章節 23: Chapter 182
The Fifth Fighting Legend was Boras. He was about half the size of Garmund and a little more chattery.
At first glance, he had an expression of great astonishment. Garmund had probably relayed some information beforehand. Jin would never know that Garmund blabbered about Jin's feat until his mouth became dry.
'Hm, these beastmen are just very big dogs.'
The Illustrious Legend Tribe in Lafrarosa felt like the opposite of their notoriety throughout history. Compared to a serious and battle-ready facade, they all just had adorably stupid personalities.
Snatch!
'Huh?'
As soon as Jin arrived, Boras grabbed his chin.
'I couldn't react…? Shit, why's he so fast?'
Although it was because he carelessly had his guard lowered, it was still very shocking. As Jin failed to contain his surprise, Garmund giggled, having already expected Jin to fail to react. Boras then examined Jin's mouth.
Jin didn't try to escape his grasp. He already knew how strong these beastmen were from the time Beliz grabbed him.
"Hey, Second Apprentice. Why're you missing a molar?"
"It broke."
"Hoh? How so?"
"If you would please let me go…"
Boras instantly let go, and Jin slowly explained why his molar broke.
That he had gritted his teeth too hard when he tried to approach Temar.
"Daaamn! That's sick. Your teeth are stronger than most monsters'. You bit down on your own teeth enough to break them? You're definitely some specimen…"
"...'Specimen'?"
Jin glared at him, and Garmund nonchalantly whistled while looking in another direction. Boras chuckled and continued.
"No, no. You mustn't do that. Hehe. Anyway, teeth are important. Hm… I guess you need a new one."
Before Jin could even answer…
Crack!
Boras inserted his own hand into his mouth and plucked a tooth out. A large, sharp, round tooth.
'What the fu…?'
Blood flooded his mouth. However, Boras was too busy showing off the tooth to care.
"Hey, look! These are the teeth that we boast about. Rocks, steel, even diamond—we can chew it all. Oh, of course, you need complementary bite force to support it."
"I understand that Illustrious Legend tribesmen have strong teeth. I watched Garmund eat sword scraps like chips. Anyway, why did you…?"
"Hahaha! Now, I will carve this in the shape of your teeth and ram it into your gum! Have some fun with Garmund. I'll be right back."
Boras gave a thumbs up and disappeared. He vanished so quickly that Jin didn't even see an afterimage.
'How should I interpret this?'
Surprisingly, Garmund didn't think this situation was weird at all.
"Is putting that tooth in my gum even possible?"
"Nothing is impossible."
"So you've done this before."
"No? First time. Alright, alright. 'Nuff talk. Let's train. Shadow Blade 1st Technique, Soul Slash. I'll show you.'
Shing!
Garmund drew a new sword and took his stance. Jin followed, not wanting to talk about teeth any more.
"Soul Slash is the beginning and end of the art of Shadow Blade."
He had heard the same thing when learning spiritual energy release from Murakan. The beginning and end. Well, all fighting techniques were like that.
The basic swing in swordsmanship, the basic stab in spear-wielding, the basic punch in martial arts. Mastering the most advanced skills in any discipline was the basics with more steps.
"Don't be surprised, Apprentice."
Whoooooooosh!
Black smoke surrounded Garmund's sword. Concentrated spiritual energy.
Garmund swung the sword here and there while constantly glancing at Jin.
'I'm not a contractor, but I'm using spiritual energy. Why aren't you surprised?'
Jin basically read his mind.
"I assumed Solderet distributed his abilities. If you couldn't wield spiritual energy, then how would you be able to use Shadow Blade in the first place?"
"Ah, well, I guess so…"
Jin still felt a little weird. He never thought of someone other than him using spiritual energy.
"Just show me."
Garmund licked his lips.
"Well, alright."
The beastman's eyes narrowed, and Jin could feel the concentration and power from a distance. Instinctively, he took about twenty strides backwards.
The sword constantly burned with black fire.
Its blade fell like lightning.
The black emission swallowed the empty space.
Not even the 'swoosh' of the sword could be heard. Neither did the screech of metal blade to stone floor echo. For those that couldn't wield spiritual energy had a fate of darkness sealed for them.
Crack!
After the move ended, the first sound was heard. A shockwave exploded from Garmund, and stone debris flew everywhere.
A blade mark that spanned about fifty steps long.
Garmund could only shake his head after completing the demonstration with unsatisfactory results.
"How was that?"
