Chapter 108 : Chapter 108
Chapter 108: The Weave
“Drip.”
A turbid drop of water, steeped in a foul stench, fell from above, splashing into a few droplets on the ground mixed with feces and muddy soil.
The narrow and cramped stone walls reflected a gloomy, cold light, occasionally glancing over the half-exposed sword body that gently rose and fell with my movement. The sharp, iron-gray glint was fleeting.
The beheading longsword, which I had long since mastered and made my primary weapon, was firmly strapped to my back.
In my hand was the single-handed wooden sword [Qingsong], which was slightly less sharp but more suitable for the current situation.
My dark eyes reflected the pus-green of the fungal moss in the crevices of the stone walls.
My eyes were fixed on the depths of the dimly lit passage ahead, my attention highly focused, vigilant for any suspicious movements.
I held my arm shield defensively in front of my left arm, the palm of my right hand pressed tightly against the hilt, the sword tip angled downwards.
While trying my best not to make a sound, I remained ready for battle at any moment.
It was now the second day since I had accepted the mission from the Adventurer's Guild.
No matter how much I anticipated using [Fang Hunt], wishing I could slash several hundred, or even a thousand, goblins to grind it out.
But the encounters from the past few missions, and the adventurers in the tavern who disappeared after being seen only once.
Forced me to remain patient and make full preparations in River Valley Town.
Compared to the expected mission duration of a little over two days, I had enough food supplies to survive in the wild for a week, a sleeping bag and blanket, a water flask, a roll of hemp rope...
I even took half a night to conduct a small experiment.
It wasn't until dawn the next day that I left River Valley Town, full of energy.
Proceeding with caution all the way, I followed the general direction given by the guild and found my way to this goblin cave, now located on the outer edge of the Mist Forest.
I advanced slowly, the only sounds in the air being my faint, long breaths and the slight friction between the tough surface of my leather armor and the lining of my chainmail shirt.
My gaze swept over the narrow stone walls on both sides of the cave.
“The entrance is cramped, it doesn't look like there are any bear goblins.”
“A single passage leads straight inside, with no traps or forks, so there probably aren't any hobgoblins either.”
But considering possible scenarios, such as the existence of other entrances, the nest itself not being fully constructed, or other elite green-skin subspecies...
“I still have to be careful.”
I moved my feet gently, but in my mind, I was estimating the distance between myself and the cave entrance, and how long it would take to turn and flee at full speed to escape.
“If I encounter an enemy that is difficult to fight, or one that is difficult to fight in the current environment, I can consider throwing a fire oil flask to block the path and buy time for my retreat.”
Crack—
It was the crisp sound of a crackling spark.
I pressed my side tightly against the stone wall, hiding in the shadows, and peered into the cave.
The bonfire had already been extinguished, leaving only the embers of firewood glowing faintly;
An iron pot covered in rust was set over the firewood. I couldn't see what was inside, but there were probably only scraps left.
Then, there were those stooped, emaciated, and ugly disgusting green-skins.
My gaze swept over them, quickly estimating their number.
“Two, four, six...”
“Twelve?”
A few more than I had expected, but still completely within the range I could handle.
A flash of white suddenly flickered in the corner of my eye.
—A human skull, its surface covered with cracks, lying on the muddy ground.
My expression couldn't help but darken.
The tragic scene from the first time I entered a goblin nest resurfaced in my mind.
But there was no longer any fear or retreat.
In its place was a deep, churning aversion and disgust in my heart.
Confirming that the cave had no other exits and that there were no other enemies besides the twelve goblins before me.
I no longer concealed my movements, deliberately letting my footsteps be heard as I walked out of the passage.
“Ska!”
As if they saw me as food that had delivered itself to their doorstep, the green-skins shrieked with excitement.
Without the command of a hobgoblin and the morale boost of a bear goblin.
The dozen or so goblins crowded together chaotically, their thin, stick-like arms raised high, holding crudely made dark brown wooden clubs, and swarmed towards me.
A surging battle intent, ignited by killing intent, boiled in my chest.
Yet my mind was incredibly calm.
I constantly reminded myself that clearing the goblin nest was just something to do on the side to earn some extra cash.
My main goal for this trip was not for these few dozen gold coins.
I stood my ground.
“Huu...”
Deep breath.
The bone-deep chill that had once seeped into my muscles surged forth once again from the muscles in my waist, abdomen, and legs.
It was unremarkable, seemingly no different from usual.
I lifted my leg slightly and took a step forward.
[Fang Hunt]!
Shhh-bang—
The scenery before me blurred and froze in an instant. The muscle fibers beneath my skin were torn by the instantaneous burst of power.
The air, made viscous like water by the high-speed movement, emitted a faint and long wolf's howl as it was collided with and compressed by my body.
