Ch.50Sword Master, Charon (2)

The First Sword Master, who established the Order of Sword, classified the levels of swordsmanship into three major categories.

Sword Expert.

Sword Seeker.

Sword Master.

These three classifications were mainly distinguished by sword energy (劍氣). There was no clearer or more distinct point of differentiation than sword energy. However, that only applied to the “Sword Seeker” and “Sword Expert” levels.

Sword Masters are different.

They are something else entirely.

The gap between Seeker and Master was so enormous that many wondered if there should be an intermediate stage between them.

Sword Seekers who reached the pinnacle of their level would say:

It feels like there’s a massive wall before them.

As they hone their swords and accumulate skills, they approach this wall. The wall they face is so enormous that no matter how high they look up, they cannot see its end. In front of this wall, countless Sword Seekers end up letting out a hollow laugh.

Expert, Seeker, and all that.

They begin to feel that these distinctions are ultimately useless, that the years they spent training were meaningless. Because the massive wall before them declares:

The world is simply divided in two.

Sword Masters, and everyone else.

Superhumans who transcend humanity, and mere mortals.

Those who reduce even Sword Seeker-level warriors to mere mortals. That is what Sword Masters are. Beings so distinct they cannot be clearly categorized.

“Sword Experts are distinguished by drawing sword energy, Sword Seekers by imbuing their sword energy with imagery, but how do you distinguish Sword Masters?”

Someone once asked the First Sword Master this question. He burst into laughter and answered:

“Is there even a need to distinguish them?”

He simply said:

“You’ll know the moment they draw their sword.”

“Ah, this bastard is a Sword Master.”

People tilted their heads at this record, but as time passed, the world had no choice but to accept the First Sword Master’s words. There was no better way to express it.

The moment a Sword Master draws their sword, you realize it whether you like it or not.

That the person before you is at the pinnacle.

That they are a superhuman who has reached the ultimate limit of the sword.

Because that’s how the Sword Masters throughout history were, and how the three Sword Masters leading the current era are.

…And.

There was someone here who was experiencing those words to the bone.

“Huk, heuuk…”

The intuition of Sword Seeker Roseline Askarlo was ringing alarm bells, even screaming. That the man before her was a Sword Master. The Star of Sword, Charon.

Even breathing was difficult.

Cold sweat ran down her spine.

Charon approached Roseline one step at a time. In the terror of what felt like the approach of death itself, Roseline lowered her head. Finally, the footsteps stopped. An enormous presence felt right in front of her nose.

Then, tuk tuk.

Charon patted Roseline’s shoulder. Roseline slowly raised her head. There stood Charon with his robe pulled down, smiling.

“Ah, I finally remembered. I was wondering where I’d seen you before—aren’t you Roseline Askarlo?”

Charon spoke as if pleased.

“A renowned mercenary who reached the Sword Seeker level at a young age and even handles masterpieces. I’ve thought about crossing swords with you at least once. Pleased to meet you. I am…”

“Ahem!”

Just as Charon was about to state his name, there was a forced cough from behind Roseline. There stood Priest Lieutenant Volkman, fidgeting uncomfortably.

I’ll accompany you incognito.

That’s what Charon had clearly said.

However, seeing Charon with no apparent intention of hiding his identity, Volkman was sweating nervously. An unofficial visit by a Sword Master—if that fact became known, truly troublesome matters would arise.

“I apologize. In a situation where I cannot reveal my identity…”

“L-L-L-Lord Charon, it’s an honor to meet you.”

“Oh dear.”

At Roseline’s trembling response, Charon awkwardly rubbed the back of his neck. With an expression that said “I’ve been found out,” he glanced at Volkman. Volkman wiped his face and let out a long sigh.

“Well, since it’s come to this.”

Charon exhaled briefly.

“Do you know an adventurer named Ivan?”

“…Pardon?”

“I came here to see him. If you know him, could you arrange a meeting? I’ll compensate you properly.”

Sword Master Charon.

Master of the Order of Sword, the Star of Sword.

A request from someone considered a giant among giants.

