One day, Ren found himself adrift in a dream.
He was witnessing a scene from the familiar Legend of the Seven Heroes—specifically, an incident from the sequel, Legend of the Seven Heroes II.
A massive monster had appeared off the coast of the Imperial Capital’s port. Its emergence was orchestrated by those who sought the resurrection of the Demon King. In the game, immediately after that battle concluded, the player was confronted with a shocking cinematic.
It featured Chronoa Highland, the woman acclaimed as the greatest mage in the world. In the Grand Temple of the Imperial Capital, she was depicted being run through the chest by Ren Ashton’s blade.
Every player who witnessed it was struck with equal parts surprise and suspicion. Chronoa was an absolute powerhouse in the game’s lore, a figure whose strength rivaled that of a Sword King. The community was left wondering: how on earth could Ren Ashton have defeated the Academy Director?
Because there were no signs of a struggle within the Grand Temple, most players theorized that Ren Ashton must have resorted to something akin to assassination. It was the only logical conclusion.
Naturally, the game never provided an explicit answer.
Even Ren Ashton himself never spoke of his motives, eventually parting ways with the protagonists without revealing a single truth. He appeared before them several times afterward, but for some reason, he only offered cryptic advice and refused to speak of anything else.
There was only one lingering inconsistency that players could latch onto: Chronoa had promised to fight alongside the heroes at the port, yet she never set foot there. Instead, she had been waiting at the Grand Temple for her confrontation with Ren.
Of course, the Ren currently dreaming didn't have the answer either. But precisely because he didn't know the truth, he knew he had to ensure that such a future never came to pass.
"……Ugh."
The moment Ren opened his eyes, a groan escaped his lips.
That dream had been in terrible taste. As he sat up in bed, a heavy gloom settled over him; he felt like rolling back over and sleeping the day away. However, the fear that the dream might pick up where it left off kept him from drifting back off. He supposed seeing it served as a grim reminder of his goals, but today, he really would have preferred to skip the matinee.
Ren pulled back the curtains and let the morning sun wash over him, trying to dispel the lingering weight in his chest.
"……Alright, let's get to work."
He slapped his cheeks hard to steel his resolve and left the room.
His quarters in the Old Wing were situated near the entrance—a space that was neither too cramped nor excessively large. He lived there with only the bare essentials in terms of furniture, preparing his own meals in the Old Wing’s kitchen. Having little experience in the culinary arts, his repertoire consisted mostly of simple, rustic dishes, but they sufficed for now.
Ren prepared another such meal today and filled his stomach. By the time he finished eating, the melancholy he had felt upon waking had finally dissipated. After his morning sword instruction with Weiss, he made his way toward the Guild with practiced steps.
Since Ren was the sole manager of the Old Wing, he handled all the cleaning himself. Lithia had offered to help, much to the shock of the servants, but Ren had declined as a matter of course, earning him a pout and puffed-out cheeks from the young lady.
Because he had prioritized his chores, it had been a few days since his last visit to the Adventurer Guild. Summer was now in full swing. He took a deep breath, letting the sweltering morning air fill his lungs; it felt refreshing, as if his very brain were being jump-started.
You can see all the way to the horizon from here, he noted.
The view was a perk of Clausel’s unique geography. The town rose in a gentle slope toward its center, and from his vantage point near the Old Wing, Ren could see far beyond the city limits.
"Morning, kid!"
"If it isn't the young hero! You're out early today!"
He exchanged greetings with stall vendors and townspeople as he made his way to the Guild. He had hoped for some interesting rumors, but the bulletin board held nothing but the usual requests. It looked like it would be a typical day: a bit of surveying, with some hunting on the side.
Suddenly, Ren’s stomach let out a pathetic, low growl.
Guess breakfast wasn't enough, he thought ruefully.
His body was still growing, and it was constantly demanding fuel. He looked around, relieved that no one seemed to be nearby to hear it, but then—
"Ahaha, what a charming little sound."
