The Tutorial Is Too Hard Chapter 161:

[Kilimanshatu’s Soul Sword]

Explanation: This is the soul sword found in the Kilimanshatu Dungeon . The materials used for this sword and the method its manufacturing are unknown, but this sword is capable of housing a soul . Based on the records found in the Kilimanshatu Dungeon, a certain king in an ancient kingdom placed his soul inside this sword and dreamt of eternal life .

A sword that can house a soul, you say .

“Heh . “

Seeing as how Kiri Kiri is beaming and laughing, I can be absolutely sure .

She had recommended this sword because of Seregia .

So I can put her soul into this sword and travel together with her .

For now, that was enough of a reason for me to buy this sword .

However, I looked around meticulously in case they had any other long swords .

The item that Kiri Kiri had recommended and passed to me was peculiar in various ways .

It wasn’t just because of its ability to infuse a soul within itself .

“What exactly is this sword made of? It doesn’t seem like it’s made of metal but rock . “

I felt the blade with my fingers and was met with the rough texture of a rock .

It wasn’t a sword made of a refined metal .

“You’re right! It wasn’t refined . Because of that, the edge is a little dull . I’m saying this just in case, but don’t try to sharpen the blade yourself . Since it won’t sharpen . “

“Because it’s too tough?”

“Yeah . “

“If that’s the case, in exchange for having a blunt edge, it shouldn’t break or chip . “

Kiri Kiri kept nodding her head .

Due to its unusually strong density, it was a sword that even I couldn’t sharpen .

I guess I should be relieved that they managed to mold it into the shape of a sword .

I touched the end of the sword .

The blade that should’ve been sharp was smooth .

Rather than a sword, it was closer to a thin yet sturdy club .

If it’s a sword where slashing and stabbing are impossible, then I have to use it like a blunt weapon regardless of its shape .

“Heng . Look a little closer . “

Just as Kiri Kiri said, I examined the sword on a closer level .

Its size and weight wasn’t much different from the Thousand Arm’s in its long sword form .

It was at a weight that would be difficult for normal people to lift, but this weight is just right for me .

Next I infused my mana into the sword .

And then I understood why Kiri Kiri had recommended this sword .

I only infused a small quantity of mana, but gleaming blue mana formed around the sword’s edge .

The sword possessed an extremely high level of mana conductivity .

Certainly, if there had been a sword this specialized for mana, there wouldn’t be any reason for me to try to sharpen the edge .

“I’ll choose this . “

The sale was finalized and I paid with my points .

A considerable amount of points were just spent in one go, but I thought that the sword was worth it .

“Good choice . It’s the best sword amongst the ones you can buy, so you shouldn’t have to swap it out for a while . “

Definitely .

That’s also how I feel as the one holding this sword in my hands .

It’s different from the holy sword that can unleash magical effects, but this is plenty good enough .

I enveloped my sword with aura and closed my eyes .

“Eh? What are you trying to do?”

When I swung the holy sword on the 26th floor, the holy sword passed through space and slashed the distant rampart .

Without any resistance .

The blade drew a line in the sky and just like it had cut through the air, split apart the distant rampart .

I wonder how that was possible?

This wasn’t as if the aura had instantly extended by several meters and slashed through the rampart .

It also wasn’t as if the aura was shot over a long distance .

It’s not the kind of skill that closes distances like Blink Strike .

The holy sword just cut through space and also just cut through the rampart in its path .

I threw the Thousand Arms that had broken into two pieces into the air .

The doppelganger Magician had said this .

Magic’s inconvenient magic formulas, trigger words, hand seals and incantations were essentially all set-up for the same goal .

They unveiled and demonstrated the method to using and manipulating the miraculous tool known as magic .

I threw the Thousand Arms up into the air and it soon dropped to the ground in an arc .

I’m trying to better understand this natural phenomenon and also demonstrate the change that I desire .

For example, if it were a type of flying magic, it would explain the phenomenon of how the Thousand Arms drew a parabola in the air .

And in that incantation, the miraculous tool of mana would be put into it .

The incantation that’s filled with mana is based on the user’s will and will activate in accordance with the structured magical formula .

