Chapter 76: The Return of the Evil Swordsman!

During this period, the accumulated experience points from continuous harvesting instantly filled the experience bar between levels 40 and 60.

[...]

['Sword Master' has been upgraded to LV19 (0/90 million), and stamina has increased. Strength +3, Agility +3, Intelligence +3. You have gained 4 free attribute points and 1 skill point.]

['Sword Master' has been upgraded to LV20 (max), and stamina has increased. Strength +3, Agility +3, Intelligence +3. You have gained 4 free attribute points and 1 skill point.]

The next moment, the panel automatically displayed a quest prompt.

[Detected that the 'Swordmaster' profession has reached the maximum level, you have obtained a class change quest.]

[Level 60 advanced quest: Breath of All Things]

Adrian waited, but the quest details didn't show up.

"Panel, what's going on? What's the deal with this quest?"

"???"

"Really? That's it? That's it?"

Looking at the empty quest panel with only a name, Adrian's face was full of black lines, and he was just about to curse.

In the past, advanced quests were challenging but had clear objectives.

Like the 20-level swordsman test: Defeat an enemy at least five levels higher.

Or the 40-level swordsman test: Mastery of a hundred schools of swordsmanship: Study at least ten books on sword techniques.

Now that I'm at level 60, what is this 'Breath of All Things'?

Adrian furrowed his brow, trying to remember where he'd heard of it before.

He recalled the battle with Daz Bones, who had consumed the Devil Fruit that could cut through anything, in Alabasta. Roronoa Zoro had mastered the technique of "breath of all things" to cut through steel.

But that was all he could remember.

Adrian thought back to the countless sword scrolls he had studied in dojos across the West Blue. None of them mentioned the "breath of all things." At most, there were a few vague references.

"Breath of all things... Breath of stone, breath of trees, breath of the earth... It sounds a lot like Observation Haki. Maybe it's similar?"

"And what is the connection between sensing the breath of all things and listening to the voice of all things? It doesn't seem that straightforward..."

"Why does Oda draw so slowly!!?"

Adrian's excitement about advancing was suddenly dampened, replaced by annoyance at this unexpected and puzzling task.

After pondering for a moment and finding no clues, Adrian set aside the advancement quest and focused on attending to the players' needs in the East Blue newbie village.

Despite reaching level 60, the experience required for further upgrades seemed increasingly daunting. He couldn't afford to miss out on experience points from players.

After another two weeks, all the tasks in the East Blue newbie villages were completed.

Adrian stopped, ready to concentrate on his own advancement quest.

As a swordsman, when faced with confusion, he could always seek guidance from his sword.

The tale of the [Evil Swordsman] was soon to spread across the East Blue.

...

32 years ago, a samurai named "Shimotsuki Kozaburo" from the Grand Line, New World, Wano Country arrived and settled in a peaceful island in the East Blue. After successfully driving out the local bandits with his followers, he founded a village named after his family name.

This marked the beginning of the renowned Shimotsuki Village.

Ten years ago, Shimotsuki Kozaburo, on the verge of death, entrusted his family's "Isshin Dojo" to his only son "Shimotsuki Koushirou" before peacefully passing away.

At this time, inside the Isshin Dojo, the faint sound of children practicing swordsmanship could be heard. Two adults, dressed in simple gray robes, observed attentively.

Young Shimotsuki Koushirou, with disheveled black hair tied back in a ponytail, wore unassuming round-framed glasses. His eyes were always slightly narrowed, a faint smile playing on his lips.

Shimotsuki Machiko, in loose attire, her long hair flowing down her back, subtly displayed her pregnant belly, indicating her expectancy.

With grace, Machiko watched the children's practice, then turned to her husband with a touch of melancholy. "Koushirou, have you heard about the recent arrival from the West Blue, the 'Evil Swordsman'?"

Koushirou's expression remained unchanged, his smile intact. "Yes, I know. The swordsman who came from the West Blue has become quite famous recently."

Machiko continued, "Although the 'Evil Swordsman' rarely takes the initiative to harm others and always adopts a stance of courtesy before combat, is such behavior..."

"Swordsman Momoya, seeks an audience with the dojo master."

A somewhat plain voice echoed, causing the Shimotsuki couple and their disciples to turn their heads toward the entrance of the dojo.

A young man, about twenty years old, stood at the entrance of the dojo. His black hair was unkempt, and he wore black-framed glasses along with a training robe for sword practice. Beneath it, he sported a black kimono with a white cloak, clutching a beautifully decorated longsword.

"Koushirou, Momoya is the name of the Evil Swordsman!" Machiko anxiously grasped her husband's sleeve.

Koushirou gently squeezed her hand, reassuring her, "I've got this."

With determination, Koushirou addressed the dojo gate, declaring, "I am the master of this 'Isshin Dojo,' Shimotsuki Koushirou. Please, Mr. Momoya, come inside and let's talk."

After changing back to the pseudonym "Momoya," Adrian, expressing gratitude to Koushirou, walked directly into the inner part of the dojo, causing the disciples to whisper among themselves.

"Is he challenging the dojo? How thrilling!"

"Momoya? My dad mentioned that name, but I can't recall..."

"He's the infamous evil swordsman!" A slightly older disciple remarked with a nervous tremor.

Meanwhile, inside the guest room, Koushirou and Adrian sat apart, while Machiko prepared tea and snacks.

There were some differences in Koushirou's appearance between his older days and the current one, not much change visibly, but his demeanor was not as mature as it would become later.

At this moment, Koushirou appeared somewhat energized.

Pushing his glasses up, Koushirou went straight to the point, "Mr. Momoya, I wonder what you would like to teach me at Ichimonji Dojo

Politely, Adrian replied, "I don't claim to have anything to teach; I simply wish to borrow a scroll of your sword techniques and ask the dojo's head a question."

Faced with Koushirou, potentially the "hidden boss of the East Blue," Adrian couldn't afford to be careless.

Come on, Koushirou's father, founded the Shimotsuki Village alongside a group of samurai. He himself is a high-level craftsman who made the two great grade 21 swords, Enma and Wado Ichimonji. His ancestor, Shimotsuki Ryuma, was the hero of Wano Country and was enshrined as the "Sword God".

Even Koushirou, himself, is a tough guy who has a history with the leader of the Revolutionary Army, Dragon.

Would someone with such a background merely an ordinary sword instructor in a humble dojo? Adrian was the first not to believe that!