Wizard: I brought the wrong system.

Chapter 450 Encountering the Witcher

Yaro tapped his shoulder slightly, bowed gently, and gracefully performed an apprentice's salute.

"My name is Yue. It is an honor to meet you. You are the sword in the darkness and the shield that protects humanity. Glory will ultimately belong to you."

The apprenticeship ceremony symbolizes 'knowledge above oneself' and also signifies that one has no intention of attacking.

This also shows that Yaro has already recognized his identity.

Just then, an otter suddenly darted out of the nearby stream, making "ah ah ah" noises at the old mercenary, as if it were complaining about Yaro.

The old mercenary scoffed, casually ruffling the otter's head, and said, "Don't talk to me about some bullshit glory! Let's get down to business. How are you going to explain this to me and my men?"

Despite his harsh words, the bow and arrow had already been quietly lowered.

"No! That oath isn't rigid at all; personally, I admire it very much!"

Yaro initially denied it, then shrugged and said with a smile, "As for an explanation... you're fine, your men are fine, what explanation do you need?"

“My buddy told me you scared it…”

"Do you need me to catch a fish for it as an apology? Oh? Two? No problem!"

Yaro turned to look at the old mercenary and chuckled:
"Look, your buddy has already agreed to forgive me. As for you... um... do you need some fish too? Don't worry, I'm pretty good at catching fish."

"Who would want fish..."

Before he could finish speaking, the otter next to him cried out urgently, "Ah ah!"

"Alright, Jerry, my good buddy, see those three big birds over there? We'll have bird meat to eat... Yes, we're having bird meat today... Mmm, delicious, bird meat is better than fish... Don't you believe me?"

After the old mercenary had calmed the otter down, he turned around and said:
“Young Yue, the whole story is very clear—I discovered the danger and kindly reminded you. You accepted my kindness, but instead of being grateful, you attracted those people's attention here.”

Clearly, my makeshift camp is no longer safe. If you can't provide reasonable compensation, you'll be staying with me for the next two weeks.

Yaro slowly approached: "You asked me to follow you because you're worried I'll reveal your secrets, or your affairs?"

The old mercenary narrowed his eyes, scrutinizing the approaching youth, and calmly said:

"Little Moon, don't try to scare me with those circus jokes."

Yaro stopped, shrugged, and looked much more relaxed: "Scare them? Maybe."

Based on the speed at which the harbinger bird was shot, at this distance, even if the mysterious witcher launches an attack, he will only have one chance at most.

"Tell me?"

"Ferlando".

Upon hearing this word, the old mercenary fell silent for a few seconds.

Just as Yaro was about to say something more, the old mercenary suddenly asked a strange question: "How are your skills?"

"Not bad?" Yaro raised an eyebrow, speaking with a hint of confidence.

"Give it a try?" The old mercenary's lips curled up slightly, a stiff smile resembling that of someone who had undergone plastic surgery, squeezing the muscles on both sides into a strange arc.

This taste is just right!

The witcher we encountered earlier also had a very stiff expression.

However, precisely because of this, Yaro couldn't tell whether he was mocking him or extending a 'friendly' invitation.

"of course can."

In either case, Yaro was not afraid.

"Do you need to go somewhere else?" the old mercenary asked, making a gesture as he slung his crossbow over his shoulder.

"The guest does as the host does."

"Okay, this way..."

Although the threat of crossbows was gone, Yaro did not let his guard down and still focused a great deal of his attention on the old mercenary.

Just as Yaro stepped over the otter, the old mercenary, who had been completely relaxed, suddenly drew his sword.

Already on guard, Yaro drew his cross-shaped longsword from his waist almost simultaneously with the exertion of his shoulder.

Clang!
The blades clashed, sparks flying.

The two looked at each other.

Yaro smiled enigmatically: "When did an upright witcher start launching a sneak attack?"

The gleaming silver steel sword reflected in the old mercenary's calm, almost icy eyes.

"This is just an old man teaching you that you need to be vigilant at all times. After all, not everyone is as upright as a Witcher... right?"

The old mercenary's words were both a denial of the sneak attack and a denial that he was a Witcher.

Yaro already had some guesses about the cause of the matter, and naturally he also knew why the old mercenary denied it.

"You're absolutely right. I really have to thank you for your guidance, senior. Hmm, I can't wait any longer. In that case, let's just get started."

Yaro didn't want to keep going on and on with the old mercenary.

