Chapter 15 : Escort Mission (4)

‘Inevitability’ is a type of special ability.

Depending on the disposition of one’s innate fate, it is a special ability that is bound to the paths that have blossomed.

Of course, there are times when martial arts or technical inevitabilities, such as ‘swordsmanship,’ appear, but generally from the second path onward, an inevitability with a special ability emerges.

And the inevitabilities that heroes acquire, like these, boast a wide variety of performances with each path.

In other words, the higher the stage of the path.

And the higher the level of the fate itself, the better the ability that manifests.

‘The fate I once had…’

Even when looking at my own fate, this holds true.

The first path of the <Genius Swordsman>, <Apprentice Magician>, and the inevitability <Flexible Absorption>.

This is an extremely common and ordinary ability, to the point where most magician heroes acquire it by ‘chance.’ It’s practically too embarrassing to call it an inevitability.

That’s why, when I was dragged to the battlefield of the Otherworld, this inevitability didn’t help at all.

Of course, after that, I did grow into a ‘Mana Swordsman’ by leveraging my skill in handling mana.

‘And the fate of a swordsman.’

On the other hand, the newly emerging fate of the <Swordsman>.

Within it, the inevitabilities in the five blossomed paths.

<Flexible Absorption>, <Indomitable Body>, <Mana at the Sword’s Tip>, <Footsteps of Fallen Leaves>…

Each of these abilities boasts such overwhelming performance that none of them can be considered useless.

<Flexible Absorption> grants tremendous learning speed for all newly acquired techniques and martial arts, and <Indomitable Body> provides a strengthened physique that allows one to maintain peak condition even in extreme situations.

Moreover, <Mana at the Sword’s Tip> allows one to wield mana through the sword with near-perfect control.

Unfortunately, my physical condition returned to its previous state after my return, but thanks to the support of these inevitabilities, I was able to regain some of my former strength.

And then.

“You are a hero who possesses the inevitability <Footsteps of Fallen Leaves>. This inevitability is bound to the fourth path of the <Swordsman> fate, <Knight of the Gale>.”

“<Footsteps of Fallen Leaves> offers faster and smoother movement. If you can handle mana, it allows for explosive acceleration and high-speed movement.”

Heroes who possess a fourth path are called ‘superhumans’ regardless of their profession.

They are heroes who can fulfill the role of more than one person and perform exceptionally well in battles against monsters.

They are beings who wield strong power and handle a mastered fate.

Therefore, from this point onward, the inevitabilities acquired cannot be compared to those of lower-level heroes.

<Footsteps of Fallen Leaves> was no exception.

Since it was an inevitability bound to the fourth path, its effects were beyond the scope of ordinary logic.

“Huff…!!”

Willpower naturally seeps into my body.

The moment I thought about using <Footsteps of Fallen Leaves>, my body was already moving smoothly.

As I began to wield my sword, a small smile formed within me.

‘It’s light.’

My body feels light.

And this new power feels familiar.

Even though it’s the first time using this inevitability since my return, it feels like a power I have known for a long time.

It was definitely a power I had used somewhere before.

“Hah…”

I swing my sword with free movements, as if entrusting my steps to the fallen leaves.

The mid-level monster, Kelleil.

Those creatures, which had ambushed in groups, were swiftly pierced by my sword one by one as they appeared.

A sufficient amount of mana was surging from the small gladius in my hand.

Kit, kiii?!

Kigigik-!!

Crackle!!

Kelleil is a monster resembling a small wolf, characterized by its sharp body parts like swords and its ability to move through the ground as if it were its home.

They hide underground and rush at their prey in sudden ambushes, just like the one earlier.

However, every power has a dual nature.

For all its mobility and attack methods, once caught, it’s an easy hunt.

Kelleil is notorious for its weak defense, even among mid-level monsters.

So, the ones that had just revealed themselves were inevitably swept away by my sword, without exception.

Kigigik!!

Crack, crackle!!

I sliced through and tore apart their shallow hides, and without hesitation, I stabbed them whenever I saw an opening.

A series of chilling screams echoed as the Kelleil struck by my sword all suffered fatal injuries.

As I moved, riding the flow of <Footsteps of Fallen Leaves>, I was able to confront all the monsters on the flank.

Though I didn’t count exactly, the number of Kelleil skewered by my sword had already exceeded ten.

“Who… who is that hero?”

“How many monsters is he taking on by himself…?”

“Wait. Could that person be… Edgar Mulick…?”

Heroes and new instructors, who had been preparing for battle in various places, were astonished at the sight.

Some of them seemed to recognize me, perhaps from the time we were in the same group during the instructor exam.

But their reactions didn’t particularly matter to me.

At the point when mid-level monsters appeared during the mission, any half-hearted amusement had already lost its meaning.

The important thing was to save as many people as possible.

And, incidentally, to experiment with the abilities bound to my ‘fate.’

‘This is similar to Gale Sword.’

Even as I swung my sword, I analyzed <Footsteps of Fallen Leaves>.

Just before my return.

I was often called the ‘Knight of the Gale’ in the Empire and displayed a similar divine skill.

By mastering <Valut Swordsmanship> and <Piareli Footwork> to the extreme, I naturally acquired techniques that ordinary knights couldn’t replicate.

Though I hadn’t named it myself, the public started calling it ‘Gale Sword.’

That Gale Sword had now transformed into an inevitability after my return.

And that inevitability was <Footsteps of Fallen Leaves>.

‘Though it’s a bit creaky… it’s not bad.’

I hadn’t yet fully regained my physical condition from before the return.

Even with the support of <Indomitable Body> and <Mana at the Sword’s Tip>, my body from ten years before the return had been honed through a decade of training.

It will likely take quite some time to fully recover to that state.

But it’s not bad.

The fact that I can move this well in real combat is quite an encouraging result.

It gave me a sense of establishing a certain benchmark for my current combat power, which had been hard to define until now.

“Hm?”

As I was lost in thought, swinging my sword, something strange caught my eye.

When the ‘fate’ she had longed for finally arrived, and her acceptance into the prestigious ‘Tristan Hero Academy’ was confirmed, Kaela was overjoyed, as if she could fly.