episode_0011

“This ice cave will turn into the arena.”

“Oh, it’s beautiful.”

“Isn’t it?”

Yerina leads me into the ice cave, radiating a light as clear as crystal, looking confident and cheerful.

Seems like she’s eager to spar with me and test her skills, not bothering to hide her excitement.

“Can I set two conditions?”

“Huh? Now?”

Yerina turns around abruptly, looking puzzled.

I had planned to relieve stress by freely engaging in combat without any restrictions, but it seems my proposal catches her off guard.

No need to worry though; I have no intention of altering the rules of engagement or imposing penalties on Yerina.

“Well… as long as they’re not unreasonable, I’ll accept them. Without any conditions, I’d have too much of an advantage.”

“First, I need time. Just give me 5 minutes alone.”

“Are you trying to dope or something?”

“If you doubt it, search me. I don’t have any drugs on me. I just want to read a sentence from a book before the match starts.”

“What’s this about?”

Yerina takes the book I pull out of my bag, glances at it briefly, then loses interest quickly.

Of course, it’s written in Elvish, a language she can’t read.

“Seems like it’s for religious reasons. Fine. What’s the second condition?”

“It’s about what happens if I lose.”

“Goodness… You’re setting such a condition because you might lose? Are you serious?”

Yerina’s expression wrinkles deeply, as if she’s mistakenly thinking I want insurance in case of defeat.

“Yes. If I lose, I’ll receive 10 gold from the bodyguard on your right. Do you agree?”

“10 gold? Am I hearing correctly?”

“Yes.”

“Well, let’s go with that. Bodyguard, you can afford 10 gold, right?”

“Willingly.”

Yerina questions the bodyguard with a bewildered expression, and he agrees as well.

As if my defeat is already predetermined.

With all the conditions I desire now secured, I smile satisfactorily, but Yerina shakes her head as if she doesn’t understand at all.

“You set conditions… Why are both of them meaningless?”

“They may not be meaningless to me. So, will you give me 5 minutes alone now?”

“You can use that room over there.”

To Yerina, it might seem like I missed a golden opportunity.

I could have set conditions like sealing her slashing or thrusting techniques if I wanted.

But resorting to such underhanded tactics wouldn’t significantly increase my chances of winning and could lead to the worst outcome of lowering Yerina’s favor towards me.

“My goal is to impress. At least I must leave a lasting impression on Yerina.”

Fully prepared, I engage in combat, showcasing a surprise level of skill that will surely astonish Yerina.

Since Yerina values prowess in combat, I must display a good performance here.

The conditions I just set are crucial for that.

Yerina moves to the back of the cave wall she pointed out, sits at an ice table, and unfolds the Elvish tome.

As soon as she does, the system prompt appears.

[Acquired trait ‘Meridaru (lvl.1).’]

[Trait: Meridaru (lvl.1)]

“Adopting the swordsmanship of the human race, you learn the traditional Elven one-handed swordsmanship. Your understanding of one-handed swords increases.”

After leaving Hamelren, I made a stop at Pettenburg. The item I received from meeting Yulia was this swordsmanship manual.

It’s an item that allows me to acquire a swordsmanship trait.

I actually wanted to stay in Pettenburg longer, but I knew Jill would come looking for me soon, so I had to leave in haste.

‘Two sword techniques have been gathered.’

Thus, the two main heroines, Jil and Yulia, each learned one sword technique from their respective masters.

Jil’s Dakiaryu is a characteristic that awakens in the latter part and overwhelms opponents, while Yulia’s Meridaryu is the most powerful sword technique in the middle part.

It’s still too early to use it as a primary skill at level 1, but it could be used as a finishing move piercing through Yerina’s defenses.

So, what is a strong sword technique in the early stages?

That’s something you’ll have to learn from Yerina from now on.

However, if Yerina doesn’t notice you in this sparring match, you won’t even have the chance to meet her, let alone learn her sword technique or characteristics.

“It’s about time for it to activate.”

And another thing.

[Special Ability ‘Guardian Knight’ activated.]

[Stats]

[Strength: 13(x5) *Guardian Knight effect active]

[Health: 12(x5) *Guardian Knight effect active]

[Mana: 12(x5) *Guardian Knight effect active]

[Agility: 20(x5) *Guardian Knight effect active]

[Luck: 14(x5) *Guardian Knight effect active]

It has finally activated.

While staying by Jil’s side, I’ve learned not only how to respond to the stubbornness of a chaste maiden but also delved deeper into the activation conditions of the Guardian Knight.

In doing so, I discovered a trick.

The condition “when protecting” mentioned by the Guardian Knight is satisfied when the target perceives that they are being protected.

It doesn’t matter in what form the protection takes, no matter how trivial.

