****(POV)

I can't help but feel nostalgic a bit.

I have been in this city for a long period already.

While it has many problems, it does have some good points.

The automated system for instance makes it so we don't usually have to intervene.

Our sect specializes in direct confrontation.

Guardians are the first and the last ones on the battlefield.

That is our purpose.

We rule with an iron fist.

We rule justly.

We are the ones that never go down.

No matter the challenges we push through.

Still, I am happy to leave.

Training is fun, but it doesn't compare to real fights.

That and the quest I am leaving on.

To search for a teacher.

Most sects would frown upon such a thing.

Not us.

One does not fight a war without any comrade.

Perhaps because we are specialized too.

All in defense.

Thus the necessity of alliances.

As I exit the side gates, there is a crowd assembled.

Apparently, a duel just ended.

One between two rankers.

That is how they call them.

That is also how people call me.

But I do know.

All of it is risible and pointless.

The true powerhouses are not the ones in the spotlight.

Well, the acknowledged masters at the top are great.

Still, there is always someone stronger.

I can hear the bustle and the exclamations.

Someone died.

Someone I do know.

He always looked up to me.

He even challenged me to a duel once.

I promptly defeated him.

In the end, he was wondering why I didn't execute him.

He always remained baffled by my answer.

I told him then that I was more worried about becoming complacent than to be defeated.

That he simply had to work harder until he could become a threat to me.

This is what most consider extremely stupid.

From a logical point of view, it is.

Most consider it nonsensical not to aim for fame.

There is one thing I have observed.

I have never seen two individuals with the exact same swordsmanship.

The stronger I get the more I believe it to be true.

Is this difference bad?

Is it explained by the gods we are serving?

Are there paths stronger than others?

Possibly.

It would make sense that the hardest paths to tread are the most worth it.

My sword follows the conviction that I won't be defeated.

Not out of pride.

I am not delusional.

I simply always looked up to the guardians.

The ones that would protect.

A very different path than the fallen swordsman.

He used to go for speed and bluffs.

That apparently failed him.

I wonder who his foe was.

Ah, I see him.

The man seems to be asking the bystanders something.

Looking for someone.

When he learns his target went inside the city, he goes back to the duel area, grumbling.

Then he takes his sword.

*HACK*

I slowly make my way over.

"*Sigh* Why are you desecrating a corpse? Surely you already killed him, why are you still angry?"

He slowly looks up.

"Angry? No, angry is not the term. If anything I am simply disappointed. Disappointed that such a weakling was considered a ranker."

"Is that why you are not even leaving his body alone?"

"You know, when we were fighting the crowd enjoyed it all. There were the cheers, the excitement, and even a shameless merchant selling some pies."

"So you are calling the people here hypocrites? They may be, but that doesn't explain your actions either."

"Life is simple. The strong rule and the weak struggle. This trash at my feet died because he was too weak."

In front of me is a very disturbed man.

There are many that share his philosophy.

This isn't an isolated case.

If anything I am the odd one.

Killing an opponent and enjoying the glory a normal thing.

For the man in front of me, life is worthless.

"Say, how many will you kill in your search of power?"

"As many as it takes."

I do not care about these people directly.

But I can't agree with his actions.

An unfeeling man that sees everyone around him as fodder.

All in order to achieve his goals.

"How about a duel right …"

*SLASH*

*CLANG*

He tries to take me by surprise.

To slice my neck off.

I simply parry.

He gets pushed back from the sheer strength of my swing.

I am using a two-handed claymore after all.

He dashes toward me again.

Alternating between feints and real strikes.

As if that little bit of skill could faze me.

I keep calmly defending.

I am in no hurry.

We keep exchanging strikes.

He is getting impatient.

That is what often happens.

At least, whenever I am the opponent.

He keeps slashing and slashing, but every time I repel him.

From time to time I go on the offensive.

Every time he evades at the last second.

Something tells me this isn't his real limit.

Why?

The confidence he exuded earlier.

Only an imbecile would hunt rankers with such lacking power.

He is clearly a rank 3.

It is safe to assume he has mastered sword will.

The ability to manifest one's mana as a sword.

Well, he seems young too, so maybe not.

His progress is enough to be deemed a genius already.

Still, I do not lower my guard.

I do not go all-in.

I keep going.

At my own pace.

A pace that he is forced to follow.

That's when he finally makes a mistake.

One that is very slight.

Enough for me to kill him, however.

Except I don't believe it.

I lunge at him while staying ready to retreat.

Keeping my center of gravity toward the back.

Yep, knew it.

A flurry of swords is raining on me.

Flying ones.

Some physical some made of mana.

How?

I'm not sure myself.

But it is magic for sure.

He grins slightly.

He knows that one cannot block a dozen swords.

Or he thinks anyway.

I spin on myself blocking all the attacks.

All of them.

*DASH*

That's when he starts running.

Then jumps onto a sword and flies away.

That is a really neat trick.

This man will likely be an issue in the future.

But he is too fast.

Should I pursue and track him down?

Normally I would.

Leaving enemies behind isn't my style.

Except, right now I have a more pressing task.

No time to deal with a manhunt.

Now…

Zero of The Unnamed God Sect, was it?