The 9Th Class Swordmaster: Blade Of Truth [EN]: Chapter 71

60. Labyrinth Raid (3)

“How’s your body?”

‘Well, so-so? The shoulder injury isn’t serious.’

“It’s not about the injury. As I’ve said before, your blood vessels aren’t ready to accept magical power yet.”

Aln spoke with a low sigh, like a grandfather looking at his grandson.

“The reason I taught you Kalnare’s magic swordsmanship is that you need to continuously release a certain amount of magic power along with the Bracelet of Greed you’re wearing, so your body can grow.”

‘I know. You explained it before.’

He looked like he wanted to hit himself in the head at Caril’s answer.

“You idiot, that was based on when you only used magic swordsmanship. What? Sword stances? If you use something that moves your body so rapidly, your magic power will be disrupted. That would affect the process of breaking through your blood vessels…”

‘I know that too.’

“What?”

‘I appreciate your concern, but I’m not going to overdo it. If it weren’t for the sword stance, it would have taken longer to catch him, and the time I could endure with the bracelet would have been reduced. That’s why I made that decision.’

“…It’s not because you wanted to try using your swordsmanship with magic swordsmanship, is it?”

‘Well, it’s true that there’s some of that too. I was honestly curious.’

“Anyway…”

Caril smiled lightly at Aln’s words.

‘It’s been easy since then. I’ve recovered enough. And you’re watching over the state of my blood vessels, so I’m not worried.’

“Hmph…”

As Caril said, they encountered monsters several times as they entered the labyrinth, but they were not as difficult opponents as Agma.

Moreover, Mihail and Aidan surprisingly worked well together, and their teamwork was useful.

‘It’s a coincidence, but both of them have wind-type magic power, so their compatibility is good. Mihail, who has experience as a mercenary, supports Aidan, who can engage in close combat, very well.’

Mihail hadn’t reached the level to master the magic book he received as a reward for the competition, but he had grown noticeably since breaking through the 3rd class barrier.

‘It seems that consistently following the training method Aln Zavias taught him is having an effect.’

In comparison, Aidan’s skills hadn’t changed much since they were in Tatur.

He didn’t have a proper teacher, and knowing that he was under suspicion, he lived a life far removed from training in order to hide his identity.

‘If he trains a little more, he’ll grow enough to compete with Aidan.’

Caril thought as he looked at his back.

‘Wind-type magic is difficult to learn, but if used properly, it’s the most versatile magic. If Aidan doesn’t come under me, it would be good to have Mihail as a countermeasure for him.’

Aidan is not yet his man.

Even so, he was a card that couldn’t be easily discarded because he was connected to Olivon.

He was a potential burden, but he was also an infinite joker depending on how he was used.

‘The Meteor group he created in his past life is important, but more important is the Eastern Country [likely referring to a region with unique martial arts or magical traditions].’

That place was a mysterious island that was not properly known in the past, and the people from there each had unique abilities.

‘If I can get them through Aidan, I can win the continental war with minimal damage.’

Aidan, who Caril knew from the future, looked immature, but he was still an excellent assassin.

‘If I can take care of the leadership, the rest will be absorbed naturally. Even if they are enemies now, they will all be valuable soldiers in a few years.’

Caril thought.

By the time he had taken the South into his own hands, his relationship with Aidan would be decided.

“Why are you looking at me?”

Perhaps he felt his gaze. Aidan asked Caril.

“No. It’s nothing.”

Caril smiled lightly, turned his head, and said.

“It seems we’ve arrived.”

The end of the labyrinth they had reached after several hours.

Looking at the strange flickering of darkness, he said in a low voice.

“I’ll talk about the strategy for the Twin-Headed Eagle. Listen carefully.”

At his words, the two looked at Caril with tense faces.

“It won’t be too difficult. Rather, that Agma guy we met at the entrance would be more difficult.”

As if,

The two were slightly doubtful of Caril’s words, as if he had faced the Twin-Headed Eagle before.

However, because they had witnessed the battle with Agma with their own eyes, they were both nervous and relieved.

‘If Caril-nim [a respectful suffix in Korean, here implying respect and reliance] is here… there won’t be any problems.’

‘Is a monster catching a monster? I just need to assist from behind, paying attention to the situation.’

Although he was injured, it was minor, and the experience of defeating a more difficult opponent meant that there was a good chance of hunting the labyrinth boss.

“The two heads of the Twin-Headed Eagle have different attributes. One is lightning, and the other is wind. In terms of compatibility, lightning is superior to wind, but we have Aidan as a close-range card, so direct attacks are possible instead of magic attacks.”

“Yes?”

Caril looked at him.

“The Twin-Headed Eagle is vulnerable to close combat. Instead of forelimbs, it has wings, so its only means of attack are its two heads.”

“No, that’s not what I meant…”

“If one of the two heads is cut off, its magic power increases, and the remaining head’s attribute power increases. So, you have to cut off the lightning head first. Got it?”

“…”

Aidan smacked his lips at Caril’s words and couldn’t answer.

“Then… what will Caril-nim do…?”

Instead, Mihail was about to ask ‘what are you going to do’ but closed his mouth.

“I’m not doing anything.”

As if knowing his thoughts, Caril said in a calm voice.

