"..."
Are you kidding me?
I was just about to fall asleep. My body felt like it had been run over by a truck. If I just closed my eyes, it was a direct one-way ticket to dreamland.
And you're giving me a wake-up alarm now? Hell no!
But...
'...Did you say Core Module?'
[Affirmative. It is the item required for the 'Plan Upgrade' mentioned previously.]
Right. Terminal had mentioned that. It said I needed that damn module to access top-tier information like the World Core or the return protocol.
"Son of a..."
My brain knew it. I had to go. An opportunity just spawned right in front of me, and I'm going to ignore it? That would be downright stupid.
However, my hardware heavily disagreed.
'Can't we just do this tomorrow?'
[Not recommended. The 'Core Module' is a mandatory device required for a user tier promotion...]
'Yeah, yeah, I know. But couldn't the signal still be there tomorrow?'
[I repeat. Not recommended. The signal in question is faint, and it is unknown when it will disappe...]
'I got it, I got it!'
Talk about nagging.
It felt exactly like being on-call. You know, when you're resting with your feet up at home, and the emergency pager suddenly goes off. Of course, I've never actually experienced that. I've never had a real job.
[The signal is weakening. Immediate tracking is recommended.]
"I'm going, I'm going."
I roughly threw on the clothes I had just taken off.
Yeah, I need to go back. Back to my studio apartment with a smartphone and food delivery apps, far away from this medieval fantasy world that doesn't even have a proper shower or bed.
Well, I'm a night owl anyway, so moving around at night is actually more comfortable for me.
Forcing myself to rationalize it, I stepped out of the inn. It was pretty chilly.
Fortunately, there didn't seem to be a curfew.
'Can you display a waypoint for the target?'
[Yes, broadcasting location. The current signal is detected in the east alley of Cadeiro.]
Following the arrows Terminal projected, I wandered through the night streets of Cadeiro. After what felt like an eternity, right as my legs started aching again.
[The signal is close. Right alley, 10 meters ahead.]
Gotcha.
Holding my breath, I slipped into the entrance of the alley. In the distance, under the moonlight, I saw the back of a man with his hood pulled down low.
[Warning: The target is emitting the signal of a 'Core Module'.]
Bingo.
I intentionally tiptoed to avoid making a sound.
But then.
"!"
The guy looked back at me, then abruptly turned and started sprinting.
What the? Why is he running away?
I started running too. I'll have you know I was a relay runner back in elementary school.
[...The distance to the target is increasing.]
...I guess elementary school was a bit too long ago. I was completely out of breath, and the gap between us kept widening.
'Terminal! Got any ideas? I'm gonna lose him at this rate!'
[Tracking is impossible with the user's current physical capabilities. Proposing an alternative: Execute the footwork sequence included in the Alba family's 'Enforcer Blade' project.]
What? Is this a new assassination attempt?
'You want me to use a pirated sword art? Didn't you say I'd get my head chopped off if I got caught using that?'
[If you only execute the footwork and not the blade strikes, identification is extremely difficult. It is currently the most efficient solution for a successful pursuit.]
It felt sketchy, but I had no alternative.
"Okay, deal. Let's do it!"
[Activating 'Enforcer Blade' built-in footwork...]
In that instant, my body felt lighter. The stride and rhythm of my running changed completely. Only then did the distance to the man ahead slowly begin to close.
After narrowly weaving through narrow alleys and vaulting over low walls for quite some time.
"Crazy bastard, how long is he gonna keep running...!"
Just as I thought my heart was going to explode if I ran any further. The man changed direction. Toward the entrance of a dark, underground sewer.
[Presumed to be the underground sewers of Cadeiro City. Extreme caution advised.]
The sewers? Why run into a place like that?
I was disgusted, but I had no choice. I couldn't just stop chasing him after coming all this way.
"You think going into a filthy place like that... will help you shake me off...!"
I purposely yelled and followed him into the sewers.
