episode_0010

“……”

Thud! Mahana, who landed on the ground with a thud, blankly stared ahead.

“…Unbelievable.”

Did he really see what he just witnessed?

He tried to piece together his memories slowly.

“…A single strike.”

Silverback’s head was cleanly severed in a single blow.

It was done with remarkable precision.

At the corner of a wooden alleyway, Silverback’s head lay, blood trickling from the cleanly cut edge.

The flawlessly smooth incision demonstrated the sharpness of the strike.

But what truly stood out was Silverback’s expression.

His eyes wide open, his face frozen in the same expression as when he died.

“…No reaction at all.”

He went to the afterlife without even realizing he was dead.

Mahana briefly recalled an old story his father once told him.

“…They say even elite inspectors entering the realm of death remain unaware of their own demise.”

Impressive.

Was that an indication of his skill level?

“…Seems unlikely.”

Although Mahana could see every move of the black blade wielded by him.

Regardless, the ‘blade’ he displayed moments ago was beyond evaluation by someone like himself, a fallen individual.

Mahana gazed at Yuseha with admiration.

As he held the sword with both hands in a stance ready for action, Mahana swallowed dryly, filled with respect.

Approaching cautiously, he hesitantly spoke.

“…Um, are you okay?”

“Oh, yes, I’m fine. Are you sure you’re okay, Hanasee?”

“I-I’m fine thanks to you.”

Yuseha looked down with a slightly flustered expression.

Genuine concern reflected in his eyes.

Seeing such innocence made Mahana doubt if the man who delivered the chilling blow moments ago was indeed the same person.

‘Leaving that aside…’

“…Are you not moving at all? Why are you standing so stiff…”

“T-That’s… my muscles are stiff…”

“…Pardon?”

“M-My muscles are stiff and won’t move. Could you, um, help me loosen up…?”

“……”

* * *

Knead, knead.

Rub, rub.

Pat, pat.

Ah, this is it.

Hmm, this is it.

Sigh. Ah, this is it.

‘This is heaven.’

I barely managed to grab the clown trying to ascend immediately and glanced down.

“Meow, meow, meow.”

Mahana.

Our adorable little cat had its paws neatly gathered, diligently massaging arms and legs here and there.

With fern-like hands, it did its best… I struggled to contain my fatherly smile wanting to emerge.

‘…I never expected to see this so soon.’

The famous cat massage!

In “Gonys Archive Life,” befriending the ‘cat’ attribute character occasionally triggered this special event.

Thanks to my long friendship with the little cat, I owned a ‘massage’ exclusive illustration along with the line, “C-Can I massage you, Commander?”

“Hehe…”

“…Hey. I get that you had a great performance, but can you please stop that creepy laughter?”

“Hehe…”

“…Sigh.”

Munbora, who was making ice packs beside me, gave me a stern look.

Seemingly saying, ‘What kind of creep is this?’

Certainly a well-deserved taunt.

But I couldn’t help it.

Receiving a massage directly from my favorite character, whom I’ve cherished for five years, how could I not be moved as a Commander?

‘Oh, I can’t resist.’

*

5 minutes later.

I finally managed to relax my stiffened body and could barely move my fingers.

There had been a noisy buzzing in my ears since earlier.

[Your skill in taking down powerful enemies with a single blow is unbelievably sharp for a novice.]

[A new power is bestowed upon your unskilled blade.]

[Mastery of greatly increases.]

[ level increased by 1.]

[As a reward for leveling up, strength increases by 1.]

“Oh, leveling up right away was good news. Especially the increase of 1 in the most commonly used strength stat was encouraging.

‘I wish my [Swordsmanship] attribute had gone up.’

No, it’s unethical to be too satisfied with the first move.

Anyway, this was my first time trying out a [Skill], so I ended up using too much force.

Especially unexpected was the sorry state of my body compared to Yuseha’s expectations.

I even reinforced it with paid items, but I never dreamed that I would get full-body muscle pain after just one day.

It seemed like I needed to dial back on the strength for next time.

‘Leocham seems better than expected.’

—

◉Name: Leocham (Flowing Slash)

◉Grade: Rare

◉Level: 2

◉Category: Skill Tree

◉Special Effect

: Swiftly slash forward. (Power proportional to Yuseha’s strength, speed, and magic power.)

◉Skill Rune

: –

◉Derived Skills

: –

◉Detailed Information

: A fencing technique developed by an unknown swordsman and passed down through the ages. It boasts unparalleled efficiency with no unnecessary movements, aiming for practical combat skills.

—

An extraordinarily detailed description.

