Chapter 55

For twenty years, I have fought so much.

I was dragged into this savage world without knowing anything, where human life was worth less than a coin. It was hell filled with lunatics who killed people as a joke or out of spite. Coming from a society where even the president would be imprisoned for murder, it was difficult to accept such a place… However, within ten seconds of arriving in Ardenia, I realized how vastly different it was from Earth.

Hunting commoners—it was one of the noble’s pastimes. This wasn’t an isolated incident perpetrated by some psychopath but rather a widespread ‘culture’.

Quite a few nobles enjoy hunting commoners as a leisure sport to foster camaraderie.

The shock of killing them all shattered my perception of the world I thought I knew.

‘But it was just the beginning.’

The noble heirs provided me with good equipment and plenty of gold coins to establish my life in this new world, but at the same time, they plunged me into an endless whirlpool of grudges and feuds. I had to keep fighting, again and again.

I fought against vagabonds, criminals, soldiers, and knights sent by nobles. And above all else…

‘Something feels missing.’

I battled numerous knights. As I became firmly established in Ardenia and gained fame, the number of knightly encounters increased steadily. More and more envious nobles challenged me, leading to daily duels and sparring matches. On intense days, I’ve even fought up to five knights in one day: two after breakfast, two after lunch, and one before bedtime. In total, I have faced over seventy knights so far.

I never lost even once.

‘If I had lost, I would’ve died.’

Knights were living weapons of war and bloodthirsty fanatics who risked their lives for honor. Since joining Chrom, I fought more against my allies than enemies. Had I suffered defeat or sustained severe injuries just once, I wouldn’t have survived.

‘Those days were truly hellish, yet now they seem oddly nostalgic.’

It was like walking on the edge of a blade every single day. I never knew when death might come knocking. Surviving at all felt miraculous, given how knights challenged me to duels whenever I appeared slightly fatigued or weary. To endure, I relentlessly honed my martial skills each day.

Tai Chi Quan, Arhat Divine Fist, Heavenly Soul Sword Art, 99 Brilliant Sword Moves, Lightning Seven Swords…

Heavenly Dragon Sword Art, Reverse Flow Water Visualization Technique, Quick Advances, Wild Horse Art, Nirvana Scripture…

It wasn’t because I couldn’t properly handle my Inner Force or lacked talent for martial arts.

‘If that were the case, I wouldn’t have mastered five different cultivation techniques.’

In this chaotic life in another world, constantly searching libraries and watching MyTube videos to learn martial arts saved my life. During the day, I fought with sweat pouring down my face; at night, I sought knowledge about various martial principles. Even if the cultivation techniques I learned were trash, knights awakened their aura, making them superhumans. Without adapting all known martial arts into a personalized style that minimized Inner Force consumption, how could I have survived until now?

Click!

An archer wielding a large crossbow emerged amidst the soldiers.

The bolt already loaded on my crossbow appeared well-maintained with its sharp tip gleaming brightly.

“Puhahahaha! Wolf Knight. Despite your illustrious reputation, you’re just another bandit scum! Well, what else can be expected from one tainted by barbarian blood!”

“Truly foolish! To willingly crawl into this den of danger?”

They laughed uproariously, their eyes filled with contempt as they mocked me mercilessly. I silently observed them before singling out three knights.

“You, you, and you.”

Their laughter abruptly ceased at my calm demeanor. One of the knights, who was addressed, frowned and asked:

“Wolf Knight, do you have business with me?”

He stood tall, possessing a handsome face distinctly different from the menacing expressions of his fellow knights. Responding to this refined knight, I said:

“It seems only the three of you should feel ashamed.”

”…!”

My words caused not only the three knights but also the other knights and Boux King to visibly flinch. If I had yelled at them for their cowardice or questioned how they could act this way, they would have sneered even more, belittling me further. However, my calm yet pointed criticism seemed to deeply unsettle them.

“You savage bastards…”

As I observed their reactions, I let out a deep sigh.

“Even recognizing my face, haven’t you heard any rumors about me? How could I be unaware of your lack of honor, your petty and cowardly nature? I’ve witnessed your disgraceful actions numerous times.”

”…”

Despite my casual tone, the knights’ faces twisted with anger as I unleashed these harsh truths.

However, their grimaces couldn’t stop my mouth from speaking. “In some ways, it is admirable that you raised your army like you had nothing to lose after losing even your capital city. At any rate, you moved aggressively.”

