episode_0108

On the way home.

In front of the portal on the 1st floor of the labyrinth.

Suddenly, I was seized by a strange sensation.

‘……What was that?’

I felt a gaze.

Something we couldn’t resist in our current state.

A massive eye had tried to peer at us.

“……!”

Without looking back, I stepped into the portal.

“Are you hurt?” “Why do you ask?” “No, it just felt like there was something dangerous.” “Dangerous?”

Black Nether Lord tilted his head and stared at the portal. But the portal remained eerily still.

-As expected, your instincts are sharp.

The Holy Sword spoke, sounding almost amused.

-If you had been even a little slower… who knows what kind of change it might have brought. So retreating early was the right choice.

Its voice was oddly relaxed.

I glanced at the Holy Sword.

It felt like it, too, was constantly changing.

‘Back when those beasts or whatever were coming, it faded again.’

Its tone sounded as though it was regaining memories.

That was the strange impression I got.

I frowned and looked at the portal.

‘Who the hell was that?’

-The leader of the Eternal Soldiers.

‘He looked incredibly strong.’

-That Black Nether Lord fellow would have about a 10% chance of winning if he went all out.

‘……So winning really was a miracle spell.’

-Hm?

‘Just saying.’

It was shocking that Black Nether Lord’s odds of victory were only 10%, but in a way, it was also reassuring.

Just as I was growing convinced that we should go to the labyrinth with a larger group next time—

Volkan was staring at us with a crooked posture.

“How was it?” “Not much to report.” “Not much?”

Volkan looked at us with a bewildered expression.

“We caught about ten Eternal Soldiers, but we retreated after sensing something strange while trying to go deeper.” “You sensed something strange?” “And… there’s something else, though I’m not entirely sure. Would you like to hear it?” “Go ahead. Your instincts are usually on point.”

Black Nether Lord and Volkan fixed their eyes on me.

“Before leaving the 1st floor, I felt like something massive was watching us.” “……A gaze from something massive? Have you ever felt that before?”

Volkan glanced at So Yeon-hwa and Black Nether Lord.

Both shook their heads.

“Is that why you looked so pale?” “Hmm… So, if I fought that thing, what do you think would happen?”

Black Nether Lord suddenly threw out an awkward question.

‘This is tricky.’

It could bruise his pride.

The Holy Sword said his chances of winning were 10%.

If I said that, he might try to prove it by going down alone.

As if sensing my hesitation, Volkan smirked and looked at Black Nether Lord.

“Are you holding back because you’re worried he’ll get hurt?” “Hmph. Before I’m a swordsman, I’m a Duke of the Empire. Do you think I’d fall for such a cheap provocation?”

Black Nether Lord scoffed at Volkan’s words.

If he was going to say that much, I had no choice but to be honest.

“About 10%……” “Huh?” “Wha—?”

Strange exclamations erupted.

Volkan looked stunned.

Black Nether Lord wore an expression of utter disbelief.

“My odds of winning are 90%… No, that can’t be.” “Even if he’s the weakest among us, you’re saying his chances of winning are only 10%?”

Both stared at me with doubtful eyes.

But Volkan soon shook his head and adopted a grave expression.

“This… is beyond what I can handle alone. I’ll take this to the Guild Master.”

With that, he grabbed me by the scruff of my neck and dragged me away.

The place Volkan took me was the Guild Master’s office.

The first time I saw her came to mind naturally.

Though it was now a distant memory.

‘That memory…’

It was still vivid.

The office had trees, their leaves blooming around wooden pillars.

An office with an endlessly serene atmosphere.

And a massive door that looked even larger than Volkan’s belly.

As we approached—

Creak.

The door began to open on its own.

“You’ve arrived.”

A figure revealed herself.

Flaming hair like burning embers. Golden eyes that seemed to pierce through everything.

Not the golden eyes of holy priests filled with divinity.

Nor the golden eyes resembling the Crown Prince’s.

But like those of a reptile—

A piercing, yellow gaze that instinctively made one shrink back.

She looked at me, then at my sword sheaths.

Two sheaths.

One for the Thunder Dragon Sword.

The other for the Holy Sword.

-Well… Is that old monster still alive?

The Holy Sword spoke in a tone of admiration.

The Guild Master chuckled and replied.

“You’ve got quite the amusing thing, spouting nonsense.”

-Playing mysterious, huh?

“How laughable that a weapon of a hero would feign deafness while criticizing others.” “……?” “…….”

Volkan tilted his head in confusion.

But I was the one left flustered.

‘Don’t tell me…’

-Yes, that woman can hear my voice.

I stole a glance. The Guild Master smirked as she looked at me.

“So… Volkan called you the Sword Hero, but you insisted on calling yourself the Thief Hero. How does it feel now?” “Huh? Sword Hero?”

At the Guild Master’s words, Volkan’s eyes widened.

I could only make an awkward face.

“Oh? Was it still a secret?” “No, it’s just that I’m not really suited to be a Sword Hero…”

-You fool, still on about this nonsense!

The Holy Sword roared in frustration.

Honestly, I didn’t have much to say in my defense.

I’d learned swordsmanship, breathing, and footwork, but…

Somehow…

‘I just don’t feel like a Sword Hero.’

That thought kept nagging at me.

-Just because of a feeling… No, your instincts are a bit odd—wait, is that even it?

The Holy Sword looked at me with a confused question.

Volkan, meanwhile, gaped at me.

