Episode 120: People of the Swordsman Family (3)
Late at night, close to midnight.
I am looking through the dictionary of magic. As Abel said, the territory of the Nibelungs is outside the communication zone.
That’s why the research is somewhat crude, but I also prefer these types of paper books.
== ==
undead
[noun]
1. A demon that has been resurrected from a corpse. The danger level per individual is D-class, which makes it weak, but when a group is formed… … (omitted)… … .
== ==
“…hmm.”
Even though I squinted my eyes and scanned the area, I couldn’t find any information about ‘Draug’.
I was wondering if there was any corner that could provide a clue… … .
I muttered bitterly.
“If the information had been written down in advance, they would have been suppressed long ago.”
That’s fortunate. However, this is a journey to subdue an S-class demon that is equivalent to a natural disaster. This situation without even the minimum safety measures is extremely frustrating.
Even if you look back on your memories from when you were a user, there is very little data on Draugr. In fact, it is almost as if there is none.
This is because the Undead Dungeon is not very related to the main story.
Even during the game era, Draugr was not only not a necessary target for subjugation, but was also considered extremely difficult to defeat.
The only thing I know is that they command an immortal army. They say that the number of undead increases as time passes.
They say that the army, which started out as a dozen or so, grew to several thousand in less than an hour.
The community likened the overwhelming amount of water to a tsunami.
In addition, even if you kill those walking corpses by tearing them apart, Draugr will revive them using his magic spell ‘Ssaj’.
Immortal. It matches the meaning of the word ‘undead’, which means not dying.
Even if they are the lowest-level demons, the undead, if there are thousands or tens of thousands of them, their death is certain.
There was no way to do business in front of Dagul. It was already vulnerable to quantity wars… … There were too many hurdles to overcome.
‘You must cut off the head of the draugr before the three are called.’
The subjugation battle is likely to be a battle against time. Furthermore, I have to decide the outcome within 50 seconds due to [Protection of the Sword God].
It will be a pressing war of attrition that goes beyond urgency.
Of course, the party consists of Abel, a descendant of the Sword Saint, and senior hero Shail. If they help, we can be free from the time battle.
‘but…….’
I shook my head. Abel’s purpose is to take care of his parents’ livelihood.
This is Abel’s wish that he had been hoping for for 10 years. I cannot allow her purpose to be tainted because of me.
And if I may be being curious, Draug is definitely a S-class demon.
Now that we don’t know the truth about the Undead Dungeon, it’s a place that’s been left without any staff.
It’s a good thing it wasn’t revealed that Draugr was sealed.
Originally, it would have been impossible for children like us to even approach it.
“… In some ways, it could be as dangerous as Agora.”
I suddenly recalled that time. The feeling I had when I killed the 5th Corps Commander Agor.
My body moved on its own, contrary to my head that had become a blank sheet of paper. However, it was not under the control of any entity. It was clear that the movements were entirely my own.
‘With the power I had back then, I could have dealt with Draugr without a problem.’
A moment of regret came over me. But, I immediately shook my head.
I’ve been losing my humanity rapidly lately. Looking back, I think that’s when it all started.
As a result, the assimilation rate has skyrocketed.
chin.
I closed the bookshelf and opened the status window.
“First of all, it seems like there are no major variables in the top three levels.”
The physical and mental level stats, excluding weapons, will steadily increase. The weapon’s level will also increase along with the ‘special ability’ granted if you obtain magic stones.
So, I looked into the most important thing, the fairy tale rate.
Paat!
== ==
[NEW! Unlocked by satisfying the 25% fairy tale unlock condition.]
[As the assimilation rate increases, it is now possible to obtain fragments of 【???】’s memories.]
[※Additional rewards are also given each time a piece is recovered. Total number of acquisitions (0/7)※]
×××
☆Education rate: (24.7 ► 29.1) %
▷ The line of 【???】 (2►3) is read.
▷ Detects 【???】’s voice weakly by +(2).
→[When the assimilation rate reaches 35%, the following unlock conditions are met.]
