Chapter 114. A Matter of Mood (5)

Yublam wasn’t far. Upon seeing the gleaming silver ingots, the thought of Rena’s joy made my steps feel lighter.

Rena’s scenario came to mind. I had become even stronger than in my previous life, so my power would definitely be helpful to her. If I supported her as much as possible before she gained momentum and stepped back before T&T’s inner circle took an interest in me, I could help her live the life she wanted from a stable position.

There was still plenty of time before sunrise, and the moonlight stretched across my feet. As I strolled leisurely, I suddenly had the urge to refine my swordsmanship once more.

Swoosh!

Though I heard a single sound, my blade had cut twice. The severed leaves scattered into four pieces, carried away by the wind. I could only perform this double slash after reaching Swordsmanship Lv. 10.

I was growing stronger at a rate faster than I had ever imagined. Above all, Gith-Za-Rai’s help played a crucial role for me to reach this point.

Gith-Za-Rai...

The moment her name surfaced, a complicated mix of emotions followed because I was on my way to Yublam.

I ignored her impending death simply because I didn’t want to get involved. At this moment, she was probably still waiting for the emperor’s procession in the catacombs.

Even if I can't help her, is it fine to pass by without a warning?

Clatter.

Inside the armor that Rubia had left me, my bones shivered. The autumn night breeze suddenly felt colder.

I swung my sword again and again, trying to escape my thoughts.

The blade caught the pale fragments of moonlight, scattering them in chaotic reflections. The chirps of autumn insects clinging to the wind were sliced apart.

I swung toward the thin chill of the autumn night. Ultimately, what I truly wanted to cut down was the guilt buried deep within me, but that emotion was far too strong to be severed by my sword.

After some time, I finally slid my blade back into its sheath. Even though no one had been watching, I felt embarrassed to have shown such a ridiculous display under the moonlight.

A voice came from behind. "You’re impressive."

I had been so absorbed in my sword practice that I hadn’t even noticed someone approaching.

I turned around, suddenly alert. Though the voice carried no hostility, I had allowed someone to get too close.

A man in a red martial robe stood with his arms crossed, looking in my direction.

That guy...

I saw the man’s face in the moonlight and couldn’t help but be surprised because I recognized him.

"Such astonishing technique, power, and speed. I was so impressed I ended up watching in awe," the man said.

He had long black hair tied back with a white headband, and his red robe was reminiscent of Eastern martial attire. His lean physique stood out, and the long sword strapped to his waist left an impression.

Chandler... a baron, if I remember correctly.

I had absorbed Iaijutsu and Eastern Language from this man, so I knew he was not an opponent to take lightly. He had once sliced four spears into twelve pieces with just two swings of his sword. As a swordsman, this man possessed exceptional technique and speed.

He’s... alive?

In my previous life, Gith-Za-Rai had killed him effortlessly. He had been my very first prey, a victim of my Essence Absorption. That all happened on the first day I awakened in the cave. Today marked the third day since I had awakened, and yet here he was, very much alive.

The man introduced himself. "I am Hyungbin Chandler, a wandering swordsman. What is your name?"

I repeated his name. "Hyungbin?"

His name was unusual.

"It’s a Dharma name I received in the East."

I silently observed him before pointing toward the catacombs. "Did you come from that direction?"

"I did."

So he took the same path.

He had followed the same route as before, but Gith-Za-Rai did not kill him this time.

Did he die in my previous life because of me?

"If that’s the case, then fine. But from now on... stay far away from that place," I warned.

Tap.

The man took another step forward. "I asked for your name."

"Do I have to give it just because you’re curious?" I retorted.

"

Haha...

" Hyungbin chuckled. "Well, I suppose names don’t matter much. But since we’ve crossed paths, I’d like to ask for some instructions."

"Instruction? What nonsense..." I trailed off before I could dismiss him.

In my previous life, this man should not have died. He had simply been unlucky enough to encounter me. Had he fought me one-on-one, he possessed the skill to win.

Instead, chaos had engulfed him, and Gith-Za-Rai slaughtered him. There were plenty of unjust and absurd deaths in the world, but truthfully speaking, I felt a sense of responsibility for his.

Not to mention, I absorbed his skills...

