I Obtained Sword God Level Talent

43 – 043. The Basics of Swordsmanship (2)

The Plateau of Storms, as its name suggests, is an area where storms are always raging.

Whoosh whooo-!

Thanks to yesterday’s torrential rain, it wasn’t raining. But a wind, so strong it was hard to even open my eyes, struck my face. It was a level of wind pressure that would make it hard for someone who hadn’t mastered mana to even move.

“Frey-nim. What business brings you to this place?”

“I’m looking for something.”

“Looking for something… you say?”

“Yes. There should be a small lake near here, probably.”

“……?”

Maria tilted her head at the brief explanation.

It must have sounded very strange, that there would be a lake in this barren wasteland.

But my memories weren’t wrong. I, who was a human with a born ‘sword-nut’ constitution, was a guy who, come what may, used ‘swords.’

And then…

Whenever it happened, I always came to this Storm Plateau.

It was because I could encounter a rather special opportunity at the aforementioned ‘lake.’ Yes, you could say this was a ‘hidden’ element, too.

*Whhiiish!*

I pushed through the wind.

Whether it was due to the high altitude, or the harsh environment, there wasn’t a single tree on the plateau. Just a few patches of grass growing on the yellow-clay ground.

“……Ah!”

I spent hours scouring the plateau.

After the arduous trek, I finally managed to find the ‘cave’ I had so desperately sought.

*Ssshhhk.*

I went straight into the cave. The wind howling outside died down, and now we could converse without having to raise our voices.

“Maria, this is the place.”

“Is this… the place Frey-nim was looking for?”

“Yes. If we go deeper into the cave, there’s a small lake.”

“……A lake.”

Wasn’t she curious how I knew this?

Maria gave a small nod and quietly looked at me. It seemed like she didn’t know the way, and wanted me to lead.

“Let’s finish up quickly and head back. I don’t think we’ll get lost on the way back, so we should be back in the village in half a day.”

“……I see.”

After our brief exchange, I turned around. Then, I started walking toward the dark cave. It was because I knew that besides the owner of this cave, there were no other threats.

“Oh.”

Maybe thirty minutes had passed.

We had finally reached the end of the cave.

At the end of the cave, where the passage widened as we went further in, a bright light pierced through a large opening.

Light was streaming down from the cave ceiling.

Amazingly, where the light was pointing, a small island was in the center of a lake with a single blue tree growing on it.

‘…….’

A corner in the corner of the Storm Plateau. A place hidden in an already ‘hidden street’, the plateau.

‘The Earth Dragon’s Nest.’

A place that only a few players in ＜Silver Ring＞ knew.

‘It’s about time to come out.’

My purpose in coming this far wasn’t to swim in the cave lake. It was just to get that ‘necklace’ hanging on the branch of that tree.

“Maria-nim.”

“Yes.”

“Could you please step back a bit?”

“……Understood.”

Swish.

Maria nodded in response to the disjointed request.

Loosening the tension in my wrists and ankles, I quietly drew the sword from my waist.

Srrrring-!

A clear, silver blade revealed itself. A gaze that seemed to ask why I drew my sword when there was no enemy pricked the back of my head.

Dudududu…….

I knew.

That lake, despite its calm appearance, had a bizarre monster hiding within.

Dududududu……!

The earth trembled. An unexpected uninvited guest appeared. I could tell that the master of the cave lake was enraged.

Whoosh—!

At the same time, a tremendous spray of water filled my vision.

The very reason a character who misstepped in that deep lake would instantly die; it felt like a lesser dragon, though its abilities were far below one, a ‘land wyrm’.

The thing revealed itself.

“Kurarararak!”

Its eerie red eyes fixed on me.

My blood boiled. It was my first battle since the fight with the Blood Lion and the hellish rift expedition. For some reason, along with it, came the confidence that those numerous hardships had made me stronger.

“What… is that?”

“The master of this lake. It’s not particularly strong, but it will likely chase us until we die.”

It was the same in ＜Silver Ring＞.

When training a ‘swordsman’, after getting the necklace, I tested how far this monster would follow me.

The result was simple. That thing wouldn’t stop chasing even if the player entered the Imperial City. It was truly a mad monster bent on revenge.

‘Right now, I can’t get its aggro off me like that.’

Of course, there was an easy way, but I couldn’t act that way.

This ain’t a game anymore, this is real life. Which meant that trying to get rid of this pain in the ass could cause a whole lot of casualties.

So.

*Thwack!*

Kill it here. Snag the loot and get out. Pretty clean job, right?

“Krarararara!”

The ‘Earth Dragon’, emerging from the lakebed, was a lizard whose entire body glowed emerald.

Despite its ear-splitting roar, it was just a hidden monster, only level 20 or so. Weaker than, say, an ‘Orc War Chief’.

