The Amber Sword

He was not surprised at the outcome. When they exchanged the blow, he had felt that he was approximately five times stronger than the average man, which meant that he had just qualified as an Iron rank fighter, and was roughly the same standard during the time when he first entered the valley of the Golden Demonic Tree.

[Considerably impressive at this age, but you’re certainly not my match.] Brendel reflected on his current abilities. He was almost cheating in his growth. Entering to a Tier 1 power rating within one week, climbing to a mid-tier Iron Rank fighter, then becoming a entry level Silver Rank fighter. While he still did not match the growth of a ‘Chosen’, he definitely had the most impressive result in history for an ordinary man.

[I wonder if there’s anyone who can surpass this result.] Brendel mused to himself.

[According to the game’s calculation, a mid-tier Silver Rank fighter starts off at level 35. I need to get to level 40. That’s nearly 600,000 XP needed. I have to do this in seven months. Aouine’s Civil War starts off on December, and there’s a time limit after that for me to take part in it. If I miss it......]

His mind was working quickly, but he suddenly saw that the crowd was parting away.

Amandina uttered a surprised murmur.

Brendel also paused for a moment, then focused his gaze on two men behind the crowd. One of them wore a chainmail along with a blood-red robe. He wore a tall hat with colorful feathers on them, like an adventurer from Randner’s royal geographical society in Aouine. However, the emblem on his chest was not the Flaming Amber but a simple wooden medal.

There was an Emerald Bird carved onto it.

The man next to him was even bigger in physical size, and he wore a simple leather armor which covered only the most vital areas. His incredibly muscular arms were exposed outside his clothes, and carried a huge sword over his shoulders with a single hand.

His forehead was broad, but his cheeks were deeply gaunted as if they had been sliced away a knife. He lips were tightly pursed together, and coupled with his presence, gave the people who saw him for the first time a sense of great awe.

Brendel looked blanked at him.

[Isn’t he that man?]

A single strand of suspicion grew in his mind. The latter looked like a barbarian who came from the northern highlands that snowed throughout the year. The instant Brendel saw him, he immediately thought of this person: Arreck’s ‘Crosshand’ Buga, the right hand of Duke Rhun, commander of Fortress Lantonrand.

[One of the three most famous swordsman in Arreck, a grandmaster swordsman who is placed equally with ‘Grand Eagle’ DeJarre, and the ‘Silver Knight’ Sivia.]

Brendel knew of Buga because he was a famous character within the game.

Buga was the quest giver of ‘Bravery’, the primary quest for Duke Rhun. Brendel personally participated in that battle along with a number of gamers, and even till to this day, recalled that frightening battle with exceptional clarity.

[That final mission of the quest was to eliminate one of the twelve leaders of the Tree Shepherds, the Envoy of Sorrows, ‘Funica’. Right at time, the Envoy of Sorrows was level 97, and held the highest tier of the Darkness Element, almost completing the first step of shaping the perfect self, ‘Bronze Physique’. During that era, the players’ peak levels were at 83, and it was an impossible task to defeat the Tree Shepherds...]

The story during that time progressed in this manner.

Buga carried along the greatsword ‘The legend of Irving’, and led to the gamers straight into the heart of the Tree Shepherd’s base in the Forbidden Forest. He was the only one who held the Seaghan Cavalry Swordsmanship at Rank 17 which was a legendary existence. With merely four swipes of his sword, he struck Funica to his death.

The gamers were almost like an audience watching a movie throughout the entire mission, and their task was merely to delay the mobs.

[This battle truly cemented my decision to continue the path of a warrior, and in turn became the rare few gamers who played as one.]

Brendel observed a younger and healthier Buga moving towards him, and he felt his hands were a little wet from sweat. He did not expect to meet Buga here.

[This is the future Greatsword Champion, Buga— should I consider the fact that he has already attained the skills he had in the future? ... But why is this man here? In my memories, he trained the Seaghan’s sword style when he was seventeen years old, and only got to know Duke Rhun a little later on. Why did he appear in this rural place?]

