episode_0078

“There’s something I’m curious about.”

“What is it?”

“Why are you running away?”

“Because I can’t bring harm to someone I owe my life to.”

“……?”

Diago tilted his head in confusion, as if he couldn’t comprehend my words.

“Cheong Yoo-rang is the Beast King’s daughter, right? And she carries a special bloodline.”

“Yeah. That’s why she’s the top candidate to be the next Beast King… and also the closest to being a hero.”

Diago nodded at my words.

“At a glance, the beastkin don’t seem to like humans much. So, it’s better if there’s no scandal between me and her.”

Not that I’d mind if there were.

Still, I owe her my life. Besides, there were secrets between us, too.

“……So, you ran away because you were worried about a scandal with a human?”

“Exactly.”

“Even though the Beast King publicly acknowledged it?”

“He did?”

I was puzzled by Diago’s words.

I’m not exactly well-versed in politics, but the Beast King never made any grand declarations about it.

“……He just tacitly allowed the rumors about you and Cheong Yoo-rang.”

“Well, that’s because his daughter was causing trouble. But if people actually thought we were getting married, he’d be furious.”

That was true.

He’d beg me to take his troublemaker daughter off his hands, but the moment marriage was mentioned, he’d glare at me with those ominous eyes.

Personal experience.

I never understood why, but he’d always say the same thing whenever he saw me:

“You have too many women around you.”

Weird.

I’m the type to only have eyes for one woman.

“……You… never mind. Did the Holy Sword give you any advice?”

“No.”

The Holy Sword let out a hmph at my response.

—Hmph, as if I’d meddle in such trivial matters! Men go weak in the knees at the sight of women, and women turn into utter fools when they fall in love. Your actions are perfectly reasonable!

“……So it says.”

“Come to think of it, the Holy Sword was never meant for that kind of thing.”

Diago made a face, as if wondering whether this was a dangerous situation.

“Well, I’m off to train.”

“Train? In this situation?”

“Got nothing better to do.”

“Right, I’ll handle the carriage and throw together some food. Not like you have anything else to do.”

Diago grumbled under his breath.

You used me too, so this much is fine, right?

The Holy Sword spoke.

—Your swordsmanship peaks high but bottoms out just as low.

That’s because I never properly learned swordsmanship.

I just picked it up by eye.

I drew Bloodstained Sword and Whisper of the Wind.

“……Come to think of it, I should give this away.”

Since I’d recruited Rishiel into the party, I needed to hand over Whisper of the Wind.

—I’ve been wondering since last time—why do you dual-wield?

‘Because two swords are more convenient for properly using Moonless.’

—Well, elven swordsmanship does prioritize agility and unpredictability. Any other reason?

‘It’s what I’m used to?’

—So, no other reason.

The Holy Sword’s voice was cold.

—Then let me explain why dual-wielding isn’t ideal.

‘I’ve heard it a lot.’

—But you never really felt it, did you? You can brute-force anything with talent. Still, just try it my way for one day. That tree over there should do.

I sheathed Whisper of the Wind and walked toward the tree.

If the Holy Sword was this confident, there had to be something to it.

—Focus on the sword. Then, try cutting the tree with it.

Swoosh.

The tree was cleanly sliced in half.

—Good, your fundamentals aren’t bad. Now, try splitting it further, as if dividing it into strands.

‘Splitting it further?’

—Yes. That is the foundation of the Hero’s orthodox swordsmanship—something only heroes can master!

‘Hero’s orthodox swordsmanship?’

—You said you wouldn’t become a hero, but your luck is too terrible. Wherever trouble brews, you’re there.

‘……’

—So, you should at least build up your combat skills.

I stared at the tree as instructed. Splitting the sword’s energy into finer strands?

‘What the hell does that even mean?’

I closed my eyes and focused.

If the Holy Sword said so, there had to be something to it.

Then—

What is this? A dream?

I’ve felt this sensation a few times before.

‘Moonless, Black Sea, Hyuncheon.’

And the demon that appeared when I saw Veronica.

A similar feeling.

Whoosh.

A man in black attire appeared. He wore a black coat, his face obscured.

And a sword.

‘……The Holy Sword?’

He held the Holy Sword and gazed at the sky.

“This time… just how many…?”

But his voice was muffled. Though he was close, it was as if static filled the air—as though I wasn’t meant to hear this conversation.

I studied the man, then suddenly felt a chill.

On the opposite side.

There, countless things loomed.

‘……What the hell is that?’

Beyond the horizon.

An endless horde of monsters.

Some were even familiar—creatures I’d fought in the labyrinth.

‘……Even at the lowest estimate.’

Hundreds, if not thousands.

The monsters stretched as far as the eye could see.

