Chapter 82 You Seem to Have Changed a Bit

He had seen much in his time. Especially when it came to speed. The swordsman behind that fool Polid was the catalyst.

But even before that, there were things he had always seen. Moments he faced in every sparring session. The swing of an axe, bending like a whip.

The sword of the swordsman who had followed that fool Polid. Rem's axe swing. Things experienced and learned on the battlefield.

Things he had trained and contemplated alone. And even his body, changed by the Technique of Isolation. Everything converged and settled in his mind.

An indescribable sensation took root within his body. Enkrid entered a state of Single Point Focus. A world where only the sword and he remained.

Even the feeling in his hands grew distant. What he saw was a line connecting point to point. What was needed was the muscle strength to connect that line.

The moment he saw Rem's eyes before him, he unleashed it. The tip of his lowered sword drew the shortest line connecting the points. The sword tip pierces the neck.

He saw a vision. A vision so clear he could mistake it for reality. In the vision, Enkrid's sword pierced Rem's neck.

Rem collapsed with a hole in his throat. Blood flowed, soaking the ground. The fallen Rem stared with wide eyes, gurgling blood foam.

There was no resentment in those eyes. Only pure surprise.

"Shit, that one was damn fast."

So surprised was he, that one sentence starting with a curse shattered Enkrid's vision. The scene that had remained a vision seemed to shatter like glass and cascade down. Beyond the broken glass, he saw Rem's surprised eyes.

The surprise was brief. Soon, the corners of Rem's eyes curved softly. They were the eyes of a child who had found a fun toy.

"What did you do?"

A trace of blood was visible on the neck of the asking Rem. The blade had grazed him.

"I was about to bite the dust."

At the following words, Enkrid opened his mouth.

"Sorry, I almost killed you."

"... I never thought I'd say this, but our Squad Leader has grown so damn much, for real."

"Wasn't I older to begin with?"

Enkrid was also taller.

"My, my. You're a fun one."

With those words, Rem suddenly thrust his axe. As Enkrid reflexively turned his head to dodge it, the axe blade began to follow along his cheek. The sparring continued.

Afterward, Enkrid had to hover between life and death under Rem's axe swings.

"You've figured out what it means to swing fast? Good. Let's do more."

What is this, is it because of the scratch on his neck? It feels like there's some resentment mixed in, doesn't it? Even so, Enkrid did not back down.

"Are you hesitating because you think you'll kill me again? Don't worry. I'll kill you first."

Rem's eyes shone fiercely. Afterward, his arms were not whips but streaks of light. The axe blade he had been barely dodging, blocking, and deflecting until now suddenly touched Enkrid's neck.

Without even leaving a scratch on his skin.

Tap.

The axe blade tapped his neck and pulled back. Since it wasn't sharpened, it didn't leave a wound. Only the cold sensation of the axe blade remained.

"If you can't perfectly control the weapon in your hand, you're a half-wit."

Those were Rem's parting words, signaling the end of the sparring. Lying on the cold ground, Enkrid organized what he had gained from the session. What is speed?

The conclusion he reached now was trajectory, the path of movement. It was the action of drawing the line connecting point to point in a single breath. What was needed for that, to draw the line in his mind, and what was needed to manifest that drawn line as it was?

The body.

The body had to follow. Therefore, training the physical body was necessary. Why did the axe seem to bend like a whip?

'Muscle strength, trained muscles, athletic ability.' Weren't these the very things Audin had been telling him to build up in his body? It was the same as what he gained through the Technique of Isolation.

Muscle strength is the foundation. The foundation for the act of thrusting or swinging the sword in his hand faster than ever before. To that, he adds the concept of the path.

To realize it in an instant, right after drawing the line connecting point to point in his mind. 'This is speed.' Righteous, Heavy, Illusion, Swift, Flowing.

It was a part of the Swift Sword. Enkrid laughed as he lay on the ground.

"Puhu."

Even though he did not repeat today. Even though he did not repeat death. Even though he did not meet the Ferryman of the Black River.

'A sword for tomorrow.' Because he could feel his own growth. Above all, he was prouder because he had realized it himself, not learned it from someone else.

His was a life of only ever being told he had no talent. Who could have ever imagined having such an experience in a life like that? 'I can do more.'

Enkrid's heart pounded because he could see the path forward. He then delved into the words Rem had left him. Review and contemplation.

It was time to sink inward.

"If you don't want to freeze to death, you'd better come inside."

It was Jacksen's voice, directed at Enkrid who was lying on the ground. It seemed he was returning from outside. With his usual impassive expression, Jacksen approached, his heated leather cloak fluttering in the wind over his shoulders.

