Chapter 9: Synchronization and Steel
The moment Fate sensed the malicious intent lurking around them, his hand paused mid-air, teacup hovering just before his lips.
His expression didn't change, but his thoughts sharpened.
(So they've finally made their move…)
He took a slow sip, eyes half-lidded as if nothing were wrong.
(Looks like I'll have to use my Unique Skill again.)
Inside his mind, he began selecting the memories engraved within the world itself.
(Synchronize—Flash Sword… Strike… Sword Slash… Blade Dance… Leap Attack… Sword Aura… Gale Blade.)
A familiar blue, transparent System Window unfolded before his eyes.
[SYNCHRONIZATION]
[Synchronizing Skills: Flash Sword + Strike + Sword Slash + Blade Dance + Leap Attack + Sword Aura + Gale Blade]
[Synchronization complete]
Information flooded his mind, movements overlapping, techniques weaving together into something entirely new.
Flowing Butterfly Sword
Rarity: Legendary
– A sword style resembling a butterfly flowing with the wind, resulting in fast and agile sword movements. When activated, a faint image of a butterfly swirls around the user's blade, trailing their strikes like an afterimage.
Fate exhaled slowly.
(Offense alone won't be enough…)
His fingers tightened slightly around the teacup.
(I need something durable. Something that can hold.)
He searched through his available defensive skills, weighing their functions carefully before making his choice.
(Synchronize—Guard… Shield Deployment… Damage Absorption… Body Reinforcement.)
The System responded instantly.
[SYNCHRONIZATION]
[Synchronizing Skills: Guard + Shield Deployment + Damage Absorption + Body Reinforcement]
[Synchronization complete]
Fortified Guard
Rarity: Rare
– The user casts a fortified defensive shield while reinforcing their body. A condensed energy shield is deployed in front of the user. Incoming damage is partially absorbed, while the remaining force is spread across the reinforced body to minimize injury.
Satisfied, Fate finally relaxed his shoulders.
While continuing to sip his tea, he opened his Status Window, carefully analyzing every detail.
Name: Fate Kindspring
Race: Dragon (Crystal Dragon)
Level: 30
Class: Warrior
Unique Skill: Memory of the World
Skills:
Flowing Butterfly Sword, Fortified Guard,Barrier Creation, Heal, Crystal Spikes
Passives:
Magic Circuits, Pain Resistance, Poison Resistance, Pain Reduction, Venom Resistance
Stats:
Strength: 55 (Colorless)
Agility: 65 (Colorless)
Endurance: 55 (Colorless)
Intelligence: 55 (Colorless)
Mana: 65 (Colorless)
After the meal ended, they boarded the carriage once more. Emily slept peacefully, her head resting on Anna's lap. Isaac held the reins, guiding the carriage forward. Fate gazed out the window, eyes calm—yet alert.
That was when he noticed them.
Eleven presences.
Trailing them without any attempt to hide their intent.
"Isaac," Fate called quietly.
"Yes, young master?" Isaac replied at once.
"There's a group following us," Fate said calmly. "Eleven of them."
Isaac's expression hardened as he activated his skill.
(Presence Detection.)
Presence Detection
Rarity: Common
– The user sends out a wave of mana without alerting others, locating the presence of living beings. As long as the user's level is higher than the targets, their locations can be sensed accurately.
A moment later, Isaac nodded.
"It seems you're correct, young master. Eleven people are indeed trailing us."
"Stop the carriage," Fate ordered.
"As you wish."
Isaac brought the carriage to a halt. Both of them stepped down, weapons drawn.
Anna leaned forward, worry in her eyes.
"Young master… what's happening?"
"Nothing you need to worry about," Fate replied calmly.
"Just protect Emily. We'll be done in no time."
With that, Fate raised his hand.
(Barrier Creation—two-star silent barrier.)
Barrier Creation
Rarity: Rare
– Creates various types of barriers depending on star count. Available barriers: 1-star to 3-star. Higher stars indicate stronger and more complex barriers.
A transparent barrier silently enveloped the carriage.
Fate turned toward the surrounding trees.
"Come out," he called out sharply.
"I might let you live if you drop your weapons."
All eleven figures emerged at once.
One of them stood out—a man holding an ornate black shield.
"Well now," the shield-bearer said with a grin.
"You caught us. But surrender? You think we'd listen to a kid like you?"
Laughter erupted among the bandits.
Two of them charged forward.
"You've got a death wish, brat!"
Their blades came down—but Fate blocked both strikes with minimal strength. With a sharp push, he threw them off balance, crouched low, and swept their legs.
They slammed into the ground.
Unconscious.
The remaining bandits burst into laughter.
"How pathetic!" one shouted.
"Knocked out by some brat in a shady cloak!"
That was when Isaac moved. He charged into three of them, blade flashing.
(Chain Slash.)
Chain Slash
Rarity: Uncommon
– The user performs rapid chained attacks, cutting down targets with swift consecutive strikes.
Blood sprayed.
"You dare call the young master a brat," Isaac growled, eyes burning.
"I'll make you pay for that."
Five bandits lay defeated. Six remained—along with the shield-bearer, who had stayed back, watching carefully. Realizing the danger, they charged together.
Steel clashed. One by one, the bandits fell. Only the shield-bearer remained.
Fate leveled his sword at him.
"You're next."
The man smirked and pointed at the carriage.
"You two are protecting that thing pretty hard," he said.
"Must be something—or someone—valuable inside."
Isaac struck first.
(Shadow Strike.)
The attack landed—
—and was completely blocked by the bandit's shield.
Fate activated his vision.
(Dragon Eyes.)
Shield Eater
Rarity: Rare
Basic Info: A shield that devours attacks it blocks. Absorbed attacks are converted into mana. The mana is transferred directly to the wielder, replenishing them.
Fate's eyes narrowed.
"Isaac!" he shouted.
"That shield devours attacks and converts them into mana for the wielder—be careful!"
Isaac retreated instantly.
The bandit raised his hand.
(Bind.)
Bind
Rarity: Common
– A magic circle appears beneath the target. Magical chains emerge, binding the target in place.
Chains wrapped around Isaac, locking him down. The bandit advanced. Fate stepped forward to meet him. Their distance closed. Fate swung his sword, the bandit swung his shield— The clash echoed.
Chapter 9 end