Chapter 31 : Chapter 31

Chapter 31 – Wild Instinct (1)

Sweat poured down my entire body like rain.

How had things turned out like this?

「Hey now, don’t go left. Go there and you’ll die.」

“Just… shut up.”

「Is that any way to speak to your master?」

Liam had clearly suggested I eat a new sword. As always, I agreed without hesitation, and simply did as he told me—like I was under some kind of spell.

But why—

「Ah, you’re about to fall.」

“F***.”

「Be careful. And mind your language too.」

—had I ended up in this mess?

「Didn’t I always tell you to stop at ‘shi—’? Tsk.」

I glared at my teasing master and grabbed a rock with a harsh crunch. Then, with a deep sigh, I looked around. There wasn’t a sword in sight.

All I could see were sheer cliffs and cloud-draped mountains towering above me.

“Just… cut me a break today. Seriously, f***.”

To explain how this had happened, I needed to go back in time a bit.

***

It had all begun with a question from Liam.

「My young descendant, what level would you say your sword has reached now?」

After a brief pause, I answered,

“I’d say somewhere between the early and middle stages of a Sword Walker.”

Liam nodded, then asked,

「And do you think your body matches that level?」

My body. That was an unexpected topic.

「A Sword Walker is one who may finally call himself a swordsman and possesses the minimum qualification to become a knight. Does your body fit that description?」

Hearing that, I looked in the mirror. The reflection staring back was far more developed than when I’d first picked up a sword—solid muscle formed all over, my body firm and balanced.

My once-scrawny shoulders had broadened to an average width, and my arms had thickened thanks to the muscles honed through sword training.

But—“No, I don’t think so.”

That was only because my body had been pitifully weak to begin with.

「Then what do you see now?」

“About average for my age. Maybe like a guy who likes to work out.”

That was the honest truth.

If I went to the nearest town—or even a random city—I’d see plenty of people built like me.

Maybe even some country bumpkin who just liked running around would have a better body.

A body is largely a matter of what you’re born with, after all.

「Exactly. To put it bluntly, your body is still far too lacking to be called that of a Sword Walker.」

“……”

「You’ve survived so far thanks to the toughness of your Mana Heart and a few strokes of luck, but you’ll soon feel the limits of your flesh more keenly than ever.」

Liam’s eyes scanned me up and down.

「You already feel the strain when using the Karavan Line, don’t you? You can’t even draw on the memories of the swords you’ve ingested all at once—only one at a time.」

“……”

「In truth, a Sword Walker should be able to extend the Lines through their entire body like veins, forging a body of steel. That is the true power of the Karavans. But, my young descendant—you cannot.」

He was right.

Liam had carefully chosen swords suited to me, given me countless lessons, and elevated my realm through doubt itself. But my body had failed to keep up.

「The Karavan Line isn’t some ultimate technique. It should come as naturally as breathing.」

“……”

「If the balance between your body and sword collapses like this, you’ll break down completely later. Do you think the Karavan’s uniqueness lies only in the Line? No. Our uniqueness extends from our wings, to our armor, and finally, to our ultimate sword.」

Listening quietly, I asked,

“Then… what should I do?”

「You must build your frame now.」

He looked at me with cold eyes.

「The sword you’ll eat next will solve your immediate problem.」

A sword. Of course—that was the Karavan way.

I looked at my great master and asked,

“What sword am I eating this time?”

Liam smiled faintly.

「First, there’s a place we must go.」

***

The place Liam wanted to go was quite far from our village—The northern region of the Iron Kingdom, where rough, towering mountains stretched endlessly. The locals called it the Grave of Swords.

“That’s going to take a while to reach.”

「Indeed. The journey will take at least ten days. But knowing you, you won’t be able to leave this place unattended. Judging by the uninvited guests you’ve had so far, leave it empty long enough, and the Karavan mansion will surely be defiled.」

“Isn’t there somewhere closer?”

「That place is the best. To form the foundation for your wings, there’s a process you must go through first.」

It was a crossroads. But I couldn’t abandon this estate—never.

‘I miss Fetel.’

Until now, I could leave because my honorable neighbor had protected it. But Fetel was gone from this world. As that lonely thought flickered, Liam spoke.

