Chapter Thirty-Three: Probe

  At this moment, the training ground behind the Mercenary Association was already packed with people. Many mercenaries had heard that someone was going to undergo a mercenary evaluation, and although an ordinary mercenary evaluation wouldn't normally attract much attention, this time was different because the person undergoing the evaluation was "Shining Swordsman" Serrek.

  As one of the legendary figures in Deep Stone City, Seric has a high reputation among mercenaries, and he rarely takes action to evaluate mercenaries. This time, he actually conducted an evaluation, which immediately aroused the curiosity of many mercenaries. They gathered at the edge of the martial arts arena, discussing this strange evaluation.

  Everyone present was a mercenary, and naturally they had all undergone the mercenary evaluation. This was actually a very simple process, where the association would designate a mercenary to test the person being evaluated, and as long as they could gain the other's recognition, they could obtain this qualification. However, no one had ever encountered a strong person like Serrek coming in person to conduct the evaluation, which made many mercenaries quite curious, wanting to see what kind of person possessed such qualifications.

  First to enter the martial arena was Serrek, known as the "Shining Swordsman". This strong man from Deepstone City looked more like a courteous noble gentleman at this moment. His golden hair was neatly combed back, and on his white leather armor was embroidered a golden lion emblem. A slender sword hung at his waist, and a warm smile was on his face, looking confident and self-assured. His appearance quickly triggered the mercenaries' enthusiastic cheers, after all, worshipping the strong is human nature, not to mention that in Deepstone City, Serrek also had a high reputation.

  "It's all up to you from now on, old buddy."

  The association president walked up to Serik's side and patted his shoulder with a smile.

  "Don't worry, Moby."

  Facing the old chairman's words, Serak smiled with a bit of elegance, but soon opened his mouth to ask.

  "It's rare to see you so angry, which little guy has such ability?"

  "He's just an ungrateful little brat."

  The old chairman hummed coldly.

  "Let him take a good look, our mercenaries aren't so easy to mess with!"

  Just as the old guildmaster and Serrek were speaking in hushed tones, Rudeus and Lilia also arrived at the training grounds under the guidance of the attendants. Unlike Serrek's grand entrance with thunderous applause, the mercenaries gave more curious and suspicious attention to this person wrapped from head to toe in a hooded cloak.

  "Big sister! Isn't that Lijie?"

  At this moment, Bani, who was also watching the excitement in the crowd, shouted out loud. Shana, standing beside him, saw the figures of Rode and Lige at this time, and she couldn't help but frown, but didn't say anything. However, the other mercenaries around Shana started discussing it one after another.

  "Isn't this the guy who came with the little girl just now? Is he going to pass the mercenary assessment?"

  "What's this guy's background, anyway? He can actually get the president to bring out Serrek?"

  "Mysterious and suspicious, strange and weird, hiding one's head while showing one's tail, just one look and you can tell they're no good."

  "What's this guy doing? Looking at his appearance, is he a law enforcement officer?"

  "How is it possible? He didn't even take a staff. Look at what he's holding... Ah? Isn't that our spare sword?"

  As Rod approached, even the old guildmaster and Serrek were somewhat taken aback, for the weapon in Rod's hand was the standard-issue longsword provided by the Mercenary Association to its mercenaries. This was a rather strange thing, after all, most mercenaries used their own preferred weapons, and even if it was just an ordinary standard-issue longsword, they would try to modify it to be more comfortable; but Rod's sword was something from the Mercenary Association, so naturally there wouldn't be any modifications.

  Was he going to use this sword to confront Serrek?

  Just as everyone was talking, Rode had already arrived in front of the old chairman and Serak. He first gave a swordsman's salute to the two, then pulled his hood up.

  "I'm all set, both of you, we can start anytime."

  "Are you going to challenge with this sword?"

  Serak furrowed his brow and opened his mouth to say, he didn't dislike Rode as much as the old guild leader did. At least this was a rare opportunity for him to take action and make an evaluation. If his opponent only used such ordinary weapons to fight against him, then even if he won, there would be nothing worth saying.

  "Young man, I hope you don't feel pressured. This is just an assessment, we want to see your real ability and level. Winning or losing doesn't matter."

  "This is also my view, Mr. Serik."

  Roder grasped his long sword and replied calmly.

  "So please don't mind my weapon... and I also hope to see the prowess of the Phantom Sword with my own eyes."

