Knight Lords: Infinite Simulation and the Path of Light

Chapter 30 Swordsmanship Competition
Years later, Mr. Wells, now lame in one leg and blind in one eye, recounted Will's story to new adventurers at the Giant's Sleep Inn. His cloudy eyes still shone brightly, and it seemed as if the radiant young boy was still standing not far away, smiling and telling him:
"Uncle Wells! You're too slow!"

Everyone turned to look at the doorway, where a young man dressed in simple swordsman's attire stood, looking at them with a serious and cool expression.

Wells, the leader of the Gale Mercenary Group, glanced at Havent, who stood at the door with a nonchalant expression, then turned to look at his subordinate Bucky.

"Who is this kid?"

Squad leader Bucky was also a bit confused. He turned to look at the others, who also looked puzzled.

"Boss, I don't know, but he just said he was asking if we were hiring, so he's probably here to apply for a job."

Wells looked Havent up and down.
"Hey kid, what's your name? Are you here for a job interview?"

"Yes, my name is Will. Do you need any more people here?"

Looking at Haven's thin body, although he had a sword at his waist, he didn't seem to have any fighting ability at all, so he shook his head.

Yes, but you don't seem quite right for it.

"Huh? You can even tell this from something?"

Hearing himself rejected, Haven, who had prepared a whole set of excuses, froze on the spot. "I'm willing to work hard, and I have a strong learning ability!"

After refusing Havent, Wells turned back and planned to continue explaining the details of the upcoming mission to his subordinates.

With a whoosh, Wells tilted his head and caught the thrown object. He opened his palm, and a money bag appeared in his hand.

"Let's make a bet. If I win, I can join. If I lose, the 30 silver coins in this purse are yours."

Wells squeezed the money pouch, the silver coins making a crisp sound as they rubbed together, then turned to look at Haven at the door.

“Interesting little fellow, why do you insist on joining us? You should know that the bag of money you threw over is almost enough to cover your travel expenses to the capital.”

However, Haven smiled but did not answer Wells' question; instead, he asked...
"So that means you agree? Then what shall we compete in?"

Wells stood up, walked over to Havent, tossed the money pouch in his hand back and forth, and gave an ugly smile, saying:

"Since you've provided the stakes, I won't take advantage of you. Tell me, what do you want to compete in? There are only a few of us, you can choose whatever you like."

Haven looked up at Wells's impressive height with an envious expression.

"How about a sword duel? It's very popular in the North, you should be able to do that."

Upon hearing Havent's choice, Wells let out a hearty laugh.

"Alright, kid, it seems you don't like taking advantage. Come on, which one of us do you want to compete with? You choose. Given your generous actions just now, I'll make sure it's done in one go and I won't hurt you."

Upon hearing Wells's words, Haven had already chosen a mercenary of similar size to himself, but feeling as if he was being underestimated, he immediately changed his choice.

"I'll choose you, okay?"

Upon hearing that Haven had chosen him, Wells' smile vanished, and he scratched his messy, shoulder-length hair.

"Hey kid, listen, even though you're very likable, choosing me isn't a good choice, are you sure?"

Seeing Haventy nod, Wells stopped trying to persuade him and turned to his men, saying:
"Bucky! Go get two wooden swords and a set of protective gear for him. I don't want to see him crying later."

Bucky nodded and went to the tent behind the inn to retrieve his things, while Wells led Havent to the open space next to the inn's stables. Soon, Bucky returned with the items: a practice sword made of hard pine wood for each of them, and Bucky also gave Havent an extra set of hard leather protective gear.

Haven didn't stand on ceremony; after putting on his protective gear, he walked to the center of the field.

"Will Hill, nice to meet you," he said, giving Wells a swordsman's salute.

Wells, wearing a sleeveless linen shirt, stood on the other side of the field, holding a sword in one hand, still smiling as he spoke.

“Wells Hayakli. Child, you have great courage. I will be gentle.”

Havent smiled as he watched Wells await his attack, then slowly placed his left hand on his cheek, peeking at Wells through his fingers:
"Uncle! Carelessness can lead to defeat, you know!"

To Wells's astonishment, Haven suddenly launched an attack, gripping his sword in reverse, his half-lying body tensing up abruptly, like a fully charged spring, and charged directly at Wells.

A muffled thud was heard.

Wells held the wooden sword across his chest to block Haven's thrusting blade.

Feeling the power emanating from the sword, Wells glanced at Havent, who was standing close by, with surprise, and couldn't help but praise him.

"Tsk tsk, not bad, kid."

The surprise attack failed, and Haven jumped a few steps to create distance. Looking at Wells, who was still standing in place and had not launched an attack, he revealed a sly smile.

"Uncle, be careful!"

Having finished charging, Haven charged at Wells again, and with a sudden thrust, found the latter's chest and stabbed him.

Wells watched Havent's figure, shook his head, and swung his wooden sword at Havent's back.

"Child, the same move doesn't work... Huh, oh?"

The wooden sword, originally aimed at Wells' chest, was transformed into a thrust under Havent's control, and in an instant, the tip of the sword slashed towards Wells' neck.

Faced with the oncoming sword, Wells leaned back and barely dodged Havent's sword tip, while his own sword strike at Havent missed due to his unsteady stance.

Before Wells could adjust his stance, Haven's next offensive had already begun.

He raised his right foot and kicked out with a high roundhouse kick toward Wells's sword-wielding hand. Using the recoil, he twisted his body and swung his wooden sword in a horizontal slash toward Wells's head.

Left with no other option, Wells continued to retreat and evade the attacks. Having gained the upper hand, Haven, sword in hand, took two quick steps and leaped high into the air.

He then delivered a powerful blow to Wells, who was off-balance.

However, Wells, with his years of adventure experience, was clearly no pushover. He remained unfazed by Haven's wooden sword and simply fell to the ground.

This gave Wells time to swing his sword.

With a muffled thud, Haven flew off to the side. The members of the Gale Mercenary Team who were watching were dumbfounded.

"Hey! Where did this kid come from? He's amazing! He actually managed to suppress the boss!"

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(End of this chapter)