How to Survive Against Villains Chapter 342

Episode 342 – Bingo

Lochter closed his eyes and slowly lowered both arms. He relaxed his tense muscles and entrusted himself to the flowing energy.

Like a reed swaying gently in the wind, he did not resist. It was the natural stance, regarded as the most ideal swordsmanship posture for a knight.

After a mont, Lochter clenched his fists. The distinct sword bodies he gripped glimred softly, emanating a deep presence.

The twin swords—Belin and Reyna.

Flash—

Lochter opened his eyes wide and slamd the twin blades together with force.

Kwaaang—!

A massive explosion erupted between the colliding blades. A powerful shockwave blasted outward from Lochter, surging through his body. He clenched his teeth. His entire body trembled from the pain.

At the sa ti, the twin swords absorbed the impact and turned a burning red.

A counterattack technique that absorbed impact through the swords and returned it as a strike—

This was the ability of the twin swords Belin and Reyna: Counter.

But the absorption didn’t end with the swords.

Lochter’s eyes widened further, and a transformation began in his body.

“Kuuaaaagh!”

The red light began spreading from the twin swords across his entire body. Lochter’s flesh and the twin blades both began to glow crimson.

The limit of absorption—depended entirely on Lochter’s willpower.

Indomitable will.

Just as he twisted his face in pain and locked his eyes on a thick iron pillar set in the distance—

Boom!

His figure vanished.

A crimson streak flickered through the air, extending over 100 ters. Monts later, Lochter reappeared, his form shimring as he phased back into reality.

The twin swords had clearly been swung, cleaving through empty air.

It was as if he had torn through space itself. It looked like instantaneous movent.

Monts later, the iron pillar behind Lochter was silently sliced and tipped over at a slant.

“Hmm...”

The dwarf Christman nodded as he observed the result of Lochter’s training.

Having cut down his sleep to train night after night, it seed he had finally grasped the feeling.

Lochter, still a bit unsteady on his feet, recovered and sheathed his swords, approaching Christman. As he stood before him, Christman clicked his tongue.

“Still not good enough. I can see you hesitate when you strike the swords together. Are they really that precious to you? So much that you’re afraid they might break?”

“You underestimate Damascus steel too much.”

“Does a tal that never breaks exist in this world?”

“No. Every tal rusts, weakens, and eventually breaks.”

“That’s my answer.”

“You’re too stiff.”

“How was it? Do I pass?”

Christman tapped his side with a small hamr, falling into thought. He was a dwarf close to being a Great Artisan.

One night, he happened to witness Lochter training and realized he wasn’t using the full potential of the twin swords.

[You lack resonance.]

[That’s not true.]

[From how you look at your swords, I can tell you treasure them more than life itself, and consider them your soul-bound partners. Am I wrong?]

[You’re right.]

[Then why don’t you share in their pain?]

“Why don’t you share in their pain?”

That statent had struck Lochter deeply.

[Don’t you hear their groans? Your swordsmanship draws its power from the pain your swords endure.]

The Counter ca to mind—A shockwave technique that absorbs impact and returns it.

[Resonance starts from understanding the other. Don't mistake attachnt for connection.]

From that mont on, Lochter sought out Christman multiple tis each day, learning everything he could about Belin and Reyna.

He soaked the twin swords in cold water all day, then held them to fire.

He listened to the sound of their swings all day, slled them, focused on the feel of the blades.

Through his five senses, he learned how a dwarf understands a sword—And began to understand Belin and Reyna, piece by piece.

Only then did he begin to see the true nature of the twin swords.

That they could not only absorb shock into their blades, but even transmit it into his own body.

“Why don’t you share in their pain?”

At last, he understood Christman’s advice.

“You’re finally getting useful.”

At Christman’s words, Lochter smiled. It seed his efforts hadn’t been in vain.

Lochter looked at the cleanly severed iron pillar. Only one person ca to mind—Richard Volpent.

Leader of the Cleaners.

With this ability, could I face Richard’s fifth sword technique?

As if reading his thoughts, Christman shook his head.

“Be careful. Your ability is a double-edged sword.”

“I know.”

The new technique Lochter had learned was a Close-Quarters Hyper Acceleration Counter—He stored the impact across his entire body and released it in one explosive strike.

It either shattered or cut through everything in front of him.

“If you can’t cut through, you might die instead.”

In other words, if the attack failed, he would take the damage himself. To survive, he had to cut through everything.

“The more power you pour in, the better your chances of living. And that destructive power cos from your will. Don’t let it waver.”

With that, Christman bowed slightly to Lochter.

It was a dwarf’s show of respect toward a knight who listened to advice and valued his swords.

Christman turned with a swing of his hamr. Lochter bowed deeply toward him.

