Harkon said.
– You have to walk the path of the sword.
But he probably said that because he didn't know anything.
『His innate magical talent is such that he can imitate most magic just by looking. Furthermore, the potential of his body is comparable to that.』
The second year of middle school.
The good thing about the emotions of those days was Grandfel's setting that took and copied everything.
Giving up either one would be a waste of talent.
Of course, I am not in a position to give them up…!
'Only broken well isn't enough.'
Because of the class I loved and hated, demon hunter.
As I said, except for when hunting demons, it had several screws missing.
Because of its ambiguous performance, it was a class that had no choice but to make the stat distribution ambiguous.
It was truly a vicious cycle.
'But.'
The disadvantage of not having anything outstanding.
That shortcoming.
I would turn it into an advantage of having no weakness.
I had set that grand goal.
Most of all, I had Grandfel's talent.
Therefore, I chose this opponent.
[Silver Mane Leopard: Lv.300]
Level 300.
Among the monsters regenerated in the Yusra Kingdom, they were not strong.
But my level was only level 226.
Considering the level difference.
It would be almost impossible for me to knock it down alone.
'Because the Natural Enemy Relationship hasn't been activated.'
Most of all, I was missing some screws.
And yet why do I choose it?
It was simply because of pride.
"Its cheeky personality is no different from that of a cat."
It bared its teeth first.
This personality couldn't just let it pass.
Cooly.
"I'm afraid I hate cats."
Clang–
I pulled out a training sword.
Because it was a training sword, the blade was blunt, but since it was a rare item, its attack power was not inferior to swords of the same level. Besides, I had aura.
Goo–
Feeling united with the sword.
I slowly pulled up my sword.
…Damn it.
As soon as my sword radiated faint light, I lost my physical strength.
However, my posture didn't tremble.
"You're quite docile when you raise your tail."
Grr–!
Perhaps animals could understand curses as well.
The Silver Mane Leopard roared violently.
But it couldn't jump in easily.
Most of all, it was thanks to this posture that showed no gaps.
"However, I can't afford to wait for you to lower your tail."
To be exact, I don't have the physical strength to wait…!
If it didn't come, I had no choice but to go.
However, I didn't move a single step.
'I am good at knowing my place.'
Even if I could radiate aura.
I wouldn't be able to knock it down with my swordsmanship alone.
It might be different if the Natural Enemy Relationship was activated.
'I can tell just by looking at the stats.'
Two stats that affect swordsmanship.
[Strength] and [Agility].
I put all my level-up points into magic.
Even if there were stats raised through class quests, the absolute numbers naturally would lag behind the swordsman classes of the same level.
'The moment I move hastily, I'll get a counterattack.'
It might bite the nape of my neck in an instant.
That's what the 74 level gap was like.
However.
'I know that, that's why I went through that hardship!'
As I said, I had no intention of just using one well.
Crush–!
An immediate manifestation of magic.
It was possible because the object of interference was 'stone'.
It was familiar enough that I didn't have to go through the exploration process.
I was used to the stone of the Yusra Kingdom.
G-Grr–?
A rising pillar of stone.
It was dumbfounded and moved its body around.
That's why it didn't realize.
"I wish you understood when I said something nice."
Gradually.
The fact that the distance between the lion and me was narrowing.
I straightened my sword while maintaining my posture.
'I have to finish it as quickly as possible.'
Now, I was not in a position to relax.
I could tell because of the mana consumption.
When the Natural Enemy Relationship was active, I would still be fine even if I made dozens of stone pillars rise at the same time.
'…I really still have a long way to go.'
As of now, with some screws missing.
Just dealing with a few stone pillars noticeably reduced my mana.
I realized the importance of gears once again.
If it weren't for the brooch, I'd already have to worry about the mana consumption.
Goo–
Shoved up against the rising stone pillar, the leopard came closer.
I caught my breath and raised my sword.
My breathing and stride also mimicked Harkon's behavior.
Therefore, I showed no loophole.
Swoosh–!
By the time the leopard noticed, it was already too late.
Kyaaak–!!
I cut diagonally.
The moment the blade wrapped in a faint aura touched the leopard.
The sensation at my fingertips.
"!"
It wasn't an illusion.
The sword was vibrating.
At the same time, I recalled Harkon's words.
– In the battlefield between life and death, the aura becomes thicker and takes on its own color.
From now on, I had to learn from actual combat.
I understood a little bit why Harkon said that.
The true identity of this little tremor.
I could figure it out.
'…The aura is growing.'
