Chapter 94
“Only swordsmen can obtain this skill. The presence or absence of Aura divides those who surpass first-class swordsmen from those who do not.”
Garant began his explanation.
“As you’ve seen, it essentially manifests as blue flames. It’s said to turn white at its peak, but I’ve never seen it.”
“What are its characteristics?”
“It has a near-absolute cutting power.”
It slices through steel and cracks rocks. Nothing in nature can withstand Aura.
The only possibilities are magically defended and finely crafted legendary swords.
“Is it only applicable to swords?”
“It can be applied to any weapon. However, it’s not freely usable. You can only use it in the form of the weapon you’ve trained with your entire life.”
Someone who trained with a spear can only infuse Aura into a spear, and the same goes for swords.
There seemed to be some limitations.
“But… as you reach higher levels, you can use it more freely. You can infuse Aura into a branch, create a sword purely from Aura, or attack from a distance, among other versatile uses.”
“So, it’s about proficiency.”
Hearing the explanation, another question followed.
“What about power consumption?”
“None.”
“None?”
“While there’s a limit to how much Aura you can produce, using it for a long time doesn’t render you unable to use it. It’s just a bit tiring since you need to keep focusing, but there’s no consumption like mana.”
“Hmm.”
No consumption of mana or energy.
‘It seems useful.’
Not just limited to swords. As proficiency increases, it can be used like a second weapon.
Taesan got to the point.
“How can I learn it?”
The skill of Aura, obtained beyond the sword.
Taesan didn’t know about it until now. Since it wasn’t present in the ghost’s world, the ghost also didn’t know.
It was best to hear from a local. Garant spoke up.
“There’s no specific way to learn it. It’s a kind of power you naturally come to understand.”
“An epiphany?”
“A bit different from that. In my case, two months ago, during training, I entered a state of unconsciousness and since then, I’ve been able to use it. Not just me, but most who use Aura awakened in this way.”
A skill acquired suddenly, unknowingly.
With that unhelpful remark, Taesan frowned. Garant’s face paled momentarily, then he hurriedly added,
“Maybe those who have awakened to Aura, Swordmasters, know how.”
“Swordmasters?”
“Those who reach the level of swordsmanship to learn Aura are called first-class swordsmen. As they begin to learn Aura, they’re referred to as Sword Experts. And those who surpass Experts, mastering not just the sword but Aura completely, reaching a higher realm, are called Swordmasters. They might know how to obtain Aura.”
Taesan looked down at Garant with a peculiar gaze.
‘He’s telling everything without being asked.’
All he did was activate Self-Proof. That alone made him this compliant.
“Are your questions answered?”
“For now.”
“Then, please kill me.”
Taesan paused. Garant closed his eyes and calmly said,
“Please don’t toy with me and grant me rest. Great one.”
Faced with such a desire for death, Taesan was perplexed.
‘What’s going on?’
He had no intention of letting him live, but this level of resignation left him somewhat baffled.
‘What did he feel?’
“Alright.”
Taesan thrust his sword. Relief spread across Garant’s face.
[Your Spiritual Ascension has activated. The difference in soul levels between you and your opponent is too great. You gained nothing from the opponent.]
Spiritual Ascension does not activate. It was natural, given the level difference that allowed Taesan to kill him with a single blow.
Taesan sheathed his sword, sending a disconcerted look.
Garant’s face was filled with peace.
“This feels odd.”
After dealing with Garant’s body and waiting for Anetsha to wake up, Taesan re-examined Self-Proof.
[A Special Always-On Skill: Self-Proof] [What you’ve accumulated becomes phenomena that orbit around you.]
Taesan activated the skill. The air seemed to settle. Though he felt it, he couldn’t know for sure. The skill, when used by its wielder, felt like nothing.
“Does it feel any different?”
[I’m not sure. I’m dead, after all. I don’t know strength, nor can I discern aura.]
“Hmm.”
Taesan knew about Self-Proof. It was a skill Taeyeon always activated.
But she only reached the level of intimidation. Players in the easy or normal mode might have been scared to follow, but there wasn’t a sensation of witnessing something absolute.
“Something’s different.”
The description was about what he had accumulated becoming phenomena. There was no reason for Taeyeon, who had cleared up to the 100th floor, to be weaker.
“I’ll have to look into it later.”
It wasn’t urgent. Taesan deactivated the skill.
Time passed.
The sun, high in the sky, had disappeared, bringing darkness.
And Anetsha woke up.
Anetsha, opening her eyes, sat up. She stumbled out of the cave.
The sky, already dark, was observed by Anetsha.
Usually, due to tension and fatigue, she would wake up after just an hour of sleep, but now, she had slept for well over ten hours.
“Awake?”
“…Hello.”
Taesan shuffled around the campfire. Anetsha stared blankly at him.
She was being protected by someone else.
It felt like a fledgling bird finding its nest. Comforting, her entire body began to relax.
‘No.’
Anetsha quickly shook her head.
Though Taesan promised to protect her, he was a stranger. Uncertain when he might leave, she couldn’t let her guard down.
Her blank gaze slowly regained focus.
Though it was apparent what she was thinking, Taesan didn’t point it out.
It wasn’t a wrong thought. Once the quest was complete, he would return to the labyrinth.
Taesan broached the main topic.
“Know any safe places?”
“There’s no such place.”
Anetsha murmured gloomily. Since Hamon zealously sought to erase all traces of demons, the lands once belonging to demons were trampled and burnt.
“Everyone wants to kill me.”
“Yeah, they would.”
Move to a safe place.
What that meant was still hard to grasp.