There was no reason to deny him a duel. Besides, now that I was stronger than before, I wanted to measure myself against someone who had once surpassed me in skill.

I placed a hand on my sword hilt. "Fine. Come at me."

Swoosh.

Hyungbin moved his foot, grasped his sword hilt without drawing it, and lowered his stance.

It was a familiar posture.

Iaijutsu. I can see it.

I could already predict the angle and trajectory of his strike the moment he lunged. I could see exactly how he planned to feint before cutting toward my neck. His speed, strength, and weaknesses were all visible to me.

This is... overwhelmingly in my favor.

Looking at him now, I realized that the gap between us had widened significantly.

Detection.

I could even sense his heartbeat and subtle muscle movements.

Thunk.

I tossed my sword aside and held only my scabbard in my hand. That would be more than enough.

"

Hmm...

" Hyungbin furrowed his brow and pursed his lips. "Are you mocking me?"

I casually replied, "Give me your best attack. I’ll let you have three moves."

His sharp gaze flickered with intensity. "Do you have four lives to spare?"

"I’d say I have more than ten."

"Impudent fool!"

Though my answer had been genuine, his expression darkened with hostility as he charged forward.

In an instant, the distance between us disappeared, but there was no way I would let an Iaijutsu practitioner land a strike on me.

I firmly gripped my scabbard and struck the weakest point of his sword.

Whack!

"

Urgh!

"

Hyungbin staggered backward. Though he managed to keep hold of his sword, he had already exposed multiple openings.

"One," I counted.

Hyungbin quickly steadied himself and swung again. "

Ahh!

"

Sprint.

I moved behind him in an instant, and his blade sliced through empty air.

Stealth.

The moment I activated my skill from behind, he flinched, unable to track me. Though he quickly turned and pointed his sword at me again, the realization that I could use this skill even in battle was intriguing.

I should make good use of this.

"That’s two. You have one more move left," I said.

Hyungbin gritted his teeth. "

Hyaaaah!

Crescent Moon Slash!"

His blade curved into two arcs, trapping me within his attack range.

Oh... he has this kind of technique?

Clack!

In the end, it was still just a single blade. Hyungbin’s long sword stuck to my scabbard.

"W-what?!" He struggled to pull his weapon free. "This... how is this possible?!"

Even in my past life, I was physically stronger than him.

"Looks like that was your third move."

I yanked him forward and lightly punched him in the stomach.

Swoosh! Thud!

Hyungbin collapsed to the ground and groaned. "

Ugh!

"

That should do it.

"It’s over."

I turned to leave.

Swoosh!

"W-wait!" Hyunbin exclaimed.

I looked down. "What is it?"

Hyungbin clung to my ankle and pleaded, "Teach me a little more. Please. I swear, you won’t regret it."

"You want to continue?"

"Yes, please..."

"Why?"

"I’ve been struggling with my swordsmanship, unable to make any progress. I haven’t met a single swordsman worthy of crossing blades with since I returned from the East. It’s been so long..."

Not true.

I thought of the marquis and involuntarily shuddered. However, considering how much Hyungbin had traveled for his martial pilgrimage if he still said this, then my previous life had definitely been filled with an overwhelming number of monsters.

"Is that so?"

There was no reason to refuse. I had time, and besides, I felt a twinge of guilt toward him.

***

Smack!

"

Urgh!

"

Thwack!

"

Ugh!"

Whack!

"

Argh!

"

"Should we stop now?" I asked.

"No. Please... hit me more," Chandler replied.

"That sounds a bit strange."

Smack! Thwack! Smack!

The crisp sounds of impact echoed beneath the moonlit sky.

"

Ugh! Ack!

"

I stepped back after striking Chandler’s shins and forearms three consecutive times. Just as he wished, I trained him throughout the night. I didn’t break anything and only inflicted pain severe enough for him to learn from.

He definitely has talent.

He adjusted his movements each time he got hit to avoid being struck in the same spot again.

Hyungbin staggered, drenched in sweat. "

Ugh...

"

I looked up at the sky, which was beginning to brighten.

"I have to go now," I said.

"Just a little longer—" Chandler pleaded.

I refused to stay. "I must decline."

"That’s a shame. But I am truly grateful. I have learned much."

