The Great Sword is not the Main Body!

My duel with Luchi didn’t happen.

Rubi was so... incredibly angry... that we couldn’t continue anymore.

Thank goodness... No, actually. It’s a shame! I could’ve won!

I wasn’t scared at all!

“Heh, hehehe... This is really... Men are always like this...”

“What do you mean?”

“Cough! Ah, no, haha...!”

Heinsel awkwardly scratched his scalp.

“Ugh... keheugh... ptoo... uhehe…”

Luchi was almost a half-dead body. His stomach was split open...! I could see his ribs slightly!

“Heh, I really can’t believe this. If Noah went out first, would you have made her look like this too? Hmm?”

"Ah, no. If the little one went out, it wouldn’t have gotten this far..."

"If Noah had come out... I would’ve gone easy on her..."

No need to go easy...

I was going to win anyway.

Well... probably?

I awkwardly moved to Rubia's side and began massaging her shoulder.

“Ah, Ailyn... You must be tired...?”

“Noah. You’re the same. Do you really want to duel with these crazy people? And what about Luchi, almost dying? Is the strong man not concerned with that? Will he just heal if he drinks a potion? What kind of sense is that?!”

“Heh, hehe..."

But... even Luchi agreed with those words...

“Hehe what... Never mind. Go away.”

Rubia brushed her shoulders and continued with the healing.

“Ah, by the way. These guys know I’m a priestess, so you can call me Rubia instead of Ailyn. Of course, only when no one else is around.”

“Yeah. Yeah...?”

What? I wasn’t the first...?

“Am... am I not the first...?”

“It just turned out that way…”

“Ah... I see…”

I felt strangely disappointed. I gave Rubia my first...

“Well... alright then…”

I went back to the corner and squatted down.

Maybe I should reflect on the duel...

I mentally replayed the battle between Heinsel and Luchi.

The information I perceived through Giga Sense flowed into my mind.

I calculated the difference between me and Luchi.

I was stronger. I was slower.

So, did I find out the secret before him...?

"Ugh... no. Focus..."

In technique, I wasn’t lacking. But in actual combat experience, I was inferior.

If the duel lasted longer, I’d be at a disadvantage. I’d need to finish it quickly.

My sword’s reach was longer, but my body was much shorter.

Our strides were different. Therefore, our breathing was different.

I had no hesitation in cutting down people.

In the end, it came down to momentum.

If I had pressured him more, maybe I could’ve uncovered the secret first...

“Ugh...! No!”

I focused again, drawing out several different scenarios based on my calculations.

The first time, I lost. The second time, I lost. The third time, I lost. The fourth time, I lost again. Lost. Lost. Lost. I kept losing.

And then.

On the 38th attempt, just once, my sword touched Luchi.

It wasn’t a fatal wound. But I took a fatal hit.

Remembering the routine from earlier, I recreated it.

On the 29th attempt, I gave Luchi a deep wound. But it wasn’t enough.

Again. Again. Again. Again.

After many repetitions, one single picture remained.

Out of the hundreds of possibilities, only one.

An absurd, slim chance of success.

But... if I tried this...

Would Rubia scold me terribly...?

Still, to demonstrate the greatness of the greatsword, I had no choice...

I let out a long sigh inside, and suddenly, a huge shadow loomed over me.

“Hey, kid.”

It was Heinsel.

“Yeah?”

“Did you watch the duel closely?”

I nodded.

“Do you know what went wrong in the end?”

The end?

Hmm...

“If, if Uncle Heinsel had attacked from the right instead of the left... do you think it would’ve gone differently? Luchi’s right side is his weak spot, right?”@@novelbin@@

“That’s true.”

Heinsel nodded while rubbing his chin.

“But... that wouldn’t have been as stylish, would it? I don’t have any weaknesses, but using Luchi’s weakness... it would’ve been embarrassing.”

“If you’re saying using weaknesses means you’re guaranteed to win... do you have confidence in that?”

“Well... that’s true. It might’ve been easier than this duel, though.”

I reflected again on the scene from the duel.

Hmm...

“No, no. Uncle Heinsel... doesn’t really match up. Because-”

Then I started explaining Heinsel’s weaknesses and strengths. And Luchi’s.

After all, this was advice from the number 2 ranked PvP player! Just memorize it! If you can’t, write it down!

It’s too much to list out, so let’s summarize in one sentence...

