Make Dark Fantasy Great Again

Chapter 106 [Title: They say Swordsmen become different characters at level 60 lololololol] Content: It just feels so familiar though? lolololol The character smells like mom's homemade soybean paste stew lololol When exactly does it become a different character lololol Damn when do I escape this trudge-and-swing lolololol -: Still, a level 60 Swordsman trudges and swings pretty stylishly though -: Level 10 skill: Trudging while swinging Level 20 skill: Quickly trudging while quickly swinging Level 30 skill: Tremendously trudging while tremendously swinging Level 40 skill: Crazily trudging while crazily swinging Level 50 skill: Extremely trudging while extremely swinging -[OP]: Damn -: Focus on the fact that you're progressing -: For real; if you're extremely trudging while extremely swinging, that's extreme squared Can't even fathom how extreme that would be -: It's basically like John Jones for real -: I could handle up to level 20, but when it was still trudge-and-swing at level 30, I felt something was off and escaped Turns out Mages at level 30 shoot fire and water and do all sorts of crazy stuff for mob hunting, the game genre completely changes -: Damn so you need to be at that level to enter a Magic Tower -: You don't have the intelligence to do trudge-and-swing though -[OP]: No damn it, first playthrough should be as a Swordsman -: That way you feel how shitty the game is and escape quickly -[OP]: Are you guys really picking a fight -: But actually It's a fact that Swordsmen have much easier play difficulty -: Mages need to match stats for each section, farm Grimoires, and do all sorts of crazy complicated stuff to play properly Swordsmen just level up and go 'ooh?' as their trudge-and-swing power increases, instantly upgrading their specs -: That's really huge, you rarely get stuck while playing -[OP]: I got stuck like hell though? -: That's just because the game is shit -[OP]: Ah -[OP]: So what the hell does it mean that Swordsmen become completely different characters at level 60 -[OP]: It just upgrades the trudge-and-swing stage like at level 50? -: Don't you learn BLACK STRONG at level 60? -: This B S nonsense -: Yeah that's right, you can learn 'Sword Aura' at level 60 That thing's damage just goes absolutely insane -: The mage bastards who gritted their teeth and ignored Swordsmen Don't bow down saying "Swordmaster-nim, Swordmaster-nim" for nothing when they learn Sword Aura -[OP]: What -[OP]: Isn't Sword Master from level 70? -: Yeah theoretically you can learn it from level 60 But learning it is so damn hard that you practically need to be level 70 to get it -[OP]: No damn it, then you should have said you can get it from level 70 I rushed all the way to level 60 just based on that -: Anyone who raises a Swordsman to level 60 doesn't have the intelligence to escape anyway At least feel some hope -: It's what they call a black lie... -: Isn't it a white lie? -: It's a Swordsman -: Haha funny funny -[OP]: Ah *** Risir had a dream. In the dream, the little sand hill prankster Verdandes was testing her lung capacity. "Master~~~~~~" Perhaps it wasn't a dream after all. What greeted Risir as he woke was Verdandes sitting on his chest, singing his name in a drawn-out manner. When she saw his eyes open, she smiled brightly and brought her face close to his. "Master! You're not dead!" "Was that just now a funeral song?" "Master wasn't waking up at all, so I called out to you so much!" "Oh my, you worked hard... Thank you. Thanks to you, I woke up so much." "Master! Is your body okay!?" "Of course-" He was about to say that when he belatedly became aware of his body's condition, frowning as he felt intense pain throughout his entire body. "Master! You're in pain!" "It seems so, apparently." "Don't be in pain!!! It's hard when you're in pain!!!" Verdandes was sharply raising her eyebrows as she spoke. 'Don't tell me she's not worried but scolding me?' Risir felt inexplicably solemn and said. "I won't be in pain. I won't find it hard either." "You must be useful!!!" "Useful, useful..." After that lively exchange, Risir began to recall what had happened. 'Did I collapse again? What am I, a sunfish? Every time I cause an Overload... No, wait. This time it wasn't because of an Overload- Ah, that's right!' Risir's eyes flashed open. He recalled the last thing that happened before he lost consciousness. 'I landed a blow on Gaderok...' His heart pounded as the sensation from that moment came back to him. A strong feeling of elation instantly consumed Risir. As if entranced, he tried to get up from bed and grab his sword. "Stay down." However, Clana's voice stopped him. Risir looked ahead in surprise. The voice had come from outside rather than inside his head. There stood the killer with her arms crossed and a cold expression. "How adorable." This was Risir's impression upon encountering the killer in person for the first time. The dignified killer he had encountered in the Inner World was nowhere to be found. Having taken physical form, she had the appearance of a young girl. Just like Verdandes. "You look incredibly young in person." "You speak such nonsense so calmly in that physical condition. A troublemaker is a troublemaker indeed." "So, what's with that appearance?" "I tried learning how to manifest as a Spirit." "Is that something you can just learn by trying?" Risir showed bewilderment at Clana's nonchalant attitude after accomplishing something incredible. And Clana showed bewilderment at such a Risir. "Are you one to talk?" "Pardon?" Clana approached with her characteristic lawless atmosphere despite her girlish figure and sat casually on the bed. She looked