in levels between the Gates a hundred years ago and today is enormous.

Knowing how difficult the Gate attacks would become in the future, Yeon-woo did not slack off in his training. In fact, he pushed himself to the point where others would comment on how hard he was working.

“Phew….”

With a deep sigh, Yeon-woo lightly gripped the sword. The Lunar Crescent Blade did not have a defined set of forms. Perhaps this was what made it difficult for someone like Yeon-woo, who lacked talent, to master swordsmanship, but if that was the mentor’s directive, then he had no choice.

What they shared was a mental image. The demonstration of the Lunar Crescent Blade by Yuri was both a sword dance and a sword mist. There were a few facts that could be understood from that.

Firstly, it focused on the mysteries of change and illusion, as it was a dancing sword.

Secondly, the mist-like dispersion of the sword forged its own independent domain, to support the collisions of change and connection with pleasure.

And thirdly, the ultimate point of this swordsmanship was in the realm that was entirely mixed, blending change, illusion, and joy to the point of being nearly unrecognizable.

The third point was not worth discussing; it was a realm beyond what Yeon-woo could touch. However, the first two points were worth contemplating.

His sword, based on the Three Great Sword Techniques, was primarily based on the heavy sword. While it may sound grand, it was saying that he relied heavily on a heavy sword in his wielding.

Thinking back, when he fought against the Named Shadow Warrior, Kai, it was clear. Instead of pressing the attack, Yeon-woo had been looking for a chance to counterattack from the defense. In the end, he had barely landed a hit on Kai’s body fewer than ten times. Despite the level difference, that was a pathetically low number.

The same happened during his duel with Darius. Yeon-woo was preoccupied with blocking the dual daggers of Darius, which contained the mysteries of change and illusion. Practically, the only effective strike he landed was the last blow.

When thinking back on it, although he had won, the score didn’t add up considering how many times he had been stabbed — dozens, if not hundreds.

However, during fights with special monsters like Heukdong Ogong or the Frost Alligator, it was exactly because he had wielded the heavy sword that he could land meaningful strikes.

Even though he preferred fighting small monsters of human size rather than giant beasts, it meant that the sword he wielded was effective against large creatures.

In that regard, the mysteries of change, illusion, and pleasure that the Lunar Crescent Blade possessed perfectly pointed out the deficiencies in Yeon-woo’s swordsmanship. Yuri must have deliberately developed the sword technique to guide him to that realization.

‘Anyway…’

The fact that there was no set form for the sword technique may make it more difficult, but for Yeon-woo, it was actually a stroke of luck.

Compensating for his shortcomings with various means and quick thinking at crucial moments had always been his specialty since before his regression, and it was the style he had chosen.

*

“Yeah, there’s no need to worry. Everything is fine.”

– But Yeon-woo hasn’t called…!

“The child is busy too. When one’s head is filled with too many things, it’s easy to overlook what’s around, you know.”

While petting Momo, the small yellow dog in her arms, Yuri was having a peaceful conversation.

The caller was Claire Wigdry, a nun.

She was the one who had caused the Sword of the Shield, Aurum, the strongest symbol of the Grand Duchy of Wigdra, to be stolen, and due to fear of pursuing it, she had instead created the founding sword, Arkym, and was also the guardian of Yeon-woo, her former ward.

Strictly speaking, it would be better to say she was his former guardian, as he was already at the age to leave the orphanage. However, Yuri merely smiled, knowing that arguing over such details would be a nuisance.

– Although I’m relieved to hear he’s working hard… so what’s Yeon-woo planning to do?

“Hmm? Planning to do? What do you mean?”

– His fighting style, you know, the fighting style! You were worried about it last time I visited!

“Ah, the fighting style… I suppose it’s alright to say something about it. The original owner is not the type to worry about such things. But brace yourself for something shocking.”

– What on earth is it that will shock me so much…!? Huh, huh, huh… I’m ready!

Hearing Claire’s exaggerated intake of breath made Yuri wonder where on earth she had aged, considering she should be many years older than herself, yet acted like a child.

“Claire, how much do you know about the current sword masters?”

– All of a sudden? To be honest, I don’t know that much. It’s been a long time since I held a sword.

“Looks like a secluded life suits you well. Let me briefly explain just the ones whose names are known.”

– I know that the Seven Swords includes Yuri!

Yes, yes, very impressive.

