Unholy Player-Chapter 169: Sword Practice (Part 1)

"So he wants to send us inside the Legacy Domain to plunder it for him," Adyr said, lifting an eyebrow as he summed up what he’d just heard.

"That’s right," Malrik replied. "And don’t worry, you won’t go alone if you accept. I’ll be joining you as a Rank 2 representative of Velari and the Astra Path. Of course, other kingdoms will send their own Path practitioners too. It’s going to get a bit crowded in there, but all we have to do is pick up a few valuable things and get out. Trust me, even the least valuable relic inside belonged to a Rank 5 Adept, so it will be priceless to people like us. The Wandering Merchant will pay handsomely for every item we bring back."

Adyr nodded in agreement. It really did sound like a huge event—one that every Rank 1 and Rank 2 practitioner in the region would fight to join. Some of them might even be stronger or more experienced than him. After all, Adyr had been a practitioner for only a short time, while most of his rivals would have years of practice.

"So, do you accept?" Liora asked calmly. freёweɓnovel_com

"Yeah," Adyr answered without hesitation.

It wasn’t an opportunity he would pass up. The thought of venturing into an unknown, treasure-filled Domain was exciting enough. On top of that, gaining even a glimpse into a deceased Rank 5 Adept’s power and secrets was a rare chance he couldn’t afford to miss. This was far better than Sevrak’s tournament.

"Good," Lucen said, a rare smile breaking across his usually blank face as he slowly stood. "Then let’s begin your sword training."

As they prepared to start, Adyr paused and gestured toward Colossith’s massive body. "What about this?"

Originally, they had planned to strike when Sevrak arrived, using the opportunity to neutralize and capture the Rank 4 Spark. But clearly, things had changed.

"We’ll leave it for now," Liora replied, though she didn’t sound entirely pleased. "It looks like it’ll finish its meal in a few hours, and once it’s full, it’ll leave on its own."

Adyr didn’t argue. Taking down a Rank 4 Spark was difficult even with Sevrak’s help, and wasting their strength right before an event like this would be a mistake. They could put the Colossith issue aside for now.

Its next return would be months away, and by then, they’d either come up with another plan, or Adyr’s massive titanium plate structure would hold up just fine.

Or next time, I can capture it myself, Adyr thought darkly, his gaze fixed on the giant Titan.

If the others could hear him, they would have been shocked—and probably thought he was out of his mind.

"Let’s go to my mansion. You can train there in peace," Lucen said as he summoned his massive white duck.

The duck gave a single quack with its broad orange beak before settling onto its webbed feet, waiting for its passengers to climb on.

With one smooth motion, Lucen leapt onto the soft-looking feathers and crossed his legs. Adyr followed, hopping up behind him and sitting cross-legged as well.

Compared to Malrik’s Frost Wyvern, the duck was surprisingly comfortable. Its downy plumage compressed beneath him like a cushioned seat.

When the duck took off, Adyr felt no discomfort. Its flight was steady, neither too fast nor too slow. Clearly, Lucen had chosen this Rank 2 Spark for comfort rather than speed.

After gliding over the Velari Kingdom for some time, the duck began to rise toward a mountainous area and gradually slowed as it glided over a forested clearing.

As Adyr glanced down, he saw a large empty space in the middle of the forest, with a grand structure built at its center.

The building resembled the residence of an old imperial family—stately and elegant in its design, which suited Lucen’s refined, young-master appearance perfectly. Its secluded position atop the mountain made it even more imposing.

From above, he could see dozens of people in the expansive gardens. Many wore plain cultivation robes, yet their color gave them away: those in black patrolled like guards, those in blue moved like servants, and those in white appeared to be family members who belonged to this mansion.

As the massive white duck glided across the skies, everyone below paused what they were doing. Heads dipped in quiet acknowledgment as they let it pass before returning to their work, the duck’s shadow drifting slowly over rooftops and gardens.

A little further on, it began to descend, broad wings stirring the air as it glided into a wide, secluded clearing. "How is it? A good place to train, right?" Lucen asked, leaping lightly to the ground.

The clearing was a broad stretch of packed earth enclosed by dense walls of green. Bushes and low trees surrounded it like a natural barrier, shielding the space from any prying eyes. The soil was smooth but scuffed in places, the ground marked with faint, scattered footprints—signs that this was a well-used sparring arena.

Lucen clearly intended to put him straight into live practice.

"Do you have a weapon you’d like to use?" Lucen asked, his voice calm as he sent the great duck back into his Sanctuary with a gesture, "Or would you prefer I give you one?"

A light wind slipped through the trees, setting his white robe stirring gently around him. The long sword strapped across his back stood out against the fabric, its sheath simple yet dignified. Even without moving, Lucen carried the quiet confidence of someone who had long since mastered his blade.

"I usually use two blades. Is that all right?" Adyr asked, hands resting on the hilts at his back as he drew them. They were shorter than Lucen’s longsword, but they didn’t look any less lethal.

"They look like they’re on their last legs," Lucen remarked in an even tone, though there was a weight to his voice. The state of Adyr’s weapons clearly didn’t impress him. These had been Adyr’s first swords — cheap, plain steel he hadn’t maintained properly. They showed every bit of that neglect, their edges dulled and their surfaces nicked.

Adyr had thought of buying replacements at the Player Headquarters shop before coming here, but he’d decided to wait until after training with Lucen. Better to pick his next pair with a clearer sense of what suited him, rather than rushing into a purchase without knowing exactly what he needed.

Lucen raised his hand, and a pair of swords very much like Adyr’s own appeared. "These are training blades. Don’t let their plain looks fool you—they’re tough and sharp. Their design will help you figure out exactly what you need as you use them," he explained. "I had them forged by the same smith who made my personal sword, so they’ll serve you well for this training."

Adyr stepped closer and took the wooden-handled swords with a nod of thanks.

As Lucen had said, they looked simple—a pair of unadorned steel blades with no embellishment at all. But if they had come from the hands of a sword fanatic like Lucen, there was sure to be more to them than met the eye. Trusting Lucen’s judgment, Adyr slid his own swords back into their sheaths, then gave the training blades a few light practice swings, testing their balance and weight.

Updat𝓮d from freew𝒆bnovel(.)com