Divine Sword Art System

Chapter 12. Night-Time Showdown

"How did you get-"

"It all happened just like that. When I was beheaded, my body instantly transformed into a child in a poor family," Muino interrupted, explaining his path to transmigrate into this world.

Tobias was silent. He held a wooden bowl filled with hot soup, served similar to how it was done in the previous world. Not only soup but there was rice and a bowl of fruits that looked similar to berries.

"Eat and recover your body quickly," Muino said.

The old man was seen starting to eat dinner with Tobias but sat on the other side. The two of them were facing towards the small bonfire that Muino used for a stove, in contrast to the wooden house furnace on his house's left wall.

Muino seemed to enjoy the dinner he made with simple ingredients, as did Tobias. Dinner that day was the first food Tobias had tasted after a week of unconsciousness, judging by his high desire to eat.

"Why did you choose to use a katana instead of the common swords in this world?" asked Muino, tidying up the utensils that had been used by both of them.

"I can't use their swords. Somehow, I don't think they match my sword technique," Tobias replied.

He opened his black sword and saw it was still in the same good condition since he last used it. However, as an expert in katana swordsmanship, he could see the changes in the blade.

The blade looked more pointed than before; even when his fingers touched the blade, he could feel the sharp cuts. Tobias looked at Muino to confirm something.

"Did you sharpen my sword?" Tobias asked.

"When I first found you among the swamp grass, your sword was quite damaged in some parts," Muino said, returning to sit close to Tobias.

"As a katana sword forger, I cannot let a sword this good go to waste," Muino continued.

Tobias nodded. In his opinion, the quality of his current black sword was already on the same level as the sword Tobias wanted. Seeing Muino's admirable skill in sword forging, the young man wanted Muino to make a sword for him according to what Tobias wanted.

"You must have felt something strange about your sword, right?" asked Muino. Tobias was surprised that Muino could figure out the problem with his sword.

"The grip is a bit loose. The blade isn't perfectly curved," Tobias complained.

The young man had felt it since the battle with Thompson, although Tobias didn't show his annoyance because it was pointless. Not only that, but Tobias also couldn't blame the blacksmith who made this sword since he didn't know anything about katana forging.

Muino seemed to start standing up from his seated position, walking over to the wooden cabinet containing his forged swords. Both hands stretched forward and opened the cabinet door. He focused on picking out a sword that he thought was the best.

The scabbard looked dark blue with a wave motif. Muino pulled out the sword and showed it to Tobias. The old man was sure Tobias could recognize the quality of a katana from the handle and blade.

"Of all the swords I've made, that's the only one I've made with focus and heart," Muino replied, taking a seat near Tobias as he invited the young man to try out his sword.

Tobias carefully took the sword. It looked so light with a neat blade without any scratches. The sharpness of the sword almost matched his black sword, making him instantly taken with the specialty of this blue sword.

"Can I take this sword? I'll pay for it with some-"

"MUINO! Come out!" someone interrupted from outside the house.

Tobias spontaneously looked at Muino. The old man seemed to be staggering with a pale face, unusual for a person Tobias considered to be calm. He stood with both hands shaking, terrified of someone shouting his name outside the house.

"Who are they?" asked Tobias, putting on a serious face at Muino's frightened response.

"They're debt collectors, even though I promised to pay off my debts next month," Muino said, trying to remain calm as he walked towards the door of his wooden house.

As the door opened, three men appeared with weapons in their hands. They were big and burly and looked like criminals. Seeing the obvious difference between Muino and the three made the old man tremble even more.

"You must pay your debts today!" snapped one of the men, glaring at Muino like he was intimidating the helpless old man.

"I-I've proposed an agreement to pay off the debt next month, not today," Muino said, keeping his voice low so the three wouldn't get angry.

"What?! You don't want to pay?" snapped one of the men as he violently pushed Muino's body to the ground.

"HEY!" shouted Tobias, trying to break up their fight.

Tobias walked over to Muino and helped the old man to his feet. Seeing Muino being helped by someone caused the three burly men to become so enraged that they intended to hurt both of them.

"Who are you?!" snapped the man who had pushed Muino.

"I'm the one who was saved by him. You have no right to collect the debt before it's due!" snapped Tobias, protecting Muino with his right hand and holding the sheathed sword.

"Stay out of his business!" groaned the man, walking over with his axe pointed at Tobias' face.

"If he can't pay his debt today, then I won't hesitate to kill him and take the goods in this place!" the man continued as the other two men began to walk in and shuffle around Muino's house until many of the tools were damaged.

"Get out of the way, or I'll kill you too!" said the man with the axe, giving Tobias an ultimatum not to interfere with Muino's business.

"G-Go away. You don't get involved in my business," Muino pleaded.

The old man sacrificed himself so that Tobias could survive the danger this time. However, Tobias grew and developed as a warrior while still a Taichi. He could not let his savior suffer and die.

Seeing Muino's frightened face made Tobias start to take things seriously. The corners of his eyes sharpened, and his eyebrows furrowed while staring at the three men before him. They had really made Tobias' heart burn with anger.

"Tell me. Is your house far from the village?" asked Tobias, his voice flat with a strong expression.

Muino nodded his head. It was quite a distance from the nearest neighborhood, unlike the distance to the forest, which was much closer. Tobias started to stand up with his right hand grasping the sword handle.

"Do you have the guts to threaten us?" asked the man holding the axe, taking Tobias' ability lightly.

[Myurajin's Moon Third Technique: Full Moon Swirl]

Tobias drew his sword and spun his body to make white light shine inside the wooden house. Seeing Tobias being able to swing the sword made the three men startle with frightened expressions.

Although they were unharmed, they were trembling with fear because this was the first time they had seen someone swinging a sword with magic. The three of them regrouped while pointing their weapons at Tobias.

"Do you still want to blackmail him?" asked Tobias, speaking loudly with the blade tip pointed at the three men.

Tobias stepped forward while the three men took a step back. They realized they wouldn't be able to win against Tobias, so the three chose to leave Muino's residence.

They ran away fast until only Tobias and Muino were left in front of the wooden house. This problem wouldn't be solved quickly. The only way for Muino to escape from them was to pay his debts.

"They might come again another time. You'd better start preparing," Tobias pleaded.

"Thank you for saving me," Muino said. Tobias nodded his head.

"I will buy this sword at a high price. I have to return to Stratham to get the money," Tobias said. Muino nodded, happy that Tobias would buy one of his swords.

"You can leave tomorrow, use my horse to make your journey quick," Muino said.

Tobias turned around, looking at Muino while thanking him for his kindness. He and Muino returned to the house to rest, but when Tobias was about to enter through the door, his head suddenly became dizzy, and his body fell to his knees helplessly.

"Akh... my head hurts!" complained Tobias.

"Get some rest. Maybe your sword technique has taken a toll on your body."