Chapter 226

               

The fight with Swallow Blade was a bloodbath.

If you tried to land a single strike, you’d get cut twice in return.

Even so, Encrid didn’t change. He was the same as always. Even with his life hanging by a thread, he remained unchanged.

That relentless spirit and temperament never wavered, and that’s why he was still standing now.

“Hey, those eyes are really getting on my nerves.”

A deeper smile appeared on Swallow Blade’s face.

Seeing that, Rem, who had flinched several times during their fight, mouthed his words in silence.

Wasn’t this the kind of moment no one could endure?

Naturally, he spoke up.

“Yeah, it’s annoying. I get it.”

Why could he understand how Swallow Blade felt at a time like this?

Hadn’t he experienced the same thing?

Sure enough, Ragna, Jaxson, and Audin were all busy nodding their heads.

No matter what you did, it didn’t change anything.

He simply did his job. Before thinking about right or wrong, he just moved forward.

Because of that, Audin had used the Isolation Technique on someone else for the first time, Jaxson had passed on what he called the [Perception of Evasion], and Rem had given him the [Heart of the Beast].

Ragna had given Encrid his own art for the same reason.

Those eyes, that stubbornness—he never considered giving up. Just watching him could drive a person crazy.

“Aren’t you scared?”

Swallow Blade asked, sounding almost worn out. As he spoke, he subtly twisted his blade. He switched to an unusual stance, his footing changing as well.

Encrid, too, looked at his opponent and shifted his sword position, pushing his body across the floor with the soles of his feet still flat.

Without using his knees, he slid his feet, and his body seemed to move smoothly while standing.

“What?”

“You just almost died.”

“Pretty sure that was the same for you.”

Just a moment ago, during their exchange, Swallow Blade had pretended to step forward with his left foot, only to pull it back at the last second—a trick.

Encrid fell for it and swung his sword forward, but a perfectly timed counter-thrust came flying in.

When the tip of the sword split into four and curled in, you’d have to be crazy not to feel dizzy.

Encrid was no different.

But that didn’t mean he got his neck pierced by the blade.

How did he dodge it?

‘[Perception of Evasion].’

Jaxson’s skill had saved his life. In exchange, his nape was slashed. It felt like his neck was wrapped in a burning hot lump of iron. The sharp pain lingered.

This wasn’t the only wound.

Encrid’s abdomen had been pierced, and the tendon in his forearm had nearly been cut.

A moment ago, he had nearly lost his head.

“That’s enough for today! Now, today’s not the only day we’ll be doing this.”

At Rem’s signal, Krys shouted loudly.

Swallow Blade, of course, had no intention of stopping. He was about to slash straight through.

Of course, he couldn’t carry out his intent.

“Be careful. You’re getting on my nerves.”

Rem’s sudden words. When had he approached? He was now behind and to the left of Encrid. What would happen if Swallow Blade cut Encrid here?

He hadn’t even used his trump card yet, but even if he did—

‘I’d die too.’

Naturally, Swallow Blade valued his own life above anyone else’s.

“Fine.”

He withdrew his sword and showed his palms. It was the sign to stop. Even so, there was still a faint hint of killing intent.

Rem snorted and took his eyes off the guy.

It didn’t matter if he looked away. At this distance, whatever the guy tried, Rem’s axe would be faster. That was the confidence behind it.

Besides, Rem wasn’t acting alone.

The sly wildcat was on the opposite side.

How many people even noticed that?

At least, Swallow Blade didn’t.

“All right, seriously, today’s not the only day. Go relax, get to know each other. If you’re bored, there are plenty of places behind the inn that’ll delight your palate. Don’t know which ones are good? Ah, too bad! But just in case you’re curious—!”

Krys took the opportunity to look after his own interests, but it wasn’t really annoying.

He had a strange charm that could lighten even the sharpest atmosphere.

“Here it is—the Border Guards’ The Good Map.”

It was a simple map that needed no explanation. Shops selling seasoned jerky, marmalade, and well-baked bread were clearly marked, making it easy to follow.

“One map costs ten krong.”

The price was vague. Ten krong wasn’t too much or too little, but to those who liked to splurge, it was definitely a small amount.

“Give me one. After losing so much blood, I should eat well.”

Swallow Blade grinned as he took a map, and a few other people from the merchant group bought some, too.

The rapier-wielding knight and the count’s party naturally each ended up with one, and finally, the half-blood giant asked carefully.

“Shouldn’t the gentleman who bled today pay for this?”

Just as he was about to hand over a map, Krys quickly pulled his hand back.

