On the way to the open field, I saw Erme approaching, her face showing clear exhaustion.
“Oh? Where are you heading now?” she asked.
“Going out to train,” I replied.
“Training? Then you must be heading to the Adventurer’s Guild. Let’s go together! I was just about to head there to stretch a bit myself,” she said, her expression instantly brightening.
“The Adventurer’s Guild has a training ground?” I thought, a little surprised.
Erme seemed to notice my confusion and added, “Ah, I forgot to explain.
Shall I tell you more about it on the way?”
“Sure.”
She walked closely beside me, her cheerful smile never wavering.
Despite all the chaos we’d gone through in the labyrinth, she smelled faintly of something pleasant.
The way she moved and acted—it was like she had a fox-like charm, subtle but undeniable.
“Well, let me explain the Adventurer’s Guild first,” Erme began.
“The Guild is essentially a massive organization that started as a coalition of clans.”
In the early days of the labyrinth’s discovery, groups of explorers had banded together to survive.
However, the Empire and the Kingdoms were locked in territorial disputes over the labyrinth, treating it as their personal domain.
“So those early adventurers formed a guild to resist the control of the Empire and Kingdoms,” Erme explained.
It sounded bold—maybe too bold.
After all, adventurers weren’t exactly held in high regard back then.
Many were simply people who hadn’t made it as knights or soldiers.
While the perception of adventurers was different now, at the time, they were seen as disposable at best.
“And, well, the higher-ups weren’t happy about it,” she continued.
It made sense.
Back then, adventurers were seen as tools—emergency soldiers who could be called upon at a moment’s notice.
But as adventurers explored the labyrinth, they rapidly grew stronger.
“And at some point, they became strong enough to destroy an entire kingdom.”
That event marked the true beginning of the Adventurer’s Guild—a momentous occasion that forced both the Empire and the Kingdoms to take them seriously.
“Eventually, the Empire and the Kingdoms decided to join forces and strike a deal with the Guild.”
“In exchange for access to the labyrinth and the adventurers’ secrets—like their training methods and ways of growing stronger—they agreed to officially recognize the Guild’s presence.”
“And that’s how the Adventurer’s Guild became what it is today.”
I could see how the Guild’s origins had shaped its modern-day reputation.
It wasn’t just a group of random adventurers anymore—it had a history of rebellion and strength that demanded respect.
I had always thought the Adventurer’s Guild was massive.
“Maybe they built it this big to stand toe-to-toe with the Empire and the Kingdoms.”
There could be other reasons, of course, but as I mulled over it, we arrived at the guild.
“By the way, the loot distribution is done. How should we handle the split?” Erme asked.
“Give Theresa an extra 5%,” I replied.
“Oh? Why’s that?”
“She carried the bag with the… you know, the corpse in it, when I asked her for help.”
“The bag with the corpse, huh.”
Erme paused for a moment, then turned her head to look at me.
Her scarlet eyes shimmered with a mischievous gleam.
“And you’re okay just leaving it all to me? Isn’t that a bit too trusting?” she asked with a playful chuckle.
I knew she wasn’t the type to mess things up.
Her personality wasn’t one that lent itself to betrayal—it just didn’t fit.
A friend of mine had once spoken endlessly about how reliable she was.
Even if the unlikely happened and she did betray me, I’d already made peace with it.
“If she stabs me in the back one day, I’ll just return the favor.”
That mindset allowed me to trust her completely.
Still, it wasn’t something I wanted to outright explain.
Instead, I simply said, “Because I trust you.”
“…”
For a moment, she froze, before quickly turning her head to one side.
“The training ground is over that way,” she said, pointing off to the side.
“I’ve got some errands to run, so feel free to head there on your own.”
“Got it,” I replied.
For some reason, I followed Erme’s instructions without question.
“What’s with her, getting all flustered?”
Her ears were red, and she kept her face buried, avoiding eye contact entirely.
As I walked toward the training ground, Rishiel’s voice chimed in beside me.
“This place… there are so many strong people.”
“Is that so?”
“I’d heard humans could be strong, but I didn’t expect them to be this powerful. Many of them are even stronger than your average elf!”
She kept rambling, her tone filled with mild disbelief.
“By the way, could my identity possibly be discovered here?” she asked.
“Who knows? That’s hard to say,” I replied.
In this world, people possessed powers in the form of Gifts, so it wasn’t impossible for someone to have a Gift that could detect or interact with spirits like her.
After all, in a world where Absolute Theft (S) exists—something that lets me steal souls or even obsessions—nothing should be considered too strange.
But…
“Why does this Gift always steal the weirdest things?”
Then again, I couldn’t complain.
Looking at the results, it hadn’t been entirely bad.
“Hey! Are you ignoring me again?!” Rishiel protested.
“Well, of course. If I talked to you here, people would think I’ve lost my mind.”
Ignoring her grumbling, I finally arrived at what looked like the training ground.
