Chapter 161: Yellow Magic Tower (1)

“Ah, Austin. It’s good to see you. Have you heard any news about Collector Neumann? The thing is, lately, I’ve been breaking swords during my training… I actually went to Dark City Kalbaron a couple of times, but he wasn’t there. Of course, I know it’s shameless to ask for another sword when I already got an Aura Cultivation Method thanks to him… Ah! I don’t mean to ask for it for free, of course. I’m willing to pay a price. I’ve been diligently saving up money, but, well, I’m naturally aware that the amount might be a bit short. Still, I plan to keep paying it off in the future, so, I mean, could you maybe pass on a message for me…?”

“Stop, stop.”

Mercenary King Austin, wearing a fed-up expression, clicked his tongue and continued.

“You don’t even consider me, do you? Spilling all your business the moment you see someone after so long—is that polite?”

“Ah, I’m sorry. I definitely talked too much about myself. I’ve been thinking about getting a decent sword at least twelve times a day lately…”

“Hm. That’s certainly an inconvenience.”

Mercenary King nodded.

Of course, if one only used Aura briefly at the moment of impact, they could use a sword for a long time. But in a fight against an evenly matched opponent, that would be a significant penalty.

Not to mention the inconvenience and hassle during training.

I laid out my grievances in detail, and Mercenary King, with another fed-up expression, cut me off again.

“Enough. I came here for that very reason.”

“Really? Did you get in touch with Neumann?”

“No. Unfortunately, I don’t know where he’s gone either.”

“Oh…”

“But I do know where you can get a decent sword.”

“Where? Just tell me. I’ll head there right away.”

“I don’t know what you’re thinking, but I’m not suggesting anything special. Rather, I’m introducing you to a method everyone in the world knows.”

“A method everyone knows?”

“Yes. Have you ever been to the eastern continent?”

“No, I haven’t.”

“I figured. Then you’ve never been to the Five Major Magic Towers either.”

“That’s right.”

I nodded.

Having never left my village until I was 20, the southern continent, including Commercial City Marzen, was the extent of my experience.

The longest trip I’d ever taken was to Crove Kingdom, which barely touched the central continent.

I’d only heard stories about the far eastern continent.

“You’re surprisingly lacking in worldly experience.”

“I suppose I am.”

“Then I’ll explain it briefly for you. The Five Major Magic Towers… Among them, the magicians of the Yellow Magic Tower are renowned for crafting the continent’s finest Magic Tools. Swords are no exception. They say the top-grade swords from the Yellow Magic Tower are comparable to the Artifacts of the ancient kingdoms.”

“Really? I thought dwarves were the best at weapon crafting.”

“Those dwarves are affiliated with the Yellow Magic Tower. What era are you talking about? Do you think dwarves are still holed up in their workshops, tinkering with metal scraps on their own?”

“I thought so, but I guess not?”

“No. They’ve acknowledged the versatility of magic and started collaborating. That was over 30 years ago.”

“I see.”

The combination of magicians and dwarves certainly felt appealing to me.

I didn’t yet know if their masterpieces were truly as great as ancient Artifacts, but I felt they’d likely be far superior to the sword I was currently using.

“They’d probably be able to produce something with enough quality to withstand my corrosive Aura.”

“That’s what I think.”

“But it’s probably insanely expensive, right? What should I do? Should I borrow money from Sheratiya? But I doubt she’d lend me that much…”

“What a funny guy. Every time you open your mouth, it’s about paying in installments or borrowing money, never about solving it yourself…”

“But I don’t have any other options with my abilities.”

“No, there is a way.”

“Really?”

“Yes. Have you heard of the Yellow Magic Tower’s point system? No, I suppose I expected too much from someone who doesn’t even know how many Magic Towers there are.”

“…”

“Let me explain briefly.”

Mercenary King’s explanation that followed was enough to pique my interest.

The Yellow Magic Tower had long provided various quests to adventurers and mercenaries.

Depending on the quest’s difficulty, you could earn higher or lower points, which could be spent to acquire various Magic Tools.

Among those Magic Tools was a top-grade sword, so if I went to the eastern continent and diligently took on their tasks, I might eventually get what I wanted.

Of course, to obtain a sword of the quality I desired, I’d need to complete many quests or take on difficult ones.

After hearing this, I nodded and said,

“Focusing on completing difficult quests would probably save time.”

“Exactly. Though high-point quests aren’t always available. Even if they are, that’s a problem in itself. Quests that haven’t been cleared for a long time are likely to be dangerous and difficult.”

“Difficult even for you, Mercenary King?”

“Probably? Though I have no intention of taking such risks now. The days of running around battlefields like a mad dog are over. My only interest now is growing the Austin Mercenary Brokerage.”

That’s when it happened.

I felt a brief sense of unease from Mercenary King.

I couldn’t be certain, but I sensed he was lying.

I wouldn’t have noticed before.

But over the past few months, observing Philip Portville’s swordsmanship had sharpened my ability to read others’ emotions, allowing me to catch subtle changes in Mercenary King’s words and expression.

‘What is it? Why would he lie about this?’

