The One-Eyed Silent Swordsman
Arc 8: The Hero Town Arc
Chapter 29: The Heir of the Zenith
The morning feels good.
The air is calm.
Different from before.
Not heavy.
Not dangerous.
Just… controlled.
I open my eyes.
The ceiling looks normal.
Nothing changed.
But—
I did.
A quiet breath leaves my mouth.
"…Hero Town."
A pause.
"…Let's see."
—
I walk down.
The streets are already active.
People moving.
Not slow.
Not careless.
Every step has intent.
Every movement has purpose.
No one is relaxed.
No one is weak.
I enter the guild.
The moment I step inside—
Silence doesn't fall.
But attention shifts.
Eyes turn.
Not like before.
Not curiosity.
Not fear.
Assessment.
"…He's new."
"…Yeah."
"…But that presence…"
"…Not normal."
I ignore them.
I walk forward.
A voice comes from behind.
"Who are you ignoring?"
A pause.
"Huh?"
I stop.
Slowly.
"…I'm in a hurry."
Silence.
"…I don't have time for your talks."
The man steps closer.
Heavy footsteps.
Confident.
"…You don't talk like you belong here."
"…Then I won't."
No emotion.
No reaction.
"…Where are you going?"
"…Dungeon."
The entire guild shifts.
Murmurs rise instantly.
"…Dungeon?"
"Already?"
"…He just arrived."
"…Even Tatsuro didn't rush like that."
A pause.
Then—
Another presence.
Different.
Sharper.
I turn.
He's already looking at me.
Standing near the side.
Calm.
Still.
Tatsuro Zenith.
No smile.
No expression.
But—
Focused.
"…You're going."
"…Yeah."
Silence.
"…I'm coming with you."
No hesitation.
"…Okay."
The room becomes quieter.
"…He agreed?"
"…Just like that?"
"…He doesn't even know who he is…"
We walk out.
Together.
—
The dungeon stands ahead.
Massive.
Dark.
Not welcoming.
Not hostile.
Just… there.
"…This one is different."
Tatsuro speaks.
First time.
"…Better than others."
"…Good."
We step inside.
—
The air changes instantly.
Cool.
Still.
The system activates.
[Floor 1]
[Recommended Monster Level: 5]
Movement.
Weak.
Slow.
[Level: 4]
[Level: 5]
[Level: 3]
[Level: 6]
They move toward us.
No hesitation.
Instinct.
I don't move.
Not yet.
Then—
I release my mana.
The air compresses.
Everything stops.
For a moment—
Silence.
Then—
They collapse.
No strike.
No movement.
Just… gone.
[EXP +40]
[EXP +50]
[EXP +30]
[EXP +55]
[EXP: 2,187,335 / 2,800,000]
Tatsuro watches.
Carefully.
Not shocked.
But—
Interested.
"…You didn't move."
"…No need."
Silence.
"…Let's go."
—
We walk deeper.
No resistance.
No delay.
"Is there a way to skip floors?"
He looks at me.
"…Yes."
A pause.
"…But it sends you directly to boss floors."
"…Good."
No hesitation.
"…You don't waste time."
"…No."
He turns.
"Follow me."
—
Teleportation room.
Symbols carved into the ground.
Old.
But active.
Mana flows through them.
Stable.
"Stand here."
We step inside.
The light fades.
Darkness takes over.
No sound.
No movement.
Just—
Nothing.
Then—
Light returns.
—
[Floor 10]
[Recommended Monster Level: 50]
The air feels slightly heavier.
Movement.
[Monster Detected]
[Bloody Boar]
[Level: 59]
It charges.
Fast.
Aggressive.
I move.
One step.
One punch.
Impact.
It doesn't even react.
[Monster Defeated]
[EXP +600]
[EXP: 2,187,935 / 2,800,000]
Silence.
"…Easy."
I don't stop.
"Next."
—
Teleportation again.
—
[Floor 20]
[Recommended Monster Level: 100]
The air sharpens.
[Monster Detected]
[Dual Sword Knight]
[Level: 107]
It reacts instantly.
