CH 61
We arrived at the interior of the .
As I smiled at the sight of Resilia and Radd curiously looking around, I recalled the “setting” of this building that I had read about in the past.
[This place was built by a legendary Treasure Hunter in cooperation with the Gods to bequeath his power to the future generation of Adventurers. So to be precise, this isn’t a dungeon. This is a Temple, just like the in Frelia.]
[This is…… a Temple huh.]
Looking at the walls with a somewhat solemn atmosphere, I continued.
[Since this place isn’t a dungeon, you won’t find any monsters here, and the only thing you can acquire here is the Class . There’s no EXP to be acquired, nor are there any hidden treasures. However, the Class is useful for exploring and learning a number of useful skills.]
The produces a decoy that emits a non-damaging shockwave that attracts enemies’ attention.
The , which increases the distance from which items can be collected, making it possible to collect from multiple gathering spots at the same time.
The , which increases the amount of multiple items that can be collected at one time by 30%.
The , which is like a skill variant of the Decoy Gun, is useful for both keeping enemies away and gathering them in one spot, and that enemy gathering ability was directly related to increasing your income.
Although none of these skills are essential, there’s no doubt that learning them will make dungeon exploration much more comfortable.
It’s a Class that is essential to have at least one of them in your party.
[H- Hey! That’s great for exploration, but I’m aiming to become a Warrior……]
[Don’t worry about that. Even though most of the abilities of the Treasure Hunter Class lean toward exploration, inside they were more of a martial artist who was better at fighting than unlocking locks and solving riddles. There is an anecdote about the Treasure Hunter this statue is based on, with him storming a dungeon heavily armed with his sword and spear, using his strength of arms to overcome traps and gimmicks. Just as I had mentioned earlier, its affinity compensation itself is more combat-oriented than that of .]
[W- What’s with that……]
I had also been wondering about this when I first heard it, but this was actually the way it was set up, so there’s nothing I can do about it.
[Anyhow. With that, there are no “monsters” here, so there’s no danger to your life. In other words, this place is more like an attraction.]
[Attraction?]
I smiled back at Radd, who curiously asked about the word which he seemed to be unfamiliar with.
[“A place you play around in”. That’s why, go have as much fun as you want.]
Saying this, I walked up to the center of the Temple.
There sits a large pedestal, and on a plate on the pedestal were carved these words:
————He who desires to inherit my power and will.
————If you desire to gain my power, take the Key Without Fire and overcome three Trials.
When I held up my hand, the pedestal emitted a pale light and a small magatama with a string attached fell softly into my hand.
[Is that the “Key Without Fire”?]
I nodded my head in affirmation to Resilia, who looked at the thing in my hand with interest.
[Yeah. Our goal for the time being is to complete two ordeals and make this a “Complete Key” but……]
That should be enough for the finer details for now.
[————Well, just watch. I’ll teach you how to “play” here.]
With that said I stepped out into the first ordeal.
※ ※ ※
【Trial One】
Slip through the blade of my knights and light the Fire of the Beginning with the key.
On the floor before the fork in the road, there was a plaque that read something like that.
The words “my knights” seemed to be insinuating something, but the true identity of what these words insinuated was quite obvious.
On both sides of the three-meter wide passageway, stone statues of knights were lined up in a row.
(How nostalgic. I used to go here a lot back when I was playing the game.)
If it were my first time here, I would have been terrified, wondering which of these stone statues would move, but I unfortunately have been here long enough to be able to guess without using .
As I glanced further into the room, I saw that at the far end of the row of stone statues was a pedestal similar to the one in the center of the previous room, from which a red light was leaking.
The goal was obvious at a glance.
[Now then……]
I took a step toward the goal with Iron Swords, initial equipment, ready in both hands.
Thereupon, as if they were waiting for me, the third stone statue from the front started to move and disembarked from its platform with a heavy thud.
As a moving armor, it was similar to the , which I had used for infinite grind in the past, but while that was metal armor, this was more of a stone statue in the shape of a knight.
The weight between this and the Knight of Sorrows is different.
The stone knight, who looked slow and heavy, waved the halberd in their hand with a vigor that was hard to believe coming from someone that only had 1 STR.
Looking at its stats again, they really are quite extreme.
All of their defensive stats are high, but their offensive stats are low.