Of course, it could’ve been my imagination.

It wasn’t even that important to me.

But for some reason, it bothered me.

I had a feeling today’s events would stick with me for a long time as I continued the conversation.

“So, for now, there’s no other way but to take on quests from the Yellow Magic Tower.”

“That’s about it.”

“I see.”

“Then there’s no reason to hesitate. I’ll set out right away.”

“What, right now?”

“No, not like that. I should at least tell people I’m going.”

“You’ve become quite the people person. You’re definitely more sociable than before.”

“Haha, thank you.”

I nodded.

Mercenary King’s words were quite pleasing. After spending time with Sheratiya a few times, I was satisfied to see clear signs of my improved sociability.

‘As a token of gratitude, I should treat him to a meal before I go.’

There was still a lot to do.

After my meeting with Austin, I handled my duties as a member of the mercenary corps.

I patrolled the Outer District of Marzen thoroughly.

I carefully reviewed the swordsmanship of the mercenary corps members.

I also shared meals with acquaintances like Ransel Grantz, Philip Portville, and Sheratiya Viyan, telling them I’d be away for a while.

Sheratiya was especially surprised.

“…You’ve changed, haven’t you?”

“Have I?”

“Yeah. You’re starting to act like a normal person now.”

“Normal person… Are you saying I’ve been acting abnormally all this time?”

“The fact that you don’t know shows you’re not completely normal yet.”

“…”

“Come by my place for a bit. Get a gift before you head out on a long trip.”

And so, I arrived at Sheratiya Viyan’s mansion.

There, I received a necklace imbued with holy magic.

“After the Red Magician incident, I bought a few of these, but I don’t need them right now. It’s better for someone heading into danger to wear it. In a crisis, it’ll have the effect of drinking a top-grade healing potion.”

“…Thank you.”

As I said before, I could now sense others’ emotions much more keenly than before.

So I could tell.

The warmth in Sheratiya’s voice, expression, and tone, despite her aloof demeanor.

The fact that she cared for and valued me more than I’d thought.

“Thank you, once again.”

“Enough. Just come back safely.”

Sheratiya still wore a curt expression.

But that was fine.

I responded with a brighter smile than usual and nodded vigorously.

***

The day after my meal with Sheratiya Viyan.

I set out for the Yellow Magic Tower, seen off by the Eddy Mercenary Corps and Sheratiya Viyan.

“Come back safe, Boss!”

“Be careful!”

“We’ll be training hard! We’ll cling to Hagio, the Portville Family Head, and Ransel Grantz in your place!”

“Don’t forget a gift when you return! And come back soon!”

The journey was suitably lively.

I felt pretty good. A sense of fulfillment greater than the freedom of traveling alone filled my heart.

Realizing once again how wonderful it was to have a place to return to, I urged my horse forward. I needed to hurry my journey. That way, I could return to Marzen, my home, even sooner.

And so, I headed for the eastern continent without looking back.

“…”

But there was one more presence secretly watching my back.

It was Gael, the third-ranked in Godok.

‘When his journey ends, he’ll surely return even stronger.’

He was certain of it.

I had always been that way.

Just when he thought he was catching up, I’d slip away, and before he knew it, I’d be looking down from a dizzying height.

This time would be no different.

Beyond acquiring a sword capable of withstanding my corrosive Aura, I’d surely achieve great things in swordsmanship as well.

‘I can’t fall behind.’

He had to overcome.

He had to win, no matter what.

Though two years had passed since leaving the village, Gael was still Godok. Still a villager.

Nothing could break his ambition to reach the top rank, so he sought out a suitable clearing outside Marzen’s walls and drew up his Aura.

Wooooooong-!

Wind, lightning, earth, water, fire, metal, wood.

Gael, who had masterfully harnessed the seven basic elements, manifested a grayish-white Aura Sword. Ziiiiing, a chilling resonance cut through the sky and split the earth.

Kwa-boom!

Kwa-kwa-kwa-boom-!

In just a fleeting moment, the surrounding landscape turned to ruins.

Anyone who saw it would’ve been unable to close their gaping mouth at such incredible swordsmanship, but Gael wasn’t satisfied. He couldn’t be.

Not until he defeated me.

Not until he claimed the top rank!

Gael had no intention of stopping his sword swings.

But then, an aged voice came from behind him.

“Hoho, you’re so impatient you’re practically anxious.”

“…”

“That won’t let you win, you know? Against Harang.”

“That’s none of your concern…”

Gael, replying with a slightly angry tone, suddenly snapped to attention.

An old beggar standing calmly amidst a landscape ravaged as if by a tempest.

It was impossible.

An ordinary old man would’ve been torn to pieces by the sword winds, and even if he’d miraculously dodged every attack, he should’ve fainted in terror.

‘An incredible powerhouse!’

With that thought, Gael quickly turned, assuming a stance. He gathered his Presence, ready to fire an Aura projectile if needed, and tensed his legs.

But the opponent remained unfazed.

Even more, he offered advice with a warm smile.

“Do you want to win? Against Harang?”

“…”

“I’m not certain, but shall I tell you a method that’s better than what you’re doing now?”

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