Chapter 53: A Wash ce.
In this world, certain individuals transcended the boundaries of their race, producing powers that were impossible for living beings. After honing their martial arts, they overcame their limits as living beings. These individuals were known as ''Experts.-
In the game setting, ''Experts- was a melee-specialized ss obtained by reaching a certain level. However, in this world, it was a title earned by a select few who had scoured the entire continent. My Master, Pridiya, was one such Expert.-*
Pridiya was not just an ordinary Expert, but also a priest. She was worthy of a four-and-a-half-finger rating. I first met Master Pridiya at a wash ce, specifically, the wash ce installed in front of the main temple of the Holy Fire Church.
After Sanctuss death, I aimlessly traveled east, searching for the holy relics imbued with Mothers divinity. I finally found a sealed relic, but it was located within the sacred relics of the main shrine of the Holy Fire Church.
At that point, my power was only marginally greater than that of an average person, and Mother-s hand was merely twitching, unable tomunicate. I had only two things with me. As a Priest of Corruption, my only basic skill was The Line the Living Cannot Cross. However, this skill held no significant power. Essentially, I was just an ordinary human with a fortified physique. Albeit, my ordinariness was somewhat distorted, given that I had enhanced my physical strength with drugs.
The holy relic in the main building of the Holy Fire Church was not heavily guarded, as the sanctuarys keeper was my Master.
Honestly, I never believed I could infiltrate the ce and steal the relic. This was because I knew that a priest who had achieved the rank of Expert- was its guardian. Nheless, I couldnt abandon my mission and start searching for other relics. Wandering aimlessly across this vast continent in search of the holy relics sealed with Mother-s divinity was far from an easy task.
Ultimately, I chose to remain near the main building, maximizing my opportunities by engaging in various tasks. Fortunately, my body was much stronger than an average persons, making me well-suited for all sorts of chores.
However, as an outsider, I was not warmly received by the inhabitants of the northern kingdoms outskirts. This was especially true after I rejected the advances of the general store owners daughter.
I wasmitted to living as a Priest of Corruption and nned to depart as soon as I obtained the relic. Therefore, I couldnt ept her feelings. Besides, the general store owners daughter was not my type in the slightest.
The real issue aroseter. Local women started gossiping, and I found myself avoiding them, retreating to the wash area alone at dawn to do myundry. I couldnt don the priests uniform from my inventory due to myck of necessary powers.
There were days when I didundry in the cold water on chilly mornings. One day, I encountered Master, who had alsoe out to doundry at dawn. I never even imagined that Master was the keeper of the holy relic.
I merely admired her from a distance, thinking to myself, shes very pretty, and continued with myundry.
Naturally, there was no need for conversation while doingundry. That day, Master and I parted ways without uttering a word, each of us simply doing ourundry.
After that, I asionally bumped into Master when I went to doundry. Unlike me, who didundry daily, Master only came to doundry when she had a basket full of clothes.
Naturally, I always finished quickly because I had a small amount ofundry.
Then one day, Master initiated a conversation.
Um,
Her proposal was simple. She asked if I could do some of herundry after I finished mine. I epted the offer without hesitation, as all I did all day was chores anyway.
Simultaneously, the amount of work I was assigned gradually decreased due to the scrutiny from local women.
Master Pridiya inspected theundry I had done, nodded in satisfaction, picked up ader, looked at me, and gestured for me to follow. I trailed behind Masters back.
A spacious house built next to the sanctuary was where Master Fridiya resided.
It was only then that I realized that my early morningundrypanion was the Expert keeper.
But knowing that fact didnt change anything. Besides, to be honest, I didnt have time to think about finding the holy relic because Master had given me a generous silver coin in return for theundry. Of course, when I returned to my dpidated house, I saw Mothers hands fidgeting violently in my pockets, reminding me that I had to retrieve the relics.
In this way, Master and I formed an unusual rtionship through theundry service. I found myself eagerly awaiting the days when Master woulde to doundry, anticipating the single silver coin I would receive almost for free.
One day, Master suddenly stopped asking me to do herundry. Eventually, I cautiously asked Master why she had stopped requesting my help. Master shrugged her shoulders and responded nonchntly.
I ran out of money.
That day, I vented my frustration at the Holy Fire Church for not adequatelypensating the Holy Relic Keeper. It waster that I discovered Master was penniless because she had never requested money from the church. The silver coin she had given me was the leftover money from the previous keeper.
With a deep sigh of regret for the lost additional ie, I extended my hand to Master to assist with theundry. After all, I had nothing else to upy my time until I returned home and resumed work.
Master tilted her head at my gesture and asked.
Why?
I simply smiled and squatted next to her, pulling out theundry and answering.
Dont mind the money. After all, I have nothing to do when I get home.
Master was the only individual near the churchs main building who treated me without bias. This alone was reason enough for me to assist her with theundry. Moreover, the silver coins I typically received held a value she could demand hundreds of times over for theundry.