Surprisingly, the interior was spacious. Faint torches were mounted on the walls, illuminating a maze-like space. The stench of urine stung my nose.
[Confirmed residual signal of the Core Module ahead.]
I turned my head toward where Terminal indicated. Sure enough, I caught the trailing edge of a cloak disappearing around a corner.
There he is.
I chased after him and the moment I rounded the corner.
[Danger! Left side, 7 o'clock!]
Clang!
Terminal forcefully twisted my body and drew the sword. A flashing blade was blocked right in front of my eyes.
"Tch..."
The hooded man clicked his tongue.
[Warning! Hostile environment confirmed. Activating Auria Sword Art.]
Before I could even gather my senses, the hooded man's sword rushed in.
Clang! Clang!
I surrendered my body to Terminal and deflected the attacks. After about five exchanges of blows.
Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.
[Target's sword art analysis complete. 87% match with the 'Alba Family Standard Sword Art'.]
The Alba family? That's Meisa's family. Why is someone using a AAA-corporate sword art in a dump like this?
Before I could ponder any longer, the guy spoke first.
"Why are you following me?"
Good question. If this were a job interview, that would be the number one expected question. The problem is, I didn't prepare for this interview.
"Uh... Well. Because of the mysterious aura radiating from you...?"
Which is why my answer was pathetic. What do you expect from a developer? Hearing my incredibly sus answer, the man's eyes narrowed.
"...You're with them." "Them?" "Don't play dumb. Turning your backs on the family, and now you cowards finally come crawling to me? I will never tell you the location of the relic!" "Relic?"
The parrot conversational technique—repeating the end of the other person's sentence. I read somewhere that empathetic listening builds rapport.
Just as I was about to use this stacked rapport to ask my own question.
"Is that relic perhaps a Core... Ugh!"
Clang!
Without even letting me finish, the man's sword lunged at me. Socializing really is hard. I barely blocked it, but every single strike was heavy.
Over here: a bootleg sword art copy-pasted from a bandit boss. Over there: formal martial arts learned at a top-tier corporation. The spec difference was massive.
At first, I tried to stay on the offensive. I thought maybe I could subdue him and extract some information.
However.
Slash!
'Holy shit, I almost lost my wrist just now!'
My mind changed the moment the man's blade grazed my wrist.
[That was dangerous. If the current offensive is maintained, the probability of a recurring situation is 73%...]
'Defense! Defense! Pure defense! Switch to defense protocol! Right now!'
[Understood. Switching to defense protocol...]
From then on, it was a desperate defensive battle. Dead center, left waist, ankle, blind spot on the top right.
The hooded man's sword dug in relentlessly.
Clang! Clang! Cla-clang!
I was entirely focused on parrying. How long could my programmer's hardware hold out? I didn't know the exact math, but it wouldn't be long.
"Huff, huff... Hey! Do something! I'm seriously f*cked!"
The man flinched and looked around. No, I'm talking to Terminal, not you.
[Master's stamina has reached its limit. Heart rate and muscle fatigue are both at critical levels.]
'Tell me something I don't know! Give me a patch!'
[Understood! Building a new sword art logic to overcome the current situation...]
'Oh, now we're talking. How long will the compile take?'
[Estimated time required is approximately 40 minutes.]
'Are you sh*tting me?'
I guarantee you, in 40 minutes, my body will be blended with the sewer sludge, completely indistinguishable.
[Apologies. As an alternative, displaying the currently available sword art directory.]
A translucent folder list popped up in my vision.
-
My Custom Sword Art
-
My Custom Sword Art (1)
-
Anti-Goblin Sword Art v1.2
-
Auria Sword Art (Clone)
-
Enforcer Blade (Clone)
Options 1 and 2 were for testing, so they were out. Option 3 was goblin-exclusive, utterly useless here. I was currently running Option 4, and still losing.
Ultimately, the only thing left was Option 5. The Enforcer Blade I had copied from Meisa.
But that hooded guy was using the Alba family's standard sword art. Waving around stolen corporate IP right in front of an affiliate of that very corporation? That's a capital offense in this neighborhood.
