Chapter 83 - Holy Sword Bastian (1)

The same four maps that the Abyss had released into the world.

However, my father said that the maps would not be completely identical.

Even if the ultimate destination the maps pointed to was the same, the process to get there would not be.

“You mean the difficulty will be different.”

“I believe so. It's similar to the case of Berdion 40 years ago.”

At that time, the greatest genius in the history of the Taeseong Sword Family had met with an accident in Berdion.

According to what was known, the map he possessed was the one with the highest difficulty among the four.

“And from the circumstances, it seems highly likely that the map you have, Ji-han, is the worst one.”

Unlike my usually taciturn father, today's conversation was getting quite long.

There was certainly a point in my father's words.

It fit well with the circumstances of this case.

‘It is certainly strange.’

The fact that the identity of the person who put this map up for auction was unknown gave the impression that something was being hidden.

Also, the fact that the prominent sword families who knew the truth of the incident 40 years ago did not participate in this auction was also unsettling.

“There will certainly be no lies in the content vouched for by the Taeseong Sword Family regarding this map. However, they wouldn't have disclosed all the information either. The most important message from the Abyss is only known to the person concerned.”

“I understand what you mean.”

“The 7 billion paid for the winning bid will be painful, but it would be best for you, Ji-han, to stay out of this map issue.”

“I will think about it.”

The conclusion was already set, but for now, I gave a response that left room for consideration.

“Do you still have lingering feelings?”

“It's because I don't like the idea of the past from 40 years ago shackling the present.”

“The cases of the past can also serve as a guidepost for us living in the present.”

“But if it's always like that, won't we never be able to take a step away from the past? As far as I know, the Abyss isn't a place like that. Even Ji-hoon, my brother, is pioneering a path no one has ever taken.”

“This case is a bit different from that, isn't it?”

“I don't think it's different. Above all, the Abyss's message related to this map is something no one knows, right? The idea that it holds the worst difficulty is still just a guess.”

For a moment, my father's eyes wavered slightly.

“You said you would think about it, but it seems you've already made up your mind.”

“No, sir. I plan to make a decision after carefully considering what you have said. Please give me one more day.”

And a brief silence followed.

I could feel that a gentle ripple had occurred in my father's heart.

“Alright. Take another day to think it over.”

It meant that my father himself would also think it over.

I felt that a conversation would be possible a day later.

The father I knew was not a close-minded person.

***

A single sword dancing in the moonlight was emitting a faint aura like a haze.

The identity of this aura was Sword Qi.

It was still at an extremely weak level, but it was improving little by little every day.

The key was, as expected, mana.

Since the mana to be injected into the sword itself was insufficient, the formed Sword Qi was at a level that was embarrassing to even call Sword Qi.

However, there was a being who could accurately recognize the true value of this aura.

“Commander Ji-han!”

Rosie approached with short steps from behind me.

“Weren't you going to watch in secret until the end?”

“What! You mean you knew I was hiding all this time, Commander Ji-han?”

“The back of my head was tingling a bit.”

“Lies!”

“You were staring holes into the back of my head, Rosie. It wouldn't make sense if I didn't know.”

As I said that, I patted Rosie's head.

“Can you move your hand? It's unpleasant.”

“Is it because you were caught? Or because I'm patting your head?”

“Both. But how can you do this, Commander Ji-han, even knowing I'm a Hatchling? Shouldn't you at least pretend to be a little scared?”

“Scared? You're cute.”

Whatever her true form was, the current Rosie was, in appearance, a cute girl.

If she wanted a dignified appearance, she should have taken on a different form.

“Anyway, it's unpleasant, so please don't do this.”

“Alright.”

“And about wrapping the sword in Sword Qi. Can you teach me again?”

“It's not something you can do right away just by learning.”

“I know that too. But, it's too difficult even for this dragon's brain to get a feel for it. It's hard even for me, who handles mana better than you, Commander Ji-han.”

Handles mana better than me?

If it was about pure mana manipulation, I would acknowledge it.

But in the overall context, it was a statement I could not agree with.

“No matter how much a dragon is the master of mana, it's probably not the case when it comes to the sword.”

“It's not? Again! Again! Again you're disrespecting dragons!”

“I'm not disrespecting dragons. Rather, the one disrespecting the sword right now is you, Rosie.”

“What's so great about a sword? It's just a piece of metal.”

“As long as you have that mindset, you won't be able to use Sword Qi even if you learn for a lifetime, Rosie.”

“Hmph!”

I gently pinched Rosie's cheek.

“Humans can't live for thousands of years like dragons; our lifespan is at most a hundred years.”

“So what's that got to do with anything?”

“It means that humans, with their short lifespans, have no choice but to use that precious time efficiently. Swordsmanship can be called the essence of efficiency created by humans.”

“Oho?”

“What do you think it would be like if a dragon's lifespan was only a hundred years?”

At my question, Rosie shook her head from side to side.

“I don't even want to think about it. If I only live for a measly hundred years, it's like dying right after being born!”

“Humans are beings who struggle to live precious moments that might be but a fleeting instant by your standards. How can you disrespect swordsmanship, the greatest product created by such humans?”

“Alright. I won't disrespect it.”

“I like your quick acknowledgment.”

“Because I'm an open-minded dragon.”

