Bai Shi tightened his grip on the halberd in his right hand, his left resting on the hilt of his sword, ready to draw it at a moment's notice.
Although Kaidan Sellswords weren't strong in the game, they were no mere cannon fodder like common soldiers.
Moreover, Kaidan Sellswords often traveled in groups.
If there were other Kaidan Sellswords nearby, Bai Shi didn't think he could face them easily.
The Kaidan Sellsword by the bonfire stood up, casually shouldering his great curved sword and staring warily at Bai Shi.
The white wolf also padded over from the side to stand by the Kaidan Sellsword.
Both sides were on high alert, but neither made the first move.
Bai Shi didn't plan to attack first; he knew his own limits.
It was this body that was strong, not him. If they actually fought, an easy victory wasn't guaranteed.
‘He saw me but doesn't seem to want to attack. I wonder if we can communicate.’
‘Or is he waiting for someone?’
Bai Shi thought to himself.
‘I should speak first and test for any hostility.’
“I mean no harm. I drifted here from the sea and came to investigate when I saw the light of a fire.”
“If it's not necessary, I'd rather not get into a pointless fight.”
The Kaidan Sellsword kept staring at Bai Shi. Seeing this, Bai Shi felt a bit troubled.
‘Damn, don't tell me there's a language barrier. That would be terrible.’
After some thought, Bai Shi decided to try a more primitive method of communication.
Bai Shi kept his right hand clenched around his halberd, but he moved his left hand away from his sword hilt. He then opened his palm, slowly showing that it was empty.
Then, he reached into his pouch and pulled out a glittering golden necklace—one of the relics from the Grafted Noble.
Bai Shi gave it a firm toss, throwing it toward the Kaidan Sellsword.
The Kaidan Sellsword caught the necklace with one hand, his gaze shifting between it and Bai Shi.
Bai Shi didn't dare to let his guard down. Although he had been actively showing goodwill, he remained ready to fight at any moment.
After the shattering of the Elden Ring, this land had gone mad. This was an age of chaos.
Fortunately, the Kaidan Sellsword was the first to act, tossing his great curved sword to the ground. He then let out a whistle, and the white wolf backed away at the sound, though it remained in a vigilant posture.
“A Tarnished… My last job was hunting Tarnished.”
“But you're lucky. I don't have an employer right now.”
Bai Shi breathed a sigh of relief. The man could communicate, and they spoke the same language. This was great.
“That's wonderful. I'm a man who loves peace, but…”
Bai Shi's tone shifted:
“If we really fought, you might not be able to beat me.”
Hearing this, the Kaidan Sellsword just laughed.
“Heh, the Tarnished are descendants of warriors who have fought countless battles. I'll admit you're skilled, but you're telling me you love peace?”
“The strength is my own, so I can choose whether or not to use it. I'm unwilling to resort to violence for matters that can be settled with words.”
The Kaidan Sellsword gave Bai Shi a deep look. He wasn't a cultured man, but he knew that in a place like the Lands Between, peace was a very distant word. New ɴᴏᴠᴇʟ ᴄhapters are published on 𝕟𝕠𝕧𝕖𝕝✶𝕗𝕚𝕣𝕖✶𝕟𝕖𝕥
“You're very different from the other Tarnished I've killed.”
Bai Shi smiled. Compulsory education was no joke. “You're also different from the Kaidan Sellswords I've heard about.”
“Oh? You know of Kaidan Sellswords? How am I different?”
“I don't know your name yet. Tell me, and I'll tell you.”
“Heh, shouldn't you state your own name before asking for someone else's?”
Bai Shi thought for a moment. He had nothing to hide, so he told him openly.
“Bai Shi. As you can see, I am a Tarnished who seeks the throne of the Elden Lord.”
“Then I guess we're acquainted now.”
“Enough with the nonsense. Tell me, how am I different?”
“Alright, alright. Such an impatient fellow.”
Bai Shi glanced around and then spoke:
“The Kaidan Sellswords I've heard of ride warhorses and travel with wolves in packs, crossing battlefields. But you're all alone on this beach. What's more, you only noticed me when your wolf howled. I'm guessing that if I hadn't drifted here, this beach would have been completely deserted, which is why you were so relaxed by your fire. A warrior wouldn't let his guard down with a stranger nearby.”
“Warrior… I'm just a wanderer with no homeland now. Hardly a warrior.”
Hakan said with a hint of sorrow.
Bai Shi's eyes lit up. So this guy had a backstory? This was completely different from the game.
“What do you mean, no homeland? I heard Kaidan Sellswords come from the vast snowfields of the north. Can't you go back?”
Hakan shot Bai Shi a glare.
“It's none of your business. We're not that close.”
“Haha, alright. Then for the sake of that necklace, can you tell me how to get out of here?”
Seeing that the other man had no intention of continuing, Bai Shi didn't press the matter.
This is what happens when your affinity isn't high enough to advance the side quest. Bai Shi knew this all too well.
Hakan wasn't stingy with information on this topic.
“I rowed a small boat along the coast to get here. This is an isolated beach. The surrounding cliffs are too steep to climb up or down.”
“Oh! Can I catch a ride with you on your boat to leave this place? I'm willing to give you more jewelry as payment.”
“A good deal, but unfortunately, my boat hit a reef near the shore and was damaged a few days ago. It's a miracle my companions and I weren't injured.”
Hakan gestured to the warhorse and the white wolf at his side.
“To be honest, I'm also looking for a way out. Just today, I found a cave. I was planning to rest up and go inside tomorrow to find a path, but then I ran into you.”
Hearing there was a chance to leave, Bai Shi couldn't help but feel happy.
When he heard the boat was broken, he thought he was going to be trapped here.
He had just barely escaped the isolated island of the Chapel of Anticipation. If he just ended up imprisoned in another place, he would lose his mind.
“Haha, what a coincidence! How about we explore it together tomorrow?”
But unexpectedly, Hakan rejected Bai Shi's proposal.
“That's a great proposal, isn't it? But I refuse.”