I Was the Strongest Sword God in My Past Life

part 9

Chris yawned and asked.

“In this game, hunting scores aren’t important. Our score will be the bait that hooks the enemy. So, the lowest score will suffice.”

After Jian’s response, Chris was silent for a while before finally speaking in a subdued voice.

“Eria may like your strategy, but I’m different. If necessary, I’ll abandon it and go.”

Chris’s reaction was natural.

At best, Jian was known for being somewhat strong in swordsmanship. But even that reputation was just hearsay, never witnessed firsthand. And yet, he talked about eliminating the entire opposing team.

Chris spoke slowly, looking ahead.

“Do you think we have a chance? The other team has a number one, too.”

“As long as we have Eria, our chances of winning are over sixty percent.”

“Ugh, let’s not talk about it… Huh? Wow! The lake! Insane, is it Level 3?”

Chris, who had been using his clairvoyance, cried out urgently.

‘There it is.’

The surface of the lake. Although the water quality was poor and the details were not clear, the blurry outline could be seen moving. Jian took out his artifact glasses and breathed mana into them.

——

Name – Chain Water Serpent

Danger Level – Rank 3

Category – Monster

Form – A giant body covered in scales as hard as chains.

Information – Contrary to its name, the scales are made of a light material. In fact, the scales have buoyant properties, allowing the Chain Water Serpent to swim freely in the water.

Strategy – The scales near the nape are softer, making the neck its only weak point.

Strategy 2 – Being a non-venomous serpent, it constricts its prey with its sturdy body. Therefore, closing in is disadvantageous.

——

Detailed information about the monster is displayed as a hologram on the glasses. Dense text, about font size 8. Jian took his stance.

‘Rank 3, a fitting first opponent.’

Particles like a mosaic gathered above Jian’s hand, transforming into the jet-black sword, Black Fragrance.

“Hey, let’s run for it! It’s clearly Level 3. Better to slowly take on a Level 2…”

Chris knew well the terror of a Rank 3 monster. Even top students found it difficult to face one alone without a combat-type magical tool.

However, to Jian, the Golden Spirit killed in the image room and the Chain Water Serpent were not much different.

Thud!

Jian lowered his stance and closed the distance with a quick dash, then split the serpent’s body in two with his magical tool, the sword Black Fragrance, hooked in the serpent’s mouth.

Roarrrr.

A ferocious sound spread across the lake.

“Keii…”

The bisected water serpent let out a death scream as it fell. To Chris, Jian’s attack appeared as a single fluid motion.

“This can’t be…”

Chris, who had collapsed, groped the ground as he approached the water serpent.

Rolling…

A purple orb marked with the number five rolled out from the serpent. In the Gate’s virtual exam, five points were proof of the monster’s Rank 3 status.

“Class 3…… What in the world…….”

Chris’s voice was trembling as much as his hands.

* * *

Having seen Jian’s swordsmanship on the screen, Irel let out a short exclamation.

“Oh~ Quite impressive, isn’t it?”

The reason for her surprise wasn’t simply because Jian had killed a Class 3 monster. A combat-specialized One Number could kill even a Class 4, so that alone wouldn’t amaze her.

But the method.

Not the power of a birthright stigma, but well-honed fundamentals. Scouts who recognized the value of such skills began to take notice of Jian.

“That student has good fundamentals.”

The woman who showed interest was named Irel. She was a scout from the ‘Sweepers of Annihilation’ guild, which mainly dealt with ‘cleaning’—eliminating monsters that appeared when Gates materialized.

‘Cleaning’ usually operated on a daily wage system, and although the pay was very high due to the danger, it was a task that Sabers tended to avoid because it was tough.

“Indeed, call him for a part-time job later.”

Jackson, a senior in the guild, squinted and pointed at Jian with his chin.

“Extracurricular activities? Senior, you’re out of touch with the trends~ These days, the price for performance rises very quickly.”

“True, the daily wage system is unbearable these days. Somehow the government’s commission fees never increase… but the ‘cleaner’s’ daily wages keep getting more expensive. Tsk.”

As Jackson grumbled, Irel’s eyes sparkled.

“Senior! I’ll write an offer for that friend and propose guild membership.”

“The signing bonus?”

“An exclusive two-year contract for 100 million coins a year! How about that?”

“That’s almost like passion pay.”

“When the younglings don’t know the ways of the world, slash the price and bang! Get the exclusive contract stamped. Isn’t that the bible of our industry?”

Irel laughed wickedly as she looked at Jackson.

* * *

Meanwhile, someone was watching the test next to Selfis. His face was stern, but he seemed pleased with the high level of the students.

“Gate 1 students. You are very skilled.”

The man, guarded by three active Class 5 Sabers, was the head of the Tower and the chairman of Arcana, Ubel.

Selfis inwardly breathed a sigh of relief at Ubel’s satisfied demeanor.

‘Hohoho, indeed, the arm bends inward. He can’t take his eyes off the Gate where his daughter is.’

At Ubel’s words, Selfis laughed.

“It’s all thanks to the Tower’s support. With the increase in modern training grounds, the students’ physical training has noticeably improved.”

Selfis flattered because Yubel, recognized even by Selfis, the principal of Arcana, was one of the highest authorities.