This was also due to Grandfel's talent.
The moment I realized that.
Plop–!
The leopard flopped across the ground…
What.
…No way, is it dead?
I looked back at the battle in disbelief.
'I manifested a pillar of stone to lure it in.'
However, the stone pillar didn't cause direct damage.
There was no way it could do that, so I pulled out the sword.
I only lured it.
And cut it with the sword.
Then it collapsed with a flop…!
'Even if I used aura.'
Even if aura was the pinnacle of swordsmanship.
Does it make sense?
The sum of my strength and agility was only 70.
But as if to prove it was real.
A message appeared.
[Your level has gone up.]
…At this point, I had no choice but to raise my hopes again.
That grand goal, is it feasible?
But there was not a glimmer of joy on my face.
Even this, too, was natural for me.
As if to express this.
I checked the loot I got.
[Pure Silver Mane]
[Grade: Magic]
[Restriction: None]
[Effect: None]
[Description: It looks like fur, but its essence is pure silver. Since it is silver, its absolute value is not great, but depending on its use, it may be recognized for its high value.]
Pure silver.
As shown in the description, it seemed useful depending on the use.
It didn't catch my eye right away.
After all, I had just witnessed a possibility that was more valuable than the loot.
'But it's definitely not an easy road.'
Trembling–
My hands were shaking like a tremor.
It was because of the side effects of radiating aura.
'Nevertheless, I have no choice but to go that way.'
Because it was the only way not to sink into pride.
Besides, haven't I witnessed the feasibility of that?
'Aura grows in the battlefield where life and death come and go…'
Even now, I had a 74 level gap.
For me, every battle was like a life-or-death battle.
'Perhaps…?'
It could come faster than I expected.
Isn't it a goal I might be able to reach?
I thought about it for a while.
I brazenly opened my mouth.
"It wasn't bad for a warm-up opponent."
Yes, one day this bluffing would come true.
I'm afraid that someone might hear it, seriously.
*
Shadow Mercenary Corps.
One of the top three mercenary corps on the Arcana continent.
However, at a time when they got summoned to the world of adventurers.
What's the use of the reputation that had become an old story?
"Done–!"
The leader of the Shadow Mercenary Corps, Kitch stretched out.
"Still, it smells a little like home here."
Tighten–
Loosening the hair that was tied up.
Kitch felt new.
Her long black hair fluttered in the wind.
"Who knew? Really."
The legendary treasure island, the Yusra Islands!
To think that the Treasure Island, which had remained at the top of the shadow mercenary list for generations, was to be found in the world of adventurers.
Kitch brushed up her hair and smiled.
"Hmm, I have to get the commission fee."
Of course, it was a joke.
A mercenary group was bound to be sensitive to rumors.
It was the same in the world of adventurers.
As well as the Yusra Islands.
No, Kitch also grasped the truth about the Yusra Kingdom.
"So it was an ancient kingdom?"
The kingdom reappeared with its king.
As the leader of the Shadow Mercenaries.
Kitchie heard a lot of unbelievable rumors and requests… This was one of the most significant incidents.
That's why all the mercenaries came here.
"But, where did they all go? These guys?"
The small elite group, Shadow Mercenary Corps.
Even if she said all of them came here, there were only ten of them.
However, they scattered as soon as they arrived, weren't they too much?
In the end, Kitch, the leader, was the one who suffered.
She bit her lower lip.
"…I'm not used to this."
Why did Kitch visit the Yusra Kingdom?
It was simple.
Kitch planned to make the Yusra Kingdom a base for the Shadow Mercenary Corps. Of course, it wouldn't be the same as the base in the Arcana continent.
'Things are a little different now, right?'
Shadow Mercenaries received any requests.
So for them, the base was just a temporary residence that they could abandon and leave at any time.
However, they got summoned to the world of adventurers.
They couldn't live like they did back then.
"It's a fresh start!"
She never had a chance to make such a clean start like this.
Business, debt, even relationships!
The shackles that held the Shadow Mercenary Corps were all left behind on the Arcana Continent when they got summoned.
Of course, the problem was that the mercenaries were also left in the secret storage when they got summoned…
"…Anyway, it's a fresh start!"
Isn't the Yusra Kingdom an ancient kingdom that has just begun to rebuild?
Kitch was full of dreams.
Shadow Mercenary Corps got honored as a contributor to the founding of the Yusra Kingdom!
Clean money that she didn't have to worry about!
Kitch's eyes were golden.
"…Even if I am not used to it, I should try."