“That was until yesterday. From today, everyone pays full price. Lady.”

It was the first time the half-blooded warrior had ever been called “lady.” She nodded.

Then she handed over exactly ten krong and received the map.

Krys clapped his hands and addressed everyone.

“This isn’t a losing deal. Get plenty of rest, tour the city, and if you’re bored, spar with each other—but don’t cause any trouble. Especially, please pay attention to the safety of the townsfolk.”

Krys bowed, lowering his hands like an actor on stage.

Then he raised his head and said,

“Welcome to Border Guards.”

Even though he was bleeding badly, not to the point of dying, Encrid watched it all and thought,

‘Does that guy think Border Guards is some kind of tourist city?’

It wore the mask of a trade city, but it was a military city through and through.

There was nothing here for these people to really enjoy or tour.

But it didn’t look like they’d be leaving anytime soon.

Why wouldn’t they?

“I’ll pass for now.”

What kind of look did the rapier knight have as he said that?

His eyes shone. There was a glimmer of competitiveness. You could also see his curiosity.

Whatever he was thinking, he wouldn’t be leaving.

The half-blood giant was the same.

She looked like she intended to stay as well.

As for Edin Molsen’s party, there was no need to even mention them.

“Let’s go again!”

No sooner had he recovered than he shouted, but after watching Encrid’s fight with Swallow Blade, he fell silent.

Still, the way his eyebrows twitched showed just how much he disliked this situation.

Either way, since he was staying, the people who’d come with him as escorts would also remain.

‘Ah, how abundant.’

Was this what it felt like to be satisfied in your heart?

He felt full even without eating.

“You’re really out to make a buck. And what’s with the last bit about the safety of the townsfolk?”

Wasn’t that something they should take care of themselves?

Satisfied as he was, he raised a question to Krys when he returned, and this big-eyed squad member whispered as if to show he hadn’t just spoken thoughtlessly.

“That Swallow Blade guy, I just have a bad feeling about him. I think he’ll cause trouble if we leave him alone, so I should tell the higher-ups to keep a closer watch on public safety. If he dies fighting a soldier, it can’t be helped, but if an outsider comes to town and kills a civilian, that’s a real headache.”

Encrid thought back to Swallow Blade, the one who fought him today.

That sword, those techniques—a guy you don’t forget. He’d been too busy fending off attacks to get a sense of his personality. But since Krys was sharp when it came to people, he was probably right.

“Jaxson, report it to the higher-ups.”

“Sure.”

Sending off the sly wildcat, Encrid hobbled back to his lodging.

“Hey, you think your body’s going to last?”

Rem joined up beside him.

It was nagging, but Encrid couldn’t argue. It was true.

His body was in tatters. There was a hole in his belly, and his arm had nearly lost a tendon.

If he died, everything would heal, leaving only what he’d trained. In a way, it was a convenient and advantageous ability.

But Encrid endured.

If someone asked why, he wouldn’t have an answer.

He just wanted to. He’d flail, struggle, and move forward.

He’d simply deleted the word ‘give up’ from his struggles and desperate efforts.

Encrid didn’t know, but that was the essence of the Boatman’s curse.

Its core was making you settle for each day.

If the Boatman had known this was his mindset, he might have gotten so angry he’d have thrown his lamp into the black river in a fit of rage.

Of course, Encrid wasn’t acting with any of this in mind.

He just quietly did as he always had.

“Well, you didn’t die.”

“You say that so easily. So, did you actually see that guy’s swordsmanship?”

“I did.”

In a brief moment, he recalled the earlier fight.

Swallow Blade’s swordplay mixed orthodox and illusion styles. On the continent, they called this ‘Qi Sword.’ More specifically, it was the eastern-style Qi Sword.

The sword’s trajectory was strange, and its striking points were odd.

It would look like he was aiming for your arm, but then the sword would suddenly strike your shoulder; he’d go for the shoulder and suddenly hit somewhere around your thigh.

It was hard to read his movements.

So, how had he responded?

At first, he’d just countered. He was determined to land a blow for every blow he took.

He swung his sword fast and hard.

How did his opponent respond?

He blocked Encrid’s blade and, in turn, targeted his wrist.

Technically, there was a reason he was called Swallow Blade.

And he hadn’t even shown the swordsmanship that earned him the nickname.

So he was pushed back. He lost. It was a defeat.

Did that make him regretful? Not at all.

‘I can catch up.’

If a day’s training wasn’t enough, then two days; if two days weren’t enough, then a week; if a week wasn’t enough, then a month.

