Chap 25.
James had been riding for two weeks, taking only brief stops along the way to rest his horse and drink from his dwindling supplies. As he neared the great city of Dwargon, a mix of anticipation and curiosity stirred within him. It had been a while since he'd entered any civilization, and the memories of his time in Elvaris, poring over the library's resources, resurfaced.
The gates to Dwargon were a marvel, massive and reinforced, standing firm at the mouth of the Canaat Mountains. As he stood in line, waiting to enter, James recalled what he'd read about the city: "Dwargon, an immensely powerful nation... with its technological might unmatched in the West," he thought, remembering the history of the city's foundation a thousand years ago by the Hero King Guran Dwargo. He also remembered the city's unique position in the world—"A natural fortress. The gates to the capital are the only point of entry, making it all but impenetrable." With this in mind, James approached the counter to present his adventurer ID. The guards checked his credentials and let him pass, though there were a few raised eyebrows.
Dwargon was built in a massive underground cavern, with its architecture reflecting a blend of raw stone and cutting-edge magic, which kept the temperature comfortable despite the chill of the mountains. He was more interested, however, in its blacksmithing industry. The dwarves of Dwargon were renowned for their expertise, and he hoped they could help refine his magic ores into something more usable—Magisteel, to be precise.
James had a solid understanding of the equipment grades in this world. Normal, Special, Rare, Unique, Legendary, and God grade, he thought. "Legendary grade is rarely seen, and God grade is the stuff of myths." Still, he couldn't help but feel a little smug, remembering the anime and its emphasis on the powerful weapons that could evolve over time. James was convinced that his sword could evolve as well, especially with its constant exposure to his magicules. He had used it since the day he arrived in this world, and though it was still of a normal grade, he felt it had the potential to grow.
With a small sigh, James refocused. His goal was to get to the Adventurer's Guild and begin his climb up the ranks. His swordsmanship, bolstered by the magic he'd learned, made him confident that a C-rank would be well within his reach. He also knew from his travels that fighting dire wolves on the way would help him get there faster.
As James made his way to the Adventurer's Guild, he reflected on his time spent gathering information and observing his surroundings. He was prepared for whatever tests lay ahead.
Inside the guild, the atmosphere was busy, yet efficient. James handed over his adventurer ID and presented the dire wolf ears he had collected during his journey—16 in total. The guild clerk blinked in surprise, eyes wide.
"This... is more than what a typical E-rank adventurer could achieve," he muttered, taking in the number of dire wolf ears. James could see the shift in the clerk's expression—this was no ordinary adventurer standing before him.
"I request a promotion test," James stated confidently. "I wish to be promoted to C-rank before I leave today."
The clerk nodded, impressed by James' request. He immediately led him to the back, where a few curious adventurers followed. The back area was where all promotion tests were held, and James was led into a 20-meter circular barrier, designed to contain the summoned monsters.
"This is your test," the clerk explained. "You will face a Dark Goblin. Defeat it, and you'll be promoted to D-rank. It's a simple task for someone with your skill, I imagine."
James wasn't fazed. He'd faced monsters far worse than this, and he had come to the conclusion that the key to his success in this world wasn't just his skills or swordsmanship—it was his adaptability and the careful application of his abilities. He would not rely on his Unique skills during this test. He had prepared for this moment, and he was determined to prove himself using only his swordsmanship and his basic magic.
The gate to the barrier closed behind James, and the Dark Goblin appeared with a shrill screech. It was a small, wiry creature, dressed in ragged armor, with sharp, yellowed teeth and a malicious gleam in its eyes. It charged at James, brandishing a crude knife.
James narrowed his eyes, watching the goblin's movements with the precision of a seasoned fighter. The goblin was fast, but it was sloppy. It relied on quick, wild attacks—predictable, especially to someone with James's training.
James sidestepped the first strike, feeling the air whiz past him as the goblin's knife missed by inches. With a quick flick of his wrist, James parried the next swing, sending the goblin off balance. He didn't waste time. Using the goblin's momentum against it, James delivered a swift slash across the creature's midsection. Blood splattered onto the floor as the goblin staggered backward, its breath coming in ragged gasps.
The goblin roared in pain, clutching its wound. It launched itself forward again, slashing wildly with its knife. James was ready. He ducked beneath the attack, stepping closer to the goblin's side. With a fluid movement, he twisted his sword and brought it down in a diagonal arc. The blade cut deep into the goblin's shoulder, severing muscle and bone. The goblin crumpled to the ground, twitching, before it finally lay still.
The audience of adventurers gasped in surprise. Even though James had only used basic swordsmanship, his precision and calmness in the heat of battle had been apparent. The B-rank adventurers nodded, impressed by his skill and control.
James turned to the B-rank adventurers and said, "I'd like to move on to the next promotion test."
After a brief pause, James was led into the next test. The barrier was reset, and this time, the summoned creatures were two Giant Bats, their massive wings beating the air with a heavy thrum. They were each as large as a small house, with leathery wings and razor-sharp claws.
James didn't waste time. He immediately drew his sword and prepared himself. The bats screeched and lunged forward, their claws outstretched. He waited for the first bat to approach, then leapt to the side, narrowly avoiding its claws. He swung his sword at the bat's wing, slicing through the membrane with a clean cut. The bat screeched, but it wasn't done yet.
James quickly backed up, letting the second bat come into view. With a wave of his hand, he cast [Fire Bullet], sending a burst of flame toward the second bat. It screeched again, the fire scorching its wings, but the bat was far from defeated. It retaliated with a dive, aiming for James. He sidestepped the attack, narrowly avoiding the bat's claws.
As the bat turned, James called forth his [Binding Net Circle]. The magical net spread out in a perfect circle beneath the second bat, ensnaring its feet. The bat struggled, but it was trapped. With a swift slash, James cut through its neck, taking it down. The first bat, now enraged, attempted another attack, but James was ready. He parried its claws and struck at the bat's heart with a precise thrust of his sword.
The giant bats collapsed to the ground, defeated.
The watching adventurers were silent for a moment before they erupted into applause. James had dispatched the creatures with skill and efficiency, using not only his swordsmanship but his spells as well.
"C-rank," the B-rank adventurers said, nodding in approval. They handed him his new adventurer ID, and James couldn't help but feel a sense of accomplishment.
After the test, James exited the guild with a new sense of pride. He headed to an inn, paid for a week's stay, and settled his horse in the back stables. After a long day of challenges and victory, he retired to his room and collapsed onto the bed, finally allowing himself to rest.
Tomorrow, he would resume his journey—this time, with a little more recognition and a little closer to his ultimate goal.
End of chap.