TSMRG 31

Chapter 31

Before Ruin’s eyes floated a hologram: “Linegrime Basic Swordsmanship – Seven Forms.”

It wasn’t just a simple transmission of information.

Thin fluorescent lines, visible only to him, shot out and spread through the air around him.

‘So… it’s telling me to follow those lines?’

Without the slightest hesitation, Ruin moved exactly as guided by one of <Heaven’s Seamless Cloth>’s abilities—the Insight of Interpretation.

Of course, he couldn’t replicate the movements perfectly at first. But even so, his attempts resembled the original closely enough.

Then—

“What? How in the world can you absorb all of that just from seeing it once?! Even if it’s not flawless, this is…”

The Sword Spirit’s crimson eyes flared as he shouted.

“Uuuugh, Ruin!”

“…Yes?”

“You’re a genius. No—genius isn’t even enough to contain what you are. You were born with the potential of the century. Even greater talent than Belion himself!”

He trembled as if struck by lightning, overcome with emotion.

“Really? Thanks for the compliment.”

“This isn’t just a compliment! This isn’t something you can brush off like it’s nothing!”

The Sword Spirit raved like a madman, while Ruin quietly chuckled to himself.

‘I didn’t mean to deceive him… but somehow I ended up tricking him anyway.’

He silently offered an apology the spirit couldn’t hear.

‘Sorry, not on purpose. But I didn’t exactly lie, either.’

At that moment—

Ding.

You have gained the recognition of the Sword Spirit, Black Shadow.
You have completed an achievement within the time limit.
Achievement Rank: Rare.

You have earned the title: “One Recognized by the Sword Spirit.”

Effects:

• Strengthens your connection to the Sword Spirit.

• Absorbs part of the Sword Spirit’s power.

• Grants partial mastery of the Sword Spirit’s swordsmanship.

• Increases comprehension and potential with the sword.

• Raises affinity with swords.

But your comprehension and potential are already at the highest level. No further growth possible.
Your affinity with swords is already at its peak. Some effects will be converted into special privileges.

Ding.

• The power of your sword techniques will now increase further.

• You have gained the qualification to discover your own Sword Path (Kendo).

Ding.

You have obtained the special title: “Walker of the Sword Path.”

This title links with other achievements.
A locked achievement has been unlocked:

Hero Achievement: “One Who Passed the Sword Spirit’s Trial.”

• Time-limited achievement.

• Complete before the deadline to gain additional effects and rare privileges.

Remaining time: 3,649 days, 20 hours, 48 minutes.

‘…This is how it works? Damn, this is insane.’

As soon as <Heaven’s Seamless Cloth>’s notification ended, the Sword Spirit’s body flared with light that poured entirely into Ruin.

An immense energy surged into his body, filling him with overflowing power.

Fragments of profound swordsmanship seeped directly into his mind.

Startled, the Sword Spirit flailed and shouted—

“W-What is this?! Why is my power suddenly flowing into you?!”

“Thank you. So you’ve finally acknowledged me. I’ll gratefully accept this strength and wisdom.”

“No! I never acknowledged you!”

“But didn’t you just call me the ‘genius of the century’?”

“T-That was… ugh! This is fraud! You’re clearly scamming meeeeee!”

The Sword Spirit raged, but it was too late.

<Heaven’s Seamless Cloth> had already bound the title and mission together, deepening the link between Ruin and the Sword Spirit.

And so, Ruin successfully absorbed a portion of its power.

‘So the title’s effect was to absorb the Sword Spirit’s strength?’

He didn’t fully understand all the secrets of <Heaven’s Seamless Cloth> yet.

But Ruin firmly believed it would never give him anything harmful.

‘Looks like I’ll have to take title-related missions even more seriously.’

While Ruin entertained thoughts that would outrage anyone listening—

“Give it baaack! Give me my power back!”

The Sword Spirit’s wretched screams of protest spread throughout Ruin’s inner world.

At the same time, as Ruin continued learning Linegrime’s basic swordsmanship through the Sword Spirit—

“Ruiiin.”

A long, soft call of his name. Approaching him was Sylvia, the precious daughter of Uncle Brion.

[Ohhh, what a cute child has come.]

Surprisingly, the Sword Spirit seemed to show great fondness for Sylvia, even though she hadn’t done anything in particular.

“Ruin, I have something to ask—”

“Oh, Sylvia, perfect timing. Come here for a second.”

At that moment, Ruin was deeply absorbed in the ability of <Heaven’s Seamless Cloth> known as the Insight of Interpretation.

“Huh? Like this?”

“Good. Just stay still.”

Sylvia tilted her head in confusion but complied with his sudden request.

Though bewildered, she trusted her childhood friend and watched him quietly.

