I Pull Out Excalibur

30 – Mid-ranked Priest Volcman (1)

Since childhood, Najin had a knack for mimicking other people’s movements. He easily imitated the techniques shown by Yi Bae, never forgetting anything he learned after a single glance.

While there were times when physical conditions such as strength and flexibility prevented him from following suit, he never forgot a movement he had seen.

Najin didn’t have any particular doubts about this fact, but after leaving the underground city and conversing with Merlin, he realized how abnormal he was.

– Usually, people can’t do that.

– You’re weird.

Exceptional observational and memory skills even in the eyes of the transcendent being of the night sky, the Saint Seat. However, Najin’s pupils had a special quality that couldn’t simply be classified as either.

“Don’t you see it like this in your mind? Like each movement is fragmented…”

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Najin took out paper and a pen.

Just before escaping the underground city, Najin swiftly drew the technique shown by Yi Bae on paper. A single movement split into multiple sheets. It was the scenery that unfolded before Najin’s eyes when he opened them.

Not a continuous movement.

A landscape formed by connecting dozens of segmented movements.

Remembering one movement step by step, connecting actions like climbing stairs. That was how Najin imitated the movements of others.

– Huh…

Merlin, looking at the movements Najin drew on the paper, exhaled as if in disbelief. The drawing by Najin didn’t just express the rough movements. It included the details, such as where strength was applied, the angle of the sword, the abdominal area that took in breath, and so on.

Every tiny detail was accurately represented.

It’s impossible for this to be possible just by seeing it once or twice. There was a genius similar to Najin among the knights of the Round Table, but even he didn’t imitate in this way.

Gallihad, the strongest knight of the Round Table.

Even that monstrous knight followed others’ movements sensibly; he couldn’t completely mimic them like Najin. To illustrate with a metaphor…

‘If Gallihad were to sensibly imitate the feeling of the painting.’

Najin placed another sheet of paper on top of the same picture and was imitating it as if pulling a bowstring. It meant that he was different from Gallihad in terms of precision.

– So, it’s not something ordinary people can do?

Merlin was now getting a bit frightened.

Guild Hall.

Seated in a corner of the bustling hub filled with adventurers and mercenaries, Najin awaited the client. With some time to spare until the agreed-upon meeting, Najin perused the guidebook laid out in a corner of the guild.

The guidebook contained information about the city’s top-ranked mercenaries.

Indifferent to other grades, Najin checked the names and brief profiles of the five mercenaries listed under the highest rank, White Horn Grade.

Ranger of the Front Techele Mountains.

Eagle’s Eye, Kaufman Theosys.

Commander of the Front Genovels Family Knights.

Sword Seeker, Reinhardt Polsen.

Leader of the Red Eye Mercenary Corps.

Sword Seeker, Roselin Ascalo.

Only the information of the above three was disclosed, while the remaining two refused to reveal their details. As Najin read about the individuals he had targeted, he casually stroked his chin.

“If you reach the White Horn Grade, you receive an honorary title, right? It seems true.”

-Probably. Sword Seeker-level experts aren’t that common inland. They are usually the strong ones among the knight commanders of notable families. It’s only natural for them to be treated with respect.

Sword Seeker-level experts, capable knight commanders of notable families, strong enough to dominate the imperial capital if they ventured beyond the city.

“And…”

The realm that Ivan and Offen dreamed of.

Najin was estimating the position of the target he had set as his primary goal. As he did, a shadow fell over his head.

Najin looked up.

There stood a middle-aged man. With roughly trimmed stubble and a slightly crumpled robe, he presented a piece of paper to Najin.

“Are you Ivan?”

28-year-old mercenary Ivan.

It was the borrowed name and disguise Najin had obtained from his mentor to operate in this city. Originally, Ivan’s age was in his mid-thirties, but…

“Even so, mid-thirties seem a bit too much.”

It was too noticeable.

So, he decided on the age of 28. Even if he later proved himself as a sword expert when drawing his sword, at 28, he could be considered a talented guy, and it seemed like a reasonable age.

Tap.

Najin stood up from his chair and nodded at the man.

“Yes, I am Ivan.”

“Hmm. You look younger than I expected. The badge says you’re a 28-year-old mercenary…”

“I’ve been around for a while.”