A woman’s voice drifted from behind him just as he was heading toward the dining area. He turned to find someone sitting at a nearby table, watching him.
I don't recognize her, he thought.
He had spent enough time at this Guild to memorize the regulars, yet this woman was a total stranger. More accurately, he couldn't even see her face. She was draped in pure white vestments, her hood pulled so low that only her mouth was visible. The only other identifying feature was a few stray strands of blonde hair that looked like fine silk. Her voice sounded strange, as if it were being distorted by a Magic Tool.
"Come over here. Why don't you join me for a meal?" she suggested, beckoning him over.
"……Umm."
"It’s my treat, of course, so don't be shy!"
Perhaps she assumed he was short on coin. It wasn't an unreasonable assumption; most boys his age at the Guild were there to pick up odd jobs to help their families scrape by.
"I’m alright, thank you. I actually have money on me."
"Oh? Is that so?"
"Yes. But it looks like most of the tables are full, so if you don't mind, may I share yours?"
The woman nodded, and Ren sat down. He caught the attention of a staff member and placed his order with the ease of a regular. The woman in the white robes watched him, her mouth hanging slightly open in surprise beneath her hood.
"A regular, I see. No wonder you seem so poised—or rather, so used to this."
"I've just got an old soul, I suppose."
"Ahaha! Even the way you talk is mature. You’re an interesting one."
Their conversation paused as her food arrived first. She waited politely until Ren’s meal was served before picking up her own utensils.
"I’m sorry," Ren said. "I didn't mean to make a stranger wait for me."
"Don't be. I chose to wait. I don't mind at all."
As Ren ate, his curiosity finally got the better of him. "Why did you call out to me, anyway?"
"Hmm…… Just a whim, I suppose. If I had to give a reason, I heard that cute little growl from your stomach and wondered what kind of boy you were."
"And? Now that we've talked, what’s the verdict?"
"I was just sitting here wondering how I might kidnap you."
Ren froze, the fork in his hand clattering against his plate. The woman burst into merry laughter.
"Ahahaha! I’m joking! If I did that, the knights would have my head!"
"……R-Right."
Ren decided then and there not to pry any further. Fearing he would lose his composure if she made any more bizarre comments, he finished his meal in silence. The woman, apparently a light eater, finished her small portion quickly and spent the rest of the time simply staring at him.
What is she finding so entertaining? Ren wondered. He tried to ignore her gaze, but he was acutely aware of her presence.
The woman noticed his discomfort. "If you're so curious about me, why not come back to the Imperial Capital with me?"
This time, Ren looked her straight in the eye and answered without a second's hesitation. "Absolutely not."
"Aww…… Such a cold, instant rejection. My heart is breaking."
"So you really did come from the Capital, then?"
"Yep. Just a bit of private business. It was a long trek—Magic Ship, then a shared carriage."
"I see. Clausel doesn't have a port for Magic Ships, after all."
"True, but the journey was pleasant. Travels like that have their own charm."
She stood up slowly, seemingly reluctant to leave, and turned toward the exit. Her face remained hidden, and her voice remained a mystery.
"I’d love to chat more, but I really must be going. I have errands to run." She paused at the door and looked back one last time. "I hope we meet again."
"Sure. If the opportunity arises."
"Good! When we do, you’ll have to tell me all about that mysterious power of yours!"
With those cryptic parting words, she vanished through the door. Ren dropped his fork a second time.
"……How?"
She had specifically mentioned his "mysterious power." It was impossible not to assume she meant his Magic Sword Summoning Arts. He scrambled out of his seat and ran outside, but the woman in the white robes was nowhere to be seen.
"……How!?" he cried out, drawing bewildered looks from the passing adventurers.
Ren eventually returned to finish his meal. A few minutes later, the werewolf adventurer’s partner sat down across from him.
"Yo! Heading to the East Forest today?"
"That’s the plan."
"In that case, want to tag along? Some rookies are heading into the deep woods, and the Guild asked us to keep an eye on things nearby just in case."
It wasn't a formal escort mission, just a request to lend a hand if trouble started.
