Episode 161
It was only then that Zeke realized the man captured by the knights was the swordsman from the adventurer party he had met in the Giant Mountains.
“Rick the Chaste?”
Rick’s face turned beet red at the mention of his nickname.
Zeke explained the situation to Nikolai, vouching that Rick and his companions were not suspicious individuals.
The Thistle Knights, indebted to Zeke for saving their lives, released Rick’s party without a word and offered them a meal and drinks as an apology.
While Claire and Arin remained cautious, Jason, with his usual easygoing nature, mingled with the northerners despite the language barrier, downing their fiery liquor.
Zeke called Rick aside to ask what had happened.
“We came north, as you suggested, to track down the evil sorcerer,” Rick explained quickly.
“We found traces of the sorcerer near the Ice Mountains and were scouting the area when we were pursued by some suspicious figures in black. We barely escaped them, only to be ambushed and captured by the northerners.”
Zeke was impressed by Rick’s account. He had suggested they explore the north, but he hadn’t expected them to actually find traces of the sorcerer.
‘They’re a much more capable party than I thought.’
Unbeknownst to Zeke, Rick’s party was among the top-tier adventurers, which was why the Graham Duchy had specifically requested their services.
After some thought, Zeke offered, “I’ll help you track down the sorcerer.”
Rick’s face lit up with hope. “Really? Are you sure?”
Having witnessed Zeke’s prowess in the Giant Mountains, where he had single-handedly wiped out dozens of monsters, Rick was visibly relieved. Sorcerers, unlike wizards, dealt in strange, elusive curses, making them difficult to track and confront. Having a skilled swordsman like Zeke on their side would make the mission much easier.
Rick hesitated, then asked nervously, “But, um, how much should we pay you upfront? We want to compensate you fairly, but we’ve already spent the advance we received from the duchy on our current expenses. I’m not sure we can offer you a sum worthy of your skills…”
Zeke grinned. “No need for an advance. Just give me 30% of the success fee once the mission is complete.”
Rick’s face brightened again. “Thank you! My companions will be thrilled to hear you’re joining us!”
Rick left to share the news with his team.
‘He’s a good leader,’ Zeke thought.
Having spent years as a porter for adventurer parties in his past life, Zeke knew how rare it was to find a leader with both skill and integrity like Rick.
Zeke kept a close eye on Rick and his team. He was always on the lookout for talent.
The next day, Zeke parted ways with the Thistle Knights to join Rick’s party in their pursuit of the sorcerer.
Nikolai expressed his regret. “It’s a shame you’re postponing the ranger support.”
“I believe we’ll cross paths again.”
“Zeke Murray, your name will forever be honored as a friend of the Thistle Knights. Be sure to visit Himonas next time. We’ll give you a warm welcome.”
“Thank you, Nikolai.”
After their farewells, Zeke and Rick’s party left the snowy fortress behind.
As they walked, Zeke asked Rick, “Do you have a specific dungeon in mind?”
Rick nodded. “Yes. While not as well-known as the Giant Mountains, the Ice Mountains have several large dungeons.”
Jason chimed in, “Yeah, the dungeons in the Ice Mountains are… unique.”
“Unique how?” Zeke asked.
“It’s hard to explain, but they have a more mysterious vibe. There’s a lot of unknown power that can’t be explained by modern magic.”
Zeke nodded thoughtfully. “Sorcerers often seek ancient powers, so it makes sense they’d be in a dungeon. Is that why you think they’re there?”
“Yes,” Rick confirmed. “We heard from a base camp that a suspicious individual bought equipment here a few months ago. The gear wasn’t for dungeon exploration but for setting up a camp. And it was just one person.”
“Meaning they plan to stay in the dungeon for a while.”
“Exactly. Usually, those who buy such equipment are more likely to be mages conducting research in a dungeon rather than adventurers.”
“I see.”
“Based on the equipment, it doesn’t seem like a dungeon in a completely inaccessible area. They’d want a place that’s somewhat accessible but still avoided by most, so we narrowed it down to dungeons close to ‘forbidden zones.’”
Jason unfolded a map, pointing to the locations of potential dungeons.
Zeke was impressed by their logical approach. Most adventurers would have blindly searched the Ice Mountains, but Rick’s party had devised a strategic tracking route.
Zeke decided to follow Rick’s party to explore the dungeons in the Ice Mountains.
After finding the safest route to the marked dungeon, Zeke led Rick’s party up the snowy mountains, claiming he had been there before.
The experienced adventurers skillfully navigated the treacherous terrain.
As night fell, Zeke found a cave to shelter them from the cold and began setting up camp.
Rick’s party gaped at the camping gear Zeke produced.
“Wow, I’ve never seen a spatial bag like this.”
“I was lucky to find this artifact in some ruins. Eat before it gets cold.”
Rick’s party eagerly accepted the soup Zeke had prepared, savoring the warmth that chased away the chill.
Arin commented in wonder, “This soup is amazing, just like last time. Do you have a secret recipe?”
The soup’s flavor was thanks to fresh ingredients stored in his inventory and the skills of Atlas’s top chefs, hired by Decker. But Zeke couldn’t reveal that, so he chuckled awkwardly.
