Chapter 43 : Chapter 43

Chapter 43 — The Black Mage (3)

If a swordsman and a Mage were to fight, who would win? That question had long been debated.

Even in the Arena of the Steel City, it was one of the most popular topics—who was stronger, sword or magic? People of all ages, genders, and races argued about it endlessly. After all, throughout history, both the sword and magic had been the weapons of countless great figures.

Naturally, discussions of what was strongest always included them.

And after centuries of debate, scholars had reached one conclusion—“The most important factor is conditions.”

Just as swordsmen had five realms, Mages too had stages of mastery. If one’s realm surpassed the other’s, the higher would win. So for a fair comparison, assume they were equal in realm. Then—who would win between a swordsman and a Mage of the same realm?

Even then, there was a crucial condition.

“It depends on whether the swordsman’s level is above or below that of a Sword Walker.”

That was the consensus reached by scholars after endless discussion.

“If a novice Mage fought a Sword Beginner, the apprentice would win easily. Even against a Sword Walker, the Mage holds the advantage. No matter how experienced the knight, without wings—without stepping beyond that threshold—he cannot defeat a Mage.”

This line appeared again and again in books about sword and magic.

Those below the level of Sword Walker can never defeat a Mage.

“The Path, the unique power of Sword Walkers, grants a swordsman superhuman ability—but it only affects the body and extends perception. Mages, on the other hand, manipulate external mana to alter reality. If a swordsman cannot interfere with that magic, he’s just a fool waving a blade.”

Everyone knew this. And Black Mage Jerry Selfit knew it better than most.

He had lived it—had proven it himself.

Jerry had never gone to war nor trained in combat magic, yet he had once killed a mounted knight in moments.

The knight’s shining armor had done nothing. Before Jerry’s spell, the man had died helplessly.

A swordsman stuck at Sword Walker could never match a Mage.

Only after surpassing that realm—ascending to Sword Runner—did the balance begin to tilt.

And that was why Jerry Selfit could not believe what was happening now.

“What… what in the world…”

The old man’s voice trembled as the gleaming blade before him sliced through all his spells.

“What is that thing!”

***

When I entered the cabin, the Mage within—Jerry Selfit—looked, at first glance, like an ordinary old man. His robe was filthy, but his demeanor wasn’t shabby. Yet the ominous mana swirling around him made it clear—this was a true Mage.

Instead of killing him by surprise with Fang, I chose to face him openly.

That was always my way—and would continue to be.

But conversation proved impossible.

Mages… they were not creatures of reason.

‘Lately, I’ve been meeting a lot of people I can’t talk to.’

Seol Yoon, the orcs in the mountains—it was becoming a pattern. If Seol Yoon could’ve read my thoughts, she probably would’ve smacked me on the head. Anyway, the moment I sensed the dark mana pulsing around Jerry, I drew my sword.

And then—

“……?”

As his body shuddered with black mana, a Path flashed before my eyes. Not mine—his.

A line of energy extended from Jerry Selfit toward me. Just before it reached me, I swung my sword and cut it.

“Wh—”

The old Mage’s expression froze. As if something impossible had just happened.

“Wh-what is this…?”

He muttered another incantation, waving his hands in the air. Each time, I saw multiple paths forming. Before they could complete, I sliced them one by one. After cutting through three or so, I realized what was happening.

「Oh-ho. So your talent finally shines, young descendant.」

“…….”

「You’re reading the path of the magic itself.」

What I had just seen were the trajectories of Jerry’s forming spells.

「An astonishingly sharp intuition. To detect such minute fluctuations in that fleeting instant—and destroy them.」

Apparently, what I’d done instinctively was something rare.

「Of course, not just anyone could do it. Normally, a Sword Walker’s blade can’t even touch magic.」

“Then…”

「It’s possible because your body and sword are infused with the Steel Path.」

Liam smiled faintly.

「The hardest, most unbreakable Path in existence— combined with your suspicion—has birthed a sword capable of such feats.」

I looked at Jerry Selfit’s wide, disbelieving eyes.

“What… what are you!?”

The old Mage shouted in panic. Instead of answering, I charged, sword in hand.

He stumbled back, hastily chanting. This time, his mana surrounded himself rather than me.

“Why do you stand in the way of my noble path!?”