“Luchi is strong in one-on-one combat... uh, he’s at an extreme advantage. But Heinsel is good at fighting multiple monsters...?”

“Yeah, that’s true.”

“Right. That’s it.”

From the beginning, Luchi never studied how to deal with multiple opponents.

Luchi’s goal was one thing.

Carpen subjugation.

That’s how his swordsmanship developed.

Deflecting incoming attacks, counterattacking, and wearing down the enemy’s stamina.

In contrast, Heinsel just... mindlessly kills monsters... What more is there to say? His weapon’s a halberd.

“So, uh... I think... a halberd is better than a one-handed sword.”

You have two hands. Why use one to wield a sword?

I can’t understand it.

Plus, Luchi doesn’t even use a shield!

It’s so inefficient!

And the most important part—there’s no feel for the weapon!

“HaHAHAHA! Is that so? That’s right! Kid, you have an eye for this stuff! HaHAH!”

Heinsel laughed heartily and slapped my back.

Each time he did, my head jerked back and forth.

“Ugh, ugh...! Stop, stop hitting me!”

I struggled and barely blocked Heinsel’s arm. What a ridiculous tough guy...

“Kid!”

“Yeah?”

Heinsel pointed his finger at Luchi.

“That weak one-eyed guy looks like that... Should I be his sparring partner instead? What do you think?”

“I don’t want to.”

“Hah... Why not...?”

I pointed at Luchi with my short finger.

“If I end up half-dead like him... what should I do? I... I don’t want to fight you.”

“Uh, well... Ah, I see... I... I guess I can’t force you...”

Heinsel’s voice slightly trembled.

What?

Is he... crying?

“Sniffle... Well, I guess I’ll go... to my room then.”

He seemed like he was sniffling, his shoulders shaking... Is he really crying...?

I said I didn’t want to, and that’s why he’s crying?

Heinsel rubbed his face with his hand and walked toward his room.

I couldn’t just leave him like that, his back so pitiful.

I felt a bit of... solidarity...

“Ah, Uncle...!”

“What?”

Heinsel didn’t even turn around when he answered.

“Well... um... how about arm wrestling instead of the duel?”

“Arm... wrestling?”

Heinsel turned back.

“Yeah...! Arm wrestling! That... That’s something we can do without getting hurt... right?”

“Forget it... I don’t need to do it forcefully...”

He turned back, pitifully heading to his room again.

Ugh... that guy is such a loser.

I should just let him make the joke. Tch.

I couldn’t help but get up and follow Heinsel.

“Hey, Uncle...! Let’s bet! A bet...”

“What kind of bet are you talking about?”

“Um... If you win, I’ll buy you some steak. But if I win... um... you have to buy me jelly.”

Heinsel stopped walking.

“A bet, huh... But do you think a kid like you can beat me?”

Heinsel flexed his arm to show off his muscles. The muscle was as big as my head.

Ugh... I can’t lose. I’ll show off my max strength...!

I also flexed my left arm, which was sleeveless, and showed off my biceps.

“Heh! Hahaha! Hahhahaha!”

Heinsel looked at my arm and laughed like crazy.

“Why, why...?”

I didn’t get why Heinsel was laughing and touched my own arm.

It was soft and squishy.

Hmm... well...

Still, I’m strong!

Max strength!!

“Well, then... try to take me down. If I win... you have to buy me jelly for a month.”

“Hehhehheh... Fine. Kid, if you win, I’ll buy all the jelly from that store.”

“Whoa...!”

I remembered the huge pile of jelly I saw at the store earlier.

That much jelly... I could bathe in it...!

“But... I’m only buying one serving, okay?”

“Let’s make it two.”

Two servings... 60 silver...?!

Ugh... I’m already shaking with nervousness.

“Ugh... okay. Then let’s make it fair... ask Rubia to be the referee!”

I will win. I will definitely win...!

I’ll bribe Rubia if I have to!

Rubia and I are such close friends... she’ll support me, right?

“Alright! Let’s go!”

Heinsel laughed loudly and ran toward Rubia and Luchi.

I ran hard after Heinsel.

“Ru, Rubia...!”

“Yeah?”

It seemed like Luchi’s healing was almost finished since Rubia had stopped using her energy.

“Well... I’m going to arm wrestle with this guy. Rubia, can you referee... please...?”

