Only I Am A Reader

"No, you don't."

As extreme as his response was, Leo didn't plan to bet on anything else. Fortunately, the suspicious man's reaction was as good as confirming his theory.

The threats that he voiced out weren't the words of a man who had just lost his only means of attack, his intended stomp might have seemed like some sort of venting, but Leo had been waiting for any move to prevent it. As insignificant as this action was, Leo was almost sure that it was the trigger of something much bigger!

"I found something!"

After judging that the suspicious man's state of mind was out of normal, the stern-faced man ignored Leo's transgression for the moment as he subdued the surprise element. Naturally, he couldn't suppress his curiosity as he noticed the thick item hidden in the man's inner pocket.

The item was none other than a tattered notebook. Opening it, the stern-faced man could see that it was old from its yellowed-out pages, making it appear of no worth. However, the contents of these pages were more than enough to surprise him!

"This seems to be… full of information about this place. Looks like it isn't a Sword Anomaly after all."

After a quick browse, the stern-faced man held the notebook in confusion. Glancing at the man who had already fainted from hitting the ground as cold sweat condensed on his face.

"What is this supposed to be then?"

Jared exchanged looks with the guild member in confusion, were the two of them the only ones unaware of what was happening?

"This was a close call!"

The notebook stored helpful information about the identity of the place, but it carried something far more dangerous than swords!

"This place is completely riddled with hidden traps! They aren't supposed to kill intruders, but are supposed to be triggered by the owner to destroy the whole place!"

Although he didn't dare share the locations of the traps with the rest in case another 'traitor' would appear, he quickly showed them the mechanism of the place.

'So this is the case…'

Leo wasn't surprised by the notebook's existence as he hypothesized the possibility of it being the suspicious man's 'guidebook', but he was simply shocked by its content, the owner of this hideout was simply far too vicious!

Not only did every rock chamber have its fragile cornerstone that could end up destroying it, but there was also a sequence of such triggers spanning from this room up to the exit. As long as he obtained the sword, this originally inconspicuous man could have destroyed the place as he dashed outside.

'No wonder the whole team ended up dying.'

Leo's old confusion was finally solved. According to the story told by the group's traitor, if he survived because he was closer to the exit, then more than just one was likely to survive. However, if this place was to be destroyed in such impeccable order, then surviving one or two collapses would still lead to the same result, being crushed to death.

"So, what should we do now?"

The guild member called out as a shiver ran in his body, if the Endless Sword hadn't moved, then they might have already…

"We need to get out of here first before anything gets triggered by mistake, but first…"

The stern-faced man turned to look at the Ascended Sword before turning to Leo, he wasn't sure if Endless Swords' Leo knew something about this place, but he could clearly feel his desire to obtain this sword.

"We need to decide what we will do with the sword."

As much trouble as it was to discuss something this sensitive in a dangerous place like this, it was better to solve this problem in this rock chamber. After all, it was the one with the least trigger count, having only one trigger easily made it the least dangerous spot. It was just that…

'He probably noticed where the trigger was.'

"Is the rack safe?"

The one he was wary of spoke first. After putting his sword back in the 'Infinity Sword Wheel', Leo was the second one to directly stand in front of the sword.

"...Yes."

The stern-faced man was obviously hesitant to deal with the man who saw through it all, but he could only answer truthfully. He originally thought the Endless Sword only earned his name due to his 'gadget'. However, having witnessed his speed and technique just now, the stern-faced man determined that he would lose in a fight at equal grades…

"Alright, let's talk it out."

Picking up the sword by its handle, Leo brought it forward in front of the group before dropping it down. The rest of the group's complexion eased as they thought he was showing his sincerity, but he had another hidden intention.

Thud!

As soon as the sheathed Ascended Sword made contact with the ground, it immediately caused a depression as it sank into the ground.

"Eh? It's that heavy?"

The first one to speak was Jared whose face was a sight to look at, the sword looked like an ordinary longsword, but it probably weighed more than 10 KGs, this was exactly the opposite of what he came here for!

Ironically enough, Jared was the one who didn't inherit their household's physical trait, unlike his sister. His sister's sword wasn't the only Ascended Sword heirloom they had, but all of them were gigantic great swords.

Owing to that, he had hopefully come along this Sword Anomaly expedition in hope of finding one Ascended Sword that suited him, but this was what they had to find? Another weighty sword that could only be used as a club?

"So, how should we settle this?"

"Leave me out of it, I will just take a share of its price."

Looking at Leo's gentle smile as he opened up the discussion, Jared only grew more depressed as he immediately opted out. He didn't want to have anything to do with this metal block!

"In that case, what do you say about letting me have it?"

Throwing one last glance at the guild member, Leo stated his 'suggestion' as he ignored the voice that had just sounded out.

[ Hidden Event Occurrence has been detected… ]