章 316: Spin-Off 4: [1st Playthrough]
Chapter 316: [1st Playthrough] War Hero (Spin-Off 4)
It had been two years since I, an ordinary high school student from Earth, was abducted into the world of Fantasy.
And during that time, I had countless moments that were so painful they made me want to die.
I could fall down the cliff, have my flesh torn off, and have my bones broken, and I would still quickly recover.
"Kh! This throbbing pain sucks."
But that didn't mean it didn't hurt.
Although the Acute Perception skill removed the feeling of pain when it reached A-rank, it was usually inactive.
One shouldn't lie to their bodies, after all.
If something hurt, it would send a warning signal that there was a problem in that area.
Hence, if one were to unknowingly suffer from a broken leg because they couldn't feel pain, the damage would begin to swell and fester, eventually reaching a point where they would no longer be able to walk.
That was why I tried to tolerate pain whenever possible.
"Does it still hurt, brother?"
"Brother? Call me Kang Han Soo."
"But your name is difficult to pronounce. We spent the night together anyway, so we shouldn't have to worry about such formalities," said Emily, the girl next to me in bed, with a shy smile.
A blanket covered her naked body, which I admired all night.
She would seem like the embodiment of fantasies for an earthling, but her beauty was just average in this world.
If she was born on Earth, she could have easily fooled rich men, arranging a comfortable life for herself.
Anyway…
"It's morning already, Emily. Go home, or your parents will be worried. It'll be problematic if they go to the city guards."
"I'm very grateful to you for what happened yesterday."
"I ended up there by chance as I came to collect rare herbs. You shouldn't thank me. So come back home soon. Otherwise, my companions—"
Knock knock!
Someone knocked on the door.
I hid Emily's head under the covers.
"I'm sleeping. So don't…"
BAM!
As soon as the bedroom door's lock was destroyed and it swung wide open, I jumped to the side and grabbed the sword that I always kept near me, preparing to pounce on the intruder.
However, as soon as I saw the intruder's face, I immediately stopped and loosened my grip.
"What's the matter, Hero? It's still early in the day, but you already want to challenge me?"
"I wouldn't have pulled my sword if you hadn't kicked the door and invaded my room."
"I was walking along the corridor of this hotel and heard a woman's voice in here."
"That doesn't explain why you broke in."
"Hmph! I was worried you were being attacked by a beautiful assassin who entered through the window, so I hurried to help you, Hero. You should be grateful!"
"You better think about how you'd compensate the innkeeper for the lock you broke."
"I have no money, " Alex complained, not showing even a single drop of guilt for what he had done.
I replied as I got dressed. "Because of you and Aqua, we keep having to pay for property damages, just like when you got into a brawl with a bunch of mercenaries. That's why we sleep in shabby and dangerous hotels outside the city walls like this."
"That was the mercenaries' fault!"
"They didn't have a penny in their pockets, and someone had to pay for the damages."
"Well, we paid. So it shouldn't be a problem, right?"
"That's exactly the problem that I want to draw your attention to. Be careful not to waste our finances…"
"It's okay. We just have to work again."
"…"
I closed my eyes and took a deep breath.
Alex was unarmed, and I had a sword in my hand.
From the first days, when I was an ordinary high school student, and until last year, I was absolutely helpless and afraid of Alex, but not now.
If I wanted, I could get rid of him.
I almost overtook him by actively using the Hero's 5x experience multiplier perk.
But he was my companion.
Unless I intended to fight Demon Lord Pedonar alone, I had to be with him for the rest of the adventure, whether I liked it or not.
Hence, I had to be patient.
"We'll meet later on the 1st floor and think about how to make money then."
I was lost in thought once more.
Was it okay for a hero to be more worried about expenses than a sudden invasion by the Demon Lord?
***
Duke Kureil's estate, Northern Continent.
The city walls were extremely high and heavily guarded, making it difficult to get inside when the gates were closed, which was why the townspeople had to return home by sunset before they got shut out.
If they were late, there would be no other choice but to stay in a hotel outside the city walls, as we did.
"Thank you so much, brother."
"Thank you as well, Emily. There aren't many opportunities that help me increase the "Pacification's" skill level."
