I Pull Out Excalibur

10 – Disharmony (1)

“What are you, a knight of Atanga, Inspire?”

The boy asked straightaway.

Hogel, who had called for Nizin to the blacksmith shop to confirm his physique and the way he held the sword, raised his head. Although it hadn’t yet been completed, Hogel had called Nizin to the forge to check his physique and how he held the sword.

‘I’ve already finished the calculations, so I can leave right away, but he’s staying and talking.’

Although his work time was interrupted and he made a frustrated expression, Hogel put down his hammer for a moment as he heard a somewhat familiar name from the boy’s question.

Knight of Atanga.

The stories about those noble knights were worth putting down the hammer for a while. Hogel cleared his throat with a sip of water and opened his mouth. As an old man who had lived for many years, he knew a lot, and he was not stingy in telling those stories to others.

“Atanga. A name I miss. Why, why is Ivan mentioning Atanga’s name?”

Najin nodded her head.

Hogel inwardly clicked his tongue. It was rare for Ivan to mention Atanga’s name.

“So, what is Atanga? Is it the name of a famous family?”

“Atanga is not the name of a family, dear child.”

Hogel smirked to himself.

“Most knights belong to a family and mention the family name when they introduce themselves, but those who belong to Atanga are different. Atanga is a kind of group of warriors, a knight order.”

The Atanga Knight Order.

“A knight is someone who upholds honor and pride. Without honor and pride, a knight cannot exist, and even if they do, they shouldn’t.”

Those who uphold the code of the ancient knights.

“Hundreds of years have passed since the age of heroes, and the meaning of the word ‘knight’ has changed a lot. Even those who lack honor and don’t know pride can become knights as long as they possess power.”

The era when the weight of the name ‘knight’ has been lightened.

Hogel inspirely spoke with force.

“The Atanga Knight Order is the one that directly denies such an era. They uphold honor and pride, and they establish the true definition of a knight by adhering to the ancient code.”

Some people call Atanga like this. An idealist. Another says that it is a place only for the knights among knights.

“They are inflexible, upright, rigid, and sometimes foolish men. But that’s why I can’t hate them even more.”

“You speak as if you’ve met them a lot.”

“I have met them a lot. I have forged many of their swords.”

The old man’s eyes, reminiscing the past glory, grew distant. A faint smile adorned Hogel’s lips, soaked in memories.

“Well, that’s what Atanga is. They are men who live and die for honor and pride. They are like knights in a fairy tale.”

“That sounds cool.”

“It may seem different at times, but they are cool men when they uphold my honor and pride.”

Though they appear foolish more often. Hogel, who was murmuring, picked up the hammer he had set aside.

“It seems your sword will be completed in about three or four days. Come find me then. If you need a sword to use in the meantime…”

“Oh, that’s alright.”

Najin interrupted Hogel’s words.

Najin stood up from her seat and tapped her waist.

“You can use this for now.”

Saying that, Najin pointed to the spot.

There, Ivan’s sword was hanging. It was a masterpiece that Hogel forged over a decade ago. Seeing that the sword, which should have been hanging from Ivan’s waist, was in Najin’s possession, Hogel’s eyes widened in surprise.

There was rarely a time when Ivan, who never entrusted his sword to others, handed over his sword to someone else. It was not that Hogel was blind enough to not understand the meaning behind it.

“Ge…”

Hogel laughed.

“It seems to have caught Ivan’s eye.”

“I am quite skilled, aren’t I?”

“You unlucky bastard.”

Laughing and joking, Hogel watched Nizin leave the blacksmith shop. It was a refreshing laugh that he hadn’t had in a long time.

2.

“So, what did you do?”

Offen’s question without an object.

Ivan’s hand, which was sharpening the sword, briefly paused. But just for a moment, Ivan finished sharpening the sword and opened his mouth. He realized what Offen was asking.

“I decided to teach him.”

“Interesting. Well, did you see anything?”

“I saw. Probably the same thing you saw.”

Ivan chuckled. Offen shrugged, as if he had expected this reaction. Anyone who had walked the path of the sword would know of Nizin’s talent.

‘A brilliance that should not be buried in this city.’

Ivan had also encountered that brilliance.

With a mix of bitterness, enjoyment, and excitement on his face, Ivan spoke.

“For a while, I thought about severing his shoulder, so he wouldn’t be able to hold a sword. But that guy drew his blade. He blocked my sword with that blade. He even pushed me back.”

The confrontation ended with the sword being shattered.

For a moment, Ivan was overwhelmed by Nizin’s momentum.

“Crazy bastard. Pulling out a sword without being taught.”

“At the age of eighteen, he is a novice with the sword.”

“The youngest. It is said that Karin Kyeong, the genius known as the untamed prodigy, also drew his blade at the age of twenty-three.”

In other words.

“If it’s exposed, the upper district will be turned upside down.”

“That’s right. It’s not something that can happen in this underground city, where geniuses like that don’t appear.”