Of course, from Charon’s perspective—a man with nothing but swords in his head—it was a casual request that could be refused without consequence… but that was only Charon’s perspective.

“I’LL DO MY BEST!!!!”

For Roseline, this was a top-priority mission that she had to complete as quickly as possible, even at the cost of her life. It wasn’t just a bolt from the blue—it was like a meteor cast by an archmage.

“I’ll arrange a meeting…!!!”

And so.

The situation has come to this.

2.

The moment Najin, led by Roseline’s hand, arrived at the Red-Eyes mercenary group’s quarters. As Najin opened the door to the first floor and entered, the gazes of the gathered mercenaries instantly turned to him.

“Huk!”

“He’s finally here!”

“Hurry, captain, hurry…!”

They looked at Najin as if they had seen a savior. Rejoicing at finally being freed from the suffocating atmosphere, they pushed Najin’s back toward the stairs.

“Top floor, he’s waiting in the office. Hurry! As fast as possible…!”

Najin had no choice but to be pushed up by them without knowing what was happening. As he climbed the stairs, he glanced back to see Roseline collapsed in a chair the mercenaries had pulled out, gasping for breath.

Kids, I’ve been through so much.

It’s really fucking hard…

Hearing Roseline’s lamenting voice and the mercenaries agreeing with her, Najin continued up the stairs. Sword Master Charon had come looking for him—Najin couldn’t understand why.

‘Could it be that he noticed I pulled Excalibur?’

-I can assure you, that’s impossible.

Merlin cut him off.

-Even I couldn’t detect it. At this point, I think there must be something about that underground city where you were…

After a moment of contemplation, Merlin added:

-Anyway, unless the Order tipped him off, there’s no way he could know. And to begin with, someone like Charon isn’t the type to be swayed by the Order.

‘Do you know anything about the Star of Sword?’

-I do. He was originally the most likely candidate to pull Excalibur.

Among the three candidates, the most likely was the Star of Sword, Charon. That’s why Merlin knew a fair amount about him.

“That Charon resembles the First Sword Master.”

“I mean in terms of personality, not swordsmanship.”

“Basically, he’s someone who has no interest in anything but the sword. That’s why I like him even more.”

According to Bedivere’s assessment, he was a man who knew nothing but the sword.

Bedivere evaluated him as someone with an upright character who placed the sword above all other values.

‘I guess I’ll have to meet him to find out.’

Najin took a deep breath and moved forward.

Since Charon had already come looking for him, running away wasn’t an option. He didn’t know how powerful a Sword Master was, but he didn’t think he could escape anyway.

After climbing the stairs and reaching the door of the office on the top floor, Najin raised his hand. He knocked on the door a couple of times and then grabbed the doorknob.

As the door opened and he was about to take a step inside, Najin’s senses heightened. A strange sensation like lightning running down his spine. His eyes widened instantly, bloodshot.

“Ah, finally here.”

A voice was heard.

Najin looked toward the source of the voice. There sat a familiar face—Priest Lieutenant Volkman—along with someone else.

A young man who appeared to be in his late twenties.

Najin instinctively knew that this man, who had removed his robe to fully reveal his face, was the Star of Sword, Charon. Even though he wasn’t displaying his aura, just being in the same space with him made Najin’s senses sound alarms.

“…My name is Ivan.”

Najin said, barely managing to control his breathing.

“I heard you were looking for me.”

“Yes, that’s right.”

Charon rose from his seat.

“Nice to meet you. As you may already know, I’m Charon. Since we’ve been introduced, it’s a connection—let’s shake hands.”

He extended his hand to Najin.

It seemed like he was asking for a handshake, but from Najin’s perspective, it was a situation that could only make him break out in cold sweat.

Who was the person before him?

The Star of Sword, Charon, master of the Order of Sword.

His honorary titles and power alone… easily surpassed that of a duke, and depending on the circumstances, he could even dine with the Empire’s Sun.

They say that no matter how excellent a warrior is, one cannot gain power without engaging in politics… but that’s a problem that comes from not being excellent enough. If one possesses enough military might to overthrow a nation single-handedly, power and titles follow naturally.

