Volume 1 Chapter 16 The Moment Our Turning Point Finally Arrived
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
The man who spoke to me gave his name as Weed. The shop owner said he used to serve in a knight order from another land, but quit to travel and perfect his own sword style.
”Takumi-kun, ‘Swift Weed’ is a name most people know,” the shopkeeper said, wiping his hands with a cloth.
He said that, but honestly, I couldn’t relax around this guy. Something about him felt sharp and deadly—like he lived for the clash of blades and the scent of blood.
”Anyway, I heard you’re looking for a sword, boy,” Weed said, tilting his head.
”Huh? Mr. Weed, you know about swords?” I asked, blinking.
”Know them?” he said with a smirk, reaching into his magic bag. “I’ve got one right here.”
He pulled out a Japanese katana. There was no mistaking it—this was the real deal.
”Things like this don’t just show up out of nowhere,” Weed said, setting it on the counter. “Most are pulled from labyrinths. You boys must’ve come into this world with a group, yeah? This kind of weapon—what you call a sword—might’ve been among your stuff.”
”When Weed-san first found it, he didn’t know what it was,” the shopkeeper added. “He brought it to a museum to check.”
”I see… Actually, my friend’s looking for a Japanese sword,” I said, shifting awkwardly. “She says her power won’t work right without it.”
”I’ve been waiting for something like this,” Weed said, grinning.
A chill crept down my spine. That smile was all kinds of bad news.
”So, how much are you asking for it?” I asked, trying to stay calm.
”I don’t need money,” Weed said, crossing his arms. “I’ll hand it over to that girl. But only if she agrees to fight me.”
Yeah, I figured he’d say something like that. The words weren’t a surprise, but I still flinched. I sent a message to the labyrinth to call Chinatsu-chan and the others back.
* * *
Chinatsu-chan got back to base like a bolt of lightning. I could almost hear her footsteps from a mile away.
She left Hikari-chan and the rest behind, rushing in with windblown hair and eyes full of excitement. She grabbed Weed’s hand without hesitation.
”I can’t believe it! Someone found my sword! Thank you, gods, Buddha, you’re the best!” she cried.
”Yes, I am a god. A god, indeed,” Weed said, clearly enjoying himself.
…Chinatsu-chan, I don’t think he meant that literally. But since he’s not complaining, I’ll keep quiet.
”I’m Asakura Chinatsu,” she said, her eyes glowing. “God, please let me see the sword.”
Chinatsu-chan took the katana gently from Weed’s hands. With care and respect, she slowly unsheathed it.
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Wait… why does this feel so creepy?
”Chinatsu-chan, is this…?”
”Yeah. No doubt. It’s a cursed blade,” she said with a nod.
She didn’t even hesitate. So it really is dangerous, then. Even I could tell it gave off a nasty aura.
”Chinatsu-chan, what exactly is a cursed sword?” I asked, curious.
”Well, usually they drive the wielder mad,” she said, pressing her cheek to the blade. “But honestly, it just wants blood. That’s all. Oh? So your name is Chisame. Or is it ‘Chiame’? Nah, ‘Chisame’ sounds cuter. Let’s go with that. Good girl. There, there.”
Um… Chinatsu-san? Did you just cut your finger and drop blood on the sword? And it vanished into the blade. What kind of black magic is this? Also, why are you talking to the sword like it’s a pet?!
”So it really does have a will of its own,” Weed said, nodding in approval.
”Yeah, you weren’t bad, old man,” Chinatsu said with a playful tone. “But I like stronger weapons better. And since Chisame’s a girl, she didn’t like being your second choice.”
Wait… swords have genders now?
Weed’s face lit up even more.
”I see, I see. If you’ve bonded with it that well, then I’ve got no complaints. Chinatsu, the sword is yours. But in return, fight me.”
”Sure,” Chinatsu-chan said right away, brushing her cheek along the blade with a cold grin. “She needs her first taste of blood to be from someone strong, after all.”
The smile on her face was terrifying. My spine hadn’t stopped shaking since this started. These two aren’t just battle freaks—they’re born for killing.
