Barbarian's Adventure in a Fantasy World-Chapter 19: Swordmaster Kain (2)

What’s going on...? The guard commander felt as if he were dreaming. Before him stood the extraordinary Swordmaster—a Transcendent who had reached the pinnacle of human capability: Kain the Swordmaster. Yet this exalted figure was being held captive by a barbarian.

Not just captured, he was suspended mid-air in an utterly humiliating position, with the barbarian gripping the back of his neck.

To make matters worse, the barbarian was accusing the Swordmaster of being a bandit.

The guard commander’s mind blanked. He didn’t know what to say in such a bizarre situation. With great effort, he forced his lips to move. “T-that man... is not a bandit.”

“Huh?” Ketal looked puzzled. “So you know him? A criminal acquaintance perhaps? If he is not a bandit, is he a pickpocket?”

“He’s... no, never mind.” The guard commander gave up on explaining. Instead, he assumed a posture befitting the occasion.

Standing straight, he bowed deeply. This was a gesture of respect reserved for those who transcended human limits.

“I greet you, Sir Kain, the only Swordmaster of the Kingdom of Gehantra, the one who has reached the apex of the blades,” the guard commander said.

“Huh?” At those words, the expressions of both the barbarian and the Swordmaster shifted.

Kain’s face twisted further in humiliation. The guard commander realized his blunder—Kain hadn’t revealed his identity as a Swordmaster.

“A Swordmaster, you say?” Ketal looked genuinely flustered.

The title carried immense weight. Ketal could not believe that this man he was holding was supposed to be a Swordmaster. He was the same person Ketal had accused of being a bandit just a moment ago.

“That can’t be. This man is a bandit! He ambushed me to steal my silver coins!” Ketal shouted.

“No, he is a Swordmaster. I wouldn’t mistake his face for someone else’s. I even recall him promising to visit this estate,” the guard commander explained.

“Perhaps he is a mage skilled enough to alter his appearance...”

“Magic capable of disguising one’s entire physique to such perfection? If he were such a high-level mage, he’d be revered as much as the Swordmaster.”

“Then maybe Swordmaster is just another term for bandit.”

“What nonsense are you talking about?”

It was then that Ketal understood. “He’s really a Swordmaster?”

“Yes,” the guard commander replied.

“Hmph.” With an expression that was both bewildered and resigned, Ketal finally released his grip.

As soon as his feet touched the ground, Kain straightened his clothing. The entire scene had felt like a surreal dream.

The guard commander, who had been watching in a daze, snapped back to his senses. This was a situation far beyond his ability to resolve. “I will report this to the lord. Please wait here for a moment...”

With that, he hurried off, moving so fast it was as if he couldn’t bear to remain there any longer. A sharp pain throbbed in his temples as he ran toward the lord’s castle. Somehow, he had a dreadful feeling that as long as that barbarian remained, his headaches would never cease.

***

Sweating profusely, the guard commander relayed the story to Lord Barcan, who sprang to his feet in shock.

Rushing to the scene, Lord Barcan arrived to witness the barbarian and the Swordmaster standing before him, his expression frozen in astonishment. Without delay, he led them back to the reception room and desperately attempted to explain the situation to the still-confused barbarian.

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“I see...,” Ketal finally said, realization dawning upon him. He now fully believed that the man was indeed a Swordmaster. Speaking carefully, he added, “I apologize. I should have listened until the end.”

“No, it’s not your fault,” Kain replied awkwardly. “I should have explained myself earlier.”

The Swordmaster and the barbarian exchanged hesitant words, their discomfort evident. Watching them, Lord Barcan felt a headache creeping in.

Kain lost? Lord Barcan thought. The lord, who had known Kain for a long time, could roughly predict his actions. He had guessed that Kain would seek out the barbarian for a duel. But he had never anticipated Kain losing.

Kain had been defeated by a barbarian. The details were unclear, but one fact was undeniable: Ketal was stronger than the Swordmaster.

Of course, even among Swordmasters, there were varying degrees of skill. Kain had only recently reached that level, and among Transcendents, his abilities were likely still developing.

Yet, he was still a Swordmaster—a bearer of the title that represented mastery of the blade. For someone to defeat such a figure—a barbarian no less—was unthinkable. It meant this barbarian was an uncontrollable force.

Every calculation and contingency Lord Barcan had considered shattered under the weight of this realization. The headache he had been suppressing became unbearable.

“It seems there was a misunderstanding. I will leave you two to talk things out,” Lord Barcan said, standing up. Neither Ketal nor Kain stopped him.

Once the reception room door closed, only the barbarian and the Swordmaster remained. Ketal looked at Kain with a mixed expression of awkwardness and curiosity.

A Swordmaster... Ketal thought.

He was the master of the blade—one who had reached the pinnacle of swordsmanship.

Such figures were a staple in fantasy worlds, symbols of unparalleled strength. Ketal had often imagined what such individuals might be like during his time in the White Snowfield.

He thought about what weapons they would wield, what mysterious powers they would command, and just how strong they could be.

But this was not what he had expected. Ketal was very disappointed.

Kain could sense the thoughts reflected in Ketal’s gaze. Though deeply humiliating, he couldn’t deny them. He had lost, and not just barely—his defeat had been absolute. Beyond the blow of his pride, his spirit felt as tattered as a discarded rag.

“Let me properly introduce myself. I am Kain the Swordmaster.”

Now regaining his composure, Kain asked with genuine curiosity, “Is Swordmaster your surname?”

