Shangmen city, Funan (TN: inspired by Xiamen in Fujian, in case the name doesn’t imply that)

Year [Redacted]

[Unknown]’s POV

As I killed another monster, a soldier ran up to me, informing me of a huge explosion in the middle of a city in the north. While the damage to the surroundings was not great, the damage potential was similar… no, even greater than I, the hero.

Who could have done that much damage? Nevertheless, it would be a great help to the campaign to kill the demon lord if we had that person in the party.

‘Everyone! Get ready to move! Our destination is Nanjing village!’ I ordered the party to move to the town the report came from… I hope the recruitment goes well.

Chen Nian’s POV

Picking up the sword, I equipped it along with the katana. I held the new sword in my left hand, while holding the katana in my right hand, both in a backhand grip.

The sword technique is a technique where you use the sword, which has very high durability, to block enemy attacks, using your arm as a brace of sorts to block stronger attacks. That’s the reason why the blade is triangular, so that the flat part of the blade could rest on the arm. The edges are blunt, making it unsuitable to cut or slice, but the point is very sharp, allowing us to stab enemies.

Meanwhile, I used the katana to cut and slice the enemies. This is the Special Ops special sword combat technique.

‘Oy! Boy! What the hell were you doing, making such a terrible sword?’

‘T-this is uhh… for my special sword technique.’

‘Oh. Then you should try it. I have a good friend that you could try it on.’

The weaponsmith brought me to Edward’s house.

‘Oh, so it’s just Edward’s house.’

‘Wait, you know him?’

‘Uhm… I guess…’

Owner looked depressed, as if he lost out on a chance to show off. What was Edward’s status for people to be proud to know him? I’ll ask him later.

‘Oh, Chen Nian, how are you? Ah, and Thomas, what are you doing here?’

‘Nothing, I just wanted to see this bastard’s new technique. He created a useless excuse of a sword, and claimed that it was crucial to some exotic technique that he has.’

‘Ohoho. What kind of sword technique so you have? Let’s have a spar.’

Why do I suddenly feel a sense of dread?

* * *

Owner/Thomas’ POV

The two annoying bastards stood about ten metres away from each other. Edward sat with this stupid smile on his face, holding a claymore in a two-handed hold. Meanwhile, Chan Nian just stood with a weird curved sword sheathed, and a triangular sword in the other, completely emotionless.

‘Uhhh… fair fight, 3, 2, 1, and start, I guess.’ I stated without caring too much. I doubt that Chen Nian would win, anyways. I have seen the scene too many times for it to be exciting.

The first to attack was Edward.

He dashed forward, cracking the stone floor in his backyard. What a pain. That bastard will ask me to fix it later, dammit. Anyways, he swung his sword as hard as he could. Well, the battle is as good as over.

Unexpectedly, Chen Nian blocked it with the triangular blade. How does he have such power? Even I would not be able to do so, not to mention with the stickman arms that he has.

He finally drew his sword, and the moment he did, the sword glowed blue. He swung the sword at Edward’s claymore, causing a huge cut to appear on it. Dammit, I’m f*cked. The sword is made from an adamantium-mithril-iridium mix, making it weigh a literal tonne, and almost indestructible. How did he manage to cut it in the first place?

Chen Nian suddenly slid under Edward’s claymore and sliced at him from behind. What an idiot— that would’ve worked for anyone. Except for Edward.

Edward swung his sword around at a speed that even rapier users would find hard to keep up with, and hit him with the flat of the blade. Chen Nian was launched a full five metres away,

Instead of dashing towards Edward, Chen Nian jumped backwards instead. He sheathed the curved sword, and held the triangular sword in a way that resembles a spear user. He pulled his arm back, and threw the sword towards Edward. Why would he so so? He should know how easy it is to block it.

As expected, Edward pulled his sword up, right in the trajectory of the sword. However, the sword suddenly disappeared as it collided with the claymore.

It was in Chen Nian’s hand again.

He threw the sword at Edward’s foot. The sword’s tip impaled his foot in a way that should’ve broken his bone. Edward stumbled, but managed to transfer his movement to slash at Chen Nian. As the blade nearly cut his neck, it stopped. They were both smiling. Edward admitted defeat, dropping the claymore.

What the hell was he talking about? Looking away from the hole created by the claymore falling, I saw the curved sword pointed at his heart, while the triangular sword was pointed at his neck, close enough to draw a single drop of blood.

What’s with this dirty move?

* * *

‘Ahahaha, it’s my loss. I was caught up with the battle, so I didn’t notice the swords, so it’s my loss.’ Edward said, laughing like an ass.

‘You’s better get that leg treated.’ I grumbled.

‘Sorry, sorry, sorry, sorry, sorry…’ Chen Nian apologised for the injury that he caused.

‘No problem, hahahaha. Now, I’ll go to the doctors.’ Edward said, standing up with a long walking stick. ‘Oh yeah…’

Here it comes.

‘Can you help repair everything damaged in that spar? For a bulk discount?’