Chapter 9 : Orb of Water

The immediate goal was set.

To obtain the Orb of Water, which lay dormant somewhere in the Demonic Realm adjacent to Winter Castle.

However, there was one concern.

‘The Orb of Water is an item whose location is known by very few, but there's no guarantee that's still the case.’

I am not the only user from World of Justice in this world.

Beyond the anonymous bulletin board, hundreds, easily more, of users are breathing and living in this world.

Meaning, if any of them knew about the existence of the Orb of Water or had already obtained it, I might be making a fool's errand after much trouble.

‘The problem is, what point in time is this in the World of Justice…….’

As that thought implies, knowing the current point in time is very important.

Depending on when it is, the information I have could be useful, or it could be useless.

‘Let's try searching for it first.’

Fortunately, I had a way to look up some information regarding this situation.

[Connecting to the Anonymous Bulletin Board.]

[Title Search : Orb of Water]

[No search results found.]

Fortunately, not a single post about the Orb of Water was on the anonymous bulletin board.

This meant that at least the existence of the Orb of Water was not widely known.

‘Still, I can't be relieved just yet.’

The Orb of Water is a unique item, with only one in existence within the World of Justice.

Therefore, if someone had already obtained it and was using it alone without sharing information, in the worst-case scenario, I could be the only one making a wasted trip.

‘Still, just in case…….’

I searched for a few more keywords.

[Title Search : Of Water]

Searching for just 'Water' would yield countless results, so the choice I made after careful consideration was 'Of Water'.

Of course, even this was not enough.

-Dr. Kim : (Useless trivia to know) Regarding the properties of water...

-Gusada : The appearance of a big shot

-Anonymous651 : Where's the water demon?

There was even a post like this.

-Anonymous55 : (Apology) I am sorry for causing a disturbance... I will not provoke again.

“…….”

Given the search term, I didn't think it would be easy to find what I was looking for, but still, causing a disturbance is something else…….

Although I haven't been on the anonymous bulletin board for long, that friend named Anonymous55…… seems like the troublemaker type.

‘That aside…….’

As is often the case with browsing bulletin boards, I almost got sidetracked, but I didn't lose sight of my original purpose and changed the search term.

[Title Search : Orb]

And, one result came up.

-Aichuwong : How in the world do you get this Orb of Winter? I feel like I'm going to freeze just by getting near it.

Orb of Winter.

As far as I knew, there was no such item as the Orb of Winter.

‘An undiscovered item? Or…….’

Amidst the rising questions, I clicked on Aichuwong's post.

──────────────

I saw a strange item in the Demonic Realm by chance a while ago, but everything freezes when you just get near it, so I couldn't get close.

It looks exactly like an elemental orb, does anyone know how to get this?

──────────────

-PrayingForShutdownDay79 : where is it?

└Aichuwong : Demonic Realm area. no more info

-Gusada : There was an Orb of Winter too?

-NoobNoobie : If it's in the Demonic Realm, you must be a high level... then could you maybe help me a bit?

-Anonymous1356 : I'm going to get it gg

└Aichuwong : go ahead and try to find it lol

-KnightCommander : I was thinking of going to get it, but it'll be tough if it's in the Demonic Realm.

└Aichuwong : The Demonic Realm is pretty wide lol

-Hesen : Can't you just set a fire there? It'd be warm and nice.

After checking the content of the post, I could finally be certain.

‘Found it.’

The Orb of Water.

The Orb of Winter that Aichuwong was talking about was definitely the Orb of Water.

The evidence for it was simple.

The Orb of Water currently in the Demonic Realm is unable to exert its original power due to the severe cold environment.

In the first place, that's why it was something that the current me could even attempt to get.

The fact that Aichuwong hadn't managed to get his hands on the Orb of Water, or rather, the Orb of Winter, was pretty good news for me.

‘But it's emitting a cold aura……. It shouldn't be that strong originally.’

As I mentioned before, the reason the Orb of Water, which originally has the water attribute, emits a cold aura is because of the harsh environment of the Demonic Realm.

However, that only weakens its original power, so it shouldn't be emitting such a strong cold aura.

Of course, even that much would be enough to cause frostbite instantly if touched with bare hands, but it shouldn't be so difficult that one couldn't even approach it.

‘I need more clues.’

I searched for posts written by Aichuwong.