== ==
Of course, the part that needs to be looked at carefully here is.
‘As the assimilation rate increases, it is now possible to obtain fragments of 【???】’s memories.’
“Following the lines and the voice, there is memory… … .”
This lends weight to the speculation that 【???】 is some kind of will or life.
And that phrase, a fragment of memory.
If you break it down, it can be interpreted as a fragment of memory. There are 7 in total. It is still difficult to know how to obtain them.
A new goal, or rather a quest, has been presented.
That sentence may be the clearest clue to [The Protection of the Sword God].
“… But the problem is, I don’t know the conditions.”
If you imagine it, will the fairy tale rate rise automatically? If so, that would be the easiest, but I don’t think that’s the case.
The word ‘acquisition’ is even written there. It’s obvious that there will be something additional.
This system has never given me anything for free before.
Fortunately, it gives additional rewards when obtained… but the method is annoying.
“Tsk.”
I clicked my tongue briefly and got out of the chair. Then I sat down, leaning against the windowsill.
I looked up at the night sky. The mountain range was covered in frost that hadn’t melted for ten thousand years. The dawn of the full moon was splendid as it looked down.
A surreal landscape that even felt mysterious. It was a single painting with bright yellow paint spilled on a pitch-black canvas.
“There’s a reason Switzerland is famous for its natural scenery.”
While I was blankly staring, I suddenly heard a boom- boom- sound. I lowered my gaze and looked around.
The source of the sound was Abel.
She was swinging her sword against the backdrop of a picturesque landscape.
Abel grips the sword handle tightly and swings the sword upward.
A posture so close to perfection that it’s hard to find any sharp edges.
Her shoulders shake and the sword comes down.
⎯⎯Bung.
The sound of iron cutting through the night air.
The sound bounced off the trees and mountains, creating echoes.
It is a smooth swordplay with no unnecessary details to be found.
“… Wow, as expected.”
I couldn’t help but exclaim in admiration.
Although the results are different, I am also a swordsman. I can estimate the level of Abel’s swordsmanship.
Extraordinary talent, and effort that goes far beyond that.
As a fellow cadet and inspector, there is an ideal that I can emulate.
But somehow her eyebrows were raised so nicely.
Abel sighed, grabbed my shoulder, and spun me around.
⎯My shoulders are still too tense… … .
Abel then takes up his stance again, holding the hilt of his sword.
⎯But tomorrow is an important day. I don’t want to be a nuisance to the people who are going with me. Especially to that guy, Kang Geum-ma… … . Let’s do it exactly two hundred more times!
… Abel’s performance continued.
Raise and lower the sword. Repeat the same motion.
It’s past midnight. I’m probably the only one watching.
⎯⎯Boo-woong.
He doesn’t show any tricks. No one compliments him.
Even the slightest mess is immediately reflected upon and polished.
I watched the process for a long time, then muttered to myself quietly.
“I wonder why I feel this way too.”
I turned my back on the moonlit night, encouraging myself inwardly.
In case this gaze bothers her.
I hear repeated sounds from behind.
⎯⎯Bung.
The air is swept briskly.
⎯⎯Bung.
The blade skims through the night wind.
⎯⎯Bung.
Abel wields his sword again today.
* * *
The next day, in front of the castle gate of Castle Sigurd.
“Grandpa, we’ll be back.”
“Yes, Abel. Come back more grown, and take care of yourself.”
Before departure, the inspector sees us off.
‘The inspector is more calm than I thought.’
The swordsman gives Abel various advice. He looks at his granddaughter with a bright smile. It was an unexpected reaction, even though he had felt it a few days ago.
‘…Is it because it’s a D-class dungeon, regardless of the intention?’
It’s hard to read his mind, but he’s so indifferent that it’s less of a burden for me to accompany him.
… If he knew that Draugr was sealed deep in the dungeon, he wouldn’t be able to do that.
If the inspector had noticed that, he would have torn up the resignation letter on the spot.
As I was watching with my arms crossed, Shayle came up next to me. She said.
“Why does the Lord look more nervous than us?”