This is the main foundation of basic magic .

In short, the important things are mana and intent .

Aura was also the same .

Following the magic circuits, mana would be transferred to the sword and would just flow into the blade itself .

Of course, just with that the sword should become a bit more durable .

The mana that coats the skin makes the body healthier and sturdier .

The muscles that are suffused with mana are also stronger and allow for faster movements .

However, that’s all .

That mana must embody a swordsman’s firm will in order to manifest aura for the first time .

Also, the next step was to give that manifested aura a special characteristic .

In order to give it a special characteristic, the first thing you need to do is imagine in your head what you want to manifest .

What would be the image most similar to the effect desired?

The Light Sword was friction .

Through friction, I would create an explosive light and heat .

That force in its entirety would be placed into the sword and I would transfer that energy in the direction I release it .

That was the foundation of the Light Sword .

If that’s the case, what would be the key word for the technique that the holy sword had shown?

Amplification, leap, throw, illusion . There are probably a lot of possibilities .

I couldn’t ask someone for the details nor could I learn about it, so I couldn’t be sure .

The only thing I could do is use my senses to try to figure it out .

What I thought of was conveyed .

I cut the open space, and my will to cut traveled further and materialized in a distant area .

The Thousand Arms that I had thrown into the air started to fall to the ground .

I waited a little longer .

It was within a range that I could reach, my usual attack range .

No, it was closer than that .

The range that my will could reach was about the length of my arm .

I slowly lowered my soul sword that was over my head .

Slowly .

Like a petal softly falling in the wind .

I forlornly dropped my sword down .

I locked the whirling power into my grip and my sword, though I looked like I was at peace from the outside .

When the soul sword that had descended at a slow speed stopped in place, simultaneously . . .

Ting .

The Thousand Arms that had been dropping on my left side seemed like it was hit by something and slightly rose up .

Would it really not work?

 

[TL Note: The author isn’t very clear about this, but he’s attempting to replicate the space slash that the holy sword had performed . ]

 

I had attempted it because I felt like I could do it .

For some reason, it seems that I couldn’t live up to my expectations; it just felt awkward .

“…If a swordsman that was training for that saw you, they wouldn’t just let you go . “

“Well, I failed though . “

“Heng . They’d try to kill you . “

 

* * * * * *

 

“Do you want to drink an elixir?”

“It won’t help . “

What did she say?

I was laying on the floor and stretched my exhausted body .

I pointlessly overdid it .

I’m really tired .

“Of course you are . How long has it been since I’ve told you not to overdo it and rest; then you go and do something crazy . “

Kiri Kiri’s voice was a little sharp .

What do you mean by something crazy?

“I’m in the middle of regretting it so stop nagging me . “

Kiri Kiri, who was crouching over my head, slapped my forehead .

“If you keep going on like that, you’ll really die . “

“I’ll die?”

“Yeah . Your body will explode and you’ll die . “

Are you serious?

“Are you serious?”

“I’m serious . Until now, you’ve grown in that manner and it’s more strange that you haven’t contracted any side effects . If you go on like this, your magic circuits may get blocked, or you’ll have holes poked somewhere, or you’ll get twisted around somewhere and you’ll die . If that happens, you can’t even treat it . Even if you’re in the waiting room, it’ll just prolong your life and if you go outside, there’s a high possibility of instant death . Even if you don’t die instantly, you’d die soon . “

So it’s like destroying myself .

“Yeah . Just like that . “

I should be careful .

Just like there’s a push to every pull , there’s an equal and opposite reaction to my growth .

That’s what I think .

If I train my muscles, muscular pain follows .

If I exercise, the time spent exercising as well as the muscular pain results in an increase in muscular mass .

The more I grow, the faster I grow, and as I develop further, that price will increase .

Also, if my body can’t handle that price in its entirety, that excessive growth speed could become poisonous to me .

“Am I right?” I asked Kiri Kiri .

“Yeah,” Kiri Kiri affirmed .

From now on, I should also focus on increasing my body’s durability .

Rather than using self-injury to increase my resistance skills, my entire body itself has to become stronger .