"Very quick, big, quiet, and strong."
Jin answered calmly. However, deep inside, he thought of Luna's Mind's Blade: Blood Moon.
'It looks like a mini-Blood Moon. However, it looks like it has a lesser physical toll. If I can use this successively…'
Those who were 7-star and below wouldn't stand a chance.
"What I showed you was only fifty percent of its full power. Which is why Temar's mark is twice as big."
"But didn't you say Soul Slash was the beginning and end of Shadow Blade?"
"I did."
"Does that mean that, if I complete Soul Slash, the power is limited to a blade mark that's only a hundred steps long?"
Garmund chuckled.
"That's only if you complete Soul Slash. However, once you begin to master Shadow Blade, Soul Slash wouldn't become much of a technique but an ability."
"An ability?"
"Why do you think the first technique is Soul Slash? You can take the life of anyone who has less will than you. Even if their absolute power is greater than yours, they can't evade the death of their soul."
Jin couldn't understand a single word Garmund was spouting. It wasn't Jin's problem at the moment, since it wasn't an area that Temar or half the Fighting Legends couldn't achieve.
"You have to learn how to combine your sword and spiritual energy. And you do that by—"
"There was one question I couldn't answer when you asked."
Other than his comments on the swing, Jin forgot to say one more thing.
"I've seen it. If it weren't for Shadow Vacuum, I can mimic your action."
"Hmm… Elaborate."
Garmund no longer got surprised by Jin. He felt that there was nothing wrong with this kid doing amazing things.
Jin summarized his experiences; cutting through Myuron's hell's gate and Goltep's hammer. The beastman applauded.
"Yes! It's exactly that feeling. Spot on. This vermin already felt Shadow Blade's first technique while battling. Channeling your will by chanting…"
Garmund clapped his hands again.
"Alright, I understand now. I'll show you again."
There was no specific reason for the second demonstration.
In fact, Garmund learned more from his conversation with Jin. This time, he chanted some words as he focused.
'I will cut through that. I can cut through.'
He repeatedly chanted those words, just as Jin did.
The black sword's crescent swallowed the surroundings as it traveled, and Garmund successfully left a larger mark.
"Whoa! This is it!"
"Wait, aren't you supposed to teach me? Isn't this the opposite?"
Jin burst into laughter, and Garmund made an awkward smile.
"I'm actually more familiar with Glory Blade than Shadow Blade… The latter is much more… inefficient for me."
He looked satisfied with his own excuse. He used his vocabulary very well.
"Are you speaking out of your ass? Aren't you the teacher?"
"We're both learning. So shut up and overcome Shadow Vacuum. If you just do that, you'll quickly complete the first technique. Then the Fourth Fighting Legend will be here soon."
"I feel like I'm being scammed."
"It's just a feeling."
"Then show me Glory Blade."
Jin got more interested in Glory Blade than Shadow Blade.
"No."
"Why not?"
"You're not a Brethren."
"I'll tell the others that you learned about Shadow Blade from me."
"You dare threaten me…? The Eighth Legend, Garmund?!"
Garmund screamed and stomped once on the floor.
Crack-crack-crack.
A crevice ripped across the floor instantaneously as the air got dense.
'The pressure is definitely thicker than when he used Shadow Blade.'
However, it was all a bluff. It was akin to children throwing a tantrum when they got busted.
Jin glared back, and Garmund shrugged, as if he lost.
"Fine. Just once."
"Good."
Jin didn't want to leave with only Shadow Blade under his belt.
—After your training with the Fourth Legend, you will train with normal warriors every day. Before that, make sure to take a good look at Glory Blade from Garmund.
—Couldn't you just show me, Tantel?
—If a Fighting Legend shows you and Goddess Vhan finds out, the cleanup is much easier.
Remembering his conversation the previous night, Jin really wanted to sink his eyes into it. He didn't think the opportune moment would come so quickly, though.
"Now, I will show you the most basic move—"
Thud-thud-thud-thud-thud!
From the other side of the training ground, someone was sprinting from far away, leaving a massive dust cloud behind them. It was Boras, returning after working on the tooth.
"Unfortunately, I can't show you, haha."
"I will take a look."
"You and I will no longer have time alone together. It's not that I don't want to show you, but it can't be helped."
"How childish."
Boras basically teleported in front of Jin and showed him the small tooth. It was way smaller than when it was removed from his mouth; the perfect size for Jin's mouth.
And with lightspeed hands, Boras instantly grabbed Jin by the chin again. Jin hung his tongue out.
