I Obtained Sword God Level Talent

89 – 089. Tools (2)

“Oh… Lord!”

Hert’s jaw trembled. The shock was so intense, his jaw kept clattering, making his cheeks feel numb.

“With a single blow…!”

Hert, blinking dazedly, lifted a dry palm. He then swept it across his face, a simple gesture laden with a myriad of emotions.

‘Just who did I mess with!’

Calming himself, he gazed at the ravaged battlefield.

A single blow. With that one strike, an estimated hundreds of monsters had been butchered. They were low-tier monsters, orcs and goblins, but still, how easy could it be to scatter sword aura across such a wide area?

“This is… more magical than magic itself. And even the others are all on another level…”

Watching the people finishing off the few remaining monsters, Hert clicked his tongue.

These people sweeping through the battlefield were like comets. There was barely a battle. The slaughter by the Round Table Guild, led by Frey, didn’t take long.

“The further north we go, the stronger the monsters are likely to be.”

“……”

After the battlefield was cleared, Tristan spoke, as they gathered again in one place.

Hert watched their conversation with a disgruntled expression. Although he had been forcefully ‘volunteered’ for the special forces, he was still a mage. He hadn’t ruled out the possibility of things going wrong.

“That’s right. Since the most dangerous Red Orcs have appeared, we might see hordes of higher-level monsters like Ogres.”

“……Doesn’t matter.”

Frey answered in a low voice to Chun Hwayoung’s additional explanation. Naturally, everyone’s gaze fell upon him. Hert and his friend were no different.

“Those kinds of guys are not a problem for our forces. Unless we’re surrounded by things like Wyverns or Griffons from all sides.”

“That’s true. It’s the numbers that are the problem from the start. No one here feels threatened by the monsters themselves.”

Lancelot readily echoed Frey’s words. Hert swallowed dryly, intently listening to their conversation.

‘The weakest among them is already 6th circle.’

Ariel, the ‘former’ senior mage whom he was once interested in, was now completely forgotten. Yes, Hert was now captivated by these people. By their overwhelming power. He might even be moved by the violence they wielded so mercilessly.

“Um… suddenly.”

It was while discussions about the future were being exchanged. Hert carefully broached a subject. Naturally, everyone focused their attention on his voice, which had remained silent until now.

“What is it?”

Hert felt a shiver run down his spine at Frey’s indifferent gaze. It was likely because he remembered how cocky he had been during the meeting not long ago. Like a puppy not knowing the fear of a tiger.

‘Stay calm.’

Hert swallowed dryly once more and opened his mouth.

“Rather than this… how about we just head to the Papal Palace?”

And he threw out a rather heavy topic.

* * *

“……Just like this?”

Helt’s sudden pronouncement. I tilted my head, wearing a bewildered expression.

“Yes. From what I see, not only is Frey-nim’s skill astonishing, but that of all the guild members as well. I, too, am a 6th-circle mage. With this strength, we can immediately rescue the Papal See.”

Helt spoke passionately, full of conviction. Quietly watching his spectacle, I brought up an important issue.

“That’s great. The problem is mana and stamina. Helt, senior mage, can you deploy mana to travel all the way to the Papal See?”

“……Ah, maybe. I think we can alternate using detection magic with Jayden.”

“Hmm, is that so?”

At Helt’s addition, I weighed the risks and benefits in my mind.

‘The most important thing during the “Rift – Mass Monster Outbreak” event is to kill as many monsters as quickly as possible… and finally, subdue the boss monster, the master of the rift.’

‘Fame, that’s what’s needed to receive the maximum reward, so a speed battle is indeed the way to go.’

As it happens, the reward available at this point was precisely ‘fame.’

A small amount of money or experience wouldn’t be of much help now, and it was obvious. Everyone was 6th-circle or higher, and the guild was overflowing with money, so it was only natural.

“Let’s do it.”

“Huh, huh?! R-Really?!”

“……?”

Having made the decision, I decided to follow Helt’s plan. But his immediate reaction was amusing. As if he hadn’t expected me to listen to him, his shoulders shook and he was startled.

“Frey-nim, you truly are like a saint. To think you would follow my opinion, which dared to obstruct you….”

Watching Helt’s admiration pour out, I couldn’t help but let out a dry laugh.

He seemed to be holding onto what happened at the meeting. I just thought he was sulking from having Ariel taken from him.

“If a path has been decided, I think it’s best to move quickly.”

