đźź Chapter 19 :
After he found out about us, his face changed. It turned into a tomato—especially with that shiny bald head of his. The hyenas burst out laughing even harder.
"Shut up, you idiots! Do you want us to get cut down too?!"
His aura shifted completely—from embarrassment to pure terror. This was the guy who had just cut down a monster like it was nothing. Messing with him could mean my death. Even the hyenas were scared stiff.
He charged at us at a crazy speed. We scrambled out of the way so he wouldn't grab us, but with regret I was too slow. I spotted a sword in the distance. Here I used one of my skill's features after reaching level 10 the ability to pull small objects toward me. I used it to pull the sword into my hands. Obviously, it was his sword, but the guy had gone insane—I had no choice but to defend myself, even if it was with his own weapon.
The problem? I had no idea how to wield a sword. So when he closed in, I just held it like a shield. His fist slammed into it. The blade shattered instantly, and I was sent flying into another tree. The pain was unbearable.
"Seriously?! What kind of sword breaks that easily?!"
When I looked closely, the weapon seemed fake. From a distance, that black sword looked like it was forged from the strongest steel, but up close it was just ordinary.
[Correct. That sword is just a regular blade. Its black color is nothing more than paint.]
Paint?! So that's it. Turns out this swordsman, despite his talent, was absolutely terrible at picking weapons. Speaking of him—his expression got even worse. He'd realized it was his sword.
"That sword… that was mine, wasn't it? You broke it. YOU BROKE MY SWORD!"
"I didn't break it. Your fist did!"
[But you were the one holding it, therefore the blame lies with you.]
Shut up. No one asked you. Instead of spouting nonsense, how about helping me with something useful?
[You could give him the sword you made. It's better than that one. Just paint it black, and he'll love it.]
You… actually, that's not a bad idea. I'd completely forgotten about it. Alright, I'll try to bargain with him.
"Hey, listen! I can make you a better sword than that one. What do you think?"
"And how exactly would you do that? Are you some kind of master blacksmith?"
Well, I'd worked months in a forge, but nowhere near master level. Still, whatever—I'd just tell him I was and make one using my skill.
"Of course. I'm one of the best blacksmiths."
"You can really make one better than this?"
"Absolutely. Honestly, your sword was terrible."
"How dare you insult my sword like that?!"
Oops. My tongue slipped.
Before I could fix things, strange sounds shook the ground. They weren't coming from him, me, or the hyenas cowering in a hollow tree trunk. It was footsteps. Something big was approaching.
Crap. This was it. My end. All because of my greed.
[Finally, you admit you're greedy. Pleased to meet you, user.]
That's what you say to someone about to die, you piece of junk system?!
The monster emerged at last. It was nearly eight meters tall, with glowing red eyes, four arms, massive fangs, huge claws, and a hide that looked impossibly tough.
"No, no, no… I can't fight that thing. This really is the end!"
Unless… maybe our bald friend could handle it. Wait, where was he?—WHAT?! He was running away, grabbing his stuff! Even he couldn't fight it! I had to run too.
The hyenas, on the other hand, were frozen in place from sheer terror—one of them even pissed itself. But the monster didn't chase me when I bolted, nor the hyenas. It went straight after Baldy.
Why him? No idea. And I didn't care. Not my problem.
I kept running and running through the trees, my mind screaming: I don't want to die, I don't want to die! But something felt wrong. Why did I feel uneasy, even though I'd escaped?
[Because you might be the reason that bald guy dies.]
What... how would I be responsible? I didn't send the monster after him.
[Still, you broke his sword.]
He broke it himself! It was a garbage sword anyway!
[Fine. I'm just a system telling you what's best. Don't forget—he killed a monster earlier with that so-called garbage sword. He's still a skilled swordsman. The choice is yours, but I don't want you regretting it.]
As much as I hated to admit it, the system had a point. I didn't want to carry regrets. I had no choice. I had to go back and give him my sword. Maybe it'd help him. After that, I could run again. Hopefully he wasn't dead already.
A few minutes later, I made it back. I hid in a tree to observe. Good—he was still alive. The monster was attacking furiously, smashing the ground, but it was slower than him. Still, its massive strikes had left him injured.
"Alright, system, give me the sword."
[Won't you give him some healing herbs too, you useless user?]
"Shut up. Sword first, junkpile."
[You're a huge useless, user.
Analyzing… Done. Sword ready.]
