Light and Darkness

A cold north wind dug into my collar.

The warmth of Iron Forge was already far behind. The path ahead was filled only with white frost.

My steps heading north were heavy. The silhouette of the snow-capped mountains in the distance signaled the entrance to winter.

“It’s going to get seriously cold now.”

The soliloquy scattered as white breath. It was a moment when I longed for a warm canned coffee. Or a Pepsi Zero.

I raised my head. A white peak faintly revealed itself through the clouds.

The gateway to the north, a land dominated by eternal winter.

Still, a small smile hung on my lips. It felt like I had finally gained freedom.

Aris’s magic, Sylvia’s spirits, Seraphin’s divine power, Nia’s tracking… Even so, they probably can’t follow me this far.

“Now that I think about it, they were all too strong.”

A sigh escaped involuntarily. In the game, they were reliable party members, but in reality, they were terrifying stalkers.

“Well, if it were a game, it would have been a bad ending a long time ago.”

I smiled and moved my feet. The snow under my feet crunched. The deepening white snow covered my footprints.

‘Still, now that I have the Demon Sword…’

Suddenly, the back of my hand throbbed.

My left hand, engraved with a black inverted cross, and my right hand, where a holy cross shone.

The two symbols pulsed simultaneously, as if beating.

“That’s strange…”

A strange premonition flashed through me. Instinctively, I raised both hands.

“Dawn. Dusk.”

I summoned the two swords at the same time.

Jiiiiing-

The air vibrated for a moment. The sound of light and darkness colliding and resonating.

The light of the Holy Sword blazed intensely. At the same time, black darkness bloomed from the Demon Sword.

Shwiing-

The two swords trembled as if rejecting each other. The magic of the two swords collided, sparking in the air.

“This… doesn’t look good.”

The surrounding scenery began to distort. The snow near the Holy Sword melted like spring, and the snow around the Demon Sword froze black.

The trees staggered. Sprouts sprouted on the branches of the trees near the Holy Sword, and the branches of the trees near the Demon Sword withered.

Jiiiiing-!

The light of the Holy Sword became even more intense. The light of Dawn tried to overwhelm the darkness of the Demon Sword.

Shwiing-!

The black mist rising from the Demon Sword thickened. The darkness of Dusk tried to swallow the light of the Holy Sword.

“Ugh…”

The pain in both hands grew worse and worse. As the two forces denied each other, my body in between felt like it was being torn apart.

I hurriedly reverse-summoned the two swords. The vibration stopped. The distorted nature returned to its place.

Looking at the back of my hands, the two symbols were even clearer. The white cross of the Holy Sword and the black inverted cross of the Demon Sword seemed to glare at each other.

“This… it seems like it will be difficult to use the two swords at the same time.”

Balancing light and darkness seemed more difficult than I thought.

‘I’ll have to use them one at a time for now.’

I sighed and summoned the Holy Sword Dawn for now. I felt a warm warmth even in the extreme snowfield. The light of Dawn warmly wrapped around my body.

“Am I a little calmer now…? What was the problem?”

[Calm? What are you talking about! That’s too much!]

I almost dropped the Holy Sword at the sudden voice. The light of Dawn became more intense and a sharp female voice rang out.

[It’s been 5 years, 5 years! How could you hold another sword now… That’s really too much!]

“Wait… just a moment. Is the Holy Sword talking…?”

[Yes, I’m talking! Are your ears working properly?]

The Holy Sword vibrated with a buung- sound. As if stomping its feet.

[I didn’t need to talk until now. You were satisfied, and I was satisfied.]

The voice suddenly became quiet. The light of the sword’s body also softened.

[We’ve fought with perfect harmony every time. I thought I might be a hindrance if I spoke…]

“Ah…”

Suddenly, the past 5 years flashed by. The countless battles I had with the Holy Sword. We always moved naturally, as if we were one body.

More than that, the Holy Sword was an Ego Sword. Well, it’s a relic forged with the blessing of the Goddess, so I understand.

“Then why have you been quiet until now… why now?”

[Why? Of course, because I’m angry! What the hell is that vulgar Demon Sword!]

The Holy Sword’s voice trembled. A voice full of jealousy, anxiety, and anger.

[I’m your first sword. I’m like your first love?]

“That’s a bit cheesy…”

[It’s cheesy, but it’s true! I’ve been with you since you first came to this world!]

Suddenly, the Holy Sword shook and a warm energy was transmitted through my hand.

[I’ve been watching you all this time. Your growth, your worries, everything…]

Silence followed for a moment. Only the sound of the snowfield wind was heard.

[So… that’s why I hate that Demon Sword even more. That sword is full of darkness, isn’t it? It looks dangerous to me. No, it’s actually really dangerous!]

Suddenly, the temperature of the Holy Sword became hot. My palm holding the handle heated up.

“Dawn-a.”

[Don’t call me! I’m… I’m angry!]

“What, are you jealous?”

[Of course! I can never forgive it! Comparing me to such a shady sword… What am I lacking… .]

Again, the Holy Sword vibrated with a buung- sound. This time, it was clearly tinged with whining.