“That’s a bit enviable. Well, I won’t pry too deep.”

With a sly smile, the man extended his hand to Nagine.

“I’m Bulkmun. A captain of the Black Order, and a sword expert. I hope for your cooperation today.”

* * *

Together with Bulkmun, Nagine rode a carriage and moved to the prairie. Bulkmun explained that a small village not far from Cambria was their destination.

“I heard there was an orc stronghold near the village. As soon as I heard the news, I quickly accepted the request. Can’t let someone else take the job, you know.”

While conversing with Bulkmun inside the carriage, Nagine realized a few things.

“Weren’t we going to save the village? No, why would I? Aren’t there plenty of people who can save the village? I just want to have a duel with the orcs. There’s no one better than them to gain experience.”

Bulkmun was quite talkative.

“The skin of those orc bastards is tougher than average. The skin is tough and their size is big. They are not just any scarecrows. It’s very difficult to cut them without using a sword, making them perfect for training.”

He was a priest, but he didn’t seem like a typical priest.

Bulkmun was quite different from the faithful, noble, and virtuous image that usually comes to mind when one thinks of priests. His plump physique and shabby robes, among other things. Nagine thought it would be more appropriate to call him a wandering swordsman.

“Are all the priests of the Black Order like this?”

-Why would they be called the ‘Black’ Order? They’ve always been like this, you know. They’re people obsessed with swords.

I don’t know why they’re called an order.

I’ve heard that the Black Order doesn’t worship any god. They believe that a sword, which I hold in my hand, is their god or something like that.

“Hmm, we’ve arrived.”

As Nagine was adding some fillers to Bulkmun’s conversation, they reached their destination. The carriage stopped, and not far away, the orc stronghold came into view.

“You can follow me, or you can wait here until the hunt is over. Did you bring a bag to collect the orcs’ heads?”

“Yes, I received it from the guild.”

“Good. So, what will you do?”

Without hesitation, Nagine answered.

“I will follow. If it’s not too much trouble, I would like to see you swing the sword up close.”

“hahahaha. You’re a young man full of passion.”

Bulkmun smiled. His gaze fell on the sword at Nagine’s hip and then on Nagine’s calloused palm. The sight of the young man before him was proof that he didn’t neglect his training as a swordsman.

“You can watch as much as you want. Just don’t get too close. It could be dangerous.”

“Thank you for giving me this opportunity.”

Nagine followed behind Bulkmun, maintaining a few steps of distance. They walked for how long? Bulkmun stopped his steps at the entrance of the orc stronghold. Taking deep breaths, he exhaled heavily.

The flow of the air had changed.

From that moment on, Nagine focused his gaze on Bulkmun, who inhaled and exhaled, creating a flow around his body.

Then, swiftly.

Only Bulkmann drew a sword from his waist. Despite the light and dull appearance of the man’s face, the sword he held in his hand was sharper than anything else. From the moment he grasped the sword, Bulkmann’s aura changed drastically.

With the sword extended, Bulkmann stepped into the orc stronghold. Inside the stronghold, four orcs and the small goblins following them were bustling about.

Growl!

The goblin who sensed Bulkmann’s presence rushed towards him. Leading the pack was the goblin, followed by the orcs who approached Bulkmann with heavy footsteps.

“Hoo…”

Bulkmann exhaled softly and took a step forward. He did not swing the sword towards the approaching goblin. He simply raised the sword above his shoulder, aligning it with the sky and the horizon.

There was no need for grand gestures.

Maintaining his posture, Bulkmann extended the sword forward.

Thunk.

The tip of the blade pierced the goblin’s throat. Bulkmann lightly flicked the blade to the side as it exited the goblin’s neck. The body of the second goblin that rushed forward was sliced apart by the blade.

Amidst the spattering blood, Bulkmann took another step forward. Unbeknownst to anyone, he had returned to his initial stance. Raising the sword to align with the sky and the horizon.

“…”

With wide-opened eyes, Najin observed Bulkmann’s posture and movements. In her observation, she found a pattern.

“The repetition and circulation of stances.”

Bulkmann repeated four stances.

One stance led to another. The act of connecting stances itself was both an attack and a form of defense.

His movements were surprisingly efficient.

Without drawing out the aura, Bulkmann was able to slaughter the charging goblins with minimal force and minimal movement.

