I Gave Up Being Stronger

“I’m from Hell.”

That one sentence led to many speculations.

-Wait, he’s from Hell?

-Another Player from Hell wants Chul-Soo dead? What did Chul-Soo do in Hell?

After Helam, the leader of the Freedom Alliance of Hell, and Sandyem, the Lightning Mage, now a Swordsman named Unknown wanted Chul-Soo dead.

-I only heard that Chul-Soo’s actions were beneficial for Hell.

-My acquaintance from Hell says he loves what Chul-Soo did to his Server.

-So, why do so many Players want Chul-Soo dead?

-In a way, aren’t Helam and Sandyem warriors who sacrificed their lives for their freedom?

Soon, Unknown achieved another overwhelming victory.

-Wait, but isn’t that a toy knife?

-That knife is tiny.

-Does any ranker use such a small dagger?

-How did such a skilled Player pop up overnight?

Unknown sparked a huge sensation. His swordsmanship was not flashy at all. He just got close to his opponent and sliced their necks, and that was the end of it. Unknown was so fast that neither his competitors in both his matches nor the referees could keep up with him.

-If he wanted to kill them, he would have done so.

-Wow, he’s amazing!

-The universe is vast, and there are many strong Players in it. Let’s always be humble.

Cha Jin-Hyeok lay on his bed, scouring various online communities to gauge public opinion. The keyword Sword Emperor Tournament Unknown was trending more than the keyword Sword Emperor Tournament Kim Chul-Soo.

At that moment, the door to his room opened without a knock, and someone walked in with heavy steps. Not many people would act so rudely within the Pisat Family.

“What brings you here, Kyle?” Jin-Hyeok asked.

“Is that the right way to treat your teacher?”

“...”

“Do not forget. I guided you to the realm of the Mind Sword.”

“You’re a fake anyway,” Jin-Hyeok murmured. He had almost fallen for that fake teaching and put more emphasis on swordsmanship rather than his main Job. Such half-baked teachings were more likely to ruin a Player.

“What did you say?”

“Nothing. But why are you here?”

Creak!

Kyle pulled out a chair and sat down.

“It’s about Unknown. Don’t get killed by that bastard.” Kyle sneakily glanced at Jin-Hyeok, spotting the word “Unknown” on the latter’s phone screen. ‘Hm… He’s also very concerned about Unknown.’

“You look upset, Chul-Soo,” Kyle said.

“I feel a bit unpleasant.”

It was natural for Jin-Hyeok to be concerned about someone who had made a declaration to kill him. Kyle believed that anyone would be this angry when the opponent went this far.

“Look at this,” Jin-Hyeok sighed and showed Kyle his screen.

[Sword Emperor Tournament Unknown]

[Unknown’s Identity]

[Unknown’s match record]

[Unknown’s real weapon]

Unknown’s name was all over the screen.

“This is why I feel unpleasant.”

“So, you’re just upset that he beat you in the search keyword rankings?” A Swordsman to the bone, Kyle was at a loss for words.

***

“Reaching the top realm of swordsmanship requires countless hours of hardship. Even if one grows in leaps and bounds through enlightenment, there is bound to be a reasonable limit,” Kyle said.

For a moment, Jin-Hyeok felt a bit guilty. ‘Is he talking about me?’

Kyle continued, “Just a few months ago, Unknown was nothing but a worm. Yet, he’s now standing out like this in the Sword Emperor Tournament. A Player can achieve this in only one way.”

“What is it?”

“Don’t tell me you don’t know?” Kyle narrowed his eyes in disbelief. “You really don’t.”

Kyle let out a deep sigh. “I’m disgusted with myself for having an ounce of respect for someone who knows nothing about swordsmanship.”

“Isn’t it rude to say that in front of the person in question?”

Kyle’s mood worsened, while Jin-Hyeok’s mood improved. Even though Kyle’s words were a bit rude, he was still acknowledging Jin-Hyeok as a rival.

“Don’t tell me you don’t know about the Sword’s Oath?”

“Wait!” Jin-Hyeok stopped Kyle, and his heart began to pound. ‘This will be perfect for my channel!’

Jin-Hyeok had a hunch that Kyle was about to tell him about something important. He said, “Can I record this?”

“Do as you like!”

“I’m just letting you know. Although I’m intense about livestreaming, I’m not a crazy person. If it’s a sensitive topic, give me a heads-up. I will not reveal things that you do not want to be disclosed.”

“I don’t mind if you reveal it at all.”

From Kyle’s perspective, the Sword’s Oath was not a huge secret. Even if he informed others about it, only a few Players could make use of it.

“Some Players can hear the voice of their sword. This applies to all weapons and not just swords,” Kyle said.

“Is it like how Miri and I converse?”

“That’s different, you stupid fool!” Kyle was baffled. ‘Did this guy really reach the realm of the Mind Sword?’

In terms of growth rate, Jin-Hyeok was a genius above geniuses, but his knowledge of swordsmanship was too shallow.

‘No, maybe that’s what makes him scarier,’ Kyle thought. In a way, it was terrifying that Jin-Hyeok had reached his current realm with such shallow knowledge.

“Your weapon is more like an Ego Sword, an artifact that has a will and voice,” Kyle said.

“...”

“What I’m talking about, hearing the voice of the sword, is a completely different concept. It means hearing the will possessed by the weapon.”

“...”

“Don’t tell me you don’t get it?”

“Honestly, I do not understand what the difference is.”

“Fine, just acknowledge that such a thing exists. Those who can hear the voice of the sword can make a Sword’s Oath with the help of Players belonging to a special Job called Oath Writer.”