But I couldn't just let the clock run out. I was faced with the ultimate choice.
Die right now vs. Maybe die later.
The choice was clear.
'Terminal. We're using the Enforcer Blade, but find a way so he doesn't recognize it. Now.'
[Understood. Proposing possible methods. 1. Scream loudly to distract him. 2. Fall over suddenly to induce carelessness. 3. Throw a smoke bomb to obscure his vision...]
'All three are useless. Stop spouting bullsh... Hmm?'
While the AI was giving me its thoughtful feedback, one word caught my eye.
Smoke bomb. Obviously, I didn't have one in my inventory. But couldn't I create a similar environment?
The hem of my shirt was already in tatters from the sword cuts. Behind the guy, there was a dense cluster of old sewer pipes.
A plan formed.
'Terminal, how about this? We kite him toward the sewer pipes. Then we make one of his attacks miss and hit a pipe. Something's bound to burst out, right?'
[...]
'In that split second, I rip off my shirt and throw it to block his vision, and exactly then, I execute an Enforcer Blade sequence... Won't that hide it? Is it doable?'
[...Master, did you ask how the plan is? This is not a simple plan. It is a stroke of genius. It is truly a masterclass in utilizing the environment and psychol...!]
'...Stop glazing me and just execute it.'
[User intent perfectly understood. Executing deception tactic sequence.]
My body moved on its own. Feigning an opening, I lured the man toward the pipes.
The hooded man took the bait. He followed me closer and closer, and the moment he lunged in for the finishing blow!
[Activating 'Enforcer Blade' built-in footwork.]
My body twisted unnaturally. His attack missed.
Hsssss!
His sword struck the pipe behind me, and pressurized steam blasted out. The split second the hooded man flinched.
[Deception Tactic - Executing 'Throw Shirt'.]
The torn fabric covered his vision. At the perfect angle.
"!"
A truly simple, yet heavily calculated combination. In that exact moment.
[Executing Enforcer Blade Sequence: 'Rapid Thrust'.]
The sequence executed. An intensely hot sensation, like a fireball had lodged itself in my lower stomach, violently flared up.
It was a sensation I had never felt in my entire life.
The heat surged from my abdomen, rushing through my blood vessels to my entire body, before finally condensing at the tip of my right arm holding the sword.
As my blade thrust forward to complete the sequence, the heat was fired off.
"What the...!"
Even with his vision obscured by the fabric, the man twisted his head. The thrust narrowly missed him.
However.
BOOOOOOM—!
The energy discharged from the tip of the blade shot forward and completely cleaved the main sewer pipe behind him in two.
WOOOOOSH—!
The pipe exploded. With a deafening roar, a massive volume of water poured out. In an instant, muddy water began flooding the sewer floor.
I didn't plan for it to go this far, though?
"Dammit...!"
The hooded man looked at the scene before him with a troubled expression.
I also carefully watched his reaction. Did he notice that the move I just used was the Enforcer Blade?
However, his attention was completely focused on the dirty water rising rapidly around his ankles. Thankfully, it seemed I got away with it.
Rumble—!
Before we knew it, the water was up to our calves. The man's movements were noticeably sluggish. Same went for me.
It was no longer an environment where we could fight.
"Tch!"
The hooded man was quick to change his stance. He pulled a small orb from his coat and smashed it on the ground.
Poof.
Thick smoke billowed out. An actual smoke bomb. The man vanished into the darkness, swallowed by the smoke.
"Damn it... I gotta bounce too..."
Only then did the tension finally leave my body. Every inch of me felt like it was tearing apart. Especially my lower abdomen, where that hot energy had flared up—it felt like it was being carved out by a sharp knife.
[You have manipulated 'Mana' for the first time. Magic circuits are activating. Warning: Extreme strain is being placed on the physical body.]
Mana? That hot stuff was mana? Isn't that a setting only found in fantasy novels? Ah, right, this world is a fantasy.
