Only I Am A Reader

[ Hidden Event Occurrence has been detected. Discovered Hidden Piece, 'Sword Breaker'. ]

[ You have received 56 Reading Points. ]

Picking up the heavy sword from the ground, Leo unsheathed it before taking a few swings, showcasing his ability to use it, everything was done on purpose since he already knew everything about this sword!

"As you can see, I was just searching for something like this. So I would really appreciate it if you let me buy your share as well."

Unlike the whole expedition which had been mostly omitted, the Ascended Sword found as a result of it didn't reach the end of its story by falling into the traitor's hands.

Although he managed to be in the limelight for finding an Ascended Sword in the middle of a failed expedition, the guild that shouldered the traitor's burden all of the sake of the sword could only sell it away in the end. The sword was simply too heavy to be of use!

'It's almost perfect.'

However, as the saying went, one man's trash was indeed another man's treasure, or in this case, a woman's. In the novel, the Ascended Sword would ultimately find its way into Jade's hand, having bought it for being the only item left with connections to her deceased brother. Ironically, it was then that she discovered its true potential!

As people who sought to use greatswords for their heaviness, a longsword that weighed more than them was simply too perfect for people from the grand duke's household! Moreover, the sword's 'ascended' was easily comparable to that of an heirloom!

Unfortunately, Jade's sword technique was specifically created for greatswords, it would take her too long to switch, so in the end, she named the sword 'Jared' before it went behind their treasury's doors.

'Her 'Flower' wasn't bad either, but this on another level…'

Unlike the rest of the Ascended Swords that Leo had knowledge of, this sword was the only one to lack the ability to 'amplify', the most common base of most abilities, but he still chose it regardless as it had an even more desirable quality…

It had the ability to 'conduct'!

For someone like Leo whose strength was experiencing linear growth, the one thing he lacked wasn't strength, but the ability to deliver it. The swing of a sword could never deliver the same force compared to a punch even if they were both performed using the same hand. However, this 'Sword Breaker' was the exception to that!

'What an apt name. Is this the book's own evaluation or was the sword really called that way in the past?'

No matter the force used behind the strike, this sword could equally apply the force along the whole blade. In a sense, this sword really had the ability of a 'Sword Breaker' as long as it was in the right hands!

"Alright…"

In the end, the guild member also went with Jared's choice. The exchange was finally settled by Leo promising to pay 200 Gold Swords when they went back in addition to giving up his share of what they found earlier.

As for the stern-faced man who had already given up his right to any additional loot, he could only silently carry the fainted traitor on his back as the group walked back the way they come from…

`~~~`~~~`~~~`

"Hmm… let- let me down!"

Having finally exited the structure, the stern-faced man was about to let out a sigh of relief for successfully escaping imminent death, but the 'burden' on his back started to make a ruckus. It seemed like the fresh air had woken the man up.

Tap!

However, before the guy managed to free himself from the stern-faced man's hold, his body went limp, someone was quick to knock him out once again.

"You are welcome."

Stepping forward to the guide who had been resting outside, Leo smiled at the group reader before retrieving his horse. He directly tied his new 'treasure' to the horse still it was too heavy to 'equip' it while riding.

"Whatever, let's just get out of here."

The stern-faced man had something to say, but he just gave up in the end. It was his fault for coming into this abnormal place alongside these abnormal men. He only wished to get back to Swordkeep faster so he could formally end this tiresome expedition.

"Hey, how did you know that he would attempt something like that?"

After similarly getting on the back of his own horse, Jared spoke out to Leo in a low voice while the rest were still preparing to leave.

"I'm not sure myself, you could say that I just had a hunch."

Jared didn't seem convinced by Leo's answer but simply decided to stay silent. Leo, on the other hand, didn't really care, the man acted suspiciously enough that his own actions couldn't be considered suspicious. However, something else seemed to be weighing on his mind.

Even after smoothly surviving the whole ordeal and obtaining his target, Leo couldn't help but lose himself in thought as he stared at the horizon. Just what was the meaning of everything that happened here today?

Was this really still the world of something written by someone if he experienced a plot that had a completely different resolution compared to the novel? Their survival could obviously be explained by his intervention, but where did the man's plan stem from?

Was something like this possible because this world became a reality? Or was this just something that the author thought of but never got to mention? If that was the case, could this still be considered 'Reading'?

'Of course, there is no one to answer…'

The questions kept piling in Leo's mind as his abnormal calmness was slightly shaken. It might have seemed like he had quickly come to accept his abnormal circumstances, but deep inside, he always questioned everything.

'Only two more years to go.'

In the end, Leo could only shrug everything off for now. Since he had persisted for this long, it was only logical to take the few last steps first. In any case, it wouldn't be too late to ask questions after he managed to achieve his goals, completing the main quest on his way there.

"Alright, we are heading back!

With one less awake member, the group hit the road once again, making their way back to Swordkeep!