*Huff Huff*
"Gaaghh."
I could feel the pain in my legs, throbbing like a normal beating heart. So far, I've only travelled for only 5 kilometers.
I decided to take a rest somewhere. I was looking around when suddenly there was a loud growl in the thick forest.
I looked behind and there was a giant shadow.
Is it going to eat me? Is it a tiger?
Those questions circled through my head. Even though I knew, I had very little chance on running away, or putting up a fight. My legs were at its limit.
*Growl*
I clenched my jaw, whatever this giant creature is, it's better to act like I'm dead. Like how people would confront a bear.
I stood, stone-still. Although it lasted for only 15 minutes, there was a loud sound of trudge, I flinched and closed my eyes.
Suddenly, there was a deep voice coming out behind me.
"Who are you?"
I turned around to only see a man, with a giant sword about 3 to 4 feet long attached to his back from a rope tied around his chest, his brown shaggy hair, square-shaped eyes, and his body filled with basic armory.
"Who are you?" His voice got deeper, indicating his threatening intent.
"I'm just a passerby…" I raised my hands.
His eyes narrowed, as if he didn't believe every word I just said.
"You do know this area is closed off right?" he touched the scabbard of his sword very slowly, trying not to get any attention on what he's going to do.
"I didn't find a single warning sir, also, there was a man that passed through here."
"I was his contemporary bodyguard." He released his grip from the scabbard and crossed his arms.
"You escorted him?"
"Yes."
There was silence between us, but it was soon interrupted when the wolf behind the man growled. I forgot about the wolf.
"Don't worry. He's my pet, also my companion, there's no need o be on such defensive state."
"I see." I released my guard and sighed. I am relieved.
"If you'd like…" I looked at him with my eyebrows raised, "…I would be able to escort you to where you were going. I would not leave someone behind with these thin, ragged clothes."
Even this guy said it was a bit filthy.
"I appreciate the thought, but I intend to go through the Daunf mountain alone."
If I would agree, it would probably need some money to pay back, also, if I do end up lying to him, he would definitely kill me.
"Are you sure?"
His words took me into a halt. Sure, there would be a payment for this escort but If I travel alone through here, filled with monsters and beasts, I will have a hard pass.
"It seems that you're getting to what I am saying."
What should I do? I have no money to pay his escort, and I do not intend to die here either. I must think fast.
"Then, I accept your proposal, in return, I have to work with you until I want to leave."
----------------------------------------UNKNOWN ABYSS------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------The beginning (3)-------------------------------------------------
In the end, both of us agreed. It seemed to turn out well. I was planning to have some experience as a beast slayer. Then I would have earned money if I worked with him to escort some noble people.
We walked together with his companion inside the forest, towards the Daunf Mountain.
"So, here are a few things you should know before working with me."
I looked at him as he starts scanning the whole surrounding. "This is good." He placed his sword down near the tree, let's first discuss your attributes."
Attributes? Is there some kind of system in this world, that is the same as famous in countless comics that I read?
"What do you mean?"
"What do you think? I'm asking your specialties and weaknesses, idiot."
"…"
I was kind of hurt by the words he said to me.
"Well, to be honest, I don't know anything about myself, in fact, I don't even know my own name." It's because it isn't my real body anyway.
"What?"
"What?"
We stared awkwardly at each other for a long period of time.
"How am I supposed to teach you about killing monsters when you don't even know anything about yourself?" He looked really annoyed.
"Well, I do have a perfect physique body, and the only thing I'm good at, is fighting."
He was silent as I said those words.
"Hmm, all you said does match with your body, but I have to ask…"
I looked at him with suspicious eyes. "…why're you wearing those ragged clothes?" I knew it.
"I was homeless, that's all." I scratched my head, and we went silent.
"…" he took his sword from the ground while having a faint-annoyed expression in his face.
"What? You're disappointed that's it?"
"No…" he took out his blade and tossed the scabbard away. "What're you going to do…?" I used my arms to guard my chest.
He waved his arms against his back, looking like it was about to torn off. He released his circular motion and sliced the air opposing his blade as he swung his sword.
I couldn't see it, it was like as fast as how sound goes, although not nearly fast enough as the speed of light, I could hardly see his attack.
There was a vwoosh, then a BAAM!
The wind scattered around his blade, wooshing around the forest where we were. I was relieved that I was alive, if I've been hit by that just now, I could've been dead.
I looked down his blade, the ground was torn off. His breath was stable, making his attack the most least effort he has done.
"You understand that don't you?"
He looked up and took his sword by the strength of his arms without looking at it.
"Understand what?" I asked, still frozen by the swing.
"The speed and the collision of force imbued through the ground."
"…"
I knew that he was gonna lecture me and teach me more about being a slayer. But, right now, it looked like he was just showing of his strength.
"Talking about weight and speed, the takes up a toll on your body because of your huge sword." I glanced at him, and he laughed it off.
"I knew that from the beginning, but what's more impressive is that you realized that in a short amount of time. Weight and speed are the opposing factors of my sword, it's up to the holder's decision on what to do on-hand."
"Calculating and understanding the trajectory of your sword takes up to a whole new level of attack, if you would be able to pull that kind of trajectory, you're invincible."
"…!"
Being called invincible is music to my ears, I don't know when but, there was only one time, someone called me that way.
"Stop babbling and teach me how to do that."
"You know it isn't going to be easy but, you'd have to pull up a daily routine from now on. While escorting you towards the Daunf Mountain, I'll try my best to train you at the same time."
"How many days do you think we have?"
"Approximately, 59 days left until you arrive at your location."