When it comes to STR and ATK, they’re no better than the weakest monster, Goblins.
Considering the numbers alone, they would seem harmless, but of course, that isn’t the case.
————In this ordeal, the challenger can’t take any damage.
This is because the moment damage was judged to have been received by the challenger, the “key”, the magatama shatters, taking damage on its own.
In other words, looking at it in another way, “this trial makes it so that the challenger must not take any damage, no matter how weak the damage may be”.
This condition is rather severe.
Avoiding is fine, but guarding is not.
Guarding reduces the damage you receive, but it doesn’t nullify it.
On the other hand, you also can parry them with your weapon.
Since all the enemy’s attacks are by Arts and Skills, intercepting them with a normal attack will cause damage.
And so, the correct answer here……
[————!!!]
I intercepted the stone statue knight’s Spear Art with an Art of my own.
When Arts collide with each other, they offset each other out and the weaker one gets repelled.
And since the enemy’s PATK is just 1, if our Arts clash, my Art will surely win!
The knight staggers as his weapon is repelled.
However, I didn’t bother giving follow-up attacks.
The opponent’s DEF is 999.
If I just strike them with a superficial attack, I would be the one who would be stiffened.
[! !]
Reading the trajectory of the attack, I crushed the target with my Arts.
After repelling the knight’s Arts for the third time, the knight’s spear glowed red.
(However, I’m sorry. I know what that is too!)
I, who was waiting exactly for that moment, took a step forward.
And then……
[…….!]
As the Spear Skill was knocked back, the stone statue knight staggered.
The red Arts that are released after three repels are impossible to offset.
So, before that stone statue knight could activate it, I knocked back the main body to destroy the activation itself.
From there, it was just another monotonous task.
[! !]
Just like solving a chess problem, I activated my Arts and pushed the opponents to the back of the passageway.
I wonder how many times, no, how many dozens of times have I used my skills?
[! !]
The red signs were crushed by the wind pressure ahead of time, pushing the stone statue knights halfway down the passageway.
————Dodon!
With a sound that seemed to resonate in that room, another stone statue took its step on the floor.
[Well, seems like the real challenge starts now.]
As I watched the other knight approach with their halberd at the ready, my lips curled up to a smile.
※ ※ ※
The only sound in the Temple was the clash of weapons against weapons.
Two stone statues lined up on either side of the passageway thrust their halberds at me as if they were breathing in unison.
But even so, I didn’t collapse.
Even though there are two statues, I have one weapon in each hand.
[In other words, it’s practically one against one!]
My left and right-hand Arts launched separately, the weapons of the knights to my left and to my right were simultaneously shot away.
While thrusting my sword into the knight glowing red on my left, I brushed away the halberd of the knight on my right.
While flicking away the Art of the knight on my left, who is overextending with their overhead strike, I blew away the knight on my right, who was beginning to glow red.
As my hands moved as if they were independent creatures, the both of them managed to deal with the enemies on both sides.
If I misread the recasting of an Art, I would lose, and if I fail to discern the trajectory of the enemy’s attack, it will still lead to my loss.
————Repel, repel, repel, push.
————Push, repel, repel, brush away.
The rapidly changing battlefield and the exchange of techniques almost burned out my brain.
But then……
[Haha! Hahahaha!]
I found myself laughing in delight.
My thinking speed accelerated, and I could feel my brain pumping with adrenaline.
I had been longing for a situation like this since I had a chance, where I would use all my skills to slay powerful enemies.
One where even if I were to lose, I wouldn’t lose my life. It’s just a game for fun.
[How can something like this not be fun!?]
Laughing with all my heart, I brandished my swords.
I overpower, repel, brush away, blow away, and repel again……
[Arya?]
And there, at that moment, the flow of swords, which had been continuing without stopping, staggered.
It seems like my mind wandered a bit too much as the tip of my sword struck one of the dummy stone statues.
————Kashan!
Thereupon, receiving a blow from a stone statue’s halberd, the magatama I’m wearing on my chest shattered noisily.
※ ※ ※
[What a dry bunch, these guys are.]
The moment the magatama shattered, the stone statues lost interest in me and moved slowly back to the pedestals they had been on.