”Wait, Chinatsu-chan,” I said, raising my hand. “We only have enough money at the church to revive one person. If both of you die, we’re in serious trouble.”
I had to stop her. Resurrection comes with all kinds of rules, but the biggest one is the 24-hour time limit. If more than one person dies now, someone will end up sold as a slave just to cover the cost.
”It’s fine,” Chinatsu-chan said, waving me off. “I won’t be the one losing my head.”
”You guys that broke?” Weed asked with a laugh. “Alright, fine. I’ll pay. Take me to the church. I’ll register my revival spot here too… Not that it’ll help you when you’re the one gutting me.”
Even though they were smiling, the things they said were way too scary. Chinatsu-chan had gone from calling him a god to just ‘old man’. Was this her real personality? Or was it the sword’s influence? I didn’t want to think about it.
Once the rest of the 5th Division caught up, we sat around chatting while we waited for the church to open. Then we paid Chinatsu-chan’s revival deposit and registered Weed’s spot.
”Well then, let’s get started,” Weed said, drawing his sword with smooth precision.
Even just standing there, you could tell he was a true warrior.
”I am Weed, knight of the Dragon Kingdom of Enied,” he announced. “Former vice-commander of the Guardian Knights. Known as ‘Godspeed Weed’. My skill is Sword Master. My current rank is 30th.”
Rank 30?! All of us from the 5th Division stared in shock. In this world, the popular ranking system gets updated twice a year. The list goes up to 1,000, but the top 100 gets published everywhere. We’re not part of it, but we’ve seen it.
”That’s amazing,” someone whispered.
”Chinatsu, what’s your rank?” he asked.
”I’m not ranked,” she said with a shrug. “But now that I have Chisame-chan, I’m definitely above this uncle, right?”
”I see, I see,” Weed said, smiling. “You didn’t have a sword before.”
Chinatsu-chan didn’t seem fazed by his rank at all. She smiled brightly as she replied, and Weed calmly accepted her challenge without losing his cool.
”Hey, Hikari-chan,” I asked. “Is Chinatsu-chan actually strong? She talks like she is.”
”Well, I’m not sure,” Hikari-chan said, fidgeting. “Her family runs a sword school, and they’re pretty famous… But she’s never been in a real match.”
Even though Hikari-chan could bring people back to life, she still looked worried. She kissed my cheek and whispered, “Takumi-kun, please watch my first battle properly.”
”Then I’ll introduce myself too,” Chinatsu-chan said, taking her stance. “I am the Asakura-style Battoujutsu Grandmaster, Asakura Chinatsu. My skill is Weapon Enhancement. I’ll show you a sword draw blessed by the gods at Hinata Udo.”
They both bowed and got ready. Weed drew his sword, while Chinatsu-chan left hers in the sheath—like the iai-style from old samurai shows.
”Weapon Enhancement, huh?” Weed said, eyes narrowing. “What a waste. Your stance shows real talent, but that’s such a weak skill.”
”No,” Chinatsu-chan said, gripping her sword. “It’s the perfect skill for me.”
The air between them changed. Even from where we stood, something cold crawled over our skin. They smiled—but it wasn’t a friendly one.
”Uraaaah!” Weed shouted, dashing forward so fast he vanished in a blur.
A soft clang rang out as Chinatsu-chan moved.
Then, before anyone could even react, Weed’s head was floating in the air.
Notes:
• Weed – He is a retired knight and martial arts master, appeared as a sword seller, known for his bloodthirsty grin and elite ‘Sword Master’ skill.
• Chinatsu-chan – Hikari’s party. Frustrated, jokes about prostitution.
• Chinatsu – Hikari’s party. Frustrated, jokes about prostitution.
• Hikari-chan – 4th Division leader. Stressed, relies on Takumi.
• Hikari – 4th Division leader. Stressed, relies on Takumi.
• Dragon Kingdom of Enied – It is Weed’s homeland, appeared as part of his introduction, notable for its elite Guardian Knights.
• Chisame-chan – She is Chinatsu’s sword now, appeared as a supportive figure, mentioned for her potential strength alongside Chinatsu.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
Thanks for reading.
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