Blowing myself up when using the Light Sword technique alone, or my body not keeping up when I reach a new stage are situations that cannot happen .

 

[TL Note: New stage/level of strength, not necessarily a new tutorial stage . ]

 

My body has already reached a level where it’s difficult to see me as human, but there’s still room for growth .

Let’s try a variety of methods .

If I don’t have any success with it, I’ll just ask Kiri Kiri in the next stage for a more concrete method .

Now my planning is done .

Since it feels like I’ve rested as much as I need to, let’s go to the waiting room already .

I dusted off my pants and stood up .

“Ah, about the next floor,” Kiri Kiri said abruptly .

“Oh . The next floor . I forgot to listen to your tips about the next floor . Is there anything that I should keep in mind?”

“Yeah . You have to pick the right guide . That’s it . “

Considering how meager the tips were, it didn’t seem like the next floor would be that difficult .

I felt unnecessarily dejected and walked atop the portal .

“Take care . You have to come back soon!”

Kiri Kiri scampered around and said goodbye .

I haven’t heard a goodbye in a long time .

When we were betting, she hadn’t said anything about coming back soon .

“Yeah, I’ll come back soon and buy you some cake . “

I saw Kiri Kiri’s beaming face as I was transported out of the waiting room .

 

* * * * * *

 

“How are you? Are you dizzy, Lady Seregia?” I asked Seregia .

To be precise, I asked Seregia who was inside my soul sword .

[I feel great, Warrior . Would you like to try it out with some moves right now?]

As Seregia suggested, I slowly swung my sword .

While I swung my sword, Seregia spoke softly and kept muttering the same thing repeatedly .

“What did you say?”

[I’m happy . ]

“I’m sorry?”

[If I knew it would be like this, if I was born as a sword, I think I would’ve been happier . ]

That’s a little… Is that normal?

It seems that she likes the feeling of being a soul inside the sword .

[Maybe it’s because I don’t have to rely on my eyes, nose, or lips, but my peripheral vision has greatly expanded . I can also see both yours and the sword’s movements, Warrior . Really . ]

That’s a relief .

As I had thought, Seregia could just observe my movements when I’m fighting .

Sort of like a black box .

After the battle, using her observations, she should be able to give me more detailed and precise feedback .

It was unlike her, but Seregia spoke a bit quicker .

[I really like it!]

“… Is that so?”

[Warrior . From this point on, let’s make our goal to reach the peak of swordsmanship . This sword that I’m in, if even for an instant I can reach the ultimate peak of swordsmanship, then even if I die, I’ll have no regrets . ]

But Lady Seregia, you’re already dead .

[No, I’ve already died . Let me correct myself . After I’m reborn, I’ll have no regrets even if I die again . ]

She was so positive and bright that I couldn’t get used to it .

“Lady Seregia . Do you really not feel regret or sadness? Still, you were born as a human and died once . “

[I’m a little sad that I can’t eat snacks anymore, but I feel like I’ll be happier living as a sword . Since my goal from the beginning was to follow you and see that swordsmanship . Of course, if I had become a common soldier’s sword, then I would’ve been far more anguished than I am now . ]

Seregia looked like she was really enjoying this .

Like she said, it seemed that she enjoyed it more than being alive .

I could even tell from the way she was speaking .

The speed at which she spoke hastened and above all, she spoke more .

[I wonder if this sword can handle that technique that you displayed on the summit of the mountain? Also, will I be able to endure it? If I can, I wouldn’t have to worry about my sight being burned away and I should be able to clearly see that process . Wow! I’m so happy!]

She’s a completely different person… Her personality has changed .

Does everyone become like this when they become a sword spirit?

I took out my other sword with an ego from my inventory .

As soon as I took out the demonic sword that used the moniker of a holy sword, it started to whine .

[Warrior, Warrior, Warrior, Warrior . Oh, Warrior . Why did you do that?]

“What’s with you again?”

[Please don’t lock me up in there again, Warrior . Please . I beg of you . I love you, Warrior . ]

“My inventory?”

[Yes! There’s no notion of time in that **** subspace! Warrior, if you lock me up in there again, I may go crazy . ]

Are you like a Pikachu that doesn’t want to go into a Pokeball?

