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HELHEIM SCANS
[Translator - Pot]
[Proofreader - Kawaii]
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Chapter 170: Zizek's Growth
“What did you just do?”
Zizek asked, watching me as I suddenly slashed through the night sky.
“I felt something watching us,” I replied, scratching my head. “It didn’t feel like a person, more like a small animal.”
“Could it be a familiar summoned by a mage?”
“Maybe. Or it could’ve just been a passing bat.”
Some time passed.
Then, I sensed something with the same presence as before flying nearby.
‘What is it this time?’
Cutting it down wouldn’t be difficult, but that wasn’t a good idea.
‘If I slash again, it’d be like announcing that there’s someone suspicious hiding here.’
“Let’s move to another room. It’s better to continue in an inner room without windows.”
Running and hiding can be helpful in situations like this.
***
“Sit down.”
I roughly sat Zizek down on the floor.
“Right now, your understanding of mana is lacking, and your ability to sense mana is practically nonexistent. Do you know why?”
“Because I’ve never been properly taught?”
“Exactly. You’ve been practicing a martial art so lacking in foundation that it’s embarrassing to even call it a ‘cultivation technique.’”
“Damn it.”
Zizek sighed at my harsh assessment.
“First, I’ll correct your cultivation technique.”
“How?”
The method was simple. I’d apply the same approach Ulbhild had used on me.
“First, sit cross-legged and close your eyes. I’ll guide the flow of your mana.”
This was guidance from none other than me, Karzan, who had mastered the Eternal Ocean Chain Technique and gained deep insight into the Seven Stars of the Black Sea Technique. I was also known as a once-in-a-generation talent. This was an opportunity worth millions, if not more.
‘Well, maybe not that much.’
Hmm. Anyway.
“Just know that you’ve stumbled upon an incredibly rare opportunity.”
“Got it.”
“Then let’s begin. Sit comfortably and close your eyes.”
I placed my palm on Zizek’s back and channeled a stream of mana into him.
“Can you feel the foreign mana entering you?”
“Yes. It’s like something’s squirming around my spine—”
“From now on, that mana will guide you. First, try circulating your mana the way you’ve been doing it.”
“Alright.”
“From now on, keep your mouth shut. I won’t say anything unnecessary either.”
As I observed the path of Zizek’s internal mana, I couldn’t help but click my tongue inwardly.
‘Wow, this is so fundamentally flawed.’
It felt like he was taking a twisted, narrow alley instead of a clear, open road.
‘Just correcting this will make a huge difference.’
And through my spiritual eye, I could clearly see how to redirect the flow of Zizek’s mana.
‘Is this the power of the Seven Stars of the Black Sea Technique?’
My heightened and sharpened mana perception allowed me to see deep into Zizek’s body.
“Focus now. Follow my lead, but if you feel any blockages or discomfort, slow down.”
I didn’t need to say that if his mana channels twisted, he could die. I’m just that considerate.
* * *
By dawn, the correction was complete.
“It’s done. You can open your eyes now.”
“Huuuuh!”
Zizek, drenched in cold sweat, tried to stand up but staggered.
“Whoa, I’m dizzy.”
“Quit whining.”
I clicked my tongue.
“I thought I was going to die from how itchy it felt.”
Zizek’s forehead was soaked with sweat as if he’d taken a bath.
“How was it? Felt like you were going to die from the tingling, right?”
“Yes.”
But his expression was bright, almost refreshed.
“I feel so much better now. It’s absurd how I’ve been fighting with that flawed cultivation technique all this time.”
“It’s a miracle you’re still alive.”
It was no exaggeration to say that my guidance was an incredible opportunity for Zizek.
“Alright, grab your sword and follow me.”
“Yes.”
When we reached the rooftop, dawn was already breaking.
“Wow, what a sight.”
As I gazed at the harbor waking from its slumber, I was momentarily captivated by the purple hues of dawn reflecting on the sea.
