Chapter 90 - Ascended Sword
Every single person who studied the behavior of Sword Breath could only use one word to describe it, wilful.
In the beginning, scholars thought that the uncontrollable effect of Sword Breath was restricted to living entities or terrain, but they were quickly proven to be wrong!
The random formation of Sword Beasts and Sword Anomalies were never the only products of Sword Breath's alternation, rather, as if to set off the harm caused by them, humanity soon discovered what they considered Sword Breath's gift to them.
As the only form of object that could control it, the form that it took on and came out from, 'Swords' were still Sword Breath's greatest products!
The criteria of its formation were still under consideration, but for whatever reason, some swords would be chosen by Sword Breath to undergo 'ascension' just like Swordsmen did. Some said it was related to the sword's owner, the material it was made from, or even the lives it took, but the process was so
It didn't matter if the sword was even made of wood, as long as it 'ascended', not only would it obtain an abnormal ability, but it would also reach durability incomparable to forged swords, including those made from mutated ores. These swords were none other than humanity's treasures, known as…
"An Ascended Sword!"
Spotting one was a very easy matter to Swordsmen, just by interacting with their True Sword Breath, they would be easily able to see the Sword Breath hidden within its blade, the more visible and 'full' it was, the higher the grade of the sword. As for the sword that the group came upon, their eyes forcefully widened! This was an Ascended Sword worthy of a Grand Master!
However, amid the group's delight, Leo spoke out in a heavy tone, preventing anyone from making a move at the incredible blade.
"I suggest you come out of hiding now."
It wasn't like he didn't share the sentiment with the rest of the group. In fact, this Ascended Sword was his sole reason for joining this expedition, but after spending the whole way contemplating this incident, he knew he couldn't let his guard down.
The only one who was supposed to become the owner of this treasure was currently missing, but it was just there in the corner. Moreover, the people who were supposed to die were currently all well and alive by the end of the expedition, this wasn't a change that could be simply explained as a 'butterfly effect'!
Although Leo had chosen this sword as his target since it incredibly suited him, he would have ended up forsaking it if not for his confidence of surviving by relying on his knowledge of this expedition's result. The sword being just a few steps away from him didn't change the fact that he still had to think his way out of 'confirmed' death.
Instead, this situation made it easier for him to deduce the unknowns of this incident. Leo couldn't see anything in the dark. However, if the owner of the item was yet to appear, while the item was right here, then it could only mean one thing.
"Haha… What do you mean by hiding? I had been lost for so long that I felt very excited to finally find the rest of you, so I quickly rushed over… The Endless Sword sure has great senses."
A sharp voice came out of nowhere before a figure slowly climbed up from somewhere close to the corner. The group was surprised to notice that this part even had an opening, but this surprise turned to shock as they recognized the figure's face.
"Oh! You actually found an Ascended Sword! I can't imagine how many coins we would be able to get once we sell it and split it up! Let me just check it out first…"
Unlike what his words indicated, the fifth group member's actions betrayed the greed in his eyes as he reached out to the corner beside him!
"Don't touch it before you explain yourself first! This will be my first and last warning!"
The calmness disappeared from Leo's face, ignoring the rest of the group that was barely processing the situation as he shouted out. Disregarding the value of the sword, if it fell into this man's hands, then so would their fate. Although this was just according to Leo's theory, he wasn't going to bet on anything else since their lives were involved.
Leo's addition to the group might have made them reach this place quicker thanks to his constant urging, but the stern-faced man wasn't an idiot, he would only be slightly slower than this at most, in which case the situation playing out now would be identical to what happened in the novel, and Leo couldn't let that happen!
"He is right, tell us how you found your way here first-"
Both Leo and the stern-faced man's words didn't seem like they reached the suspicious man's ears. He had come all the way here to get this, and there was no way he would spend another second without having it in his hand. After all, only then could he…
Swish!
"Agaahhhhh!"
Splatshshsh!
However, even with all of his planning, the suspicious man didn't expect Leo to act on his warning and cut his arm off! Just what kind of lunatic would do this?!
"You… You! I was just going to bring it over!"
The man stood in place, holding into his blood-gushing arm as his complementing bloodshot eyes glared at Leo in extreme contempt! Everything was ruined now!
"You will… pay for this! I-I won't go down alone!"
The one-armed man knew that his life could still be saved, but the loss of one's dominant arm was no better than a death sentence to a Swordsman's life.
"Die!"
Raising up his right leg was all of his strength, the man's eyes crazily shone as he stomped down. If this abominable Endless Sword ruined his perfect plan, then he would proceed with the rest of it as his grand goodbye!
"No, you don't."
Not bothering to even use his sword this time, Leo used his leg to tackle the furious man before he could touch anything else. Having somewhat processed what was happening, the stern-faced man quickly subdued the abnormal guy before he felt something bulging out of his side. Rummaging in to take it out, his brows reached the end of his forehead as he finally came to understand everything!
"I found something!"