Chapter 157 - The Lone Kunoichi (2/2)

The kunoichi's words interrupted Nik's thought, but her next words made his mood plunge from happiness to bitterness.

”I didn't want to reply... I am not a kunoichi of the village...

I am just a... a weaponsmith...

My identity... is a secret...”

”Can you speak normally?” Nik finally interrupted the lady who had started spilling beans ever so slowly, yet surely and the kunoichi named Shigure finally quietened down before regarding Nik with her calm purple eyes.

”I can. But I want to learn the technique you used.”

Her melodious voice echoed within the empty forest while she turned her heels and faced Nik. Her long raven-haired ponytail fluttered slightly while her large bangs perfectly framed her face. The most conspicuous feature of this mysteriously hot creatures was her lightning-like eyebrows, that aroused many of Nik's... desires and a dark-purple choker that once again elicited unending desires.

Finally, her curvaceous hips gave way to smooth thighs that were covered in purple stockings.

Seeing Nik's observing gaze, Shigure's already droopy eyes dropped a notch lower and she coughed softly, breaking Nik's dazed stare while continuing.

”Teach me, what you did. I want to learn.”

She stated calmly, meanwhile, Nik tilted his head in confusion.

”Teach what? The art of—”

”That thing.” Shigure cut him in and pointed at his chest before replying.

”Your Hamon is different. Teach me how?”

Nik's eyelids trembled ever so slightly before he smiled once again and shrugged.

”I don't want to.”

He didn't know how the lady knew about his secrets on the surface, but he wasn't going to teach the method of elemental Hamon just because he was exposed.

”Teach me.” Shigure thought for a while before extending her kunai towards him.

”No... and what do you think you are doing? A kunai is not even worth my eyes.”

Nik shrugged once again before looking at the surroundings before checking the area once again with his [Life Vision] and found not a single trace of Life-force signature aside from Shigure.

Hearing Nik's words, Shigure retracted her hands and then nodded.

”I'll make something good. Teach me then.”

She stated, not requested, but stated with a calm confidence while walking forwards, her twisting buttocks beckoning Nik to follow her.

”Hey, Shigure?” Nik uttered lightly and looking the slight tilt of her head, Nik continued, ”What's the difference between a swordsmith and a weaponsmith?”

Shigure kept walking while her words reached Nik.

”There are many swordsmiths. There is only one weaponsmith.”

”Only you?”

Nik asked curiously while she nodded. To Nik's eyes, meanwhile, the sword slung behind Shigure kept flashing purple. He knew what this meant. It must be a higher grade item, but since Nik did not have a single item greater than the dark green grade, he wasn't able to identify it.

Meanwhile, he still had the multiple white medallions and the blue medallion he received from killing that giant hand covered demon.

”Did you forge that sword... the one on your back?”

Nik asked once again while Shigure shook her head.

”My father... the previous weaponsmith.”

There was no hiding Shigure's despondent tone while the remaining stretch was closed in within a few minutes as Shigure would sometimes move around certain trees or just get to one region and retrace her steps back before continuing to the other area.

Not before long, Nik and Shigure finally reached a clearing filled with hideously short dressed men and scantily dressed females as the whole village was in a flurry of activity, no one minding Nik's or Shigure's presence.

”Let's go...”

She stated softly before the duo moved while avoiding the crowd moving everywhere in a hurry while a thick scent of battle intent lingered within the village.

”From now on, you both will stay in this accommodation. Even if the Swordsmith Village sent a fake and the corps sent a kid, we don't need your help.”

As the duo reached a well-built house, a figure appeared from the shadows and looked at the duo with calm, impassive eyes before jumping and vanishing mid-air.

”You just arrived?”

Nik questioned Shigure, who nodded and opened the doors of the house while Nik followed her without any follow-up questions.

After all, there was no need to ask her everything right now. Nik severely lacked sleep and he couldn't wait to have a long night's sleep before waking up and finally exploring his new mission... Shigure.