Is it normal for a human body to get this bricked just from using a little bit of it?
Grumbling, I desperately leaned against the wall and escaped the sewers.
"I need to... get back to the inn..."
I didn't even have the energy for that. Finding the nearest bench in sight, I barely managed to lie down on it.
And just like that, everything went black.
The underground holding cell of the Cadeiro Guard Station.
The guard was happy. Today was a sweet on-call shift where all he had to do was sit and kill time.
It was also the day the newest volume of his favorite romance novel dropped.
She's Too Edgy
It was a cliché romantic comedy about a protagonist falling in love with a sword, but clichés are clichés for a reason.
'...The moment Thomas saw her flawless, razor-sharp blade, he could hold back no longer. Pulling out the mineral oil from his pocket...'
Just as the guard was deeply engrossed in his reading.
RUMBLEEEEE—!
A sound that shook the earth echoed from afar.
"What was that?"
The guard tilted his head, but only for a moment. Shortly after, water began to seep up through the cracks in the stone floor of the cell.
Bruno and his subordinates inside the cell also noticed something was off and stood up.
The cold water that had been wetting their ankles instantly rose to their calves. But the real problem was the outer wall connecting to the underground tunnels.
Creak... Crack...
The old wall screamed, unable to withstand the water pressure.
CRASH!
With a deafening roar, an entire section of the wall collapsed inward. Muddy water and brick debris swept through the cell, and the guard was struck by flying rubble, losing consciousness.
Through the collapsed outer wall, the underground sewer was clearly visible.
"Boss, the wall broke! We can get out of here!"
The Bruno Brotherhood didn't miss their chance.
"The time has come! Let's break out, boys!"
Bruno and his men quickly escaped through the collapsed wall into the underground tunnel.
After wading against the calf-deep current for a while.
Bruno's eyes suddenly caught sight of sword marks littered across the walls.
"...These sword marks."
It was a familiar trace. The family's heirloom sword art, taught to him by his father, and the one he had trained in his entire life.
There were other types of sword marks mixed in, indicating a battle had taken place, but there were undoubtedly traces of the Auria Sword Art.
"I knew it...!"
Bruno was absolutely certain.
The broken outer wall of the holding cell. The muddy water rising to their calves.
All of this was his little brother's master plan to save them without directly clashing with the guards.
Morning broke. The city of Cadeiro was in an uproar. Rumors spread that the sewers had burst, and the prisoners had escaped in the aftermath.
Meisa, being the one who had arrested Bruno's gang, was also requested to inspect the scene of the incident.
Thus, arriving at the scene, the female knight meticulously examined the collapsed underground cell and the sewers.
"This is... traces of the Auria Sword Art."
A few of the sword marks on the walls belonged to Bruno's sword art. It was highly likely they were traces left behind by the gang during their escape.
However, Meisa's gaze was fixated on one specific spot.
The massively ruptured central sewer main. And the single sword mark left on its surface. The root cause that triggered this flood.
"......"
The form was rough and unrefined. It looked exactly like a beginner who had just learned how to hold a sword—and more specifically, how to manipulate mana—failing to control their power.
However, to Meisa, who had reached the realm of a Sword Saint, she could see it. Hidden behind the clumsiness, the true foundation of the blade that ordinary people couldn't perceive.
'Rapid Thrust.'
It was a foundational, yet highly efficient sequence taught to absolutely everyone who learned swordsmanship in the Alba family.
"Haa..."
The female knight let out a deep sigh. She organized her thoughts.
Officially, Meisa was the only person from the Alba family currently anywhere near Cadeiro.
And yet, this trace was left behind?
It meant there was another Alba family sword user in Cadeiro that Meisa herself wasn't aware of.
There was only one person who came to mind. She gripped the gauntlet on her left hand so tightly her knuckles turned white.
"Daniel..."
The reason the female knight was staying in Cadeiro.
The family deserter she had been relentlessly tracking.
She had finally caught his tail.