Darkness erupted around his body. Since his direct attacks failed, he’d wrapped himself in magic like armor. His form swelled, his small frame growing monstrous.

I held my position, watching carefully.

Suspicion.

Jerry was now within my Path. That meant I could sense every change in his body.

‘His bulk isn't an illusion—his strength truly increased. His body’s been reinforced—like he’s wearing another creature’s hide.’

I fixed my gaze on him—like a predator sizing up its prey.

***

Transformed into a hulking monster, Jerry didn’t rush me mindlessly. The darkness covering him seemed meant not for offense but protection. Whatever his plan, I didn’t care.

As a swordsman, I had to close the distance. Keeping my distance would only give him the advantage.So I moved first.

I lunged without warning to deny him time to react—and something strange happened.

No matter how fast I ran, the distance didn’t close.

The cramped cabin around us had expanded into a vast plain.

Jerry, who’d been within reach, was now far away.

An illusion?

「Not illusion.」

“Then what?”

「Something akin to what that Orc Elder did before. The old mage hasn’t banished you to the Spirit World—but he’s reshaped this space into something like it.」

“……”

「This is why one never enters a Mage’s lair lightly. That cabin—seems it’s his labyrinth.」

So Jerry had prepared this space in advance. He began chanting again in the distance.

I sprinted before the new spell could form.

Again, I saw Paths—thin threads of forming magic. Before they solidified, I cut them down.

Jerry’s face twisted in frustration.

My steps thundered across the distorted ground. I was running faster than any wild horse.

As the gap closed, the terrain warped beneath my feet—my balance breaking, my body pitching forward.

“Ha!”

I almost fell, but twisted midair and landed cleanly.

Jerry laughed.

“You can only cut spells aimed directly at you, can’t you?”

“……”

“Of course. You’re nothing but a Sword Walker.”

His crimson eyes gleamed with scorn.

“You can’t see the spells shaping your surroundings. You can break direct magic, but not ambient magic. Now that I know your trick, you’re nothing special. A pitiful little swordsman with a parlor trick.”

He was sharp—he had figured it out. And he was right.

I hadn’t seen his spell when he twisted the terrain.

My sharpened suspicion reacted only to direct attacks.

He’d seen through me.

“So that’s all you are! I was impressed for a moment—but no longer! Tell me—are you half-demon? Or the bastard of one of the Great Five Houses? Your body fascinates me.”

“……”

“Ah, no matter. A Mage finds his own answers.”

He laughed—hoarse and triumphant.

“I’ll tear you apart, lay your body out in the mansion courtyard, dissect every piece, and uncover the secret of your trick. What delightful research this will be!”

He was already celebrating victory.

I found that irritating.

Even if he’d seen through me, the fight wasn’t over. Yet he wagged his tongue as if it was.

So I decided to show him—that nothing was finished yet.

「This is why I hate Mages.」

I drew in a deep breath, my eyes fixed on the distant Jerry Selfit.

Deeper than usual—until my chest burned and lungs ached. My heartbeat quickened, and beneath it pulsed a second rhythm.

The Mana Heart throbbed, thickening the Paths spreading through my veins.

Heat surged through me, and the world slowed.

The countless Paths I’d spread narrowed—condensing into a few slender Lines.

I raised my head slowly, met Jerry’s eyes, and charged like a beast.

“You think that’ll work again!?”

Jerry smirked, confident—but not for long.

My speed far surpassed his expectations.

Truly unbelievable speed.

I became an arrow.

Jerry hastily slammed a spell into the ground.

The earth twisted, spikes bursting upward—piercing through my soles and feet.

Pain flared, but I didn’t stop. Even if flesh tore and bone cracked, I stepped forward.

“Wha—”

Wild. Like an Orc Great Warrior who never fled.

Thud—my footsteps roared.

Jerry shouted another spell.

The ground split, forming countless stone spears that flew toward me. But none reached me.

My sword swept them aside effortlessly.

“St-stop!”

He turned the ground into a swamp, but it was useless.

I kept running, undeterred. Even when I tripped and rolled hard enough to crack my nose, I sprang back up and ran.

Spells poured endlessly, but I didn’t stop.

Step by step, I closed the gap.

Finally—I was right in front of him.

“You beast—!”

Trusting in his magical armor, he swung his monstrous hand at me.

A grave mistake.

