I held my breath and closed my eyes, trying to get rid of the chaotic thoughts in my head. Before my eyes, or rather, in the simulation space I imagined in my head there was only the target in front of me and I was clutching the sword in my hand. I remained in that state for a long time and then took a deep breath in my chest. In another interval, my brain felt like an electric current ran through me, making me realize that the right moment had come. I immediately opened my eyes, everything was perfect with the simulation drawn in my head. I do a stomping motion, directing my center of gravity forward and rushing forward. I swung my sword at the wooden post in a right-to-left direction decisively. The moment the blade was about to hit the wooden pole, the Armento in my left hand holding my sword emitted a mysterious purple hue, adding wind elemental power to the attack that turned my attack into a whirlwind blade. My sword slashed through the wooden pole leaving a slash and a strong vibration of the wind sword skill. But not stopping there, I used my right foot that had just landed on the ground to stomp down, creating together with my hand a force to launch the second sword from left to right as powerful as the first slash. As soon as I finished the second sword move, I used my legs to jump, at the same time holding my sword with both hands and jumping into the air, doing a flip and slashing down. The third sword move in this sword skill is a finishing blow with the whole body's center of gravity. Armento supported me, causing my sword to tear through the wind, crashing down on the wooden post with great force. The wooden pole was already old, so it couldn't withstand the blow and broke in two and flew into the air. So I finished using this triple sword skill. I looked at the person sitting nearby with pride.
- "It's good, but it's still not perfect kid" - The person said
After listening, I felt quite disappointed.
- "But your movements are accurate, the force is also strong...." - I immediately said
The old man with messy silver hair and stubble sitting over there is Silver, a good adventurer. I've been in Shogen village for almost a year but I've never seen such a brave person drop by here. Uncle Silver came to the village a few days ago and stayed for a few weeks to recover from his leg injury after a large-scale demonic subjugation a few weeks ago. With his bravery and experience, he quickly discovered my Armento and Amano. Silver is especially interested in the Armento in my left hand and the wind skill Souken that I have been training for over a year.
- "Skilling with many knowledge always needs a high degree of connection and good feeling, this you already have. However, you are too indecisive, the sword path always has to carry a desire and harmony" - Uncle Silver explain it to me
I didn't really understand what he was saying when I heard that, it's true that first-class adventurers have a different mindset. Uncle Silver looked at me sympathetically and must have known I wasn't taking in anything. He scratched his head for a while and said
- "How should I put this? Hmm... you should need a good partner rather than a mass market to get the necessary connection" - He pointed to my old sword
This sword Amano raised me a year ago and I still use it to this day, it has been through countless training sessions with me. It also looked old, with many chipping marks all over the body of the sword. I think it's time to change to another sword before it breaks.
- "What's wrong kid? Come with me to Rivery town to buy a new sword? I'll help you choose" - Uncle Silver suggested
I've been here long enough to know that Rivery is the closest thing to a big town, perhaps a day's walk away. After a year of hard work and savings, I also had a relatively large amount of money in my pocket. But I still hesitate to leave this Shogen village for a day without warning.
"Thanks to you, we will go together tomorrow. I need to inform the people in the village that I will be absent the next day"- I replied.
I left Uncle Silver reading my Souken Swordsmanship book, and walked back to the village. When I was a short distance away, I heard Uncle Silver's voice mutter behind me:
"One year to master this sword technique is impossible...."
I came to the main road that I have walked countless times in the past year, the road here now is not too strange for me. Heading straight for the scouts' garrison, I knocked on the door. An old man opened the door and asked me what I needed. After recognizing me, he immediately knew who I was looking for.
-"Skyle? Did you come over to my place, what's wrong?" - Amano came out from inside and asked me
"It's nothing important, I just wanted to let you know that I won't be in the village for the next two days at most" - I told him the reason I wanted to see him.
-"I guess you're going to town again? This time to buy groceries for the inn?
In the past year, I have also visited Rivery town many times to buy necessary items for my room , maybe this time Amano also thought that I left the village because of that.
"No, this time I'm going with Uncle Silver to choose a new sword" - I answered honestly
The next second immediately startled me. When Amano heard Uncle Silver's name, his face turned strange, he looked more restless and insecure. As if he didn't want me to notice the change, he went back to normal right after that.
- "Um, I also think you should get a new sword" - Amano replied with a smile
- "That's it, I'll go" - I quickly excused myself
A year here made me realize that Amano is sometimes quite strange in the way he behaves with the people in the village. He is always friendly with me, Miina and the children but is always cold and keeps his distance from the rest. I've always wondered about this too, but never said it. When I turned my back to leave, suddenly Amano put his hand on my shoulder
- "Hey Skyle, if you don't mind, I'll come with you tomorrow, okay? Anyway, I have the day off" - Amano asked me with his usual friendliness.