In this world, only those who stand on the side of power have the right to engage in direct confrontation.

"good idea!"

The two exerted their strength almost simultaneously, and just as they were about to pass each other, the old mercenary suddenly kicked out.

"The enemy's weapons are not limited to the weapons in their hands."

The old mercenary's voice was very calm, and you couldn't tell that he was currently engaged in combat.

This also shows that his physical fitness far exceeds that of ordinary people.

However, such a trick could not fool the experienced Yaro. He turned around lightly, easily dodging the groin kick, and took the opportunity to launch an attack first.

Yaro was extremely fast, because years of experience had taught him that given the fragility of the human body, a sharp weapon could basically end the battle if it hit a vital point.

"Quinn!"

The old mercenary made a hand seal, and a pale yellow light shield suddenly enveloped him.

bump!
Yaro's cross-shaped longsword struck the magic barrier, and the old mercenary's sword was also within arm's reach!
Instantaneous technique!
The sudden burst of soil lifted Yaro's forefoot.

Yaro pushed off forcefully, sending himself flying backward, narrowly avoiding the old mercenary's steel sword.

Pfft!
The sticky mud splashed everywhere, and Yaro used his tripping spell again, using the clods of earth that splattered out to steady himself.

Looking down, he saw that his waist armor had been ripped open with a large gash.

"witchcraft?"

Raising his head, Yaro's voice carried a hint of coldness.

You really don't follow any rules at all!
"No, this is just a little close-combat trick," the old mercenary said.

Yaro's expression grew even colder: "Is that so? This method is quite good. Coincidentally, I seem to have a few of those myself."

"That depends on whether you can use it!"

The old mercenary, sword in one hand, slightly bent over, tiptoeing, charged forward swiftly, his sword flashing lightly.

This fighting stance was unlike anything Yaro had ever encountered or learned before, but his precise and fluid movements revealed it to be a very mature and advanced offensive sword technique.

……

The sword technique is similar to the "Crescent Moon Triple Slash" in the "Crescent Moon Sword Technique" and the "Crescent Moon Quick Slash" which is a powerful attack that can be unleashed on the spot.

More specifically, it involves fully considering one's own power generation methods and the enemy's reaction patterns, and then, through long-term training, forming fixed muscle memory.

It is also the 'moves', or 'sword techniques' or 'sword moves' that Yaro knew in his previous life.

Once you master this sword technique, you won't need to think much during a fight; you can unleash a continuous barrage of attacks in a very short time.

Furthermore, the old mercenary's sword technique was very sophisticated, and it should have been specifically designed for humanoid creatures. No matter how Yaro blocked or countered, the old mercenary easily neutralized his attacks and even used them to his advantage to kill him.

The silver-white steel sword whistled sharply as it cut through the air, and Yaro could even clearly feel its icy coldness!
Parry, parry, parry!
Yarrow gripped his longsword tightly, parrying relentlessly. Clang!
clang!
clang!
……

The space required to parry is very small. With the help of the slightly stronger old mercenary's reflexes, Yaro was forced to retreat repeatedly by the storm of attacks, but he managed to block them.

By this point, the old mercenary had already lost.

It's like memorizing a fixed chess game, where every move is a fierce attack, and the opponent isn't allowed even half a second to think.

The fact that the enemy was able to withstand this situation can only mean that the defenders' combat experience and reflexes were superior to those of the attackers.

—Here we need to ignore the fact that the old mercenary uses a one-handed sword, while Aro uses a two-handed sword for defense.

The old mercenary's physical fitness definitely reached, or even surpassed, that of a formal knight!

"Impressive skills! No wonder you dared to venture alone into the Dark Plains at such a young age!"

The old mercenary's breathing was very steady, not at all like someone still violently swinging their sword.

"Since that's the case, then try this trick again!"

The old mercenary's sword stance suddenly changed as soon as he finished speaking.

The steel sword moves with wide, sweeping strokes, sometimes light, sometimes heavy, and every time Yaro parries, he has to go all out!

In this situation, most people wouldn't even have time to think, let alone cast a spell; a slight mistake could result in their death!
Having taken the hits head-on, dodged them, and endured so many attacks, Yaro's breathing began to quicken.

His heart pounded, his fighting spirit surged, and the 36 beads around his neck exuded a chilling aura, keeping his mind within the bounds of reason.

In just a moment, Yaro had already gotten used to this rhythm, and taking advantage of the gaps in the attacks to catch his breath, he said:
"Is...is that all there is to it?"