  "Alright."

  When Rode said that, Serrek's face also sank. Originally, he still felt that the other party used ordinary weapons, and he used a magic weapon, which might be a bit excessive. However, since the other party actively said that they wanted to see his Phantom Sword, Serrek was no longer polite. He nodded slightly, while secretly glancing at the president of the association beside him, seemingly understanding why his old friend would be so angry.

  But who is this kid after all?

  Serak didn't think much about it, he just shook his head and drew out his own long sword, shouting in a low voice.

  "Come on!"

  In the face of Seric's statement, Rode didn't say anything more. He slowly drew out his long sword and carefully gazed at the illusory light sword in Seric's hand. Then, Rode grasped his sword with one hand, slanting it to the right lower side, assuming a starting stance. In the next moment, Rode transformed into a shadowy figure, dashing forward.

  Sword skills?

  Seeing Rode's attack, a hint of surprise flashed in Serrek's eyes, but he quickly regained his composure, let out a loud shout, and the long sword in his hand suddenly transformed into a flurry of light rain, sweeping forward with overwhelming force.

  Because this was just an assessment, Seric didn't use his full strength. In his view, Rod, who charged forward head-on, couldn't withstand this move at all. The essence of Flashing Swordsmanship lay in its speed. Facing this overwhelming storm, it was extremely difficult to kill one's way out of this encirclement.

  But Seric didn't expect that just as Rode was about to enter his attack range, he suddenly and stiffly twisted his body, as if completely seeing through the sword lights used to confuse the enemy, and brushed past.

  How is this possible?!

  The scene before him left Seric utterly astonished, unaware that Rode was already all too familiar with this sword technique of his. Even if he couldn't see through the hidden killing intent now due to his limited strength, he still remembered the attack range of the Flashing Sword Technique. Seric came straight at him in a daze, and bullying those newbies who had just started fighting might still be somewhat useful, but against Rode, it was still a bit off.

  At the same time as Serrek's astonishment, Rod, who had dodged out of range, immediately thrust forward. The Moon Shadow Sword Technique was exactly opposite to the Flashing Sword Technique, which was like the brilliance of the sun, forcing the opponent to be unable to look straight and could only yield, thus defeating the opponent. The Moon Shadow Sword Technique, on the other hand, was more like a shadow under the shining light, silent and stealthy, just like a poisonous snake lurking in the grass, biting you coldly. And at this moment, the poisonous snake lurking in the darkness finally struck, extending its sharp fangs towards its prey.

  So fast!

  Seeing the shadow that suddenly appeared beside him, Serrek was shocked in his heart. He hastily changed direction and the sword of light in his hand transformed into a series of beautiful sword lights, as if a turbulent flood had submerged the snake head that had just poked out.

  Rod, who didn't land a hit, naturally wouldn't choose to go against the flow. A thirty-level difference isn't something to be taken lightly; if he were to face Serek's counterattack head-on, he'd be blown away with just one hit. Thus, as Serek counterattacked, Rod quickly retreated while narrowly avoiding the flashing sword blade once again.

  If Rod's previous evasion of Seric's attack had only made the sword master somewhat astonished, then now he was finally moved, although the dazzling swordsmanship was a bit flashy but not practical, ordinary mercenaries would never be able to evade such an attack, once could be said to be luck, twice in a row... He even began to suspect that this young man wrapped in a cloak was his old acquaintance? Otherwise, how could he be so familiar with his own swordsmanship?

  However, as an experienced swordsmanship master, Seric quickly discovered that Rode was trying to avoid direct contact with himself. He immediately changed his tactics, retracting the scattered sword aura of his Phantom Sword and pressing in like a shadow. Rode didn't want to clash head-on with him, so Seric forced him into a sword-to-sword confrontation. The swordsmanship master believed that achieving this wouldn't be difficult with his experience.

  But this time Seric was wrong again, although he thought his speed was already fast enough, Rod still retreated in the instant when the two swords met, and forcibly pulled open the distance.

  The two sides clashed no more than three or four times, but the mercenaries around them were already stunned.

  "Big sister, Serak's sword is so fast, how can't he hit this guy?"

  Barni's eyes widened in surprise as he peeked through the gap, and he unconsciously opened his mouth to ask. He asked himself if he were in Rod's position, he would absolutely not be able to dodge Seric's attack, and probably would have surrendered immediately at the first strike. But this strange guy not only dodged Lord Seric's attacks three times, but also didn't even get a single hair on his body hurt, which was too strange. Was this guy also a swordsmanship master?

