-Clang!
Sparks flew, creating a gap.
We both stepped back momentarily to regain their posture.
“You have skills that don’t suit a petty thief.”
To others, her expression seemed normal, but I noticed Luciana’s slightly furrowed brow.
It was easy to interpret its meaning.
It seems my adversary didn’t like that I was putting up more of a fight than expected.
“Your reputation as the ‘Northern Gem’ isn’t unwarranted, it seems.”
“I don’t need your evaluation.
The sword, filled with a killing intent, sent shivers down my spine.
Is this the real Luciana?
‘How much was she holding back in our sparring?’
Yet, the efforts of the past week were not in vain.
-Killing intent also helps in discerning the enemy’s attack pattern. It’s not easy to grasp, but it’s a matter of intuition and getting used to it through experience.
-I’m already getting the hang of it.
-No wonder you dodged my critical strike, but now try applying the same method in your counterattack. It won’t be easy.
Remembering Perno’s teachings, I heightened all my senses.
Then, a chill ran down my neck and heart.
Undoubtedly her killing intent.
Following it, the swift rapier’s blade lunged at me.
-Clang!
“Hmph. Such insignificant tricks.”
Knowing where the sword aimed made it easy to predict the path of the attack.
As proof, I perfectly blocked her swift sword strikes, which I would have barely avoided under normal circumstances.
Two consecutive blocked attacks.
“Wasn’t it a flashy show, befitting a flashy sword?”
The artificially conjured smile seemed to deeply irritate her, deepening the creases on her forehead.
The unfamiliar dagger in my hand shone brilliantly.
I had concealed my usual weapon, the Raven’s Claw.
Using that dagger in front of Luciana would soon prove the theory that I was Hans Byron.
Instead, what clashed with her was a sword no less formidable.
-Take this.
-…Isn’t this the one used by Master?
-Yes. I will lend it to you, so try it out in this operation.
The treasured sword, adorned with dangling jewels, used by Perno during training.
This was indeed a fine piece.
Unlike my original dagger, which was focused on evasion, this one was thoroughly designed for counterattacking.
[Will of Hatsan]
[Item Category: Dagger]
[The West is where the longest and most fierce conflicts between the noble and the underworld families occur. The assassin guild, Hatsan, representing the underworld there, has two heirlooms passed down to its leaders.]
[For an assassin, the most crucial thing is the annihilation of the target. This dagger, one of the heirlooms, is made to faithfully serve that purpose while also embodying the splendor of Hatsan.]
[When attacking or defending with the dagger, additional bonuses are granted.]
[Damage significantly increases based on agility stats during parrying.]
[Extra damage when attacking a target listed in the ‘ledger’.]
From its name, it seems to be something stolen while in the West.
Anyway, as long as it performs well, how it was acquired doesn’t really matter.
“Can you withstand this too?”
“Oh, the most common thing you see in the North is broadsword skills.”
I retorted playfully, and Luciana’s eyes grew even fiercer.
She tried to create variations by changing the form of her sword, aiming for unpredictability, but I was a bad match for her.
Recently, I had experienced all of that in training.
The problem, though, was that I could only best defend against her attacks, not finding a real opportunity to counterattack.
Despite my constant vigilance, there was not a single opening.
The condition of the weapon?
It’s been used since the ancestors of the Speda Ducal Family, but how could a relic, without a speck of rust, become dull just because it’s seen a few battles?
Any lapse in posture?
Of course, Luciana did take heavy breaths from using her energy in large movements and attacks, but that wasn’t decisive.
If I recklessly tried to counterattack, I would likely end up being the one defeated.
Having composed herself, Luciana suddenly broached the subject.
“A proposal?”
“Give up your stolen goods and retreat for now. I won’t chase you. And come secretly to the Speda Ducal House.”
Her blue eyes were intensely serious.
“I won’t question your past crime of stealing the Count’s relic. I’ll even cleanse your identity.”
An overly generous offer for a thief who had turned the nobility’s playground upside down.
“…I’m curious about your reason for this.”
Is it just to ensure the safety of the stolen goods with sweet talk?
Or to hire a thief to check other rival noble houses?
Well.
The Luciana I knew wasn’t that kind of person.
“The North needs warriors with skills like yours. Stop stealing and live honorably – I’ll give you that chance.”
As if to confirm my thoughts, she gave a rather radical reason.
“That’s quite tempting.”
Who would take such a risk to rehabilitate someone?
“Then…!”
“But I refuse.”
I cut her off before she could show any sign of happiness.
It was a ludicrous recruitment proposal that only Luciana could make, and I would be lying if I said I wasn’t moved by the warm consideration behind it.
But.
“Why should I do that?”
I don’t intend to criticize such idealistic talk.
Objectively, theft deserves criticism, and morals should be respected in their own right.
If I, known as ‘Frost Mane’, could be acknowledged for my skills instead of my shallow identity and escape the rejection of the North…
My range of actions would greatly expand, and I could do so much more.
However, the crisis Luciana will face is a massive tide that neither her personal strength nor the power of her ducal house can overcome.
The opponent is the crown prince.
The coercion and violence wielded by the most noble bloodline in the empire.
After overcoming that, what next?
Stopping the calamities, including the Demon King of the North, that threaten to destroy the world.
In such a situation, can one afford to be choosy about means and methods?
At least.
Hans Byron, the exclusive servant of the lady, had to be choosy.
That’s why ‘Frost Mane’ had to remain just a thief.
“Even though I was caught by you, my lady, I see no reason to waste my talents when I can roam around the Count’s mansion like my own home and divert all the underworld’s goods.”
Luciana’s eyes narrowed.
The dignified lady, even to an intruder who refused such a generous offer, maintained a certain level of courtesy.
Looking at Luciana wrapped in blue light, I reaffirmed my resolve.