I was tempted to harass them, but no matter what I did, no damage would be dealt to them, and the passageway would be returned to its initial state at the next challenge anyway.
There would be no point messing around here.
Letting out a sigh, I stowed away both of my swords and returned to the central room where Radd and Resilia were.
[Good work, Nii-san.]
It seems like both of them had been watching me the whole time.
As the two of them greeted me in unison, I felt somewhat embarrassed, so I coughed and explained.
[Well, just as you saw, the enemies here are perfect for practicing Arts. It’s easier to improve your Class proficiency when you actually have something you’re practicing on.]
However, they didn’t respond to my words for a while.
After a long period of silence, Radd spoke with seriousness in his eyes.
[……Seeing what happened made me think of this again. Ummm, Old man. Your swordsmanship really is amazing.]
[I- Is that so?]
Hearing the words spoken by Radd, who was usually not straightforward, even I am not sure how I would react.
Radd looked down for a moment, but quickly looked up and declared with his usual competitive spirit.
[However! I’ll definitely catch up with you someday, no, I’ll even overtake you!]
His eyes carrying his straightforward will collided with mine.
……If it was the me from before, I would have acted like a grown up and told him “I see. Do your best.”, then end the topic with that.
However, as for what I feel right now……
[……Sorry.]
I looked back at Radd, who was staring straight at me, and clearly declared.
[————Sorry, but I don’t intend to lose. I’m also aiming to be the “strongest swordsman in the world” after all.]
I wasn’t lying when I said I hoped to live a leisurely life in this world.
However, when I got the Class that I had given up on for so long, I felt the desire within me surging out.
It’s not like I’m the “Hero” or anything like that.
I just have a little game knowledge, and I’m neither a genius nor a prodigy.
However, I still have the desire to become the “strongest”, even if it’s just within my dreams.
I guess my words came as a surprise to Radd, as his eyes widened and he looked at me for a while……
[T- The heck is with that. The Old man just now looked even cooler than usual but……]
Thereupon, tilting his head for a moment, he then returned my declaration with his innately rebellious eyes.
[I’m not going to lose!]
I gazed towards his blazing eyes.
I thought it was out of character for me to say things like that, but I also found myself enjoying it.
[It’s my turn next! I’ll definitely catch up with you!]
Without hesitation, Radd held out his hand to the pedestal.
He gripped the magatama, the right to challenge the ordeal, and headed toward the ordeal.
And the propagation of his heat didn’t end there.
[It would be troubling if you leave me out.]
[Resilia……]
Resilia quietly announces in front of the pedestal where Radd is no longer present.
[It’s not like I’m interested in being the strongest. However……]
The same aloof demeanor.
The only difference, however, is in her eyes.
[————I will be the one who will protect Nii-san. For that reason, I will be stronger than anyone else…… stronger than even Nii-san.]
She said this with as much fervor as Radd, looking at me clearly.
[……Putting that aside.]
[Hmmm?]
Just as I was tilting my head at Resilia, who stayed in front of me even after giving that declaration……
[He’s going to take a while to finish, so why don’t you teach me some more Arts until Radd gets back?]
[Here?]
When I asked her back, she subtly looked away, before he continued speaking quickly.
[I’m sure you’ll be able to find a way to get some training in with Radd, but it’s not often that I get the chance to train with you on a one-on-one basis, so since there’s an opportunity……]
[But is it okay for you to have your rival teach you their skills?]
[That is…… Well, if I want to be strong, I think I shouldn’t fuss over whether those skills were learned from a friend or a foe.]
Seeing her unconcerned, yet somewhat desperate look on her face, a small chuckle leaked out of my lips.
[Of course, if Nii-san doesn’t want to, I won’t force you……]
[No, that’s fine. Let’s do it.]
To be honest, I’m feeling a sense of crisis around Resilia and Radd, whose abilities are rapidly improving.
Still, I’ll do my best to make those around me stronger, and I just decided I’ll be stronger than that.
[In return, I will not be making any compromises.]
[Of course! That’s exactly as I wanted!]
And so, as we began our first training session alone in a long time————
[D*mn it! I lost in an instant……Ah, eh, u- ummm…… W- Why are you staring at me like that?]
————Radd, whose magatama easily got destroyed and returned within 10 seconds of the start, kept getting stared at by Resilia as if she were looking at an irreconcilable enemy.