[Search by Author : Aichuwong]

Aichuwong was a user who had been active for a not-so-short period.

Meaning, he was a veteran user who had been in this world for at least over a year.

-Aichuwong : Fuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuck.

-Aichuwong : I want to eat some hot rice soup, is there anyone running a rice soup restaurant? I think it would be a hit.

-Aichuwong : Someone told me to bring proper cold-weather gear and an item with the fire attribute, so I tried that, but it still didn't work;;

-Aichuwong : I'm definitely getting through today.

-Aichuwong : Ah fuck it's cooooold. I think I got frostbite ㅜㅜ

Fortunately, in the posts Aichuwong wrote after the day he mentioned the Orb of Winter, there were no nuances suggesting he had obtained it.

Rather, it seemed like he was getting more and more exhausted from ultimately failing to obtain the Orb of Winter.

-Aichuwong : It's so fucking cold today... I think I'm gonna die.

That was the last post from Aichuwong.

Since that post was from two months ago, it would be right to assume that Aichuwong had either died or was in an environment where he couldn't even access the bulletin board.

Of course, one could also simply assume he had quit the bulletin board, but for a stranger who had fallen into this unfamiliar world, the anonymous bulletin board is not just a simple community.

A sanctuary.

Or a refuge.

It meant that the bulletin board was a place where one could share empathy in this utterly unfamiliar world.

‘If he left such a bulletin board, it's right to assume he's practically dead.’

It was a pity that someone had died, but in fact, this could be seen as a very fortunate thing for me.

If the Orb of Water had fallen into someone else's hands, I would have had to find another way.

‘For now, this should be enough.’

The rough check was done.

What remained was how to get to the Demonic Realm where the Orb of Water lay dormant, safely.

‘It's not that there's no way…….’

The methods that came to mind were all ones with considerable risks.

Of course, the Orb of Water was an item worth obtaining even with such risks, but everyone only has one life.

As Aichuwong, who seemed to come and go from the Demonic Realm as if it were his own home, ultimately appeared to have failed to obtain the Orb of Water, I too needed to be fully prepared.

‘On top of that, leaving Winter Castle isn't easy either…….’

In fact, for me, who already knew of several secret passages, leaving Winter Castle itself wasn't that difficult, but the problem was that going out into the incomparably harsh northern territory with my bare body was a good way to either freeze to death or become food for beasts.

In addition to that, if I were to be absent for more than a certain period, I would be considered a deserter, and if discovered, I could be executed on the spot.

In other words, the best method was, after all, to get official permission from the captain of the 4th Special Task Force, Edric, and go out.

If that were possible, I could also receive some support from Winter Castle, so for now, it was the best option.

‘I'll have to see how the situation goes first.’

Having finished my thoughts, I closed my eyes.

The demon of sleep came quickly.

***

The next day arrived.

As soon as morning came, what greeted me was the hunger from my stomach.

To make us go through such training and then fast for two days, isn't that a bit too much?

“Ughh…….”

Conlan, who was also starving along with me, didn't look too well either.

Especially since he would need to eat a lot to maintain that large frame.

“As expected of Winter Castle. I never thought they'd serve soup with meat in the morning. Thanks to someone, I'm really living the high life.”

Albino, having finished his breakfast, returned from the mess hall, picking his teeth with what looked like an animal bone, and sneered at me who was starving.

It was something I had expected, so I was about to ignore it and move on, but it was someone else who got angry.

“So what about it?”

It was the big guy, Conlan, who was in the same starving situation as me.

“Ah, come to think of it, you were here too. You were so confident, I thought you were something, but you're nothing special, are you?”

“Say one more word, and I'll rip that mouth of yours.”

“You think you can do that with your skills? You were pathetic.”

“Alright, I'll show you.”

The atmosphere turned hostile in an instant.

They were sticking together so well until just a while ago, but as is the case with criminals' loyalty, it didn't last long.

Well, it wasn't like those two knew each other well from the beginning, so in a way, it was natural.

‘Good for me, though.’

I didn't know when those two might team up and stab me in the back, but if their relationship soured like this, it was a welcome development for me.

-Assemble!

The touch-and-go confrontation between Albino and Conlan ended with Edric's call to assemble.

“You should consider yourself lucky.”

“Look who's talking.”

