Chapter 61

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Thud—

Do-joon took a seat and looked at the old man. An overbearing figure with grey hair, but still looking robust.

The old man was cutting fruit with a knife the size of a finger. A peach from the tree.

“Listen.”

The old man held out a piece of the fruit.

Do-joon, who received it inadvertently, was feeling troubled for a while.

The opponent he is struck by is a boss. That means that he had to defeat it to go to the next labyrinth.

However,

‘Hidden Quest.’

A similar quest as in Siewellin’s time appeared. A quest to find a forgotten name. It was the same content as it was back then, without a change.

[???]

Fit rate

– 0%

And the opponent’s name also did not appear in the insight skill like back then as well.

‘I can’t just say you’re an enemy.’

The catacombs or the elemental island, the boss of the Middle Orc Kingdom rushed in to kill as soon as they saw him. They were the ones who followed the nature of monsters that attacked people on sight.

On the other hand, Siewellin did not show hostility when she saw Do-joon even when she was a ghoul. Now, the same goes for the old man in front of him.

Far from being hostile, he even felt welcome. He personally served tea and treated him to a slice of fruit.

‘Is he really a monster in the first place?’

First of all, that was ambiguous. When he first saw Siewellin, she appeared as a ghoul, but this old man is vastly different.

Do-joon stares at the fruit. The old man looked at him and spoke.

“Don’t worry. This knife is a knife that has never eaten blood. I stopped doing that a long time ago.”

“… … What?”

The old man showed him the knife that sliced the peach and said that. It was a very sharp knife shining with a silver lining. The handle was embroidered with a dragon.

“I wasn’t worried about that, but… … .”

Do-joon blurted out the end of his words with unexpected words of consideration.

It was literally meaningless to think when someone in the world sees a person peeling a fruit. But, he thought, ‘Isn’t that a knife that stabbed someone? I don’t feel good about it.’. Instead, Do-joon said.

“Thank you for the food.”

It would be rude to be more steamy. First of all, a word of thanks. And Do-joon put the piece of fruit in his mouth soon.

Crunch.

As he chewed it, the sweet juice overflowed in his mouth.

Do-joon’s eyes widened by themselves.

‘It’s not just cool.’

A refreshing feeling that the stomach is washed away. It felt like the morning mist was rising. A taste that goes well with the cool weather here on the Sky Road.

Recently, no, it was the most delicious fruit he has ever eaten in his life.

― Can I talk to that old man?

As Do-joon was admiring for a moment, Kalish asked. He could talk to everyone, but it was also possible for him to speak in a way so that only Do-joon could hear him.

‘Why all of a sudden?’

Do-joon asked. When there were other people around, it was Kalish who was always speaking in a way that only he could hear. Do-joon answered in his own heart.

It was the first time that Kalish wanted to talk to someone else first.

― I’m a little interested. I don’t know for sure because I haven’t crossed swords, but that old man is quite strong. Probably none of the people you’ve met so far can be a match.

‘Is it that bad?’

Several faces flashed through Do-joon’s mind.

The strong people he met were Eldora, the elf he defeated at that time, Shin Yu-seong, who is a S-class, Oh Tae-jin, who is an A-class, and the president of the association.

And although her fighting ability was a little lower, Siewellin is also a great presence.

‘Do as you please.’

There was no reason to stop him from wanting to talk.

Although Kalish is a form of a spear, he is also a person. In addition, he was Do-joon’s teacher, so he could not treat him like an object.

“Urgh-huh.”

Do-joon coughed a little and placed the spear on the table.

The old man looked suspicious when he suddenly showed his weapon.

“My name is Kim Do-joon. And this spear…….”

― It’s called Kalish.

Two people who reveal their names first. The old man nodded as he heard Do-joon’s name, but when Kalish spoke, his eyes widened and he looked out at the spear.

“It’s amazing that a spear that speaks human words.”

His tone was calm, but his eyes showed interest.

“I’ve seen so many suspectful things, but I’ve never seen anything like this before.”