As I smiled at the sight of Resilia and Radd curiously looking around, I recalled the “setting” of this building that I had read about in the past.
[This place was built by a legendary Treasure Hunter in cooperation with the Gods to bequeath his power to the future generation of Adventurers. So to be precise, this isn’t a dungeon. This is a Temple, just like the in Frelia.]
[This is…… a Temple huh.]
Looking at the walls with a somewhat solemn atmosphere, I continued.
[Since this place isn’t a dungeon, you won’t find any monsters here, and the only thing you can acquire here is the Class . There’s no EXP to be acquired, nor are there any hidden treasures. However, the Class is useful for exploring and learning a number of useful skills.]
The produces a decoy that emits a non-damaging shockwave that attracts enemies’ attention.
The , which increases the distance from which items can be collected, making it possible to collect from multiple gathering spots at the same time.
The , which increases the amount of multiple items that can be collected at one time by 30%.
The , which is like a skill variant of the Decoy Gun, is useful for both keeping enemies away and gathering them in one spot, and that enemy gathering ability was directly related to increasing your income.
Although none of these skills are essential, there’s no doubt that learning them will make dungeon exploration much more comfortable.
It’s a Class that is essential to have at least one of them in your party.
[H- Hey! That’s great for exploration, but I’m aiming to become a Warrior……]
[Don’t worry about that. Even though most of the abilities of the Treasure Hunter Class lean toward exploration, inside they were more of a martial artist who was better at fighting than unlocking locks and solving riddles. There is an anecdote about the Treasure Hunter this statue is based on, with him storming a dungeon heavily armed with his sword and spear, using his strength of arms to overcome traps and gimmicks. Just as I had mentioned earlier, its affinity compensation itself is more combat-oriented than that of .]
[W- What’s with that……]
I had also been wondering about this when I first heard it, but this was actually the way it was set up, so there’s nothing I can do about it.
[Anyhow. With that, there are no “monsters” here, so there’s no danger to your life. In other words, this place is more like an attraction.]
[Attraction?]
I smiled back at Radd, who curiously asked about the word which he seemed to be unfamiliar with.
[“A place you play around in”. That’s why, go have as much fun as you want.]
Saying this, I walked up to the center of the Temple.
There sits a large pedestal, and on a plate on the pedestal were carved these words:
————He who desires to inherit my power and will.
————If you desire to gain my power, take the Key Without Fire and overcome three Trials.
When I held up my hand, the pedestal emitted a pale light and a small magatama with a string attached fell softly into my hand.
[Is that the “Key Without Fire”?]
I nodded my head in affirmation to Resilia, who looked at the thing in my hand with interest.
[Yeah. Our goal for the time being is to complete two ordeals and make this a “Complete Key” but……]
That should be enough for the finer details for now.
[————Well, just watch. I’ll teach you how to “play” here.]
With that said I stepped out into the first ordeal.
※ ※ ※
【Trial One】
Slip through the blade of my knights and light the Fire of the Beginning with the key.
On the floor before the fork in the road, there was a plaque that read something like that.
The words “my knights” seemed to be insinuating something, but the true identity of what these words insinuated was quite obvious.
On both sides of the three-meter wide passageway, stone statues of knights were lined up in a row.
(How nostalgic. I used to go here a lot back when I was playing the game.)
If it were my first time here, I would have been terrified, wondering which of these stone statues would move, but I unfortunately have been here long enough to be able to guess without using .
As I glanced further into the room, I saw that at the far end of the row of stone statues was a pedestal similar to the one in the center of the previous room, from which a red light was leaking.
The goal was obvious at a glance.
[Now then……]
I took a step toward the goal with Iron Swords, initial equipment, ready in both hands.
Thereupon, as if they were waiting for me, the third stone statue from the front started to move and disembarked from its platform with a heavy thud.
As a moving armor, it was similar to the , which I had used for infinite grind in the past, but while that was metal armor, this was more of a stone statue in the shape of a knight.
The weight between this and the Knight of Sorrows is different.
The stone knight, who looked slow and heavy, waved the halberd in their hand with a vigor that was hard to believe coming from someone that only had 1 STR.
Looking at its stats again, they really are quite extreme.
All of their defensive stats are high, but their offensive stats are low.
