SWNOVELXO Chapter 11: Would You Like To Join Us
Chapter 11
Alex was swinging a steel log with added weights, moving his entire body with each swing.
His muscles tensed, looking more refined than before.
His shirtless chest had a rune marked paper attached to it, emitting a force that weighed down on every part of his body by over 20 kg.
Before he started his sword training, he'd already completed 500 push-ups, squats, and sit-ups, followed by a 10 km run—his most effective way to track progress.
Now, he was performing 500 slashes with the metal log, which weighed 10 kg on its own, with an additional 10 kg of weight attached. Combined with the rune's pressure, Alex was swinging a total of 40 kg. His strength had already reached (D-) rank.
[Displaying Status]
Name: Alex Sylvedy
Race: Human
Bloodline: Pure-blooded Human
Realm: Infant Soul Stage Peak
Stats:
[Strength: D] [Agility: D-] [Endurance: E+] [Sense: D-] [Charm: B+]
[Ding! Finished 500 Good Slashes.]
Alex felt annoyed—any sloppy slash wouldn't count, forcing him to perfect his form to satisfy the system. This was harder than it sounded.
Swordsmanship Lv12 - Middle Novice Realm
"So, my swordsmanship only increased by 2 today," Alex muttered, disappointed.
He'd been at this training for a week, and while his physical stats could now rival Stella's without using skills, her experience in battle would still give her the edge.
[Swordsmanship levels up faster when fighting another swordsman.] Agnes—the name Alex had given to the system—chimed in.
"Yeah, I'll find someone to spar with later." Removing the paper, which vanished into his inventory along with the metal log, Alex replaced it with another paper.
This one focused on strengthening his senses, skin, and bones by blocking his five senses.
Only his sixth sense—the sense of his soul—remained active.
Immediately, Alex felt as though needles were poking his bones and skin, causing intense pain.
With his senses blocked, he had to be acutely aware of his surroundings despite the agony.
This exercise lasted an hour before he took a break, drinking water under a tree.
Circulating his arcane mana throughout his body, he alleviated the pain in his muscles, skin, bones, and even his mind.
Unexpectedly, Alex drifted off to sleep beneath the tree, shirtless and cultivating both his arcane energy and soul even in his resting state.
A figure moved through the forest nearby, stopping to observe him carefully.
A young woman with green hair and pointed ears—an elf—watched from a branch, her beauty ethereal, like something from a fairy tale.
She lingered, ensuring no monsters would disturb him while he slept.
"What kind of idiot falls asleep like this in the forest?" she muttered to herself. "Should I wake him up?"
Before she could decide, Stella appeared, dragging a large bear-like creature behind her.
The Elf glanced around, one hand on her sword, but sensed no hostile intent from the orc toward Alex, so she remained calm.
"Alex, wake up! I brought food," Stella called.
Alex stirred, stretching as he awoke. "You always come back with just meat. What about some fruit?"
Rolling her eyes, Stella replied, "Stop complaining. I did bring some fruit."
"Good job!" Alex said, pleasantly surprised. Approaching the bear, he glanced in the direction of the elf. "Would you like to join us?" he asked.
Stella looked puzzled, following his gaze into the forest, though she saw no one.
The elf, shocked that Alex had sensed her, thought, 'I can hide my aura as naturally as breathing, yet he still noticed me.'
With a sigh, she stepped out from her hiding spot.
Her appearance—an otherworldly beauty and a figure that caught Alex's eye for a moment—startled him.
Stella shot him a deadpan look, snapping him out of it. Composing himself, Alex said, "So, you're an elf."
"Is that a problem?" she replied.
"Not at all. I'm Alex. Nice to meet you."
"Lisa," she answered curtly.
Alex quickly assessed her power level—
[Lv70] Lisa = C+.
From her gaze alone, he could tell she was more than capable of defeating him if she tried. "So, will you join us?" he asked.
"No, I'm busy," Lisa replied, bowing respectfully as she prepared to leave.
"Wait—at least let me thank you," Alex said.
"Thank me? For what?" she asked, her curiosity piqued.
"For standing guard while I slept," he replied. Lisa scrutinized him, noticing the cloth over his eyes and wondering how he could see her at all.
"It's nothing. Besides, you didn't seem entirely off-guard," she replied.
"You're right. But I still have a long way to go." Alex paused. "Miss Lisa, would you consider letting me pay for your services?"
Lisa frowned, her eyes narrowing with a flash of killing intent. "Explain—quickly."
Realizing his wording was off, Alex clarified, "Don't misunderstand. I don't mean those kinds of services. I'd like you to train me and my friend here."
"Friend?" Stella's eyes turned cold, though her face remained neutral.
Alex noticed her reaction, sensing her growing frustration. 'l'll have to calm her down before she decides to kill me.'
With a sigh, he turned to Lisa. "I'd pay you and even help with your little…spirit problem."
Lisa's eyes widened, her hand flying to her sword. "How do you know about that?"
Alex was about to explain but remembered to keep a firm tone, not wanting to appear too accommodating.
[King's Aura Activated]
A powerful pressure surged from Alex, forcing Lisa to the ground, fear flickering in her eyes as she struggled to stay upright.
"Please lower your killing intent, Miss Lisa," Alex said calmly.
[King's Aura Deactivated]
Lisa staggered backward as the aura disappeared, shaken by Alex's overwhelming presence.
She hadn't expected him to be this powerful, yet saw no greed or malice in his expression.
"Thank you. We're just having a conversation—I'm not interested in your spirit. Even if I were, removing it would likely be fatal for you, given your current condition," Alex explained. "Do you agree?"
Lisa took a deep breath, weighing her options. After a moment, she said, "Fine. I'll accept your offer—but I want your help as well."
"That's fine with me," Alex agreed quickly.
"You're not even going to ask what I need help with?" Lisa questioned.
"That doesn't matter. But first, train us for a week."
"Alright, then. What do you want to learn?" she asked, approaching them