“Ho? A new face, I see.”
Behind what seemed to be the reception desk sat an elderly man.
“What’s with this guy’s size?”
Even while sitting, the sheer presence he exuded was overwhelming.
His entire body was a mass of bulging muscles, and his forearms looked thicker than Erme’s waist.
“A truly terrifying warrior. Even if I had my body back, I’d have to put my life on the line to fight him,” Rishiel muttered, her tone filled with unease.
“What brings you here, kid?”
The old man grinned as he looked at me, his sharp eyes practically glowing.
If I were to put it kindly, he had an intense aura. If not…
“He seems dangerous.”
The kind of person who wouldn’t hesitate to take down a few people if it came to it.
Maybe others around us sensed it, too, because I could hear the murmurs from those nearby.
“Why’s that old guy at the training ground’s reception desk?”
“Probably because Hilda’s off today. Still, bad luck for that newbie who came in now.”
“Hey, look at him—black hair, black eyes… Isn’t he that guy they’re calling the Elf Slayer?”
“Elf Slayer?”
“Yeah, I heard from the scavenger bastards that he’s terrifyingly good at taking down elves.”
The last comment seemed to spark curiosity and apprehension among the onlookers.
“Guess that worked out.”
From the looks of things, those scavengers had done a decent job spreading the story I wanted.
“Oh, so you’re the infamous one?” the old man said, his eyes gleaming as he studied me.
“Infamous?”
“Yeah. Word is there’s this crazy rookie who exuded enough killing intent on his first day at the guild to scare off some strong adventurers. I came to check you out myself.”
The old man’s gaze scrutinized me, as though trying to measure my worth.
His expression shifted slightly, as if he’d stumbled across a rare gem on the side of the road.
“Well, well… we’ve got something special here.”
“Something special?”
I was keeping my Fatal Allure Gift suppressed, so it wasn’t like he was reacting to that.
“Could he have a Gift that lets him assess others? Or is he just testing me?”
His stare was piercing, like he was trying to see through me.
Then, suddenly, he let out a short laugh and stood up.
It was like a giant had risen.
The man towered over me, easily over two meters tall, his massive frame casting a shadow.
Looking down at me, he said.
“Kid, your skills seem decent enough. I’ll give you some pointers myself,” the old man declared with a grin.
“…”
“Wait, the Sword King is going to teach someone?”
“That kid hit the jackpot. I’m jealous.”
I glanced at the old man.
From the way the crowd reacted, it was clear he was a renowned and highly skilled warrior.
“Is this an opportunity?”
A chance to get stronger.
It would be grueling, but that was the point.
If I could endure it, the payoff would be worth it.
“The rush of growth—that dopamine hit—I’m already looking forward to it.”
Without hesitation, I accepted his offer.
“Good, then let’s head inside,” the old man said, his expression pleased as he led me deeper into the training ground.
But as we walked, I noticed something odd.
At the entrance to the training area, people weren’t just excited for me—they looked… concerned.
“Why did he have to get stuck with that crazy old man…”
“Well, say what you want, but the guy does have a reputation. He’s famous, after all.”
“True. Everyone who’s trained under him does get stronger. That’s undeniable.”
One of the onlookers chuckled quietly, his eyes meeting mine.
He didn’t say anything—just clasped his hands together and bowed slightly, as if praying for me.
“What’s that about?”
A faint unease crept over me.
Normally, people would be eager to train under someone renowned.
But the strange reactions from these adventurers made me wary.
“We’re here,” the old man said as he guided me to a large, open area.
It resembled a boxing ring, complete with ropes lining the edges.
But something about it was off.
“Why are the ropes so tall?”
Unlike a regular ring, where the ropes are meant to keep people from falling out, these ropes seemed designed to keep something—or someone—inside.
“Get in,” the old man said, gesturing toward the ring.
The old man grinned at me—a grin so ominous that it sent a chill down my spine.
“How can a person smile like that?”
For a moment, I wondered if I’d made a mistake by accepting his offer.
But running away now wasn’t an option.
Normally, I wouldn’t hesitate to turn tail if things got bad, but something about him made it clear that escape wasn’t on the table.
So, I reluctantly climbed into the ring, each step feeling heavier than the last.
“A man crawling in like some timid little girl… Not a good first impression,” he said with a smirk.
“…Fine,” he continued.
He extended his hand toward the wall.
Fwoooom!
The air hummed as a massive greatsword flew through the air, landing perfectly in his hand.
Whatever force he used to summon it was impressive, but what caught my attention was the weapon itself.
“The size of that thing…”
The sword was enormous—easily taller than I was.
No exaggeration, it looked like he could lift me with it like I was a twig.
“This room… everything that happens here stays secret,” he said, his tone suddenly serious.
I realized then that the training ground was eerily empty.
No other people.
No prying eyes.
Just the old man and me.
“So, show me everything you’re hiding,” he said, his sharp gaze fixed on me.
