Chapter 102

“What... do you mean by that?”

The future? Where had that come from...?

Woojin tried to remain calm at the unexpected question, but he could hardly steady his trembling voice.

“Every sword art embodies its creator’s insights. The swordsmanship of the Sea King’s family that you used was born from the sea’s ever-changing nature.”

SHING.

Aswell raised his sword and lightly slashed the air.

SHAAANG!!

The blade cut through the air with a piercing whistle.

“And my sword art, Seven Kills, was created solely for fighting human opponents, from insights gained over many years of combat between knights.”

Aswell looked at Woojin.

“But your sword art...?”

A chill ran through Woojin as Aswell’s gaze sharpened.

“I have heard rumors of a Black Dragon appearing in Thorn Bach recently... But before that, even catching a glimpse of a dragon was nearly impossible.”

Woojin swallowed. He immediately understood what Aswell was getting at.

Dragon Heaven, the sword art he had learned.

Raoul had created it from the insights he gained after hunting a dragon.

“I have never seen a dragon in my entire life, yet your master appears to have hunted one?”

Just as Woojin had thought. Aswell seemed to have seen through to the very essence of his sword art.

‘He really is... the Sword Emperor.’

That aside, he was also amazed that an NPC was even capable of suspicion. Once again, Woojin appreciated just how remarkable [Evil Tale]’s artificial intelligence was.

‘I never imagined anyone would figure it out this way...’

Aswell was not wrong. At a point in time when not a single dragon had been hunted, a sword art like Dragon Heaven could not exist.

‘And he’s right that it’s a sword art from the future.’

“Can you explain?”

Aswell watched him with the keen eyes of a predator. If Woojin failed to give a proper answer here, winning the Sword Emperor’s favor would be impossible.

“You truly are the Sword Emperor.”

But Woojin, too, had anticipated a situation like this. He had wondered about it ever since first learning Dragon Heaven from [Raoul’s Dragon-Slaying Sword].

Here, fifty years earlier, Raoul would be no more than a novice adventurer. Using a sword art he had created conflicted with the flow of time.

‘But if there were a problem with the sword or its sword art, the administrators would have come to confiscate the item long ago.’

The fact that they had not meant there was no problem with the sword as far as the system was concerned.

‘In that case, I just need to give this NPC a plausible account.’

Despite the taut tension, Woojin gave a faint smile instead.

“...?”

His composure brought a puzzled look to Aswell’s face.

“As you say, this sword art was born to fight dragons. However, it was still incomplete when my master passed it on to me.”

Woojin continued.

“As you just mentioned, a Black Dragon appeared in Thorn Bach. Thanks to that, I became able to use a small part of this unfinished sword art.”

“You don’t mean...?”

“Yes. The Outlander who fought the Black Dragon. That was me.”

“...!!”

Aswell could not hide his surprise.

“But because of my shortcomings, the sword art remains incomplete.”

“And your master...?”

“Sadly... he is no longer in this world.”

‘Sorry for declaring you dead when you’re still alive, Raoul...’

To Woojin, the Raoul inside the game and the Raoul of the other world were different people.

“If you fought the Black Dragon... that would explain the dragon’s presence I sensed in your sword.”

Fortunately, Aswell seemed to accept Woojin’s account.

“My apologies. Dragon Heaven, was it? The sword art was so splendid that I could not help taking an interest.”

“It’s quite all right.”

“Still, not only did you conquer unexplored territory, you are also the hero of Thorn Bach... Karlan has brought home someone remarkable.”

Aswell offered a hand to Woojin, who was still on the ground, and helped him to his feet.

“To think I would see two such exceptional sword arts... I feel you have broadened my own horizons.”

[Aswell Balan has gained a new perspective on swordsmanship.]

[Aswell Balan’s swordsmanship proficiency increases by one stage.]

‘He still has room to grow?’

Reading the notifications, Woojin could not help marveling at Aswell.

“I do not think I can teach you my sword art.”

[You have failed the quest.]

[Quest Name: Sparring with the Sword Emperor]

▶ Sparring Duration: 45 seconds.

The notifications sounded the moment Aswell finished speaking.

‘Ah...’

It had felt like several minutes, but apparently only forty-five seconds had passed. Disappointed though he was, Woojin decided to accept the outcome.

“Instead, come to the training grounds starting tomorrow.”

“... Pardon?”

“You said it was an unfinished sword art, did you not? I do not know how much help I can be, but why don’t we study it together?”

[You have discovered a hidden quest.]

[Quest Name: Training with the Sword Emperor]

▶ Rank: S

▶ The Sword Emperor has taken an interest in the sword art you used while sparring. Complete part of the unfinished sword art through training with the Sword Emperor.

▶ Required Training Time: 3 days

‘...!!!’

Woojin’s eyes widened at the unexpected quest.

‘I had no idea how I was going to upgrade my swordsmanship skill... and now it leads into this.’

“It would be an honor.”

There was no reason to refuse this quest.

“I, too, would like to see the completed sword art.”

Aswell looked pleased.

“Liliana. See that he is given a room. House Balan will receive him as a guest. All knights are to treat him with courtesy.”

