Chapter 129 - Thousand Sword Peak – Part one

Thousand Sword Peak was a mountain in the Five Rings mountain range. The most beautiful among them, but also the strangest.

When looking up at its peak, it shined beautifully like a snowy mountain, but it was most certainly not something peaceful. It was actually the shine of blades.

Tree trunks were shaped like spear and sword handles, ready to be picked up, and said trees grew blades instead of fruit and leaves. At the foot of the mountain, some blades could be seen on the ground, but the higher up one went, the greater the density of said blades.

The peak of the mountain seemed like a world where titans fought day and night.

It was the time between night and dawn, and twelve people stood at the foot of this mountain.

Five members of Survivors, four members of Wanderers, and Wilma, who volunteered to be the referee for this match, along with two subordinates.

“It’s rare for you to come to a labyrinth just for a match.”

Said Nick in a sarcastic tone, to which Wilma snorted.

“I’m not here just for the match, I have to confirm that Ushiwaka has been defeated.

This is kind of a loose match in terms of rules, but you can’t have any more assistance other than your current members, and fighting directly against each other is forbidden. Be careful.”

“Got it.”

“I understand.”

Said both leaders, Nick and Bellocchio.

Wilma nodded with a serious expression.

“I know you want to start right away but… We need to set the starting route.”

Thousand Sword Peak was divided into different routes. There were two going from the foot of the mountain until the third point, where both routes converged in the den of monsters called Dagger Wolves.

Regardless of which route a party chooses, they would have to defeat a pack of Dagger Wolves.

From the third to the sixth point, there were three routes, which converged again, and separated once more into two different routes until the peak. At the top of the mountain, the strongest oni type monster, a Great Ogre, usually awaited.

But this time, it was different.

“The difficulty level is pretty much the same for both routes, but there are advantages and disadvantages depending on party composition, so let’s do this fairly.”

Said Wilma as she took a coin from her pocket, and flung it into the air with her thumb.

“Heads.”

Said Nick, to which Bellocchio said ‘tails then’.

When the coin returned to Wilma’s hand, it showed heads.

“Survivors will pick their path.”

“Then…”

“I want the short sword route.”

Tianna interjected just as Nick was about to answer.

“…Are you sure?”

“Yes.”

Thousand Sword Peak’s first two routes were known as the short sword and axe route. As the names implies, the short sword route had short swords that could be picked up, and monsters that wielded them. The axe route was no different.

The difficulty level was more or less the same, but there were differences. The axe route was longer and had strong axe wielding hobgoblins, which were more menacing than short swords. But since the terrain was level and open, it was easy to traverse with enough firepower.

The short sword route was shorter, but the path was narrower and had many twists and turns. It was not to the point where ropes and wedges would be necessary, but it would take some time to get through for people not used to hiking.

Neither party was at a level where hobgoblins would cause them trouble, so the short sword path was seen as a little disadvantageous. However, Nick and Tianna’s faces were filled with confidence.

“Alright, so that takes care of the first route… Whoever reaches the third point and takes down the monsters first gets to decide the next route, and the same goes for the next one. How about it?”

“Got it.”

“Understood.”

Nick and Bellocchio nodded.

“…Now Tianna, show me the fruits of your labor.”

Said Bellocchio as he looked at Tianna.

Contrary to how she usually wore it, her robe was closed from the neck all the way to her legs. She was also not holding her staff, but rather something wrapped in a black cloth. It seemed to have the flat shape of a shield, but it was impossible to tell what it actually was.

Tianna snickered, showing no intention to explain what it was.

“I see, you are not going to tell me.”

“Master, at this point, we are both adventurers of the same rank. Don’t forget we are competing against each other.”

Said Tianna, and Bellocchio smiled.

“Well then… Begin!”

Wilma raised her hand, and everyone started moving.

◆

The forest was thick enough to deflect sunlight, but it was most certainly not dark. The bushes and ground surrounding the path shone ominously.

“Soryah!”

“Guah!”

Nick and Karan wielded short swords as they kicked around hobgoblins.

The swords they used were practically identical to the ones the hobgoblins used, and obviously, they did not prepare it beforehand. This was a true source of the silvery shine when adventurers at the foot of the mountain gazed upon the mountain, the famous swords that naturally grew in Thousand Sword Peak.

“They have handles and guards and everything… How strange…”

Said Karan.

“That’s just how this place is. How does it feel?”

“Normal.”

“Right?”

Karan answered apathetically, and Nick smiled awkwardly.

“They’re not very well sharpened, but they’re better than cheap swords you can buy in the arms store. I don’t have a problem with it now, but…”

“But?”

“Aren’t you worried that we’re going to step on a blade while we’re fighting?”

“We’ll be fine as long as we stay on the path and be careful not to step on the grass or run around near the trees. The safest option is to follow the paths the labyrinth provides.”

“Got. Then there’s no problem.”

“Alright. Now…”

Nick turned around and saw Bond juggling short swords.

“Yoho.”

“Stop playing around.”

“I am not playing… Soryah!”

With very sharp movements, Bond threw some of the swords he was playing with, hitting the heads of hobgoblins as though they were sucked into them.

“Ooh, nice.”

“Great job.”

Said Karan and Sem, to which Bond puffed out his chest and smiled proudly.

“It doesn’t look like Bond is having any trouble. Same goes for Sem.”

“Yes, I can handle a short sword like this. If the need arises, I’ll help, but for now I think it’s best if I preserve my magic energy and stamina.”

“Thanks. And finally…”

Nick turned towards Tianna.

“…Do you think it will work?”

“Wait… The magic energy seal is stronger than I expected…!”

Tianna took off her robe the moment they started walking up the mountain, and underneath she was wearing tight leather clothes and some protective equipment, such as an arm guard. However, the most conspicuous item was the large boorish shield, which contrasted against the rest of her stylish equipment.

It was the secret weapon that Tianna spent days working on.

“Since no magic energy comes out, its output can become too big… If it spins too fast it gets hard to control.”

However, she could still not unleash the full power of said weapon.

“I get that it’s difficult, but we don’t have time. You can stay back while we fight and practice.”

“Got it!”

Tianna seemed flustered, but not desperate enough for it to cloud her judgment. She accepted Nick’s idea, and steeled herself.

“Let’s keep going.”