“Heh.”
I chuckled lightly and turned to Zizek.
“Draw your sword.”
Without a word, Zizek unsheathed his sword. I took a coin from my pocket and flicked it into the air.
“Cut it.”
“Wait, without any explanation—”
Before he could finish grumbling, Zizek extended his sword energy and drew a line in the air.
Sssshing!
The sharp slash cleanly split the coin in two.
“……Congratulations.”
I snatched the half-moon-shaped coin from the air and handed it to Zizek.
“With this, you’ve reached the initial stage of the 4th tier.”
The condition for the 4th tier?
It’s the ability to emit sword energy.
“……Ha, haha.”
Zizek looked down at the coin he’d split, his face a mix of emotions.
“I never thought I’d reach this level so easily.”
“You were already prepared. That’s why you could break through that wall with just a little guidance from me.”
Zizek tucked the split coin into his pocket.
“I’ll keep this as a lucky charm.”
“Do that. Who knows, it might even block a stray arrow.”
“Haha, as if that’d happen.”
Zizek laughed as if it were ridiculous.
“Anyway, congratulations, Zizek. You’ve trained hard.”
“……I guess so.”
Zizek looked at me.
“Actually, it’s thanks to something you said.”
“Huh?”
I scratched my head.
“What did I say?”
“I don’t remember exactly either.”
Zizek scratched his head too.
“It was something like this.”
“Young master Allenvert once said, ‘What we need is a quiet force, not Zizek the individual.’ He said if I had the skills, I’d become his sword, and if not, he’d find another.”
“Ah, I remember saying something like that.”
I smirked.
“So that stuck with you and made you push harder, huh?”
“Something like that.”
“Then I guess it’s thanks to me. No need to be too grateful.”
“…….”
“It’s a joke, so stop glaring at me.”
“Yes.”
Zizek cleared his throat and changed the subject.
“Oh, and one more thing.”
“What now?”
“Take a look at this.”
Zizek pulled out an exotic-looking dagger from his pocket.
“Huh? That’s unusual.”
“I got it when I went to Haglandere.”
“What?”
“Don’t touch it carelessly. The blade is coated with a deadly poison.”
“Whoa!”
I quickly pulled my hand back.
“Knut, Young master Allenvert’s cousin, told me to use it if I ever faced an enemy I couldn’t handle.”
“Huh? For an ambush?”
“If possible, yes. But if even that’s too difficult, he said to use it to take my own life and uphold the code of silence.”
“……I see.”
What a terrifying statement. Just that one sentence showed how harsh their trials had been.
“I thought you might know something, Boss. Do you have any secret techniques or tricks to catch an enemy off guard?”
“…….”
I closed my eyes.
“I won’t tell you that.”
“……Why not?”
“Make sure you never have to use this dagger, whether for a mutual kill or suicide.”
I looked Zizek straight in the eye.
“You don’t need to die for me. If you can surrender, surrender. If you can survive by confessing, then sell me out if you have to.”
“…….”
Zizek’s gaze wavered.
“Boss.”
“I mean every word, so keep it in mind.”
“…….”
I turned my back to Zizek and looked out at the sea of Grünewald.
“The sun’s already risen a bit.”
“……Yeah.”
I stretched and yawned loudly.
“I’m tired from staying up all night. I’m heading out.”
“Huh? You’re not staying here to sleep today?”
“Nope. I’m going back to sleep at my place.”
It’s better to head back to the castle while I’m still somewhat awake and get a little rest before starting the day. After all, I have training scheduled with Ulbhild today.
‘Sure, this place brings back old memories and feels more comfortable, but…’
People are adaptable creatures, aren’t they? Lately, even the expensive bedding at the home has started to feel fine. Money really does make a difference.
“Ah!”
Talking about money reminded me of something I’d forgotten.
“Wait a second.”
