Chapter 269 : Chapter 269
Side Story 28. Goodbye, Kalia (4)
I had been assigned a total of two quests in Kalia.
I completed the first by dealing with the corrupted Archmage Dejan Berger, and all that remained was to defeat Kalia's greatest swordsman.
To be honest, it was rather vague for an Abyss quest.
They should at least tell me who the greatest was before starting it.
It was the sort of quest condition that could drag on endlessly if I followed the wrong lead.
But there was one thing I could be certain of now.
This would be my final journey through Kalia.
Aiman Blair.
He was only twenty, just at the age of young manhood, but I had no doubt that he was the greatest.
That wasn't a judgment I made simply by looking at him with Mana Eyes.
The composure and aura that only the strong could possess—those were not things that could be imitated or feigned.
Only after reaching a realm beyond one's limits could one finally exude such an air.
Facing someone like him even made me feel as though I were looking at my past self.
"Shall we begin right away?"
Aiman looked delighted.
He wasn't the least bit tense despite facing me. He only showed deep interest in the duel that was about to unfold.
"You may die during this match."
I gave him a low warning.
"I know. Isn't accepting such risks part of engaging in a Bimu? I believe the same applies to you."
"Me?"
I almost laughed at Aiman's bold wording.
"Since we've decided to have a duel, I didn't want to be overly concerned with etiquette."
"A good attitude."
"Then I will observe proper etiquette after the duel is over."
Look at this bastard.
In truth, this was my first time being in this position.
I had always been the junior who went around conquering dojos.
Of course, I had not the slightest intention of becoming the dojo that would be conquered today.
SWISH—!
I raised Holy Sword Bastian at an angle.
Aiman also drew his sword and began walking toward me at a leisurely pace.
I was slightly impressed by how unhesitating he was.
CLINK—!
As though we had agreed upon it, we lightly touched our swords together.
Mana resonated through our blades, and our first exchange ended like that.
The true Bimu began with Aiman's gale-like attack.
CLANG—!
Even the word swift was not enough to describe that speed.
His first strike was both bold and powerful.
What was remarkable was that the follow-up strikes only grew faster.
SWISH-SWISH-SWISH-SWISH—!
It felt as though a machine gun from modern Earth were firing continuously.
That didn't mean he was recklessly unleashing attacks from the start.
Every one of Aiman's attacks was deliberate and restrained.
Of course, that did not mean their destructive power was restrained.
None of the Sword Masters I had faced in Kalia wielded a sword as fierce as his.
CLANG—!
I responded to Aiman's swordsmanship, our swords clashing without pause.
The metallic sound of blades cutting through the air echoed through the mountains, suiting the atmosphere of the volcano that seemed ready to spew lava at any moment.
A smile naturally formed on my lips.
It was the first time I had experienced the joy of facing a true genius.
CLANG-CLANG-CLANG—!
CLANG—!
For a long time, we swung our swords while watching each other's eyes.
Aiman truly resembled me in my youth.
The environment in which we had grown up was different, and so was the swordsmanship we used, but the aura he gave off held the same disposition as mine.
Regardless of our levels of swordsmanship, a duel with Aiman could only be interesting.
'Should I give him a slight opening?'
SWISH—!
An unconventional sword path.
It was an opening I had deliberately created.
I was curious to see how Aiman would respond.
'Charging into it as it is would be third-rate.'
CLANG-CLANG-CLANG—!
The tip of Aiman's sword circled leisurely around me like an eagle stalking its prey.
His fierce gaze and sharp talons remained poised.
The tension gradually intensified.
'Deliberating until you expose your own opening would be second-rate.'
Of course, there was no chance Aiman would do that.
The world created by his sword filled every inch of the surrounding area without a single gap.
He was remarkably thorough.
'Waiting calmly for the next move would be first-rate.'
From this point on, it was no longer a bad choice.
Depending on his response afterward, I might even give him a score above first-rate.
