Chapter 30

From a young age, Najin excelled at mimicking others’ movements. He easily replicated techniques shown by Ivan after just a couple of viewings, rarely forgetting anything once learned. Even if his physical limitations sometimes prevented him from mimicking movements precisely, he never forgot any movement he observed.

Najin had never questioned this aspect of himself, but after leaving the Underground City and conversing with Merlin, he realized his exceptional observational skills and memory were not normal.

-Usually, people can’t do that.

-You are the strange one.

Even to the transcendental constellation in the night sky, Najin’s abilities were abnormal. However, Najin’s eyes possessed a special quality beyond mere observation and memory.

“Doesn’t everything break down into steps in your head, like movements chopped into pieces?”

Najin pulled out paper and a pen.

He sketched the technique Ivan had shown him just before escaping the Underground City. The drawings represented a series of movements, each broken down into multiple stages. This was how the world appeared to Najin when he concentrated – not as continuous motions but as a series of segmented actions linked together.

-Well…

Merlin sighed in disbelief after seeing Najin’s drawings. They were not just rough sketches of movements; every subtle detail was captured – the muscle tension, sword angles, even breath control.

It seemed impossible to replicate such detail after only a couple of viewings. Even Galahad, one of the strongest knights of the Round Table, didn’t imitate movements to this extent. He relied on instinct rather than precise replication.

‘If Galahad recreates a painting based on feeling, Najin is tracing directly over it.’

Merlin realized that ordinary people simply cannot replicate in the manner Najin does.

-That’s what I mean. Normal people can’t do that.

Merlin was now slightly fearful of this abnormal ability.

Guild Hall.

Sitting in a corner of the bustling guild hall, Najin waited for his client. With some time to spare, he browsed through a brochure listing the city’s top-ranked mercenaries.

His focus was on the highest tier, the White rank, where he checked the names and brief profiles of the top five mercenaries.

– A former Techo Mountain Ranger.

Hawk-eye, Kapman Theosis.

– Former leader of the Zenobel family’s knight order.

Sword Seeker, Rihardt Polsen.

– Leader of the Red Eye Mercenary Group.

Sword Seeker, Roselin Ascalon.

Only basic information and background for the first three were disclosed. The remaining two had chosen to remain private. Najin pondered over their ranks as he read.

‘To reach the White rank probably earns one an honorary title. Seems like it.’

-Probably. Sword Seekers of that caliber are not common inland. They’re usually capable of leading a noble family’s knights. They deserve such recognition.

Sword Seekers of such caliber are rare, capable of securing a significant position even in the capital of the empire.

‘And…’

The level Ivan and Offen aspired to.

The level Najin set as his primary goal, assessing where it stands.

As he was evaluating, a shadow fell over him. He looked up to see a middle-aged man standing there. The man, with his roughly trimmed beard and worn-out robe, looked more like a wandering swordsman than a priest. He held out a paper to Najin.

“Are you Ivan?”

28-year-old mercenary Ivan.

This was the name and identity Najin borrowed from his mentor to operate in the city. Although Ivan’s actual age was in his mid-forties…

‘Forty-something would be a bit too obvious.’

So, they settled on 28 years old. It seemed plausible enough to pass off as a talented young swordsman even if he were to manifest Sword Aura.

Thud.

Najin stood up from his chair and nodded to the man.

“Yes, I am Ivan.”

“Hmm. Younger than I thought. Your ID says you’re a 28-year-old mercenary…”

“I have a youthful appearance.”

“Wish I had that problem. Well, I won’t pry.”

The man grinned and extended his hand.

“I’m Volkman. A mid-rank priest and Sword Expert of the Order of the Sword. I’m counting on you today.”

Najin joined Volkman on a carriage ride to the meadows. Volkman explained that a small village near Cambria was their destination.

“A horde of orcs was spotted near that village. I quickly took the contract. Can’t let someone else snatch it.”

As they conversed during the ride, Najin realized a few things.

“Not going to save the village? No, why should I? Aren’t there plenty to do that? I just want to practice my swordsmanship on the orcs. They’re the best for gaining experience.”

Volkman was quite talkative.

“The orcs’ hides are exceptionally tough. Tough skin, large stature – perfect targets for practice. It’s difficult to cut them without using Sword Aura, ideal for training.”

Despite being a priest, Volkman didn’t fit the typical image.

With his sturdy build and shabby attire, he seemed more like a nomadic swordsman.

‘Is this typical for priests of the Order of the Sword?’

-Why do you think they’re called the ‘Order of the Sword’? They’re an ancient group, always been like this. Obsessed with swords.

It’s said that the Order of the Sword doesn’t worship any deity. Their sword is their god.

“Ah, we’re here.”

As Najin was mulling over Volkman’s words, they arrived at their destination. The carriage stopped, and the orc village became visible not far away.

“Follow me if you want, or wait here until the hunt’s over. Did you bring a sack for the orc heads?”

“Yes, got it from the guild.”

“Good. What will you do?”

Najin answered without hesitation.

“I’ll follow. If it’s not too much trouble, I’d like to observe your swordsmanship up close.”

“Ha! Such enthusiasm from a young man.”

Volkman smiled. His gaze shifted to the sword at Najin’s waist and his calloused hands and fingers – evidence of the young man’s diligent training.

