Chapter 9. Adelia von Goldhart (2)
“Y-you…”
At that moment, Adelia—who had been staring at me so intently—finally spoke, her androgynous voice exactly as I’d heard it in the game.
“You’re one of the Twelve Swordmasters, aren’t you?”
The Twelve Swordmasters: the transcendent warriors renowned for having mastered the ultimate form of the blade in this world. They rarely made public appearances, moving only at the behest of the ancient Elder Gods. And now Adelia had mistaken me for one of them.
“I saw your swordsmanship in the Underworld Arena.”
“…….”
“It was… utterly horrifying. The way you cleaved that human butcher Barba down in a single strike—I simply couldn’t follow your movements with my own eyes.”
Right. She’d been tailing me since yesterday afternoon—right after I’d parted ways with Léa de Karayan and exited the Underworld Arena. Of course, she’d meant to follow me in secret, but a Level-77 monster ambling behind someone is hard to ignore. I never knew my translucent level window could be so useful—I spotted my stalker immediately.
“There’s no other Level-77 roaming Dark City Dungard at this hour but Adelia.”
Thanks to 200 playthroughs, I recognized her at once and devised a plan. Had she not followed me, I’d never have thought to “get run over by an NPC bus.” I would’ve sought strength by other means.
Besides, the Swordmaster’s Soul active on me made me look every bit the part of a Swordmaster—at least at the moment I dispatched Barba. No wonder her eyes had lit up. She sought vengeance and needed strength above all else. And what better way to grow than by learning directly from a Swordmaster? Clutching at straws, she’d tracked me down.
“What is it you want?”
Despite knowing all this, I still asked her. Adelia hesitated, then set her jaw resolutely.
“Please… teach me the sword.”
Of course—that was exactly what I’d anticipated.
“As you know, I’m only a swordsman,” I said. “I’ve been stuck against an insurmountable wall for years now.”
“…….”
“I must break through that wall. I have a desperate reason to become stronger.”
Clang! Before I could reply, Adelia drew her sword. The blade sang with a cold, blue note as it left its scabbard.
“I know you’re busy,” she said, adopting a battle stance, her sword’s tip aimed at my throat.
“So… one exchange. Just one.”
“…….”
“Please face me for a single bout. From that, I will glean the insight to shatter my own wall.”
I had to gulp.
“…?”
Wait—why did she suddenly want to fight me? She’d assumed I was “busy” without my saying a word, then demanded I give her one exchange? And if I fought her, I—an average-stat weakling—wouldn’t even be able to react before I died.
I glanced at my mana gauge:
MP: 1/1
Thankfully, I had enough to use a skill. I’d come down this alley specifically because my mana had just recovered. But…
If I use a skill now, won’t I kill Adelia? I can’t be the one to kill my bus driver…
There was only one choice.
• • •
I watched as Adelia’s tension peaked. I stood motionless, expression blank, my lips sealed. She steadied her pounding heart and pushed on:
“Even if I lose an arm… or a leg…”
“…….”
“If it grants me enlightenment and lets me transcend to the next level… I am ready to sacrifice everything.”
She hungered for vengeance—needed to become far stronger. To move past the wall blocking her growth, she had to grasp new insight. And there was no surer way than to exchange steel with someone far above her. I could feel her resolve.
“Would you give up your limbs?” I finally asked.
She nodded.
“Very well. If you spar with me, you will surely overcome your wall… or perhaps gain insight beyond that.”
My voice echoed coldly down the alley.
“But my blade never seeks arms or legs.”
“…….”
“It only takes life.”
I paused, then lifted my gaze to meet hers with my blazing golden eyes, as though peering into her very soul.
“Now tell me,” I said, “are you prepared to risk your life to witness my sword?”
Her hand trembled. There was no malice in my stance—no sign of a perfect guard. Everywhere I stood was a weakness. Yet that very indifference chilled her to the bone.
Who… or what… is this man?
Fear rippled through her. Enlightenment was fine—but would it matter if she died the moment her wall shattered?
Silence stretched on. She opened her mouth to buy time:
“I—I…”
“Enough.”
I cut her off, apparently bored. Without another word, I turned on my heel and began to walk away. Adelia—eyes vacant—let out a soft sigh:
“Aah…”
Her hands shook. As the standoff ended, her survival instincts faded and reason returned too late. She was furious—she had thought she could do anything for vengeance, but in reality her resolve amounted to nothing more than “this much.”
Why—why did I chicken out at the last moment…!
Just then, I stopped in my tracks. Slowly, I turned.
“Where do you think you’re going?”
“……W-well?”
“You asked me for instruction,” I said, nodding toward the far end of the alley.
“There’s a good training spot nearby.”
She stared, dumbfounded, then realized he’d actually agreed to take her as his disciple.
“T-thank you…!”
Without understanding why, she sheathed her sword, tidied her clothes, and hurried to follow me.
• • •
Got it!
I clenched my fist in triumph: I’d successfully recruited Adelia von Goldhart as my “bus driver.” Since crashing into this damned world, never had I been happier. Adelia was not only a powerhouse with high growth potential—she was useful in so many ways. But enough of that—first things first.
“We’re here.”
At last, I stopped prowling the back alleys of Dark City Dungard. Before us loomed a dilapidated abandoned factory. Broken windows gaped, the interior shrouded in darkness. Thick dust told of long-ago abandonment.
“What is this place…?” Adelia asked cautiously.
“The training spot I mentioned.”
“This…?”
She frowned, unsurprised; from the outside, it looked like any other rundown factory in Dungard.
But I—after 200 playthroughs—knew better. Hidden within lay the Sacred Piece, obtainable only by surviving the “Trial” sealed inside.
I strode forward. A massive iron door barred the entrance. I yanked the handle—nothing budged. Rusted though it was, its weight remained formidable.
To enter this dungeon, one of two conditions must be met…
Either scale in through a broken window with high Agility, or bash the door down with high Strength. Obviously, my average-stat body could do neither.
But…
“Break down the door.”
“Yes.”
For a Level-77 monster, it was child’s play.
A surge of mystical energy gathered around Adelia. Her aura shimmered turquoise—a perfect blend of gold and blue.
She focused that aura into her fist, then coiled and thrust a mighty punch.
KRAAAANG!
A deafening crash rang out as the iron buckled. Hinges groaned, and the door slowly swung open—its lock shattered by the impact. I couldn’t help but smile to myself.
So this is the power of Level 77…
Truly terrifying. I’d have to boost my own base stats to at least this level—without the Swordmaster’s Soul. Damn, how scrawny and pitiful I look today.
Well…
This rotten body’s improvements start now—with this dungeon as the first step. Inside, I’ll claim the Sacred Piece and achieve tremendous growth:
