The Blind Swordman: Strongest in Another World

Almost finishing his dinner, Ryker sat quietly, his thoughts swirling as he spoke softly to himself. "What will I do in this world? How will I grow stronger? Maybe I need to push myself in ways I never did before…"

The Queen's voice interrupted his musings, her tone warm and curious. "What will you do tomorrow, Ryker? Or in the future?"

Her question sparked a lively conversation. The other heroes immediately began sharing their thoughts, their voices overlapping in excitement:

"I want to train with the best warriors in the kingdom!"

"Maybe explore the forests and find some rare monsters to fight."

"I think I'll study magic—imagine how powerful I could become!"

Ryker listened quietly, his fork paused mid-air as he let their enthusiasm wash over him. The Queen's gentle gaze remained fixed on him, and when the room settled, she asked again, her smile soft and encouraging, "And what about you, Ryker? What do you want to do?"

Ryker placed his fork down, a faint smile crossing his lips. "I don't know… maybe become an adventurer. Test my limits and become even stronger than I am now."

The heroes chimed in, their voices filled with curiosity and encouragement:

"An adventurer, huh? That sounds awesome."

"You'd be amazing at it, Ryker."

"I can already see you taking down monsters like it's nothing."

The Queen nodded, her expression thoughtful. "An adventurer… I think that suits you, Ryker. It would give you the freedom to grow and find your place in this world."

Ryker chuckled softly. "We'll see. It's all just an idea for now."

The group continued their discussion, sharing stories, laughing, and debating what paths they might take in this new world. The dining hall echoed with their voices, the atmosphere light and filled with camaraderie. Ryker, for the first time in a long while, felt a sense of belonging. He leaned back in his chair, his faint smile unwavering as he listened to the laughter and dreams of his newfound companions.

After dinner, Ryker made his way to the room prepared for him. The space was modest but comfortable, with a soft bed, a small table, and enough room to move around. He sat on the edge of the bed, running a hand through his hair as he spoke softly to himself.

"Tomorrow… tomorrow I start my journey," he murmured, his tone a mixture of nerves and excitement. "What will it be like? Will I face monsters? Maybe I'll meet more people, make new friends… or maybe new enemies." He chuckled softly. "Either way, it's going to be interesting."

After a few moments of reflection, Ryker stood up. His fingers brushed against the cane at his side, and he smiled faintly. "A little practice before bed won't hurt," he said quietly.

In the small space of his room, Ryker began practicing with his cane sword. He moved fluidly, starting with basic strikes and parries before transitioning into more complex sequences. The room filled with the faint sound of his cane tapping against the floor as he simulated combat. His movements were precise, each swing, thrust, and step guided by the mental image he created through vibrations and spatial awareness.

"Step here… strike there," he muttered under his breath, focusing intently. "Follow through… adjust stance."

As he continued, his confidence grew, and he incorporated tricks and flourishes into his practice. He spun the cane in his hand, re-sheathing and drawing the hidden blade repeatedly, ensuring the motion was smooth and swift. The hours passed unnoticed as Ryker lost himself in the rhythm of his practice, his body remembering the techniques he had honed for years before losing his sight.

After nearly two hours, Ryker finally stopped, his breath steady but his muscles pleasantly fatigued. He leaned the cane against the wall and sat back on the bed, a satisfied smile on his face. "Not bad," he said to himself. "Still got it."

Ryker fell asleep after his two-hour training session, his body pleasantly fatigued and his mind calm. The night passed peacefully, and as the first rays of morning sunlight filtered into his room, the next day began.

Ryker sluggishly sat up in bed, rubbing his eyes dramatically as if he were acting in a play. "Ugh," he groaned, dragging out the sound. "Why does morning always come so early?" He stumbled to his feet, his movements exaggerated and slow. "I feel like a sleepy zombie," he muttered, shuffling across the room. "Brains… or maybe breakfast."

As he shook off the remnants of sleep, Ryker dressed quickly, slipping into his clothes and securing his cane. He grabbed it firmly and stepped out of his room, his expression brightening slightly as the cool air of the hallway greeted him. While walking, his thoughts wandered to his desire for a new skill—something that could help him navigate places more efficiently.

"A skill for locating things… like echo location," he mused aloud. "It could give me a mental map of the house or city. That would be perfect."

Just as the thought crossed his mind, a sudden ding echoed in his head, followed by a soft, blue glow. A status screen appeared in his mind's eye, revealing a new skill. His lips curled into a delighted grin as he read the details.

Skill Unlocked: [Mental Echo Mapping]

Type: Passive

Description: This skill allows the user to emit sound waves and visualize their surroundings as a mental map. Effective range is determined by the user's level and intelligence. It works seamlessly in real time, providing clear outlines of terrain, obstacles, and living entities within range. Particularly useful in unfamiliar areas, enhancing spatial awareness and navigation.*

Ryker chuckled, the sleepiness fading from his demeanor. "This is exactly what I need," he said with enthusiasm, his voice echoing faintly in the hallway. He activated the skill instinctively, and his surroundings lit up in his mind's eye, forming a detailed, three-dimensional map of the corridor. Every door, every decoration, and even the subtle movements of others in the house were outlined in shimmering clarity.

As he navigated the mental map, he noticed the Queen and the heroes gathered in the dining room, waiting for breakfast. With a confident stride, he made his way toward them. A few minutes later, Ryker stepped into the dining room, his cane lightly tapping the ground as everyone turned to greet him.

"Good morning, Ryker!" Mina called out cheerfully, waving at him.

Kael grinned. "Looks like someone finally woke up. Did you sleep well?"