Jin-Hyeok recalled a vague memory. He had heard stories about Oath Writers even before his regression; if a Player made a contract with a sword through an Oath Writer, the Player could instantly gain tremendous power and abilities.

‘I thought such nonsensical tricks could not exist in the world and that it was a scam,’ Jin-Hyeok thought.

Jin-Hyeok realized that his vision had been narrowed before his regression. He used to believe that one could become stronger only by risking their life and wielding a sword on the battlefield every day. If he had not experienced the life of an Eltuber, he would not have even listened to Kyle speak about something like a Sword’s Oath.

“Making a Sword’s Oath means imposing conditions on the use of the sword and making a promise,” Kyle said. He continued his explanation with a serious expression, and Jin-Hyeok nodded in admiration.

Jin-Hyeok realized that Kyle could appear ignorant due to his reckless personality, but at times like this, he showed that he was an expert in his field.

“For example, vowing to use the sword against only adult males. Or vowing to use the sword against only non-human beings. By imposing such restrictions, one makes a Sword’s Oath. Naturally, as these constraints increase, the range in which one can use the power narrows, and the narrower that range becomes, the more powerful the abilities one can manifest.”

Kyle continued to talk as he slightly frowned, “Perhaps, Unknown made an oath like ‘I will demonstrate my skills in only the Sword Emperor Tournament,’ or something.”

***

Unknown sat cross-legged on the bed, his upper body bare. These days, a sense of elation had engulfed him; it made him feel like he had encountered a new world.

‘So, this is my new microcosm.’

Now, when he looked at something, he could see more details than he could earlier. Even when observing the same thing, he could sense more. He could feel the opponent’s exhalations and inhalations, as well as their momentum and movements.

It was as if he had gained eyes that could see through not only techniques and forms but also their essence. He was reviewing his earlier match through meditation. In exaggerated words, he could even remember the number of hairs on his opponent’s arm.

‘This is the power of a Sword’s Oath!’

As predicted by Kyle, Unknown had made an oath to use his sword in only the Sword Emperor Tournament. Moreover, he had considerably narrowed the scope of his power by making an oath to use the sword only in this Sword Emperor Tournament, not all Sword Emperor Tournaments.

In other words, his skills were worth at most a few weeks.

‘But it doesn’t matter.’

For the sake of avenging Sandyem, a close friend who had died unjustly, and Helam, someone whom he respected, Unknown was prepared to give up everything.

At that moment, he heard someone’s voice.

“I can see through you. You were a close friend of Sandyem and a follower of Helam, right?”

Unknown opened his eyes and picked up the dagger beside him. “Who are you?”

His gaze fell upon a blond boy wearing a luxurious blue uniform. The boy had a ceremonial sword hanging from the left side of his waist, and despite looking like an ornament, the sword exuded a remarkably sharp aura.

“It seems you took an oath to use your sword in only this Sword Emperor Tournament. Your aura is quite pathetic.” The boy with the blond hair and golden eyes stood in front of Unknown. “My name is Deliark.”

Unknown’s eyes were filled with shock. Every Player who held a sword knew the name Deliark. Deliark was the genius boy who would lead the next generation, the one who possessed a talent that was second to none when it came to the sword. He was outstanding for the standards of even the Sword Empire of Swedeen.

“My full name is Deliark Dmak Swedeen.” Only the direct bloodline of the imperial family could use the surname Swedeen. This blond boy was none other than the First Prince of Swedeen. “I have a proposal for you.”

“What is it, Sir?”

Unknown immediately adopted a formal speech to respond to Deliark. Even putting aside their skills, Deliark had the aura of a monarch, which overwhelmed Unknown.

“I will help you kill Kim Chul-Soo.”

***

After finishing the contract, Deliark said to Unknown, “I shall trust you with this.”

Then, he turned around and left, as if he had nothing else to talk about. The man who had been quietly standing behind Deliark asked, “Will you really provide this person with a new identity and a place to live?”

“A member of the imperial family always keeps their word. If not, they do not deserve to be one.”

“...”

“But I just said I would create a new identity for him. I didn’t say anything about keeping him alive.”

The subordinate nodded. “I will quietly take care of it after the work is done.”

Unknown, who had no way of knowing this conversation, had a glimmer in his eyes. ‘So, this is the infamous Swedeen Empire’s Sword Spirit Pill!’

It was a black pill that did not look anything special. Without hesitation, Unknown swallowed the pill. It tasted bitter, and heat began to rise in his stomach.

After a while, his eyes became even clearer.

‘I can feel an uncontrollable power!’ That was not all. Deliark had given Unknown high-quality weapons to choose from. People often said a real Swordsman did not blame their tools, but with the same skill, the one with better weapons would always win. ‘These weapons are as powerful as Chul-Soo’s Miri!’

Unknown picked up a dagger scattering a bluish light. As soon as he grasped it, goosebumps rose all over his body, and his heart pounded.

‘I want to dance with this dagger.’ His heart tingled with a feeling as if he had met his first love again.

In the next match, Unknown demonstrated an overwhelming difference in skill between him and his contender. He was now one of the final sixteen contestants.

‘I’ll show you my will, Chul-Soo. You will never be able to go home alive!’

While Unknown burned with a passionate will, Jin-Hyeok, who had advanced to the round of thirty-two, sensed that something was wrong.

‘Strange!’ Jin-Hyeok looked at the red-haired woman standing in front of him. She was holding an incredibly huge greatsword. This woman was Shelby, who had inflicted a painful defeat on Jin-Hyeok during his Sword King days. Standing in front of her, Jin-Hyeok bit his lip. ‘This isn’t right…’

Something too strange was happening.