“Yes, sir!”

At his command, the knights on the training grounds raised their swords in unison and shouted their acknowledgment.

“Just as I thought.”

Karlan looked satisfied with the outcome of the sparring.

“I will see you here at six in the morning.”

“Understood.”

“As for the training hours... since it is your first day, we will keep it to just twelve hours.”

“... Pardon?”

Woojin stared blankly at Aswell, who had said this as though it were nothing.

▶ Required Training Time: 3 days

‘... Now I see why it’s S-rank.’

Looking at the time listed in the quest window, Woojin gave a wry smile.

* * *

A curious rumor began circulating in the Kingdom of Tekan.

“I hear the Sword Emperor has taken a new disciple?”

“No, hasn’t he hired a new swordsmanship teacher for young Master Karlan? That’s what I heard.”

“Nonsense! With all those master swordsmen there, why would they hire a teacher?”

Merchants gathered in the village square whispered among themselves.

“I have a friend who delivers food supplies to the manor, you know. According to him, the Sword Emperor teaches the fellow swordsmanship all day long.”

“All day? Goodness... Whoever he is, I envy him.”

“You can say that again. Training with the Sword Emperor... You couldn’t ask for better luck.”

“Hah...! Hah...!!”

Whatever the people in the square might think, Woojin was currently experiencing nothing short of a living hell.

His heart felt ready to burst. How many minutes had he been swinging his sword?

He stole a glance at the clock mounted above the training grounds.

THWACK!!!

At that very moment, a sword struck his abdomen.

“... Gah!!”

His breath caught, and he doubled over.

“Letting your attention wander while sparring with me? How bold of you.”

“... I feel like I’m dying.”

“This much will not kill you.”

“Ha ha.”

Seemingly too drained even to answer, Woojin lay facedown on the ground and laughed hollowly.

“Do not be impatient.”

“But... it’s already the third day, and I don’t seem to have made any real progress.”

Woojin had been swinging his sword on the training grounds for more than twelve grueling hours a day. The training was so harsh that it hardly felt like a game.

Had he started with a casual attitude, he would probably have fled at once.

‘Then again... if that had been my attitude, Aswell probably wouldn’t have made the offer in the first place.’

Grueling though the process was, it had not been fruitless.

[Trait: Intermediate Sword Mastery]

▶ Attack Power increases by 15% when using a sword.

▶ Critical Hit Chance increases by 10% when using a sword.

▶ Swordsmanship skill Attack Power increases by 20% when using a sword.

Through his training with Aswell, Sword Mastery had reached the intermediate level.

But that was not enough to satisfy him. The sword art upgrade he ultimately wanted still had not happened.

“Ten minutes.”

“... Pardon?”

Had Aswell sensed his impatience? Pausing to catch his breath, he spoke to Woojin.

“How long did you last when you first sparred with me? Not even a minute. But now you can exchange blows with me for ten minutes.”

“That’s because you’ve been going easy on me, Sword Emperor. You haven’t used a sword art since the first day.”

“Boy, do you think I could not subdue you even without using a sword art?”

Aswell chuckled.

“It is proof of how much you have grown. Not in strength or agility, but in your eye for swordsmanship.”

WHOOSH!!

Aswell slashed his sword.

SWISH! SWISH!!!

His blade changed direction at right angles in midair, creating countless afterimages.

“...!!”

In an instant, Aswell thrust his sword at Woojin. Dozens of afterimages descended on him at once.

BOOM!!!!

With an explosive roar, Woojin was driven backward.

“Argh?!”

“Before, you would not even have been able to distinguish the real blade among the afterimages.”

“Are you trying to kill me?”

“I did it because I believed you would not die.”

“Ha... ha ha.”

Woojin laughed at his answer.

“There is no need to worry just because you have not gained a new insight into the deeper principles during our training.”

Aswell lowered his sword as he spoke.

‘But the quest has a three-day time limit.’

Unable to say much of anything to Aswell, who could not possibly know about that condition, Woojin merely nodded.

“The reason I set the training period at three days is that I am leaving the estate tonight.”

“Where are you going?”

“There is something I have been investigating for a long time. Recently, I found a rather promising lead.”

Aswell’s eyes gleamed.

“Have you heard of Fenrir?”

“...!!”

Woojin’s eyes also widened as he looked at him.

“You mean one of the seven great mystical beasts?”

“Indeed. Not long ago, I discovered what appears to be Fenrir’s den. I intend to go and investigate it.”

“Will it be a long journey?”

“No. We overlook what is right under our noses. Surprisingly, it was not very far from the Kingdom of Tekan.”

He lightly patted Woojin’s shoulder.

“It is less than a day away. Stay here and continue your training while I am gone.”

[“He said there was still a secret technique my grandfather developed while hunting Fenrir.”]

At that moment, Woojin recalled what Irurin had told him.

‘Fenrir’s den is where the Sword Emperor took his swordsmanship to the next level.’

Less than a day away.

And today was the final day of the quest.

‘Could it be...?’

At that moment, something flashed through Woojin’s mind.

‘That’s the place.’

The place where he could advance his sword art.