13

Chapter 13: A New Weapon

Subin stepped out of Forest Fang Nest just before the dungeon collapsed. The moment he crossed the boundary, the air around him felt strangely light. The dense mana that had filled the dungeon disappeared, replaced by the comparatively thin atmosphere of the outside world. Behind him, the distorted entrance began shrinking, its edges flickering like a reflection disturbed by water. Within minutes, the entire dungeon vanished, leaving only a patch of ordinary forest behind.

Subin stood there for a moment, looking at the place where the entrance had been. He had entered the dungeon at Level 5 and come out at Level 14, but the numbers alone didn't describe how much he had changed. His body was stronger, his reactions were faster, and his understanding of combat had reached a level he couldn't have imagined before the invasion. More importantly, he had begun to understand what his Sword God class could really do. It wasn't simply a class that made him strong with a sword; it turned every battle into an opportunity to understand, refine, and eventually surpass what he encountered.

He touched the Silver Fang Sword hanging at his waist. The weapon was much better than the ordinary steel sword he had purchased from the Association, and even without testing it, Subin could tell that it would allow him to use his strength more effectively. He had also obtained the Silver Fang Lord's mana stone and several valuable monster materials. If the Association's prices were anywhere near what he expected, today's expedition would give him enough money to change his family's financial situation considerably.

Before returning home, however, Subin decided to stop at the Association.

The moment he entered the building, several people looked toward him. His clothes were torn, there were dried bloodstains across his sleeves, and a rare sword hung at his waist. He looked nothing like the unemployed college graduate who had registered only a short time ago.

The receptionist recognized him immediately.

"Subin?"

He nodded. "I'm back from Forest Fang Nest."

Her eyes widened slightly. "Already?"

"Yes."

"Did you enter alone?"

"Yes."

She looked at the clock before looking back at him. "How long were you inside?"

"Most of the day."

The receptionist seemed uncertain whether she had heard him correctly. "Did you clear the dungeon?"

Subin nodded.

For several seconds, she simply stared at him.

Then she hurriedly called another staff member.

Within a few minutes, Subin found himself sitting in an assessment room with Kang Min-jae, the same officer who had evaluated him previously. Min-jae looked at the report in front of him, then at Subin, then back at the report.

"You cleared Forest Fang Nest alone?"

"Yes."

"The dungeon guardian was a Level 15 Silver Fang Lord."

"That's correct."

Min-jae leaned back in his chair. "And you're Level 14 now."

"Yes."

There was a brief silence.

Min-jae wasn't shocked merely because Subin had cleared an E-rank dungeon. There were already several experienced Awakeners capable of doing that. What bothered him was the speed. Subin had registered as a D-rank Awakener only recently, yet he had already reached Level 14 and defeated a dungeon guardian that was one level above him.

"Did you use any special equipment?"

Subin touched the sword at his waist.

"I obtained this inside the dungeon."

Min-jae's eyes immediately focused on it. "Can I see it?"

Subin placed the Silver Fang Sword on the table.

Min-jae carefully examined the weapon.

The moment he saw the blade, his expression changed.

"Rare grade?"

"Yes."

"Where exactly did you obtain it?"

"Completion reward."

Min-jae looked at the report again. "That's the first confirmed Rare-grade weapon we've recorded from an E-rank dungeon."

Subin nodded.

Min-jae continued examining the sword before finally returning it. "You understand that information like this will become important, right?"

"Yes."

"The Association is going to need detailed records of dungeon rewards. If rare equipment starts appearing regularly, we'll need an official classification system."

Subin looked at him. "What about higher ranks?"

Min-jae knew what he meant.

"S rank?"

"Yes."

"We haven't officially established it yet. There aren't enough people capable of demonstrating a power level beyond A rank."

Subin nodded thoughtfully.

"So eventually you will."

"Probably."

Min-jae smiled slightly. "I'm beginning to think you might be one of the reasons we'll have to."

Subin didn't respond.

He wasn't interested in ranks for their own sake.

He was interested in getting stronger.

The conversation shifted toward the materials Subin had collected. Association employees carefully examined the Silver Fang Lord's hide, claws, fangs, and mana stone. The larger mana stone immediately attracted attention.

One of the researchers examined it several times before asking, "Where did you get this?"

"From the dungeon guardian."

The researcher looked at the measurement device.

"Purity sixty-seven percent. Mana content over one thousand."

The room became noticeably quieter.

"That's extremely valuable."

Subin raised an eyebrow. "How valuable?"

The researcher gave him an estimate.

Subin remained silent for a moment.

The amount was considerably higher than he had expected.

Combined with the monster materials and other mana stones, his earnings from a single dungeon run would be enough to cover his family's ordinary expenses for quite some time.

He didn't become excited about the money.

Instead, he immediately began thinking about what it could be used for.

A better training environment.

Better equipment.

More dungeon access.

Perhaps even a proper house for his parents.

Money wasn't his ultimate goal, but money could remove many unnecessary problems.

He accepted the payment and transferred the funds into his account.

The number on the screen looked strangely unfamiliar.

For the first time in his life, Subin had earned more money in a single day than he had expected to earn in months.

He closed the account screen.

"That's enough."

Min-jae looked at him. "You don't seem surprised."

"I am."

"You don't look surprised."