'I should learn agility from this one. Anyway, can I really just take someone else's tooth like this?'
It felt a little wrong. But without a moment to reject, Boras was already pushing the tooth into his gum.
"Hehe, you'll love it, Apprentice."
Fwoop.
As soon as the molar hit his gum, roots grew from the tooth and planted itself into Jin's mouth. About to grimace at the pain, Jin realized that the foreign object used mana.
'This feels like using a rune page…!'
Magic was being used from the tooth. And surprisingly, the magic seemed to 'transfer memories'.
The techniques of Glory Blade traveled from the molar and into Jin's brain.
章節 24: Chapter 183
The Illustrious Legend Tribe didn't just possess the strength to challenge the gods.
Five thousand years ago, their magical foundations were impressive, even when compared to that of modern civilization.
"We never had a class of people called magicians, heh. However, anyone who could wield magic worked as a blacksmith—just like me."
Boras puffed his chest, and Jin held in his surprise.
'Memory Transfer magic…!'
He knew that the Histers passed down that magic, and to his knowledge, that magic was exclusive to their clan. Not many others could cast it or knew about it.
Even researchers had never dealt with magic that manipulated memory.
"Huuuh? What? Fifth Brethren, did you put some magic in the tooth?"
"'Tis a secret!"
"I don't know what's up, Jin, but you got a real present right there. Fifth Brethren is the most talented blacksmith in our history. We even used to stand in line just to get our equipment touched."
"Of course, these are all stories from our prime, hehe."
Not only was he an exceptional blacksmith, Boras was also an incredible warrior.
"Thank you. I will use it wisely."
"I guess there needs to be some reciprocation? Since I gave you my tooth, you must offer me your second achievement."
'Why are they so addicted to achievements?'
Jin wanted to ask, but he just nodded instead. Though he didn't really know what his next task was.
* * *
January 20th, 1797. A month passed since Jin arrived in Lafrarosa.
During that time, he received training from Garmund and Boras. He practiced Soul Slash and learnt how to use his body more efficiently from Boras.
The techniques taught by Boras were wild and beastly, yet marvelous; making his body lighter, controlling his power, and exerting 120% of his power.
"I thought you'd stick with your own beliefs and remain egotistical and stubborn, but you're doing very well."
"You're just teaching me well, Boras."
"Hehe, no way. For us Illustrious Legends, aura comes from the heart. We channel this aura to different parts of the body to strengthen and lighten them. Imitating me this well is your skill."
These beastmen had a special gem which fueled their power, but Jin did not have such a source.
However, a triangular aura akin to a gemstone heart shone from Jin's chest. He had concentrated and formed his own aura heart to imitate the skillful warriors.
It wasn't an easy feat.
Any talented warrior could create a 'room-like' gemstone heart.
However, turning that newly formed source into a real gemstone heart was a different matter. No matter how trained a warrior was, learning such a skill was impossible in ten years, let alone a month.
'If it weren't for that new molar, it would've been even harder.'
Jin could master the aura techniques thanks to Boras's implant. He could advance his skills ahead of time thanks to those memories.
Boras knew of this fact, but he was still impressed.
"You're more fun to teach than Temar, heh. The Fourth Legend Brethren will come this afternoon. She will teach you the second technique of Shadow Blade."
"Hm? The Fourth Legend is coming this afternoon? Why was I not told earlier?"
"It's because we decided this morning, Eighth Brethren. I specifically requested it. We previously planned this for when he overcame the Shadow Vacuum, but seeing this kid's progress, now won't be a bad time."
At those words, Garmund grinned.
"Do you think I don't know how you feel? You just want to eat this kid's achievement as soon as you can!"
Boras looked away and opened his little bundle. For lunch, the three of them sat and ate traditional cookies together.
'Kakto' had no taste. However, just like the water that Valeria gave him in the Great Desert, it helped him recover quickly.
"May I pack some of these when I return?"
"If the Battle Goddess allows it."
Nom, nom, nom.
Finishing off the last of the cookies, Jin trained Soul Slash for two hours, and the Fourth Legend entered the training grounds.
She was a woman with a massive, colossal sword on her back.
'The one who never reveals emotions.'
Garmund was easy to deal with, and Boras was already in favor of Jin. He could easily get close to them, but not all of the Legends would be like that.
"Hello, I'm Jin Runcandel."
Jin approached and greeted her. She did not speak and just nodded.