at Risir with a defiant posture and spoke. "You. Do you even know what kind of power you used?" Risir intuitively sensed it. She wasn't talking about the mystery contained within 'Breath Stealing' right now. She was talking about the decisive power that transformed what was merely a deceptive movement into a lethal strike. Risir recalled the sword technique he had unleashed. That sword that had cut through the mana barrier of a 7th Rank Mage. The power that had lingered at the tip of that sword. It was a power that differentiated itself from any Magic or Swordsmanship Risir had ever seen. To Clana's question, Risir confidently shook his head. "Of course I don't know." "Ah." Clana sighed. But only briefly. She nodded repeatedly and said. "Well. Since it's you, that's perfectly reasonable." "What's that supposed to mean. Isn't that too much of a leap in logic?" "Shut up. I don't want to hear that from you." "Well now... So what is it? The power I used." "It's a power called Sword Aura." "Sword Aura?" "It's the manifestation of the will to cut." "Could you explain it more simply? I don't know much about swords." "Is that something a Swordsman who deployed Sword Aura should be saying?" Clana let out a sigh before continuing with difficulty. "To put it simply, you've gained the power to wield your will like a weapon." "Ah, so it's like basic Magic. Coincidentally, there's something similar called materialization in the basic Magic curriculum." Clana closed her eyes and took a deep breath. If she didn't, she felt like she might fall into Mana Backflow. "To put it even more simply, that power requires reaching at least the 8th Rank to handle properly." "How did I manage to handle something like that?" "Because you're Risir." "Still, this is supposedly a discussion about swords, isn't it too frivolous?" "Please shut up." Clana got up from the bed as if fleeing and approached the nightstand beside it. She pointed to the Blue Lotus standing next to it and said. "Anyway, what you need to remember is this. Sword Aura is a power too overwhelming for your current level to handle. Your body is in a mess now because you used such power. If you deploy Sword Aura again now, your body will be damaged beyond repair." "Ah. I understand. Thank you for your concern." "I just couldn't overcome my frustration." "Even someone like you gets embarrassed." "You really say whatever comes to mind." Clana sighed while looking at the Blue Lotus. "How did such a guy..." Soon she looked at Risir with a reluctant feeling and said. "I acknowledge you." "Pardon?" "The Breath Stealing you deployed. That was definitely my sword." Clana picked up the Blue Lotus and handed it to Risir. "I permit you to call me Master." "...!" Risir widened his eyes in joy at her acknowledgment. "Thank you, Clana!" Clana was self-deprecating. To think I'd end up playing teacher. She spoke with a displeased yet somewhat excited expression. "Do you carelessly speak your master's name?" "Ah, that's- Clana. For reference, I already have a separate Master. I consider only that person to be my one and only Master." "?" Clana blinked. Then what about me? It seemed like such a voice could be heard. After a moment of contemplation, Risir said 'Ah!' as if he had a good idea. "How about a respected friend who discusses swords together?" "..." Clana drew the Blue Lotus and slashed her own throat. Of course, being in Spirit form, Clana wouldn't be hurt by doing such a thing. With her throat cut, Clana returned directly to Risir's Inner World. 'Clana, are you alright?' -Don't talk to me. The killer. Sulking. *** 'What happened after I collapsed? Were the City Council matters related to Miss Ran resolved well?' Having finished his conversation with Clana, Risir immediately got up from bed. He planned to head to Ran's Office and have a talk with her. "Huh?" It was then. The sense of unease he hadn't noticed while talking with the two spirits belatedly struck him. 'This doesn't seem like my room?' Risir looked around the interior of the room. As spacious as the Guest Room Ran had provided- Perhaps even more spacious and luxurious, but it was clearly a different room nonetheless. "Master! You've awakened! Kraaaah!!! How can I be this happy!!! The extreme of relief!!!" Someone spoke to the confused Risir. A fist-sized grayish-white flame was floating in the air. "Dangaleon?" "Correct! Your faithful servant, the Burning Pure White Fire Dangaleon, greets Master!" Didn't his name change somehow? Anyway, is he also in some kind of spirit mode? Is my Inner World some kind of sanctuary for spirits? Risir put aside these trivial questions and said. "Where have you been?" "I've been observing the trends within the Mansion!" "Mansion? Do you happen to know where this is?" “Absolutely!!! Put all worries aside! I, Dangaleon, the Burning Pure White Fire, will resolve all your doubts! I’ll tell you what happened while you were asleep, Master!” Three days. That was the period Risir had been unconscious. "During that time, those vermin called The Saint and The Owner rudely intruded into Master's quarters!" "Ah. Actually, those two are my companions. Very precious companions." "No wonder!!! I did think they were very extraordinary and excellent vermi- I mean, people! Those vermi- I mean, those two helped with Master's recovery!" "I'll have to properly thank them later. So where are those two now?" Fienne. She had handled the aftermath together with Ran in Risir's place while he was unconscious. "Soon, you'll hear positive news from the City Council!" "You know even that?" "Yes! While Master was sleeping, I diligently went around the Mansion collecting information!" "Ah, come to think of it- where is this place?" "This is the Mansion of the Great Trading Company Head called 'Golden Barley'!" "Golden Barley?" When the name of Bondaless's largest trading company was mentioned, Risir's eyes widened greatly. "After Master collapsed, The Saint volunteered to take charge of Master's treatment! Therefore, Master was moved to the great mansion of the Golden Barley Trading Company Head where The Saint is staying!" "Ah, so that's what happened." "Their skill was quite excellent! Without that person's treatment, it would have taken a bit longer for Master to wake up!" For Dangaleon to praise a human this much. Risir felt admiration inwardly and strong curiosity. 