“You… Were you chosen by the Holy Sword?” “…………………………………That’s how it turned out.” “How? There’s no way you’d just run into the Holy Sword. Normally, sacred relics are secretly imported by nations before the Hero competition…” “Well, I just… happened to pick it up…” “You picked up the Holy Sword? The ones who transport the Holy Sword are chosen precisely because they prioritize nothing else!” “…….”

Just what was up with Diago?

To think he fought me while carrying the Holy Sword, all to protect a demon child.

‘Well, that’s Diago for you.’

It was baffling that he’d protect a demon, but to do so while transporting the Holy Sword…

“Call it fate. Though… you seem reluctant to be tied to the sword. Perhaps it’s just a fleeting connection.”

-That woman’s insane. At this point, just show her! Why can’t you be both the Sword Hero and the Thief Hero?

Oh, that’s an idea.

The Holy Sword’s suggestion wasn’t bad, but I doubted others would approve.

At the Holy Sword’s words, the Guild Master smiled faintly.

She looked at me.

“Still, for a fleeting connection, it seems to have given you quite a lot.”

-Hah, of course! Do you know how much this brat has taken from me? And then he just hands it all over to that Holy Palace bastard? Unforgivable!

The Holy Sword grumbled.

Why were these two so hostile?

-It’s obvious. How many times has that bastard targeted the ones I’ve marked?

‘Marked?’

“Killed them, physically. Those ear-pierced freaks are good at that sort of thing.”

The Guild Master grinned as she spoke.

Meanwhile, Volkan looked utterly lost.

“From what I can see, you’re conversing with the Holy Sword?” “Yes…” “Was the information about Black Nether Lord from it?” “Well, sort of…” “I see. No wonder it was so precise for your intuition.”

Volkan nodded.

“Then those strange sword techniques and footwork—all taught by it?” “I’m currently learning breathing techniques too.” “Breathing?” “The Hero’s Breathing, they call it…” “Interesting. I was going to teach you the Crimson Flame Divine Art, but I suppose you don’t need it.”

Crimson Flame Divine Art?

That name was familiar.

-Hoh? So you’re the one who holds a grudge against the Volcano Sect? Well, the Crimson Flame Divine Art is worthy of being one of the pillars of the Hero’s Breathing.

“You’re permitting it, I see.”

The Guild Master’s voice was elegant.

Then she looked at me.

Her reptilian-like golden eyes locked onto mine.

“The Hero’s Breathing is an ancient technique that combines many divine arts. The Crimson Flame Divine Art should suffice.” “Hm?” “Since it’s also part of your duty, it should be fine. The Volcano Sect fell to demons and monsters, but you hold no attachment to it. You’ve been trying to raise a new successor here, haven’t you?” “…….”

At the Guild Master’s words, Volkan closed his eyes.

His expression was heavy with conflict.

“You’ve already found a successor, and that child may yet become the greatest in the Empire. Qinghe. It’s fine to pass on your divine art alongside the breathing.” “……Is that acceptable?” “Why ask me? The will of the Volcano Sect is already your will.” “…….”

Volkan looked at me.

I remembered what he’d told me before.

That he wouldn’t take disciples.

That he didn’t want his karma passed on.

But during the Crown Prince’s attack—

He’d told me.

If I became his disciple, he’d support me.

I’d accepted that offer.

And now—

“…….”

Volkan looked at me with complicated eyes.

“Sip.”

After Volkan and Han Yu-seong left—

The Guild Master quietly closed her eyes and drank her tea.

-Black Nether Lord would lose with 90% certainty.

The Holy Sword’s words hung in the air.

The being harming the labyrinth was that strong.

‘So, it’s still alive.’

What many had feared had come to pass.

The owner of the Gift that manipulated souls.

That being had waged war against the [Cradle] and the Empire.

Countless lives had been lost, but in the end, it was left half-dead.

It had fled into the labyrinth, but—

Centuries had passed since then.

The Twilight Guide, Azazel.

An empire had fallen.

Three kingdoms had vanished.

The worst catastrophe caused by a monster that nearly destroyed the Cradle itself.

The first Level 9.

And the worst Level 9 in history.

‘I’ll have to deal with it.’

The Guild Master.

The First Being opened her eyes calmly.

‘To uphold Mother’s will.’

To maintain the balance of the world.

Volkan took me to a secluded area.

An empty training ground.

Seven plum trees stood there.

“Do you know this? Many say the East is a world where the labyrinth has unraveled.” “Yes, I’ve heard.” “The West has the labyrinth suppressing them, but the East… you could say it’s a world where the labyrinth’s monsters roam freely.” “…….”

A terrifying thought.

Monsters from the lower floors were one thing, but—

If monsters from the 20th or 25th floor were unleashed?

It would be a nightmare beyond imagination.

Even I wouldn’t stand a chance against them.

And boss-level monsters would be even more destructive.

“The sect I belonged to was destroyed by one such monster. Others attacked too, but that was the final blow.”

“After that, I wandered the world like a half-madman. Lost in the Demonic Path, I killed, and killed, and killed again.”

“That’s why I didn’t want to pass this karma on. My martial arts are strong, yes, but I wanted this burden to end with me.”

He looked at me.

“After all this, you still won’t give up on this divine art, will you?” “Well, no.” “Heh… Good. Then from now on, you’re the 15th Grandmaster of the Volcano Sect.”

And then—

[Skill acquired: Crimson Flame Divine Art (A+).] [Skill acquired: Blazing Flower Divine Art (S-).] [Extreme Thunder God: Purple (S) has absorbed the Crimson Flame Divine Art’s properties.] [Skill level increased: Hero’s True Breathing.]