”…”

“But amidst all this, what kind of foolish judgment led you to covet another land? Without knowing the identity of the monsters that destroyed your own capital or the current state of the continent, you chose to draw swords against fellow humans… It’s sheer shortsighted stupidity.”

”…”

I sighed as dozens of eyes glared at me with murder in their gaze.

“Not only lacking honor but also intelligence.”

“You dare insult us, scum!”

Finally unable to bear it, one knight charged forward. Upon closer inspection, it was Heavyman who had escorted me here earlier.

“It’s that idiot again. Thank you for bringing me here.”

“Cu-ck! You bastard!!”

He screamed and charged with his sword drawn. I stood there unarmed and spoke, “I won’t kill you.”

Clang!

With all my weight behind it, I struck down with my left hand.

Kung!

“Uwah-?!”

As soon as I grabbed the flying sword and twisted, the Heavyman couldn’t resist and staggered. It was commendable that he didn’t lose hold of the sword amidst this chaos.

“W-What…?” His eyes widened like they might burst while trying to pull away, but the sword remained unmoved, stuck like a rock. My current strength was rare even on Earth. Without any equipment boosting his strength, this guy had no chance against me.

“As much as possible—”

“You, m-mu-!”

Crack!

I punched him in the stomach with my right hand. The Heavyman flew like a gorilla hit by a dump truck.

I hit its stomach with my right hand, and the Heavyman flew like a gorilla struck by a dump truck.

“S-shoot!!”

Ping ping!

Three bolts were fired. If they hit wrong, it would penetrate even armor, but for me who fought against Sword Master’s sword energy, this was just laughable.

Puck puck puck!

“Huh?”

“What is this?!”

The three crossbowmen flew backward with bolts embedded in their shoulders. The knights were astonished as I easily caught the bolts and threw them back.

Pat!

“No! Stop him!”

“Attack simultaneously!”

Armored knights blocked my path. Swords infused with aura targeted my shoulder and legs.

‘Is that all?’

It wasn’t that their skills were terrible. After all, they couldn’t stand beside the king without being competent. However, they were too slow.

They were weak.

It truly feels like a different world.

With my increased physical stats and chakra support, along with various skills, I could easily predict their attacks as if fighting three-year-old children.

“Huh?!”

I stamped down on the sword with my left foot, slightly twisting my torso to avoid its diagonal strike. Then, using Vibrating Foot, I firmly planted myself on the ground. Despite having monstrous strength, my weight remained the same, so there was always a risk of losing balance if I misjudged my center of gravity even slightly.

Bam!

I struck one knight’s side. The second knight flew backward like a cat hit by a pillow, crashing into those lined up behind it.

Whack!

A low kick sent the third knight spinning around like a windmill.

“Slow!”

“Hap!”

Stonestone and Hundred were easily handling their enemies as well. It seemed none of them were strong enough to face off against these two once they equipped their armor and drew their swords.

“You bastard!” One knight charged at me with his shield raised.

Bam!

I struck the center of the shield precisely, causing one of its legs to snap like a twig and collapse onto the ground. With both speed and power lacking, it was impossible for him to land a hit on me.

“This monster…!”

“I’ll kill you!!”

Despite being outmatched, the knights refused to retreat. There could be several reasons behind this decision. Firstly, even if I appeared incredibly powerful, they likely assumed there would be limitations to how long I could sustain this level of strength.

Secondly, there were 15,000 soldiers surrounding me completely, along with dozens of knights and over ten mages. They believed they could win through sheer numbers alone. Of course, it was a big misconception—I could kill all of them with my bare hands. There might be limits to my stamina, but that issue would resolve once I traveled around Earth.

However, instead of doing so…

I picked up the sword lying on the ground.

[Sword Energy Manifestation.]

Flash!

With one swing, swords, shields, and bolts were sliced apart and fell to the ground. The knights, who had been charging forward with burning determination, groaned upon seeing the sword covered in sword energy.

“Aura…Blade?”

“A Sword Master?”

“S-stop joking around! That’s just a legend!”

“But that move was—”

I cut through the ranks of stunned knights and soon arrived at the man who had been cursing me from afar.

“Y-you… How did you…?” The king of the Boux Kingdom, White Fox, stammered with his face pale.

Heh.

I grinned at him, which prompted an awkward smile in return.