It also meant that Nizin had become an overt ‘dangerous element’. If he had been born somewhere else, Nizin might have been called a prodigy and received all kinds of support.

But Nizin was born in the underground city.

Those born in this underground city were all criminals.

The heretics, like the cursed filth of Kamran, reached out to what should not be touched. If it is known that such heretics possess a brilliant light, the upper district would surely try to bury it. Especially the sect, they would do everything to bury Nasin.

“So.”

Iban spoke.

“We must make it have a value that cannot be questioned, that cannot be easily covered.”

If it is Sword Expert level, it can be easily covered by those above. They cannot resist. But what if Nasin reaches the next level?

Sword Seeker.

The strong ones who stand between the human and the transcendental, between Sword Expert and Master. The masters of the swords who seek the path to transcendence. If Nasin reaches the level that only a few Sword Experts can reach…

Even from above, Nasin cannot be quietly buried.

To bury a Sword Seeker level threat, a tremendous force is needed. If someone tries to bury it at the cost of such losses, it will surely create noise and someone will notice. It means that it is impossible to handle things quietly.

“Only if it goes that far.”

Iban said, while tending to the sword he wielded as a knight.

A negotiation would be possible with the upper district. They will have to listen to us as well. Iban and Open will sit as Nasin’s masters in that negotiation. As knights and mercenaries, not as garbage of the fallen underground city.

“It’s not an easy task.”

“It’s difficult but not impossible.”

“If we succeed, we will rise up again, and if we fail, it’s death. It’s quite a heated gamble.”

“But it’s a gamble worth taking.”

Iban snickered.

“You pulled out your sword without being taught anything, you inexperienced kid. Isn’t there enough possibility to take a gamble?”

A completely different attitude from last night at the tavern.

Offen chuckled with a bewildered expression at that attitude.

“Such an uncharacteristic choice for you. Weren’t you supposed to avoid this kind of gambling?”

“That’s right. I lost an eye and fell all the way down to here.”

However, Iban said.

“What can I do about what I’ve lost?”

The radiance the boy possessed. It was too beautiful of a radiance to rot away in this underground city. That light was enough to awaken the dreams that Iban had let go of long ago.

“Where is the guy who doesn’t have his heart pounding when he sees something like that? Damn arrogant kid.”

Iban was once a prosecutor who dreamed of reaching the peak, a knight who longed for the stars. And the radiance that Nasin showed him was like the starlight that he had forgotten and lived without after falling into the underground city.

Iban smiled as he recalled that radiance.

The thing that lingered on Iban’s lips was not the oppressive laughter of the ruler who held the underground city, but the transparent laughter of the knight who chased after the stars.

“You’re still the same.”

At Ivan’s appearance, Open smirked.

“So, it ended up like this.”

When Open first encountered Najin’s splendor.

Open had sympathized with Najin’s destiny. He had viewed Najin, who would have to rot in this city for the rest of his life, with contempt. That’s why he had thrown those words at Ivan during their drinking session. What if he walked away from Najin?

A spontaneous remark thrown without any plan. A suggestion that stemmed from pity for the little brat.

Ivan accepted the suggestion. He started fleshing out the proposal and making plans. It seemed as if Open was seeing Ivan from his knightly days. It was a sight that was now strange and nostalgic.

“Phew…”

With a hint of a smile, Open exhaled deeply. It wasn’t the usual breath tainted by alcohol. Open, now sober, placed his hand on the hilt of his waist. It was his beloved sword, which he had swung carelessly during his days as a mercenary.

“Things will get busy from now on.”

“Of course. We should think of a way to teach as well.”

“Well, that too.”

Open flicked the sword he drew.

“First, let’s think about how to deal with that.”

At the tip of Open’s sword was the entrance to Horsey’s territory. Not the main gate of Horgel’s workshop, but the back door accessed through the tunnel.

Naturally, there were guards stationed at the back door.

Ivan, with an alert gaze, erased his knightly laughter and narrowed his eyes. After checking their footsteps and the condition of their equipment, Ivan tightened the grip on his sword.

“Four low-ranking guards, one officer.”

“Who is that guy? I haven’t met him before.”

“Not much. He knows how to handle mana, but he’s not an expert. He’ll probably be the fourth wheel. Maybe.”

“Any traps?”

“There don’t seem to be any visible ones for now.”

“Then, we’re good.”

Open nodded.

“I’ll take care of the three on the right.”

“Then, I’ll handle the officer.”

The conversation ended there.

The two people, looking down at the entrance of the tunnel from the hill, simultaneously stepped on the ground without a word. However, there was no sound of footsteps.

Open, who had performed numerous tasks as a mercenary.

And Ivan, who had been involved in numerous operations as a knight.

Stealth, infiltration, and assassination were said to be second nature to the Rangers, but even they had grown weary of sneaking and silent kills. It wasn’t about staring at walls and wielding a sword to reach the level of a sword expert. Practical experience overflowed in abundance.

Thud.