― I’m tied up here for some reason.

“Did you get tricked by some kind of magic?”

― It’s kind of like that.

Two old men continued chatting for a while. The main topic was also about Kalish’s condition.

He doesn’t know how it happened, he doesn’t remember, nor does he know any magic that could do this, etc.

It didn’t feel so awkward from the first time he saw him. The two of them got along pretty well.

Then the old man suddenly spoke.

“Oh, yes. I forgot to introduce myself.”

At that, Do-joon flinched.

Guess what he wants to know the most now. Isn’t it the name of the old man right in front of him?

The old man looked at Do-joon and said.

“This old man is called Jecheon Kang.”

That was the end of the introduction. Just a few letters of name. He had no reason to talk about this any more, nor any intention of doing so.

However, those few figures were also the information that Do-joon wanted above all else.

Do-joon began to stare at a corner of his field of vision with the utmost nervousness. There was only one thing he was waiting for. Hidden Quest’s Information Window for Finding The Forgotten Name.

But.

‘Nothing showing up?’

Despite hearing the old man’s name, quest completion or other new information did not appear.

What is it? Isn’t that his real name? Or is the name that this quest requires a different name than an old man’s name?

Unlike him, who was perplexed, the Jecheon Kang asked in a calm tone.

“So, how did you get here? I’ve been here for quite a long time, but it’s the first time someone like you has visited.”

“It’s…”

Leaving aside the question of the name for a while, Do-joon started worrying. How can he explain this?

In the end, what he talked about were the obvious facts.

There is an item that is sent to a special place called the key of the labyrinth, and he has been using it. That he doesn’t know what kind of place this is.

Although there were some things that were not said, everything said was the truth.

“It’s a wonder.”

Jecheon Kang said so and took a sip of tea.

“This is a place that is far from this world, but it has yet to reach the next world. Among them, it is a space created by the lingering attachment of this man. But without my permission, you came in here with a living body.”

“You don’t think I’m allowed to……. I’m sorry.”

He felt like something was invading his privacy.

Do-joon accidentally puts the words of apology in his mouth. To this, Jecheon Kang laughed.

“That’s enough. It’s heaven’s will to meet you like this. It’s rather nice to see someone who hasn’t lived for a long while.”

In-house visit of a man with a talking spear and odd tools.

If it were an ordinary person, it would have been startling, but Jecheon Kang only displayed interest. For him, who had already left the world of mortals, it was just a moment’s entertainment.

‘Shall I ask him if it’s really his real name?’

Meanwhile, Do-joon was thinking about it. It seemed rude to ask someone who just finished his communication as if it was true.

Still, he couldn’t help but ask from his position. Somehow, and as soon as possible, he must clear the hidden quest.

After a moment’s hesitation, he opened his mouth carefully.

“I want to ask you one thing.”

“What do you want to ask?”

“That is… … .”

When Do-joon tries to ask a polite question.

Jecheon Kang smiled slightly at Kalish.

“What about this? You must be a warrior, right?”

“Yes, well…….”

His job as a hunter is to slay monsters, but for now it would be okay. He’s also learning martial arts with Kalish.

“How about the winning side asking questions one by one and the losing side answering the questions? I think it’ll be a lot more fun than just asking and answering questions.”

Fun.

Jecheon Kang brought a really interesting proposition. How good is the strange visitor in front of him? This curiosity was instinctive to a man like him.

“Fun… … You mean?”

On the other hand, Do-joon was in a slightly uncomfortable situation. Does he need to fight all of a sudden? The only thing that’s going to happen is…… Well, it’s something not to the extent that he didn’t even imagine.

Whatever it is, the opponent was in the position of the boss of the labyrinth, so he was expecting a fight.

He didn’t expect it would be done in the form of a contest, betting on a question-and-answer session.

― It’s going to be hard.

Kalish murmured.

But contrary to what he said, he was smiling as if things had become interesting.

* * *

Do-joon, Kalish, and Jecheon Kang left the room and stood in the yard.

There was even a pond on one side of the small yard, but there was enough place for the two to move.