“That's admirable.”

I patted Rosie's head again.

This time, she did not resist at all.

This meant I was successfully taming the dragon.

“But you're really strange, Commander Ji-han.”

“What is.”

“To be able to handle Sword Qi like this, you should be overflowing with mana in the first place. But you're not like that at all, Commander Ji-han, so it feels like the order is reversed?”

She pointed it out sharply.

Though she would not be able to deduce my reincarnation.

“Rosie, there's no need to judge me by your common sense. Just accept me as I am.”

“Alright. Just teach me how to make Sword Qi again. I'll try to respect the sword as you said, Commander Ji-han.”

“Before that, I have something I'm curious about too, Rosie.”

I took out the map of Bastian from my Inventory.

“What's this? Is it from the Abyss by any chance?”

As expected, Rosie recognized it immediately.

Somehow, it felt like this could be a good deal.

“I was running dungeon tours with you to buy this from the auction house.”

“Now that you put it that way, I'm getting a little interested. But why is this map slathered with so much magic?”

“I was wondering about that too. So, I was wondering, could you find out anything about this map with your dragon abilities?”

“No way!”

Rosie stepped back, waving her hands in refusal.

“You said you were getting interested.”

“I told you before. I'm not your subordinate or your colleague, Commander Ji-han. We're not close enough to feel even a speck of loyalty, so don't ask me for such favors.”

“Then it can't be helped. The talk about teaching you Sword Qi is off the table.”

“Commander Ji-han! How could you!”

“There's no loyalty between us. So you should have listened carefully when I was teaching you once.”

I infused mana into the Reapersword again.

A blue haze rose from the blade.

Rosie's eyes instantly widened.

Dragons are inherently curious creatures.

“Commander Ji-han! Isn't this too childish?”

The outcome of this fight was already decided.

***

[Renid's vicinity has been registered as a base location. Do you wish to move?]

Memories of Renid, the quest area from last time, came to mind.

A place I could never visit again. I could only cheer on the Red Fox Guild and Akin from afar.

Hoping that Leira and Tardel would have good fortune as well.

[You have arrived in the vicinity of Renid.]

My body and mind were both light.

The Spring of Elixir had, without fail, made my body better than yesterday, and my father's willing permission made my steps, as I set off on an adventure, light.

‘Ten seconds left.’

The number displayed on the map of Bastian had finally entered its countdown.

In just a few seconds, the portal would open.

According to Rosie, this portal was scheduled to lead me to the worst difficulty.

My father's words had been true.

Even if I'm a dragon, I can't restore the Abyss's message. But I can feel the will contained in this map. This map will lead you to a very nasty place, Commander Ji-han. You might even die here.

In truth, I had been prepared for it, so my decision did not change.

Rosie had not tried to stop me either.

But you must come back alive! That's the only way you can keep teaching me how to make Sword Qi.

Remembering what Rosie had said, I let out a small laugh.

The remaining time was 3 seconds.

2 seconds.

1 second.

[The portal has opened. The location is displayed on the map.]

The map of Bastian sent me a message and finally transformed into the shape of a complete map.

The portal's duration was 30 minutes.

The location was not far from where I was currently, in the vicinity of Renid.

If I hurried, maybe 10 minutes?

I began to move without delay, following the map's guidance.

***

I did not draw the Reapersword until I reached the portal.

The area around Renid was a quiet region with few people or monsters, so only a boring journey continued.

But that comfort was merely the calm before the storm. The real game had finally begun.

[You have entered the Degen Continent. There are 4 different starting points.]

[Starting Points: SS-rank, A-rank, B-rank, C-rank]

[You who have passed through Portal 4 do not have the authority to choose a starting point.]

[An SS-rank difficulty starting point has been forcibly assigned.]

A cascade of messages poured in.

I knew it.

I could sufficiently guess what SS-rank meant from the context. That the starting point I was assigned was the worst.

But there was also an unexpected fact.

That those who passed through other portals had the right to choose.

Of course, it might not mean much.

Anyone with normal thinking would have no reason to choose a difficult level.

‘Could it be that I arrived first?’

[Awaiting quest.]

The quest had not yet begun.

It seemed I had to wait until all four arrived or until the portal closed.

The next message was transmitted after a few minutes had passed.

[??? has chosen the B-rank starting point.]

Someone else had arrived at a portal after me.

But they chose B-rank?

The fact that they chose B instead of the easiest C made it highly likely that this person also had restrictions on their choice.

They would have chosen the relatively easier B from the available A and B.

If my hypothesis was correct, this person probably passed through Portal 2.

[??? has chosen the A-rank difficulty.]

The message immediately continued.

This time, A-rank. According to my hypothesis, this person would have passed through Portal 3.

Their choices would have been only SS and A.

[Awaiting quest]

Since the quest still had not started, it seemed the person who was supposed to come through Portal 1 had not arrived yet.

The one with the best one is being lazy.

The waiting continued, and the map of Bastian was already indicating that almost 30 minutes had passed.

The portal would soon close.

It meant that only three would compete for Bastian.

Just as I thought that, an unexpected message was transmitted.

[??? has chosen the SS-rank difficulty.]

[The quest will now begin.]

Who on earth?

Why?

Before I could sort out my questions, the world was immediately plunged into darkness.