A sharp, cutting gust of wind, carrying dirty mud spots and a pungent stench, exploded in the air.
In the span of a single breath, or even less!
Just a moment ago, I was standing at the entrance of the nest, but my tall figure transformed into a phantom. Amidst the cry of a wolf beast and the roar of a gale, I crossed the spatial barrier and arrived in front of the green-skins who were piled together like carrion.
My movements didn't stop in the slightest.
Leveraging the impact and momentum from [Fang Hunt], [Whirlwind Slash], which had long been trained to its maximum level and integrated into my body, was unleashed amidst the slender and short sound of the wooden sword tearing through the air.
Hum—
It was a dark brown arc of light, more complete, slender, and powerful than in its normal state.
The power of the two combat techniques was superimposed in an instant.
Transforming into a sword glint that was far more swift and sharp than before.
I didn't even feel the sluggish sensation of the blade cutting through flesh on the wooden sword in my hand, which was slightly less sharp.
Just a step, a charge, a swing of the sword.
The next second, the excited and ugly expressions on the green-skins' faces froze.
Like a fountain in a square gushing forth at a set time.
Smooth-edged shattered skulls, fragmented and convulsing slender limbs, steaming red internal organs... were lifted up and away from the bodies by the viscous "fountain" of red and white.
The pus-green stalks of flesh fell in a whole row.
Eight goblins, instantly killed.
“Proficiency +1”
The translucent characters flashed before my eyes in the void.
Without a bear goblin to provide a morale boost, nor a hobgoblin to supervise the battle from behind.
My single strike had scared the remaining four green-skins out of their wits.
They threw down their wooden clubs and fled in panic, shrieking.
Enemies who had lost their will to fight were of no value for honing my combat techniques.
I brandished my wooden sword, strode to catch up, and with a series of slashes, thrusts, chops, and cleaves, I finished off the last four cowardly low-level monsters, sending them to hell to be reunited with their dead companions.
The goblin nest, which had been filled with sharp and chaotic cries, instantly fell silent.
Only my steady and long breaths remained.
I turned around and confirmed that all the goblins were dead.
I drew the beheading longsword from my back, and with the help of the glowing moss in the folds of the stone wall, I stared at my reflection on the surface of the blade.
[Fang Hunt] lv1: (3/100)
A satisfied expression appeared on my face.
“As expected!”
“Using combat techniques in battle increases proficiency far faster than practicing alone against the air!”
Just last night, after having prepared all the supplies for my trip.
I used the time saved by only needing 6 hours of sleep to practice [Fang Hunt] on the outskirts of River Valley Town until late at night.
Roughly estimating, I had practiced for a total of about eight hours.
Only then did I manage to raise the progress bar for upgrading the combat technique to (2/100).
Now, even counting the time I spent cautiously moving through the narrow passage, it had only been a dozen minutes at most since I entered the cave.
Yet I had also gained a precious point of proficiency.
The reason for the difference between the two could not possibly be a change in the surrounding environment, or the difference between day and night.
Just as I had originally anticipated.
With my attribute panel, I could greatly increase the speed of gaining proficiency through actual combat.
Even high-intensity battles still had a good effect on combat techniques that had already been raised to a high level.
My heart, which had been slightly apprehensive, immediately relaxed.
I felt that the future was bright.
I sheathed my longsword.
My gaze swept past the scattered corpses and bloody pus on the ground, and scanned the interior of the nest.
I would cut off the goblins' ears later.
Once I finished cleaning up, the 25 gold bounty from the guild's mission would be mine.
With the idea of maximizing my gains, I naturally wouldn't mind getting dirty. I planned to search the cave carefully again to see if there was any loot that could be sold for a good price.
After all, it was just a short-term mission, and I would be returning to the city soon. It wouldn't matter if I carried a little extra weight.
Clink—
It seemed a dazzling golden light flashed for a moment, covered by the muddy soil.
“Oh?”
I immediately went forward, bent down, and picked out a gold coin from the mud.
It wasn't too surprising.
Without the presence of bear goblins and hobgoblins, ordinary green-skins rarely had the habit of actively collecting loot. They simply followed their instincts, hunting and filling their bellies.
In this situation, if the unlucky souls who became their food happened to be carrying coins, it would be a windfall for those who came after.
One or two gold coins was very normal.
That's what I originally thought too.
Until the number of gold coins I picked up grew, and I even found a finely crafted pearl necklace.
I couldn't help but wonder:
“This adds up to almost 30 gold.”
“This shouldn't be right. It's just a dozen or so goblins, they couldn't even defeat a regular caravan. How could they have plundered so much money?”
Puzzled, my gaze suddenly paused.