As was customary, once theundry was done, Master would be lost in thought and vanish with theundry basket. A few dayster, she made a proposition.
Would you like me to teach you swordsmanship? In return, youll help me with theundry.
This was an opportunity. A genuine opportunity. A small miracle that urred at the wash ce. I was so taken aback that I couldnt help but blurt out words.
Yes? What in the world does that...
Never mind then.
No, I do! I really do!!!
Swordsmanship training directly from an Expert. Systematic martial arts training always demanded a hefty sum, and I had no means to earn such money.
I had even considered bing a mercenary, given their substantial earnings, but I knew better than anyone that my bodys regenerative power would draw attention in life-and-death battles. People around me would never overlook this. My identity as an evil god worshipper could even be exposed.
Master offered to teach me costly martial arts technique in exchange for a bit ofundry help. Naturally, after formally establishing the master-disciple rtionship, I ended up doing most of the housework.
Martial arts passed down by an Expert. The mere words sent a thrill through me. I believed that better days had finally arrived in my life. From then on, only joyousughter would escape my lips.
However, when the training began, the only sound that emerged from my mouth were groans. Masters training was incredibly rudimentary. I had expected a method akin to a gym trainers, but from the first day, all I could do was wince in pain as Master pounded my entire body with a wooden sword.
Furthermore, Master noticed my bodys quick recovery after each beating and discarded thest shred of mercy she had held in her wooden sword.
Every day, I was beaten repeatedly. No, I was beaten and then made to do housework, over and over again.
Master suggested, or rather informed me, that I should stay in her house. She would provide food and shelter, seemingly taking pleasure in my beatings.
Of course, I had no choice.
For twelve grueling seasons, I withstood relentless beatings. Over the course of those three years, I didnt even grasp the basics of swordsmanship. I merely learned to block and sh as swiftly as possible, guided by my instincts. I also picked up a bit of punching and kicking.
As usual, Iy on the ground, battered and bruised, my gaze fixed on the sky, resolute in my decision.
Having learned enough, it was time to secretly take the building key and run.
No matter how much I pondered, it seemed unlikely that I would gain any sharper insights from enduring more beatings. Moreover, as I squandered my time gaining nothing, a sense of urgency crept in. The main quest, which would determine the fate of this world, was still underway.
I had to locate Lieberkel, the murderer of Sanctus, and exact my revenge before he, known for his reckless behavior, met an untimely death on the streets.
Ultimately, I seized the opportunity during Masters absence and pilfered the key. Using it, I stole the holy relic imbued with divinity.
Thats how I acquired my first power, the Giant of Corruption.
***
I asked a little nervously.
How did you know I was alive?
Had Master Pridiya seen through the truth that I was an evil god worshipper? She replied with a light shrug of her shoulders.
I didnt...
What?
Ive defeated you a thousand times. Since your body recovers faster than the toughest monsters in the world, I figured your head could be reattached even if it was cut off.
Her reasoning was extremely irrational. I asked her, taken aback.
Are you saying that now, thinking it makes sense?
Her cold blue eyes softened.
Arent you living here like this, as I guessed?
She was indeed right, but why did I feel this strange sense of injustice?
Besides, you were already a rat in the trap.
Master Pridiya produced a piece of paper and presented it to me. It was adorned with peculiar hieroglyphs, tangled together like worms.
I drew your face, an exact likeness, and had this wanted poster distributed.
I epted the paper, my gaze fixed on the strange patterns, my expression nk.
Did you really create a wanted poster with this drawing?
Indeed! They imed the request fee was insufficient to locate you by directly employing people, so I had them create and distribute it.
Scammed...
Master cocked her head.
I found you thanks to it, didnt I?
I wanted to question the corrtion between the wanted poster and her finding me, but I doubted I would receive a satisfactory exnation.
Master Pridiya grinned, extending her hand towards me.
Disciple. I dont really care about whatever you are, so lets go back to training. I also have my pride, so a disciple of mine should be an Expert too.
How long did it take you to be an Expert?
Me?
Master was renowned as a once-in-a-thousand-years genius. She smiled, extending her index finger to tap her lips.
About 30 years of non-stop training? Given your talent, youll be an Expert in just 27 more years. This Master guarantees it.
Twenty-seven years. It was ample time, even considering the impending explosion in the main quest.
I was resolved to refuse her outright.
Master, I...
Boom!! !
Two colossal monsters erupted from the underground arena, causing a violent crash.
One was a demon revealing its true form, and the other was a ragged monster, constantly exuding divinity.
Upon witnessing the scene, I quickly interjected.
Shouldnt you be heading over there?
Master nced at the monster, closed her eyes, and responded in anguid tone.
On my way here, I encountered a man.
Who are you referring to?
The ck Wolf, Ensis Baltas. Hes heading there, so I dont believe theres any need for me to rush.