*Whoosh—!*

Protecting its nest, the thing rose, huge eye looking down. Maybe it figured it’d crush me in one blow with its sheer size; the colossal body slowly started its descent.

*Click!*

But who am I? Even I feel a little silly saying it myself…

I’m the blessed one, swathed in all sorts of traits. The avatar of the sword, blessed with the greatest talent on earth, a freak who’s reached the ‘5th Circle’ in just over a month.

I wasn’t gonna die to some scrub hidden monster.

*Clench!*

Tighten the grip on my sword.

Lower my stance.

Mana to the blade.

*Ziiiiing——!*

And then.

*Whoosh—!*

The essence of ‘Underheaven Flow Step’, etched into my brain, unfolded instantly. Leaving behind a faint afterimage, my body flashed through the air like lightning.

Its huge body hadn’t even hit the ground yet. But I was already reaching out for the snow-white belly.

“Krak?”

*Shwaaack-!*

*Thud thud thud!* *Thump!*

… Pathetically anticlimactic.

The thing’s belly split open, its bisected body falling to the ground. And, as a bonus, a shower of dark red blood.

*Pat!*

Landing on the ground, I wiped my face with my sleeve. The thick monster blood felt extra disgusting today.

“That was a magnificent strike.”

Maria, who had been silently watching the battle, or rather, the *not*-battle, walked over to me.

Then.

*Swoosh.*

“……?”

“However. It seems you still have a long way to go. If that monster’s blood had contained ‘poison’ or ‘acid’, you would have been severely harmed.”

Her words were slightly scolding. Standing before me, Maria immediately pulled a handkerchief from within her clothes.

*Rustle.*

“……”

Her next action was quite, no, *very* surprising.

She, having pulled out the handkerchief… gently started wiping the blood from my face!

“I think I made the right decision to follow you.”

“……Huh? Why is that?”

“It’s because Frey-nim, you still seem like someone who needs my help.”

Her soft touch wiping my face made my mouth clamp shut.

It wasn’t that I disliked it, or that I was flustered. It was just that I hadn’t expected Maria Theresia to show such warmth.

“All done.”

“……Thank you.”

I bowed my head and leaped toward the tiny island in the middle of the lake, where a tree grew.

‘Just as I thought.’

Just as expected, there was a shimmering necklace hanging from a thin branch of the tree.

Its appearance was nothing special, plain as can be. The only unique feature was a transparent gem embedded in the middle of the necklace?

‘There it is.’

A hidden gem that only those in the know were aware of. Though its item rank was rather low, just wearing it could produce a tangible effect, like a warm, dependable bowl of soup.

*Swoosh.*

I cautiously retrieved the necklace and slowly put it around my neck.

What’s the point in saving it for later? I’ll be wearing it from now on, so there’s no reason to dawdle.

*Click!*

“……!”

I fastened the clasp of the necklace. Immediately, I felt a sensation that suggested a change was occurring within my body.

…

..

.

–

[ Nameless Knight’s Necklace ]

Category: Necklace

Rarity: Rare

Effects: Slightly increases ＜HP＞ / ＜Stamina＞. 5% chance to attack again after a basic attack.

“Fundamentals, the core of swordsmanship.”

–

……Whoa.

I almost let out an exclamation without realizing it.

The options of the necklace I’d call the ‘core of swordsmanship’, the pinnacle of basics, were simple.

An increase in HP and Stamina.

Well, up to that point, it was just a normal item. But… the real kicker was what came after.

‘5% chance to trigger a follow-up attack after a basic attack.’

At first glance, a 5% chance might seem low. But, the important thing is the scope of that ‘basic attack.’

For the best example… let’s say you’ve mastered a swordsmanship technique of incredible, soaring heights.

Then, you’d be attacking based on forms, with slashes, thrusts, and the like.

That’s where the cheat-like nature of ‘Core of Swordsmanship’ comes into play. Amazingly, each and every tick falls under the scope of ‘basic attack.’

The opponent has to fight while constantly worrying about the follow-up attacks that might come at any moment.

Why else would even a veteran of veterans like myself praise it so much?

“Frey, is your purpose for coming here, that necklace?”

“Ah, yes. I’ve finally gotten my hands on it.”

I must have looked pretty happy, since I burst out laughing. Maria, who had come to my side, asked me a question.

Clink-!

“……?”

Then, Maria showed me the necklace hanging from her neck.

“It’s quite similar to the necklace I have.”

I… Is that so?

It looked completely different to me. Because, anyone could see that the necklace Maria had on was the epitome of luxury.

‘Just a second.’

Staring at Maria’s appeal with a serious face, a thought settled in my head.

‘Is this… flirting?’