It had been widely discussed in the large Aetherion Chronicle communities regarding a Grade B sword hidden at the top of the steep cliff north of Lark Village. Even more exciting, the sword could be used for all elements and classes with a close-combat attack type.
It was a weapon perfectly suited for beginners. However, Alioth did not take it back then because when he heard about this, his level was already quite high and he had a better sword.
"But it would make me incredibly capable if I had it now," Alioth muttered, already imagining how he would adventure in this world accompanied by that sword.
After an all-night practice of the new move called Triple Stabs, Alioth left the inn and headed toward the cliff that was already visible from here.
Even according to the stories circulating in the community, even the villagers did not know about the treasure at the edge of that cliff. But even if they did, what for? Not a single villager would dare risk their life climbing such a steep cliff.
After about an hour, Alioth arrived at the foot of the cliff. Even from the base, it was quite steep with rough, pitted, and sharp rocks. It was a little terrifying when Alioth looked up and saw the edge of the cliff, which was completely vertical. He had to be extra careful, or he would fall and lose his one and only life.
"If I get it, it will definitely help me complete the second main quest." He solidified his resolve by thinking this way. There was no better positive thought than that, except for the absurd thought that said, "If I were to fall, I might still be able to breathe even with broken bones."
Once again, Alioth swallowed hard and then started moving.
He stepped on the dry grasses along the base of the cliff. Not long after, his shoes began to tread on the rough, pitted rock faces. Higher up, the rocks became larger and flatter. A few dozen steps ahead, Alioth couldn't move forward except by channeling Mana to both hands and feet to half-crawl upward.
Fortunately, there were still many wide enough footholds on the cliff face, so Alioth wasn't truly climbing but more like ascending by crawling.
Alioth never thought he would experience this in his lifetime. He wouldn't even have this kind of courage when he was back on Earth. He didn't know what made him brave enough to make a life-threatening decision.
Although his gaze seemed firm and resolute, he didn't dare to look down at all because he knew that if he did, his knees would tremble, and that would be his death.
"Aghhh... a little more!" he shouted, raising his spirit and challenging the stormy wind at this altitude.
His hands and feet were incredibly sore. Above him was a stone hollow that he could grip, without thinking long, he gripped the hollow, then pulled himself up. Alioth felt his body's weight, but he forced himself up anyway and rolled over.
Without realizing it, he finally reached the top of the cliff, which was perhaps only ten meters wide. If he stepped beyond that, he would plunge.
Up here, there were also tall and short rocks. However, Alioth's attention was naturally not on those rocks but on a long chest that he knew contained the sword he was after.
Beside it, not far from where the chest was embedded, stood a majestic giant eagle with mighty brown wings. It was the heaviest obstacle to getting this treasure. Alioth only had one choice: kill the eagle and then open the chest because he knew the key to the chest was inside the eagle's stomach.
"Kieeekkk!!"
The eagle glared angrily, its wings slowly spreading. It seemed to be intimidating Alioth to quickly leave this place.
The young man drew his sword, adopting the Shadow Slash stance with his left foot forward and his right foot back.
"Heh, I won't back down." Despite this, sweat poured out, and he unconsciously swallowed hard with a little difficulty.
For a moment, they just stared at each other in silence. It seemed the eagle still wanted to give Alioth time to leave quickly. However, seeing that the human in front of it did not leave, it became angry, and its wings spread wide.
"Khaaaaakkk!!!"
With a single jump, it lunged with lightning speed. Its beak was aimed right at Alioth's forehead, which would surely kill the young man completely if he didn't dodge quickly.
He panicked seeing this attack. Alioth leaned his body to the left with his sword, which was already coated in dark blue Mana, slashing at the eagle's neck.
The monster had apparently read Alioth's movement. It canceled the attack to soar higher. After circling in a wide loop in the air, it dove sharply with its sharp talons.
Alioth dodged again, and an explosion was created.
Booommm....
He felt the top of the cliff shake as if it could collapse right then and there. It took time for him to regain his balance and dash with a single Shadow Slash. Because it was coupled with channeling Mana to both feet, Alioth's movement became more agile.
Behind the billowing dust, the eagle had apparently prepared itself. Suddenly, its golden yellow beak flashed, and sparks glowed. Alioth's sword was nearly thrown, as was his body, if he hadn't quickly tightened his grip and stabilized himself.
Not wanting to give his opponent a moment's rest, the eagle flapped its right and left wings simultaneously. Now Alioth was truly thrown.
I'm dead....
He already imagined his body soaring down and shattering into pieces.
Fortunately, there was a fairly tall rock that could hold back his body's momentum from plunging and going to the afterlife. Although the pain in his back was immense, Alioth was grateful for it.
"Keeaakkk!!"
The eagle charged again. Its two talons were aimed at Alioth's body, ready to tear him to pieces.
The young man dodged to the right, and the rock it struck shattered.
"Damn it!"
Several rock fragments nearly hit his face, Alioth parried with his sword.
The eagle spread its wings wide, the movement was like before, a push with a fierce wind. That was when Alioth saw a slight opening because he had prepared.
Before the eagle flapped its wings, he had dashed to the side and hid behind a rock. A fraction of a second later, the strong wind came, but its power was not enough to destroy the rock. Two seconds later, the rock where Alioth was sheltered was shattered by the thrust of its talons.
However, at that moment, Alioth had run to the other side and arrived next to it. With his new move, Triple Stabs, he channeled Mana to his right hand and stabbed quickly into the eagle's left wing.
The result of his action was unexpected. It turned out that the attack could inflict a sufficiently deep wound.
"Thank you, Claire!" he shouted simultaneously with the eagle's shriek of pain.
Alioth took out his knife. He channeled Mana into it while dashing to the back side of the eagle, which was still writhing in pain. Using a rock as a foothold, he leaped high.
"Die!"
His intention was to slash the neck from behind using the Shadow Slash move, but the eagle was truly formidable because it quickly turned back and gripped Alioth's knife between its beaks.
It glared angrily, but this was Alioth's great chance. He didn't expect that entering one opening would create subsequent openings.
His right hand moved quickly, stabbing the eagle's right eye. Its head moved wildly left and right. Alioth was almost thrown from there, he was forced to release his grip on the knife because otherwise, his body would be crushed against the rock. In its pain, the eagle did not hesitate to smash its own head against the rock face to bring Alioth down.
He didn't know which rock was shattered for the umpteenth time, but this was a golden opportunity for him. With a dizzy head, the eagle staggered. Alioth dashed beneath it, then performed the Triple Stabs move into its heart three times.
"KEAAAKK!!"
A truly mighty eagle. Even when dying, it could still move its leg to kick him. The kick was so incredibly strong that it made Alioth's hand tremble violently, and the sword he used to block was shattered.
The monster let out sorrowful sounds as it breathed its last before falling and becoming silent forever.
Alioth swallowed. He didn't dare glance to his left side.
"Is my left arm really dangling?"
When a strong gust of wind passed, his left arm moved slightly, and it was indeed dangling.
Alioth was at the edge of the cliff, only saved from falling because the greater part of his body was on the top rather than hanging over the edge.
He swallowed hard, his face as pale as paper. "I almost died."