Ryker smirked as he took a seat. "Sleep well? I slept like a log, and I woke up like a zombie," he said, earning a round of laughter from the group. "But hey, at least I made it here in one piece."

Lirael smiled gently. "You seem in good spirits this morning. Did you have a productive night?"

"You could say that," Ryker replied with a sly grin. "Let's just say I've got a new skill that's going to make life a lot easier."

The group leaned in with curiosity, their chatter overlapping:

"A new skill? What is it?"

"You're not going to keep us in suspense, are you?"

Ryker chuckled. "Patience, patience. Let's focus on breakfast first."

As the meal was served, the conversation turned to their plans for the day. Kael spoke up first, his tone confident. "After breakfast, I'm heading out to the training grounds. I want to see how far I can push my limits."

Mina nodded enthusiastically. "I'm planning to explore the city and learn more about their technology. Who knows what cool stuff I might find?"

Selina added, "I think I'll look for a magic instructor. I've always wanted to learn more about this world's spells."

The group continued sharing their plans, their voices filled with excitement and determination. Lirael eventually turned to Ryker, her gaze warm. "And what about you, Ryker? What's your plan for the day?"

Ryker leaned back slightly, a thoughtful expression crossing his face. "I guess I'll start by exploring the adventurer's guild. If I'm going to grow stronger, that seems like a good place to begin."

The heroes nodded in agreement, their chatter resuming as they offered advice and encouragement.

Curiosity got the better of Kael as he leaned forward, his eyes narrowing playfully. "Alright, Ryker, enough teasing. What's this new skill you mentioned?"

The others perked up, their attention now fully on Ryker. "Yeah, spill the beans," Mina added eagerly.

Ryker smirked, resting his chin on his hand. "Fine, fine. It's called [Mental Echo Mapping]. It lets me visualize my surroundings in real time by emitting sound waves. Think of it as a mental map of everything around me. Doors, walls, people—it all gets outlined in my head."

Mina's jaw dropped. "That's incredible! You can see without seeing?"

"Pretty much," Ryker replied casually, his smirk growing. "I used it to navigate here this morning."

Selina shook her head, clearly impressed. "That's such a useful skill. You'll never get lost, will you?"

Kael chuckled. "And here I thought you were just really good at memorizing hallways."

"Well, now you know my secret," Ryker said, shrugging playfully.

Lirael's voice was warm as she spoke. "It suits you, Ryker. A skill like that is not only practical but also fitting for someone as resourceful as you."

The group continued discussing the possibilities of Ryker's skill, imagining scenarios where it could be useful in combat, exploration, and even helping them coordinate as a team. The room was filled with animated conversation and laughter, the bond between them growing stronger with every exchange. The room was filled with laughter and camaraderie as they discussed their journeys, the bonds between them growing stronger with every word.

After breakfast was finished, the Queen stood and addressed the group with a warm smile. "We have a pile of clothes from our world's stores in the city that you can try on," she said. "Take your time and find something comfortable for your journeys."

The heroes exchanged excited glances, their voices overlapping as they responded:

"Really? Clothes from the city? That sounds amazing!"

"I can't wait to see what's available!"

Ryker followed the group to the room where the clothes were displayed. His heightened senses picked up the faint textures and scents of the fabric, and he reached out, feeling his way through the assortment. After a few moments, he settled on an entirely black ensemble, including a long black jacket. Holding up an old shirt, he smirked to himself and ripped it into strips, wrapping it neatly around his eyes. "Gotta stay true to the look," he muttered with a grin.

The others were busy picking out their outfits, chatting as they tried on various combinations:

"This feels so modern—almost like home."

"Yeah, but with a touch of fantasy flair."

When everyone was dressed, they gathered in the hallway, feeling refreshed and ready for their new lives in this world. Ryker leaned casually against the wall, his new look drawing some amused comments:

"Going full black, huh? That's edgy," Kael teased.

Ryker shrugged with a playful grin. "What can I say? Black's slimming."

The Queen entered the room, carrying a small chest. "Before you go," she said, her tone kind, "we want to give you something to help you on your journeys." She opened the chest, revealing shining gold coins. "Each of you will receive a few pounds of gold. Use it wisely."

The heroes' eyes widened, and they quickly began thanking her:

"Thank you so much, Your Majesty!"

"This will really help us get started."

Ryker chuckled, taking his share. "Looks like I'm rich in a new world. Not bad for day two."

As the group gathered their belongings, they began reminiscing about their arrival the day before:

"It still feels surreal, doesn't it?"

"Yeah, one moment we were in school, and the next we were here."

"At least we've got each other in this."

Ryker joined the conversation with his usual humor. "Well, when we first got summoned, I thought, 'Great, we're stuck in some medieval reality TV show.'"

The group burst into laughter, and even the Queen smiled at his comment. Mina clapped him on the back. "You're ridiculous, Ryker."

"Ridiculous but charming," he replied with a mock bow.

As the laughter died down, the Queen stepped forward, her expression turning serious but hopeful. "You all have a long journey ahead of you. Remember, this world is filled with challenges, but it is also filled with opportunities. Grow strong, find your purpose, and may you always find your way back here if you need a home."

The heroes nodded, their determination renewed. They began discussing their plans for their journeys, their voices filled with excitement and resolve. Ryker added his thoughts, his usual humor shining through:

"Step one: don't die. Step two: become awesome. Step three: maybe find a dragon to ride."

"You'd probably annoy the dragon to death," Kael quipped, earning another round of laughter.

With that, the group set out, their spirits high as they ventured into the unknown, ready to carve their paths in this new world.