「You have another neighbor, don’t you?」

I looked to the side.

“Little Gladiator.”

It was Seol Yoon.

“It’s time to fulfill our promise,” she said, her tone sharp.

“Let’s cross blades—for real.”

***

Seol Yoon unsheathed her sword and began stretching, her body elongating gracefully. It was her way of warming up before a swordfight. Watching her, I said,

“Seol Yoon, I have a favor to ask.”

“What kind?”

She lifted her head slightly, eyes locking on mine.

“I plan to leave this village again to aim higher. But I can’t bear to leave it unguarded. I’d like you to protect it while I’m gone—just as Fetel once did.”

“……You want me, who left Ferma to follow and watch you, to stay alone in this countryside and stand guard?”

She wasn’t wrong.

I hesitated, and she added,

“It doesn’t look like you’re just trying to get rid of me, though.”

“……Yes. I mean it sincerely, not as an excuse.”

“Then I have one condition.”

“Condition?”

She exhaled softly and said,

“Give me enlightenment. Make it so that even if I stay here instead of following you, the time I spend focusing only on the sword will still have meaning. Give me a hint worth devoting myself to—with your sword. Then I’ll stay and guard this village without complaint.”

“……”

“That’s fair, isn’t it?”

She spoke as if she were already being generous.

I turned to Liam with a helpless face.

My expression said it all: ‘How am I supposed to enlighten a genius like her?’

Liam chuckled, clearly amused.

「You’ll have to figure that out yourself, my young descendant.」

Thankfully, he added one more line, stroking his chin like a benevolent teacher.

「Just give it your all when you swing your sword. That should lead to a good result.」

Damn it. As usual, no clear answer.

“Are you ready?”

Seol Yoon cracked her neck and stared straight at me.

I sighed, then drew my sword. This time, I’d use Fetel’s sword—Twilight. Of course, that wasn’t all. Four Fangs were ready at my side, and Needle hung on my opposite hip.

Always be ready to use every weapon you have.

No point in hesitating.

I nodded.

“Yes, I’m ready. Let’s begin.”

The moment the words left my mouth, Seol Yoon stepped forward and thrust. Her sword shot out like an arrow—long, sharp, and precise. The move resembled Mary’s Needle, yet it was even more refined and threatening.

‘She’s already making it her own.’

I clenched my teeth and inhaled deeply. My second heart began to pulse, hardening my blade.

At the same time, the thin lines spread around me.

Seol Yoon’s breathing deepened as superhuman strength filled her body. I moved the same way. I was also capable of using the power of a Sword Walker now.

As she became a superhuman, I matched her, creating a Road following her sword’s trajectory.

A brief but fierce clash followed.

Clang!

Sparks flew as our swords collided and deflected.

Clang!

The blades slid against each other, twisting, parrying, and striking again. The metallic shriek rang out as our faces nearly brushed. My front foot snapped forward, hooking her leg—Sword Wrestling, a knight’s technique from Fetel’s memories.

Seol Yoon frowned for an instant, then spun midair like a cat to land on her feet. Immediately, a serpentine road wrapped toward me. I countered by spreading my own Road, blocking it.

Right after, I drew a Fang from my thigh sheath and thrust. She tilted her head to dodge. Her hair whipped across my face, momentarily obscuring my view—then her sword bent unnaturally downward. I raised my blade to block, but her weapon suddenly froze mid-swing.

A heartbeat later, her foot slipped between mine, pulling at my knee joint and breaking my balance.

‘Sword Wrestling.’

She’d stolen Fetel’s technique in an instant.

I rammed Twilight into the ground, pressed its hilt with my palm, and used it to spin midair.

Dropping Twilight, I grabbed Needle from my hip and stabbed with acrobatic precision.

Seol Yoon deflected the attack with the slanted face of her sword and immediately pressed forward again.

And—“Haa—”

At the tip of her blade, I saw a faint line.

That ended it.

With one breath, I drove Needle forward with all my might.

The Line pierced through everything between us, shattering the air. When the dust cleared, Seol Yoon knelt on one knee, clutching her broken sword.

“……That’s basically cheating.”

The match was decided.

