Chapter 120 – The People of the Sword Master’s Family (3)

It was a late night, close to midnight.

I was flipping through the dictionary of demons. As Abel mentioned, the territory of Nibelung is outside the communication coverage zone.

Therefore, information research is carried out in a somewhat rudimentary manner, but personally, I prefer these types of physical books.

== ==

Undead

[noun]

1. A demonic creature that has revived from its state of death. Although the danger of a single individual is class D and weak, when they are in groups… (text omitted)…

== ==

“…Hmm.”

Even after scanning through it with narrowed eyes, I found no information on the ‘draugr.’

I had hoped to find some clue.

I murmured bitterly,

“If the information were in the dictionary, it would have been exterminated long ago.”

That’s a relief. However, this is a journey to hunt a class S demonic creature, equivalent to a natural disaster. It’s frustrating to be in this situation without even the minimum security measures.

Even recalling my days as a player, there is very little data on the draugr. Practically nonexistent.

The Undead Dungeon is not very relevant to the main story.

During my time as a player, draugr weren’t even mandatory extermination targets, and their defeat strategy was notoriously difficult.

The only thing I know is that they command an army of immortals. Over time, the number of undead increases.

Initially, a small group of ten would grow to thousands in less than an hour.

In the community, this overwhelming number was compared to a tsunami.

Moreover, even if you shred those walking corpses to pieces, the draugr can use its ‘necromantic magic’ to revive them.
Immortal (不死). It perfectly fits the meaning of ‘undead’—that which does not die.

Even if they are the lowest-grade undead, if their numbers reach thousands or tens of thousands, death is inevitable.

There is no victory in numbers against a horde. Especially when we are vulnerable to such sheer volume… there are too many obstacles to overcome.

“We must cut off the draugr’s head before their numbers grow.”

The battle will be a race against time. Moreover, due to my [Blessing of the Sword God], I must decide the battle within 50 seconds.

More than urgent, it will be a desperate struggle.

Of course, with a party consisting of the descendant of the Sword Master, Abel, and the senior hero Shail, with their help, I could relieve some of the time pressure.

“But…”

I shook my head. Abel’s goal is to recover her parents’ remains.

It has been her wish for the past ten years. I can’t allow her purpose to be tainted by my own cause.

And no matter how bravely I speak, the draugr is definitely a class S demonic creature.

The Undead Dungeon remains abandoned only because it has not yet been revealed that the draugr is sealed there.

Normally, young people like us wouldn’t even be allowed near it.

“…It could be as dangerous as Agor was.”

Suddenly, I remembered that time. The feeling when I cut down the Fifth Corps Commander, Agor.

A blank mind and a body that moved on its own. But it wasn’t manipulated by any external entity; it was definitely my own movement.

“If I had that power now, handling the draugr wouldn’t be a problem.”

A moment of regret, but I soon shook my head.

I have been rapidly losing my humanity lately. Looking back, the starting point was probably that moment.

As a reaction, my assimilation rate had increased significantly.

Snap.

I closed the book and opened the status screen.

“It seems that there are no major variables in the top three ranks.”

My physical and mental state, excluding my armament, has been steadily increasing. The rank of my armament would also rise if I could obtain more magic stones along with special abilities.

So, I mainly checked my assimilation rate.

Flash!

== ==

[NEW! The assimilation rate has been unlocked upon meeting the 25% requirement.]

[With the increase in assimilation rate, it is now possible to obtain memory fragments of 【???】.]

[※ Each time you recover a fragment, you will also receive an additional reward. Total obtained (0/7).]

×××

☆Assimilation Rate: (24.7 ► 29.1) %

▷ The second (2►3) line of 【???】 can be read.

▷ You faintly detect +(2) the voice of 【???】.

→[Upon reaching 35% assimilation rate, the next unlock requirement will be met.]

== ==

What really stands out here is, without a doubt:

‘With the increase in assimilation rate, it is now possible to obtain memory fragments of 【???】.’