Kitch was going to meet with the king of the Yusra Kingdom.
She was confident in her skills.
Of course, there was a competitor called the Knights of Lionheart.
"Let's get along well with the people from our hometown."
Even the Shadow Mercenary Corps had common sense.
The Knights of the Lionheart.
Because she hadn't built up a grudge against the Imperial family.
Naturally, the Knights of Lionheart should have no particular reason to antagonize them.
Of course, the adventurers would be there.
"Ah, but they're not competitors~"
Perhaps they would be in the distant future.
But, right now, adventurers were not much of a threat…
Or so she thought.
"…What is he?!"
For a moment, Kitch's big eyes narrowed.
…She must have seen it wrong, right?
After being trapped between the dense buildings, she saw a scenery that resembled her hometown for the first time in a while.
Her eyes must have gone crazy.
However, looking at it closely, it was certain.
The faint light emanating from the sword.
It was definitely 'aura'.
Kitch was truly dumbfounded.
'…Aren't you an adventurer?!'
The adventurer was radiating aura.
In that case, she had no choice but to take back what she just said!
Still, let's get closer to make sure.
'I shouldn't get too close.'
If he was an aura user.
He must have sharper senses.
Perhaps he could see through her own stealth as well.
Sneak–
Kitch held her breath and approached.
And she witnessed it.
An even more incredible sight…!
"!"
It was clear.
That was an aura.
But what was the pillar that rose from the ground?
'No matter how you see it, isn't that magic!?'
While radiating aura.
He could manifest magic of that level at the same time?
An adventurer?!
"It wasn't bad for a warm-up opponent."
He wasn't going all out either.
Even if she speak passionately about it in front of the members, they wouldn't believe her.
However, what unfolded before her eyes was reality.
Besides, Kitch could notice.
'…The aura has become noticeably thicker.'
That crazy growth rate.
It raised alarms for Kitch.
Kitch looked at the adventurer, the man.
'What the hell is he?'
An adventurer with such skills.
His name should have been known in the Arcana continent.
Among the adventurers Kitch knew, there was no such man.
'…At any rate, I am glad.'
Making a quick visit to the Yusra Kingdom was the correct decision.
If she had been a little late, such a sudden adventurer would have taken over the position of founding contributor!
Kitch hurried her steps.
"Let's hurry!"
for a brilliant new start.
For a life of honest earning and easy spending.
The Shadow Mercenary Corps would be loyal to the Yusra Kingdom.
To express that determination, she ran towards the golden palace.
"…I don't know who he is, but let's not see each other again. Me and that man."
An adventurer who made her tremble just by thinking about him.
She ran without knowing that the future of the Shadow Mercenary Corps lied under the authority of that man.
Under the authority of that adventurer, Hoyeol…
*
I got the side effect using aura.
Thanks to this, my exhausted body didn't recover easily.
I was literally losing my sense.
…I really don't want to get out of bed.
"There's no annual leave in the Mage Tower."
However, due to this body couldn't live without formality and manners.
I couldn't break my promise.
As soon as I arrived at the Mage Tower, I headed for the Floating Garden.
Floating Garden.
Mage Tower's only social hall.
True to its name, it had great scenery.
As well as an unrealistic landscape.
The flowers and grass that grew were so beautiful.
I admired the scenery to the fullest with my aesthetic sense.
However.
There was a particularly disagreeable figure.
It was black as if only that part was painted with ink.
It was a middle-aged man who didn't fit in with the splendid floating garden.
I could feel it in my head.
That man was the senior mage of the black magic school.
Matis Dean Carl.
The closer I got, the more his outfit stood out.
The most impressive thing was the ring on his ten fingers.
Every single one of them must be a magic tool.
'The ones with jewels look expensive.'
I sat face to face with the man.
I tried to get straight to the point.
Above all, I had a surged desire to remove the intrusive Matis from the floating garden.
This aesthetic sense was so tiring.
"?"
At that moment.
The jewel in Matis' ring began to twirl.
The jewel turned black in an instant.
It went beyond pitch black enough to look disparate.
I didn't show it on my face, but I was surprised.
Is he trying to overpower me?
But that didn't seem to be the case.
Well.
Matis looked more surprised than I was.
He muttered, looking at the discolored jewel.
"What is this sensitivity…?"
…Sensitivity?
What does that mean?
I didn't know what it was about, but I asked calmly.
"Senior Mage Matis Dean Carl."
"…?"
"Is the ring related to the appointment?"
Clink.
I added while raising my teacup.
"Answer wisely."