“Did you use Aouine’s military swordsmanship?” Buga’s eyes were focused on Brendel.

Buga’s faint blue-greyish eyes glimmered with slight delight. His eyebrows were very bare and his eyes appeared almost vacant, but other than that his appearance did not appear to be that of a foreigner. However the air around him was not of a regular person, but of a terrifying beast.

The higher one’s perception was, the more he would experience that fact.

Brendel’s current perception allowed him to listen to hear whispers even from a separated wall and even perceive the air currents, but as he stood there, he felt that Buga was an immovable mountain that stilled even the winds—

[I definitely see a man in front of me, but I feel like I’m facing a wall where nothing can go past it...]

Brendel swallowed. Only people who had crossed level 50 would have an aura like that.

[Does this mean he has already unlocked his Elemental powers? At such a young age?]

Brendel knew that Buga was not a ‘Blessed’ person, but this achievement might even cause a number of them to break out in cold sweat.

[As expected of this monster.] Brendel remarked to himself.

“Are you from the army, or a youth from the guards in some random city? The militia should not have someone of your skill in them.” Buga’s eyebrow raised a little as he asked. Brendel’s reaction did not surprise him. He did not react to his aura, and the only person who could do so in the mercenaries was only Eke.

[Eke is really an incredible talent.] Buga smiled faintly when he thought of Eke, but that smile immediately disappeared as soon as it appeared.

[Military swordsmanship. Only three types. Army, city guards or militia. Most of the cavalry nobles have their own household swordsmanship, and even the adventurers or mercenaries would have added their own style into what they have after they experienced battles. But this youth here, does everything prim and proper in regards to his stances. He’s obviously a student trained in some camp.]

Buga’s real identity allowed him to see things quite clearly.

But Brendel shook his head: “No, my ancestor is a Highland Knight. Currently I am attending to matters on my own and did not bring along my squire. I believe you have heard of my proposal. I wish to join forces with you because it is advantageous for the both of us. I have no other goals, and if you have any thoughts otherwise, please stay them.”

He thought for a while, but did not reveal Buga’s identity in order to avoid his suspicions.

The man who wore an adventurer’s hat and stood beside Buga, gave a small cordial smile when he heard of the reply: “We are very willing to accept your suggestion, but as you well know, mercenaries do not like to bring along baggage.”

Brendel glanced back and forth between the two men in front of him and understood.

“I hear you loud and clear. Please select the men that you wish to cross blades with me. I believe I have already defeated the first one. According to the rules, this test should not happen more than three times.”

Makarov and Buga exchanged glances.

The huge man brought his sword down onto the ground with a loud crash, and simply said: “Then let me be your opponent, young man.”

[Just like I thought!] Brendel took a deep breath. He stared into Buga’s eyes with a confident smile. He did not feel anxious but was enthralled with excitement.

[This is just as well. I don’t know how strong he is now, but having the opportunity to test out my abilities now is not a bad idea!]

Brendel’s heartbeat started to quicken. He raised his own sword as he felt every cell in his body burn. When he finally became level 130, Buga had passed away. One of his regrets was not having the chance to face the grandmaster who was his goal. Even though he had unlocked the ‘Silver Physique’ like Buga did, there was no longer a chance to duel with him.

He definitely did not think he had the chance to fight with him.

[Even though you’re not a grandmaster now, your battle senses are not beneath anyone else!] Brendel raised his head up like he had returned to when he was a level 130 warrior, and his eyes seem to burn with vigor.

The youth lowered his sword to his hip and pointed the blade up to Buga.

Aouine’s military swordsmanship at Rank 10 was not something to be seen as a basic sword style. A striking aura came naturally to Brendel and wrapped everyone with it. His grandfather was even more impressive when he took his stance, giving off an impression that one was on top of a cliff.

But this was enough to shock the mercenaries around him.

“A grandmaster’s understanding of the sword. Good. Aouine’s Military swordsmanship.” Buga’s eyes glinted: “You have the right to duel with me.”