Better than before.
Faster.
It attacks.
I step in.
Punch.
It slides back.
Still standing.
"…Good."
I draw my sword.
Sokaru.
Mana flows.
Compresses.
Not wide.
Not wasteful.
Focused.
"Air Slash."
A thin line cuts forward.
Invisible.
The knight stops.
A pause—
Then—
It splits.
Clean.
[Monster Defeated]
[EXP +1,000]
[EXP: 2,188,935 / 2,800,000]
Silence.
Tatsuro watches again.
"…That wasn't wide."
"…It doesn't need to be."
A pause.
"…Efficiency."
"…Exactly."
—
"Deeper."
He nods.
"…That means floor 100."
"…I know."
"I took the quest."
He doesn't question it.
—
Teleportation activates again.
This time—
Different.
The darkness feels heavier.
Familiar.
Cold.
Like something watching.
A brief moment—
That dream.
Then—
Light.
—
[Floor 100]
A massive gate stands ahead.
Closed.
Heavy.
I check my watch.
Tick.
Tick.
1:50
Tatsuro tightens his gauntlet.
I grip my sword.
"…Ready?"
"…Yeah."
He opens the gate.
—
The air explodes.
—
[Monster Detected]
[Black Fenrir]
[Level: 562]
[Tier: Low]
Lightning tears through the space.
Fast.
Sharp.
We move.
Dodge.
Clean.
—
"Physical Enhancement."
My body responds.
Faster.
Sharper.
Controlled.
—
The beast attacks again.
Closer.
Stronger.
I step forward.
"Silent Death."
One motion.
Perfect.
The strike lands.
[Monster Health: 100% → 4%]
Silence.
The beast staggers.
I step aside.
"…Finish it."
Tatsuro moves.
Instant.
"…Heavenly Punch."
Impact.
The ground cracks.
—
[Monster Defeated]
[EXP +498,900]
[EXP: 2,687,835 / 2,800,000]
Silence.
—
[System Notice]
[Dungeon Completed]
[Teleporting…]
—
Light returns.
Outside.
The air feels cleaner.
Lighter.
Different.
—
We walk back.
No words.
No need.
—
Guild.
The door opens.
Creeeak.
Silence spreads this time.
Immediate.
"…They're back."
"…Already?"
"…Impossible."
I walk to the counter.
"…Completed."
The clerk checks.
Her eyes stop.
She reads again.
"…Hero Dungeon Cleared."
"Abyss Dungeon… Floor 163."
Silence drops.
Heavy.
No one speaks.
I take the reward.
No reaction.
I turn.
"…Tatsuro."
He looks at me.
"Take your share."
I hand him 99 gold.
He pauses.
Then—
"…Arena."
"Evening."
"…Okay."
—
Restaurant.
Warm.
Simple.
"Have a seat."
I sit.
Menu in front.
"Cooked Boar Meat — 9 Silver"
"Spicy Ramen — 7 Silver"
"Mega Meal — 1 Gold"
"…Mega Meal?"
"Dragon meat."
"High nutrition."
"Fills completely."
"…Good."
"I'll take it."
The food arrives quickly.
I eat.
The taste is strong.
Clean.
"…Good."
"Don't talk while eating."
"…Okay."
Time passes.
Finished.
"Payment."
"Inventory."
One gold.
"Come again."
"…I will."
—
Evening.
The arena is filled.
Crowded.
Loud.
Different energy.
Excitement.
Expectation.
Tatsuro stands in the center.
Waiting.
I step forward.
The crowd reacts.
"That kid will lose!"
"Tatsuro!"
"Destroy him!"
No reaction.
I stop.
Facing him.
Silence.
Then—
I release my mana.
The entire arena freezes.
Air tightens.
Pressure spreads.
Not wild.
Not chaotic.
Controlled.
Tatsuro doesn't move.
But—
His eyes sharpen.
—
Chapter End
Next Chapter: Invisible Clash - Ren Hayashi VS Tatsuro Zenith
Time: Saturday, 6 PM GMT +5:30