Subin smiled. "I'm more interested in the sword."

Min-jae laughed. "I figured."

Before Subin left, Min-jae stopped him.

"One more thing."

Subin turned.

"The Association is planning to conduct its first official Awakener evaluation next week. We want to establish a proper ranking structure instead of relying only on temporary assessments."

Subin listened.

"Combat ability, dungeon records, level, class potential, and achievements will all be considered. There will also be practical tests."

"What rank will I be?"

"That's what the evaluation is for."

Subin nodded.

"Then I'll participate."

---

When Subin finally returned home, it was already evening.

His mother opened the door and immediately froze when she saw him.

"Subin!"

She rushed toward him.

"What happened? You're covered in blood."

"It's not all mine."

That answer didn't make her feel better.

His father came from the living room and examined him carefully.

"Are you injured?"

"Only minor cuts."

His mother continued looking at him suspiciously.

"You're sure?"

"Yes."

She finally relaxed.

Subin removed the Silver Fang Sword and placed it carefully against the wall.

His father noticed the unfamiliar weapon.

"That's new."

"I got it from the dungeon."

He explained what had happened.

His parents listened in silence as he described the Forest Fang King and the Silver Fang Lord. Subin didn't exaggerate anything, but even his simple explanation made it clear how dangerous the dungeon had been.

When he finished, his father looked at him for a long moment.

"You're becoming stronger very quickly."

Subin nodded.

His father smiled.

"Then make sure you become wiser just as quickly."

Subin appreciated the advice.

"I will."

His mother looked at the sword.

"At least eat first."

Subin laughed.

"That's probably the most important advice I've received today."

They sat down for dinner.

For the first time since the invasion, the atmosphere at home felt almost normal.

There was no emergency announcement playing in the background.

No distant explosions.

No panic.

Just a family eating together.

But outside, the world continued changing.

---

Later that night, Subin sat alone in his room.

The Silver Fang Sword lay across his lap.

He opened its information window again.

[Silver Fang Sword]

[Grade: Rare]

[Attack Power: +72]

[Durability: 150/150]

[Special Effect: Movement Speed +5%]

Subin slowly drew the sword.

The blade reflected the light from his room.

He swung it once.

The movement felt different.

The sword was lighter than expected and perfectly balanced.

He performed Basic Sword Flow.

The blade moved naturally.

He activated Fang Step.

His body shifted.

The sword followed.

Subin stopped.

A thought occurred to him.

Until now, he had been learning techniques from his opponents.

But what happened if he deliberately trained them together?

He repeated the sequence.

Fang Step.

Slash.

Turn.

Basic Sword Flow.

Step.

Thrust.

Retreat.

Again.

His movements became increasingly smooth.

Then the system appeared.

[Technique compatibility detected.]

[Basic Sword Flow and Fang Step are highly compatible.]

Subin's eyes narrowed.

[Combined technique creation possible.]

He stared at the message.

"Combined technique?"

The system displayed another option.

[Would you like to attempt technique integration?]

Subin immediately selected yes.

For several seconds, nothing happened.

Then his mind was flooded with information.

His understanding of Basic Sword Flow and Fang Step began overlapping. Movement and swordsmanship stopped feeling like separate concepts. He could suddenly see the connection between foot placement and blade trajectory, between acceleration and cutting power, between changing direction and creating attack angles.

Subin closed his eyes.

He moved.

One step.

The sword followed.

A second step.

The blade changed direction.

A third.

His entire body flowed into the attack.

The technique felt completely different from either of the original abilities.

The system appeared.

[Technique integration successful.]

[New Technique acquired.]

[Silver Fang Flow]

Type: Integrated Sword Movement Technique

Description: A sword technique combining the principles of Basic Sword Flow and Fang Step. Allows continuous movement and sword attacks while maintaining balance, momentum, and changing attack angles.

Subin opened his eyes.

He looked at the sword.

A quiet smile appeared on his face.

"This is only the beginning."

He sat down again and opened his status.

[Name: Subin Vans]

[Level: 14]

[Class: Sword God]

[Strength: 28]

[Agility: 27]

[Vitality: 23]

[Intelligence: 16]

[Mana: 15]

[Unassigned Attribute Points: 35]

[Skills]

Sword Comprehension — Passive

Swordsmanship Growth — Passive

Sword Intent — Locked

Basic Sword Flow — Active

Fang Step — Active

Predator's Sense — Passive

Combat Adaptation — Passive

Silver Fang Flow — Active

Subin looked at the locked Sword Intent skill.

He still couldn't use it.

But now he had a better understanding of what he needed.

He needed more swordsmanship.

More battles.

More opponents.

More understanding.

The world had only recently awakened.

The strongest humans were probably still far beyond his reach.

Subin wasn't worried about that.

He had already discovered that every powerful opponent could become a stepping stone.

As long as he survived, learned, and continued swinging his sword, he would continue moving forward.

Outside his window, the city lights flickered beneath the night sky.

Somewhere beyond those buildings, new dungeons were forming.

New monsters were appearing.

And new Awakeners were discovering their powers.

Subin looked toward the window.

The world was entering a new era.

He had no idea what kind of people he would meet, what enemies would eventually stand before him, or how far the path ahead would stretch.

But one thing was certain.

He would keep walking.

And he would do it with a sword in his hand.