An ordinary person would flee in terror, but the man just sighed and raised the Holy Sword.

Then, with a single swing—

From top to bottom.

Swoosh.

One motion.

But his sword didn’t stop at one.

The monsters began to fall, cleaved in half. Then those halves split again, and again.

‘……What is that?’

An impossible swordsmanship.

Yet, deep down, I understood.

‘Swordsmanship?’

I recognized it as such.

“Still.”

The man looked at me.

No—he looked past me, speaking to someone as if muttering to himself.

“…….”

But.

The words didn’t reach me.

“…….”

—What’s wrong? You’re spacing out. Hmm, was my condition too difficult?

“No, I think I can do it.”

—Hmph, even for you, it’d take a full day.

“No, I’ve got the hang of it.”

—Hmm, the proud type, huh? Then let’s make a bet.

“A bet……?”

Now that piqued my interest.

Seeing my eager expression, the Holy Sword spoke with confidence.

—Yes, a bet. If I win, you’ll obediently follow my instructions.

‘And if I win?’

—Hmm… what would be good? I doubt you’d care even if I obeyed you.

‘……How did you know?’

—Do you take this holy vessel for a fool?! I’ve spent thousands of years meeting heroes and observing the people around them. I know humans better than you ever could!

The Holy Sword floated around indignantly.

—First, behold the power of the Holy Sword!

Flash!

The Holy Sword began to glow.

▼

Name: Han Yuseong (Lv.4)

Strength: 38 Agility: 43 Stamina: 38 Magic: 47 Spirit: 38 Perception: 38

◈Gifts – [Thief’s Pinnacle (S)], [Desperate Struggle (S)], [Anti-Magic (S)], [Sword Master (A+)], [Bow Master (A+)], [Violet (A)], [Elven Alchemy (A)], [Mana Control (B)], [Synthesis (B)]

◈Skills – [Lightning Strike (A)], [Hidden Space (B)], [Charged Shot (B)], [Shadow Dance (B)], [Venom Arts (B)], [Sprint (D)]

◈Techniques – [Swordsmanship (Lv 30)], [Archery (Lv 25)], [Martial Arts (Lv 10)], [Throwing (Lv 8)], [Poison Arts (Lv 5)]

……A status screen appeared.

This is the Holy Sword’s power?

—This is your status screen.

The Holy Sword sounded triumphant.

—Well, status screens are just fancy cards these days. Anyway, your stats… Hoh? Not many Gifts, but your attributes are top-tier for Level 4…

Its voice trailed off.

—Wait, why do you have so many Skills and Gifts? Three S-ranks? No, even more? Sword Master and Bow Master are supposed to be S-rank?

The Holy Sword muttered in disbelief.

—Skills are one thing, but why do you have Elven Alchemy? Can you just acquire traits from any race?

Its voice trembled.

—……More importantly, how do you have both Sword Master and Bow Master at A+ rank?

‘Even if you ask, it just happened.’

That’s how it always was.

For others, S-rank was the peak, followed by S+ and special modifiers.

But for me, after the first evolution, it always stayed like this.

—This is absurd. How are those two only A-rank…?

The Holy Sword seemed at a loss for words.

—No, that can’t be. This goes beyond demonic techniques—it’s something even the gods couldn’t achieve…

Its voice was a mix of fear and excitement.

‘What the hell is it?’

Don’t just keep it to yourself—tell me too.

—A-Are you… the Goddess?

The Holy Sword asked me that.

What nonsense.

After that, the Holy Sword rambled for a while.

—A-Are you the God of War?

“No.”

—……Then are you a god?

“Nope.”

—No way. You’re telling me a non-god can be born with this kind of talent?

Its voice was frantic.

But couldn’t I just be lying?

—The Holy Sword can discern truth from lies. Even without that ability… I can just tell you’re not the type to lie.

Then it said:

—Anyway, you keep shattering my common sense.

‘So, what’s the bet?’

—You can use me however you like.

‘……That’s just a loss for me.’

—Tch! The Holy Sword is offering to serve you exclusively!

Throwing a tantrum now?

Whatever, it’s fine.

I focused. I had a rough idea of how to do it.

Because.

‘I’ve seen it.’

That dream—no, I don’t know what that vision was.

A dream, the future, or maybe the past.

‘Erme is here.’

I cleared my mind.

The sensation was still unsettling, but—

My body moved.

Top to bottom.

The same stance as the man I’d seen.

Swoosh.

Top to bottom.

The base of the tree was severed.

And a slash mark was carved into the ground beside it.

‘……First try, so the angle was off.’

Despite my disappointment, the Holy Sword gasped in shock.

—What the—how did you do that?

You said it was possible.