Enkrid nodded while lying down and got up. Sheathing the sword he had drawn, he loosened his stiff neck from side to side. As he got up and headed for the barracks, he suddenly felt goosebumps all over his body, a hair-raising chill.

Every muscle in his body tensed up. It was a reaction from the realm of instinct. He reflexively turned around and drew his sword again.

Clang!

The sound of the blade scraping against the scabbard rang out. Realizing he was unconsciously holding his breath, Enkrid finally exhaled and looked at his opponent. The source of the killing intent was three steps behind him.

Jacksen was just standing there normally, as usual. The only difference from before was that his right arm was hanging down.

"Not bad."

Jacksen said, looking at Enkrid. Enkrid couldn't understand what wasn't bad at all. However, he knew that Jacksen had done something.

Could the very act of emitting killing intent be so brutally suffocating?

"Carmen's stiletto is a very fine dagger."

Jacksen spoke again. Only then did Enkrid realize that Jacksen was about to keep his word.

"For what purpose do we continuously train our five senses, and how can one dodge a dagger flying from behind without seeing it?"

Those were Jacksen's words. And what he had just shown must be the mastery of the stiletto.

"When you solidify your will to kill an opponent, you unknowingly imbue it with your aura. That's also called killing intent."

Aura, killing intent, fighting spirit, will. They were all similar concepts. Enkrid recalled the guild escort named Matthis.

He had raised his aura as he announced his name. With just that, he drew everyone's attention. Jacksen had judged him to be a city-level fighter based on that.

"This is how you sense killing intent. What I just showed was at a level where a passing child would feel it and be terrified, so it's natural that you felt it. Keep feeling it."

"Feel it with everything, including your five senses. That is the next stage after the 'Sense of the Blade,' the 'Gate of the Sixth Sense.'"

Thump.

His heart began to pound again. Just as much as when he had established the concept of speed.

"I understand."

He replied calmly, but his bold heart was racing. This too was so enjoyable he thought he might go mad. Perhaps the biggest change in Enkrid from repeating his days was this aspect.

Every single day had become immeasurably joyful. The joy of growth, something he had never felt before, became a whip and a carrot, pushing Enkrid's back. Telling him he could do more, that he didn't have to stop here.

'For what purpose.' The goal was also clear.

Knight.

The dream remained a shining star, glowing within Enkrid's chest.

"Let's go inside."

After saying so, Jacksen went into the barracks first. After Enkrid followed him in, "Have you done today's training?"

Audin asked.

"Not yet."

This was also something that had to be done. It was agonizing because it was like throwing his whole body into a sea of pain before doing it, but it was also not agonizing. Because the fruit that would fall into his mouth after crossing that sea of agony was so very sweet.

The agony gained from wringing out his body turned into pleasure.

"Let's begin."

He then began the Technique of Isolation with Audin. After finishing the training and washing his exhausted body, he was about to lie down on his bed when he saw Aster already lying on his bed. Her front paws were gathered before her chest, her head resting gently on top of them.

Enkrid reached out to stroke Aster's head.

K-ang!

Just as his fingertips were about to touch the crown of her head, Aster scratched the back of his hand and retreated. If Aster swung her claws with intent, she could sever his wrist, not just scratch his hand. Therefore, what she was showing now should be seen as a cute tantrum.

However.

"What's with you again?"

He just didn't know the reason. Seeing this, Krais chuckled from the side.

"I know, right. She started acting like that when she heard the Enchanting Squad Leader song."

It seemed the idle good-for-nothings had enthusiastically sung the song "Enchanting Squad Leader."

"Yoohoo, laying down every woman in the city!"

"A hunter who preys on every passing woman!"

"Enchanting, enchanting, Enchanting Squad Leader!"

Krais started the first verse, and Rem added on. The lyrics and melody were a mess. It was hard to call it a real song.

"Kyahk."

For whatever reason, Aster seemed to truly, deeply, intensely hate that song. As soon as she heard it, she let out a venomous cry. 'Is it because of Krais?'

Krais was a terrible singer. Surprisingly, Rem had a manly voice and sang straight, so he was decent to listen to.

"What about the company commander? Another woman? Enchanting Squad Leader."

Ragna asked from the side. He seemed genuinely curious, but that bastard was also just messing with him.

"Shut up."

Rather than clearing up the misunderstandings one by one, it was better to wait for the rumor to die down quietly. Saying one more word would just add fuel to the fire.

"So, did you or didn't you?"

Still, he had to answer this one. It concerned Leona's honor.

"I didn't." "... Is that, um, for real?"

"There's no reason to lie about something like this."

So what if they had slept together?