“You’re welcome to watch. Just don’t get too close. It might get dangerous.”

“Thank you for the opportunity.”

Najin kept a few steps behind Volkman as they walked. Eventually, they reached the outskirts of the orc village, where Volkman stopped. As he breathed deeply, the air around him shifted.

From that moment, Najin watched intently. As Volkman inhaled and exhaled, currents of air formed around him.

Then, snap.

Volkman drew his sword. Despite his unassuming appearance, the sword in his hand was exceptionally sharp. His aura transformed as he gripped it.

Holding the sword out, Volkman stepped into the orc village. Inside, four orcs and several smaller goblins were milling about.

Gurgle!

A goblin, sensing Volkman’s presence, charged towards him. The goblin led the charge, followed by orcs stomping their heavy footsteps towards Volkman.

“Huff…”

Volkman exhaled briefly and stepped forward, not swinging his sword at the approaching goblin. Instead, he simply lifted the sword horizontally above his shoulder.

No grand movements were needed.

Maintaining his stance, Volkman thrust his sword forward.

Thud.

The sword tip pierced the goblin’s neck. Volkman lightly flicked the blood-stained sword, slicing through a second charging goblin. Amidst the spray of blood, Volkman took another step, seemingly returning to his initial stance – sword held horizontally above.

“……”

Najin intently observed Volkman’s stance and movements, discerning a pattern.

‘Repetition, a cycle.’

Volkman was repeating four different stances.

Each stance seamlessly transitioned into another. The acts of transitioning themselves were both offensive and defensive.

The movements were impressively efficient.

Without drawing Sword Aura, Volkman was effortlessly slaughtering the goblins with minimal force and movement.

‘Different from Ivan’s sword.’

If Ivan’s swordplay Najin imitated was heavy and powerful, Volkman’s was precise and sharp, creating a continuous flow.

Precisely arranged stances and movements.

The sharp sword strikes were a mix of stabs and cuts, smoothly connecting each action. The shifting stances, adapting to the enemy’s moves, resembled a dance.

‘This is the swordsmanship of the Order of the Sword.’

Certainly worth observing and learning. However, watching Volkman, Najin wondered:

‘Efficient, but…’

There were no powerful strikes.

It’s easy to slash goblins, but what about that orc?

Kuung.

An orc charged at Volkman with heavy footsteps. Still, Volkman did not draw his Sword Aura, as if unnecessary.

Then, snap.

Gripping his sword tightly, Volkman moved differently than before. His steps scattered across the ground. When Volkman halted, his stance was entirely different from the previous four.

Sword hanging down.

Knees bent as if ready to spring upwards.

As the orc swung its club, Volkman leaped up, swinging his sword.

Swoosh.

Najin’s eyes widened.

Even without Sword Aura, Volkman’s sword smoothly sliced through the orc’s tough hide. The sword, halfway severing the orc’s wrist holding the club, pointed upwards.

A clean and powerful upward slash.

Volkman reversed the sword’s direction, striking downwards. His sword glinted, carving a long gash from the orc’s shoulder to its waist.

Splash!

Blood spurted out. Watching the entire process, Najin clicked his tongue. The swordplay was precise, powerful, and somehow beautiful. Najin felt slightly overwhelmed by the finesse of the Order of the Sword’s technique, honed over many years.

As Najin was visualizing what he had just seen…

“……!”

Volkman, looking dazed, turned his head towards Najin. He began to shout, but before his voice could reach, Najin had already turned, sensing something.

Three goblins had emerged from the village, charging at Najin. It was a sneaky attack, but not fatal for Najin.

Leaping down from above.

The goblin’s movement digging in from the side.

To Najin’s eyes, everything seemed slow. With enough time, Najin, holding his sword, recalled Volkman’s stance in his mind. The exact steps and power distribution forming the stance.

Where to apply force.

How to take a step.

In which direction to lift the sword.

All of it was vividly pictured in Najin’s mind. Now, all he needed was to replicate it. Gripping his sword like Volkman, Najin took a step.

The first stance.

Najin extended his sword horizontally towards the sky, piercing the charging goblin’s neck. Before he could even confirm it, he was already moving.

Transitioning from stance to stance.

From the first to the second.

His sword smoothly sliced through the goblin. The impaled goblin collapsed, spewing blood.

Thud.

As Najin returned to the first stance, only three goblin corpses lay beside him. He exhaled briefly, lowering his sword.

‘So, this is how it’s done?’

Definitely efficient.

He hadn’t yet tried the movement Volkman used against the orc, but it seemed attainable with practice. As he turned with these thoughts…

There stood Volkman, in an awkward posture, staring at him. Volkman’s wide-open eyes trembled, his mouth opening and closing repeatedly.

“Priest Volkman!”

Najin shouted towards the stunned priest.

“Behind you! Look behind!”

Orcs were still charging towards Volkman. Grasping for breath, Volkman turned to face the imminent threat.

-Ah, I think I understand that feeling.

Merlin muttered.

-The feeling of wanting to say something but being utterly speechless.

‘What is that?’ Najin inquired.

-It’s there, the feeling of encountering a monstrous prodigy.

Regardless of Merlin’s reaction,

seeing Volkman’s response confirmed Najin’s belief. His initial plan to make a strong impression on Volkman had evidently succeeded.