“Hunger is the best seasoning, isn’t it?”
Though the soup was genuinely delicious, Arin accepted Zeke’s explanation and focused on eating.
After their meal, the group took turns keeping watch.
Rick’s party offered Zeke the first watch.
Unbeknownst to them, Zeke had already summoned his dragon soldiers to secretly patrol the area.
Leaving the watch to his dragon soldiers, Zeke sat at the cave entrance, closing his eyes in meditation.
He pondered how to connect the Infinite Chain Technique with the Golden Swordsmanship of the Sun.
‘A state where you wield swordsmanship without a sword.’
Zeke considered that the Infinite Chain Technique, containing the final insights of the Arch Paladin, might hold the key to advancing to a Black Knight.
‘Endlessly connecting every move.’
Zeke mentally dissected and reconnected the sword techniques of Agamemnon’s Golden Swordsmanship.
‘It’s elusive, just out of reach.’
Then, a thought crossed Zeke’s mind.
Yelin Ishtar’s martial arts, which he had faced at the southern border.
Unlike the relatively static swordsmanship of the central continent, Ishtar’s martial arts were dynamic and powerful, utilizing the entire body.
‘They called it the Art of the Flying Kick.’
While her dagger skills were sharp, the core of Ishtar’s martial arts was her kicks, attacking from various angles.
Her unpredictable kicks, striking from the left, then under the chin, and finally changing direction to hit the crown, were difficult to counter with the central continent’s more straightforward swordsmanship.
Zeke mentally replayed Yelin’s techniques, trying to grasp their flow.
In his mind, Yelin’s every move was vividly reconstructed.
Zeke watched her movements like a 3D video, attempting to internalize the strange techniques.
But the insight he sought remained elusive.
‘They say haste makes waste. I’ll find the key through steady practice.’
As he calmed his anxious mind, he sensed someone approaching from behind.
Turning, Zeke saw Rick standing there.
“It’s not your turn yet. You should get more rest.”
Rick shook his head and sat beside Zeke. “I can’t sleep. Would you mind some company?”
“Not at all.”
Zeke sensed that Rick had something on his mind.
After a moment’s hesitation, Rick spoke slowly.
“Zeke, I have a favor to ask.”
“Go ahead.”
“Could you take a look at my sword technique?”
Surprised by the request, Zeke considered it briefly before nodding.
“I’m not sure how much help I can be, but if you need it…”
Rick’s face brightened, and he stood up, drawing his sword and assuming a stance.
Zeke observed Rick’s posture, intrigued.
‘That’s too refined for an adventurer.’
Rick steadied his lower body and swung his sword swiftly.
Whoosh!
In the blink of an eye, Rick’s sword flashed through the air three times.
Watching Rick’s swordplay, Zeke’s face hardened.
“This sword technique…”
If his memory served him right, it was the Five Light Swordsmanship, a style practiced by the royal guards of Thebea.
The Five Light Swordsmanship, known for its ability to strike five times in the blink of an eye, was a traditional technique with a thousand-year history alongside Thebea.
Zeke, who had introduced himself as a mercenary, kept his recognition of the technique to himself and responded calmly.
“That’s quite an impressive display.”
“As expected, you recognized it immediately, Zeke.”
“For a mere adventurer, your skills are exceptional… Have you received formal knight training?”
Rick nodded sheepishly at Zeke’s question.
“Yes. It’s a bit complicated, but due to family circumstances, I underwent rigorous training from a young age.”
“I see. If you’ve had formal knight training, I’m not sure how a mercenary like me could be of any help.”
Rick shook his head urgently.
“No, that’s not true. The prowess you displayed in the Giant Mountains was beyond any knight I’ve seen! Please, even a little guidance would be invaluable!”
Rick seemed genuinely desperate.
Observing him, Zeke realized that Rick had hit a wall.
“It seems he’s been stuck at the level of a Purple Knight for quite some time.”
In the Dreiker family, it wasn’t uncommon for someone Rick’s age to advance to the rank of Purple Knight.
Felix, who was around Rick’s age, and even the younger Liam were already challenging the barrier of the Blue Knight.
In truth, it wasn’t that Rick lacked skill or talent; it was just that the others were exceptionally gifted.
In most families, it was typical to sense and master aura only after reaching adulthood.
Zeke slowly rose from his seat.
Then he addressed Rick.
“Swing your sword at me with all your might.”
Rick was taken aback.
“What?”
“I said, use your aura if you must, and strike at me with everything you’ve got.”
Rick hesitated, unsure of what to do with his sword in hand.
In that moment, Zeke drew his own sword and swung it at Rick.
“Gah!”
Startled, Rick raised his sword to block Zeke’s attack.
But unable to withstand the force, he stumbled back and dropped his sword.
Zeke fixed his gaze on Rick, pointing his sword at Rick’s throat.
“In a real fight, you’d be dead in a single move.”
“Z-Zeke, this is…”
“It’s not about your swordsmanship.”
Zeke’s sword pressed against Rick’s neck.
“Rick, you’re too inexperienced.”