He wasn't being sarcastic; he was genuinely excited about the opportunity.

Completely different from previous battles, it was not about overwhelming others with force or speed, and there were no strange witchcraft involved.

All that's left is the ultimate skill and a test of combat wisdom!

This is the martial arts he remembers!

Hmm—if we can ignore the magical barrier surrounding the old mercenary.

"Still not enough?"

The old mercenary suddenly took two steps back.

Just as Yaro, whose pressure had eased slightly, was about to raise his sword to counterattack, he saw the old mercenary's right hand quickly change direction, and a pale purple halo bloomed out of thin air.

"Aden!"

Another instance of witchcraft?

Yaro felt only bad luck.

It's like enjoying a delicious meal, only to find cooked flies constantly appearing in it – utterly disgusting.

It's impossible to ignore!
An invisible force field enveloped Yaro's body, and the air around him seemed to solidify.

Under the influence of this force field, Yaro's speed and reaction time were significantly reduced.

"Igni!"

Another short incantation was uttered, and with a blinding yellow light, a blazing yellow cone-shaped flame suddenly shot out from the old mercenary's right palm!
Instantaneous technique!
Yaro quickly withdrew.

The old mercenary brandished his sword and pressed forward.

"Who do you think is the wizard?" Yaro's eyes were icy.

The old mercenary calmly brandished his sword: "Can you use witchcraft?"

Fed up!

Yaro held his sword high.

"Bastard! Look here!"

Sun punch!
A brilliant light shone forth, and the cross-shaped longsword slashed fiercely.

Cut!

"clang!"

The weapons clashed in mid-air, producing a deafening clang of metal striking metal.

Blocked!

The old mercenary's gaze remained calm; the flash of light seemed to have no effect on him whatsoever.

Bang!
Thick fog suddenly enveloped Yaro's body, and the old mercenary's steel sword missed its mark.

"what?"

His gaze finally showed a slight change.

The rapid airflow quickly dispersed the white fog.

A whirlwind swirled around Yarrow, whipping his short, dark gold hair into a frenzy.

"Why don't you take this opportunity to use your witchcraft? Are you unable to use attack witchcraft?"

The old mercenary sized up the imposing young man and asked with great interest.

With a casual wave of his hand, Yaro sent a small fireball, about the size of a fist, hurtling towards the open space beside him.

bump!
A burst of fire erupted, blasting a crater the size of a washbasin into the soft grass.

In terms of casting speed, this small fireball is definitely no slower than the old mercenary's Flame Tongue, and its power is even stronger.

"Oh?" the old mercenary asked in surprise, "Then why didn't you use this witchcraft to attack me?"

“I know you have many tricks up your sleeve, such as the other sword on your back, the way you wield a sword with one hand, and the bottles and jars at your waist. Likewise, I have many tricks up my sleeve. I just want you to understand that no matter what, you will never be my match!”

The real reason is not as noble as Aro claims.

He was actually using this opponent, whose fighting style was very similar to his own, to test what flaws still existed in his own fighting style.

The old mercenary smiled calmly: "Young man, don't be so arrogant!"

His tone has softened considerably.

"Can you call yourself a young person if you're not spirited?"

Yaro blurted it out, then realized that now was not the time to complain.

"Look at the sword!"

Swimming Dragon Movement - Dragonfly Skimming the Water!
The pale purple halo continued to flicker, but even under the constraints of the invisible force field, Yaro's speed increased by nearly twice!
The old mercenary's eyes narrowed, and without defending, he used slowness to counter speed, unleashing a devastating sword strike.

Trade injury for injury?

No, the old mercenary has a magical barrier around him, so it's only Yaro who will get hurt.

Moon Dance - Crescent Moon Triple Slash!
Undeterred, Yaro unleashed his silver-white cross-shaped longsword, transforming it into a full moon, as he fiercely met the incoming steel sword.

"clang--!"

Sparks flew up, and you could even vaguely see red-hot iron filings flying out!
The old mercenary's body jolted, and he involuntarily took half a step back before he could unleash his full power with the steel sword.

next moment.

The wind is strong!

Yaro's body was like a spinning top that had been whipped hard, and the cross-shaped longsword turned into a blur.

Soaring Dragon Body Technique - Whirlwind Slash!

Clang, clang, clang—!
The pale yellow light shield trembled violently!

(End of this chapter)