“After the lines and the voice, now memories…”

This adds weight to the theory that 【???】 could be a will or a form of life.

And this term ‘memory fragments’—it could easily be translated as pieces of recollection. There are a total of 7 pieces. How to obtain them is still unclear.

A new objective has emerged, or rather, a new mission has been presented.

This phrase could be the clearest clue regarding the [Blessing of the Sword God].

“…But the problem is that I don’t know the conditions.”

Will the assimilation rate automatically increase if I imagine it? That would be the easiest way, but it doesn’t seem to be the case.

The fact that it even mentions ‘obtain’ indicates that something else is required.

So far, this system has never given me anything for free.

Fortunately, it says I will receive an additional reward upon obtaining them… but the method remains complicated.

“Tch.”

I got up from my chair and leaned against the windowsill.

I looked out at the night sky. The frost-covered mountains that had remained unchanged for thousands of years. The light of the full moon illuminated them splendidly.

A nearly mystical sight, like a drop of yellow paint dissolving into a black canvas.

“Now I see why Switzerland is famous for its natural landscapes.”

As I gazed, entranced, I suddenly heard a rumbling sound. I lowered my gaze and looked around.

The source of the noise was Abel.

She was practicing swordsmanship against the picturesque backdrop.
Abel firmly gripped the hilt of her sword and raised it.

Her posture was almost perfect, difficult to find a flaw.

Her shoulders trembled, and then she lowered the sword.

—Swish.

The sound of metal cutting through the night air.

That resonance echoed through the trees and mountains.

A clean, unembellished sword technique.

“…Wow, as expected.”

Before I realized it, I let out a murmur of admiration.

Even though my style is different, I’m also a swordsman. I can appreciate the level Abel has reached with her sword technique.

Extraordinary talent, and effort that far exceeds that talent.

As a fellow student and swordsman, she is undoubtedly an ideal to emulate.

But for some reason, her brows furrowed.

Abel sighed, grabbed her shoulders, and rotated them.

—You’re still putting too much strength into your shoulders…

Then, she firmly grasped the hilt of her sword and took her stance again.

—Still, tomorrow is an important day. I can’t be a burden to the ones going with me. Especially to Kang Geom-Ma… just two hundred more times!

Abel’s practice continued.

Lifting and lowering her sword, repeating the uniform motion. Midnight had already passed.

I was probably the only spectator.

—Whoosh.

No tricks. No one was there to praise her.

Any small mistake was immediately corrected and perfected.

I watched this process for a while and murmured in a low voice.

“Why do I suddenly feel so moved?”

Encouraging myself internally, I stepped away from the moonlight.

Perhaps my gaze could be a distraction for her.

Behind me, the sounds continued.

—Whoosh.

The air was sliced through cleanly.

—Whoosh.

The blade of the sword glided through the night wind.

—Whoosh.

Abel continued swinging her sword today as well.

***

The next day, in front of the gates of Castle Sigurd.

“Grandfather, we’re leaving.”

“Yes, Abel. Come back having grown even more, and be careful.”

Before our departure, the Swordmaster bid us farewell.

‘The Swordmaster is surprisingly calm.’

The Swordmaster gave Abel several words of advice. He looked at her with a clear smile. I had noticed an unexpected reaction from him over the past few days.

“…Perhaps it’s because it’s just a Class D dungeon, is that his reasoning?”

It’s hard to read his true intentions, but seeing him so composed, I felt less pressured as well.

…If he knew that a Draugr was sealed deep within the dungeon, he probably wouldn’t be so calm.

If the Swordmaster had realized it, he would have torn up the departure permit on the spot.

As I watched with my arms crossed, Shail quietly approached me and said.

“It looks like the head of the household is more nervous than we are.”

“…Huh?”

Shail said something completely opposite to my thoughts.

When my face showed surprise, Shail smiled slightly.

