Upon reaching a weird looking shop, the old swordsman decided to walk into the place despite having nothing to trade. He entered the building and looked around searching for his condor, hoping that his companion might be around. The shop owner once noticed the old man, he then approached the old swordsman and greeted him with a humble bow.

Owner: Greetings! Welcome to the Devil May Cry Shop! How can I help you?

Dugu: Have you seen a giant condor? I missed him so much.

Seeing that the old man was about to break down mentally, the owner maintained his cool while asking the old man for further details.

Owner: I haven't seen it, but it's possible for him to drop by. I do see sometimes a bird like your condor flying around the area.

Dugu: Really? Inform me when you see him, I shall meet him right away!

Owner: Of course sir!

The shop owner bowed again at the tired looking old man with a faint smile. The owner saw him in his worn out clothing, and armed with a non-lethal wooden sword on his back, indicating that he is just homeless and hungry.

Dugu: My name is Dugu Qiubai (独孤求败) aka, a loner who seeks defeat. Please, call me Dugu.

Dante: Nice to meet you Mr. Dugu, I am Dante the owner of this place. Poor you, how did you survive so long without a home and food? Come right in.

Dugu: Would you kindly hear my story in exchange of a hearty meal and a shelter? I really have no where else to go.

Dante: Of course, don't worry about it. You can stay here as much as you want, I can't just abandon someone like you.

The shop owner welcomed the old swordsman to the dining room. Strangely, the old man sat on the solid cold floor instead while surveying his surroundings with curiosity. The owner quickly brought him a bowl of fresh food and sat next to him on the floor and watched him munching his food away like a hungry beggar. One of the shop worker then walked towards the shop owner and whispered to his boss, warning him of the old man's intentions.

Worker: This guy seems weird boss.

Dante: Don't worry, I think he is just a normal warrior without home. If he tries anything we will be ready.

The shop owner turned towards the eating old man again, ready to listen to his story after seeing him finishing his meal.

Dante: Now, feel free to tell me your story.

The old man cast the empty bowl aside as he wiped off his stained lips and began his story...

Dugu: Alright, here goes... Ahem!

=

The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

Having roamed around for more than sixty years, I have killed all my foes and defeated all champions.

Under Heaven no one can be my equal.

Without any other choice, I could only retreat and live in seclusion in a deep valley, with only a Condor as my companion.

Alas, all my life, I have sought a match but in vain. Unbearable loneliness is my destiny.

Hence the people called me, Sword Devil; Dugu Qiubai, a loner who seeks defeat.

=

Meanwhile, a mighty warrior from afar in a shop overheard the old man's phrase, "Under Heaven no one can be my equal." The warrior then chuckled faintly as he walked out of the shop.

Mordred: Heh, I am beyond the heavens. Silly old man.

The warrior whispered to himself and slowly walked away while the shop owner further questioned the old stranger.

Dante: Sword Devil huh? Do you perhaps have demon blood in your veins?

Dugu: Nay, I am just a mortal, with a devil-like skills. None has ever defeat me, I have even gave up my blade and fought them bare-handed yet I still gain victory.

Dugu: Such vanity and pain to be invincible! Sigh…

Dante: So you say you are invincible, eh? Have you travelled much in your life?

Dugu: As I said, I have roamed around for sixty years. Many seek me and challenged my blade, other times I seek champions and test my strength during my prime.

Dante: I see, so what brings you here? You just came here to rest or do you have other purpose?

Dugu: My only friend, Condor went missing recently. I try to look for him and failed. When I went back to my cave, it was gone as well! Even my swords that buried nearby have disappeared; as if they have never existed before... sob. I have nothing left, and lonely... sob, and hungry... sob.

Dante: Somebody must have taken your swords and your condor... It's possible they want to take revenge on you for defeating them before and they want to make you suffer.

The owner stood up with a confident look and continued speaking.

Dante: Don't worry, as long as you are here, nobody will hurt you. This place and those inside of it are magically protected.

The old man laughed madly when he heard the word "hurt you."

Dugu: Hurt me? Arhahahaha... Even my bird can defeat thousands. I would said they were gone by supernatural phenomenon; we were brought to this world recently by a mysterious force, and now that force most probably has taken them some place else without me.

The old man looked down with a depress and lonely expression on his weary face.

Dugu: I guess, I am destined to be alone.

Dugu: I am sure you will make many friends if you stay here.

Dugu: Is there anything I can do here? I will not stay here for free.

Dante: What are you good at besides fighting with your blade?

Dugu: ...Drinking? Hunting? I am just an old man, devoted all my life to my philosophical level of "swordsmanship without a sword", which uses swordplay techniques in combat without the physical existence of a sword...

Dante: Maybe You are interested in the large library we have then?

Dugu: Oh~ so you want me to write a manual script of my swordplay and my philosophy of my swordsmanship eh?

A look of excitement kept shining from the old man's feature as he stood up and thanked the owner for a shelter.

Dante: Sure! Maybe people who want to be like you might be able to learn from someone like you.

Dugu: Perhaps a mini dojo over here, yes? I would love to, I can accept challenge— eh I mean students who are willing to learn my skills! Ahahaha!

Dante: Sound like a good idea! Ahahaha!

The two of them kept of laughing throughout the conversation happily for the rest of the day. As night falls, the owner of the shop then set up a bedroll at the library floor for the old man to rest while keeping an eye on him to prevent any trouble he might cause. The old swordsman crawled into the bed and retired for the day.

… … …

Unfortunately, the old man sneaked out of the shop the very next day and continue seeking his condor. He left a note to the shop owner and thanked him for the food and shelter. In the note the old man promised the shop owner that he will come back and repay his debt again, and will be back shortly within a few days time. Thus, the weird adventure continues for the invincible swordsman, Dugu Qiubai...

To be continued...