Given enough time, he believed he’d reach it.

It wasn’t that he’d lost in a battle of tactics, strength, or speed. It was purely a difference in mastery of technique.

That was what Qi Sword was like.

It was a swordsmanship that truly deserved to be called bizarre.

“If you saw it, it’s simple. Just block everything you see.”

Rem’s advice hit home.

‘Is it really necessary to win with technique?’

Even if there’s only one destination, there’s more than one road.

“Try to use your head a bit.”

Instead of running down a single path, he’d try looking at the bigger picture.

Even if his body could keep up, he decided not to get complacent.

“Hey, I like that.”

Rem laughed. That grin looked good on him.

Come to think of it, he’d never liked seeing Swallow Blade’s smile.

Maybe Krys had a point.

When he returned, bleeding all over, Esther saw him and gave a short, coughing sound.

It was as if to say, Are you serious?

She’d sent him off in perfect condition this morning, and now he came back like this?

‘Hmm, how is it that Esther nags more than Rem does?’

It was a mystery. Rem chuckled and said,

“Hey, panther mage, this guy’s going to keep being like this.”

The black panther didn’t reply to Rem. Ragna simply asked if Encrid had fun today.

Encrid nodded.

* * *

This wound was something he definitely couldn’t recover from in just one day.

But for Dunbakel watching beside him, even this was a shock.

“In three days?”

“I’m all right now.”

Would this beastfolk be surprised every time he got up?

Encrid wondered that as he took a step.

He’d heard that they were still staying at the market inn.

Who should I spar with this time?

His pounding heart pushed his feet forward.

His arm wasn’t fully healed yet, but he had another hand, and the ointment Jaxson gave him worked wonders.

Audin had also secretly bestowed a touch of divine power.

It wasn’t enough to manifest a light, but it was enough to boost his healing, so he was already up and about.

Otherwise, even with regeneration, even Encrid would have been bedridden for over a week.

* * *

Swallow Blade was overwhelmed by murderous urges.

Late at night, he was tempted to go out and slit a few throats.

The wounds he’d received fighting Encrid had scabbed over after two days.

Looking at his own wounds, the urge flared up.

Unable to hold back, he was about to head out.

“Stop. Little human.”

The half-blood giant blocked his way.

“Huh?”

“I said stop.”

Playing dumb with a fake smile—

A man sitting at a table in the combined inn and pub glanced over with his drink.

The rapier knight.

“Swallow Blade, you’re with the Black Blade Bandits, right? Always running with your own kind, making noise. Give it a rest, will you? You’re just causing trouble for everyone staying in this city.”

“What are you even talking about?”

Swallow Blade just grinned, feigning innocence, and the two fell silent. Still, he couldn’t just brush past them and head out.

“Just wanted to take a walk at night.”

Muttering, he stepped back up the creaky wooden stairs.

Once Swallow Blade was gone, the rapier knight sipped his drink and the half-blood giant stood there lost in thought.

No one could tell what was going through their minds.

“Why haven’t you fought the big one?”

The rapier knight suddenly asked.

“He’s not my target or my objective.”

He was also curious about that friend Audin’s skills.

The rapier knight nodded.

Soon, Edin Molsen’s escort came down the stairs.

At the sound of the creaking steps from the second floor, both of them looked up instinctively.

He walked out of the inn without a word.

But Swallow Blade, apparently still watching without having left, followed down and asked,

“Why do you let that guy go out?”

“He’s not the type to cause trouble.”

“And me?”

“You are.”

Without missing a beat, the rapier knight replied, making Swallow Blade hesitate.

Should I just cut him once?

But soon he let it go.

It wasn’t exactly an injury, but he had been hurt.

And besides, both of them had already seen his swordsmanship.

To be fair, he ought to see theirs, too.

So next time, he’d fight either Encrid or one of those two.

* * *

Things soon went as he hoped.

When Encrid returned, the rapier knight stepped up.

“Looks like it’s my turn this time.”

“Let’s do it.”

Encrid was unbothered by whoever challenged him.

Watching that, Swallow Blade felt his insides twist again.

‘Those eyes of his, damn.’

How could someone be so straight-laced?

Either way, Encrid faced off against the rapier knight.

There was no risk of getting badly hurt this time.

The spar was clean and well-matched.

Or, to be honest—

‘What did that guy even come here for?’

Swallow Blade could more or less see the motives of everyone else who’d come along. Especially that big female warrior—he knew her true identity.

He was just pretending not to.

But the rapier knight was different.

Through their duel, he was teaching Encrid.