Jecheon Kang drew his sword.

“Don’t worry. This is a guy who didn’t sharpen his teeth.”

As if to prove that, he drew the blade on his hand. If it were a sharp light sword, his finger would have been cut off at once, but it was only a dent in the flesh.

“… … Shall I take out the bladeless spear?”

“You don’t have to.”

After that, Jecheon Kang explained the rules of the contest.

The person who puts his weapon on the opponent’s vital point wins. There were no other rules. It doesn’t matter what method they use.

“But if you just do it, it’ll be too disadvantageous for you. I’ll put some conditions on myself.”

“Conditions?”

The conditions that Jecheon Kang talked about were a kind of handicap.

He won’t use powers, tricks, and underhand methods.

In other words, he would only use the sword he was holding.

“You may use whatever you have hidden.”

In a way, it can even be said to be arrogant. But it was so natural for him to say that he was blunt.

Kalish talked so that only Do-joon could hear it.

― You don’t think he’s looking down on you, do you?

‘Not at all.’

It’s not that he’s being underestimated, it’s that he is confident in his skills. Do-joon was not young enough to not distinguish it.

Do-joon was rather nervous.

Until now, it was possible to grasp the approximate strength of all the enemies by fit rate except Eldora.

However, the fit rate of Jecheon Kang is 0%. And yet, he is said to be stronger than any other enemy he has ever seen. It’s probably undoubtedly enough for Kalish to assert.

‘How strong are you?’

So, he was nervous. Because he couldn’t measure the opponent’s skill yet.

“Let’s get started. You come first.”

Jecheon Kang naturally hung his sword and spoke.

He was just standing there, not even in proper posture.

Nevertheless, Do-joon could not jump in easily.

Only a brief confrontation ensued. Do-joon was aiming with his spear, and Jecheon Kang was holding a sword in the other with one hand behind his back.

―…….

Even Kalish, who has always said something, is also silent.

In that silence.

‘If I stay still, I can’t do anything either.’

Do-joon rolled his eyes and ran towards him.

After all, it was him who was in a hurry. He had something to ask his opponent, while this battle was just entertainment.

Immediately after that.

Kaang-!

Do-joon’s shoulder was cut. There was no wound. But he was very surprised.

‘I couldn’t even see it.’

Because he couldn’t even see him swinging his sword.

On the other hand, Jecheon Kang’s eyes widened a little and he was surprised.

“My dear, you are a sword breaker.”

It is also of considerable scope for him. He has fought with numerous foreign masters in the past, but there were only a handful of people who had trained this much.

‘There.’

What is even more surprising is that there were no other signs of learning martial arts from Do-joon. In general, there were no physical characteristics that were seen in the masters who had mastered the martial arts.

That’s why he was surprised. Because he didn’t even imagine that there would be such a thing in swordsmanship that could come out.

“That’s interesting.”

A smile crept onto Jecheon Kang’s lips. He knew that Do-joon and Kalish were people from a different place than the midfield where he lived. Is this unauthorised in this world?

His heart fluttered slightly. It was a curiosity about the new martial arts, which had only been buried deep since his coming here.

‘You have something to ask.’

Thinking so, Jecheon Kang swung his sword again.

Do-joon hurriedly retrieved the spear.

Obviously, the Adamantine Form stopped the attack once. It was a completely unexpected defence for Jecheon Kang.

Then, it would normally be Do-joon’s turn to attack this time.

Clang!

Do-joon was only able to prevent the next sword attack. Even though he made a move.

― It means that your opponent is at least much more advanced than you.

“Keug!”

He didn’t even have time to answer that. The spear that blocked the sword trembles. Do-joon’s arm, which was holding it, also vibrates violently.

Do-joon didn’t bother to resist the shock. Rather, he used it as a stepping stone to step back once.

Because it was natural to widen the gap in a battle between sword and spear.

The opponent did not chase Do-joon. Is the first word “come first” still valid?

The next moment, Do-joon hit the ground again. Twenty threads of mana began to swirl around his arm.