Chandler attempted to stand and bow in respect.

Tap.

I pressed my scabbard against his shoulder, pushing him back down.

"Don’t overdo it."

Just as I was about to leave him seated and continue toward the main road, he called out to me again.

"Wait!"

"If I hit you any more, you’ll lose consciousness."

"That’s not it..."

Hyungbin pulled out a small plaque that shimmered faintly with a golden glow. "I don’t think I’ll ever forget today’s lesson. As thanks, please accept this."

"What is it?"

"I don’t mean to boast, but I am the heir to Grassmere. I have a good eye for weapons."

"..."

I already knew that. Grassmere was the city of engineering. The man before me was its next lord.

Hyungbin continued, "The weapon you wield... it doesn’t quite match your skill. Show this to a Grassmere guard, and they’ll escort you in. You’ll never have to worry about weapons again."

Snatch.

I didn’t refuse. I accepted the metal plaque and tucked it into my pocket. I had been planning to forge a new weapon anyway.

"I’ll make good use of it."

"The next time we meet, I’ll be even stronger! Look forward to it!

Oof... ngh

..."

Leaving him groaning from his bruises, I continued toward Yublam. I followed the road, passing a group of crows already feasting on corpses. Not wanting to disturb them, I took a slight detour.

I’m almost there.

Soon, gray stone walls and a drawbridge came into view. I walked along the road, through the underbrush, heading toward the city gates. However, to my surprise, the gates were wide open, and no guard was present.

No guards?

I had even prepared some bribe money, just in case. But there was no one. They weren’t even hiding.

Is this a trap? Detection.

No one was lying in ambush.

What’s going on?

Tap.

As I entered through the city gates, I noticed an unusual atmosphere in the streets.

I grabbed a passerby and asked, "What happened here?"

"

Ah!

"

The man jumped in fright, shook his head, and quickly ran off.

Hmm...

Following the cobblestone street, I soon spotted a blacksmith shop on my right. Though there weren't any clanging hammers, I could sense someone inside.

When I opened the door, I saw an old man with a white beard changing out of his work clothes into a neat outfit.

This guy...

His face was familiar. It was the old man who possessed Grassmere’s Fire. I didn’t know why, but he seemed quite excited.

"Old man, I have a question," I said.

"

Ahem!

Do you know me?" the old man replied.

"We’re meeting for the first time."

"Then why did you approach me so naturally as if we’d met before?"

"Who knows..."

Surprised for a moment, I quickly brushed it off and continued with my question.

"Why is the city in such chaos? The gate was wide open, and there were no guards."

The old man cleared his throat. "

Ahem.

Are you a traveler?"

"I am."

"Then... why don’t you take off that helmet first?"

Masquerade.

I activated my skill before removing my helmet. This old man didn’t know the marquis’ face anyway, and technically, this wasn’t his face either.

The old man studied me for a moment and then said, "I certainly haven’t seen you before... Hmm. Well, the city lord fled through the back gate in the dead of night. A few of his dirtier associates ran off with him. The guards are in an uproar over it."

It's because of me.

After killing the Yublam guard captain and his men, I sent a message to the city lord, telling him to kill himself. Looking back, it was a situation he had no choice but to take it seriously. Instead of suicide, the city lord chose to flee, terrified of his crimes.

I was half joking...

But he had actually abandoned everything and run away overnight. I considered chasing him, but it was already too late if he had left in the middle of the night.

Forget it. More importantly...

My actions were already changing the future. I could feel it happening in real-time. It had only been three days since I woke up in the cave, yet already...

Chandler, heir of Grassmere, had survived and challenged me to a duel. The city lord of Yublam had abandoned his post and fled into the night. If I interfered, the future would shift dramatically.

Could I... stop the war? Prevent the Demon Kings' descent? Stop the heroes from emerging?

Of course, these thoughts were absurd for now. But if I kept repeating my regressions and I continued stacking my levels endlessly... I might gain enough strength to defeat even the Four Great Swordmasters someday.

But... if I prevent the war and the Demon Kings' return... will I never get to see Lady Succubus?

For a moment, I hesitated. But this wasn’t something to think about at my current level. I gave the old man a quick nod of acknowledgement, then left the blacksmith shop and headed toward the inn.