"I have my own survey work to do," Ren explained.
The man shrugged, unfazed. "Fair enough. Maybe next time. I’d love to see you in action one of these days."
"Likewise. I’m sure I could learn a lot from you."
"Gahahaha! I’d better keep training so I don't embarrass myself then!"
The man stood up as his partner, the werewolf, appeared at the entrance. "We're off. Stay safe out there, Hero-dono."
As Ren watched them leave, he couldn't stop wondering: who exactly was that woman?
Despite the strange encounter that morning, Ren was fully absorbed in his forest survey and hunting by midday. However, he was still frustrated by the Wooden Magic Sword’s level cap. With no clues on how to break it, he had no choice but to keep grinding and hope for a breakthrough.
"Alright, next area."
Suddenly, a sound pierced the air.
"……Waaaaagh!?" "……Gaaaaah!"
A frantic scream followed by a high-pitched, metallic roar. The birds in the canopy took flight in a panicked flurry. Ren froze, his eyes snapping toward the source.
"……Why is that so close to town?"
He recognized that roar. Dropping the Earthworm carcass from his back, he broke into a sprint. He moved like the wind, slicing through obstructing branches with his Iron Magic Sword without slowing down. Soon, the heavy, metallic scent of blood hit him.
He ran for ten more minutes until he reached a massive rift in the earth. The ravine was deep and treacherous, filled with tangled roots and crumbling slopes. At the bottom, several people were huddled, all of them wounded.
They're alive…… for now, Ren noted.
They were trapped. Without help, they wouldn't survive the climb out, let alone another attack.
"Hraaaaaa!" "Kuh…… it's too hard!"
Ren recognized the voices coming from further down the ravine. It was the werewolf and his partner. A deafening screech of metal on metal echoed through the chasm. When Ren saw the black-iron monster they were facing, his blood ran cold.
"A Steel-Eating Gargoyle? Why is it here?"
The creature flapped its wings, diving through the narrow space of the rift. Its entire body was made of living metal, every limb a jagged weapon. It was far more agile and durable than a standard gargoyle—a Special Individual. According to the Guild's records, it was supposed to be miles away from Clausel.
"Damn it…… we’re not going to make it……!" the werewolf groaned.
Both he and his partner were covered in gashes. The werewolf’s arm hung limp, while his partner seemed to be at his limit. The gargoyle used the rock walls as springboards, launching itself at the werewolf’s exposed flank.
"────Eh?"
The werewolf let out a pathetic sound as a heavy, iron fist swung toward his head.
"You…… bastard!"
Just before the blow landed, Ren threw himself into the fray. He intercepted the strike with a heavy clang. The werewolf stared at him, his eyes wide with shock.
"H-Hero-dono!?"
"Don't just stand there! Get them out of here!"
The ground beneath Ren’s feet cracked under the force of the impact. Even against the gargoyle's monstrous strength, Ren didn't give an inch. Instead, he shoved back, sending the creature tumbling through the air.
"……Kururu."
The Steel-Eating Gargoyle righted itself, clinging to the ravine wall like a predatory insect. Ren felt a bead of sweat roll down his cheek.
"Tell me one thing," Ren said without taking his eyes off the beast. "Why is this thing here?"
"I-I don't know! Maybe it moved its nest……!"
It seemed the pair had been watching over rookie adventurers who were mining resources in the rift. Ren realized the minerals they were after were likely the gargoyle's preferred food.
"Can you get everyone to safety?"
"Yeah! If you distract it, I can carry them up in shifts!"
The gargoyle’s hostility was palpable. It watched Ren warily, sensing he was a different caliber of opponent than the others.
"I’m sorry! I owe you everything!" the werewolf cried as he moved to grab the first survivor.
As soon as the werewolf moved, the gargoyle lunged. Ren was faster. He intercepted the dive, swinging his Iron Magic Sword at the creature’s reaching arm.
Clang!
"Tch…… it really is hard!"