'How long has it been since I met that one?' A pleasant smile appeared on Risir's lips as he anticipated reuniting with his companion. "Is that guy in the Mansion right now?" "Yes! He's dealing with visitors in the Mansion's garden!" (E/N: I don't know if Rona pretends to be a guy right now...Then again it's a genderless being...?) "Visitors?" "As expected of someone who is Master's companion! His popularity is quite substantial! The visits from his followers never cease, making the Mansion bustling day and night!" "Oh." When Risir showed strong curiosity, Dangaleon exclaimed. "Let's go meet him now! I'll guide you!" Risir followed Dangaleon out of the room. *** Following Dangaleon to the courtyard, Risir looked around and let out a small gasp of admiration. 'Gadum's Mansion, or perhaps even more?' It was indeed a Great Trading Company Head's mansion. The garden spread before his eyes was more luxurious than the corrupt City Councilor's garden he had seen before. The Great Trading Company Head's garden, with its endless stream of guests, could be considered a kind of plaza. Though no banquet was particularly taking place, many people filled the space, building friendships with each other. 'The Saint is here?' -Just until a moment ago, he was definitely here! Risir strolled through the garden looking for her. He observed the faces of visitors gathered in small groups, chatting with each other. 'I don't see her...' But no matter how much he searched, she was nowhere to be seen. "You there." Then, a group approached Risir and spoke to him. Their gaze upon Risir was strange. His appearance, walking through the courtyard just as he had woken up, didn't match the atmosphere of this splendid place. "What business do you have here?" A young Noble woman with heavily painted lips asked as if interrogating him. Risir answered, thinking this worked out well. "Ah, it's nothing else but- I'm looking for someone called The Saint." The Saint. The moment that name was mentioned from Risir's mouth, the group's gaze changed. Risir, who was distant from yet familiar with the Noble world, immediately recognized what kind of gaze it was. They were now sizing up Risir. Soon, their lips curved into subtle sneers. "This seems to be your first time at this place?" "Ah, that's right." "I see. I understand. Then you might not know well." "Pardon?" "The Saint. That person isn't someone you can meet just by barging in like you and saying you want to meet them." She gestured with her chin toward several people around them. "Do you see them? Each and every one of those people has strong Influence in Bondaless's social circles. Even such people can't secure appointments with The Saint and are spending time here endlessly." After saying that much, the woman smiled slyly. "I'm in the same situation. So if you happen to learn a way to meet with 'The Saint,' I'd really appreciate it if you could let me know too." Her companions subtly snickered. -These vermin-like bastards!!! Master! Reveal your name right now!!! Those vermin will immediately bow their heads to Master's prestige! Or give me a command! I'll burn out their eyeballs right away! 'Calm down. That's like a folk game among Nobles.' The Nobles' characteristic sinister contempt. Since it was something very familiar to Risir, he tried to brush off the situation casually. "Huh?" Just then. Their gazes turned somewhere. Risir's gaze also followed theirs. One side of the garden was noisy. "No way...!" The Nobles exchanged glances with each other and hurriedly headed there. Risir also followed behind them. At the place they arrived, a crowd had formed around something. Risir stuck his face through the gap to look inside. 'Huh? That person is-' What first caught Risir's eye was the guard warrior Rok he had seen at the previous Back Alley Council. He adjusted his head position. The figure of a curly-haired Young Lady standing right next to Rok came into view. And next to her- Healthy bronze skin. Golden hair that gleamed like ripe barley. An androgynous beauty who would evoke favorable feelings from people of all ages and genders was receiving countless handshake requests from women. It was a situation many men would dream of, but the person in question clearly showed boredom all over their face. Even so, the women didn't mind. No, they were even more enthusiastic about that indifferent atmosphere. 'Still the same, Golden Sun!' Risir was also enthusiastic, but in a different sense. "Hey!" Risir reflexively raised his hand and called out in joy. "...!" At that voice, the beauty's expression, which had been tinged with boredom, completely changed. Those sky-blue eyes quickly scanned the surroundings. "Ah...!" Soon, those sky-blue eyes discovered Risir. "The Saint...?" The expressions of the Noble Young Ladies who had surrounded The Saint were colored with bewilderment. Because The Saint, who had captivated the hearts of many women with his handsome appearance and mysterious atmosphere, was making the face of a 'woman.' ***