episode_0013

If you were to choose the strongest weapon obtainable in a hero-themed game, undoubtedly, you would choose the Holy Sword and the Dark Sword.

As a weapon that the protagonist somehow acquires and uses within the story, it often possesses tremendous power.

“Couldn’t you obtain it in the game?”

However, in the game “Heroes and Party Members” that I played, no matter what I tried, I couldn’t obtain it, right?

There was no information about the Holy Sword, and although there was some information about the Dark Sword, it had the setting that only demons could use it.

Therefore, when playing the game, I never even thought about using that weapon…

“I must obtain it.”

Currently, I am in a state of being a demon, and I was qualified.

So, I couldn’t afford to miss out on such a valuable weapon as the Dark Sword. My magical power had stabilized to a certain extent, and now was the time for me to obtain the Dark Sword.

“Are you there?”

I entered the library of the Demon Castle.

After a while, someone spoke.

From an outsider’s perspective, it might seem like I was talking to thin air right now, but of course, I wasn’t crazy or anything like that.

“It’s been a long time since we’ve had a guest.”

A magic circle formed below, revealing a young girl.

She had ominous deep purple hair and was dressed in a Gothic-style outfit.

“Welcome, Sir Ronan.”

Her name was Epherthe. She had been managing only the library since the existence of the Demon Castle thousands of years ago.

Epherthe politely greeted me.

“You recognize me; you are quite remarkable.”

She seemed quite surprised by me knowing about her existence because there are hardly any demons who know about her. Basically, she just manages the library without revealing herself.

“I know because there is a way.”

Well, of course, I cleared all the stories in the game and explored all the areas I could go to, so I knew.

While searching around the library, thinking there might be something in the empty shelves, I found Epherthe.

At that time, I learned from her that the Dark Sword exists in the demon realm.

“So, what is your purpose for coming here?”

“I have a question to ask.”

“What is it?”

“The location of the Dark Sword, Sekripa.”

Of course, I also knew that only demons could use it, so I had no choice but to give up immediately, but now things were different.

Now that I am a demon, I qualify to use the Dark Sword.

This time, I asked Epherthe about the location of the Dark Sword. She would undoubtedly know the location.

“…It’s truly surprising that you know about the Dark Sword…”

Once again, Epherthe looked surprised.

“It feels like you’re not the Ronan warrior I knew…”

She fundamentally hides in the library and observes this world.

There was a setup that she knows a certain amount about Ronan. Therefore, she couldn’t help but find me quite fascinating.

“I didn’t come here to hear such trivial stories.”

I understand perfectly well why she was surprised and amazed. But I didn’t come here to listen to such stories, you know?

I was starting to get annoyed. Whether she finds it amazing or not, let her think about it herself, and I hoped she would answer quickly.

With a slightly impatient tone, I urged Epherthe.

“Oh… I apologize. I will provide you with information about the Dark Sword. As the current Ronan warrior, you are a demon, so you are qualified to possess the Dark Sword.”

Upon hearing this, Epherthe recalled her position once again and began telling the story of the Dark Sword.

I was currently in the position of one of the Four Generals of the Demon Army. Although she held a somewhat independent position within the demons, she still had the obligation to treat me appropriately as one of the Four Generals of the Demon Army.

“It’s probably this book. The book the hero wants.”

Light began to emanate from her hand. Then, shortly after, a book flew from a corner of the bookshelf and landed in her hand.

That must be the book about the Dark Magic.

“But, I’m just worried.”

I was about to take the book, but before that, Epiferte seemed to ask again if I was really okay.

“Worried?”

“Yes. Because Dark Magic is dangerous.”

“What’s so dangerous about it?”

“Well… I’m not sure how to explain…”

In response to my question, Epiferte hesitated for a moment but then started to explain to me.

“No one has survived with Dark Magic, Sekripa, until now.”

She explained that Dark Magic is something that inevitably brings destruction.

“It’s said that it takes everything away when accompanied by Sekripa.”

It’s a somewhat dreadful legend surrounding Dark Magic.

“Well, that’s somewhat distorted information. Dark Magic doesn’t have such a function. But there are reasons why such legends are attached to it.”

However, she added that it’s all just legends that have been exaggerated.

