I Pull Out Excalibur

39 – Merchants’ Street (1)

“Ewweeek!”

Najin, who had been patting Rozelin’s back, quickly stepped back a few steps. Dieta’s expression, who had called Rozelin’s name, was also crumpled as if she had just bitten into a bug.

The pinnacle of Cambria, the city of opportunity.

One of the five adventurers in the city, the Baijiao (White Horn) adventurer.

A few seconds passed that could severely dent her shining reputation. When the sounds proving last night’s wild drinking spree ceased, Rozelin wiped her mouth with a handkerchief pulled from her bosom and rinsed her mouth with a water bottle.

“Ha, now I’ll finally live.”

Rozelin, raising her head like that, had a refreshing face. While patting her chest, she exhaled continuously.

“What’s up? Snake girl?”

The girl who called her name. Rozelin, checking Dieta’s face, tilted her head. Usually, even if their eyes accidentally met, they would pass each other without a greeting, tongue-tied.

It was perhaps a kind of kinship hatred.

It was also because of their different affiliations.

Rozelin’s mercenary group is sponsored by ‘Garcea,’ the Upper of Opportunity City Cambria, competing with Dieta Upper for the top positions. Naturally, the relationship between the two Upper levels was not good.

Rozelin, sponsored by that place, had no reason to get along with Dieta, the Upper owner of Dieta.

“Calling someone ‘snake girl’ in person, is that the courtesy of any household? Haven’t you received etiquette education? Red eyes?”

“Even the lady who casually spews hate speech seems no less than me, right?”

Dieta covered her mouth with a smile, and Rozelin raised her eyebrows as if asking what’s wrong. Then suddenly, Rozelin noticed Dieta’s gaze moving.

“Oh, I see.”

Rozelin laughed.

Dieta’s gaze was directed at Nazin, who was standing just a step away. He was the young man who had vouched for her. It must be strange for him to see someone connected to her.

“Hey, Ivan.”

Rozelin confidently reached out her arm and embraced Nazin’s shoulder. Nazin’s expression quickly became contorted, but he sighed once and fell silent. She needed Rozelin to report to the Central Guild.

“Last night was fun. Shall we have another drink next time?”

“I’ll pass.”

Nazin replied curtly.

Since last night, he learned that Rozelin’s mention of “a drink” was not in the literal sense.

“Let’s go in already. I want to report quickly and then have hangover soup. I know a good restaurant nearby, do you want to go together?”

“I’ll think about it.”

“Their meat soup is incredibly delicious.”

Rozelin urged Nazin with a loud voice, as if telling Dieta to listen. As they entered the Central Guild building together, Rozelin looked back. Dieta, who was wide awake, was there.

Bright golden irises.

Rozelin smirked, looking into those eyes. She didn’t say a word, but it felt as if Rozelin’s voice was echoing in Dieta’s ears.

You sponsored an amazing adventurer.

“Oh, I see.”

Dieta burst into laughter.

While her mouth was smiling, her eyes weren’t laughing at all. Watching Rozelin, who was moving away with Nazin by her side, Dieta murmured.

“We should give it a try, right…?”

2.

The moment they stepped into the guild.

“······.”

As if someone had poured cold water into the bustling guild filled with adventurers and merchants, a moment of stillness fell. In the silence, Nazin felt the gaze of many eyes fixated on him through his skin.

Numerous pupils were directed at him.

At first, he thought it was because he entered with Rozelin, a Rank Agatha mercenary, but soon he realized that it wasn’t the reason. Their gazes were directed at him, not Rozelin.

“That adventurer…”

“Judging by the black-grade emblem, it seems to be correct.”

“The highest score in the Dochenberg Forest Clearing Battle ever…”

A murmuring voice was heard in the silence.

The silence was shattered, and the adventurers filled the Guild Hall with their murmurs.

“That black color that conquered the blood-red troll…”

“Yeah. I saw it with my own eyes.”

“That blood-red troll? Promotion is confirmed.”

The exploits in the Dochenberg Forest Clearing Battle.

Rumors about it had already spread throughout the guild. After all, there were adventurers who returned early from the battle. It was only natural that the rumors would spread through their mouths.

…Originally, the Dochenberg Forest Clearing Battle was a request of great significance, known as a debut battle for adventurers of blue rank or higher to leap forward.

It was only natural that all the attention would be on the adventurers.

Moreover, news that the highest score in the history of the Dochenberg Clearing Battle had been surpassed, and that it had been surpassed by an adventurer of black rank, could not have failed to spread. It was such a shocking and impactful rumor.