In a corner of the cave ahead, next to the white bones and severed limbs, lay a small box covered in dust and bloodstains.
The lock on the box seemed to have been opened, with a gap between the lid and the base.
I picked it up and opened it.
What came into view was a thin book with a light red cover.
Quite surprised, I took it out of the book box.
And opened it.
...
Arcane Calendar, Year 712, Blazing Sun Month, 21st Day.
Things in Huancai City are very expensive, and the housing prices are much higher than in Nyum.
With the gold coins I saved from performing magic tricks on the road and Leah's savings, we rented a small room in the city.
The landlord is a Calimshan, but he's a decent person, he only made us pay a three-month deposit.
But I don't think we'll be able to stay that long.
Next month is the new student assessment for Hawthorne Royal Academy, and I've been preparing for it for three years.
As long as I can become an official student of the academy, I can bring Leah to live in the dormitory with me.
I have to say, I'm a little nervous.
I can definitely do it, I can definitely do it.
...
Arcane Calendar, Year 712, Withered Month, 7th Day.
The assessment is over. I didn't pass.
...
Arcane Calendar, Year 712, Withered Month, 26th Day.
Leah found a job as a jewelry appraisal apprentice in a workshop. Her family is in this business.
The next entrance assessment for the academy is in two years.
At that time, I will be twenty-nine, not yet past the academy's age limit of thirty.
Leah encouraged me to try again.
That's right, I've already prepared for so long, I'm not willing to give up just like this.
Then I'll try again.
...
Arcane Calendar, Year 712, Falling Leaf Month, 5th Day.
The academy's assessment is much harder than I previously imagined.
Just staying in the room and waiting for two years definitely won't work.
There's a mage tower in the city that is recruiting apprentices. It's said that the master of the mage tower is an archmage who specializes in gravity magic. I want to give it a try.
...
Arcane Calendar, Year 712, Falling Leaf Month, 28th Day.
Great, I succeeded!
It seems I have some talent in gravity magic. The young mage who received me even picked a room for me in the mage tower that is closer to the laboratory.
Leah is also happy for me.
Tonight, for the first time in a long time, we went to a tavern in the city for a big meal.
When we went home, we were both drunk.
...
Arcane Calendar, Year 713, Duskclaw Month, 3rd Day.
It's been almost half a year since I entered the mage tower.
I've been holed up in the laboratory every day, with a scruffy beard. When I saw Leah today, she was startled.
Haha.
I told her not to worry, that I'm living a fulfilling life and learning a lot.
Next year, I will definitely pass the assessment and become a student of the Royal Academy.
...
Arcane Calendar, Year 713, Duskclaw Month, 30th Day.
During the routine experiment today, Jerry accidentally mistook sulfur powder for meteoric iron filings and sprinkled it into the gravity rune array.
The color and weight are clearly different, I don't know how that careless fellow could have gotten it wrong.
The mentor was furious, none of us dared to speak.
Unlucky Jerry was kicked out of the mage tower.
As his roommate, I was left behind by the mentor to clean the laboratory.
And then... guess what I saw?
The experiment actually succeeded!
...
Arcane Calendar, Year 713, Windclaw Month, 1st Day.
Jerry has been kicked out of the mage tower, so I'm the only one in the dormitory.
After living together for over half a year, I suddenly can't hear his snoring, and I actually can't fall asleep.
My mind tends to wander at night too.
I suddenly remembered the scene of cleaning the laboratory the day before yesterday.
Why did it succeed?
Even though the meteoric iron filings, which were the spell component, were replaced with sulfur powder, the gravity field within the rune array still changed.
Was it because of the runes on the enchanted steel plate?
If it could succeed without spell components, why go through the extra trouble?
Tomorrow is a rest day,
I'm going to verify my guess.
...
Arcane Calendar, Year 713, Windclaw Month, 2nd Day.
The experiment succeeded again!
Not just sulfur powder, I tried replacing the spell components with silver iron powder, talc powder, and finally even sprinkled in a handful of laundry detergent from the dormitory.
Why?
Why?
I suddenly remembered that my mentor once told us.
The essence of spellcasting is to mobilize raw essence through the "Weave" of the [Lady of Mystery], allowing raw magic to be safely and stably controlled by the mage.
The role of "spell components" in this process is to act as a material medium to stabilize the spell structure.
Without suitable and appropriate amounts of spell components, many spells are simply difficult to form.
I can't help but wonder.
If the spell components in the rune array can be replaced at will, does that mean that a stable spell model is actually not important.
But without a spell model, even if I can connect to the Weave with my spiritual power, how should the magic within it be released?
Or could it be, that the Weave itself is just a temporary... (The handwriting becomes progressively messier, the last few characters are crossed out)