That's right.

There was no need to falsely deny this. Knowing Enkrid's personality, Rem also knew that what he said was the truth.

"Are you impotent? When did you get it cut off? Is that why?"

This bastard, really.

"It's alright. Enchanting Brother, the Lord loves everyone. He loves you even if it's been cut off."

And a word from Audin. But why was 'Enchanting' attached to 'Brother'?

"Pfft."

Krais laughed.

Jacksen turned away, pressing down the rising corners of his mouth. Ragna uttered, 'Then how did you do it with the company commander?', unusually provoking Enkrid's anger.

"You crazy bastards."

None of the squad members were normal. Enkrid felt it was a pity that he was the only sane one among them. What good would getting angry do?

They were the type to not even bat an eye. Enkrid took solace in the thought that this was better than them fighting amongst themselves and lay down on his bed. It was after they had all ganged up to tease Enkrid for a good while.

"You seem to have changed a bit."

Seeing the lying Enkrid, Rem suddenly said.

"I was thinking the same thing."

Ragna added.

The others just listened.

Changed?

Enkrid thought about Rem's words. Had he changed? In what way?

"Lately, you seem to be smiling strangely. But I don't think that's all there is to it."

Did he not smile much before? Enkrid suddenly thought back to his past self. What was he like?

He couldn't remember clearly, but one thing was certain. Then and now, he was struggling all the same. However, back then he was groping his way through a darkness where he couldn't see an inch ahead.

Now, he could faintly see the path laid out before him. The fact that he could see that path gave him a joy that those with talent could never imagine.

"I always knew you were a bastard crazy about the sword, but lately, it seems a bit much. The smiling, and your skills have improved a lot too. Anyway, you've changed."

The reasoning was flimsy, but the other squad members agreed.

"He does seem a little crazier than before."

Krais put the finishing touch on it. Enkrid couldn't agree with that sentiment in the slightest. Where else could you find someone as stoic and ordinary as him?

He just invested a little more time in training and practice, and his dream was just a little bigger than others'.

"Not that it's a bad thing."

Rem added.

Enkrid ignored him. It was night. Time to sleep.

Not a time for chatter. Afterward, Jacksen and Krais left the barracks for their duty. Enkrid fell asleep quickly.

As he felt every day, as much as he had grown accustomed to overworking his body, fatigue always washed over him. And yet, his body felt quite light when morning came. Had his basic stamina increased?

He didn't know. It seemed to be more so recently than before. 'Since when was that again?'

He couldn't remember exactly, but it was recent. Recently, not long after returning to the battlefield.

Aster found her counterpart annoying. 'Every time he goes out, something happens with a woman.' Things happened even when he was inside the base.

They were together because of work, but how could he turn his gaze to another woman, leaving her behind? She was once called the epitome of charm and fascination without any spells. Just by passing by, men would line up, vowing to offer their souls.

'That elf was an eyesore as it was.' She continued her thoughts and was startled. It was the moment she recognized she had turned into the form of a panther.

What man would fall for her seeing this form?

Moreover.

'Why am I?' It felt like a truly unnecessary, useless thought. Her goal was clear.

To neutralize the damn thing placed on her body. Aster moved for that purpose. So, useless thoughts like this should be pushed aside.

Aster came down from her portion of the heated leather and gracefully crossed the center of the tent.

"You going again?"

It was the barbarian who was next to that guy, Enkrid.

"Like a sulking little kid."

The barbarian uttered disrespectful words, but Aster ignored them. She was clearly aware of what she had to do. Therefore, there was no room for personal feelings here.

The panther leaped lightly and burrowed into Enkrid's embrace without a sound. In his arms, the panther idly poked Enkrid's chest once with her claws.

"Ouch. Let's sleep. Aster."

Enkrid pulled her body into an embrace. 'This shameless fellow.' Aster glanced at Enkrid's face and soon, while in contact with the man's bare skin, she sucked a portion of the fatigue left in his body and blew it into the air.

This was not a simple trick. In truth, it wasn't helpful to a great extent. But if this man overworked his body like a madman every day, it would be quite meaningful.

One more thing. She had also tampered with his leather armor. To block at least one magical attack, though it was a one-time use.

Because of that, finding her own body was delayed a little. 'Because this guy has to be okay.' Therefore, this was an act of necessity.

She was looking at it from a long-term perspective. Even while thinking so, Aster was intoxicated by the comfort and warmth of the man's embrace. And in her sleep, she continued her futile thoughts.

'I'll believe his words.' The words that he wouldn't dare do anything with another woman, leaving her behind. Because those words felt like the truth.

In fact, she didn't feel too bad.