Why don’t you just threaten me?

It’s become difficult .

I fundamentally store all my items inside my inventory .

However, if I can’t put the holy sword into my inventory . . . that means I have to keep it with me all the time .

What’s worse, I may have to carry around the soul sword that Seregia is in all the time .

“Is it that bad?”

[Yes! If you make a mistake I might be damaged, Warrior . ]

I don’t think it can be helped .

Even if I don’t plan to use the holy sword, I can’t just let the holy sword break .

There may be a time where there is an urgent need to use it .

Also, after I’ve reached a sufficiently high stage, I may start using the holy sword .

I took out the Thousand Arms from my inventory .

Between the two Thousand Arms, one of them was broken, but the other was still unscathed .

[Cough . Warrior . Please just throw away that crude toy! I’m a much better sword . Really . I was even blessed by the God of the Sky . ]

It may have thought that I’d use the Thousand Arms instead of the holy sword, and the holy sword hastily responded .

[I-If you want to know how much strength I possess, Warrior . One moment . Please don’t put me back into the inventory yet . I’ll explain everything!]

You don’t need to .

I asked Kiri Kiri and already got the explanation .

 

[The Holy Sword of the Sky, Ahoubuch]

Explanation: The God of the Sky, in order to punish the arrogant humans, gifted this divine item to them .

 

The sword would pull the surrounding people, including the owner into a bloody, desperate battle, with him at the center .

An owner who is exposed to its power for a long time would become extremely arrogant or they may exhibit perpetual bloodthirst .

Aside from the owner’s will, there was a sword spirit called Ahoubuch dwelling inside of the blade .

Damage Prevention Magic is infused .

Hardness Reinforcement Magic is infused .

Sharpness Reinforcement Magic is infused .

Dispel Magic is infused .

Magic Shield Magic is infused .

Rapid Mana Recharge Magic is infused .

Magic Amplification Magic is infused .

Floating Magic is infused .

Flying Magic is infused .

Cleanliness Magic is infused .

The sword spirit can use the holy sword’s magic at its own discretion .

The sword spirit is capable of casting all magics requiring less than three circles, including the stored magic .

The sword spirit can cast the holy spells of the cult of the sky **** without any cost .

The sword spirit can manifest aura around the sword using its own will .

If the possessor is acknowledged by the God of the Sky, the sword can act as a conduit for him to receive the god’s blessing .

I can only say that these specs are really crazy .

There was a tremendous amount of mana equipped to the holy sword itself, and the holy sword’s performance that could handle that mana was even greater .

That’s why even if there’s a strange sword spirit within, I can’t just thoughtlessly discard it .

I turned my Thousand Arms into the form of a sheath .

And I put the holy sword into that sheath .

The Thousand Arms matched the holy sword’s length and width by adjusting its size .

“There, it’s fine if I just carry you around like this, right?”

[Yes! Warrior!]

“In exchange, you have to promise me a few things . You cannot thoughtlessly use your power . If  you are to use your power, you need to get my permission beforehand . Also, for a while, your role won’t be to cut down my enemies, but while in that sheath, it’ll be fine to just talk about swordsmanship . And don’t be so disappointed, too . “

[Yes, I understand . Warrior . ]

He certainly responds properly .

Well, that’s that .

“I’m not a warrior anymore, so you don’t have to call me a warrior anymore . “

[I’m sorry? You weren’t a Warrior?]

“Yeah . “

[Then what should I call you?]

“I wonder . “

When I really think about it, there’s no fitting name that comes up .

[Then… Master? Shall I call you master? Master?]

“… No . Don’t . “

Since he called me master with an old man’s voice, it’s kind of… you know .

Besides, I felt a certain freakish degree of cuteness in his voice, so I was even more disgusted .

Why is he mixing a nasally voice with a baritone voice?

[Yes . I won’t do that . ]

The mood became awkward .

I briefly turned my attention away from the holy sword and talked to Seregia, who was within the soul sword .

“Lady Seregia . “

[Yes . ]

“Would you like to try saying master once?”

[I don’t want to . ]

Seregia instantly returned to her old manner of speaking and spoke coldly .