“The attention is quite piercing.”

-It’s just how it is when you attract attention.

Merlin replied calmly.

-It’s also a weight you have to bear in the future.

If you want to stand at the pinnacle, you have to be able to withstand the weight of the gazes that will be directed at you. That is the weight that those who aspire to stand at the pinnacle must bear.

“…Is it a lie?”

Of course not.

“They must have manipulated the numbers. Does that make sense?”

“They said Dietta’s upper ranks vouched for it. They must have deliberately raised a talented person from the upper ranks. It’s different from us from the starting point…”

That voice and gaze were not pleasant.

Those who did not witness Nagine’s achievements would belittle his accomplishments and deny his starting point. Even though their voices echoed in his ears, Nagine’s expression did not change at all.

He had already heard these words countless times.

Not here, but in the underground city, Artman.

“Sigh…”

Nagine let out a short breath and shrugged his shoulders.

There was no need to get worked up for no reason.

“That’s right. That’s exactly it.”

Rozelin, who stood shoulder to shoulder with Nagine, whispered quietly in his ear.

“They’re voices that don’t need to be bothered about, that don’t need to be taken to heart. There’s no need to look down on them, right?”

Rozelin raised the corner of her mouth.

It seemed that she liked Na Jin’s confident attitude, as she lightly tapped his shoulder and walked towards the VIP counter of the guild. It was a counter reserved only for the Baijue adventurers.

A counter designed for the apex adventurers that allowed them to report directly in a straight line to the highest point of the Central Guild without the need to draw a number and wait in line.

“The Red Eye Mercenary Corps leader, Rozelin.”

From the moment they entered that place together, Rozelin’s expression and demeanor changed drastically. She no longer looked like a local drunkard, but rather like Rozelin Ascalo, the leader of the largest mercenary corps in Cambria.

Na Jin watched her closely from the closest possible position.

* * *

The report itself was quickly done.

The time-consuming part was about Na Jin’s achievements in the Dochemberg Forest Expedition and the subjugation of the Crimson Troll. The fact that the materials of the monsters that the members of the mercenary corps pulled on the wagon early in the morning were used for the subjugation of the Crimson Troll was accepted, but…

The adventurer who made a contribution to the subjugation the most.

The problem was that Na Jin, who achieved an achievement that was practically equivalent to a solo subjugation, was a ‘Black Grade’, if it was true. If that were the case, Na Jin’s promotion for completing a Red Grade request would be inevitable.

“If you don’t believe me, ask the adventurers who participated. They will give you similar answers, I’m sure.”

However, the hesitation of the director did not last long.

“I vouch for him. I, Rozelin Ascalo, vouch for his skills. What else do you need?”

Rozelin Ascalo, also known as the peak of the city, was vouching for Na Jin, and above all, he demonstrated the scene of drawing his sword in front of the director of the guild responsible for his promotion.

What Na Jin drew was still a novice sword.

However, the director of the guild, who had seen countless adventurers over the years, noticed it. He noticed that Na Jin was approaching the realm of a Sword Expert.

“No need for a promotion test.”

The director said briefly.

Originally, promotions to Blue Grade or higher were determined by scoring various aspects such as the missions performed, the satisfaction and evaluation of the clients who ordered the missions, and more.

But Na Jin’s case was exceptional.

A Black Grade adventurer ranked first in the Dochemberg Forest Expedition and subjugated the Crimson Troll. It was an exceptional case, so the director decided to make an exception.

“A badge.”

Na Jin handed the director a badge.

The director walked somewhere and returned, handing Na Jin a green badge.

Black, Purple, Blue, Green.

A triple promotion from Black to Green.

It was the first time since the triple promotion of “Kapman Theosis,” a Ranger from the Techele Mountain Range, who is currently a White Grade adventurer. It truly meant an exceptional promotion.

“I didn’t expect to be promoted so quickly.”

Na Jin looked at the badge in his hand with a bewildered expression. It was a green grade badge, a grade that could be called a definite “Advanced Adventurer” in this city.

“Congratulations, kid.”

Rozelin wrapped her arm around Nagen’s neck.

“Judging by the way things are going, it won’t be long before you reach the Crimson rank. Considering your age, you’ll be the youngest adventurer to achieve that.”

Even with a disguise as a 28-year-old, reaching the Crimson rank as an adventurer would make Nagen the youngest. Rozelin spoke with confidence.