Even though it was a basic skill thrown in to prevent me from learning [Heavenly Swordsmanship] in ‘Gosla,’ I didn’t have high expectations… but its power exceeded my wildest imagination.

‘As expected of the [Sword’s Song].’

Just as I was thinking it could be my main skill, Mahana, who had finished massaging, looked down at me.

“Um, excuse me… I know it’s a bit late to say this.”

“Oh! Do you have something to say?”

In response to my question, Mahana nervously fidgeted her fingers.

“T-Thank you. Thanks to you… I survived.”

“Oh, no! As a dealer, it’s only natural.”

And then she continued with her next question.

“Um… well…”

“Yes, go ahead.”

“Earlier… you called me ‘Meonyangi,’ right? That’s my nickname… How did you know that?”

“…Ah.”

Instantly, I froze.

Did I really shout, ‘Meonyang! Trust me and run this way!’ back then?

‘…What a foolish guy.’

I pondered what excuse to make, but fortunately, I didn’t need to go that far.

“Oh, did you hear that from one of the staff members?”

“…Oh, yes?”

“My father… he used to frequent this guild for a long time… so most of the staff members know him.”

Watching her scratch her cheek, I quickly played along.

“Oh, yes, yes! That’s right. Sorry about that… calling you by a random nickname…”

Mahana hastily denied my words, waving her hands.

“No! I actually liked it… It’s a nickname not many people use now…”

“…Ah.”

“In that case, feel free to call me that if you want.”

With those words, Mahana smiled brightly.

I couldn’t help but blush at her appearance.

‘Astonishing!’

From her flawless cheeks to her innocent smile.

Even her embarrassed face couldn’t hide the blush.

With two tails swaying nervously and cat ears perking up cutely!

The fact that such a cute creature existed in reality was hard to accept.

‘Ugh!’

Unknowingly, I found myself nodding vigorously while staring at her.

*

Meanwhile, Moonbora, holding an ice pack, quietly contemplated while applying cold compresses to Yuseha’s arms and legs.

‘…Yuseha.’

A man bestowed with a 《Class》 overflowing with 【Swordsmanship】.

She had initially thought his exceptional looks were simply due to luck, but now she reconsidered.

‘…That strike sent chills down my spine.’

Perhaps the technique he used was one of the ‘Select Skill Trees,’ [Leocham (Flowing Slash)].

Having seen other hunters use it several times, she was certain.

However, its power was incomparable to anything she had witnessed before.

Speed, of course, and sharp wit that could be keenly felt here.

It was a strike that truly lived up to the name ‘Geomseong.’

However, her doubts remained.

Was it simply, truly, the power made possible by the name ‘Geomseong’?

Moon Bora is the second daughter of the prestigious Moon (問) family, a recognized lineage among hunter clans.

Having attended gatherings of various famous ‘hunters’ since childhood, she was fortunate enough to have not only witnessed the power of Geomseong but also other 【Geomseong】 with her own eyes.

And not just anyone, but a universally acknowledged absolute powerhouse.

One of those known as the 10th rank.

‘…Geomho.’

Referring to the sword of the individual known as .

She, as one who inherited the essence of the lost belonging to the class of Geomseong, moved gracefully as if dancing.

Yet, she danced a calm… a long-lasting dance of the sword.

It is said that Geomho possesses an Epic-grade skill called [24-Step Maehwa Sword Technique].

‘Surely a technique combined with the [Heavenly Path] skill tree.’

However, what Moon Bora felt was a chilling sensation, beyond the concept of [skills], undoubtedly something ‘more.’

Like the mysterious plum blossom petals seen by Geomho.

‘…What exactly are you?’

Silently observing Yuseha, Moon Bora.

At that moment, Yuseha, who was sitting, seemed shocked, hesitated for a moment, then dropped her head deeply.

‘…! Could it be a sudden mana shock?’

Mahana, who was beside her, also flustered, grabbed Yuseha’s shoulders.

“Y-Yuseha! A-Are you okay-”

“-H-Hana! O-Once more!”

“……Pardon?”

“That, that expression just now! Can you make it again outside after the gate closes?”

Inside the gate, all electronic devices malfunction.

Only a few devices with artifacts added were somewhat functional.

Therefore, taking pictures was out of the question.

The reason Yuseha was in agony was precisely this.

“We must record it! Where is the gallery system!”

“……”

Mahana looked at Yuseha with a puzzled gaze.

And Moon Bora, who had been watching with a suspicious expression, thought again.

‘…No…?’

Yes, it seems not.

Or maybe.

Logically, if he weren’t so handsome, he would undoubtedly be socially ostracized… It’s unlikely that someone like him, not unlike Geomho, would possess something.