When I Tried Strengthening 【Rusted Sword】, It Evolved Into An Overpowered Magic Sword - Chapter 5

When I Tried Strengthening 【Rusted Sword】, It Evolved Into An Overpowered Magic Sword

Chapter 5     Three years later

“Phew, I think I’ll call it a day for now.”

Having defeated the third treant today, I sheathed my sword.

To return to the village, I started walking towards the exit of the forest.

It has been three years since the blessing ceremony.

I’ve been living days like these ever since.

Even now, my strength hasn’t changed since three years ago.

Not only my own power, but there hasn’t been the slightest change in the artifact either.

Name: Rusty Sword

Rank: F

Level: 9

Attack Power: 9

Benefits: Strength +0, Durability +0, Agility +0, Magic Power +0, Vitality +0

Skills:

Durability: 10/15

This is the current status of the “Rusty Sword.”

Since receiving it through the ceremony, its level has increased to 9.

With that, the attack power has also risen, but there is still no magic or skills imbued within it.

All the benefits remain at 0.

There’s a subtle change that makes it a bit easier to defeat treants, at least that’s what I think. It’s a tiny change that represents my achievements over the past three years.

“Sigh…”

Naturally, there are many sighs.

When I started training, I thought positively, believing that “everything is a trial.”

But lately, to be honest, I’ve become more pessimistic.

Continuing like this, is there really any meaning?

Although I’m not borrowing the words of that hero, I can’t help but think that maybe I don’t have the talent.

I find myself less eager to train than before.

While I managed to raise the level of the artifact to 9 a year ago, it hasn’t increased at all recently.

It’s like the “Rusty Sword” is telling me that this is its limit.

In addition, a certain “rumor” is putting even more brakes on my heart.

“The Hero’s right hand, Ruby Blood…”

Departing from Red Village three years ago, Ruby is currently making a name for herself in the Hero’s party.

She has shown remarkable achievements equal to or surpassing other powerful members, raising her adventurer class to “Platinum” in just three years.

Adventurers have a class system, with “Bronze,” “Silver,” “Gold,” “Platinum,” and “Master” as the five ranks from bottom to top.

Platinum is the second-highest rank. It’s already the ultimate proof of being a first-class adventurer.

In addition, Ruby is only fifteen years old, known as the youngest adventurer girl to reach Platinum in history.

Lately, she’s even been called the “Flame Swordswoman” and has firmly established herself as the right hand of the hero in the eyes of the public.

She will surely go down in history as a formidable female adventurer.

“Man, she’s gone quite far.”

Instinctively, I looked up at the blue sky, reminiscing about my childhood friend.

The promise we made to become adventurers together seems like a dream now.

I had promised to catch up with her, but the gap between us has widened rapidly.

I guess someone like me is already…

“Hey, look at that guy.”

As I was feeling down as usual, a sudden voice from somewhere interrupted my thoughts.

Glancing over, there were two young men carrying axes.

If I remember correctly, they were brothers working as lumberjacks in this forest, using blessed artifacts for their work.

So, occasionally, we would run into each other when I was training in the forest.

Well, we’ve never really spoken directly.

“Are you still doing that kind of thing?”

“Don’t you realize it’s pointless already?”

“…”

It seems like they know about me as much as I know about them.

Three years ago, during the ‘Bountiful Generation’ that produced many high-rank artifacts, I was the only one who received an F-rank artifact.

And with that “Rusty Sword,” I’m still aspiring to be an adventurer.

From an outsider’s perspective, it must be downright ludicrous. I can understand their contempt.

If the roles were reversed, I’d probably think I was wasting my time too.

“…!”

Quietly clenching my fist, I bit down on my back teeth in frustration.

Then, as if escaping from the lumberjack brothers, I started running in the opposite direction.

“Damn it, damn it, damn it…!”

I understand better than anyone that it’s a futile endeavor.

I’ve faced despair many times, and I don’t need someone to tell me that it’s useless.

I have no talent. No potential. No strength.

Even with my mother supporting me, it’s safe to say that continuing like this offers no chance of success.

Becoming an adventurer seems…

“Oh, big brother!”

“…?”

Suddenly, a girl’s voice came from nearby, causing me to involuntarily stop.

Looking in the direction of the voice, there was a girl from Red Village.

I often see this girl around the forest.

On the way back from training, we exchange light greetings every time we run into each other.

In fact, it seems we’ve reached the exit of the forest without me even realizing.

“You dropped this, big brother.”

“Huh?”

What the girl held out was a lunchbox.

It’s the lunchbox my mother always prepares for me.

Because I was running in a frenzy, trying to escape from the lumberjack brothers, I hadn’t noticed that I dropped it.

“…Thank you. Thanks for picking it up for me.”

“Yeah, you’re welcome!”

Taking the lunchbox from the girl, I stowed it in the cloth bag tied to my waist.

I intended to leave promptly after that, but…

“Big brother, what are you always doing in the forest?”

I was unexpectedly asked a question that seemed to hold me back.

Because the wounds from the lumberjack brothers were still healing, I wanted to go home quickly for some rest.

However, I couldn’t ignore the innocent question from the girl.

I temporarily pushed aside my downcast feelings and gave a non-committal answer.

“I-it’s my job. I’m working to defeat monsters that appear around here.”

“Wow, really!”

It felt somewhat awkward.

I haven’t earned a single penny, to be honest.

I’m still unemployed, continuing my training with my mother taking care of me.

I could have been honest about it, but some strange pride got in the way.

Not as a return favor, but since it was a good opportunity, I decided to ask the girl something I had been curious about.

“By the way, what are you doing here? I often see you around this area.”