“It might take a while to reach the Sage rank… but well, if you manage to achieve it within ten years, you’ll still be one of the youngest. I achieved the Sage rank when I was thirty-nine.”

Thirty-nine. That was Rozelin’s age when she reached the Sword Seeker rank, the Sage rank. Nagen replied briefly after hearing the story.

“It won’t take too long.”

“Well, let’s see what this inexperienced kid can do.”

Rozelin chuckled.

“Sure, go ahead, show me.”

With those words, Rozelin patted Nagen’s back and they stepped outside the counter together. When they entered, Nagen was a Black-ranked adventurer, but when they came out, he had a Green-ranked emblem hanging around his neck.

The moment Nagen stepped outside.

And the moment the onlookers saw the emblem on his neck.

The eyes of the gathered adventurers widened. A Black-ranked adventurer had jumped from Purple to Blue and swiftly advanced to the Green rank. Just a few days ago, this youth was someone whom no one paid any attention to… but now, everyone knew his name.

Through rumors, through newspapers, and through countless other means, this young man’s name would spread throughout the city.

Adventurer of the Green rank, Ivan.

Nagen had achieved his goal of making a name for himself.

3.

Several days had passed since Nagen became a Green-ranked adventurer, and during that time, he was quite busy. First, he left the inn with good cost-performance and moved to a place closer to the Central Guild.

The rent became several times more expensive, but he could easily afford it and still have plenty left. He had enough money to spare.

The money he earned from completing Dioetta’s request was still there, in addition to the reward for clearing the Dochenberg Forest and the bounty he earned from subjugating the Crimson Troll. He didn’t have to worry about money for the time being.

“Now that I’ve earned some money.”

After finishing his usual morning training.

Nagen muttered to himself while washing his body with cold water.

“Should I go and get some equipment?”

-It would be a good idea to prepare some armor and spare swords. Having potions wouldn’t hurt either, right?

Merlin chimed in.

Nagen had been too busy to leisurely shop until now. But now he had some free time and had achieved a high rank.

The Green rank classified as a high rank adventurer.

He could now confidently enter the district where even skilled artisans couldn’t step foot. Nagen headed towards the artisans’ district, dressed in light clothing.

“Alchemist, renowned blacksmith, and a shop that deals with magical artifacts…”

Esteemed Jinin was considering getting new equipment this time. Although it didn’t have to be the highest quality, at least some minimum equipment was necessary. Jinin thought it wouldn’t be bad to have one or two weapons that could be used in emergencies.

“Come to think of it…”

Jinin looked at the sword she had strapped to her waist.

The longsword that Högell Inspiration had dulled. It had gone through battles with pursuers in the underground city, duels with Ivan, and even faced bloody trolls.

To be honest, Jinin was aware that she had been handling the sword quite roughly. She believed it wouldn’t be strange even if it broke at any time, but there were no noticeable flaws so far. She checked it every day by oiling the sword.

However, there might be some unknown flaws. If there were any, she could get it repaired, or if it was irreparable, it would be fine to purchase a spare sword.

With those thoughts in mind, Jinin headed to the blacksmith first. It was a well-known blacksmith operated by someone famous in Camberia. It was sponsored by Dieta Sangdan, and since she had an introduction from Dieta, it wasn’t difficult to visit.

When Jinin arrived at the blacksmith, she showed her sword to the blacksmith. The blacksmith, who was inspecting the sword, raised his head and looked surprised.

“I should call Master Högell for this, shouldn’t I?”

The blacksmith who had been turning the sword around stood up and walked deeper into the blacksmith with the sword in his hand. Several minutes passed like that.

“Hey, youngster.”

An old man accompanied the blacksmith.

He was the best blacksmith in the city and was called Master Högell. He held Jinin’s longsword in his hand and asked.

“Where did you get this sword?”

“A well-known blacksmith made it for me.”

“Nonsense. You must have picked it up or stolen it.”

Master Högell furrowed his eyebrows.

“If there’s a blacksmith who makes swords for kids like you instead of supplying them to the Atanga Knights, where is he?”

He wiped the surface of the sword with his finger as he spoke.

“I can’t deceive others’ eyes, but I can’t be deceived either. This is the work of a master. It is a masterpiece of a skilled blacksmith who has a contract with the Atanga Knights to make swords that they can wield. It’s not something anyone can make.”

Masterpiece.

A title given only to a small number of exceptional blacksmiths.

“If there is someone who made it, tell me their name. Let’s hear who they are.”