Chapter 136: The Hawk Eye's Contract

A screen of light appeared.

【Novice Iron Sword Lv. 1 (White)】: A novice weapon produced by the Samsara Game. After equipping, Sword Qi +1.

Hint: Holders of the Contract Fruit can temporarily activate the Player Template.

【Qiaolake'er Mihouke】

Level: 1 (1/50 EXP)

Attributes: Strength 50, Agility 48, Constitution 45, Spirit 45

Equipment: Novice Iron Sword

Skills: Haize shijie Sword Skill Lv. 19, Observation Haki Lv. 19...

Hint: For a normal human male in the Pirate World, the base physical stats are 【3】.

"Could it be the ability of an Illusion Fruit user?"

Mihawk looked at the abruptly appearing light screen; although his expression was solemn, he was not panicked.

No matter how weird a Devil Fruit ability is, or how strongly it is developed, it will still be suppressed by even stronger Haki; this is the iron law of the Pirate World.

And he, as it happens, is an existence who has mastered top-tier Haki.

"Very crude workmanship..."

Mihawk narrowed his eyes, examining the Novice Iron Sword in his hand.

He has come into contact with countless blades; those of a quality worthy of being called a Famous Blade are masterpieces crafted by master artisans who spent countless efforts collecting precious ores.

A mass-produced product like this, seemingly made by a craftsman's apprentice, does not even qualify to be swung by him.

Suddenly...

Mihawk sensed something wrong.

His expression turned solemn, he gripped the crude Novice Iron Sword tightly, and then swung the blade.

Another massive Jiangji that split the sea waves.

This time, the wielder did not aim at a target, so the broken fleet of the Krieg Pirates only swayed and was pushed dozens of meters away by the waves.

"My Jiangji has become stronger?"

Mihawk was surprised and suspicious; clearly, the force of the swing had not changed, and his Haki could not have suddenly increased, yet the Jiangji had suddenly become stronger.

Although it was very faint, it could not escape the perception of a Great Swordsman like him.

Sword Qi +1...

Mihawk's gaze fell on that light screen, as if he had discovered a new continent.

Until now,

he still did not believe there was such a thing as the Samsara Game that could grant any wish, regarding it only as a very peculiar and rare Devil Fruit ability.

It must be said, this Contract Fruit and the mysterious person behind it are very attractive.

【Contract Task (2/5)】

Task Content: Destroy five ships of the Krieg Pirates.

Task Reward: Claymore Mastery Lv. 1 (White)

To Mihawk, the difficulty of the Contract Task was very low, practically non-existent.

Boom.

The unstoppable horizontal Jiangji tore through the hulls of the five giant ships like a crescent moon, and countless crew members of the Krieg Pirates fell into the water like dumplings.

【Task completed, reward has been issued】

Still, there was no fluctuation of aura.

Especially since Mihawk had prepared in advance and had already fully activated his Observation Haki.

A strange memory suddenly appeared in his mind.

It was a very special technique.

【Claymore Mastery Lv. 1 (White)】: The Claymore swordsmen of the Arad Continent have studied Claymore techniques for many years, which can increase the physical attack power and Magic Attack of a Claymore user.

Upgrade conditions: 50 proficiency, 50 skill EXP

The Arad Continent possesses very exquisite weapon techniques; whether they are fighters or gunners, they are existences who have polished their own skills to the peak.

Especially the legendary Four Sword Saints, who led the trend of countless adventurers becoming Swordsmen.

This set of techniques comes precisely from Aganzuo, one of the Four Sword Saints, and his understanding and realization of the Claymore.

"Such a special technique..."

Mihawk's brows furrowed slightly; he was initially somewhat puzzled, but after thoroughly digesting this weapon technique, his confusion turned into admiration.

There were no complicated moves, just the purest Claymore technique.

It was as if it were an instinctive technique realized by someone after countless life-and-death battles while wielding a Claymore.

Yet, it was completely different from the Sword Master techniques of the Pirate World.

For a Sword Master in the Pirate World,

physique and spirit are the core!

Physique means powerful force and speed surpassing ordinary people, capable of unleashing stronger and more powerful Jiangji.