His Iron Magic Sword was incredibly sharp—he’d thought it could cut through anything since its level had increased. Yet, the gargoyle’s arm didn't sever. It only sustained a shallow gouge and a few cracks. A thick, reddish-brown fluid leaked from the wound, staining Ren’s blade.
The battle turned into a blur of motion. The gargoyle glided and hopped through the narrow rift, its wings whipping up wind that stung Ren’s eyes. One strike he couldn't fully parry grazed his thigh, shredding his trousers and drawing blood.
Don't forget. This isn't a normal monster.
But over-caution was just as dangerous. While this gargoyle was a D-rank Special Individual like the Thief Wolfen, its overall threat level was lower. It had higher defense, but it lacked the Thief Wolfen’s sheer lethality and speed.
Ren was stronger than he had been during that fight. Much stronger.
"Haaaaaaa!"
Ren let out a roar, his blade flashing in the dim light. He used the Wooden Magic Sword to sprout roots from the ravine floor, snagging the gargoyle’s leg as it tried to leap.
The creature screeched in surprise. Ren ignored a deep scratch on his cheek and thrust his Iron Magic Sword forward with pinpoint accuracy. The tip pierced the gargoyle’s eye, and reddish-brown fluid sprayed across the floor.
The gargoyle thrashed, tearing itself free from the roots and retreating to the wall, gasping in pain. But Ren was already on top of it.
"Gruaaaaaaa!"
Ignoring the ear-splitting roar, Ren pressed the attack. In the humid, blood-scented air of the rift, the battle raged on. Ren caught glimpses of the werewolf successfully ferrying people to the top. Minutes felt like hours, but eventually, the werewolf returned for the last person.
"This is the last one! Don't overdo it, Hero-dono!"
With the civilians safe, Ren considered his options. Should he kill it or withdraw?
Then, he heard a new sound: the whistle of wind from high above.
(……What was that?)
In that moment of hesitation, a second shadow fell over the rift.
"Giiiiiiiiii!"
There was another one. This second Steel-Eating Gargoyle was even larger than the first, its black-iron hide gleaming with a sinister, polished luster. Ren barely had time to raise his sword before the new arrival slammed into him. The force was staggering—this one was significantly stronger than its mate.
"A mated pair!?" the werewolf shouted from halfway up the wall. "The Guild didn't say anything about a pair…… This must be a new development!"
If a second one had appeared, it meant they had only recently formed a pair. Ren realized the first one’s roar earlier hadn't been a cry of pain—it had been a summons.
I fought two Mana Eaters at once before, Ren reminded himself. But Licia isn't here to buff me this time.
The male gargoyle hovered protectively, licking the wounds of its injured mate. The tension in the rift was suffocating.
"Hold on! I'll get help!" the werewolf called out.
Ren knew help wouldn't arrive in time. He was on his own.
If I run now, they might hunt down the survivors, he thought. I have to end this here.
He steeled himself. He needed to take out the wounded one first to level the playing field. He briefly thought about using the Thief’s Magic Sword, but he couldn't afford to experiment right now.
The two gargoyles attacked with terrifying coordination. They leaped from the walls in a pincer movement, striking from his blind spots with mechanical precision.
"They're fast…… but!"
They were still D-ranks. After facing the power Jelkku had unleashed at the end of their encounter, this wasn't enough to break his spirit.
"────Sorry," Ren whispered to the pair.
He didn't want to kill them, but he wasn't going to die here either. He lunged, his Iron Magic Sword carving deep gouges into the wounded gargoyle’s chest as they crossed paths. The metallic hide buckled, finally exposing the vulnerable flesh beneath.
"Haaaaaaa!"
Ren thrust his blade home. He felt the resistance of flesh, followed by the distinct crack of a Magic Stone shattering. A surge of energy flowed into Ren’s bracelet.
[Shield Magic Sword (Level 1: 0/2)] Generates a Magic Barrier. Effectiveness and range increase with level.