Whether I personally wield a sword to protect the target or stay far away to safeguard their belongings, it doesn’t matter.

“In other words, it’s about protecting the money of a bodyguard.”

If I lose, the bodyguard who is expected to lose 10 gold will only benefit if I win.

While one’s lord wouldn’t wish for a humiliating defeat, somewhere deep down, there might be a desire not to lose 10 gold.

No matter how small that desire is, it doesn’t matter.

Unless that bodyguard is an insane person who sees money as worthless stones scattered on the ground, the Guardian Knight will surely activate.

“Let’s go.”

All preparations are complete.

Now, closing the sword manual, I stretch my body and head outside.

Shall we go?

To protect the precious thousand won of a pitiful bodyguard from the wicked Lord of Frost.

***

“The atmosphere has clearly changed.”

A man walking out from behind the wall dragging his sword.

Irina’s gaze following his movements twisted.

She seemed to be making an effort not to show it, but she couldn’t deceive Irina’s eyes.

The demeanor upon entering and exiting is distinctly different.

Initially, he seemed to be carrying an unsuitable sword around.

But now, he exudes the aura of a skilled practitioner who can handle a light one-handed sword with ease.

“He must have used some trick.”

We’ve searched him, so it’s not drugs.

I briefly suspected a vampire whose strength increases upon awakening, but judging by the color of his pupils, it seems unlikely.

Besides, for a vampire, his complexion isn’t particularly pale.

“He was hiding his strength!”

That’s actually good.

I was worried it might turn into a one-sided fight.

Well, initially, I wanted to see how clumsy and cowardly this man would be in avoiding combat, which is why I challenged him to a sparring match…

It’s somewhat perplexing how we ended up here, but it seems like it will be quite an exciting fight.

Irina took off her fur coat and picked up the rough longsword given by the bodyguard.

Despite its poor balance and being a mess of a blade that had seen better days, once it was in Irina’s hands, it was already a fine weapon.

“Suddenly, I remember a declaration I made in the past.”

“I, Irina Frost, will marry a man stronger than myself.”

Of course, I had no intention of getting married and instead turned the statement around to dedicate this body for the nation.

But why does that declaration suddenly come to mind now?

“Even though there won’t be any serious injuries, it’s just a saying.

“You can tolerate minor injuries, right? A skilled healer is on standby, so don’t worry too much.”

“Hahaha…”

“Let’s fight with all our conscience. Let’s exclude magic and rely solely on swordsmanship.”

“Is that all?”

“Yes. That’s the entirety of the rule.”

Yerina declared the rule as ‘with all conscience.’

It means there are no other rules besides the basic one.

To win, project unlimited force and make the opponent surrender first.

Choosing to stop the sword right in front of the neck or continuing the fight shamelessly without surrendering is an individual’s choice.

‘Hmm. I’m looking forward to this.’

When the sword stopped in front of her eyes.

The man pondered whether to cowardly deflect the sword and continue the duel or gracefully admit defeat.

If he continues the duel, how many insults must he endure before admitting defeat?

It’s a rule that adds fun to watching.

“Shall we begin?”

“Start when you’re ready.”

“…”

She gives the initiative.

However, even after hearing those words, Yujin maintained her posture and remained still.

Since she was told to start when ready, until Yujin made a move, Yerina couldn’t make a single move.

At the moment when Yerina sighed, suspecting that she might be planning to withdraw like a despicable person.

“Oh?”

He noticed that Yujin’s foot had already moved.

It was too late to realize it slowly.

He was slowly but surely shifting his stance by moving his feet.

The moment his stance changed ever so slightly.

Yujin’s leg muscles swelled, and he shot out like a bullet.

“A thrust?!”

Clang.

The rushing sword aimed at Yerina’s chest like a flash.

Yerina couldn’t help but be surprised even though she skillfully parried it.

A thrust attack inherently exposes many vulnerabilities.

There aren’t many swordsmanship techniques that open with a thrust…

“Ugh?! Ugh!”

Such thoughts only lasted for a moment.

Yerina struggled to block attacks coming from both sides, her expression contorted.

Fast.

And fierce.

She had never seen such an aggressive swordsmanship style before.

Perhaps ancient swordsmanship, which may not have been as lively in its exchanges, was like this.

But that didn’t mean countering this swordsmanship was easy.

‘It seems like indiscriminate pouring of attacks, but it’s not that simple, is it?!’

Although she managed to block as fast as her reaction time allowed, she saw no opening to counterattack.

Even if she tried to counterattack somehow, it would all be within the opponent’s calculations.

If she straightforwardly goes in at an obvious timing, she might receive a counter and be defeated.

If she’s so proficient in attacking, then she must be confident in countering as well.

Surely, there can’t be a swordsmanship style solely focused on attacking.

‘He seems to be revealing his moves a bit early, but…!’

