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Chapter – 06
Showing His True Skill (2)
Shakron deliberately brought an uncomfortable truth to the surface.
From the beginning, he knew that Teneum had posted the bounty believing Dukeal would not die. That’s how it had been even in his previous life.
There was never going to be a payout for the bounty. But since it had been issued under the name of the guard captain, the public message and authority were already established.
It was an attempt to kill two birds with one stone.
But the idea itself was fundamentally flawed.
Now, instead of catching two birds, he would have to serve up neatly prepared bird meat he had already caught.
If the guard captain had truly tried his best, Shakron might have considered leniency.
But he knew that was not the case.
So he intended to make a point of humiliating him—thoroughly.
“Now then! Do you think a bounty is something you just pay out like a corner store transaction? There are proper verification procedures, on-site confirmation, and formal protocols—”
“I cut off Dukeal’s head, and the bounty was for Dukeal’s head. What more verification do you need?”
“Hey!”
“Do you think there’s more solid proof than this?”
Shakron casually tossed Dukeal’s head, which he had brought with him, toward Teneum.
Perhaps because the monster had been so infamous, Teneum flinched and stepped back when he saw its wide-open eyes.
Shakron called out to him.
“Captain of the guard.”
“……”
“That thing killed countless soldiers and guards. And this is all the effort you’re willing to put in?”
Teneum, struck directly where it hurt, could not respond properly.
His mind was a tangled mess—he realized things had gone completely wrong.
At this point, he would have to dip into his personal funds.
“First. Calm down.”
“Enough. I’ll just take your head like you said Dukeal did. How about that?”
Shakron immediately pointed his sword at Teneum.
To anyone unaware of the situation, it would look like outrageous misconduct.
But the guards watching did not see it that way.
Shakron had simply not been paid what he was rightfully owed. The villain, clearly, was Teneum.
“Even if he’s outrageously rude… I have skill.”
Teneum, despite being mocked as a local strongman, was also a 3-star swordsman like Villan.
For a moment, a thought crossed his mind.
Maybe he had a chance.
He had just finished fighting Dukeal—his focus might be shaken. It could have been luck.
Above all, being looked down upon by someone far younger than him irritated him deeply.
Even though he knew he had caused the situation himself, his pride refused to bend.
In the end—
“Even if you defeated a monster, I cannot tolerate such disrespect.”
“So you won’t pay me normally?”
“I believe I deserve an apology for your rudeness, separate from the bounty.”
Sshing!
Teneum drew his sword.
“That sword alone could probably cover the bounty. Do you just hate paying that much?”
“I’ll pay after I receive an apology.”
“Then come.”
Shakron tilted his left palm upward and beckoned with his fingers.
At that moment, Teneum moved first.
It was a simple provocation—simple enough to fall for.
Fwoosh!
From the start, Teneum thrust his sword forward.
A standard opening move used by most swordsmen trying to seize initiative.
Shakron had done the same in the past.
Because distance from the opponent’s weapon felt like safety.
But distance also meant something else.
Danger.
And then—
Shakron, who had been standing still, suddenly pulled his sword back.
His eyes sharpened with killing intent as he thrust forward without hesitation.
But not at Teneum himself.
At the tip of Teneum’s sword.
A point so small it was almost like a dot—something nearly impossible to aim at under pressure.
Clang!
A bizarre metallic sound rang out as the two swords collided at a single point.
An extremely rare phenomenon unfolded.
Teneum immediately realized something was terribly wrong.
The weight in his arm and shoulder suddenly lightened.
That meant something had happened to his sword.
Crack—!
And his premonition became reality.
Like a branch snapping in half, his blade began to split.
A sword—being cut by another sword.
It was his first time witnessing such a thing, and he was shocked beyond words.
Boom!
The distance between them closed instantly.
Teneum’s plan to test and exchange blows collapsed immediately.
No—there was no matchup to begin with.
What could he do against someone who could split a sword in half?
It was like throwing a punch—and having the bones in your fist crushed on impact.
Utter humiliation.
Before he knew it, Shakron’s blade was at his nose. The tip trembled against his skin.
Then—
“Pay up.”
A simple demand was delivered.
Sometime later
Shakron, having received the full bounty down to the last gold coin from Teneum, walked over to the guards.
In the meantime, Redin had already changed into plain clothes and finished preparing to leave.
His discussion with his superior, Teneum, was already settled. There was nothing more to worry about.
Even if there were issues, Teneum no longer had the courage to speak a word.
Shakron handed ten gold coins to one of the guards.
“Use this for a company meal. Beer and meat should be enough, right? Ten gold is plenty.”
“W-Wait… we’re really allowed to use this?”
“Of course. Border guards risk their lives. Don’t be shy—spend it.”
But despite his words, everyone glanced at Teneum in silence.
“Do you really think your captain would bother you over that money?”
Shakron glanced at him.
Teneum lowered his head without a word.
He was lucky to be alive.
Lucky to still have his head.
That was all he could think after experiencing Shakron’s strength.
At that moment—
Clop. Clop-clop.
A knight riding a noble white horse arrived.
Though no introductions had been made, both Shakron and the knight already knew each other’s names.
Roman Carreison.
The chief knight of the Sovereign Domain of Soviérn, a 7-star swordsman.
In terms of defense, he was comparable to an 8-star swordsman.
There was a reason Soviérn was called “Roman’s Wall.”
No assassin in the world could pass through him when he stood beside Lord Pelion.
And now such a man had arrived.
Clearly, he had been dispatched after hearing of Dukeal’s death.
In other words, he came with full authority—practically acting as the lord himself here.
Shakron smiled brightly at him.
Having power meant confidence. It meant not being intimidated.
The guards whispered in admiration.
“So that’s Sir Roman…!”
“He came in person!”
“I wish I could meet him just once…”
All eyes turned to Shakron.
Roman dismounted and approached.
“Are you Shakron of House Midios? I am Roman Carreison, chief knight of Soviérn.”
“Yes. Shakron von Midios. A pleasure to meet you.”
Shakron bowed politely.
He gave respect to those who were worthy of it.
That was his principle.
Those unworthy of respect, however, he treated like insects.
“That must have been difficult.”
“It was nothing. I only did what was necessary for my house.”
“Five previous expedition teams failed to take down Dukeal.”
“I see.”
Roman acknowledged the facts rather than diminishing Shakron’s achievement.
A man who respected others.
Shakron already knew Roman would reach even greater heights in the future, so he wanted to leave a good impression.
Eventually—
“A flawless achievement!”
“You’ve done what no one in the domain could do!”
“If you don’t mind, I’d like to thank your father as well.”
“Please do. I’m sure my father would appreciate it.”
Outwardly polite, but Shakron didn’t particularly care.
What mattered was the bounty.
Always had been.
“About the reward—I brought it in a more convenient form.”
Roman signaled to his escort knights.
They promptly handed over the payment.
A clean, immediate settlement.
Gold bars of 500, 300, and 100 value, plus three 30-value bars, and ten remaining gold coins.
Compact and easy to carry.
‘This is enough to buy a decent house.’
In just half a day since returning to life…
He had already secured enough funds to start living independently as a noble.