"Ooh! I don't want to leave yet."
"Hurry up and get going."
Now that the gates of the city were open, she could finally return home.
Home…
I also had no time to play the fool. I needed to work hard to get home. I was sure my parents were worried. No, maybe they had decided that I had already died since two years had already passed since I went missing.
"Sir Hero! Sir Hero!"
"Stop yelling."
"It's because you didn't answer!"
Archaeologist Lanuvel.
She guided the Hero on his adventures.
She easily noticed traps in dungeons, which would've been useful if she didn't rush to step on them as well…
"What's the matter?"
"I know a way to make money and recruit a companion!"
"Good. I'll listen and decide."
"Kaisa Kureil, the only daughter of Duke Kureil, is looking for a partner. She announced that she would marry the man who can defeat her in a sword fight."
"Sounds like that rich lady knows a thing or two about swords. That's still a ridiculous notion, though. What if a bandit leader overpowers her? Will she still marry him?"
"She's the strongest swordsman on the Northern Continent, earning her the title, Sword Princess."
"…" My smile immediately disappeared from my face.
The strongest in the Northern Continent.
That woman apparently had no desire to get married.
I could already guess what Lanuvel would offer me.
"Sir Hero! You must get your hands on the Holy Sword!"
"And if I don't want to?"
"Once you find the Holy Sword, you can challenge the Sword Princess! Without it, you have no chance."
I looked at Alex, Aqua, and Saintess A standing behind Lanuvel.
"What do you think?"
"The Hero is still too weak."
"Lanuvel is right."
"The Holy Sword is very important."
They seemed to agree with Lanuvel's suggestion.
We were already on the Northern Continent anyway, so it was logical.
Nevertheless…
"I will challenge the Sword Princess."
"Yes! Sir Hero! Lanuvel knows where the Holy Sword is sealed. We should get it now since it's the only way you'll be able to defeat the Sword Princess—"
"No. I will challenge her now."
"It's too reckless to challenge her without the Holy Sword!"
"Lanuvel, if I can't defeat her without the Holy Sword, I'll just have to give up this idea altogether."
"Give up on the Sword Princess?!"
"Yes."
The Holy Sword was a legendary weapon created to fight Demon Lord Pedonar.
I hadn't yet seen the woman called the Sword Princess, but I could already guarantee the husband she was looking for shouldn't rely on a weapon's strength but his own skills.
"Haha! So be it."
"The Hero is such a fool."
"This is blasphemy. Putting women above the Holy Sword…"
Alex, Aqua, and Saintess A didn't like my decision, but they didn't mind it.
Was it because they respected me?
If it had been me a year ago, I might have thought so, but not anymore.
They enjoyed participating or watching fights like this much more than exploring dungeons and hunting monsters.
"Then it's settled."
"Lanuvel assures you, Sir Hero, you will regret this decision!"
"I won't regret it. I don't want to win by relying on the strength of my weapon."
"…"
We headed to the heart of Duke Kureil's estate after Alex compensated the innkeeper.
I didn't have enough money, so today, I left without breakfast.
***
I thought I could fight Countess Kaisa Kureil, known as the Sword Princess, right away, but things turned out to be a little more complicated.
There was only one bride-to-be and hundreds of potential grooms.
She simply wouldn't have time to fight every challenger, so a qualifying tournament was held where the suitors competed for the right to challenge her.
To join the tournament, one had to pass a basic test.
"I don't like you," Count Lolikun, the old knight in charge of testing my skills, said.
"What exactly do you dislike?"
"Everything. Even your face."
"…"
It seemed he hated men who coveted his mistress.
"But I will still share information. If you are confident in your victory, you can place a bet."
"Okay, I'll keep it in mind."
I remembered Lanuvel bragging about having found a way to make money.
Apparently, she was talking about this.
But I didn't even have money right now…
"If you lack funds, go to the pawnshop next to the arena. You can leave your valuables on bail there and receive a certain amount with interest in exchange. If you win, you'll come out rich."
"I see. Thanks."
"You must have the courage to put everything you have on the line if you want to win the young, powerful, and beautiful lady's heart."
"Hahaha…"
I passed the test and left Count Lolikun, who gave me ill-natured advice.