He didn't have time to ponder the name. As the first gargoyle collapsed, the male went into a frenzied rage. It slammed its fists into the walls and floor, kicking up a thick cloud of dust that blinded Ren. It began hurling boulders with terrifying strength.
"Hero-dono!? What’s happening!?" the werewolf yelled from above, unable to see through the dust.
The lack of visibility was actually a blessing. It gave Ren the chance to use his new power without being seen. As the male gargoyle lunged through the dust to pierce Ren’s back, Ren called upon the new sword.
(Shield Magic Sword……)
The air fractured, and a blade appeared that looked like no other. It was a beautiful jade color, etched with intricate, glowing patterns. As Ren gripped the hilt, the etchings flared with a brilliant bluish-white light.
As the iron fist closed in, Ren leveled the sword.
Vrummm!
A wall of golden energy erupted between them—a translucent, crystalline barrier that covered Ren’s entire upper body. The gargoyle’s fist slammed into the barrier, but it held firm, only sustaining a hairline crack after several desperate blows.
As long as Ren held the sword, the barrier remained. However, he could feel his mana being drained at an alarming rate. He swung the sword down, shattering the barrier into a shower of golden sparks that looked like diamond dust.
Before the exhausted gargoyle could recover, Ren lunged through the glittering fragments. He struck again and again, his Iron Magic Sword biting deep.
"I’m sorry," he said one last time.
He dodged a final, desperate swing and drove his blade into the creature's chest. With a final, metallic groan, the massive beast collapsed.
Ren slumped to the ground, exhaling a long, shaky breath. "……Finally."
The battle had taken everything out of him. While the gargoyles hadn't been as tricky as the Thief Wolfen, their raw power meant that a single mistake would have been fatal.
"I-Impossible…… Hero-dono, you did it?"
The dust cleared, and the werewolf scrambled down to the bottom of the rift. Ren was sitting in the dirt, his Magic Swords already dismissed. Even if the man had seen anything, he would likely have assumed it was just the Iron Magic Sword.
Ren lay back, staring up at the narrow strip of sky above. "I guess I’m making progress."
Later that afternoon, Ren stood at the city gates of Clausel. The two massive gargoyle carcasses were laid out on the ground, drawing a crowd of stunned onlookers.
"Ren-dono!" a gate guard exclaimed, grabbing him by the shoulders. "Did you really take these down alone!?"
"No, I think I just had the best timing," Ren demurred.
"So you had help?"
"Not exactly. It’s hard to explain……"
He didn't want to claim all the credit when the others had been fighting for their lives before he arrived.
"Don't listen to him. Both kills belong to Hero-dono," the werewolf said, stepping forward. "We weren't making a dent in them. He saved us all."
The werewolf turned to Ren. "I’ve talked to the Guild. They’re processing your other kills too. The rookies you saved said they can't take a single coin of the reward—it’s all yours. They’re even offering the mining profits as a thank-you."
Ren tried to protest, but the guard interrupted. "Adventurers live by their debts, Ren-dono. If they didn't pay you, their reputation would be ruined. You saved them, so take the gold. You can use it to buy more Magic Tools for your village."
"……Alright. I will."
As Ren walked away from the crowd toward the mansion, he felt a different kind of weight.
The Baron isn't going to be happy I threw myself into a dangerous fight without a word, he thought. But I couldn't just watch them die.
As the adrenaline faded, a deep lethargy settled into his bones.
That Shield Magic Sword is a mana hog, he noted.
He checked his bracelet one last time and saw that he had earned a staggering amount of Mastery. He had to chuckle. The gargoyles were famous for providing high experience, and taking down two had given him more of a boost than his life-or-death struggle against Jelkku. It was a bizarre feeling, but he was grateful for the strength.
He also confirmed a new theory: Magic Swords from Special Individuals require Magic Stones from the same species to gain Mastery.
The Shield Magic Sword had progressed, but the Thief’s Magic Sword remained stagnant. And, of course, the Wooden Magic Sword was still capped.
I guess I’ll just have to see what happens when my Magic Sword Summoning Arts level up next, he thought, looking toward the horizon.