I don’t have the same genius swordsmanship as you.
To stand shoulder to shoulder with you, I must diligently gather relics and build a foundation.
If by doing so,
I can save you and survive myself.
That would be enough.
“…If you intend to punish me, I won’t stop you.”
Luciana raised her sword once again.
The atmosphere changed dramatically, along with the heavy, oppressive air.
“Bury your bones here along with your colleague at the auction house.”
The aura from her sword fluctuated unstably.
A movement never shown in any of our previous sparring sessions.
‘What’s this? Aura release? Or intentional overload?’
But the spectacle she showed surpassed my imagination.
“Haap!”
Aura detached from her sword and floated in the air.
-Swish,
It didn’t stop there; it twisted on its own and formed into the shape of a sword.
“This is…!”
A new technique unknown even to me, despite my extensive knowledge of the game and Luciana.
It meant one thing.
-Try harder. I haven’t used all my power yet.
That technique, unconfirmed in our sparring, unfolded before my eyes.
The aura-turned-sword lunged at me.
-Bang!
“…Ugh. It’s incredibly heavy.”
It wasn’t a mere summoned creature.
Its strength was no different from Luciana’s earlier sword strikes.
Perhaps the only relief was that the summoned sword’s attacks were comparatively simple.
But still, its power couldn’t be underestimated, and while I struggled to fend off just this one sword,
-Uh-oh,
Another one continued to be produced from the aura.
Two, three…
Before I knew it, more than ten new swords floated behind her.
Cold sweat trickled down the back of my neck.
This could be dangerous.
“Haah… Why don’t you try blocking them like before?”
“I respectfully decline.”
Really?!
Struggling to block even one, how am I supposed to handle swords swinging automatically from all directions!
But Luciana’s condition didn’t seem entirely stable either.
Creating swords from aura seemed to have consumed a considerable amount of mana; she noticeably staggered.
‘Enduring is impossible; there’s only one way out.’
Typically, when the summoner of a summoning skill is subdued, the summon is dispelled.
Even this extraordinary ability would be resolved by knocking Luciana out.
Moreover, unlike her previously impeccable form, the mana-depleted Luciana seemed vulnerable enough for a counterattack.
“You underestimated me.”
But her eyes were still fiercely ablaze, only slightly weary.
She steadied her shaking legs and prepared herself.
A slight mistake, and I might be the one in trouble.
-There are times when you’re surrounded by enemies and can’t possibly evade. In those situations, you have to accept some damage.
In this critical situation,
I calmly composed myself.
Perno’s advice was quite helpful.
The moment Luciana inhaled, I charged through the encircling swords.
Chang, Chaeng!
“Ah, ssip!”
Though I sacrificed a bit of my clothes and skin,
Thanks to an excellent relic, only my hand felt slightly numb.
A few steps ahead, Luciana’s eyes widened.
“Indeed, the footwork of a master thief. But compared to my servant, who didn’t suffer even a scratch, your skills are far inferior!”
Luciana, mistaking my injury for clumsiness, took her stance with her rapier.
The best defense is a strong offense.
She seemed to embody this saying, lunging at me with a thrust as I approached.
I could have dodged it.
But evasion isn’t my exclusive forte.
My subsequent attacks would likely be easily blocked or evaded by Luciana.
‘At this rate, I’ll be sandwiched between Luciana in front and the summoned swords behind, leading to defeat.’
So, I had to resolve it immediately.
With an even more perfect parry.
-It’s about adaptation, but the same goes for counterattacks.
You can simultaneously hit your opponent’s weak spot, making it difficult for them to strike back, and restrict their movement.
-That’s difficult. How do you satisfy all that at once?
-As I said, you have to be willing to take some damage.
“…Ugh.”
The cold blade dug into my flesh, and the sound of tearing flesh echoed from her sword, and then from my left arm.
‘Damn that teacher. So painful, teaching such things to his disciple.’
But the sacrifice was worth it; my preparation for the counterattack was successful.
Luciana’s psychological disturbance, having never taken a life,
The exhaustion from using a large technique,
And the contraction of the muscles in the pierced arm.
Due to these factors, her rapier couldn’t be immediately withdrawn.
“…Ah! What’s this?!”
Seizing the moment,
I thrust my sword.
Luciana, realizing too late, tried to withdraw her weapon, but it was already too late.
The original concept of parrying was to relentlessly exploit a moment’s carelessness, delivering a strike that couldn’t be dodged in an instant.
Aiming for a perfect counter, I deflected the attack, but its essence was still offensive.
Once caught in the trap, the outcome was determined.
The first thing I did was to prevent her from escaping.
Just as Perno had done countless times to me, I slid my foot between her legs.
Staggering and losing her balance, she had no means left to protect herself.
“Kuhuk!”
My sword’s blunt edge accurately struck her neck.
[Parrying against a formidable enemy successful]
[Additional proficiency awarded.]
[Skill proficiency reached 100%.]
[Thief’s Footwork (Rank: S) evolves.]
Through the translucent status window, Luciana shuddered for a moment and then collapsed.
“…I told you I win in a serious fight.”
My arm was aching a bit, well, quite a lot actually.
But I managed to protect the loot and successfully subdued Luciana, so it’s all good.
“Isn’t it over there?”
“Just like they say a sandworm comes when called, this worked out well. Please take care of the lady.”
The aftermath could be left to the avid fan who was helplessly watching from behind.
Those passionate eyes were undoubtedly Elizabeth’s.
Given her personality, it was good enough that she didn’t interfere.
I hurried towards the prearranged rendezvous point.
“It doesn’t add up financially. All this and just for a few relics? Need to squeeze out more.”
Despite the pain, the thought of using this as an excuse to claim a larger share brought a smile to my face.
Cliche Novel 