91 – Episode 91. Oh Ee(1)
“Struggling so desperately to prevent not his generation’s demise but one far in the future! Standing up against an enemy that no one recognizes and no one knows exists! You’re a man who’s lost it! And I really do admire a man who’s lost it! I find it quite appealing!”
…
Mumbling.
Babbling.
Throughout Trancilvia’s ebullient chatter, it was impossible for him to conceal his perturbed expression.
This habit of his simply won’t be corrected even after being dragged in front of Draikenn and sent back.
‘A man who’s lost it…harsh words.’
I’m not trying to make some noble sacrifice or become a hero.
I merely want to go home.
I’m grateful if you’re going to sing my praises about it, but…
“This kind of enemy is a first for me! I’ll lend you my aid! It means that I specially pledge to accompany you on your journey!”
Trancilvia, assertively smiling, blocks my path.
Aide.
Certainly, this time I’ve painfully realized the need for comrades.
Not talking about allies who assist with funding, future explaining, gemstone carving, or communications.
Someone who’ll fight by my side like Mijeong, who’ll watch my back.
The expression ‘comrade’ seems more fitting.
Right now, what I need is a comrade.
The image of Draikenn I saw in the back world was indeed devastating.
Even though I boasted about being able to slay him with just the right blow.
If I’m alone, I’ll wither away after just a couple of stabs.
Whether it’s a warrior well-versed in Oh Ee, or a grand wizard adept at 10th tier magic, I need a powerful ally.
In this regard, Trancilvia is unmistakably the top candidate for my comrade.
He invested all his stats in strength; one of the most powerful in the universe at the present.
“No, I don’t need it.”
“What?!”
Of course, that only applies if he can harness his power.
Transilbia cannot do that.
I knew this for certain after venturing into the other world.
How could Transilbia, who’s trembling from just hearing the name of the Draken, be of any help?
The situation is not limited to him being overly terrified upon entering.
Even when faced with Belphegor, who can easily slaughter and still have plenty left, he just kneels and sobs.
“What’s your reason?!”
“I don’t travel with cowards.”
“What, what did you say…”
Transilbia drooped his shoulders, unable to rebut being called a coward.
Speaking of which, as soon as I entered the other world, my mentality shattered.
The difference between Transilbia and me is…
I’m a player, but Transilbia is an NPC.
Unlike me, who gained a mental strength trait as an achievement reward, Transilbia has no choice but to live in fear of the Draken.
That’s how the NPC was designed.
He probably won’t be able to overcome it to the end.
‘Or is it not?’
Thinking of the main characters who, despite being erroneous, overcame the time limit and retrieved their memories, I feel it’s not always the case…
The chances of Transilbia being helpful in the final boss battle are extremely low.
Yet, having won over Transilbia’s favor, it would be a shame to waste this opportunity.
As I was pondering this,
“If you refuse my company… at least allow me to offer some help.”
“What sort of help?”
“You appear to employ Dakia-style swordsmanship. Am I correct?”
“Yes.”
He recognizes Dakia-style swordsmanship?
I believed it to be a lost martial art from centuries ago.
Although it does not seem strange for Transilbia who lived for hundreds of years to know the Dakia-style.
“Your posture, your breathing, everything is a mess. It’s so pitiful, I can’t help but step in. I must teach you the art of the sword.”
“······?”
What is he saying?
The level of my Dakia-style swordsmanship is 10.
It’s the highest level that one can generally reach.
And he sees my swordsmanship as a mess?
“You… Don’t tell me. Have you mastered the essence of Dakia-style?”
“What odd words to be saying out of the blue. I am the one who created and established the essence of Dakia-style.”
“······.”
Transylvania tilts his head in confusion.
He’s not just someone who has mastered the essence of swordsmanship.
He’s the one who actually created it?
Suddenly, the guy who seemed like a total pushover minutes ago looks completely different.
“I like you, so I wouldn’t mind teaching you the essence, as a favor.”
“No… it’s okay, I’ll pass.”
“Why?!”
Truth be told, I don’t particularly like his meddling, but that’s not why I declined.
The essence of swordsmanship is a peak that only chosen geniuses could ever hope to reach.
It’s quite literally a realm for superhumans.
Could a commoner like myself ever hope to reach such a place?
Even if I could, who knows how long it would take.
I need to see this through within the next two years, I can’t devote that time to mastering the essence of swordsmanship.
“Let me teach you! Please!”
“No, really, I can’t. I don’t have any talent.”
“Even if you don’t have talent… Well, that’s true! But there’s no harm in trying! Give it a try before deciding! It’s free! It’s a chance to learn from the creator of the essence, free of charge!”
Suddenly, Transylvania grabs the hem of my shirt and stretches it.
Why is he so desperately insistent?
“Why are you so…persistent….”
“If I don’t teach you, who will carry on the legacy of this lost martial art?”
Oh, now I understand.
It’s the sentiment of a veteran who encounters a newbie in a ruined game.
From Noble mtl dot com
“You’re safe! Investor!”
Tay rushes out with tears welling up.
It’s fortunate that Tay is unscathed.
Even when looking around, there is no damage to the city.
It seems that Belphegor didn’t cause any trouble while retreating.
He must have been in a hurry to escape.
“What on earth was that black sky?”
“……”
Tay’s hand is still trembling.
Belphegor said that he came after smelling the spirit of Kali.
I realize that Kali’s spirit must always be concealed except during special times.
But the most fundamental solution is that I should leave Basel.