“You are quite good at handling that. You seem to have a good teacher.”

― Of course.

Kalish shrugged.

However, Do-joon could not hear him. All his mind was focused on the next blow.

‘It’s a pretty subversive skill.’

Jecheon Kang thought as he watched the storm wrapped around Do-joon’s arm and spear. Although the user is still insufficient, the skill itself seemed quite powerful.

If it unfolds to the fullest extent, he will have to avoid it himself too.

That means.

‘You’re still young.’

Still, no.

Do-joon started to roll the spear. A step earlier, the tip of Jecheon Kang’s sword  headed somewhere.

The centre of the storm. Towards the core, where his powers are whirling the most.

― It’s blocked!

It was the first thing that Kalish noticed.

Shortly afterward, his sword struck the core of the storm. It was rough, but the storm that was controlled by Do-joon was released from control at that moment.

The scattered wind engulfed Jecheon Kang as well as the caster, Do-joon.

In that situation, Do-joon.

‘What?’

He was bewildered as he saw the landscape in front of him that had changed in an instant.

* * *

It was something he’d been through once.

‘When I looked at Siewellin’s memories……?’

It was the same situation as when he saw Siewelin’s memories in the collapsed temple.

“Jecheon Kang! If you surrender now, His Majesty will spare your life!”

What he sees is two middle-aged men. One was a giant man with a thick sword in his hand. And there was already enough mana to make the whole area tremble.

On the other hand, the man standing in front of them looked calm.

“Paeng Jazulan. You’re making an unacceptable demand.”

“If you don’t want to hear it, then I have no choice but to kill you!”

The giant man swore. Even just by swinging his thick sword, the air trembled and the ground scorched.

However, Jecheon Kang only calmly drew out his sword while looking at the rushing person.

The tip of the sword was headed for a point where the man’s overdrive core power was swirling.

Eventually, both of their swords crossed.

Kwaang!

A sound that he couldn’t think of as a collision between an iron and iron item.

As a result.

The giant man was swept down by his explosive core power, and Jecheon Kang stood firmly on the ground with both feet.

Do-joon, who witnessed it clearly.

The very next moment, he was back to his original self.

Unlike Siewellin, it was very short. It was just a flash of memory.

― It’s blocked!

The immediately ringing voice of Kalish in his ears. And a storm of torrents that loses control and hits the user.

Do-joon started to move reflexively. It was not an instinct or a sense, but an experience that was accumulated thanks to the memory he just saw.

He ducked without getting unnerved by the backflow and rushed through the wind.

His arm was loaded with a re-casting of explosion that is smaller than it had just been.

‘Explosion is a technique created by the tradition of penetrating storms.’

The subsequent use of this technique by Knox that he heard from Kalish.

In the raging wind, Do-jun’s eyes only looked at one point. As if he himself became the tip of his spear.

Eventually, a single dot pierced through the gale wind that was chopping up the neighbourhood.

Paang!

The wind blew out and silence fell.

Jecheon Kang was still standing firmly on the ground with both legs. Just like right after defeating a man named Paeng Jazulan in his memory.

And Do-joon.

Thudd.

He knelt on one knee and fell.

The victory and defeat was obvious. However, Jecheon Kang’s eyes looking at him contained the greatest surprise ever.

In the end, Do-joon’s spear did not reach him. Something that he couldn’t even get a single scratch on.

However, the hem of his shirt under his ears was slightly torn.

‘I can’t believe he broke through the energy I’ve created in that situation.’

Jecheon Kang smirked.

Did he throw himself without hesitation at the time when the energy he created was exploding?

It is a choice that is seldom made. The power of one’s skill, especially the more subversive it is, the better one will know.

“I lost.”

However, Do-joon, who was lying down and looking at the sky, could not see his smile. All he can see is white clouds that are flowing.

So close.

He thought he handled it quite well, but he couldn’t reach it in the end.

― You fought well though, you punk!

Only Kalish’s voice, not stingy with praise, echoed through the yard.