When it comes to STR and ATK, they’re no better than the weakest monster, Goblins.
Considering the numbers alone, they would seem harmless, but of course, that isn’t the case.
————In this ordeal, the challenger can’t take any damage.
This is because the moment damage was judged to have been received by the challenger, the “key”, the magatama shatters, taking damage on its own.
In other words, looking at it in another way, “this trial makes it so that the challenger must not take any damage, no matter how weak the damage may be”.
This condition is rather severe.
Avoiding is fine, but guarding is not.
Guarding reduces the damage you receive, but it doesn’t nullify it.
On the other hand, you also can parry them with your weapon.
Since all the enemy’s attacks are by Arts and Skills, intercepting them with a normal attack will cause damage.
And so, the correct answer here……
[————!!!]
I intercepted the stone statue knight’s Spear Art with an Art of my own.
When Arts collide with each other, they offset each other out and the weaker one gets repelled.
And since the enemy’s PATK is just 1, if our Arts clash, my Art will surely win!
The knight staggers as his weapon is repelled.
However, I didn’t bother giving follow-up attacks.
The opponent’s DEF is 999.
If I just strike them with a superficial attack, I would be the one who would be stiffened.
[! !]
Reading the trajectory of the attack, I crushed the target with my Arts.
After repelling the knight’s Arts for the third time, the knight’s spear glowed red.
(However, I’m sorry. I know what that is too!)
I, who was waiting exactly for that moment, took a step forward.
And then……
[…….!]
As the Spear Skill was knocked back, the stone statue knight staggered.
The red Arts that are released after three repels are impossible to offset.
So, before that stone statue knight could activate it, I knocked back the main body to destroy the activation itself.
From there, it was just another monotonous task.
[! !]
Just like solving a chess problem, I activated my Arts and pushed the opponents to the back of the passageway.
I wonder how many times, no, how many dozens of times have I used my skills?
[! !]
The red signs were crushed by the wind pressure ahead of time, pushing the stone statue knights halfway down the passageway.
————Dodon!
With a sound that seemed to resonate in that room, another stone statue took its step on the floor.
[Well, seems like the real challenge starts now.]
As I watched the other knight approach with their halberd at the ready, my lips curled up to a smile.
※ ※ ※
The only sound in the Temple was the clash of weapons against weapons.
Two stone statues lined up on either side of the passageway thrust their halberds at me as if they were breathing in unison.
But even so, I didn’t collapse.
Even though there are two statues, I have one weapon in each hand.
[In other words, it’s practically one against one!]
My left and right-hand Arts launched separately, the weapons of the knights to my left and to my right were simultaneously shot away.
While thrusting my sword into the knight glowing red on my left, I brushed away the halberd of the knight on my right.
While flicking away the Art of the knight on my left, who is overextending with their overhead strike, I blew away the knight on my right, who was beginning to glow red.
As my hands moved as if they were independent creatures, the both of them managed to deal with the enemies on both sides.
If I misread the recasting of an Art, I would lose, and if I fail to discern the trajectory of the enemy’s attack, it will still lead to my loss.
————Repel, repel, repel, push.
————Push, repel, repel, brush away.
The rapidly changing battlefield and the exchange of techniques almost burned out my brain.
But then……
[Haha! Hahahaha!]
I found myself laughing in delight.
My thinking speed accelerated, and I could feel my brain pumping with adrenaline.
I had been longing for a situation like this since I had a chance, where I would use all my skills to slay powerful enemies.
One where even if I were to lose, I wouldn’t lose my life. It’s just a game for fun.
[How can something like this not be fun!?]
Laughing with all my heart, I brandished my swords.
I overpower, repel, brush away, blow away, and repel again……
[Arya?]
And there, at that moment, the flow of swords, which had been continuing without stopping, staggered.
It seems like my mind wandered a bit too much as the tip of my sword struck one of the dummy stone statues.
————Kashan!
Thereupon, receiving a blow from a stone statue’s halberd, the magatama I’m wearing on my chest shattered noisily.
※ ※ ※
[What a dry bunch, these guys are.]
The moment the magatama shattered, the stone statues lost interest in me and moved slowly back to the pedestals they had been on.
I was tempted to harass them, but no matter what I did, no damage would be dealt to them, and the passageway would be returned to its initial state at the next challenge anyway.