It’s best not to stay in any city for too long, if possible.
“Tay, listen closely. If something like today happens again, run straight to the Clock City in the north. This address is a safe house.”
He writes down the address of a house in Kern for Tay.
It’s a place he can escape to when in danger.
Because Linda, who could contact me right away, is there.
Currently, the only person who can process the black magical stone is Tay, which makes him extremely valuable.
“When you get there, there’s a clock doll. Tell him my name. He’ll let you in.”
“So, I just have to mention the name ‘Mijeong’?”
“Eh……”
Mijeong flinches next to him.
Did he tell Tay his name was Mijeong?
His memory is foggy.
“Actually, my name is Eugene.”
“…. Mijeong, my, name.”
“Wh-what? You’re not Mijeong, Investor? So, I’ve been calling someone else’s name all this… Ah, ugh.”
Tay sways as if he’s about to pass out.
When I steady him by grabbing his shoulder, Tay punches my chest in a slightly sullen manner.
“I had completely forgotten about your alias until now.”
“You upset me. Quite a bit, too. It doesn’t feel like it’s going to subside easily.”
“Then what can be done to ease it?”
“When you come next time, please bring a black magic stone. That should do it. Ordinary magic stones aren’t enough for me anymore. I want to use yours to improve my skills.”
“Okay. I’ll make sure to bring it.”
Always thinking about improving her skills, even in times like these.
Admirable.
So admirable, in fact, that I unconsciously pat Tei’s head again.
“That’s a promise. I will certainly increase my skill, so that it’ll be impossible for you to ignore me, investor.”
“Ignore you? I’m not ignoring you at all right now.”
“That’s not what I meant. The more dwarves improve their skills, the more they grow… Ugh! Forget it! Just take this and go!”
Suddenly Tei hits my chest, showing annoyance.
She hands me a pile of letters.
Wait. You were supposed to burn these.
“I didn’t have enough time to burn them. Or actually, they seemed really valuable. I couldn’t force myself to burn them.”
“Thank you. I probably won’t get letters from here anymore.”
“That’s great news. I’ve been annoyed getting letters from those big shots every day. It was such a burden.”
I owe Tei a lot.
The workshop is a mess with people returning from the bomb shelter.
Staying here any longer would be a nuisance.
So, I say goodbye to Tei and leave the workshop.
“You’re late. You said you just needed to say a quick hello.”
“You’re still here.”
Upon leaving the workshop, Transilbia, who seems to have been waiting, approaches me.
Mijeong hesitates, not sure of how to react to Transilbia.
Her hand is still on her head from when I patted her.
“Did you take off your armor?”
“It was too cumbersome. In this state of confusion, there’s no point in behaving like a knight. I’m thinking of giving up.”
“The Kingdom of Gallia lost a well-trained war horse and a full-plate armor overnight.
Why on earth would they appoint such a misfit as a knight…
It’s all so solemn.
“It’s been a long time since I had a disciple in swordsmanship! He’s not supposed to be doing knight-like things!”
Transilvania, laughing boisterously as if enraged.
Seems like he’s lost his senses, meeting a newbie after a long while.
After all, he did say he’d give it a shot when Transilvania explained the situation…
But I’m still suspicious.
Regardless of what he says, it seems like an empty promise made anticipating my potential escape.
Swordsmanship trait level 11.
Commonly known as the Secret Art of the Sword, a zenith only permitted to selected strong few.
In other words, it’s a place reserved for the superhuman.
One of the representative Secret Arts of the Sword.
The Secret Art of Frost Style Swordsmanship is referred to as Sword-Body Unity, signifying a state where body and sword become one.
Literally swinging the whole body like a sword, and handling the sword as freely as own body.
This is precisely why Eriya is so powerful.
Then a question rises here.
The Secret Art of Frost Style is quite famous.
What about the Secret Art of Dakiya Style?
“So what exactly is the Secret Art of Dakiya Style?”
Dakiya Style is fundamentally focused on offensive swordsmanship.
Most of the techniques are offensive moves, and even a few defensive moves are aimed to allow simultaneous attack and defense.
It’s such an aggressive swordsmanship, but…
Then what is its Secret Art?
“The Secret Art of Dakiya Style is basically aimed at breaking the limit of swordsmanship attacks. Originally, we could only attack within the reach of the blade, but this extends the range. The air, the wind itself becomes the blade that cuts the opponent. Hmm… It might be faster to show you this.”
Transilvania, who was explaining something, stops talking and places his hand on the sword hilt.
I was worried that another fine speech I wouldn’t understand was about to start.
But he seems to be going straight for a demonstration.
“In other words”
His hand moves suddenly.
In the blink of an eye, the blade was drawn, scattering light.
At first, it seemed to merely cut through empty space,
But simultaneously a strong wind blew in all directions.
“So, it’s like this.”
Following the trajectory of the swing, a long trench was dug into the ground.
The end of it extended dozens of meters away.
The base of a tree was cleanly cut off, and it faltered and fell.
One might have thought it was a sword aura, yet, there were absolutely no traces of magic at work
He simply harnessed only the purity of the sword and his body to launch a long-range sword strike.
“Well, visually, nothing beats this demonstration. The fifth form of the Dakiar style isn’t about simply launching the sword strike, it’s about understanding the principle of extending the range of an attack-“
“Master, I would like to learn this.”
“What the…. why so sudden… how creepy…”
I have to learn this.
I absolutely must learn this.