His voice carried absolute confidence, as though he believed he could handle whatever I threw at him.
“Am I even hiding anything?”
I wasn’t sure.
I didn’t know the full extent of my own abilities yet.
Pulling out the Blood-Soaked Dagger and Whisper of the Wind, I readied myself.
“Dual-wielding, huh?” he said, his expression neutral.
“Most guys who try it don’t have a clue what they’re doing.”
“I never learned properly,” I said.
“Hah, is that so? Fine, let’s see what you’ve got,” the old man replied, his gaze cooling for a moment.
I activated Fatal Allure without hesitation.
“Oh?”
His eyes lit up with curiosity, almost sparkling.
It was the kind of expression you’d expect from someone who’d just discovered a sequel to their favorite game.
“Is dual-wielding really that unimpressive?”
I thought to myself as I focused on him.
With Fatal Allure active, I could see him more clearly—his movements, his vulnerabilities.
The points where a critical hit might land stood out: his heart, throat, and face.
“Only those three?”
That was a testament to how thoroughly trained his body was.
It didn’t just highlight his weaknesses—it screamed how much of a veteran he was.
“Are you ready?” he asked, his tone calm and unwavering.
I nodded, still analyzing him. Even with his vulnerabilities visible, they didn’t make him any less intimidating.
“Oh, right, I forgot to introduce myself,” he said suddenly.
“Introduce yourself?”
“Yeah. The name’s Volcan.”
“Han Yuseong.”
“Heh, short and blunt, huh? Well, come at me then, kid.”
Volcan curled his finger, beckoning me forward.
But I couldn’t move.
My legs froze on the spot.
Sweat began to trickle down my back.
“What is this?”
It felt like charging at him would be completely pointless—like trying to run into a solid wall.
His presence was overwhelming, suffocating.
“Even Rishiel wasn’t like this.”
But staying frozen in place wasn’t an option either.
Summoning every ounce of willpower I had, I rushed toward Volcan.
The crimson arc of the Blood-Soaked Dagger.
The light green streak left by Whisper of the Wind.
As Han Yuseong swung both blades, the trails they left seemed to aim directly at Volcan.
“Hmm, I thought this was just going to be a bit of fun.”
Volcan suppressed a laugh, but his interest was clearly piqued.
The moment the fight began, Yuseong’s sharp reflexes and tense readiness had stirred something in him—a reaction he hadn’t felt in a long time.
“This kid’s like a pufferfish.”
At first glance, he looked ordinary, but his demeanor in battle was something entirely different.
Volcan couldn’t help but feel a sense of anticipation.
But something felt off.
Yuseong’s movements didn’t quite live up to Volcan’s expectations.
“Strange…”
The way he moved felt raw, unpolished, as though he hadn’t mastered his own weapons.
“It’s like he’s mimicking a beast.”
Still, something else caught Volcan’s attention.
As their blades clashed several times, Yuseong’s technique began to shift.
The way he swung his swords was gradually becoming more refined, more deliberate.
And then, the next strike came.
“What a ridiculous kid.”
Volcan had seen countless swordsmen in his time, and the way they fought often revealed their style or school of training.
Swordsmanship was the culmination of a lifetime of dedication and evolution—styles refined over generations.
And Volcan could recognize what he was seeing.
“This is… the elves’ swordsmanship?”
There was no way the elves would share their techniques with humans, let alone allow their skills to be leaked.
Even more puzzling, Yuseong didn’t carry the air of someone who had been formally trained in swordsmanship.
“He’s swinging those blades instinctively.”
Which could only mean one thing.
“This kid… he stole their swordsmanship?”
Volcan’s grin widened, stretching so far it looked like his face might split in two.
The elves’ swordsmanship was inherently difficult to grasp, even for them.
It seamlessly incorporated elements unique to their race, making it nearly impossible for others to replicate.
There were humans who specialized in stealing and mimicking others’ sword techniques, but none of them had ever successfully mimicked the elves’ style.
It had always been chalked up to an insurmountable difference between races—at least, until now.
Volcan adjusted his stance, no longer seeing this as a mere warm-up or distraction.
What had started as lighthearted curiosity had evolved into genuine interest.
“Alright, let’s see what you’ve got.”
Volcan’s gaze fixed on Han Yuseong with excitement.
But just as Volcan prepared to truly engage, Yuseong suddenly raised both hands.
“…I surrender.”
“What?”
“I don’t think I’m in the best condition today. You know, just got back from the labyrinth and all.”
“…”
“Well then, I’ll be off now.”
Yuseong turned and scurried off, practically fleeing with hurried steps.
Volcan stood frozen, stunned, as he watched the young man bolt.
[Encounter Quest]
You have encountered Volcan, the Sword King.
Either earn his interest or avoid it entirely.
Reward: ???
Failure Penalty: None
“That was close.”
Yuseong thought to himself, relieved.
He had nearly missed out on whatever reward the quest promised.