The Empire’s Sword Master Gerd was like that.

The Order’s executioner Juel Lazian was like that.

And the man before him, the Star of Sword Charon, was like that.

Such a figure was offering him a handshake. But who was Najin? He was a man who didn’t cower even before Merlin, the transcendent being of the night sky. Najin took a deep breath and accepted Charon’s handshake.

“I’ve heard about you from Volkman. I hear you’re a swordsman with extraordinary talent…”

Charon smiled as they shook hands.

“There’s no big reason why I came looking for you.”

A pure smile. Eyes that clearly revealed his intentions. Charon’s eyes were fixed only on the sword at Najin’s waist.

“I just thought we might cross swords. I could have called you to the Order of Sword, but that would draw too much attention to you… well, I’ll have to be satisfied with this.”

Charon shrugged.

“That’s all I have to say.”

“…Pardon?”

“You don’t have anything else to say either, do you?”

Do you have more questions? If so, speak quickly. As Charon spoke like that, Najin tilted his head. Volkman, sitting behind him, could only offer a bitter smile.

“If you have nothing more to say.”

It didn’t take long for Najin to understand the meaning behind Volkman’s bitter smile.

“Let’s exchange some swordplay. Follow me outside. I saw a good spot on my way to this city.”

Charon said this as he packed up and rose.

Of course, his luggage consisted of nothing but a single sword he had leaned against the wall. Najin blinked blankly.

Sword Master Charon.

The reason such a big shot came looking for him was simply because “he wanted to cross swords”? It wasn’t an easy reason to accept.

‘There must be some other intention…’

While Najin was trying to read Charon’s intentions, Charon turned his head sharply as he opened the door.

“What are you doing? Hurry up and follow.”

Charon urged with his sword resting on his shoulder.

He had an expression that suggested he was itching to cross swords immediately. Volkman approached Najin, who couldn’t follow the situation, and whispered:

“…He’s always like this.”

“Excuse me…?”

“I’m sorry about this. But it’s an opportunity that will benefit you, so please forgive him.”

Volkman patted Najin’s back.

3.

After traveling by carriage for a while.

Passing through a forest, Najin, Charon, and Volkman arrived at an open field and got out of the carriage. During the ride, Charon hadn’t said a single word.

As if no further conversation was necessary.

As if any questions would be asked with swords.

After getting out of the carriage, Najin glanced at where Charon was standing. Charon, standing opposite him, was lightly stretching. After rotating his arm in a full circle, he exhaled briefly.

Then, kang.

He drew his sword. However, he didn’t raise the drawn sword. With the sword stuck in the ground, he held the scabbard in his hand. Holding the scabbard, he swung it in the air a couple of times… then, as if he had found the right feel, he swung it forcefully with a whoosh.

Jjeoek.

The ground was deeply carved in a straight line.

Najin’s eyes widened. He couldn’t understand what trick Charon had performed. It didn’t seem like he had used sword energy, so how…?

While Najin was bewildered, Charon rotated his wrist with a satisfied smile. As if to say, this much is enough. He turned his head sharply to look at Najin.

“What are you doing? Aren’t you going to draw your sword?”

Charon said, wiggling his scabbard.

Najin had clearly seen Charon lightly swing the scabbard and deeply carve the ground just moments ago. A future where he would die instantly if hit wrong was vividly painted before his eyes.

…Perhaps, instead of a match, he’s trying to kill me?

It was a reasonable suspicion for Najin to have. Najin sighed and drew his sword with a kang. Whatever the situation, it was still a good opportunity.

“Then, I’ll be in your care.”

An opportunity to experience the pinnacle.

Though he couldn’t follow the situation, he was determined to extract as much as he could from it. With that resolve, Najin took his stance.

-I guarantee that you’re the only crazy person who thinks about extracting benefits in front of a Sword Master.

‘What? What did you say?’

-Nothing, just do as you usually do…

Between Merlin’s incredulous voice, Najin took a step forward.