“Shady… it’s just a little strong.”

[Strong? I’m stronger! I’ve defeated demons and dragons so far!]

“Well, yes, but…”

[Haa… men are all the same. Once they get something new, they can’t escape…]

I heard the Holy Sword sigh. It was a real sigh.

“What, are you treating me like a playboy right now?”

[It’s true! You’re fascinated by that shady Demon Sword…]

“It’s not that I’m fascinated, it’s just useful…”

[Huuuk… Am I useless now!]

I heard sobbing from the Holy Sword. What is this now.

“No, wait a minute. Aren’t you going too far?”

[You’re the one who’s going too far! Our relationship of 5 years… You don’t even know how I feel! Sniff sniff… ]

“Hey…”

[I… what should I do now… If you abandon me… You’re the only hero! It’s unfair! It’s unfair!]

It was always a Holy Sword that only shone quietly, but I never knew it would be so talkative.

“Calm down. Who said I’m abandoning you.”

[Really…?]

The light of the Holy Sword flickered faintly. Like tearful eyes.

“Yeah. You’re my first sword. You’re special.”

[I… I’m embarrassed if you suddenly say things like that… ]

At that moment, the Demon Sword’s symbol throbbed. The Holy Sword rang out sharply.

[Again! Are you communicating with that filthy sword? I don’t know! I can’t stand it anymore!]

“No, that’s not it…”

[I’m not talking to a playboy like you anymore!]

Pat-

The Holy Sword disappeared. Only silence remained in the air.

“Ah…”

I sighed and raised my left hand. An uneasy premonition flashed through me.

“Dusk.”

A purplish-black sword appeared. A cold energy was transmitted to my palm. Could it be, the Demon Sword too?

[Oh my, are you finally looking for me? What took you so long~]

Damn it. This one talks too.

A sweet yet provocative voice. It felt like a noblewoman seductress.

[Are you tired of fighting with the Holy Sword?]

The Demon Sword vibrated faintly. The energy of darkness climbed up the back of my hand.

[Why don’t you throw away that Holy Sword? You don’t need it anymore, do you?]

The purplish-black energy of the Demon Sword climbed up the back of my hand. It felt like a sweet poison was seeping in.

[Unlike the Holy Sword, I can accept everything about my master?]

“You mean absorbing my life force?”

[Yes… If my master’s infinite life force fills me up…]

“Hey…”

[You know how fiercely we can cut down enemies, right? No one can handle our compatibility.]

The Demon Sword vibrated faintly. The energy of darkness became even thicker.

“You’re talking about battle, right?”

[Of course, I’m talking about my master’s durability. Were you thinking about something else?]

“Please…”

[Ah~ Thinking about that time still thrills me. When my master’s powerful strength filled me up…]

But why is this Demon Sword pretending to be such an adult? It hasn’t even been a week since it was born?

“Shut up. Be quiet like a sword.”

[Hehe… I understand. Next time, I’ll be more intense…]

At that moment, the Holy Sword’s symbol throbbed. Light burst out and Dawn was summoned.

[You… you perverted Demon Sword! How dare you… seduce Haru-nim like that!]

[Oh my? Looks like the old-fashioned sword is jealous? Well, we did fight very intensely.]

The two swords vibrated at the same time. They emitted energy towards each other and confronted each other.

[Haru-nim only needs me! Such a shady sword…]

[Old-fashioned is old-fashioned after all. Jealousy is so old-fashioned~]

[Wh-what?! A bewitching sword like you…]

[Bewitching? I’m just being honest?]

“Calm…”

Ignoring my words, the two swords’ battle of wills intensified. The light of the Holy Sword and the darkness of the Demon Sword collided, and the surrounding air vibrated.

[Haru-nim only needs me!]

[So that’s why you couldn’t say anything for 5 years?]

[That’s… that’s…]

[Honesty is important. Just like us.]

“Don’t talk without me…”

I couldn’t help but sigh. What is this situation?

The two swords’ confrontation became even more intense. The light of the Holy Sword pierced the sky, and the darkness of the Demon Sword split the earth.

The surrounding trees fell and an avalanche occurred. The terrain collapsed as the two swords’ emotions went wild.

[How dare you try to corrupt Haru-nim!]

[Your words are so cliché~ True power comes from desire.]

“Can’t you both calm down…”

But my voice was drowned out. The surrounding area became a chaotic mess as the Holy Sword’s sense of justice and the Demon Sword’s desire collided.

‘Am I caught up in an affair right now…?’

It’s surprising that swords are talking, but it’s a love triangle of all things.

[I will protect Haru-nim’s purity!]

[Do you know how weak that purity was?]

Kwang-!

A landslide occurred. The two swords’ energy shook the snow mountain.

“Ah… what is this really…”

I sighed and hurriedly reverse-summoned the two swords. If I left them any longer, the entire snow mountain would collapse.

My figure running away alone in the midst of the blizzard was pathetic.

“Haa… now even swords are obsessed….”

I hurried my steps. I never got used to this kind of situation, no matter how many times I experienced it.