“When one ascends to the rank of Swordmaster, human family names no longer matter,” Kain explained. It was a tradition born of respect for those who transcended human limitations—a recognition that their lineage could no longer bind them.

However, after getting defeated by the barbarian, Kain realized these formalities didn’t matter.

Kain lowered his head in gloom, while Ketal gradually recovered his enthusiasm. Though their meeting had been unconventional, Ketal found himself intrigued. He had always dreamed of meeting someone like this.

As Ketal’s curiosity grew, Kain began speaking again. “I must apologize once more.”

“There’s no need,” Ketal replied. “As I said, I should have listened to the whole story. But why did you follow me?”

“I heard rumors of a barbarian who emerged from the White Snowfield,” Kain admitted.

“Ah,” Ketal said. He now understood that Kain had come to test him. “Were you satisfied with the results?”

“More than enough,” Kain replied with a bitter smile. “Far more than I expected. You truly are a being of the Demon Realm. I thought I understood that place well, but it turns out I was mistaken.”

Kain’s words stirred Ketal’s curiosity even further. The mention of the Demon Realm piqued his interest, especially as it aligned with the strange locations he had read about in the library, including the White Snowfield.

Before Ketal could ask more, Kain spoke again. “What... do you think of us?”

Ketal immediately grasped the question’s intent and shook his head. “I have no plans to do anything. I am simply enjoying my journey. It may be hard to believe, but I have no reason to lie.”

“I believe you,” Kain replied. “If you wanted me dead, you would have killed me already.”

Ketal’s choice to subdue rather than kill him had spoken volumes. The tension between them began to ease.

Looking at Kian, Ketal felt his curiosity grow even stronger. He asked, “Was what you showed me earlier also a Swordmaster’s technique?”

“This?” Kain raised his arm, allowing a bluish glow to envelop it entirely.

“Wow!” Ketal exclaimed in awe.

Earlier, he had dismissed it as a mere bandit’s trick, but now that he knew it was a Swordmaster’s ability, his interest soared.

“This is the manifestation of Myst. It is also known as Aura,” Kain said.

“Aura!” Ketal’s eyes sparkled. “So that’s what Aura is!”

“Y-yes, that’s correct,” Kain stammered, caught off guard by the sudden shift in Ketal’s attitude. The barbarian, who had seemed monstrous during their fight, now resembled an excited child.

“How does one do that?” Ketal asked eagerly.

“Well... Essentially, it involves controlling Myst to manifest it,” Kain explained.

“Myst? What is that? Is it like mana?” Ketal probed further.

“No, mana belongs to mages. Myst is the fundamental unit of the world. Whether it’s used as Aura or mana depends on the weider—knights and mages simply take different approaches,” Kain said.

“So, mages and knights both manipulate Myst, but in different ways!” Ketal exclaimed with a bright smile, his earlier ferocity entirely gone.

Kain felt a mix of awkwardness and obligation under Ketal’s enthusiastic gaze. The barbarian’s excitement was contagious.

Finally, Ketal couldn’t hold back any longer. “Can you teach me how to do that?”

“What?”

“Forgive my ignorance, but I am still gathering knowledge. You, however, are a Swordmaster—someone who has reached the pinnacle of swordsmanship. Surely, you’ve taught others before?” Ketal pressed.

“Well, yes, I have...” Kain hesitated. He had trained the knight who had ultimately been defeated by Ketal.

The barbarian bowed his head sincerely. “Please, teach me.”

Kain faltered. “I mean, it’s not that impressive, but... I suppose I could.”

However, it was more impressive than Kain made it out to be. Countless people would offer fortunes for the opportunity to be taught by a Swordmaster.

“You’re stronger than me. Why would you seek my guidance?” Kain asked, puzzled. The barbarian standing before him was undoubtedly far more powerful than him. It was peculiar for someone so strong to seek instruction from someone weaker.

Ketal shook his head. “Embarrassingly, I know nothing about Myst or swordsmanship you speak of. I only swing my weapon around mindlessly.”

“Is that so...?” Kain said, a flicker of relief stirring within him. The fragments of his shattered pride began to piece themselves back together.

He was a Swordmaster. Being strong wasn’t just about raw strength—he had attained the pinnacle of swordsmanship. Even if Ketal was physically stronger, that did not diminish Kain’s mastery of the blade.

That’s right. I didn’t even draw my sword! Kain thought.

During the fight with Ketal, Kain had blacked out while still gripping the hilt of his weapon. Though the defeat was undeniable, it hadn’t been a full demonstration of his power.

To teach this barbarian swordsmanship, to display the greatness of the blade— this would surely restore his broken self-esteem.

With a newfound resolve, Kain made his decision.

“Very well,” he said, nodding. “I am a swordsman. A Swordmaster. One who has reached the pinnacle of the blade. Without my sword, I am but a cripple.”

“Oh! That explains it!” Ketal exclaimed. “I thought you were too weak, but it was because you couldn’t use your sword!”

“Y-yes, exactly that.”

“Of course! You really were absurdly weak. For someone like that to be called a Swordmaster—it made no sense! But if you had wielded your sword, perhaps you could have won!”

“I-I wasn’t that weak...” Kain muttered, his voice faltering. He wondered if he could have defeated Ketal even with his sword. The thought didn’t fill him with confidence.

But with Ketal’s eyes gleaming like a child’s, Kain found himself unable to say no to the barbarian outright.

Will this really help me restore my self-esteem? Kain wondered. Instead, a chilling doubt crept into his mind. What if this only shatters me even further?

The thought gnawed at him as the conversation moved forward.