[ Item: The Curved Sword ]
[ Item Rank: Mid-White ]
[ Quantity: 1 ]
[ Exchange Requirement: 2 Chaos Gems ]
[ Trader's Note: Comes with a scabbard crafted from hardened beast hide—quality guaranteed! ]
Someone was already trading weapons on the very first day!
Of course, Golan knew just how crucial a weapon was at this stage. After all, having a proper blade in hand was like wielding a golden finger in this world of lords.
Naturally, the one who put this sword up for trade understood this too—someone going by the name Lady Black. Golan etched the name into his memory. Without wasting another moment, he exchanged the only two Chaos Gems in his possession.
True, he already had his spearman and the man's battle cries were effective enough… but the cold reality was that a wooden spear shaft could snap at any time. And tomorrow, the summoning might fail—he couldn't risk that. A sword, on the other hand, would greatly enhance his overall combat capability.
After weighing the risks and benefits, Golan made his decision without hesitation.
With a tap, he accepted the trade and retrieved the curved sword from the market's inventory. Pulling the scabbard free, he examined the weapon closely.
Its total length was around 950 mm, with an 820 mm blade and roughly 35 mm in width. The edge curved at an angle close to twenty degrees.
"Hm… this resembles the old Arabian curved swords."
Holding the blade in his hand, Golan felt a strange sense of completeness. With his massive white bear pelt draped over his shoulders and this sword in hand, he looked every bit the savage Viking warrior.
[ Reminder: Corpse refinement complete. Confirm collection? Yes/No ]
The familiar prompt snapped him out of his admiration, but he wasn't annoyed in the slightest. Anticipation filled his chest as he confirmed.
[ Extracted refinement energy transferred to the Lord ]
[ No new skill acquired ]
[ Racial Talent obtained from target creature: Wind Speed! ]
[ Note: Racial Talent has been adapted to host body ]
[ Reminder: Ancient Refinement Grave now empty—ready for reuse ]
[ Reminder: You may now collect the corpse via the gravestone ]
[ Reminder: Your Power Level has increased ]
[ Chaos Continent Notice: Congratulations, new Lord! You have surpassed White rank and reached Green rank. Keep working hard! ]
Golan ignored the prompts for the moment—an overwhelming surge of power was coursing through him. It wasn't painful. Instead, it was as though some invisible barrier had shattered, opening up a vast new world. His body felt impossibly light.
"The rush of growing stronger… this is way too addictive," he muttered with a grin.
When his attention returned to the prompts, his eyes widened. He had actually obtained a racial talent from the Gray Wolf. From what he knew, racial talents were rarer than skills. For this to happen on his second kill… his luck was nothing short of astounding.
Quickly, he opened his status panel.
[ Lord Title: Master of the Frozen North ]
[ Power Rank: Beginner Green ]
[ Territory Name: Frost Plateau City ]
[ Territory Rank: Beginner White ]
[ Territory Size: 200m × 200m × 200m ]
[ Regional Talent: Primal Chaos Graves (Legendary) ]
[ Territory Structures: Lord's Hut, Summoning Gate, Unique! Regional Talent Building: Ancient Refinement Grave ]
[ Racial Talents: Wind Speed ]
[ Equipment: Curved Sword ]
[ Skills: Beastly Roar ]
[ Wind Speed: Reaction time and movement speed increased by 30% ]
Seeing the massive changes, Golan's joy only deepened. The effect was simple but terrifyingly effective.
Humans, dragged into this world alongside countless other races, were undoubtedly at the bottom in terms of natural gifts. Even without meeting other races yet, Golan was sure of it. To possess a racial talent—especially one that boosted agility and reflexes—was invaluable.
"Solomon, come here!"
"At your service, my Lord!"
Solomon appeared immediately.
"Let's spar. Don't hold back—attack me with everything you've got."
"…Understood."
Though reluctant, Solomon obeyed. Something in Golan's gaze made him instinctively uneasy—like the commanding presence of his former battalion leader.
The two squared off. Golan drew his curved sword and gave the signal. Solomon lunged first, thrusting his spear with all his might.
But to Golan, the movement looked slow. Not because Solomon was holding back—no, this was the effect of his new talent.
Shifting a single step to the side, Golan evaded easily, then closed in with a lightning-quick stride. The curved blade halted just ten centimeters from Solomon's throat.
Cold sweat poured down the man's back. The blade hovering at his neck made him swallow hard, trembling.
"My Lord… is truly mighty," Solomon said, his voice raw with genuine awe.
"Train harder. The territory still needs your strength," Golan replied, patting his shoulder before dismissing him.
The duel had given him all the proof he needed—he was now the strongest man in his territory.
But the excitement didn't end there. He still hadn't collected the wolf's remains.
With a touch on the gravestone, the loot materialized before him:
[ Loot Obtained: Frozen Wolf Meat ×20, Wolf Pelt (partial) ×1, Wolf Tendons ×2, Chaos Gem ×2, Fresh Water Skin (3L) ×1 ]
"Not bad. Water is always useful."
Though he had an endless supply of snow, clean water was different—safer, healthier. He'd keep it for himself and maybe share with his troops if the surplus allowed.
But before he could relax—
"Growl!"
"Roar!"
The sounds snapped his head up. Sword in hand, he moved at once.
"Solomon, follow me! The rest of you—finish preparing the meal!"
He and Solomon charged toward the noise. Soon, they saw it: another wolf. This one bore a red mark on its foreleg—an old wound from their earlier fight.
The beast bared its fangs, but its hesitation was obvious. The memory of Solomon's spear still lingered.
"Solomon, fall back ten paces."
"Yes, my Lord."
The retreat emboldened the wolf, and it slammed into the protective barrier again.
Caution edged Golan's every step. Even if the fight was in his favor, recklessness meant death in this world.
"Beastly Roar!"
The wolf froze in a daze. In the same breath, Golan stepped beyond the barrier, both hands gripping his curved sword. With one clean swing, the wolf's head flew, rolling across the snow until it stopped at his feet.
The body collapsed a heartbeat later, staining the white ground crimson.
From start to finish, his first solo kill had taken less than three seconds.
---
End of Chapter 5