The two looked at Caril with puzzled expressions at his nonchalant expression.

“You two are going to catch the Twin-Headed Eagle.”

“…Yes?”

Caril spoke with a meaningful look.

“My shoulder hurts, you see.”

He rubbed his shoulder, which had been scratched by Agma’s spear, looking regretful. There was no way the two would believe Caril’s absurd words.

“Agma is an exception, but anyway, you two did everything to get here, right? Isn’t that so?”

Somehow.

It seemed like the corner of his lips slightly lifted.

However, as his eyes turned serious, the two couldn’t help but feel tense.

“This is not a joke. You two have to do this, not me. Otherwise, the southern tribes won’t be convinced.”

Even though it was absurd, Aidan couldn’t understand why he felt compelled to do it when he saw those eyes.

Caril lightly patted the two on the shoulders and said,

“I believe in you.”

* * *

“…What should we do?”

“What do you think? Tell me your plan. The mercenary corps hunts monsters too, right?”

“Monsters are monsters, but all I’ve done is hunt goblins or orcs at best. And that’s even in unit formations.”

Mihail frowned, looking at the giant monster coiled up, covering its face with its wings as if it were sleeping.

Its size was almost three times that of an adult male, and the feathers on its wings were stiff and sharp like daggers.

Moreover, the tail, which occasionally moved like a snake, made a heavy thumping sound each time it struck the ground.

[What are you up to?]

Alun looked back and forth between the two, who were panicking, unsure of what to do with the Twin-Headed Eagle, which seemed ready to wake up at any moment, and said.

‘It’s nothing much. It’s exactly as I said. The two of them have to catch the Twin-Headed Eagle. Frankly, there are warriors among the southern tribes who are capable of catching a dungeon boss.’

[Hmm, the leader doesn’t move. Is that it?]

Caril replied to Alun’s words.

‘Something like that. Unlike the north, the south is a place where those who move with a thorough logic of power. If they see the corpse of the Twin-Headed Eagle caught by those two, 100% of the tribe’s warriors will challenge me.’

[You’re going to save your strength until then.]

Alun Xabius knew Caril’s body well after their soul contract.

Even in a situation where only two bloodlines were circulating, he was demonstrating abilities approaching a Sword Master [a master of swordsmanship].

If all the bloodlines were opened, even he couldn’t imagine the realm he would reach.

‘It’s a kind of opportunity. To show not only the subordinates but also the leader’s ability.’

[Annoying.]

‘That’s how humans are. They’re obsessed with unnecessary rules. But because of that, there are also things you can gain.’

The southern warriors are more barbaric and violent than the northern barbarians.

But that’s why they are drawn to pure strength.

‘I chose the Bi Gung tribe because their archery skills are necessary in war, but if I were to consider individual abilities, there’s someone else I’m interested in.’

Caril thought of one man.

‘Beikan of the Tu tribe.’

Despite being a tribe of the Great Plains, unlike other tribes, the Tu tribe did not ride horses.

They were Barbarians, a special class of warriors with amazing physiques who could subdue mounted cavalrymen solely with their own two legs.

‘That guy is worth making mine.’

In his past life, the empire attempted to conquer the south before the oracle was given, and as a result, only a few tribes of the Great Plains survived and joined Digon.

‘I still remember. Back then, in a canyon with no way out, the guy blocked the entrance and single-handedly chopped down over 500 soldiers with an axe. It’s a waste for his strength to rot in a place like this.’

[500 people? What a monster. Is he using earth magic or something? His stamina must be incredible.]

Alun nodded and said.

[You were aiming for that barbarian? You cunning fellow.]

‘Well, if possible. Anyway, in order to do that, the two of them have to catch the Twin-Headed Eagle.’

Caril crossed his arms and looked ahead.

[Krrr…]

The Twin-Headed Eagle, which was crouching inside the dungeon, seemed angry at being awakened from its nap and began to cry out sharply.

Mihail and Aidan circled around the Twin-Headed Eagle with tense expressions, looking for an opportunity.

[The Twin-Headed Eagle is one of the A-rank monsters. It’s difficult to keep a distance inside the nest, which is disadvantageous for them, but if they go out to the Great Plains where it can glide, it becomes a monster equivalent to an S-rank.]

Alun Xabius said in a voice that seemed to enjoy the memory.

[I’ll have to see how much your subordinates can do.]

Despite his teasing words, Caril scoffed and said,

‘Don’t worry. I know those guys better than anyone else.’

KWAH-!!

The floor of the dungeon began to shake with a roar.

“Aaaagh!!!”

“Watch out!!”

The two men’s screams and shouts began to mix together. The Twin-Headed Eagle’s roar created a whirlwind, turning the inside of the dungeon into a mess.

[Are they going to be okay?]

“…”

Alun Xabius tilted his head with his arms crossed.

Although he had spoken confidently, as the battle began, Caril found himself unconsciously gripping the handle of the Ice Claw.

Ready to draw his sword at any moment.

But he also knew that the moment he drew it, his plan would fall apart.

‘What I know is you guys from a few years later, but talent is never created suddenly. Catch it. Then you two will be able to become stronger one step faster than in your past lives.’

That was.

Another reason why he entered the dungeon.