When the sound of footsteps echoed, Ivan and Eofen had already approached within arm’s reach of the guards. The moment they were about to open their eyes and shout, Eofen’s sword sliced through the guard’s throat.

Blood spurted, and as it arced through the air, Eofen’s sword shot forward like a spear, piercing through another guard’s neck.

“Clang…”

Another guard’s throat was pierced.

Pulling his sword from the guard who collapsed, blood choking his last breath, Eofen took a bold step forward. Belatedly realizing the presence, a guard hastily turned around, only for Eofen to reach out towards the guard’s mouth.

Snap.

With his mouth sealed shut, the guard’s throat was gripped.

Three dead without a single scream. Eofen, having swiftly dealt with the trio, exhaled and looked back.

“Clang, groan…”

There was a superior officer on the ground, clutching his neck. But even he didn’t last long. Ivan swung his sword down on the officer’s spine as he lay on the ground.

A brief spasm.

The officer ceased to move.

The method of silencing them first by cutting their throats, preventing any cries, and then dealing with them. Ivan, who retrieved his sword from the corpses, gestured towards the inside of the tunnel. It was a signal to move forward.

Thud.

Towards the dimly lit tunnel, the two advanced.

3.

In the late afternoon, Najin patrolled the streets.

The organization’s members who knew Ivan was absent were extremely few, and what trouble could happen just because he left his post for a few days?

‘But there’s always a “what if.”‘

The atmosphere in the underground city has been ominous lately. There might be something afoot with the spy from the Horsa faction who hasn’t been caught yet. So, even though patrolling the streets, there was nothing out of the ordinary.

“…”

While patrolling the streets, Najin found himself near the square. He casually glanced at the soldiers guarding the center of the square. Come to think of it, didn’t they say Excalibur would disappear at midnight today?

The ordeal of the star only happens on the 13th day.

And today was the 13th day.

Najin had been loitering around the square diligently for the past 13 days in the hope of catching a glimpse of the sword. Yet, apart from the first day, he hadn’t seen the sword, not even the light it emitted.

‘I’ve had my fill of admiring the soldiers’ armor guarding the sword.’

Najin chuckled to himself.

Nevertheless, he wouldn’t have to wander around the square anymore. By tomorrow, the Holy Sword would vanish, and with it gone, the voice echoing in his ears would disappear as well.

Draw your sword. You can do it.

Now, pondering a sentence that seemed to have a touch of affection, Najin took steps that seemed reluctant to leave the square. It was the moment when Najin was about to leave the square.

“Najin!”

Someone called his name.

Najin turned his head backward. There was an organization member running towards him. One of the few organization members who knew Ivan had left his post.

‘Collector Jek.’

Except for Ivan and Open, he was the highest-ranking figure in Ivan’s organization.

“What’s going on, Jek?”

“Heuh, heu… Well, you see.”

“Take a breath and tell me. What’s going on?”

Jek, who had run out of breath, took a deep breath. After exhaling a long breath, Jek said,

“Right now, in front of Daisy’s tavern, the Land Spider organization guy is causing a ruckus. Hurry and bring Ivan. I have something to say to Ivan.”

“What did you say?”

Najin blinked.

“Is he insane? Why in someone else’s territory? Tie him up for now and wait for Ivan to come…”

“You can’t tie him up.”

Jek interrupted Najin.

“Twenty men are holding him back right now, but he won’t last long. That guy is a boss. The first leg Arnold. It seems like you should come and see for yourself.”

The first leg of the Land Spider, Arnold.

The strongest of the eight legs, and according to Ivan, a formidable opponent close to a Sword Expert. Najin’s eyes narrowed as he listened to Jek’s story.

“Let’s go for now. I’ll go first, so follow me.”

“Got it. I’ll catch my breath and follow you.”

Najin began to run towards the tavern where the first leg was causing trouble. Although he was heading there, Najin couldn’t shake off the uneasy feeling.

‘Why on earth?’

A question that lingered in his mind.

Why would Arnold, the first leg of the Land Spider, a person known as the second-in-command of the Horsey organization, come into Ivan’s territory and cause trouble?

‘Did Ivan notice that he’s trying to mess with him?’

No, there are many unclear parts to that.

If Ivan had noticed that someone was trying to mess with his player, wouldn’t he have to protect Horsey in his own territory? Moreover, he wouldn’t have come all the way here, causing a commotion and demanding Ivan to come with a message.

A strange sense of unease lingered.

And above all.

“······.”

The air was different from usual, the distance palpable.

Najin brushed her nose with the back of her hand. She wrinkled her brow at the stench mingling in the air. It was a smell she had encountered before, but she couldn’t recall exactly when.

“Bring him to me!”

And a voice echoed in her ears.

They had arrived in front of the tavern without realizing it. There, the first to shout while pushing aside members of the organization rushing towards him was Arnold.

“Bring Ivan! I have something to tell him!”

He shouted.

“Horse and I have been deceived too!”

Arnold’s pupils, screaming as if his throat would tear, were bloodshot.

As if intoxicated.