'Does she not like me? I can't read her expression at all.'
Jin thought of greeting her once more, but Boras clapped his hands as if he just remembered something.
"Oh yeah! The Fourth Legend can't speak."
Jin interpreted it as her having a speech disorder, but Garmund added on.
"She's doing silence training. It's been a while. Ever since Lafrarosa's time stopped…"
She nodded.
'Silence training? Why do such a thing?'
He had heard of Vankella's saints doing such training, but he had never heard of warriors doing it.
'Besides, if she doesn't talk, how will she communicate?'
While the number of questions were growing, the Fourth Legend drew her sword.
And with ludicrous speed, she wrote words on the ground.
(Rinpa)
That was her name.
"Nice to meet you, Rinpa."
"Uh, Fourth Brethren, this is the language of the mainland."
Rinpa had not written in her own language. Garmund and Boras looked very surprised.
"Hahaha! I knew something was up when you stayed in your room all day. You learned a new language for our new—Urk!"
Rinpa poked him so he could shut up, the colossal sword cutting off his words.
The warning poke was a hefty stab. Garmund barely parried the sword and flew towards the sky. As she prepared for another attack, Boras stopped her.
"Are you really thinking of splitting brother Garmund in half?"
Nod, nod.
"C'mon, don't do such things in front of the kid. Garmund's mouth blabbers every day."
Nod, nod.
Rinpa lowered her sword and Garmund sighed in relief. An easy way to see the hierarchy amongst their strengths. It also served to demonstrate Boras's authority.
Jin found it awkward.
'Is there anything to be embarrassed about? Damn, I might've tried to kill him too.'
Thankfully, Jin dealt with these kinds of people all the time.
To Jin, Rinpa was similar to Yona.
'I should treat her like I treat Yona. That might be the most effective way.'
* * *
And as expected, Rinpa's personality was very similar to Yona's.
That wasn't particularly good, though. Their personalities were just similar, not exactly the same. Subsequently, no particular interaction occurred between Jin and Rinpa. She treated him like a glorified plaything.
Just like when Jin arrived in Samil.
Rinpa constantly toyed with Jin; going into complete silence after showing the second technique or hitting him with her sword as he practiced Soul Slash, as if trying to convey that something was wrong.
"Keup!"
If it weren't for Mind's Eye, the sword would've landed on his head five times.
Every time he parried the attack, he felt his entire body fall apart. Looking at him, Rinpa beamed with satisfaction.
He had no idea if she was proud of her strike or the manner he blocked it in.
Jin, however, did not retaliate or question why she was doing this, what she wanted from him, or why she kept attacking him.
'For people like Sister Yona, I have to play the waiting game. Wait for the enemy to approach me first.'
Garmund and Boras found Jin's behavior rather strange. They remembered when Temar first met Rinpa, which led to absolute chaos.
Jin finally received the fruits of his labor after ten days.
Kachzk! Kachzk! Shk!
After the first day, Rinpa wrote on the ground again.
(Why do you not ask the name of the second technique? I've shown it to you many times.)
Jin grinned.
'Of course!'
Jin immediately wiped his grin and met Rinpa's eyes.
"I wasn't too curious."
(Why?)
"Besides that, can you even consider this as silence training?"
Rinpa's eyes widened.
"In my opinion, silence is not only the lack of speech. It also implies completely severing communication with others."
"Oh, I think Jin got it spot on?"
"That sounds about right."
Garmund and Boras turned and looked at Rinpa.
Rinpa stood there, listless, repeating Jin's statement in her head.
And finally, the icing on the cake.
"You ask me why I don't want to know the second technique's name? I don't want to learn from someone who flaunts the name, so I didn't bother asking. If you want to teach me, please show me something amazing, like Garmund and Boras did."
"Oh."
"Uhh…"
Garmund and Boras sighed. They didn't think Jin would push Rinpa to a corner like this. Even the Battle Goddess wouldn't dare question her like this.
When Jin turned to practice once more…
"It's not… that."
For the first time in five thousand years, Rinpa spoke. Well… for her and the tribe, she had opened her mouth for the first time in twenty years.
Garmund and Boras lost their marbles.
"B-Brethren, your silence…!"
"Brethren Rinpa! Are you already—?!"
The two stuck right next to Rinpa, but she just ignored them. She looked into Jin's eyes and spoke.
"I'll show you… something incredible."
They were stupid.
Jin swallowed his laughter. He knew that he could complete Rinpa's training in a cinch.
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