I pulled out a bundle of money from my spatial pouch and handed about 30% of it to Zizek.
“Use this to buy some spirit medicines and take them secretly. Don’t share them with the others.”
“……What’s all this money for?”
“I told you I’d get it back and share it, didn’t I?”
“But this is way too much.”
“Heh.”
I smirked darkly.
“I won a bet with Krahel. It’s my rightful share. It’s the Black Night Society’s money anyway, so just use it.”
“Understood.”
Zizek nodded with a complicated expression.
“Oh, what about that kid Marlok?”
“Scare him for a few more days, then blindfold him and drop him off near his house. Throw in some lecturing about becoming a better person while you’re at it.”
“Heh, got it.”
Zizek chuckled, clearly enjoying the task.
“I’ll make sure to straighten out his attitude.”
“Good. I trust you.”
I clapped my hands.
“Oh, and one last thing. Start preparing to get involved in the port logistics business.”
“Huh? All of a sudden?”
“At the end of the day, the ones who make the most money are the ones handling cargo at the ports and dabbling in smuggling, right?”
“……That’s true, but the organization that handles that is one of the strongest under the Bisakino Brotherhood. They’re not on the same level as the Black Night Society.”
“That’s not my problem.”
I thought of Kimret, the merchant I’d met during my first outing under Jeffrey’s escort.
“Actually, there’s a man you need to find.”
“Oh, do you have any leads?”
“I do. First, head to the Nasrak inn……”
* * *
Zizek and Gareth watched Karzan’s figure disappear into the dawn.
“……What can I say? He’s like a storm.”
“Right?”
Gareth nodded.
“He’s incredible.”
“Even to you, sir—no, to our elder?”
“Elder? Don’t be ridiculous.”
Gareth snorted, and Zizek elbowed him lightly in the ribs.
“Heh, you don’t seem to dislike the title, though.”
“Of course not. Who’d refuse a position like that?”
Gareth had spent his life as a knight, serving in the military and rubbing shoulders with figures powerful enough to be called ‘big shots’ all over Litvaleur.
Sometimes as an employer, sometimes as the leader of an opposing force, sometimes from a distance.
Even by Gareth’s standards, Karzan was……
“Hard to describe in a single word. But there’s no doubt he’s extraordinary.”
Karzan, once known as a prominent figure in the Flanders underworld.
Just glimpsing a fraction of his skill was enough to leave Gareth in awe. It wasn’t strange at all.
“If someone like him is loyal to Young master Allenvert, then the Young master’s abilities must be on a completely different level from someone like Young master Somerset.”
Zizek nodded in agreement.
“The Young master Somerset is just a troublemaker who gets used by underworld figures while dragging around his gang of delinquent nobles. There is no comparison between them.”
“Not to mention, the Young master is incomparably handsome, right?”
“Heh. Honestly, that’s what I’m most curious about. What does he even look like?”
“I’ve heard he’s more beautiful than the elves.”
Gareth recalled the rumors circulating in the taverns.
“That’s the highest compliment a human can receive. I’ve seen a few men called handsome, but the face of that one elf I saw once is still vivid in my memory. It was truly on another level.”
“Hoh, those must’ve been some annoying guys.”
“Pretty much. They knew how good they looked.”
“Heh, do you think the Young master is like that?”
“Do you really think so?”
Zizek, who had been exchanging shocked remarks about Allenvert’s true nature, suddenly thought of Karzan.
‘Well, even so……’
In the end, the one Zizek was truly captivated by was Karzan himself.
“You don’t need to die for me. If you can surrender, surrender. If you can survive by confessing, then sell me out if you have to.”
What kind of man could say something like that?
Zizek found himself smiling without realizing it.
‘But you made one mistake, Boss.’
Because.
‘Hearing something like that only makes me want to risk my life even more.’
That’s the heart of a man.
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HELHEIM SCANS
[Translator - Pot]
[Proofreader - Kawaii]
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