Only I Am A Reader
chapter-87

Even after two years, Leo was still reliant on his 'Infinity Sword Wheel', especially now that it was no longer convenient when it came to both weight and length, but he couldn't just continue using steel swords considering that the novel's end-stage was already coming to start…

The Breathing Steel Sword still had some usefulness to it but its ability was more limited as one advanced in grade. Moreover, after helping him in more than one mission, it wasn't in its best state. Rather than using it whenever, Leo would only risk breaking his teacher's last gift in absolute emergencies.

Creak…

After exhausting his optional Hidden Pieces, it was naturally about time to obtain something worthy of his current ability, and it just so happened that such a thing popped up a week after he paused his mission streak. Of course, it wasn't really a coincidence.

"Hey…"

As soon as Leo passed through the door, all eyes strangely turned to him. In reality, however, there was nothing special about it as they were all waiting for him.

"I'm not late, right?"

"Nope, we just arrived ahead of time. For real though, it's reassuring to see that the Endless Sword is accompanying us on this expedition."

"Hehe, should I take that as a compliment?"

Seeing the friendly face of the cloaked man sitting close to the door, Leo similarly smiled in return after letting out a little laugh, but he was cringing on the inside. It was one thing to use cheesy names with oneself, but it was definitely unbearable to be called like that by everyone!

'Ugh…'

After completing several collaboration missions as well as meeting all kinds of adversaries, Leo's 'Infinity Sword Wheel' was in the limelight for a certain period. Most people believed it was a special 'item' that the Gigant Sword Association sponsored to its 'seed', but it somehow became his moniker.

Just like every Swordsman that appeared on the scene with some fairly remarkable achievements backing him would obtain a 'Sword' name. Before he knew it, Leo came to be known as Endless Swords' Leo or just the Endless Sword for short.

To Leo's agony, some weird names like the Limitless Sword or even the Eternal Sword popped around from time to time.

"Naturally!"

As Leo sat down and chatted down with the friendly man, he kept throwing glances around to check on the other three that remained silent. Before long, the door creaked once more to reveal the last addition to their group.

'Seems like I was worried for nothing.'

After confirming the identity of the last participant, Leo sighed in relief. Even during the last two years, the kidnapping attempts didn't stop. Thankfully, the ones behind it seemed to be only focused on Leo's physical abnormality while neglecting his abnormal ascension speed, it was only when his 'Sword' name had some fame to it that they stopped throwing cannon fodder at him.

Considering 'their' actual strength, Leo suspected that they might use the opportunity of him joining this expedition to send someone truly capable of suppressing him to join the group. However, both the number and the hints he knew about this original exploration group seemed to match.

"Ahem, now that everyone has arrived, let me brief you once more about today's anomaly expedition."

As one of the receptionists came forward, he slightly raised his voice to alert all the members of the group before walking inside. All 5 group members including Leo quickly followed after him.

Even on the way inside, the friendly man kept close to Leo, but Leo wasn't concerned about it because he knew that was just his nature to be amiable. Although he tried to disguise himself well, Leo knew that he was none other than the heir of the grand duke known as Jared.

"Most of you have already been informed separately, so I will do my best to summarize the situation. A structure has recently climbed out of the ground within the mountainous region at the Empire's borders and we believe that it is the result of a Sword Anomaly. All you have to do is explore the location and you will receive the rewards that were previously agreed upon."

Sword Anomaly, a certain degree of change to terrain or structures under the influence of Sword Breath. Such locations usually had some benefits to them, but they were usually accompanied by danger under Sword Breath's alteration to lifeforms.

As an organization that knew most happenings within the continent, it was normal for them to have knowledge of most anomalies that would appear every now and then, but even the Gigant Sword Association couldn't monopolize everything due to the danger involved!

As such, rather than losing their precious true members one by one to obtain questionable benefits, the mercenary system they had established served perfectly as a practical method to harvest these benefits with the least possible losses.

Although the Association would only claim the right to 50% of 'preserved' benefits while all immediate findings would fall into the hands of the participants, the Association still stood to gain overall compared to those who usually die before the end of the expedition.

'That's if their guess is right.'

Contrary to the Association's thoughts, their destination was far from being an anomaly rather than a natural 'movement' of earth. They were bound to be disappointed as what they searched for didn't exist, but to Leo, this was the perfect opportunity.

As a 'Reader', Leo naturally had more than one 'special' sword that he could obtain, granted that they all carried a great deal of danger, his current target included. However, for this particular choice, Leo had actually had to make a change of plans.

Compared to his expectations of himself at this current point of time, Leo's physical body and sword ability were fairly different in more than one aspect, his original target just didn't suit him as much as the new one did.

Still exuding friendly vibes, the cloaked Jared stood at the head of the group beside the Association's guide before turning to face Leo and the rest, enthusiastically announcing the start of an expedition fated to fail!