“It’s different from Ivan’s sword.”

The sword that Najin had imitated until now was a heavy and powerful strike. On the other hand, Bulkmann’s sword was precise and sharp, creating a continuous flow.

Every fixed posture and movement.

Sharp stabbing and cutting were combined. The actions flowed smoothly. The ever-changing postures according to the enemy’s movements and situation felt almost like watching a dance.

Is this the swordsmanship of the Sect of the Sword?

Undoubtedly, it was a movement worth observing and learning. However, as Najin continued to observe these movements, she had one question.

“It’s efficient, but…”

There were no powerful strikes.

Surely, goblins could be easily overcome, but what about that orc? What does he plan to do?

Thud.

With heavy footsteps, the orc rushed towards Bulkmann. However, Bulkmann still did not draw his aura as if he didn’t need to.

Then suddenly, Bulkmun, gripping the sword tightly, moved differently than before. His footsteps on the ground were haphazard. The stance Bulkmun took when his footsteps stopped was completely different from the four stances he had been cycling through.

The sword lowered.

Knees bent as if ready to spring up at any moment.

When the orc swung his club towards Bulkmun, he moved. Dodging the bent knee, he swung the sword upward.

Sshick.

Najin’s eyes widened.

Without even spinning the sword, Bulkmun smoothly tore through the orc’s leather. The tip of the blade, which had half passed the orc’s wrist holding the club, pointed towards the sky.

A clean and powerful upward strike.

Just like a stone thrown towards the ground, Bulkmun brought the sword down. The sword flashed, carving a long scar from the orc’s forehead to his waist.

Chwak!

Blood splattered. Najin, who had been observing the entire process, bit her tongue. It was intricate, powerful, and also beautiful. There was a slight overwhelming feeling of the elegance of swordsmanship, which had been honed and improved over the years.

As Najin was mentally visualizing what she had just witnessed.

“······!”

Bulkmun quickly turned his head to look at Najin.

He yelled at Najin. Before his words could reach Najin’s ears, she turned around to look behind her.

Najin also sensed danger.

Three goblins that had been hiding in the bushes were rushing towards her. It was an ambush that targeted her unguarded moments, but it wasn’t fatal for Najin.

Jumping from the air.

The goblin’s movement digging into her side.

To Najin’s eyes, everything seemed to be in slow motion. Because she had the leisure to do so, Najin recalled the stance she had seen from Bulkmun a while ago while holding the sword. The stance created by precise form and precise distribution of strength.

Where to exert power.

How to position her feet.

In which direction to raise the sword.

All of these were vividly etched in Najin’s mind. Since it was drawn so clearly, all that was left was to follow it. Holding the sword like Bulkmun, Najin took a step forward.

The first stance.

Najin lightly extended the tip of the sword, holding it horizontally towards the sky. The goblin rushing towards her was pierced by the tip of the sword. Before confirming it, Najin’s body was already moving.

One stance connected to the next.

From the first to the second stance.

The blade smoothly sliced through the goblin’s body. The goblin, pierced by the blade, spurted blood and collapsed.

Tap.

Connecting the movements seamlessly, when Na-jin returned to the initial stance, there were only three goblin corpses beside him. Na-jin exhaled briefly, extending his sword.

‘Is this how it’s done?’

Certainly, it was efficient.

Although Bulkman’s movements against orcs didn’t quite mimic what he had seen, it seemed achievable with practice. Thinking so, Na-jin turned his head.

There, Bulkman was looking at himself with a awkward posture. Bulkman’s wide eyes were trembling, and his mouth was opening and closing repeatedly.

“Bulkman, Priest!”

Na-jin shouted towards the seemingly dazed priest.

“Behind you! Look behind!”

Orcs rushing towards Bulkman were still present. Bulkman, while calming his disheveled breath, turned his head. First, the orcs in front had to be dealt with.

– Ah, I think I know that feeling.

Merlin’s voice echoed in Na-jin’s ear.

– Trying to say something but feeling tongue-tied.

‘What is that?’

– It’s like that, my monstrous apprentice.

Regardless of Merlin’s reaction.

Na-jin was confident, having seen Bulkman’s response. The first part of the plan to leave a strong impression on Bulkman was successful.