Soon—

<Character Information>

• Name: Sylvia Felton

• True Name: None

• Title: (Unable to interpret)

• Race: Human

• Traits: (Unable to interpret)

• Current Abilities: (Unable to interpret)

• Potential Abilities: Cooking, Laundry, Cleaning, Environmental Awareness, Spirit Affinity, (Unable to interpret), (Unable to interpret)

• Current Emotions: Anxiety, Confusion, Nervousness, Embarrassment

Due to the limits of Insight, some information cannot be interpreted.

‘Oh, got it.’

Information on Sylvia appeared before Ruin’s eyes.

The Insight of Interpretation not only read objects and skills—it could analyze people living in this world too.

But unlike before, something new appeared.

‘Potential abilities?’

These might be hidden talents, yet to awaken, triggered by certain situations or choices in the future.

And if that was true—

‘This isn’t just about individual growth. It could form an entire powerful faction!’

If he traveled across the continent, gathering children with great latent abilities, achieving his goals wouldn’t be hard at all.

“Phew.”

Ruin placed a hand on his pounding chest, forcing himself to calm down.

‘Calm down. Nothing’s confirmed yet.’

Just like testing a stone bridge before crossing, he needed to verify whether his hypothesis was true.

‘When I tried this on Father or Mother, everything came up as “Unable to interpret”…’

Perhaps the ability didn’t work properly on people far above his level.

But that wasn’t important right now.

What mattered was—

‘Sylvia’s potential ability was listed as Spirit Affinity.’

And right before him sat the perfect subject.

It felt a little wrong to treat his childhood friend as an experiment. But still—

‘It’s not a bad thing. It could even be a blessing.’

Ruin still carried memories from Experiment No. 1872, which included a bit of knowledge on spirit arts.

If Sylvia truly had Spirit Affinity, he could help her awaken as a spirit user.

‘It’s more than possible.’

While Ruin was lost in thought—

“Ruin…? Am I supposed to just stand here like this?”

[Hey, Ruin. What are you doing? Why are you tormenting this sweet, adorable girl?]

Sylvia asked nervously, while the Sword Spirit lashed him with scolding words.

‘Tormenting? I never tormented her!’

“Sorry. That’s enough. Thanks, Sylvia.”

“No need to thank me, I didn’t really do anything.”

She replied with a gentle smile, and Ruin quietly observed her with thoughtful eyes.

[Ahh, such a good child. How broad-hearted she is.]

The Sword Spirit gushed affection for Sylvia, which made Ruin suspicious.

‘Could this be because of her Spirit Affinity?’

Remembering that the Sword Spirit had been identified as a spirit in his status window, Ruin pieced it together.

Indeed, Sylvia’s latent affinity was drawing the Spirit’s goodwill.

This only solidified Ruin’s confidence.

‘Yes. No more doubts. This will benefit both of us.’

For him, it was a chance to test his hypothesis and expand possibilities.

For Sylvia, it was the chance to gain the power to protect herself.

Sylvia Felton—the one and only daughter of a village hunter, loved and cherished by everyone.

Her fate might otherwise have been a simple, predictable one: growing into a beautiful woman, marrying, raising children, and living a quiet life.

But—

‘From now on, things will change.’

If she mastered the mysterious and powerful art of spirit magic, her life and destiny would be completely different.

‘At the very least, I’ll make sure you won’t be unhappy, Sylvia.’

Resolving himself, Ruin gave a small smile and nodded.

“Alright. Let’s do this.”

“…Do what?”

Sylvia tilted her head at his sudden declaration.

Ruin looked at her with an unusually bright expression and asked—

“Sylvia, do you remember what you told me before?”

“Huh? What was it?”

“That you wanted strength to protect yourself, and to help those around you.”

“…!”

Her eyes sparkled at his words.

She remembered that day, when she had stumbled upon an ogre in the grass.

Overwhelmed by fear and despair, unable even to run, she had faced death head-on—until Ruin saved her.

That experience had planted a new dream within her.

“Yes. I want to become strong like you, Ruin.”

Sylvia nodded with a bright smile.

“So I can protect myself, protect my parents, protect you, and protect everyone in the village!”

Ruin returned her smile and nodded.

“Exactly. And I think… you really can gain that power.”

“…How?”

She was no longer a naïve child. She knew the weight of what she was asking.

How could a simple village girl become strong?

At that moment—

“Sylvia, have you ever heard of spirits?”

“Spirits?”

“Yeah, spirits.”

“…I’ve heard of them, but I don’t know much.”

Her innocent gaze met his, and Ruin smiled.

“Then it’s perfect.”

“Huh?”

“From now on, you’re going to learn everything about spirits.”

“Me? Spirits? All of a sudden?”

As she bombarded him with questions—

“Yes. Because you’re destined to become an excellent spirit user.”

Ruin declared it as though it were already set in stone.