“Still, to handle a third-class with martial arts, I was surprised.”

Yubel, who was stingy with praise, said so, and Selfis, who had been waiting for a chance to score points with Yubel, quickly replied.

“Huhuhu! Isn’t the basics important in everything?”

“Interesting. But the list you sent yesterday… it’s missing a name?”

‘Of course, it is.’

Selfis felt his mouth go dry.

‘That bottom-ranker is that strong?’

Selfis had never imagined that Zien had such skills hidden. But, after all, wasn’t he the academy’s principal?

To look good in front of Yubel.

To get additional budget support.

Selfis, who had forgotten all past animosities, opened his mouth with a seemingly distant look in his eyes.

“A hidden card. Zien Russel is… one of my most cherished students.”

The officials listening to Selfis’s words exclaimed in admiration, “Oh!” and Yubel nodded as if understanding.

“To hide even from me. You must cherish that student quite a bit.”

“Huhuhu, I was going to show you once he grew into a bigger tree! Oh dear, you’ve caught on already!”

The atmosphere became harmonious with Selfis’s jest. However, Romina, watching from afar, groaned.

“That old man, really… not changing his expression… But is that really so great? It doesn’t seem worth such a fuss.”

Romina pointed to gate number three, filled with one numbers, as she looked at Kashen.

“In my eyes, aren’t they, yes, those kids! Aren’t they the real monsters? They seem just a bit below a fourth-class saber, don’t they?”

“Indeed, Zien’s physical specs are lower than those one numbers who guzzle elixirs like water… But.”

Zien had something different from other students. A swordplay so perfect, it was like looking at an answer sheet.

‘If the charge had been late or the cutting power even slightly weak, he would have been entangled in the tail of the chain water snake. But Zien had imbued mana into both his feet and sword.’

Even the spot he attacked wasn’t the weakness of the chain water snake taught in school. Watching Zien, Kashen felt like he was observing a veteran saber.

‘The skill improvement is too drastic.’

Romina, deep in thought, called out to Rosen, who was silent, urging him.

“Kashen? But what.”

“Annoying, isn’t it. And would you understand if I explained?”

As Kashen spoke sarcastically and took out a cigarette, Romina, with veins popping on her forehead, snatched the cigarette away.

“Hey, smoking indoors… Hurry up and finish what you were saying?”

Kashen and Romina.

Together, they are nearing sixty years of age, yet their relationship has hardly changed since their school days.

“Sigh, what I wanted to say was that mana and physical abilities aren’t everything in combat strength.”

“Pfft. Are you suggesting that he could beat the number one?”

“Maybe. You know as well as I do that there are many variables inside the Gate.”

As Kashen brought up an old story and gazed intently, Romina pushed him away, disgusted.

“Why is he being so sleazy?”

Romina cleared her throat with a ‘hem-hem.’

“But that’s true. The Gate is full of variables.”

Could he possibly win at this rate? Objectively, the odds are less than one in ten thousand.

‘If so, Kashen would really like that.’

Romina, watching Kashen focused on the screen, spoke up.

“Shall we bet on dinner? Who will you wager on?”

“I’ll bet on Gian.”

At Kashen’s words, Romina snickered. This wouldn’t make for a valid bet.

“Me too.”

For Kashen, Romina found herself unwittingly rooting for Gian.

From within the misty haze of the lake, Chris’s strained voice echoed.

“That makes ten third-grade beads! Twenty second-grade beads! You weren’t all talk, were you?”

Watching the pouch in Gian’s hand, Chris’s expression suddenly darkened.

[Refuse? Impossible, you’re desperate for money. I’ve checked everything.]

The voice of Dayven ringing in his ears.

‘Yes, that’s right. Money.’

Chris spoke in a voice colder than before.

“…Well, that’s if you can fend off the enemy team’s attack.”

“We’ll definitely fend them off. We have Eria.”

“Hey, she’s ranked 44th. The other team is…”

Chris stopped mid-sentence and looked up. Gian Russel. A man ranked 162nd in the school year. The man who beat the bullying Dayven in sparring class and now easily dispatches third-grade monsters.

‘With such a guy in front, rankings mean nothing.’

At that moment, Jian pushed Chris away.

“Whoa!”

The small-framed Chris was easily knocked aside by Jian’s shove.

Swooosh!

An arrow charged with mana pierced the spot where Chris had been standing.

“Hey! What, an arrow?”

Had he been a moment later, Chris would have been struck in the heart by the arrow, facing elimination. Confused, Chris heard Jian urgently shout at him.

“Did you deactivate your Clairvoyance?”

“Of course, I did! Do you know how much mana it consumes?”

“Cast it again, quickly!”

“Alright, I got it.”

Chris concentrated mana into his eyes and looked towards the forest.

“I found it! The biggest tree in the direction I’m looking!”

No sooner had Chris spoken than Jian dashed off.

Tap tap tap tap.

Jian gathered mana in his feet and leaped up the tree. At the unbelievable sight, Chris clicked his tongue in awe.

“Is he really a monster… Huh? Hey! Another one’s coming! Carrying a sword? Can you hear that?”

But Jian was faster than the opponent. In an instant, he climbed the tree and kicked Rita, who was holding a bow.

“Kyaa!”

Rita let out a scream as she fell from the tree.