What kind of Mage tries to brawl with a swordsman?

I swung smoothly, slicing his arm clean off. Then moved with graceful precision, cutting through his torso—Fetel’s 「Twilight」, a knight’s perfect swordsmanship.

His arm flew into the air.

I seized it, threw it over my shoulder, and flipped him using his own weight—Sword Wrestling, a technique of balance and leverage capable of toppling even giants.

Boom—Jerry’s body slammed into the floor.

Before he could recover, my sword pierced his throat.

“G—ghrk.”

With that dying groan, the twisted surroundings faded—the cabin returned to normal.

The spells unraveled. Jerry shrank back into a frail old man.

“Y-you… you’re human? Are you?”

In his trembling eyes, I saw my reflection—but it wasn’t human.

It was an orc—fangs bared, wielding a massive blade, unyielding and wild.

“I… I can’t… end like this… I’m meant for a noble life… I deserve it…”

As life faded from his eyes, he spat blood and chanted one last spell.

I tried to end him—but the spell was completed first.

“I will not… die to some sword-wielding brute…I am… Mage… I… will never… die…”

Black smoke rose from his body, and dread swept the room.

I sensed the danger instantly.

「Damn it, the bastard’s trying to drag us down with him.」

“What do you mean?”

「He’s sacrificing himself to turn this area into a land of death. A filthy forbidden spell.」

My eyes widened.

“This area…?”

「Your domain will be caught as well.」

I could read the mana’s flow—the spell he was casting as he died carried terrible power. Even with the Orc Elder’s Guardian Stone, the corruption would surely reach my lands.

That was something I could never allow.

“There’s no way to stop it?”

「Not for you—not yet.」

Liam’s eyes were cold.

「Don’t be foolish, boy. Run.」

“……”

「Tch. These damned Mages… If you were at least a Sword Runner, I could’ve taught you how to cut through darkness…」

As Liam cursed, Jerry began laughing.

“Gh—hahaha! I—I will not die!

I’ll seep into this land, turn it all to death!

I… am eternal!”

He must’ve sensed my fury. His laughter grew louder as my anger burned.

I wanted nothing more than to kill him again and again.

But that would change nothing.

My frustration turned inward.

Because I was still weak. Because I was only a Sword Walker.

Because my blade was still too feeble to cut through such evil.

And then—「Get back. Or you’ll be—no.」

“What?”

「Never mind. You don’t need to move.」

Liam’s voice changed—calm, certain.

At that same moment—“I will corrupt this la—”

Jerry’s head burst like a melon. Blood splattered the walls.

The cabin fell silent.

The dark energy vanished—completely.

“……What the hell?”

While I stood there stunned, Liam said:

「That Orc seems to like you quite a bit.」

***

“Why are you not coming out yet, Shaman?”

In the Sacred Ground of the orcs, high in the mountain range, a great warrior called into the tent of the Orc Elder. After a moment, the tent flaps opened, and the Elder—Sherdik—emerged slowly.

“I’m out, you impudent brat!”

“Everyone’s waiting. What were you doing?”

Sherdik chuckled deeply.

“I was watching an amusing human friend! He had a nasty bug on him, so I secretly squashed it for him! Puh-he-hel!”

The great shaman laughed heartily, then lifted his gaze to the night sky.

The stars twinkled faintly above. In them, Sherdik saw their movement—the patterns that revealed the future. And in that glimpse of the near future, he grinned, revealing his fangs once more.

“Descendant of Steel, may you not break too soon. Endure. The true darkness has yet to come.

Live long—and show me battles worth watching. As did all those lost descendants of Steel long ago…”

***

And just like that, the crisis ended.

Black Mage Jerry Selfit was dead, and his dying curse had failed.

A faint unease remained, but the result was perfect.

The black Mage who had threatened my land was gone, and the domain stood unharmed.

It couldn’t have gone better.

Well… almost.

“Y-you really killed my master?”

“Yes.”

“Th-thank you. Truly. But… there’s one more thing.”

The orphaned girl, Hailyn, spoke hesitantly.

“C-could I stay in this village? I have nowhere else to go.”

She wanted to become one of us—a new neighbor.

“I-I can wash dishes, clean, cook—I know lots of recipes!”

“……”

“A-and also—”

To be precise—“I can use magic.”

A young Mage had asked to join my domain.