Chapter 76: Chapter 076: Sword
Rushing back to Swamp Town overnight, they didn’t go to the lakeside cabin Roger had rented but simply found a motel to stay in.
After a quick wash-up, they hurried to sleep, their minds and bodies almost at their limits after nearly two days and nights.
The next morning, upon waking, they felt refreshed and clear-headed.
Henrik told Roger that the Hunters Guild had already sent people to the farm, and by now, it was probably all cleaned up.
With that, the task in Swamp Town was thoroughly completed, and unless something came up, he would take Roger back to Baytown in the afternoon.
...
Roger once again called Amanda, and this time the phone was answered after just a few rings.
The red-haired girl seemed to have not slept all night and sounded extremely exhausted. They agreed to meet in the town center square at noon, and then Amanda hung up hastily.
After breakfast, Henrik took Roger to the lakeside cabin, and as soon as they entered, they saw Thomas lying on the bed like a dead fish.
“Oh… look who’s back?”
“How have you been these past few days?”
Thomas struggled up from the bed, holding his waist, and sized up Roger, “Brother, you do look really worn out.”
“You should take care of your health…”
Thomas said with a tone of heavy concern.
“Hehe.”
Looking at Thomas with dark circles under his eyes and holding his waist, Roger suddenly had a thought – if he called another one for this guy tonight…
Would he die right here?
Dismissing the malicious thought, Roger informed Thomas that the holiday was over and that after lunch with Amanda, they would all return to Baytown together.
The festival in the town had officially begun—Baytown was decked with lights and decorations, with visitors arriving non-stop. Honestly, after this mission, Roger really wanted to relax as well.
Swamp Town central square.
After several days of clouds, the sun shone brilliantly, and Roger and his companions waited quite a while in the square before Amanda finally arrived, later than expected.
Betty was not with her; instead, a burly woman had dropped Amanda off. Roger didn’t pay much attention, but Henrik’s gaze lingered on the woman for a long while.
Once Amanda got in the car, she leaned against the window silently, her face pale and her eyes faintly revealing unease.
“What’s wrong, didn’t you get enough rest?”
Roger asked with concern.
“Mhm.”
Amanda nodded slightly and said no more, her gaze listlessly fixed outside the window.
Roger didn’t press further, but he couldn’t shake the feeling that something had happened to Amanda.
Among the four in the car, Thomas was the most carefree, engrossed with his phone, texting someone, and bursting into raucous laughter from time to time.
The drive back was quiet, and as they drew closer to Baytown, the roads got busier with vehicles—clearly, these were tourists coming for the Murloc Festival.
The closer they got to the town, the more intense the festive atmosphere became. The residents of Baytown took the festival much more seriously than Roger had imagined. Not just the shops along the streets but also the decorations in front of every household’s home.
In the entire coastal region influenced by Bordeaux City, only the Mermaid town on the other side could probably rival it in terms of distinctive local culture.
Many visitors had flocked to the town, and Adeline, assisting in maintaining order, was not at home. They dropped Thomas off first, then went to Adeline’s house.
Getting out of the car, Amanda merely muttered a brief thanks and went upstairs in a daze, leaving Henrik and Roger behind.
Roger was just about to say goodbye when Henrik stopped him.
“I have something for you.”
Henrik opened the trunk and took out a long wooden case from the hidden compartment.
The case was dark brown overall, with only the natural patterns of the wood material on its surface. In the bottom right corner, there was an area that was damaged, as if someone had intentionally erased something.
Roger had a hunch about what it might be but still asked subconsciously, “What is this?”
“The weapon you wanted.”
“A sword!”
Henrik answered, his eyes flashing with an indescribable emotion.
Roger was so captivated by the wooden case in front of him that he failed to notice the expression on Henrik’s face.
“That was quick! Didn’t you say it was hard to get?” Roger desperately wanted to open the box and take a closer look, but considering where they were, he had to curb his curiosity.
“This is not a standard-issue weapon.”
“Consider it a personal treasure of mine.”
Hearing the emotion in Henrik’s words, Roger seemed to understand something, “This is too valuable…”
“Just take it and take good care of it!”
“Your performance these past two days has earned it.”
Henrik almost forced the wooden case into Roger’s hands, “Take your stuff and get lost. If you don’t want it, give it back to me!”
“No need for that!”
Roger swiftly stepped back, “If there’s something similar next time, I’ll definitely be at your service at a moment’s notice!”
“Hmph!”
Henrik snorted coldly, “Taking one of my weapons for a single task, I can’t afford such a high appearance fee.”
“The Hunters Guild has already sent me a partnered Exorcist. They’re on their way and should be here before long.”
“So this is probably the last time we’ll work together.”
“Well done, kid!”
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Henrik patted Roger’s shoulder and drove away in his car.
Roger put his backpack, which he had brought for the trip, back in his room. After giving it some thought, he went next door to inform Amanda and then hurried to the cottage in the woods with the wooden case and some essentials.
Although he had only been away for a few days, Roger missed his small cottage dearly. Everything in the room was unchanged. After settling his belongings, Roger immediately opened the wooden case.
A flash of cold light appeared, and for an instant, the temperature in the room seemed to drop suddenly, though Roger knew it was just an illusion caused by the reflection off the sword’s blade.
The hilt was wrapped in an unidentified animal skin, looking somewhat different from the weapons used by ancient warriors that Roger remembered.
The blade was wider and heavier, allowing for two-handed chopping. Swinging it casually a few times, Roger found the weight to be just right for him.
The notice on the bulletin board reminded Roger that he had acquired an excellent Steel Sword, slightly raising his personal evaluation.
“At last, it looks decent.”
The blade, as clear as Autumn Water, reflected a cold light. Roger merely tested it briefly, and the wooden stick as thick as a wrist was easily cut through.
The blade vibrated, emitting a buzzing sound at a particular frequency.
Following the training methods of the Universal Sword Techniques, even though he did not use any Concentration Potion or Pain Potion, Roger could easily feel the difference from before.
There seemed to be a special connection established between him and the weapon in his hand, which, although faint, took his understanding of the weapon’s use to a higher level.
Reluctantly sliding the Steel Sword back into its sheath, Roger went to the study, for he remembered the gains mentioned on the bulletin board.
New recipes and new Arrays.