  It's not just Bani, even other mercenaries have similar thoughts in their minds. They can't figure out why Serrek's sword is so fast, yet they can't do anything to this guy.

  The old club president who was standing on the sidelines watching the battle with a serious expression had seen through their scheme.

  Indeed, Serrek's flashing sword technique is extremely fast, and the name "flashing" also implies this. However, the problem lies in that its speed is only the speed of the sword technique, not the person themselves being fast. But anyone who sees this rapid sword technique will subconsciously subjectively think that the person using this sword technique must be very fast as well, but in fact, these two are completely separate.

  The old guild leader also saw through it, the little guy in front of him was barely dodging the opponent's attack with his own speed, and now he seemed to be very familiar with the characteristics of the Flashing Sword Technique. This also made the old guild leader frown and think about the other person's origins, Serrek had not left Deepstone City for over thirty years, and those who could exchange blows with him were even fewer, what kind of mysterious little guy was this?

  At the same time as the old chairman was thinking hard, both sides had already passed each other several times again. Roder continued to avoid direct confrontation with Serak, while Serak was not in a hurry and responded calmly, but his face had become more serious at this moment.

  "Your speed is really good, if you were a thief, you would definitely have a great future."

  As Cerek's attack flashed again in Rhodes, the swordsmanship master finally spoke with a smile, but with a somewhat depressed tone.

  "Thank you for the compliment, but I'm afraid I am a swordsman."

  Rod's voice was flat and his face remained shrouded in the hood, so no one could discern what expression he wore at that moment.

  "Alright then, let's see your swordsman pose, little guy."

  Serak raised his long sword, he had decided to be serious now, not just because of Rod's escape, but also because of his curiosity, he really wanted to see what kind of tricks this young man wrapped in a cloak could play.

  "As you wish."

  Just then, Rod moved.

  A faint glow appeared on the dark long sword, accompanied by Rode's swing, and with a burst of light, the crescent-shaped sword energy shot out from the sword in an instant.

  Sword energy condenses?

  Seeing this silver moon crescent, Serak's face also sank slightly, and he let out a low shout "Good!", then, with his hand grasping the long sword, he stepped forward half a step.

  Like a stormy light point, it burst out again, and the waves of silver-white moonlight surged forward, revealing the power of Serrek's swordsmanship without a doubt. A fierce gust of air shot out from the sparkling sword lights, even the mercenaries standing on the sidelines had to retreat several steps back. And Rode's silver moon core had just touched Serrek's sword screen barrier when it disappeared without a trace.

  Not bad.

  Although in the face of a strong opponent, Rod's performance was like that of a young child against a strong adult, Serrek was still very satisfied and nodded his head. Being able to learn sword energy condensation at such a young age shows that this young man has quite good talent, and from previous battles, he also knows how to use combat wisdom. Serrek even felt that letting such a promising young man become a mercenary was a bit of a waste, he took the opportunity to glance at his old friend standing on the sidelines, considering whether or not to take this young man as his own disciple, after all, it's extremely rare to find a swordsman with such exceptional talent.

  “———！！！”

  Just then, a clear and low hum suddenly sounded, followed by Serak hearing the mercenaries around him exclaim in surprise.

  What happened?!

  He gathered his mind and focused again on the front, but just then, Serrek was shocked to discover that a cyan green shadow was passing through the sword net, flying quickly towards himself!

  PS: This is my first time venturing into the gaming genre, and I've never written about data streams before, so I might be a bit verbose in my explanations. Don't worry, I'm not trying to cheat on word count, I just haven't reached V yet. I'll strive to make the basic framework clear and understandable before reaching V.

  PS2: The reason I wrote the upgrade stream this time is that my invincible stream was written a bit annoyingly, so I wanted to change routes. It's normal for it to be different from before, if it were the same, I might as well continue writing the invincible stream...

  PS3: Finally, about the card data description - The numbers below the summoning spirit cards represent the attack/defense of the summoning spirit itself. The values are set as follows: 13 (Beast level), 46 (Giant Beast level), 79 (Magic Beast level), and 10?? (BOSS level). As for these three levels, I've written about them before, so I won't repeat myself.

  PS4: The level data of equipment cards is independent and separate.