Passing the arena, I saw a girl I knew. She noticed me too.
"Brother!"
"Emily?"
"Yes! I'm very glad to see you again. The tournament is coming up soon, so I came to see the list of participants~"
"I see."
CLING!
In her hands was a sack tightly packed with coins. From the sound it was making alone, I deduced they were made of pure gold.
"I'm also here to gamble."
"No way… All of that?"
"Yes! This is pocket money that I have been diligently saving up for a month now."
"Is that so…"
The girl's monthly allowance was equal to the Hero's annual living wage, but I decided not to mention that.
"Are you also participating?"
"Yes."
"Wow! Be sure to win! I'll be cheering for you!"
"Thanks."
At least someone supported me.
For the sake of her pocket money, I decided to do my best.
***
As they said, "Be careful with people close to you."
When I lived on Earth, I didn't know what that meant, but now I thought I did.
"Bastards."
I usually didn't swear, but this time I couldn't help it.
Why would people who covered my back in battle wish for my defeat?
But that was exactly what happened.
They put a laxative in my food.
I had already entered the arena by the time I realized it.
"Behold! The beloved daughter of Duke Kureil, the Northern Continent's epitome of beauty, the warrior who single-handedly slew 954 ogres, the Order of the Black Rose's Head, one of the three strongest knights of the Northern Continent, Guardian of the eastern part of the Northern Continents, Commander of the Eastern Legion, Deputy Commander of the Northern Legion, Guardian of Kureil Estate, Master of Eyer the Magic Sword, the Ice Troll Slayer, the Thorny Black Rose! Countess Kaisa Kureil!"
"Woah!"
"Yesss! Ahhhh!"
"Woooooo!"
The strongest swordsman of the Northern Continent appeared on the battlefield.
Premium equipment, excellent condition, high performance. To top it all off, outstanding beauty…
And her opponent…
"Greet the man who wants to win the heart of Countess Kaisa Kureil. Kang Han Soo, a swordsman from the Central Continent!
"…"
"…"
"…"
They constantly booed the participants prior to our battle, but now they seemed to be amazed to see me. I guessed my tense face reminded them of some kind of villain.
The audience grew quieter and quieter.
However, thanks to Rumor B, I distinctly heard the whisper of a girl praying for me.
"Brother! Hold on!"
It was Emily, the girl who put all her pocket money on me.
According to rumors, my victory was estimated to be 1 in 200.
It didn't matter if I won or lost this fight. She would profit.
I stood in front of the Sword Princess, having already won the tournament.
"I watched your battles around halfway through the tournament, honored swordsman."
"Is that so…"
That wasn't good.
I didn't know anything about her fighting style, but she already knew about mine.
It shouldn't work that way.
Before I seriously fought her, I needed to get as much information as I could.
I first had to determine what she knew about me.
"What do you think of me?"
"… At first, I thought you were a pretentious man, but I was wrong. Your barbaric face, deep bottomless gaze, rough bulging muscles, and insane fighting spirit were really… beautiful."
"Thanks for the compliment."
I gritted my teeth as I suffered from such humiliation.
Sword Princess.
As the most powerful swordsman on the Northern Continent, she excelled even in psychological warfare.
I asked her about my fighting style, and she talked about how outrageous I looked.
"What do you think of me, dear swordsman?"
I couldn't get the information I needed, and she was already trying to get something out of me again.
Hmmm! If so…
I would reciprocate her and give the wrong answer.
"You are like a dazzling double moon in the night sky, impossible for my hand to grab. A perfect combination of strength and beauty. That is what you are."
"Ah…"
Did my provocation work?
The Sword Princess's face turned red.
Perhaps from anger, considering Confusion appeared in her stats.
She didn't know that I was a hero that could view someone else's stats.
"Are you ready, Kaisa Kureil?"
"Oh? Yes! Ready! W-well, not in that sense, but…"
Fshuk! Fshuk! Fshuk!
While she was still under the effects of Confusion, I pounced and rained down a bombardment of attacks on her.
'Lanuvel, are you watching? Even your laxative can't stop me!'
"Ha!"
"Ah…"
That was how my complicated and difficult relationship with the Sword Princess began.
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