Chapter 17: The First Achievement (1)

Woong...!

The air crackled with the pulsating sound of energy as Karyl gripped his sword, a faintly glowing aura circling around the blade.

Ardin, witnessing such a thing for the first time, frowned in confusion.

I've never seen a mana blade like this before... What element is it?

The unique element of the MacGovern family was fire, but that was specific to the eldest son, Martte.

I can't figure it out.

His face concealed by a mask, Ardin was aware that the opponent knew information about Wooden Cloud. He was not some nobody.

Who exactly is this person? Is he from the Tiros Union? Or perhaps from one of the Three Kingdoms of Istria?

Despite the speculation, there was no way to confirm.

Clang—!

Before Ardin could ponder further, the clash began. Karyl didn't give him any more time to think.

The Goblin Chief stood in his way, brandishing a massive greatsword. Without hesitation, Karyl gripped his sword tightly, raising it high. With a resolute step, he planted his feet firmly on the ground and swung down with all his might.

The aura blade surged forward, extending the blade's reach. The Goblin Chief hastily raised its broadsword to block the attack, yet the soaring blade sliced through the broadsword, effortlessly cleaving through the creature's head and torso in one fell swoop.

"This... this can't be!!" The sorcerer, witnessing the monster being bisected with a single strike, expressed his shock.

Undeterred, Karyl pressed on to Ardin’s territory. A broad spear thrust toward him, but Karyl deftly twisted his body, narrowly dodging the gleaming spear. Ardin, seizing the opportunity, swiftly aimed his other spear toward Karyl's chest.

Anticipating the move, Karyl quickly stomped on the ground to slow his momentum, sending a cloud of dust into the air. With a spin, he evaded the attack just in time, the spear brushing past his back.

With a swift movement, Karyl pressed down on the spear shaft with his knee guard, bending it significantly. Ardin, unable to maintain his grip, let go of his weapon.

"Ugh?!" The gap between them closed in an instant. Ardin, now left with only one spear, pulled it with all his might.

It’s too late.

Karyl's aura blade, gleaming like a crescent moon, swept through the air. The blade cleanly severed the spear shaft before piercing through Ardin's left shoulder with a resounding thud.

"Urrgh!!" Ardin groaned in pain.

Karyl's attack was unrelenting. The blade trembled as Karyl concentrated his magic and swung down with all his might. Blood splashed as Ardin's body was effortlessly sliced from shoulder to ribs, as if cutting through tofu.

"Aaagh!!" Ardin’s scream echoed, but Karyl remained calm, his expression unchanged.

There’s still a long way to go,

Karyl thought, unsatisfied.

This much is possible with my swordsmanship alone. The sword still remains my primary tool. I still lack the ability to concentrate magic into a single, explosive point.

“Keugh... Keugh...” Ardin's faint groans reached Karyl.

"Do you know anything about the root?" Karyl asked the fallen Ardin.

“You lunatic..." Ardin sneered, his lips stained with blood.

Karyl, unaffected, considered his next move.

Right,

you wouldn't talk. You were tight-lipped about the person related to the root in my previous life as well, even until your death.

Karyl drove his sword into Ardin's visibly torn waist. "Perhaps, you really don’t know."

"Aaaa!! Ah... Agh!!! Aaaagh...!!!" Ardin writhed and screamed in agony, but Karyl remained focused on the bigger picture.

"Alright. Let’s change the question. What were you ordered to do after this? It surely doesn't end here." Karyl probed.

"Pfft...! You think... I would tell you?" Ardin managed to snarl through the pain, his voice strained.

"Just like before," Karyl muttered softly, reminiscing about the time he had killed him in his previous life.

"...What?" Ardin questioned, his confusion evident.

"But there's a difference from that time." He then turned his head, looking at a Goblin Sorcerer.

I understand what you think. But would they think the same as you?

"...What?" Ardin questioned again.

Karyl's gaze shifted to where a Goblin Sorcerer sat, visibly shaken. "They seem to be unaccustomed to pain," Karyl remarked, his voice cold and detached.

No further words were necessary. Karyl's arm moved from bottom to top, cutting a diagonal line through Ardin’s body. A smooth slicing sound filled the air, and before even a scream could escape, Ardin's head rolled to the ground.

Thud—

Like a ball, it landed in front of the Goblin Sorcerer, its eyes wide open in shock.

The Goblin sorcerer, trembling in fear, watched in horror as Karyl approached him. "Attack!! What are you waiting for?! Attack now!!" he screamed desperately at the other sorcerers behind him.

But it was too late. The sorcerers had lost their will to fight. Their backs bent, they looked at Karyl, their resolve shattered after witnessing their chief’s swift defeat.

In a panic, the sorcerer attempted to flee, but his legs betrayed him, causing him to stumble and fall. The approaching footsteps of Karyl sounded like the ominous tolling of a death knell.

Karyl looked down at him and said, "I'll ask you only once."

The aura blade shone brightly, emphasizing the gravity of his words.

***

In the shadowy depths of the ravine, Tiren and Randol's voices echoed with urgency as they spotted Karyl's approach. "What's going on?!" they shouted in unison.

"There was a goblin attack. Unfortunately, Sir Ardin fell to a Goblin Chief," Karyl explained, his tone solemn.

"What?!" Tiren exclaimed in disbelief as Karyl laid down the severed head of Ardin. “How... how did this happen?!”

Karyl's expression remained grave. "This was not a simple ambush."

The surrounding people, drawn by the gravity of his words, awaited an explanation.

Karyl then presented a trembling man. "This sorcerer was commanding the goblins. The attack was targeted at the MacGovern family."

Leaning in closer to Tiren, Karly whispered in a hushed tone, "It's the work of the Lurein Principality."

Tiren's eyes widened in shock at the revelation.

Karyl continued, addressing the concerns of the moment. "The remaining goblins are likely in disarray without their orders. If over a thousand goblins are left unchecked, the village will suffer greatly."

Turning to the Valsar family's lieutenant, whose expression had darkened with the weight of the situation, Karyl addressed him directly. "According to this sorcerer, there are monsters lying in ambush on the other side. You're the lieutenant, right?"

"Yes, that's correct," the lieutenant confirmed, his voice steady.

"With the commander fallen, command falls to you. What is your decision? Retreat is a valid option."

The lieutenant pondered deeply. The loss of their commander was a heavy blow, and returning now would undoubtedly bring punishment. Yet, retreating without taking action would displease the baron, a knight guarding the border. After a moment, he resolved, "I will assist in the purging."

"Good choice," Karyl nodded, approval in his gaze. "This lightens our task."

Before long, Karyl had naturally become the central figure, commanding the attention and allegiance of nearly a thousand soldiers without any dissent. It seemed only fitting for him to lead.

Adjusting the mask concealing his face, Karyl spoke in a resolute tone, "Let's proceed."