episode_0014

The Sword King, Vulcan.

There’s one way to describe him.

A legendary adventurer and a former knight.

In his youth, he earned the title of “Fortress,” and when it comes to toughness, few adventurers are said to rival him.

That’s the information Emerga gave me about him.

To be honest…

‘……He looked incredibly tough.’

The kind of guy who’d take my attacks barehanded and go, “Hahaha! That tickles!”

So, of course, I was startled when someone like that showed up.

“……Doesn’t look like you’re all that startled, though.”

Vulcan muttered in a dissatisfied tone as he stared at me.

What do you mean, I’m not startled?

When I gave him a baffled look, he cleared his throat.

“Ahem, well then. What brings you to my study?”

“……?”

The words didn’t seem to match.

This was Vulcan’s study?

Noticing my expression, he smirked.

“I may look like this, but few are as sharp as me.”

“…….”

I was at a loss for words.

‘Doesn’t seem like a lie, though.’

Given his expertise in swordsmanship, he must be intelligent.

Those who reach the pinnacle of any field are usually sharp-minded.

‘Probably.’

They say truly perceptive people act like they’re oblivious.

Maybe Vulcan’s like that.

‘Considering he hasn’t asked why I ran away yesterday.’

Vulcan is pretty…

“So, why’d you surrender and run yesterday?”

“…….”

“Eh, doesn’t matter.”

Shrugging like he genuinely didn’t care, Vulcan disappeared elsewhere.

In that case, my business here was to check out the training materials.

Most people would feel awkward and leave, but…

I’m different.

I stubbornly went through the materials. Most were similar to what I’d already dismissed as mediocre, but a few were worth referencing.

As I was engrossed in reading, Lixiel called out to me.

-You.

‘What?’

-That old man is secretly watching you from over there.

‘…….’

Guess he really has nothing better to do.

But I’m used to this kind of thing.

I kept stubbornly reading.

-You. He’s gotten closer and is staring at you now.

“…….”

Does he really have nothing to do?

I kept reading, unfazed. Soon, I could sense him standing uncomfortably close.

Still, I ignored him and focused on the swordsmanship manuals.

‘This is how you use this move.’

Huh, there’s a defensive stance like this too.

[Skill: Swordsmanship has increased to Level 2.]

‘Oh, so this works too.’

Just absorbing information in my head can level me up?

Of course, in this kind of game-like system, the ways to gain experience are limited, so it’s best to read as much as possible early on…

Then, I lost my train of thought.

Because Vulcan was now sitting right beside me.

At this point, most people wouldn’t be able to ignore him.

But I did. I simply moved to the opposite side and kept reading.

The moment I finished and closed the book…

“…….”

“Finally looking this way, are we?”

Vulcan’s face came into view.

This damn old man…

“Don’t make that face. It hurts my feelings.”

You don’t look hurt at all.

I sighed deeply and spoke to him.

“So, what do you want?”

“Nothing much. Just curious about what you did yesterday.”

“It was nothing.”

“That ‘nothing’ is what interests me.”

Annoying old man.

I was sure he wouldn’t pester me further, but…

Then, I remembered Emerga.

She seemed to have business with him.

‘When that time comes, it’s going to be a hassle.’

As I debated whether to deal with him now…

“Pardon me.”

A voice both gentle and bewitching.

Hair and eyes reminiscent of blood.

The moment she saw me, her eyes curved into a faint smile.

‘Lucia.’

Her alias was unmistakably the “Villainess”…

-Th-The Executioner Princess?!

“Why is the Executioner Princess h-here…?”

Executioner Princess? What?

—

“Long time no see.”

Lucia greeted me in that enchanting voice.

I returned the greeting.

“But why are you here?”

“Fufu, I dabbled in swordsmanship in my younger days. Sometimes, I get nostalgic and visit.”

“……That doesn’t seem to be the case.”

Vulcan gave a sly grin at Lucia’s words.

He glanced at me, then back at her, then at me again.

“Isn’t the purpose obvious?”

Vulcan nudged my side with his elbow, as if implying she was here for me.

Lucia wore the sweetest smile imaginable.

“My, what are you talking about? Isn’t this place open to everyone?”

Her voice carried an undercurrent of something sinister.

“A librarian like you shouldn’t be making such personal remarks.”

To me, it sounded like:

-Don’t get ahead of yourself, you washed-up old man left behind by the times.

Probably just my imagination.

No, it had to be. If she were really like that, she wouldn’t have earned titles like “Executioner Princess” or “Villainess.”

But as I questioned myself, Vulcan looked stunned.

-Y-You know her?

‘Well, we’re acquainted.’

Acquainted is an understatement.

I stole Lucia’s obsession, and as a result, that obsession latched onto me.

And one more thing…

‘This obsession… won’t go away.’

To be honest, I’ve tested it.

I secretly slipped it into the pocket of one of the scavengers who attacked us—since they were marked for death anyway.

But before long, it returned to my pocket.

I got chills that day.

Anyway.

That’s how it is.