With a nonchalant response, Yuri cleared her throat and composed her voice. It was completely natural that Yuri, who loved swords so much, would be serious when discussing the names of sword masters.

“First Sword, Blacksmith Pilar. You probably know him well. He’s a dwarf sword master. It feels a bit strange to see a dwarf wield a sword, and yet he’s reached the level of sword master. There was quite a ruckus even in Alkeion.”

– Yes, I know well. I’ve even faced him in a duel. I got irritated when people kept asking who was stronger, the dwarf sword master or the elven swordsman.

“What was the outcome?”

– Huh? There’s no way I would lose to a short, bearded fellow. What are you talking about?

“No wonder you stopped bashing elves at some point. The characteristic of him is that despite being a dwarf, he exclusively handles swords. He’s the Grand Smith of the Great Mountain Kingdom, Baaldarden.”

Yuri had a decent relationship with Pilar, a swordsman who exclusively delved into swords, and the blacksmith who introduced one of Yeon-woo’s potential blacksmiths was also Pilar’s disciple.

Though knowing that fact would likely come as a surprise, it was none of Yuri’s concern.

“The Seven Swords include me, and the Sixth Sword is Wave Sword Gilbert. A young fellow fixated on speed. He’s beyond fast, surpassing extreme speed to ultra-extreme speed. He only loves to handle swords purely, yet this guy will not hesitate to use tools in honing his skills.”

– I don’t know if it’s appropriate to say, but I hope it’s not the fighting style Yeon-woo chose.

“Fortunately, it wasn’t. He’s a bit crazy about speed, but he’s still a remarkable individual. Even the old man acknowledges his signature strike.”

– Hmmm, if Yuri says that much, I’d like to witness it at least.

Despite having a wandering spirit, if he was lucky, he might run into him.

Yuri raised her teacup lightly to quench her thirst. As her hand fell away from petting Momo, the dog began to whimper.

‘Gosh, you really love attention…’

– Huh? Yuri, are you raising a dog?

“The child of your dear son asked me to take care of it. They said it was a stray dog from the back mountain, worried it might get caught in the rainy season.”

– Oh, our Yeon-woo is so kind-hearted…!

Wasn’t that reaction exactly the same as how Shar responded? It was bizarre to think that traits could be inherited despite not being blood relatives.

“This sword is a rather unique one among the sword masters. The All-Sword, Tia Levine. A few years back, there was a commotion about a weapon master appearing. Have you heard of it?”

– Ah, I think I’ve heard that name before. A genius who wouldn’t be out of place even with all the names of the stars, right?

“Yep, that’s the one. She has innate talent, handling not just swords, but all kinds of weapons. Perhaps that’s why, although she handles swords, it feels like she’s also using other weapons.”

In Yuri’s personal opinion, if Yeon-woo were to choose a fighting style, it might very well be modeled after Tia Levine’s. There were times when it seemed like he was using a spear while wielding a sword.

– Oh my. If you’re saying that, it seems like Yeon-woo will be basing it on a different style!

“Isn’t that a rather funny thing?”

Once, the omniscient Gnimnir claimed that the top three were rankings of strength and that the other seven were beings who had established their domains distinctly.

Tia Levine was a genius. She had shattered a rock with the very first sword she picked up, made a hole in steel with the first spear she grabbed, and even won a wager against an elite sniper she had faced using a magical gun.

Despite her seemingly boundless potential, there was an irremovable barrier she was stuck in, and she was labeled as the ‘One Sword’. Not ‘First Sword’, but ‘One Sword’.

So then, who was the ‘One Sword’?

“Ahh, One Sword, No-Sword Ray. I can hardly explain anything about this child. It feels as if, while wielding a sword, they are swinging their fists instead. There’s neither righteousness nor form, yet you cannot grasp their vigor.”

– …Wait, are you saying this about Ray?

“Indeed, even I, who has seen countless swords, could not recognize their sword style. Only after seeing them three more times was I able to understand. Their fighting style adapts to every situation, and if sanity prevails, it’s apparent they won’t survive long enough to achieve greatness.”

– That’s… ah…? Wait a moment. Are you saying…?

“Exactly, the fighting style Yeon-woo chose was Ray’s. The unique battle of a groundbreaking genius, unprecedented in history, has been chosen by the most unfortunate talent-less individual.”

But here’s the punchline, do you know what it is?

“It all somehow blends together beautifully.”

(To be continued in the next episode)

 

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