Among Sword Walkers, the Karavan Line was almost unfair—an unstoppable road of steel.

Even in its earliest stage, it had once defeated a Sword Runner. There was no way Seol Yoon could block it.

Looking at her, I asked,

“Did you gain any insight?”

“Hmm.”

Despite losing, she smiled proudly.

“Not from you… but your Immortal had some good words for me.”

Immortal?

I turned my gaze from her to Liam.

He only shrugged.

「What are you staring at, my young descendant?」

“……”

「Let’s go. As I said, a good result.」

What had the two of them talked about?

I hadn’t heard Liam’s voice during the fight. He’d seemed to do nothing at all.

Well… he was always a mysterious being.

“As I promised, I’ll guard this village. Travel safely, Little Gladiator.”

At least things had ended well.

「That girl would be worth teaching. If only she had Karavan blood.」

“……”

「Next time, she won’t be so easy to beat with the Line. A genius grows rapidly with even the smallest hint.」

……That was a bit unsettling.

「It’d be nice if you and that girl had a child someday. With the Karavan blood and a genius for swordsmanship combined, our family might finally see another prodigy.」

“Please stop saying weird things.”

Anyway—That was how I left the village once more.

***

And thus, the story circles back to where it began.

“F***!”

After more than ten days of changing carriages and paying hefty fees for a mage’s portal, I finally reached the northern frontier.

「Careful, careful.」

But before I could even enjoy the northern cityscape, Liam ordered me further north—and further still.

That’s why I am like this now.

「We’re almost there.」

“Stop saying that alrea—Aaaah!”

「You nearly died there, child.」

I’d been climbing for hours—no idea how long.

Even my Road-enhanced strength was nearly drained, yet for over two hours Liam had repeated the same infuriating lines: “Almost there,” “The destination is in sight.”

Damn it.

The Grave of Swords in the northern Iron Kingdom. A mountain so dangerous that even seasoned rangers vanished here by the dozens every year. Compared to the cliff behind my village, this was another world entirely.

If I hadn’t learned to handle the power of a Sword Walker, I’d probably already be dead—floating around like my master’s ghost.

「You’re still too weak to wander as a spirit, my young descendant. Only those who’ve achieved divinity or transcendence like me can roam the Middle Realm as souls…」

“I didn’t ask…!”

「Hmph. The witches of the Sky Empire would pay ten thousand gold coins to hear such stories, yet you cut me off? You’ll regret that later.」

“For the love of—just stop talking, please.”

Maybe it was because he’d been dead so long, or maybe it was that old man's habit of never shutting up, but Liam just kept chattering while I risked my life climbing.

And finally—“Haah!”

After who knew how much suffering, I reached the top. I collapsed immediately, gasping for air.

“I seriously thought I was going to die…”

「One in three who come here do die, actually.」

“……”

「Don’t give me that blasphemous look.」

I couldn’t tell if he was joking or not—though it felt like he might be serious this time.

While I was glaring at him and trying to rest, he spoke again.

「I understand you’re exhausted, but don’t relax too much.」

“……You don’t like me lying down?”

「That too, but mostly because it’s dangerous here.」

The moment he said that, my sharpened senses caught something heavy—an oppressive presence. Instinctively, Doubt flared within me.

Footprints in the mud.

Blade marks in the grass.

And an unfamiliar language whispered in the wind.

I sniffed. A foul stench wafted from the distance.

「The masters of this mountain despise intruders.」

Immediately, I forced my tired body upright and steadied my breath. My second heart began to beat faster.

“Just to confirm… the owner of the sword I’m eating this time—it’s not human, is it?”

「You’re quick as always.」

Rustling echoed through the surrounding bushes.

「To strengthen you quickly and raise your body’s level as fast as possible, I deemed human swords insufficient.」

“Then…”

「A race that grows faster than any human, born purely for battle—creatures who evolve through endless struggle.」

A harsh, rasping breath echoed around me.

「Among the seven races of this continent—the fastest to grow. The green nightmare.」

“No way.”

「Exactly.」

And then, from the bushes, emerged muscular monsters with green skin—colored like the forest itself.

Each one held an axe in one hand, and the severed skull of a beast in the other.

「The sword you’ll eat this time—is an Orc’s.」