“…yes?”
Shail said something completely opposite to what I thought.
As a look of confusion appeared on my face, Shail smiled faintly.
“Your Majesty, when your emotions rise, you suppress them. When something big happens, you pretend like nothing happened and treat it as if it’s nothing serious.”
“Is there a reason you are doing that?”
“I cannot fathom the lord’s great intentions, but perhaps it is consideration for the people around him?”
“Be considerate… … .”
“You’re hurt now, but there’s no one stronger than you, Master. But if you’re worried about something, how much do you think the people around you will take it?”
“…ah.”
I nodded. Shail, who had finished speaking, responded with a soft smile.
Eventually, the conversation between the inspector and Abel ended. We each loaded our luggage into the trunk.
The schedule is roughly like this.
First, we go to Geneva Station in a car driven by Shail.
From there, you cross the Horn Alps by train. The mountain roads are so rugged that traveling by car is impossible.
Of course, Shail raised the flag that it was possible, but it was rejected.
Outdoor riding is no longer a luxury.
So, three hours by train. We arrive in the French city of Lyon, stay for one night, and enter the dungeon tomorrow.
As I was about to leave after putting all my luggage in, the inspector called me.
“Student Kang Geum-ma.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
The inspector looked straight at me. Unlike Abel, his eyes were firm.
He put his hand on my shoulder and said,
“I believe you.”
Just three letters without any prefixes.
With those words, the inspector took two steps back.
Shail bowed to the inspector.
“Even though I am lacking, I will do my best to assist you and your maid.”
“I always owe you a favor, Shail.”
And so the greetings came to an end.
We closed the car door. The inspector and Caron waved through the back window.
-Boooooo.
The car immediately sped off, belching out exhaust noise.
* * *
Castle Sigurd, where three young men left.
Only the sword master and Charon stand in front of the castle.
The rear of the vehicle quickly disappeared from sight. The inspector who was watching quietly muttered.
“Shaile’s driving is still tough.”
Charon listened, covering his forehead.
“… When I get back, I’ll give you a sharp lesson.”
The inspector shook his head and laughed heartily.
“Let it be. It’s been accident-free so far. And thanks to Shail’s driving, we’ve saved time.”
“If you say so… … .”
“Anyway, that part is fine.”
The laughter of the swordsman stopped. He looked at Charon with calm eyes.
“The kids are gone, so we adults should also take off our shoes and go out. Are you ready, Caron?”
Caron averted his gaze.
“I have already made the preparations.”
“Then let’s leave right away.”
“… I, Your Majesty.”
“What?”
Caron opened his mouth with difficulty, feeling embarrassed.
“But I still think it feels a bit too urgent. Visiting the association all of a sudden… … .”
“Changseong came to invite me. So shouldn’t I accept?”
“However, there is a high probability that a visit at this point will be received unfavorably by the Association.”
In deep concern, the inspector only tilted his head.
“You know that. In this world, you have to give back what you receive.”
“It could easily escalate into violence.”
The holy eyebrows rose in the shape of the number eight. The sword master harshly dismissed it.
“They’ve started investigating the Ganggeomma. As the guardian, I need to give a warning.”
“… … .”
“I’m not saying we’re okay with it. We, as adults, need to resolve any issues that might be a hindrance to Kanggeomma. That boy is still too young. His reach is unclear.”
The swordsman’s voice was as cold as ice.
Caron knows that it is impossible to turn back such an unyielding attitude. A determined swordsman has never slackened on a task.
Soon, Caron sighed and nodded.
“All right.”
“Don’t worry. You and I are going together, so why worry about fighting?”
“… I have been away from the field for over 20 years.”
“Hahaha, you bastard. When someone who achieved the Warrior rank at the age of twenty-five says that, it doesn’t sound like a joke.”
Charon’s glasses sparkled in the sunlight.
“I still get goosebumps when I hear your nickname.”
The inspector added with a raised lip.
“Charon, the Rakshasa.”
“… … .”
“It’s been a while since I’ve received your support.”