But it was difficult to believe Aiman's level was only this much.
I had only faced him briefly, but it wasn't his style either.
SHWAAASH—!
In the end, Aiman's sword shot forward fiercely to seize its prey.
'If you can turn your opponent's trap against them, you are super first-rate.'
Excellent.
Aiman had made a move that accepted considerable risk.
But if he executed it properly, the gains he could earn here would be far greater.
Whether it had been intentional or not, an exposed opening was still a real opening.
WHIRL—!
My sword rotated and collided with the tip of Aiman's sword.
CLANG—!
Of course, Aiman could have anticipated this much.
He had surely prepared enough moves for several exchanges ahead.
So the true battle of moves began now.
The aftermath created by the first opening still remained, and Aiman pushed into that tiny gap.
It was precise and clean, graceful and swift.
A satisfied grin crept across my face.
I would have responded in the same way.
It was excellent, and every movement he had made so far deserved a passing score.
Now, the question was whether Aiman could display his own swordsmanship within the territory I had created.
If he could, I would acknowledge that he was at the same level I had been at his age.
CLANG-CLANG-CLANG—!
A feast of sword paths that grew increasingly more turbulent.
I didn't need to watch for long.
Aiman was certainly displaying his own swordsmanship with pride even within my territory.
He was still composed.
And above all, he seemed to be fighting while knowing the optimal route to victory.
He was exactly at the same level I had been in my youth.
Even after confirming it myself, it was difficult to believe.
'What a pity.'
I had met him too soon.
It would have been better if I had met him after he had matured a little more.
I couldn't know how Aiman's future would unfold, but if he were given more time, he had the makings to grow to a level where he could contend with me.
CLANG-CLANG-CLANG-CLANG—!
CLANG-CLANG—!
Our sword dance, which seemed as though it would continue without end, eventually struck a single horizon and burst apart.
CLANG—!
Unable to withstand the acceleration, Aiman finally let go of his sword and rolled across the ground.
Only then did his breath begin to heave violently.
Yet even at this moment, his concealment of mana remained perfect.
At that realization, I smiled faintly.
"This is your first time in a situation like this, isn't it?"
"It's absurd."
"The world is far wider than you think."
"Of course I know that. It may be difficult to believe, but it is possible that someone stronger than me exists. But......"
"But?"
"It makes no sense that someone could be this much stronger than me."
Aiman shook his head.
"You knew?"
"I'm not an idiot, am I? After seeing this, who would say we had an evenly matched contest?"
Most swordsmen would probably call what they had just seen an evenly matched contest.
In any case, Aiman continued in a hollow voice.
"A realm like this only existed in my imagination. Now that I've seen it in person, it feels as though my eyes have been opened."
"Do you intend to continue?"
"I cannot even bring myself to try right now. The difference in our levels is far too great."
It was remarkable insight until the very end.
The fact that Aiman could even vaguely grasp the difference between us proved his genius.
That made it all the more regrettable.
He was a genius I had never encountered before and would never encounter again.
"I lost. And thank you."
Aiman bowed his head to me.
At that moment, the Abyss notification sounded.
[Quest cleared.]
[Reward acquired.]
And I sensed that the Abyss had begun playing its tricks once again.
[Reward: Kalia Portal Map.]
I thought I was saying farewell to Kalia forever, and it gives me this now?
"How can I meet you again?"
Aiman's voice was earnest.
"How many years will it take to reach my current level?"
In truth, it wasn't an easy question to answer even if I were Aiman.
After my reincarnation, I had experienced unbelievable things and encountered countless fortunate opportunities before becoming who I was today.
"Twenty years. Could you perhaps wait that long?"
"Twenty years......"
That was a rather boring length of time to wait idly.
But I liked that it wasn't absurd.
If he had said three or four years, I would have been deflated instead.
Twenty years was enough time for rivers and mountains to change twice, and it was certainly enough time for Aiman to grow much stronger.
