I Became the Descendant of My Favorite Character

Chapter 6 : Trampling the Sprout (2)

Participants in the Coming-of-Age Ceremony embark on a long journey.

Those starting from District 23, the first to depart, endure nearly six months of camping life.

The process was grueling, but the participants didn’t complain.

They knew it was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

Few among them achieved success at the end of the arduous path to become hero candidates.

Yet, undeterred, they pressed forward.

This year’s participants, like others, would face many trials and hardships.

No, especially those from the lower autonomous regions took particular pride in their unique experience.

They believed, without a doubt, that this group was the most exceptional.

At the heart of their conviction stood their guide, Tayon.

“I’ve called all those on the list. Is anyone missing?”

“None, sir!”

“Then let’s go.”

Being led by a hero made the once-in-a-lifetime journey of the Coming-of-Age Ceremony even more extraordinary.

Polarin, mingled in the procession, was also experiencing something entirely new.

“Polarin, sleep well?”

“Yes, I slept soundly.”

“Don’t lie! You sneaked out to train alone last night too, didn’t you?”

“It’s fine.”

“If you keep skipping sleep, you won’t grow taller!”

“I’m already way taller than you, Siriel.”

“What? You overgrown lump!”

Perhaps they found it endearing that I, only fifteen, was participating in the Coming-of-Age Ceremony.

Those walking alongside me took great care not to let me feel left out.

Maybe because it was still just the lower autonomous region participants, the atmosphere in the procession was warm and friendly.

But I couldn’t let my guard down.

It was only because Tayon stood tall at the front, exuding his presence, that we were safe.

Without him, we would surely have faced countless dangers.

The greatest threat to the Coming-of-Age Ceremony procession wasn’t beasts or monsters—it was humans.

Among them, we had to be most wary of people from other autonomous regions.

“Kiyot, Siriel , we really need to be careful now.”

“…Yeah, we do.”

“For starters, let’s make sure we don’t get separated!”

Since joining the procession, I had grown especially close to two people.

Kiyot and Siriel.

Kiyot, a natural-born warrior, possessed immense strength befitting his large frame, while Siriel had the speed of the wind.

Hailing from Districts 17 and 13, respectively, both were called geniuses in their home regions.

But I didn’t grow close to them because of their abilities or backgrounds.

Though we walked together now, we were ultimately competitors.

Despite my young age, everyone was wary of me, the recipient of Tayon’s special recommendation.

But Kiyot and Siriel approached me openly from the start.

I hoped they could safely begin the Coming-of-Age Ceremony.

‘First, we need to think about reaching the ceremony site safely. To do that…’

I had a suggestion to make their journey safer.

If they followed my advice, it would benefit them greatly not only in the ceremony but in their lives beyond.

“How about you two switch roles, Kiyot and Siriel?”

“…I’ve only ever trained to fight on the front lines.”

“I’m the opposite! I’m used to darting in fast, striking vital points, and pulling back.”

“That might have worked so far. It’s fine against humans.”

The Coming-of-Age Ceremony isn’t just about fighting people.

You need to be adept at facing beasts too.

“But against beasts or demons, relying solely on a sturdy body to withstand attacks is tough. It’d be better if nimble Siriel takes the front, dodging and targeting vital points, while Kiyot waits behind for a heavy strike.”

“How do you know about Myeolji demons? Besides, we’re not going to Myeolji, just the ceremony…”

“I’m in! I’ll give it a try!”

Kiyot wasn’t thrilled about changing roles.

But before he could finish, Siriel agreed instantly, leaving him no choice but to nod.

Just trust me.

In this game—no, this reality—evasion tanks and burst-damage dealers reign supreme.

* * *

“Siriel, don’t get hit even once. Keep dodging.”

“Got it!”

“Kiyot, you need to find the openings Siriel creates while she’s keeping them busy.”

“Understood.”

Endless marching, welcoming new participants, and training at night—I’d grown quite accustomed to the routine.

Our temporary alliance’s role switch was going smoothly.

As expected of those called geniuses in their regions, they learned quickly and adapted well.

I kept training too.

After all, I was the one constantly facing both of them in practice.

In that sense, sparring with them was incredibly helpful.

I gained experience by dueling each individually and sometimes both at once.

And above all…

“Swing your sword and flow naturally into the next motion.”

“Yes, understood.”

“If you master linking your sword strikes, your opponents will struggle to find openings. No matter what techniques they use, you need to learn how to control the flow of battle.”

“Yessir!”