The girl blossomed into a radiant smile.

“I’m playing hide-and-seek with my friends! They can’t find me at all over here! I haven’t told anyone else about it!”

“Oh, really?”

Well, that’s because there’s a Treant over here, and it’s dangerous, so the kids are told not to come near. Now that I know the reason, I’ll play the big brother and give a warning.

“This area is a bit dangerous, so I think it’s better to play a bit closer to the village. Like behind Mayor Beryl’s house, it’s quite hidden and hard to find.”

“Wow, really! Okay, I’ll do that!”

The girl showed her smile again, waved her hand, and left.

When I was little, I used to play hide-and-seek with kids my age. I was only invited to join a few times, though. Back then, everything was fresh, and everything looked beautiful. I earnestly admired heroes, dreamed of becoming an adventurer with my childhood friends, and often played make-believe.

Surely, back then, I, too, had a sparkling smile like that girl.

But now, I’ve become a person who despairs about the future, worn out and filled with sighs.

“…”

What is it? It feels somehow frustrating to just go back like this. Returning now feels like denying even the memories of my childhood. The longing for adventure and heroes back then was genuine. Looking at the girl’s innocent smile, I could recall a bit of that passion.

Above all, being insulted by the Lumberjack Brothers still irks me…

“Let’s do a bit more.”

I turned my gaze back to the forest, drew the rusty sword hanging on my back, and ran deeper into the woods in search of Treants. It might be futile. I might not have the talent. But everything is a ‘test’!

I reassured myself and continued hunting Treants until the sun set.

On the dim way back, I reflected on today’s achievements while hurrying home. I had managed to defeat only five Treants. Considering how long I persevered until sunset, the number was quite low. Only two were defeated after parting ways with the girl. Today felt like there were fewer Treants. The Whispering Forest also seemed unusually quiet, and I had a somewhat uneasy feeling. Well, it might just be my imagination.

While thinking that, I hastened towards the exit of the forest. I didn’t want to be scolded by my mother for being too late, so I aimed to get home as soon as possible.

And at that moment—

“Kyaaaaa!!!”

“Huh!?”

Suddenly, the scream of a girl echoed through the forest.

This is the voice of the girl from earlier!

Hadn’t she returned to the village yet? Didn’t I tell her it was dangerous and to stay away from the forest?

Well, that doesn’t matter now! Her scream just now means something must have happened to her!

I instinctively ran towards the direction of the scream.

Cutting through the trees of the forest, I eventually saw an open clearing.

There stood the girl from before, and another unfamiliar figure cornering her.

“What’s that…”

A person, but not quite just a human.

Human at the core, but with features reminiscent of a monster scattered throughout.

Erected black fur like that of a wolf, sharp and intimidating eyes that instill fear with just a glance, menacing fangs and claws.

A werewolf, best described as such.

In the right hand, a jagged, pitch-black greatsword was tightly gripped.

“A demon…!”

A demon.

A higher-ranking demonic being with intelligence, unlike regular monsters.

A creature that revels above all in aggression, cunning, and the pleasure of killing.

According to rumors, demons can receive a ‘Sacred treasure’ from a ‘Malevolent God’ if they manage to survive for twelve years.

Not the benevolent deity watching over us humans, but a ‘Malevolent God’ harboring wicked intentions.

Likely, that ominous black greatsword is the artifact.

Demons receive blessings from malevolent gods, bestowed with such ominous ‘artifacts,’ and then proceed to attack people.

It made no sense whatsoever why such a demon would be in this place.

No, right now, more important than that is finding a way to help that girl…

At that exact moment, someone approached from behind me.

“Th-that, could it be a demon?”

“Wha- your joking, right? Why would one be near such a rural village…”

It was the lumberjack brothers I saw around noon.

They must have been working in the forest until this time.

And upon hearing the girl’s voice, they came here.

However, the two young men, upon seeing the menacing demon standing before the girl, were visibly terrified.

Their hands holding their artifacts trembled, and their faces twisted in fear.

Perhaps because of that, the young men immediately tried to turn away.

Instinctively, I grabbed one of the young men by the sleeve.

“H-hey, where are you going!?”

“Huh!? Isn’t it obvious! Get out of here quickly! Can’t you see that demon!?”

…Certainly, I can see the demon, but.

“But, we have to save that girl…”

“Are you saying that now! We can’t handle an opponent like that! Priority is to call the village guards!”

One of the lumberjack brothers shouted, but I continued to hold onto his sleeve without agreeing.

If we waste time like this, that girl will undoubtedly be killed.

Besides, aren’t the axes they have artifacts meant for fighting against demons?

They should have much higher attack power than my [rusty sword].

Even if we can’t defeat the enemy, we should be able to at least hold back that demon.

If I were to confront the demon right now, I might be able to save that girl.

“Let go, damn it!”

“Ah!”

I was forcibly shaken off, and the lumberjack brothers quickly fled the scene.

Left alone, I found myself in a daze, glancing around without any clear purpose.

“S-someone…”

Someone, please help that girl.

Help the girl who’s about to be attacked by the demon.

If I don’t act quickly, that girl will be killed by that demon.

Someone… Someone… Someone…

“Someone…”

No, it can’t be someone else!

There’s only me! I’m the only one who can save that girl right now!

What’s the purpose of the sacred treasure in my right hand? I can’t become an adventurer if I can’t fight at a time like this!

Don’t rely on someone else! The only reliance should be on my own strength!

Even with the [rusty sword], I can still fight!

What’s needed isn’t a powerful artifact!

It’s the courage to face fear!

So move! Move! Move!

“Uwaaaaah!!!”

With a pitiful scream, I charged towards the demon.