“H-ha-ha… Y-you’re truly remarkable! I-I never imagined such a display! I…” White Fox started rambling nervously.

As I watched him, without warning…

Whack! I punched him right in the gut.

All the knights and mages were captured, including their commander and king. The Fox Army still numbered fifteen thousand strong, but with their commanders taken captive, they followed us aimlessly wherever we went. It was natural since not only had one of the commanders been captured, but also the king and all his nobles.

I led them to Starting Point and set up tents near the western gate. Despite our overwhelming power, it wasn’t feasible to accommodate more refugees than the entire population of the city within its walls, so this was my chosen solution.

‘In the end, they’re left sitting on the roadside.’

Despite this, none of the refugees expressed any dissatisfaction.

“Come now! There’s plenty of meat stew, so no need to argue—help yourselves! You can even take some for later!”

“We’re short-staffed, so please roast your own bread directly over the fire! However, there will be penalties for those who waste or discard their food!”

“Take these leather coats as well! It’s cold out!”

Both refugees and soldiers of the Fox Army lined up side by side to receive steaming bowls of soup. Some stared at the meat stew in disbelief, while others hastily devoured it before getting back in line for more. The gate was bustling with activity as people teared up after taking just one bite.

“This… How can you feed this much meat stew to such a large crowd?” A disarmed White Fox soldier rubbed his eyes in disbelief, but nothing changed despite his incredulity.

“I will release you and the nobles once I receive your ransom.” Sitting across from him, I informed him in a calm voice. From the beginning, my plan was to let them go. Capturing the king of an enemy country is a tremendous achievement that could instantly lead to victory in war, but the Boux Kingdom couldn’t truly be considered our adversary.

“You…you mean to say you’ll release us for just timber and coal?”

“Just? It’s enough to fill 100 carriages. The value far exceeds that of one middle-aged man with a beer belly.”

“But that…” The Fox King seemed bewildered, yet it was undeniably true. Holding him hostage posed more risks than benefits.

“However, I won’t send back the refugees. It seems you can’t protect or lead them. And that…” I continued speaking, “It is the same for the soldiers.”

“What do you mean?!” The White Boux slammed his hand on the table and jumped up, drawing everyone’s attention. Our meeting was taking place in a completely public space. There wasn’t even a common screen to shield our conversation from the surrounding soldiers and refugees. Amidst all these prying eyes, I calmly spoke:

“It isn’t forced. I will ask each soldier their preference, and those who wish to return will be sent back.”

“Bullshit! You dare! Dare to…!”

“Or else.” I interrupted his agitated words. “Should I execute all your heads and take you as prisoners?”

”…!” He stopped talking, unable to continue. I was secretly surprised by this sight.

‘He isn’t oblivious.’

If he had continued spouting nonsense here, I really would’ve done it but he retreated like a ghost. Well, even if they were royalty, one couldn’t survive in this brutal world without being perceptive.

As silence fell around us, Flower approached me wearing her maid uniform. Behind her, there were carts pulled by Tai Ping (Ordinary) Donkey, Black Cow (Ordinary), and White Cow (Ordinary).

“Castle Lord-nim, we have run out of wild boar meat.”

At her words, the refugees who were focused on my conversation with White Boux groaned.

“Huh! Is the meat gone?”

“We ate too much…”

“Mama, is there no more meat now?”

“Be quiet. You’ve eaten enough!”

“But what will happen now…?”

Seeing the confused refugees, I sighed lightly and looked at Flower. Her red hair was shiny due to eating well and raising her stats, while her green eyes gazed upon me. I asked her silently:

‘Do you really need to perform this act?’

She responded with her eyes:

‘It is absolutely necessary.’

“If you say it’s all gone, then I must give more.”

“Thank you, Sungchul-ssi.”

The refugees and soldiers looked at our conversation with confusion on their faces. Naturally, the Starting soldiers who were already aware of the situation stood proudly by. In front of them…

‘Let’s see… Inventory.’

I stretched out my hand.

Thud!

“Huh? Meat appearing from thin air…”

“What?”

Ignoring people’s confusion, I continued to take wild boar hind legs from my inventory.

Thud. Thud. Thud.

Thud. Thud. Thud. Thud!

I kept placing them down. Again and again, filling one cart instantly before moving onto the next. The second cart filled up as well as the third.

“Oh…my God.”

“How…is this possible…?”

I continued extracting meat and placing it down while numerous people watched in awe.