- "Really? There's nothing better with you" - I replied
I think Amano will have no problem following along, after all he is a reliable person and knows the geography around here. If there's only one thing that worries me in this conversation, it's Amano's strange expression when I mention Uncle Silver.
"That's it, I haven't been to town for a long time, so I also want to buy something" - Amano said excitedly.
- "We'll be on our way tomorrow morning" - I reminded Amano
I left the scouting station, there was still one more place I had to visit. I walked on the stone road in the village near my inn and then right through a cheap intersection nearby. Approaching a store with a large sign, I entered. When Mrs. Rita saw me, she was surprised and asked:
- "Skyle? Remember I finished my shift today? Or do you want to find Miina?
This laundromat has created quite a few jobs for me in recent years, a shop run by mother and daughter, Mrs. Rita and her friend Miina. I'm here to ask for permission to take the next two days off from work. Before I could say anything to Mrs. Rita, a familiar voice I heard every day for a year now
"Well, Skyle coming here now must have nefarious intentions, we should kick him out" - Miina said jokingly.
Being used to Miina's sarcastic attitude, I ignored it. I told Mrs. Rita:
"I want to take the next two days off to go to town."
Hearing that, Miina waved me away as if she meant it would be better if I just disappeared. When Mrs. Rita heard that, she thought for a moment, then looked at Miina and said:
- "There won't be too much work tomorrow anyway, my shop needs to buy some things..."
When Miina heard that, she was startled as if she had guessed what Rita would say next
"Then Miina, by the way tomorrow, you can go to town with Skyle to buy some of the things listed here" - Mrs. Rita said and handed Miina a piece of paper.
Miina, who sounded like lightning in her ears, looked at me warily. Seeing that look, I also felt confused.
"It's safer for you to go alone than to go with that guy with a face like he wants to increase the population" - Miina said with exasperation.
Hearing those words, I also felt offended. The people in the village, listening to Miina say such things will damage my honor - I thought bitterly.
- "Well... there's also Amano and Silver adventurer with us" - I tried to save
- "That's fine" - Miina said with satisfaction
Honestly, I never thought that Miina would agree so easily, actually, I didn't have to worry too much about Miina. She is a very powerful spear user, many training sessions with her always end with me being beaten to death.
After telling Miina about the departure time, I returned to my inn. During the turbulent times when the evil god was constantly pouring out his hatred on the earth, everywhere I went, I met monsters that were the crystallization of hatred, so I had to prepare well.
I prepared a medium-sized backpack containing the necessities and the money I had saved up. A few healing potions will probably be needed in case of injury (But I hope there won't be any need for that). Prepare a pair of adventurer gloves, specialized shoes for hiking. Finally I checked the condition of the old sword, sheathed it.
It's a bit late for dinner, but I've decided to dine at "The Cat on the Lawn". I was just turning the doorknob about to go out when suddenly there was a knock on the door. I was surprised for a moment but slowly opened the door.
- "Hi kid, I'm planning to discuss tomorrow's plan with you" - Uncle Silver appeared from behind the door
- "Have you had dinner yet? Would you like to have dinner with me?" - I asked Uncle Silver
I lead the way for Uncle Silver, we walked on the stone path in the middle of the village, every now and then Uncle Silver would say a few words makes me feel awkward too
- "Well, this village doesn't have an entertainment area at night?" - Uncle Silver said in a half-whispered voice
- "Amusement area... what?" - I asked with hesitation
"That nightlife area, that's the place where adventurers in the big towns still visit at night to find pleasure" - Uncle Silver said in a loud voice that made me feel dizzy.
Noticing my awkward expression, Uncle Silver was quite amused and began to say more things as if he wanted to do things that still cloud the mind of a young man like me.
- "The first time I went to the entertainment area was 7 years ago, it was a busy area in the capital. They call it the red light district, it's not wrong, it can make people feel enchanted"
"Please forgive me" - I gritted my teeth and thought to myself. Uncle Silver pretended not to know that I was annoyed by that story, he continued to talk nonstop:
- "A prostitute dragged me into the room and started taking off her clothes, she was too beautiful for me to refuse"
"Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaa" - I yelled in my head
- "Come to think of it, she has black hair and red eyes like you. Skyle. After spending a night doing all kinds of things in heaven and on earth, I almost fell over after receiving the bill."
Uncle Silver started to think he was joking so he quickly ended with a sentence
"You'd better not be a promiscuous guy like me, just find yourself a suitable girl," he said with a pained voice that's rare in this man.
What remained of that evening between Uncle Silver and I was the grilled chicken he craved and the excitement of tomorrow's trip.
....
I did not know at that time, this is my last day in Shogen village and also the last day of my peaceful days ending to open up an endless journey. The turning point was imminent.
Before a storm, the air is usually still.
That morning, the 4 of us stood in front of the village gate, walking freely without seeing what lay ahead.