A ripping sound echoed as half a cardboard gate was "breached."
Daru stared at the part he kicked lightly in disbelief and disappointment, thinking:
'This isn't a good way to keep enemies out, is it?'
"Another rebel, protect the king!" exclaimed a level 7 [Royal Nyaight] after detecting him, snapping Daru out of his thoughts.
Two Swordspawns holding iron longswords then rushed his way.
Clang, clang.
Their iron armor sang as their little paws brought them to their enemy.
The [Royal Nyaight]s were definitely skilled with the sword, but unfortunately for them, Daru was getting more and more used to "superhuman" fights.
In fact, he had been trying to perform inhuman maneuvers for some time now, acclimating himself to such movements.
Daru knew that if he didn't adapt and limit his mind to what was only possible within the realms of the mundane human body, he wouldn't thrive in the Sword Trials.
He had to widen his horizons and gain experience by experimenting.
When else would be a better time to do it than in the early stages, when the risks are low?
This time, Daru attacked first, lunging at the two approaching [Royal Nyaights].
He chopped at one of them, but his attack was blocked.
His strike was way too straightforward.
Still, this was all according to plan. There was something he wanted to try.
He bunny-kicked at the feline warrior's weapon the next moment, sending the [Royal Nyaight] staggering.
He backflipped the same way the late [Sir Purrcival] did, landing on his feet and quickly rushing back.
He grasped the handle of his tachi tighter and then stabbed at the other nyaight.
But he disappointingly didn't explode into a blur.
His attack turned out to be a regular rush stab, easily dodged by the other nyaight.
Daru kind of expected this to happen, though, as information that sword skills could be learned through repeated practice would've long circulated on online forums and become a well-known fact otherwise.
This reinforced the narrative of higher-ranked swords = brighter future.
He only understood why in Instructor Talon's lecture today.
As per the veteran Bladeborn, F-ranked swords can only learn F-ranked sword skills and obtain F-ranked sword passives.
'Oh well…' he sighed, proceeding to engage the two nyaights once more.
This time, he utilized his swordsmanship, perfectly managing the distance and dismantling both Swordspawns with a patient fighting style.
He aimed to cut off their hands.
Then, when they no longer had the means to defend themselves, he mercifully turned them back into red cubic particles, gaining experience points in the process.
Daru scanned the castle's interior after defeating the two [Royal Nyaights].
To his surprise, the inside was far smaller than how the building appeared on the outside, consisting only of a chandelier suspended in the high ceiling and four nyaight statues seemingly guarding the two staircases leading to the second floor, where a massive, double door made of unreliable cardboard stood.
But at least the castle was made of sturdy cobblestone.
His eyes narrowed at the sight of the skirmishing [Royal Nyaights] at the foot of the staircases.
A few dozen meters from where he stood, ripped fur filled the air along with furious yowls and sounds of metal clashing against metal.
"Traitors! You dare raise your swords at the king?! Die!!" growled one of the armored moggies, slashing his iron longsword at one of the [Rebel Nyaight]s.
"You idiots have been blinded by the evil drug! The kingdom will collapse under the corrupted king's rule, and we, Sir Meowdred's nyaights, will not allow such a thing to happen. You die instead! Nyaaa!!"
*CLANG! *CLANG!*
The skirmish remained ablaze.
Daru only observed for a few more moments before proceeding to help the slightly disadvantaged rebel ranks.
His Cluckson Warriors had also been clucking nonstop since earlier that they should take the head of the corrupted king, and so, without thinking too much, he ripped through the ranks of the [Royal Nyaights].
He and the [Rebel Nyaights] wiped the enemies out in just five minutes.
"Thank you, Cluckson Commander! Make haste, our lord, Sir Meowdred, needs your help!" one of the rebels said before turning to guard the staircases, unwilling to breach and enter the cardboard door like his warrior chickens.
'Hmm…'
Daru observed their actions for a moment, struggling with a rather unconventional idea, which, in the end, he didn't attempt.
He didn't want anything to go wrong in his first dungeon run.
Instead, he simply proceeded to slash the massive cardboard door, breaching himself an entrance.
Daru then entered, and his eyes narrowed the moment he did.
In the distance, two nyaights—one of which was the dishonourable Sir Lancelynx—stood protectively in front of a caped and armored clouded leopard with a crown, bloodshot eyes, and was sitting on a throne, seemingly sniffing on something inside a small pouch.
There was a steel greatsword with a fancy deep-blue handle and a golden pommel and cross-guard resting in a swordstone beside the corrupted king.
[(Dungeon Boss) King Carthur Lv.12] only watched with an amused smile as Sir Lancelynx and Sir Nyalahad fought the rebel nyaight, Sir Meowdred, near a massive, flipped cardboard box.
His entrance seemingly triggered the sequence, and the corrupted king looked his way.
"Ahh, Cluckson Commander [Omaru], you finally arrived. Come, help us dispose of this rebel son of mine and restore peace to the Catmelot Kingdom."