“I’ll repay this debt soday.”

“If you ever see a dwarf in need, just show a little kindness. That’s enough.”

Lochter remained in that posture for a while.

Seeing this, Christman smiled warmly and left the training grounds, a tobacco leaf between his lips.

Outside, two n were waiting.

No, they weren’t waiting for him—they were waiting for Lochter.

One was the house head Italus, and the other was Alex, the World Tree Union’s agent who had visited just a while ago.

Christman brushed off the ash and stood before Italus.

“I heard. You’re moving the forge?”

“Yes. We need to leave as quickly as possible.”

“Is the situation that bad?”

Italus nodded grimly, and Christman sighed and nodded as well.

“Moving an entire forge isn’t sothing we can do in a day.”

“I’ll assign as many people as I can to help.”

“I’ll try my best.”

Before passing by the house lord, Christman paused and looked at Alex.

“…Have you contacted the Dwarf King?”

“I haven’t had the chance yet, but I know where he is.”

“Where?”

“The World Tree.”

At that, Christman looked south and nodded.

As he prepared to leave Aintrier, mixed emotions crossed his face.

“The new nest isn’t far from the World Tree. I’m sure the Dwarf King will be glad to see you.”

At that, Christman gave a bitter smile. He doubted it would be joy. More likely, it would be discomfort.

The Dwarf King had turned a blind eye to his people being sold into slavery.

“Well, we’ll see.”

Christman returned to the mansion to prepare for departure.

Italus stood in place, conflicted over whether to accompany him.

When his eyes t Alex’s, he gave a bitter laugh.

“I’ve got a lot to prepare for, but I can’t bring myself to leave.”

“Are you worried I’ll take Sir Lochter with ?”

“That’s exactly it.”

The fall of Everfell had been a wake-up call for the Lenon family.

They too possessed a Leaf of the World Tree. And just earlier, Alex had warned him to be careful.

Italus believed that Lochter’s presence had kept disaster at bay.

Even for intruders, going after the Lenon family ant facing Lochter Felice. That was no small decision.

So as head of the house, how could he not be wary of the man who could take Lochter away at any ti?

“Don’t worry. Sir Lochter will remain here. But you’d best prepare to leave quickly. This place is no longer safe.”

Italus nodded.

He’d heard the rumors.

Even the World Tree Union was under pressure now.

It ant they could be targeted at any mont.

He had already upset Lord Azonne by rallying the surrounding houses.

Those allied houses were also preparing to move south with the Lenon family—To a place known as the City of Vagabonds.

They would build a new foundation there.

“Oh, and Lord Azonne has offered to withdraw from negotiation rights.”

“The Leaf monopoly rights, you an?”

“That’s right.”

Currently, the monopoly rights under the Lenon na were listed at 1 gold.

No one had dared participate in the bidding since. Everyone was watching Lord Azonne’s mood.

If the Lenon family gave up the negotiation rights, those rights would naturally revert to the Dark Sales overseer—Lord Azonne.

It ant he still had lingering desire for the monopoly.

“Reject it.”

“Is that wise?”

“We’ll have to settle with Lord Azonne eventually. And there’s still sothing I need from him.”

“Understood, then…”

Italus was about to say more when—

…?!

Suddenly, Alex’s bracelet lit up and illuminated the area.

A bow materialized in midair, and Alex snatched it and pulled the bowstring like a thunderbolt. A blue arrow ford between the string.

Twoeng!

Monts later, the arrow pierced through the air and shot off into the distance.

It all happened in a flash. As Italus was about to ask what was going on, a familiar voice called out from behind.

“Co to my side.”

“Si-Sir Lochter.”

Apparently, Lochter had sensed sothing and returned to their side.

There had been no presence, then suddenly, it dropped nearby like a weight.

They didn’t know if it was friend or foe—but it was certainly no ordinary being.

The torches around the training ground flickered, casting a faint light. Then, through the swaying shadows, a silhouette slowly erged.

“That was supposed to be a surprise. Almost died.”

The figure raised a half-shredded gentleman’s hat and let out a hollow laugh, brushing his mustache. Looking at Alex, he wore a you weren’t really gonna kill , were you? expression.

“You really were aiming to kill ?”

“You’re late, Samuel.”

“…You recognized and still shot?”

“As if.”

Samuel Barber.

At his appearance, Lochter let his aura relax. Italus’s eyes widened. Samuel’s arrival ant sothing important.

Since the Lenon family had helped lead the elf rescue operation, Italus was well aware of what mattered most right now.

“Where did you co from?”

At Alex’s question—

“Portal.”

The mont he heard that, Italus saw Alex's expression change—He bared his teeth in a grin and said:

“Bingo.”

The aning of the word was unclear—But it was obvious now:

Everything was ready.