“The Swordmaster always suppresses his emotions the stronger they are. The more important the matter, the more he treats it as if it’s no big deal.”

“Is there a reason for acting like that?”

“I can’t claim to fully understand the Swordmaster’s intentions, but perhaps it’s out of consideration for those around him.”

“Consideration…”

“If he showed concern, imagine how much more that would affect the others.”

“…Ah.”

I nodded. Shail responded with a gentle smile after speaking.

Soon after, the conversation between the Swordmaster and Abel ended. We loaded our things into the car trunk.

The plan was as follows.

First, Shail would drive us to Geneva’s train station.

From there, we would take a train through the Alps, as the roads were too rough for driving.

Even though Shail claimed she could handle it, that suggestion was rejected.

Outdoor horseback riding was not a viable option either.

Then, a three-hour train ride. We would arrive in the French city of Lyon, where we would spend the night before entering the dungeon the next day.

With everything packed and ready to leave, the Swordmaster called me.

“Cadet Kang Geom-Ma.”

“Yes, Swordmaster.”

The Swordmaster looked at me directly, his gaze more serious than when he looked at Abel.

He placed a hand on my shoulder and said.

“I trust you.”

Just those three words.

With that, the Swordmaster stepped back a few paces.

Shail bowed to the Swordmaster.

“I will do my best to properly support the young lady and Kang Geom-Ma.”

“I am always grateful to you, Shail.”

With that, the formalities concluded.
We closed the car door. Through the rear window, the Swordmaster and Karon waved at us.

—Vroom.

Immediately, the car sped away, its exhaust roaring.

***

At Castle Sigurd, only the Swordmaster and Karon remained.

They watched as the vehicle quickly disappeared from sight. The Swordmaster murmured in a low voice.

“Shail’s driving is still as aggressive as ever.”

Karon, holding his forehead, responded.

“…When she returns, be sure to have a serious talk with her.”

The Swordmaster chuckled and shook his head.

“Let it be. She hasn’t had an accident so far. Besides, Shail’s driving saves us time.”

“If that’s what you say…”

“Either way, that’s not important right now.”

The Swordmaster’s laughter ceased. He looked at Karon with a serious expression.

“The young ones have left, so we, the adults, should get moving too. Are you ready, Karon?”

Karon slightly averted his gaze.

“For the moment, yes.”

“Then, let’s go immediately.”

“…Swordmaster.”

“What?”

Karon spoke with difficulty, feeling uneasy.

“I think this is too hasty. If we visit the Association suddenly…”

“If Changseong invites us, we must respond. Isn’t that obvious?”

“But a visit right now could be misinterpreted by the Association.”

Concern was evident on Karon’s face. The Swordmaster only tilted his head slightly.

“You know how this world works, Karon. You must return what you receive.”

“It could lead to a physical conflict.”

Karon was clearly worried, but the Swordmaster dismissed the concern immediately.

“They have started investigating Kang Geom-Ma. As his guardian, it is my duty to send a warning.”

“…”

“We’re not looking for trouble. But if Kang Geom-Ma faces any obstacles, we, the adults, must handle it. The boy is still too young. He cannot face everything alone.”

The Swordmaster’s voice was as cold as ice.

Karon knew there was no way to change such a firm decision. The Swordmaster was never one to change his mind once he had decided something.

Finally, Karon sighed and nodded in resignation.

“Understood.”

“Don’t worry. With us there, what conflict could possibly concern us?”

“It’s been over twenty years since I was in the field.”

“Haha, man, someone who reached Warrior rank at twenty-five shouldn’t be saying that.”

Karon’s glasses glinted in the sunlight.

“It still gives me chills when I hear your nickname.”

The Swordmaster smiled and added.

“Karon Rakshasa .” [1]

“…”

“It will be good to have your support again.”

T/N:

1: The term 羅刹 (Rakshasa) refers to a demon or malevolent spirit in Hindu mythology, known for its strength and magical abilities.