There would be no point messing around here.
Letting out a sigh, I stowed away both of my swords and returned to the central room where Radd and Resilia were.
[Good work, Nii-san.]
It seems like both of them had been watching me the whole time.
As the two of them greeted me in unison, I felt somewhat embarrassed, so I coughed and explained.
[Well, just as you saw, the enemies here are perfect for practicing Arts. It’s easier to improve your Class proficiency when you actually have something you’re practicing on.]
However, they didn’t respond to my words for a while.
After a long period of silence, Radd spoke with seriousness in his eyes.
[……Seeing what happened made me think of this again. Ummm, Old man. Your swordsmanship really is amazing.]
[I- Is that so?]
Hearing the words spoken by Radd, who was usually not straightforward, even I am not sure how I would react.
Radd looked down for a moment, but quickly looked up and declared with his usual competitive spirit.
[However! I’ll definitely catch up with you someday, no, I’ll even overtake you!]
His eyes carrying his straightforward will collided with mine.
……If it was the me from before, I would have acted like a grown up and told him “I see. Do your best.”, then end the topic with that.
However, as for what I feel right now……
[……Sorry.]
I looked back at Radd, who was staring straight at me, and clearly declared.
[————Sorry, but I don’t intend to lose. I’m also aiming to be the “strongest swordsman in the world” after all.]
I wasn’t lying when I said I hoped to live a leisurely life in this world.
However, when I got the Class that I had given up on for so long, I felt the desire within me surging out.
It’s not like I’m the “Hero” or anything like that.
I just have a little game knowledge, and I’m neither a genius nor a prodigy.
However, I still have the desire to become the “strongest”, even if it’s just within my dreams.
I guess my words came as a surprise to Radd, as his eyes widened and he looked at me for a while……
[T- The heck is with that. The Old man just now looked even cooler than usual but……]
Thereupon, tilting his head for a moment, he then returned my declaration with his innately rebellious eyes.
[I’m not going to lose!]
I gazed towards his blazing eyes.
I thought it was out of character for me to say things like that, but I also found myself enjoying it.
[It’s my turn next! I’ll definitely catch up with you!]
Without hesitation, Radd held out his hand to the pedestal.
He gripped the magatama, the right to challenge the ordeal, and headed toward the ordeal.
And the propagation of his heat didn’t end there.
[It would be troubling if you leave me out.]
[Resilia……]
Resilia quietly announces in front of the pedestal where Radd is no longer present.
[It’s not like I’m interested in being the strongest. However……]
The same aloof demeanor.
The only difference, however, is in her eyes.
[————I will be the one who will protect Nii-san. For that reason, I will be stronger than anyone else…… stronger than even Nii-san.]
She said this with as much fervor as Radd, looking at me clearly.
[……Putting that aside.]
[Hmmm?]
Just as I was tilting my head at Resilia, who stayed in front of me even after giving that declaration……
[He’s going to take a while to finish, so why don’t you teach me some more Arts until Radd gets back?]
[Here?]
When I asked her back, she subtly looked away, before he continued speaking quickly.
[I’m sure you’ll be able to find a way to get some training in with Radd, but it’s not often that I get the chance to train with you on a one-on-one basis, so since there’s an opportunity……]
[But is it okay for you to have your rival teach you their skills?]
[That is…… Well, if I want to be strong, I think I shouldn’t fuss over whether those skills were learned from a friend or a foe.]
Seeing her unconcerned, yet somewhat desperate look on her face, a small chuckle leaked out of my lips.
[Of course, if Nii-san doesn’t want to, I won’t force you……]
[No, that’s fine. Let’s do it.]
To be honest, I’m feeling a sense of crisis around Resilia and Radd, whose abilities are rapidly improving.
Still, I’ll do my best to make those around me stronger, and I just decided I’ll be stronger than that.
[In return, I will not be making any compromises.]
[Of course! That’s exactly as I wanted!]
And so, as we began our first training session alone in a long time————
[D*mn it! I lost in an instant……Ah, eh, u- ummm…… W- Why are you staring at me like that?]
————Radd, whose magatama easily got destroyed and returned within 10 seconds of the start, kept getting stared at by Resilia as if she were looking at an irreconcilable enemy.
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