Limits

I sped towards Hord. The city I already heard about, but wasn't aware of its location at that time. The previous owner of my Bastard Sword came from there. The days passed quickly, I soon arrived in front of the city. The towering stone walls that surrounded the city, greeted me. There were a few guards keeping watch at the gate. When I looked up, archers stood at the top of the walls too.

The guards were checking random people, but no one checked me. Not because I used my Aura Copy skill, it was due to my clothes. They were far from the clothes that a farmer, beggar or poor person would wear. I made my way inside without any problems, and immediately searched for blacksmiths. 'The merchant told me, that the guys producing those swords, had his own small workshop. His name is Herald too. I should ask around' I thought, and asked the passersby.

A few of them didn't know anything, but I finally found one, who told me the location. It was located near the northern gate. If I followed the city walk on my left, I would find it. I did just that, and indeed there was a small workshop there. Only one guy worked there. He was in the process of making a weapon. It was the replica of the Moon Blade. I walked over, and asked him "Where did you learn to make such sword?".

He stopped, and asked "Why, interested in buying it? This is the best sword I can make. It's really good, the materials I'm using are really exquisite. I can sell it to you, when I'm done". I asked a bit differently "Did you design it by yourself?". He laughed, and replied "Of course! That is my proudest creation. I can see you are interested, wait a bit and I will finish it". I didn't wait for him to finish the sword. I quickly appeared in front of him, and tapped on a few of his pressure points. He fainted, while I took out my mask, and placed it on my face. I then grabbed him, and ran towards the gate. 'I don't care what type of commotion this will create. This guy knows something. I have to interrogate him in peace". When the guards saw me approaching, they shouted "Stop". I didn't of course, and simply increased my speed. With one swift jump, I passed the guards, and evaded all the arrows. The escape made some commotion, but that was fine. I wore my mask anyway, so no would recognise me.

'Even though there might be some strong people here, guards will not be counted in that list' I thought, and disappeared into the forest. After a day of running, I stopped and placed the guy down. He woke up a few times, but I just fainted him again. I tapped on his pressure points, to wake him up.

He looked around disorientated, until he noticed me. He asked confused "What is going on? Where are we?". I asked "Who showed you the original sword, you were making?". He began sprouting some profanities. This was not the answer, I wanted to hear. I broke his arm, leg, and then second arm, until he finally gave up.

"A… A woman. It was a woman… who showed me the sword. She told me to create as many replicas, as possible. She paid me, to make those replicas. The sword was a bit unusual too, so I decided to continue making it, and profit from this more". I asked "How did she look like, and where did she go?". He replied "I don't remember anymore, I swear! It was 4 years ago". I asked "You don't know where she went, where she came from, or her looks?".

He shook his head a few times. 'The trail ends here. It was most probably her, who showed him the sword. Why would she do that though?'. When I thought more about it, I came to one conclusion. She wanted the replicas, in order for no one to be able to trace her. 'She couldn't know, I would look for her. Someone else must be looking for that sword, or already found it' I thought. The guy was useless to me, so I killed him with one swing of my dagger. 'I need to have my eyes peeled. Although there may be loads of fakes out there, someone must have my sword. Whoever it is… will return it peacefully, or die' I thought.

I resumed my journey towards Ortava. I still had a long way to go. Besides, I went off course for a few days. I couldn't stop thinking about the sword, and the woman who swindled me out of it. 'I hope I don't find you Clara, because your only way out, will be death' I thought. I managed to finally push those thoughts away, and focus on my sword training.

Time passed slowly, and the winter was about to end. I was only two weeks worth of travel, away from Ortava. 'I wonder how Fox is doing?' I asked myself. During these few months of travelling, I managed to get accustomed to the Sixth Form of the Lethal Sword Technique. I was able to execute it to a certain degree, but I was nowhere near mastery. I decided to practice the Final Form, only when the Sixth Form was mastered.

Besides that, I also managed to gain a bit more understanding about my energy. I learned how to control it better. Although I was able to control pretty much 100% of my energy, it wasn't controlled fully. In the same sense, that I could control my arms, but not the flow of blood for example. In my estimation, I was at the halfway point. It would still take me a while, but I was getting closer.

I wasn't sure what type of effects this would bring. 'Crow is able to use it for stealth. I may be able to do something else with it' I thought. I would much prefer stealth, but I might not have a choice. I also practiced with my new bow a bit. It was really powerful. When I released an arrow from a fully opened bow, it pierced through the trees like butter. Not only that, it travelled for at least 1000 metres.

The bow was fantastic. I also practiced a few of the trick shots, that Aran showed me. Because of my Natural Path skill, and the ability to sense the wind, at least partially, I was able to release silent arrows, but with full strength. 'This is great. The screeching would warn others, or even my target. Fortunately, Aran showed me how to release a silent arrow, and with my skills, I was able to take it to the next stage' I thought. That is what I decided to call that skill, a Silent Arrow skill.

I still had to practice my aim. The bow was much more powerful, than anything I owned in the past. Hitting a target that was 800 or more metres away, was not that simple anymore. I didn't worry much about it though, I just had to get adjusted to a longer range. That was all. As I was approaching my destination, I stopped my practice. I didn't want to kill someone, and make trouble, since I came over to visit a friend.