There was no other choice.

Having initially played around with just the basics, now she couldn’t hold back.

Yerina decided to showcase the secret technique of Frost Style against the relentless onslaught of swordsmanship and raised her foot high.

“Ugh!”

Clang.

Yujin’s sword, unable to follow its intended trajectory, was blocked midway with a clear sound.

Caught off guard by the unexpected pattern, Yujin ceased his fierce attacks and retreated about a step back.

Meanwhile, Yerina still stood with her leg raised high, her iron shoes shining up to her ankles.

Clang.

As her shoe touched the ground, the icy ground cracked and split.

“The Unison of Sword and Body. It’s a concept where the sword becomes me, and I become the sword. But where does that lead us? It’s something possible only in fantasy novels, but we’ve struggled to find a way to imperfectly realize that state. The swordsmanship we developed at the end is the Frost Style. It’s a swordsmanship that weaponizes the entire body.”

“…”

Iron shoes on her feet.

On his finger, a ring made of steel instead of gold.

Around his wrist, a steel bracelet.

They appeared to be accessories suitable for everyday wear, but in reality, they were meant to be used as a sword and shield in times of need.

Thick and sturdy enough to withstand the impact of a sword, they were attached densely not on the torso but on the extremities of the body, restricting movement if attached too heavily.

Humans would likely think that way.

However, for a humanoid with far superior physical abilities than humans, it was not a significant issue.

If one could attach a bit of sandbag and use the whole body as a sword and shield, it would be a much greater advantage.

“Until when will you keep running away!”

“Gah!”

Thud.

Imitating Yu Jin’s initial leap, he swiftly sprang forward to ambush Yu Jin.

Behind him was an ice wall.

There was no retreat left.

Though Yu Jin barely dodged the onslaught of punches and kicks, he found himself unable to react to the approaching sword blade.

‘It’s over.’

While he seemed to have learned some barbaric swordsmanship, it was far from sufficient.

Apart from surprise, there was no fun in this mundane man.

The moment she anticipated when this man would admit defeat had already arrived.

Unexpectedly, something happened.

“What?!”

Clang.

The blade struck deeply into the sole of Yu Jin’s shoe, soaring high.

In an instant, the blade cut through the sole, and just before Yu Jin’s foot slipped out, he twisted his foot angle to deflect the sword.

“He managed to counter the Frost-style technique?!”

Unbelievable.

That technique was taught as a method of deflecting a sword with leather shoes when iron shoes were not available.

To intuitively learn it just by observing a few Frost-style techniques alone?

It was an impossible feat.

Yerina decided to acknowledge this now.

Yu Jin was not part of the crowd who learned cheap swordsmanship and boasted about it.

He was a true master.

A talent worthy of being formally taught the Frost-style swordsmanship.

‘But I still won!’

However, regardless of that, the outcome of this duel had just been decided.

Due to Yu Jin misjudging the direction of his step, his body floated in mid-air.

Teaching him a lesson while suspended in mid-air was a piece of cake.

Unable to cut his body in half like this, she decided to strike his waist with the sword.

“Your perseverance is admirable.”

Yet, Yu Jin’s movements in mid-air were peculiar.

It seemed as though he was swinging the sword to cut Yerina’s throat.

Of course, the angle was impossible given the sword’s position.

Even his last-ditch effort and struggle until the end were remarkable.

Thinking so, Yerina intended to end the duel there, but…

“Huh?”

Whoosh.

The sharp blade of the sword stopped right in front of Yerina’s eyes.

Just before slicing her eyeball.

At an incredibly precarious position.

“······?”

She couldn’t understand.

The sword had bent at an angle that should have been impossible.

Stunned by what seemed like magic, she soon saw Yu Jin plummeting to the ground.

“Ow ow ow…”

After seeing Yu Jin collapse on the ground, his arm swollen and limp, Yerina finally understood.

His wrist was swollen and dangling.

His bone was broken.

When they say an angle cannot be achieved, it refers to an angle that is physically impossible due to human anatomy.

Yu Jin had changed that angle by breaking his own bone.

As if using a swordsmanship of a race whose body flexibility was entirely different from humans.

“You! What kind of martial arts have you learned?!”

“My victory, isn’t it?”

“Yes?”

“If I hadn’t stopped just now, you would have died. Are you planning to continue the duel without admitting defeat here?”

“······.”

Yerina’s eyes widened as she hurriedly questioned.

Shocked by the unexpected turn of events, she revisited the outcome of the duel that had been postponed due to her astonishment.

“I-I lost?”

Then, her body stiffened in shock at experiencing defeat for the first time in her life.

Simultaneously, her face flushed crimson to the tips of her ears.

“Ah!”

-Ya Yerina Frost will marry a man stronger than me.

She recalled what she had declared before.