Finally, the sword appeared. I'd just toss it to him and run. Slowly, carefully, I edged closer—close enough to throw it, but not so close the battle would swallow me.
"HEY! You, swordsman! Need a weapon? Here, take this!"
He finally noticed me.
"You're still here? You can run, you know. I don't need you!"
"Stop messing around! Take a proper sword and fight! Aren't you a swordsman?!"
"Are you blind? Look at my arms!"
Only then did I notice—both his arms were badly wounded. No wonder he couldn't fight properly.
[So… changing your mind now?]
Argh, no choice. "Give me the healing herbs too. Maybe they'll work."
[And I recommend using that dust bomb you made earlier. It'll blind the monster long enough to give you an edge.]
…You know what? For once, you're right. Give me both.
[Analyzing… Done. Healing herbs: ready. Dust bomb: ready.]
Both items appeared. I crept closer to the monster, waiting for the right moment.
[Closer… closer… Perfect. Throw it now, user!]
Didn't expect the system to be this into it, but fine. I hurled the bomb—it hit dead on.
[Good throw, user. Maybe you're not completely useless.]
"Shut up. You think you're better?"
The monster roared, thrashing in blind rage. Baldy noticed and quickly backed off.
"Over here, swordsman!"
He came toward me. Good—I thought he'd ignore me.
"Was that you who threw that thing at it?"
"Yeah. No time to explain. Here, wrap these herbs around your arms—they're magic, they heal fast."
He grabbed them and tied them on. To my surprise, they actually worked—the wounds started closing.
"Good. Now let's get out of here before it comes after us."
"My stuff's still there."
"Forget your stuff! Your life comes first!"
"Then why do you have a sword?"
"I was gonna give it to you earlier, but since the monster can't see, we can just run!"
"I'm not weak like you. But I can't fight monsters without a sword—my skill depends on it."
"Fine, hero. Take it. But at least tell me—why exactly is it chasing you specifically?"
"…Because I killed its child. One of the monster cores I carry is its offspring's. It knows, and it wants revenge."
"What the—this thing's a mother?!"
Never thought monsters could have that much awareness.
"Now stand back. I'll deal with her."
He stood, sword in hand, wounds mostly healed. The monster rampaged, the ground shaking with every strike. Yet he was calm.
He took a deep breath.
"Shadow Style."
Dark sparks enveloped the blade. In a single instant, he cut the monster clean in half. Blood sprayed everywhere. That supposedly impenetrable hide was sliced apart by the sword I'd made.
[Don't get cocky. It was his technique, not your sword, that cut it.]
"I wasn't even claiming credit, come on! !"
With the battle over, I stepped out from the trees. The hyenas had finally run off after being frozen in terror the whole time. The swordsman carved out the monster's core—it was huge, easily boosting his collection.
"Well, my part's done. I'm leaving now."
"Wait."
Oh, he's gonna thank me? Sure, I'll listen.
"Don't forget—you still owe me a sword."
…WHAT?! That's what you say to the guy who saved your life?! He's obsessed with swords to a freakish degree.
"What about the one I just gave you? Wasn't it good enough?"
"If you hadn't broken my precious black sword, I'd have killed the monster from the start. My strength lies in my sword. …Though I could crush you even without one."
"You didn't need to say that last part."
This was bad. I was now stuck with him. If I tried to ditch him, he'd stop me. All because… I laughed at his bald head. All because of those stupid hyenas!.
He tossed me the monster's core.
"Take it. Not like you deserve the credit, but since you'll be sticking with me, you might as well."
[Not bad, user. The strongest swordsman in the exam is now guarding your back. Use this chance well.]
As much as I hated it, the system was right. At least for now, being with Baldy meant survival.
He gathered his belongings, and then—put his wig back on.
"Alright, let's go, follower."
"I'm not your follower."
"Whatever. Let's move."
Time passed. Who knew how long? This test felt more like a boring history class. By the way, I still didn't know his name. I decided to ask.
"Since we'll be together for a while, how about we exchange names? I'm Takashi Takeru."
"Kakashi Takeru?"
"No, Takashi, not Kakashi. I'm not a ninja teacher."
"…What?"
"Nothing, forget it. And you?"
"I'm Haizen."
"Eizen?"
"No, Haizen, you deaf idiot!"
"You got my name wrong too, you know… Anyway, what about your last name?"
"What, you want to know who my parents are too? Where I'm from? What I eat for breakfast?!"
"…Never mind. Forget it."
And so, after all those insane events, we continued walking—toward whatever madness awaited us next.