“Hmm! It’s settled! I’ll help!”

“Hey, you, can you really beat a puny kid like him?”

“A puny... kid?!”

I glared at Luchi.

“Cough. No, just looking at it, Heinsel is much stronger. What can I say?”

“I’m stronger.”

A sneer came from behind.

Behind me... there was only Rubia, right?

“Ru, Rubia...? Did you... just laugh at me?”

“Hehehe... Ah, no? When?”

Her shoulders were shaking. Her body was trembling...

“Forget it. I don’t have any allies... I’m not sleeping with you tonight.”

I don’t even need jelly. I’ll win by myself through Heinsel.

I turned my head away from Rubia.

But...

Rubia said something shocking.

“Noah. What are you talking about? You already ate all the jelly.”

Ah... right.

“Uh... well, I’ll... refund you for what I ate.”

“No way.”

Rubia gave a firm verdict.

“Ugh... Fine. I... I hate you... calling yourself my friend and not supporting me...”

Rubia reached out after hearing my muttering. I quickly pulled my hand away.

“I’m not holding it.”

“Oh? What would you do if I kidnapped you?”

“Well... I’ll just let myself be kidnapped…”

It was scary, but I tried to brush it off. Now she’d probably comfort me, right?

I’ll just try pushing her away one more time—

“Hmph- Fine. Do whatever you want.”

Huh...? Eh...?

Why isn’t she grabbing me...?

“So, I’m the one who’s refereeing?”

The whole situation turned to business.

I... I’m really shocked...

“Ru, Rubia...?”

“Yeah?”

“Uhh... um... No, never mind.”

“Yeah.”

Rubia replied coldly and immediately turned to find a place for the arm wrestling.

Betrayer... She had been so kind until now...!

Why, why is she suddenly like this?

She should’ve at least held my hand once!

“Ah, this place looks good. Come over here.”

There was a flat rock where Rubia was standing.

It was a quick decision, but I didn’t feel like agreeing just yet.

“Not really…”

“Hm! It’s perfect! Let’s go, kid!”

But... my voice got drowned out by Heinsel’s ridiculously loud one.

How annoying. So annoying.

I muttered as I walked toward the rock.

On each end, there was already a handkerchief placed.

Rubia, who was annoyingly efficient, made me mad.

I really hated her.

“Okay, come to the sides. You’re going to use your right hand, right?”

“Hm! Doesn’t matter!”

“Me too...”

Heinsel and I separated to opposite sides.

“Now, grab it.”

The height was just right for me, but maybe not for Heinsel.

He knelt down to adjust his posture.

Then, he stretched out his arm.

I did the same.

“Hmm... Let’s think of this as a handicap from Heinsel. Is that okay?”

“Hm! Doesn’t matter!”

I couldn’t understand what was going on, so I looked at Heinsel, whose arm was stretched out wide.

I guess it didn’t match the height, so that’s why it turned out like this.

Hah, he’s still going to win like this? I’m really mad now.

I’m not going to let him win.

Heinsel, your hand is getting broken, but I don’t care.

“Ugh, don’t regret it…”

“Heheh! Come at me, kid!”

I grabbed Heinsel’s hand tightly.

Well... it was a little weird, but whatever.

“I’ll count.”

3.

4.

5.

The moment the count finished, I pulled hard to the left.

Then...

KA-BOOM!

Heinsel’s hand dug into the rock, and the rock supporting our arms shattered.

“Hmm...?”

Heinsel’s shocked voice.

“Uh... uh...? How... how did this happen...?”

Ailyn’s startled voice.

My mood, which had been sinking deeply,

Was suddenly lifted high.

“See? I won, didn’t I...?”

I said that, turned around, and walked away.

Ah, wait.

I turned back and looked at Heinsel and Rubia.

In the most nonchalant tone possible, I said:

“Buy me jelly... for two weeks.”

“Huh...?”

“I... I’ll take half of the rest for another thing...”

Then I turned around and continued walking.

Wow. That was so cool.

Just as I was confidently walking toward Luchi.

“Hmm...?”

I felt a sharp gaze hitting the back of my head.

Rubia and Heinsel? No, they were looking at each other and talking.

Luchi was... in the opposite direction.

Then who could it be...?

As I expanded my Giga Sense.

The gaze disappeared without a trace.

As if someone had teleported.

Only a faint magical aura remained.