“Swing horizontally, vertically, diagonally. Connect all those movements into a single point.”

When the procession halted for camp, Tayon’s official duties as guide ended.

But seeing me train tirelessly, he found it commendable and occasionally came to critique my swordsmanship.

“Adjak’s swordsmanship is exactly that Linked Sword. Connecting the sword as one to trap everything in your flow.”

Tayon’s curt advice came at critical moments.

Adjak’s swordsmanship had been passed down within the autonomous region.

But over 300 years, it had splintered into many factions.

I had done my best to mimic what I’d seen on the screen, but I missed many details in the process.

Tayon willingly became my swordsmanship mentor.

But such peaceful days were bound to end.

* * *

“Tayon, you called for me?”

I entered the tent where Tayon was staying at his summons.

“Tomorrow, we finally enter the single-digit regions.”

“Yes, I know. We’re about halfway through the journey now.”

“Starting from District 9, entering the region requires procedures. While I meet with the village chief, you’ll need to wait here. It might take some time.”

The first time I’d be separated from Tayon since joining the Coming-of-Age Ceremony.

It would only be a few hours, but I understood why he was telling me in advance.

The participants from other regions had likely been waiting for this brief moment of his absence.

I wasn’t afraid.

I had always known this would happen.

“Yes, I can handle it.”

I said confidently.

Still, Tayon asked with concern,

“Is the wooden sword… still unresponsive?”

“Haha, yes, for now.”

The wooden sword Tayon gave me was the Branch of the World Tree.

It was no mere wooden sword.

The Branch of the World Tree didn’t even scratch when clashing head-on with Kiyot’s axe, which he said was crafted with his region’s entire fortune.

But Tayon didn’t give me the Branch of the World Tree, which he had carefully preserved, just for its durability.

“If you need help, say so.”

“No, if your mana gets involved, even if it blooms easily, it might not listen to me afterward, right?”

Tayon’s eyes widened, as if asking how I knew that.

“…I studied hard.”

Of course, Tayon was a serious man who didn’t ask awkward questions, but I added that out of guilt.

The Branch of the World Tree can undergo several stages of blooming.

Its properties change based on the user’s mana, sometimes altering its form, increasing its strength, or gaining certain traits.

‘Rarely, some branches even house a slumbering World Tree spirit.’

Since the Branch of the World Tree was already a hidden piece, the chance of it containing a World Tree spirit was even slimmer, so I didn’t dare hope for that.

But I wanted to make it bloom.

For now, it was just a bladeless wooden sword.

If I could make the Branch of the World Tree bloom, it wouldn’t just withstand Kiyot’s axe—it could split it in two.

“It’s late. Rest well.”

I bowed to Tayon and left the tent.

Then, I quietly channeled the mana surging from my Dragon Heart into the Branch of the World Tree.

As Tayon said, it was time for it to bloom.

No, it was long overdue.

No matter how remarkable the Branch of the World Tree was, the amount of mana I poured into it from my Dragon Heart was immense.

“Kiyot, hit harder! A bit faster!”

“…Am I slow?”

“You’re way too slow!”

I muttered as I walked toward my temporary allies, still training.

“I have no idea what it’s waiting for to bloom.”

Anyway, now wasn’t the time to stare at an unresponsive branch.

Tomorrow morning.

They definitely wouldn’t miss their chance.

* * *

The next day.

All participants gathered to see off Tayon as he headed to District 9.

Surveying the group, Tayon pointed at me and said,

“While the guide is absent, the deputy holds authority. In my absence, Polarin will take that role.”

“Yes, sir!”

“Everyone, follow Polarin’s orders.”

“Yessir!”

Tayon ended his brief speech and strode toward District 9.

Once he was completely out of sight, nervous participants approached with questions.

“Polarin! I mean, Deputy! What do we do now?”

The adventure with the hero had paused.

Everyone sensed the cruel reality approaching.

I sharpened my senses, watching over the group.

What should I, now holding the guide’s authority, do?

The guide’s role was to lead the participants to the ceremony site as intact as possible.

Now wasn’t the time to move.

So, my task was clear.

I resolved to focus solely on keeping the Coming-of-Age Ceremony participants ‘intact.’

Rustle.

An unfamiliar presence stirred in the forest.

It wasn’t just one or two—several were approaching us.

Soon, cackling laughter echoed from the woods, more ominous than cheerful.

Without Tayon, they clearly weren’t coming with good intentions.

I infused mana into my voice and shouted,

“Prepare for battle!”