Soon after, all the members of the 4th Special Task Force had gathered at the training ground, and the captain of the 4th Special Task Force, Edric, spoke.

“Did you all sleep well?”

“Yes!”

“Good voices. A sign that you're getting mentally prepared as soldiers of Kreutz. I'm very pleased that yesterday's training was effective.”

To us listening, it sounded like utter nonsense, but no one said it out loud.

“Today's training is basic weaponry skills training. Everyone, choose a weapon you are confident with.”

I hesitated for a moment in front of the display stand where the training weapons were arranged.

Swords, spears, axes, bludgeons, and so on…….

I wondered if I even needed something like this when I already had a gun, but it was also true that I couldn't rely solely on the gun forever.

‘This one seems good.’

Having made up my mind, I grabbed a wooden sword from the display stand.

Perhaps because the sword's nature itself was closer to a secondary armament in warfare, it seemed to be a perfect fit for me.

“It seems everyone has chosen.”

I glanced at the weapons of the other task force members; it looked like Albino and Alicia had chosen swords, and Conlan had chosen an axe.

“Before we begin training, it would be good to gauge your level of weaponry skills.”

Edric said.

“Come at me, all of you.”

“Can we use magic too?”

Edric glared.

“Permission denied. Come at me with pure weaponry skills only. Your magic seems particularly dangerous.”

I had thought this might be a chance to land a blow on Edric, but Edric was thorough.

‘It was a good chance to see if a gun works on a powerhouse of level 6 or higher…….’

For me, it was quite disappointing news.

Regardless, the other task force members, as if seeing a good opportunity, tightened their grip on their respective weapons.

“This is a good chance to see the skills of this guy who calls himself our captain.”

“I agree.”

“…….”

Even Alicia took a stance, so it seemed they were planning to go all out.

I had no intention of backing out either, so I tightened my grip on the wooden sword.

It's a bit much to say it myself, but this body was once called the strongest swordsman in the World of Justice.

……It might not mean much now, but as the saying goes, even a dog at a village school learns to recite a poem after three years, so it was worth having some expectations.

“Hyaaap!”

With Conlan in the lead, the members of the 4th Special Task Force all charged at Edric at once.

“Let's see what you've got!”

Edric smiled fiercely and weaved through the task force members as if he were dancing.

The result was a crushing defeat.

We couldn't even properly touch a single thread of Edric's clothes.

For me, who knew the gap between levels, it was an expected result, but it was still a bit shocking.

“Good work, everyone.”

“Ughh…….”

“My arm, I can't move my arm.”

Albino and Conlan groaned in pain, and Alicia let out a muffled moan.

It was an overwhelming defeat.

“Hmm.”

Edric, who hadn't shed a single drop of sweat despite such movements, looked at me lying on the ground and spoke in a strange voice.

“Strange.”

“……What is?”

“It's clearly clumsy as can be…… but it's unmistakably the swordsmanship of a master. Who taught you such arrogant swordsmanship? If you try to use such swordsmanship at your level, you'll be perfect prey for the beasts.”

“…….”

To be honest, I had been a little confident, but that expectation was shattered by Edric's scathing evaluation.

Well, I was just mimicking the superficial form I had seen in fragmented pieces, so it would have been stranger if it had worked well.

From the perspective of a powerhouse like Edric, it was only natural that the swordsmanship looked clumsy and awkward.

“Don't be too disappointed. It's just not suited for your level, but the swordsmanship itself is excellent.”

I didn't know if it was a compliment or an insult, but I didn't feel any anger.

I was already well aware that my current level was pathetic.

“Then what should I do?”

“Don't lose your way. From what I can see, the path you're on is not wrong. If you find your center, you will undoubtedly achieve great results.”

“……I see. Thank you.”

Not wrong…….

Advice from a powerhouse like Edric sounded quite meaningful to me.

It meant that Edric had seen through, at least in part, even the essence of the swordsmanship that I had merely imitated.

“Now, let's continue the training.”

At Edric's declaration, the task force members groaned, but no one backed down.

They were all fired up by the fact that they couldn't even touch a single thread of Edric's clothes.

“This time, let's at least give that old man a decent medal on his face.”

“Hoo, that's a pretty good idea.”

Nod.

Even Alicia nodded her head silently, so I could tell how fired up they were.

I was the same.

“Let's give it a try.”