Festival Of The Fallen Warriors (3)

I cleared the that popped up and clenched my fist several times.

It’s different.

Even though it only increased by 1 or 2, I felt more confident that I could fight better than before.

This is probably not just due to the increase in stats, but also because of the threefold increase in weapon proficiency.

‘Good…’

I charged at the knight with a strength of 56.

Bang!

Clashing swords with the knight, I was sure.

‘I can win.’

At the same time, I can rise even higher.

I thought again that it was a good decision to come to this .

This place is practically a…

‘Cheat leveling spot!’

Bang! Clang!
Boom!

The knight’s and my swords burned even hotter, mixed with the cheers of the crowd.

We clashed, honing the time we’ve both built up into a single sword, scattering blood.

It was the sublimation and worship of martial arts.

Therefore, clearly…

I was overwhelmed.

Bang!

“Ugh!”
“I will continue. Challenger!”
“Cough, come on!”

This is only natural.

I’ve only been wielding the sword for just half a year.
No matter how much of a genius I might be, the difference in years of experience couldn’t be easily ignored.

‘According to the setting, the knight has wielded the sword for at least 40 years.’

The difference in proficiency would be overwhelming.
Of course, if I used all the skills I have, I could easily win.

‘If I unleash something like [Flare Buster], I’d win immediately.’

I could do that.
No one would particularly criticize me for it.
After all, that’s also a part of my strength.

However…

Doing so would likely mean not being recognized by the <Trial> itself.

This would lead to a downgrade in rewards.

‘[Charge Crush] or [Calamitous Fiend] are exceptions, but…’

To receive the full reward, I needed to rely on <Weapon Skills> and <Physical Enhancement>.

Honestly, the knight’s sword strike was like a mountain approaching.

I clenched my hand as I watched it happen.

[Strange Monstrous Strength] and [High Bone Density] exerted even more power, and for the first time, I pushed the knight back with strength.

“…!”

Inside the knight’s helmet, eyes filled with astonishment were visible.

He seemed to have realized.

5 seconds, 10 seconds, 30 seconds.

In just a few seconds, he sensed that I was growing.

That I was climbing over the fortress he had built over the years.

The knight paused his sword.
He looked at me intently and spoke softly.

“…Since I was born, lived, and wielded a sword here after death…”

I’ve never seen a genius like you.

“My sword can be your sustenance. I’m delighted.”
“…Thank you.”
“I shall proceed.”
“…Yes!”

One minute, two minutes, and even five minutes.

The fight, purely based on swordsmanship, was quickly heading towards its end.

The knight and I widened the distance between us.

The knight gripped his sword tightly with both hands.

For a moment, the overwhelming pressure that could split even a mountain burst from his entire body.

I instinctively realized this was his final gambit.

“I’m coming. Young geniusss!”
“Come forth!”

Crunch!

The knight closed the distance in an instant.
The sword he raised with both hands gleamed.

I also gripped the [Saint’s Sword] tightly with both hands.

I thought to myself.

What must I do to win?

At this moment, what’s needed is the ultimate strength to overpower the knight.

‘For that…’

I abandoned speed.

I adopted the method of the [Overlord Sword Technique] that I had clumsily executed in the training room before.

I discarded swiftness.

I concentrated solely on the essence of strength, pushing it to the extreme into my sword.

This was slower than usual, but it was sublimated into the [Overlord Sword Technique] with an overwhelming blow.

Finally, without anyone being first, our swords clashed.

“……”
“……”

I caught my breath, using the [Saint’s Sword] as a staff.

When I turned around, the knight was already looking in this direction.

On his body, a diagonal cut was engraved starting from his shoulder blade.

The knight’s helmet split, revealing the stern face of a man inside.

“It was a splendid sword technique. Undoubtedly, your final strike surpassed and devoured my very existence.”

It’s my defeat.

“Well done.”
“…Thank you.”

Step, step.

The approaching knight’s body began to slowly disperse.

Here at the ‘Festival of the Fallen Warriors,’ no one truly dies.

It’s just that the soul disperses and takes time to recover.

The knight stopped in front of me and handed over the two-handed sword, still in its sheath.

Even though I already knew, I asked him.

“…Is it alright for you to give me your beloved weapon like this?”

“Of course. This one will be satisfied being used by a warrior of your caliber.”

The sword’s name was ‘Nothung.’

According to legend, it is a weapon that is said to have cut down a dragon.

“Take good care of it.”

Do your best in the next match as well.

The knight finished speaking and completely turned to dust, disappearing.

Looking at the sword in my hand, I carefully placed it into [Slasla]’s subspace.

“Whew…”

It was truly an overwhelming reward.
A smile naturally appeared.

Immediately after…

-Wowwwww!!!!!!!!!

A deafening cheer greeted me.

Cheers and explosive support erupted from all around.

The crowd in the stands spared no welcome for the new warrior.

I listened to such reactions silently.
Should I say it tickled a bit inside my chest?
It’s just fighting someone…
It’s something I always do naturally…
Receiving applause, welcomes, and cheers like this was a bit bewildering.

‘…Is this why knights are so obsessed with honor?’

I seemed to understand vaguely how they felt.

Of course, it’s completely different from the direction I pursue.

‘For me, rather than honor…’

The safety of my people was more important.

A moment later. On the stage above the stands.
Lavender-scented smoke began to rise.

I recognized it as soon as I saw it.

‘Dance of the Dancer.’

The dancers’ dance to uplift the warriors who fought for their lives and soothe their souls.

The theme of this is divided into two main parts.

One is the warriors who fight bravely, risking their lives.

And the dancers who cheer and enchant such warriors.

‘…A tradition passed down from a distant past.’

The upcoming performance would be for me.

I knew the lavender scent rose for a new divinity.

Conversely, if an existing warrior wins, I knew they would burn the scent of a different flower.

In any case, this performance was also very important.

Not just in the sense of eye candy.

After watching the performance, there was a gimmick where stats increased like a .

Everything was directly connected to rewards.

That’s one of the reasons why this is considered a power-leveling spot.

The dance form here was also very beautiful, so many Supervisors recorded and kept this scene.

I also saved a few separately in an internet folder and often played them during broadcasts.

‘Probably Moon Bora is watching from somewhere in the audience too.’

While I was roughly thinking that and waiting…

Soon, the signal to start rang out.

About 10 dancers rushed out from the slightly revealed entrance.

Dressed in flowing clothes and veils covering half of their faces, they began to dance to the song that was playing.

I watched it as if I were mesmerized.

‘…Beautiful.’

Even to someone like me, who had no knowledge of dance, their dance was beautiful.

It was when I was blankly appreciating it…

“Huh?”

Um, huh?

I made eye contact with a woman dancing in the center.

A being with a definite form and appearance, unlike other spirits.

That woman was wearing an especially revealing outfit even among the dancers whose navels were exposed.

Her fluttering purple hair and the beautifully crafted jewels on it shone brightly.

“…Uh, uh, uh, uh, uh!!!”
“Um, huh?”

The woman looked directly at me.
Her puffed-up cheeks, like a poison toad’s, naturally exuded anger.

It was clear just by looking, ‘She is angry!’

Lastly, her face, as ripe as a bright red persimmon, stood out.

She was so embarrassed that tears were slightly welling up.

It was truly an awkward and ridiculous reunion.

“Yu… Se… Ha!”
“…Huh, huh?”

The dancer’s identity was none other than Moon Bora.

She, along with the other dancers, performed the warriors’ dance and cried out a lamenting ‘Hooeng!’ towards me.

Why…?

“Why? Why are you there?”