“Dark Magic is fundamentally quite unsustainable. It may possess attractive power, but there’s no being that can handle it.”

The truth about Dark Magic seems to lie in the difficulty of using it.

“The more you use it, the heavier the burden on your body becomes.”

As an extraordinary weapon, it must be handled with extreme caution.

“Yet, unable to give up its power, it ultimately leads to destruction.”

Even knowing this, one ends up having to kill the owner due to the irresistible allure of Dark Magic.

“Knowing all this, does Hero Ronan still seek to obtain Dark Magic?”

After explaining what she knew about Dark Magic to me, Epiferte looked somewhat worried.

Are you really okay?

‘I expected it to be dangerous.’

Will it really be okay? I never heard this kind of information while playing as Hero Ronan.

After hearing additional details about Dark Magic from Epiferte, I too felt a bit scared.

‘She’s really good at keeping secrets.’

I felt like I understood why they kept it hidden.

Well, if it wasn’t dangerous to begin with, they wouldn’t have kept it hidden. They must have been using it for their own benefit.

I had many concerns, but I reassured her.

“It’s fine.”

Because I was a hero.

“I’m not the kind of person who would be dominated by a sword or something like that.”

Heroes inherently possess various impressive abilities, so there shouldn’t be a need to worry.

If it were an incomplete Ronan, I might have worried, but the current Ronan is not someone who could be dominated by a mere sword.

“Quickly hand me that book.”

If Dark Magic was so powerful, he would have become a demon king, ruling the world as both a demon king and a hero.

I firmly stated that it didn’t matter, and Epiferte smiled slightly upon hearing my words.

“Yes. Here it is. Hero.”

And she handed me the book.

“To the east of Demon King’s Castle…”

Reading the book, it seemed that the location wasn’t as far as I had thought.

“Alright. Thank you.”

Now that I knew the location, there was no need to delay.

I planned to depart immediately and headed towards the bookshelves.

“Hero Ronan.”

As I was about to leave, Epiferte called me once again.

“I had a very enjoyable meeting today. The more I know, the more fascinating you are, Hero Ronan. I will keep a closer eye on you in the future.”

Epiferte seemed quite satisfied as she waved her hand.

Externally, it sounded very affectionate and kind… But in the end, wasn’t it implying that she would continue to watch me closely in the future?

“Do as you please.”

I felt a little annoyed, but that’s just how things are in this world. It must be a cute level of stubbornness. Do as you please.

Accepting Epirte’s greeting with a nod, I headed towards the table.

And immediately moved to the location marked on the map.

“Is this it?”

After walking through the deserted field for about two hours.

I was finally able to reach the place marked on the map.

“Hmm…”

At first, it seemed like there was nothing visible, so I thought I had come to the wrong place…

Fortunately, that wasn’t the case.

“This is it.”

It seems it was hidden.

As I approached the place marked on the map, it felt like passing through an invisible dimension.

“This is where the Demon Sword is located, the Hell Dungeon.”

After passing through the dimension, a completely different world unfolded before me.

If I clear this dungeon, I can obtain the Demon Sword, right?

[Please set the difficulty level.]

Normal: EXP↑ Reward↑

Hard: EXP↑↑ Reward↑↑

Very Hard: EXP↑↑↑ Reward↑↑↑

Hardcore: EXP↑↑↑↑ Reward↑↑↑↑

Extreme: EXP↑↑↑↑↑ Reward↑↑↑↑↑

Insane: EXP↑↑↑↑↑↑ Reward↑↑↑↑↑↑

Tournament: EXP↑↑↑↑↑↑↑ Reward↑↑↑↑↑↑↑

When I entered the dungeon, I was given a total of 7 difficulty levels to choose from.

Does the reward system vary depending on the difficulty level?

Choosing the right option is more important than anything else, as there are 7 divided choices.

“Of course, Tournament.”

And naturally, that choice was the highest difficulty level.

What’s there to hesitate about?

I clicked on the [Tournament] difficulty.

[Tournament difficulty has been set.]

[The Demon Sword and Secreepha are confirmed to appear as rewards.]

And thus, the dungeon began to change accordingly.

“Shall we go get the Demon Sword?”

There’s no better preparation than obtaining the Demon Sword for the upcoming war.

Confidently, I stepped into the dungeon.