Lucia is bound to obsess over me, and I’m bound to be her obsession.

‘So this behavior isn’t all that strange.’

I looked at Lucia, who was watching me with a soft smile.

“Still, you’re in for a rough time. Of all people, you had to catch her eye.”

“My, whatever do you mean?”

Her sweet smile sent an involuntary shiver down my spine.

“I don’t put much stock in rumors.”

And it’s true.

They say there’s no smoke without fire, but sometimes, smoke is just smoke.

‘Though not in her case.’

Executioner Princess.

And Villainess.

The system labeled her a villainess.

People collectively called her the Executioner Princess.

‘But is it okay for them to use titles like “princess” or “king”?’

The Empire is still standing, and I’ve heard there’s a Kingdom too.

Setting that aside, I studied Lucia.

Her eyes sparkled as she looked at me, lips curling in satisfaction.

“Ah…”

A languid sigh. A bewitching expression.

Like she’d found something irresistible.

She stared at me with a dangerously intense gaze.

‘I didn’t say those things for your sake.’

Something felt very wrong.

—

I wanted to rush back to the inn, but…

Yesterday was one thing—today, I wanted to try the training grounds.

-This place’s training grounds are state-of-the-art!

-Oh?

-Yes, the Empire and Kingdom provide support. Of course, the rabble don’t even know it exists.

I recalled Emerga’s chilling smile.

So, naturally, I wanted to use the training grounds.

Upon entering, I saw a woman.

Yesterday, Vulcan was at the counter, but today, it was someone else.

“Welcome. I’m Hilda, the training ground attendant. May I have your name?”

“Han Yuseong.”

“Confirmed as a first-class adventurer. As such, there are restrictions on the training grounds. Understood?”

“Understood.”

“Registering today grants immediate access. A one-month pass costs one silver. When would you like to start?”

“One month.”

I pulled out a silver coin and handed it to Hilda.

She smiled and guided me.

“Here’s your training uniform and towel. Just so you know, if this uniform is stolen, we’ll replace it once for free. But if you’re caught stealing from others, the fine is one gold coin.”

“Got it.”

I wanted to ask how they tracked it, but this is a world with magic.

They must have their ways.

‘Still…’

Kinda feels like a gym.

I changed in the locker room and stepped out—only to see…

“…….”

“Oh? Didn’t know you could make that face.”

Vulcan.

And beside him, the Executioner Princess, Lucia.

Both were in training gear.

“Why are you two here?”

“Well, if you’re in training clothes, you train.”

“Same for me.”

“Ah, I see.”

I picked up a wooden practice sword and a smaller one.

“……Dual-wielding?”

“This guy’s something else.”

Lucia looked stunned.

Vulcan watched her, then glanced at me.

“By ‘something else,’ do you mean he’s skilled? As expected of Yuseong-nim…”

“No, I mean he’s unbelievably bad at it.”

“…….”

Lucia blinked, then immediately cheered me on.

“You haven’t been an adventurer for long, so it’s natural. Let’s go, Yuseong-nim.”

She guided me to the training area, where many were already striking dummies.

‘But…’

They looked kinda weak.

People were hitting the dummies, but…

“Don’t underestimate them. Those are dungeon-crafted dummies, magically reinforced. They won’t break easily.”

“Right. In fact, if you do break one, everyone will notice.”

“Notice?”

“Yes. Depending on adventurer rank, they’re straw, wood, or iron. Even a Level 3 breaking a straw dummy would have top clans scrambling to recruit them.”

“Really?”

Now that was tempting.

‘I’ll probably stick with Emerga, but…’

This world is a game world.

She’s one of the main protagonists.

Following her is the right move, but…

‘It’d be good for raising my value.’

Not that I’d join another clan.

‘But first…’

I gripped the twin swords.

After reading the manuals today, I learned a few things. Mainly, dual-wielding is terrible.

‘Single swords or other weapons are fine, but…’

Dual-wielding is viable only for a rare few with exceptional talent.

Even Lixiel, praised for her skill, admitted she couldn’t do it.

-I can, but single swords suit me better.

Emerga also frowned at the idea.

So, what about me?

‘Obviously, I’m terrible.’

But I have another piece of knowledge.

That phantom vision I saw while mimicking Lixiel’s swordsmanship.

‘Dark Moon.’

A shadowed moon.

That swordsmanship is meant for dual-wielding.

‘I might switch later, but…’

For now, dual-wielding is the way.

I raised both swords and took my stance.

“Hoh?”

“Huh?”

Vulcan and Lucia tilted their heads.

I focused. Right now, nothing else mattered.

A blue line sharpened in my vision. I visualized the movements.

Light on my feet.

Yet the blades, razor-sharp.

‘……!’

Something—

clicked.

A faint aura enveloped the swords.

Dark Moon.

A shadowed moon.

Just as the name implied—

Darkness descended.

And then—

CRACK!

The dummy toppled.

Silence fell over the area.

In the stillness, Lucia murmured,

“Dual-wielding… You said you couldn’t do it?”

“…….”

Vulcan was speechless.