Amid all of that, Maria’s cold voice rang out. She was looking up at the sky, which was half-obscured by overgrown trees.

Kugugung….

“……Huh, I guess it’s going to rain.”

Naturally tilting her head back, Ariel added her voice. As Maria spoke, heavy thunder rumbled in the sky.

“That’s lucky.”

“Indeed. If it rains, the monsters’ long-range, sensitive senses will be blocked!”

Lancelot and Tristan chimed in.

“Alright. We’re heading straight to the Papal See. You mage duo, do you know the way to the Papal See?”

At my words, Helt immediately answered with a confident face.

“Of course! I not only know the way, but I can guide you on the fastest route!”

“Is that magic too?”

“Yes! What I’ve mainly mastered is functional magic. It’s at its strongest in situations like these.”

“……Is that so?”

“Yes! If my calculations are correct, we should arrive near the Papal Territory by tomorrow evening!”

There was something oddly zealous about his attitude. Anyone would think he was a recruit taking a guild entry test, not a Senior Helios Magician.

Anyway.

“Let’s go.”

And so, guided by Hert, we headed north. Just then, a downpour began. Perhaps because of that, we didn’t encounter any monsters.

* * *

The sun had set.

Frey and his group decided to spend the night in a cave they found along the way, making a fire and resting.

“Ugh… my legs.”

Hert, awkwardly sitting on the ground, was constantly rubbing his legs and feet.

As expected of a magician who didn’t train his body, this trek was quite strenuous for him.

He had to spread mana to prepare for monster attacks and, in the meantime, channel mana into his lower body to move quickly. He was probably the busiest member of the detachment.

“Filthy. Why haven’t they offered to help us even once?”

Jaden approached Hert with a small voice laced with irritation.

He was being treated similarly to Hert. How could one describe it? His position within the detachment right now was no more than a ‘tool.’ But the sadder fact was that he couldn’t dare complain to anyone else.

“……Hang in there.”

Hert awkwardly laughed off his friend’s annoyance. But as if taking it as a signal, the clueless Jaden plopped down next to Hert and began to grumble.

“Those b*stards. They think we’re just tools. Outside, magicians are supposed to be incredibly valuable human resources!”

“Shut that mouth!”

“……!”

Hert quickly covered Jaden’s mouth, his voice low.

This crazy fool. Was he planning on making things complicated again? Didn’t he know about the 8th-rank knight’s hearing?

“Ahem, well… that’s just what I mean.”

At his friend’s sharp reaction, Jaden clicked his tongue and stepped back. Hert, clicking his tongue in turn, explained what he had come to realize.

“The world is vast. We’re traveling with people who are more impressive than we thought. But our luck isn’t completely bad either.”

“……W-what does that mean?”

Jaden’s expression was one of utter confusion. Annoyed by his cluelessness, Hert pressed hard at his temples and spoke.

“So, I hear your position at the Caris Magic Tower isn’t exactly stellar either?”

“Hert! Why do you always poke at sore spots?”

“Listen straight, will ya? This is an opportunity. Have you ever seen a guild like this? I saw earlier, you’re skilled but your judgment’s cloudy. It means we can carve out a better spot for ourselves here.”

“Is… Is that so…?”

Somehow swayed by Hert’s words, Jayden had a slightly dazed look. Seeing this, Hert, brimming with an almost strange confidence, suddenly shot up from his seat.

“Hert! Where are you going?”

“I’m going to suggest to Lord Frey that we reduce the use of search magic starting tomorrow.”

It was raining, so the risk of monster attacks was low, and he was brimming with confidence. On top of that, Hert thought Frey was somewhat reasonable during their conversation this afternoon, so his plan was to suffer a little less starting tomorrow.

“Lord Frey.”

It wasn’t hard for Hert to find Frey.

Frey was sitting at the cave entrance. With the pouring rain as background music, he appeared to be deep in thought, his eyes closed.

*Slightly sliding sound.*

There was no response. Frey slightly opened his eyes and looked at Hert.

‘Don’t chicken out.’

Hert had already made up his mind.

He thought Frey was a rather impressive person. But that aside, he felt like he was going to die from exhaustion, so he thought he could at least make this suggestion.

“I have a suggestion. Starting tomorrow, I and Jayden would like to reduce the range and frequency of our search magic. It’s draining physically, and using mana is also quite difficult.”

Hert wore a triumphant smile. There was no reason, no justification for rejection.

And then.

“Tools…”

Frey’s lips parted slightly.

“Backtalk?”