"I promise. I will return to Arkina in twenty years."
"Really?"
"Even if you devote yourself to the sword like a madman, twenty years will barely be enough."
"Yes! But if I manage to surpass you before then, perhaps a little earlier......"
"Don't talk bullshit. Just twenty years."
Twenty years was barely enough time even if he did nothing but eat and swing a sword.
Women and marriage would be luxuries as well.
[Returning to Earth.]
My final journey through Kalia.
I was satisfied because I would be able to take some lingering feelings with me.
Aiman, Lucy, Sylvia, the Rohan Brothers, Adrian, and the many other connections from my past.
Thinking that I would be able to see them once more in twenty years made leaving feel much easier.
Goodbye, Kalia.
The world before my eyes gradually grew faint.
"Unit Leader, you've returned!"
The first person to greet me at the Haewon Sword Family was Choi Ho-joong.
It was a sight that had once been very familiar, back when I had gone in and out of the Abyss seven years ago.
"Ho-joong, you have a social position now as well. Shouldn't you refrain from rushing out to greet me as though you were barefoot?"
"No, sir! The Unit Leader has returned from the Abyss, so naturally I should be the first to greet you!"
With that, he gave me a bright smile.
"Still, it doesn't seem like you're smiling just because you saw me. It looks like something good happened."
"As expected! I can never fool you, Unit Leader."
Choi Ho-joong shook his head, but his mouth was still smiling.
"Tell me. What is this good news?"
Holding back the smile that threatened to burst out, he continued.
"Unit Leader! Ah-yeon is pregnant with a son!"
In other words, Choi Ho-joong would soon become a father.
It was shocking news.
He still looked like an immature child to me. Yet that child was going to become a father.
Still, I should congratulate him.
There was a rumor that an Ego Sword would be put up for auction soon. If it was true, it would be more than sufficient as a gift.
"By the way, Unit Leader, shouldn't you be thinking about marriage as well? If you're weak when it comes to women, I would be happy to offer some advice......"
"Are you crazy? Who is giving advice to whom?"
"Come on! You don't have any experiences worth remembering, even though you're past thirty."
Look at this bastard.
"What do you mean, I don't?"
"I know everything, Unit Leader."
As expected, Choi Ho-joong looked as though he didn't believe me in the slightest.
It was unfair, but there was nothing I could do.
There was no way for me to prove it.
"Enough! Have you decided on a name for your unborn son?"
"Actually, that's what I'm still worried about. Neither Ah-yeon nor I have much sense for things like that."
Choi Ho-joong scratched his head and continued.
"Could you perhaps recommend a good name for my son, Unit Leader?"
"Why? If I recommend one, are you really going to use it?"
"You know I don't say pointless things!"
"Hmm."
I didn't know that at all.
"If my son takes after my wife and me, he'll probably make a living by the sword for the rest of his life. I'd appreciate it if you could choose a name that suits a swordsman!"
A name suited to a swordsman.
One came to mind.
The name of the greatest swordsman, the one with the greatest talent.
"Johan."
"Johan? Choi Johan. Unit Leader, that's really good!"
Choi Ho-joong's face lit up.
'If that child's name truly becomes Johan......'
I might want to support him properly.
In any case, Ho-joong seemed to truly like the name Johan, rolling it over in his mind again and again.
"Ho-joong, by the way, let me ask you for a favor. It's been a while."
"Just give the order."
"Prepare the training room. Make it feel like the old days."
"Pardon? The training room, all of a sudden?"
"Yes. I'm going to start again. It feels like you need to be there on the first day for it to feel right."
"If the Unit Leader needs me, I should do it not only on the first day, but for the rest of my life! I will prepare it immediately!"
If I didn't enter training mode starting today, I felt as though thorns would sprout from my skin.
For the first time in a long while, I had a reason to feel tense.
I could not afford to be humiliated by a far younger junior twenty years from now.