Taesan stood up.
“Let’s move for now. There’s got to be somewhere safer than here.”
Taesan and she entered a ravine. He was unfamiliar with the geography, so Anetsha guided while he made the path.
Hunters targeting Anetsha consistently appeared, all dealt with by Taesan.
Through time, it became clear that Anetsha hadn’t abandoned her faith in the deity.
She prayed every night to someone.
Presumably, to the Devil.
And three days passed. Taesan, annoyed, swung his fist. A fleeing hunter fell flat.
“Where exactly is a safe place?”
Wherever they went, enemies followed. Although it didn’t take long to dispose of them, it was increasingly irritating.
“Not even enough time to train.”
Taesan grumbled, grasping his sword. He closed his eyes and calmed his mind.
Garant had a sudden realization of Aura during training. Taesan planned to start training from scratch, following that.
The training he was undertaking was refining his swordsmanship, focusing on controlling the body through the mind rather than physical movement.
He reviewed his movements and corrected errors.
[Proficiency of Storm Scar’s Sword has increased by 1%.]
Continuing his training with a minor gain, three hours passed, and Taesan opened his eyes.
“Not yet, huh?”
No signs of learning Aura yet. Taesan licked his lips and stood up, feeling someone’s gaze.
Anetsha, sitting in front of the cave, was watching him with sparkling eyes.
“Been watching long?”
“Since two hours ago.”
“Aren’t you sleeping?”
“I’m feeling better now.”
Anetsha smiled.
For three days, as if catching up on all the sleep she missed, Anetsha slept except for when they were moving. Now that she seemed refreshed, her face brightened.
“I haven’t had the chance to properly thank you. I’m truly grateful.”
Anetsha stood, mimicking a gesture of gratitude with her dress hem and bowing.
“As the demon princess, Anetsha Brihete, I thank you. Really, thank you, Taesan.”
Her neat and precise manners made Taesan shake his head.
“I’m getting paid for it, so it’s fine.”
“Still, I must express my gratitude.”
She thanked him with a smile.
“Done with your training?”
“Yeah.”
Taesan briefly answered her curious gaze.
He was accustomed to solitude. Watching someone train was a first for him, making it somewhat awkward.
“What kind of training are you doing? Oh, if it’s a bother, you don’t have to tell me.”
“It’s not a bother, just trying to learn Aura.”
“Really?”
Surprise appeared on Anetsha’s face.
“To learn Aura?”
From her perspective, Taesan was a monster. Considering his level in both magic and swordsmanship, she assumed he already knew Aura.
Taesan answered her puzzled look.
“I come from a different place.”
“A different place?”
Her face filled with curiosity, about to ask where, when Taesan drew his sword. Anetsha quickly silenced herself.
“Again?”
Sounds approached from afar. Taesan, fed up, complained.
“What’s all this?”
In the past three days, not a day went by without being chased. Despite quickly dealing with them and moving, they seemed to pinpoint their location and follow consistently.
“Probably a divine decree was issued. Hamon wants to erase us.”
“Persistent fellow.”
Taesan gestured.
“Stay inside.”
“Okay.”
Anetsha hid inside the cave.
Soon, figures appeared.
“Hmm. Is that where the demon princess is?”
“Yes, master.”
A bearded old man in robes spoke. Many others in robes surrounded him.
“Mages?”
Interest flickered on Taesan’s face.
“Better than dealing with hunters. Something to gain too.”
The old man laughed heartily upon seeing Taesan.
“A dog guarding the princess? Lacking manners, aren’t you?”
Taesan had killed all who came. The hunter he first let go kept silent and left for his hometown, so no information about him was disclosed.
But as hunters failed to return, people realized someone strong was protecting the princess, killing all the hunters.
“Fairly useful, but after all, just a swordsman. Submit to the mysteries of magic.”
Conversely, from now on, those who came were capable of handling the hunters.
“I am a great mage from the Malbrey faction of the Mage Tower, Barmoldor. Wretched swordsman, kneel before me.”
The old man raised his staff. Magic began to form.
“Li…ve…”
A robed man, intending to scream in fear, was impaled through the chest by a sword.
Barmoldor shouted in rage.
“Spread out, everyone! Cast spells all at once!”
The initial confidence was gone. Now, it was a desperate attempt to kill Taesan at any cost.
Mages began chanting, conjuring their spells.
Small flames and icicles materialized.
Taesan, unimpressed, deflected the spells. Mystical flames and ice shattered against his mortal form.
[You have cast Frost Arrow.]
Extreme cold manifested, withering nearby trees. Mages’ breath fogged in the air.
One mage was astonished.
“How can you cast Frost Origin without chanting!”
“Is that what it’s called? Sounds grand.”
Taesan launched his Frost Arrows. Mages tried to defend with magical barriers, but they were effortlessly torn apart.
“What madness!”
Barmoldor couldn’t believe it. Even he, a mage of the Mage Tower, couldn’t approach the level of cold magic!
Taesan leaped into the air.
[You have activated Air Leap.]
He dashed through the air, cutting down another mage before his spell could form.
“Yikes!”
The old man swung his staff. A magical arrow sliced through the air.
Taesan stepped on air.
[You have activated Air Leap.]
He soared, evading the magical arrow, and dispatched another mage.
“Now you’re alone?”
Taesan pointed his sword at Barmoldor. The old man stepped back, pale.
“I won’t kill you right away, so don’t worry.”
Taesan landed. Barmoldor hastily began to chant, but before he could utter a word, he was forced to the ground, clutching his head.
After subduing Barmoldor, Taesan hummed.
“Tell me about magic.”