Spirit symbolizes will and Haki; when infused into a Jiangji, it can cleave steel, cleave rock, and cleave all things.

Technique is merely the icing on the cake,

prioritizing the release of Jiangji and the repelling of enemies with the best posture.

But the memory in his mind related to 【Claymore Mastery Lv. 1】 was a different kind of strange technique, capable of pushing the advantages of a weapon to the limit through constant tempering and adjustment.

The Pirate World focuses on physique, with technique as an auxiliary.

The Arad Swordsman focuses on techniques that push the weapon to its limit, with the body as an auxiliary.

Although,

【Greatsword Mastery Lv. 1】 does not contain complex or profound techniques; it is merely the most rudimentary way to use a greatsword.

Yet, it gave Mihawk the marvelous sensation of opening the door to a New World.

Mihawk took a deep breath, digested the memories in his mind, and muttered, "Who on earth is this? It is impossible to have this level of understanding of sword skills based solely on Devil Fruit abilities."

He looked at the subsequent tasks.

【Contract Task (3/5)】

Task Content: Defeat the Krieg Pirates crew (0/50)

Task Reward: Greatsword Mastery (50 points of proficiency, 50 points of skill experience)

"A worthless Pirate crew, it seems... they still have some use."

The corners of Mihawk's mouth curled up slightly, and to show his recognition of the Pirate crew's value, he drew the Black Blade from his back.

One strike.

Countless Pirates let out wails.

The wind-riding Jiangji, wrapped in fierce gusts, tore through the air and slashed toward the chaotic fleet, even turning the main ship Krieg was riding into fragments.

Along with it, the two subsequent Contract Tasks—destroying the Krieg Pirates' main ship and defeating Krieg—were also completed in passing.

【Task completed, rewards have been distributed】

The rewards for the two tasks of defeating the Pirate crew and destroying the main ship directly raised 【Greatsword Mastery】 to 【Lv. 3】.

Mihawk contemplated the increasingly exquisite greatsword techniques, feeling more and more curious about the mysterious person hidden behind the scenes.

The reward for the final task, defeating Krieg, was a strange stone.

【Whetstone (White)】: Can be used to sharpen bladed weapons; Sharpness +1 upon success.

Mihawk held the suddenly appearing whetstone; it looked just like the rough whetstones one could see filling the shelves of a low-quality blacksmith shop.

However,

thinking of the previous Novice Iron Sword, a glimmer of anticipation still rose in his heart.

Following the usage method prompted by the light screen, he pressed the whetstone tightly against his weapon, the Black Blade.

【Appraisal: 【Black Blade Yoru】 is a Lv. 10 Purple Quality weapon; cannot use 【Whetstone (White)】】

Although he was not very clear about the equipment grading of the Samsara Game,

Mihawk could understand the meaning of this text: the quality of the Black Blade was very high, and this whetstone could not increase the sharpness of the Black Blade.

Then...

The small knife inside the pendant.

【Consumption of 【Whetstone (White)】 successful, weapon Sharpness +1】

"It actually..."

Although the small knife he carried with him could not be compared to a Famous Blade, it was still considered a rare, sharp weapon; Mihawk had specifically hired a master craftsman capable of Forging Famous Blades to create it.

An ordinary blacksmith, even if they brought out the highest quality whetstone, could not continue to sharpen it and would instead damage the original master's craftsmanship.

Mihawk, who was very familiar with the pendant knife, was very certain that the blade of this pendant knife had become sharper.

Slash.

The pendant knife sliced through the edge of the Coffin Ship, feeling the suddenly improved smoothness.

For the first time, Mihawk's mindset experienced emotional fluctuations that even he could not control.

【Player has successfully completed the Contract, obtained the identity of a Reincarnation Game Player, and the opportunity to purchase game items in the Game House. Do you wish to enter?】

Mihawk pressed his palm against his chest, feeling his heart beating violently due to the emotional fluctuations,

and suddenly burst into laughter.

Weapons that can make Jiangji stronger, alternative greatsword techniques, and the whetstone.

All sorts of magical items seemed to speak to the authenticity of the Samsara Game.

"Then let me take a look at who exactly the mysterious person spreading these Contracts is!"

(End of chapter)