The Demon Spear (Machang). 2

+++

“This is the place.”

As the four of them arrived at a room underground, the soldiers guarding it deeply bowed.

A mage stepped forward. When he dispelled the locking magic on the vault’s door, the thick iron door slid down with a grating sound: Grrrngngngng…

Inside, several mages, including the court mages, were striving to maintain a small barrier.

At the center of this barrier floated a crimson-colored spear, the subject of the seal.

Upon seeing it, Doyun’s eyes widened.

“The Cursed Demon Spear (Juhonmachang).”

Wielded by the infamous Demon Lord’s officer ‘Piercing Curse,’ this demon spear had claimed the lives of countless Alliance soldiers.

It was a spear all too familiar to the four who had fought against the Demon Lord’s forces for so long.

Following the court mage’s instructions, the barrier was dispelled, and everyone, including Dokkomuyoung and the Lion King, retreated behind Doyun. Doyun stepped forward four paces to face the spear.

Sizzle… Crackle…

As soon as the barrier was lifted, a ferocious demonic aura rapidly spread. The cursed spear thrashed about violently, as if displeased with its current situation.

In response, Doyun exerted his own aura. Sparks erupted as the opposing energies between Doyun and the Cursed Demon Spear clashed.

Crackle! Sizzle, crackle—

Witnessing this, the Lion King and Dokkomuyoung frowned.

“…Lord Enoch. It seems we may have to take measures to suppress the spear’s power, even if it means slightly damaging it. Its resistance is too fierce.”

Doyun shook his head at Dokkomuyoung’s suggestion and abruptly reached out to grasp the spear.

Crackle—!

Aaaargghhh—

The spear convulsed, unleashing its energy. An eerie sound, like something shrieking, echoed.

The ferocious demonic aura bored into Doyun’s palm like a burrowing insect, shredding his skin. The muscles of his palm were exposed, and the veins in his hand bulged as if about to burst. Soon, the aura that had seeped in crawled up his arm like wriggling worms.

Startled, the Lion King ordered the mages to take action, and the court mage hastily shouted:

“Mages!”

“Lord Enoch! Drop the spear!”

However, despite the commotion around them, Doyun and Vyuskr, who observed, remained impassive.

Doyun’s Dragon Heart ignited within his dantian. The pure and vast mana, harboring the divine beast’s energy, surged fiercely through his meridians towards his palm.

His energy and mana alone seemed insufficient to resolve this situation. However, Doyun’s willpower, which had grown even stronger after the Demon Lord war, was something this fallen, sinister object could not withstand.

At the very moment the mages were about to rush towards Doyun, the energy in his spear-grasping palm exploded.

Fwooosh—!

“Ugh!”

The mages flinched at the intense energy that expelled the demonic aura in an instant.

Immediately, the previously tumultuous room fell silent.

“…”

The crimson aura that had enveloped the Cursed Demon Spear vanished, as if washed away. Despite being grasped by a human hand, the spear no longer thrashed about.

Witnessing this, Dokkomuyoung narrowed his eyes.

‘Did he… subjugate the Cursed Demon Spear?’

In that brief moment?

Doyun fixed the spear in the air on the rack that had been holding it. Then, with his other hand, he caressed the shaft and deftly examined the blade and spearhead.

His palm, which had exposed muscle and bone, had already developed new red skin. Soon, flesh-colored skin smoothly covered his palm, restoring his hand to its original, unscarred state.

For Doyun, this was the extent of the damage. With the potent anti-demonic power and energy flowing in his blood, his vast mana capacity, high fortitude, and willpower, anyone else would have had their arm torn off immediately.

Holding the spear in his left hand, Doyun looked at his regenerated right palm with satisfaction.

‘This body truly is remarkable.’

It was the ultimate body formed by the karmic rewards of defeating the Demon Lord in his previous life. Now, with its potential fully ripened and further enhanced by the Dragon Heart of the Kyoryong, Doyun’s physical endurance was on par with even the Saint Kings.

Like his recent battle against Satan, this would allow him much tougher and freer combat.

Feats unimaginable in his previous life, such as withstanding concentrated bombardments while charging headlong into the enemy ranks, akin to the invincible physicality of Hecleus, were now possible for him.

“…Ahem, ahem!”

Soon, the Lion King cleared his throat, and the servants who had regained their senses brought what they had prepared.

A shackled dragonkin was dragged into the room amidst a soldier’s shouts.

“Grrrr…”

“Stay still!”

The one with a humanoid form glared at Doyun, gnashing its muzzled jaws.

Doyun approached the kneeling dragonkin and aimed the spearhead at its chest.

“Grrrr…! Grrr, mmph!”

Despite being bound in chains, it thrashed about, causing its chest to brush against the tip of the Cursed Demon Spear.

And in that instant, its body froze.

“!!”

The dragonkin trembled its stiffened neck as it looked down at its chest.

Where it had been scratched, the center of its chest festered. In an instant, pus and ichor spread out, appearing like bubbling lava.

With utter terror, it watched its body rot in real-time.

As Doyun then thrust the spearhead slightly into its chest, ripples emanated from that point, like throwing a stone into water. The pus and ichor instantly spread across its entire body.

“Gkrgh, ugh, gkrgh…”

Soon, the dragonkin, its skin covered in rot, convulsed with its eyes rolled back.

“Ughkh, gkrgrgrgr…”

Pop!

It burst apart.

Literally, as if its entire body had been a bomb structure from the start, it burst in an unrealistic manner.

Blood and flesh splattered in all directions, prompting the Lion King to snap his fingers. The filth heading towards Doyun and the others ignited and vanished right before their eyes.

In the now-quiet room, someone muttered in awe:

“Indeed…”

No matter that he was a legendary warrior, who could have expected him to tame the spear right here and now?

The Lion King and Dokkomuyoung, equally astonished, also regarded Doyun with meaningful gazes.

As the attendants moved to clean the walls, a grating voice briefly echoed through the room:

“Splendid.”

Doyun nodded in agreement with Vyuskr’s words. Indeed, it was a splendid spear, living up to its infamous reputation.

‘Upon contact, a powerful curse rapidly penetrates and rots the body.’

And a mere dragonkin could not withstand it, instantly meeting its demise.

That was just a light touch, yet the result was this. As the performance of a divine arm is greatly influenced by the user’s ability, it would undoubtedly prove quite useful when properly wielded.

‘That makes twelve spears.’

Doyun continued to amass power in preparation for the impending battle.

‘Perhaps now, truly…’

It might not be long.

If the Alliance succeeded in this northern advance, they could end the war in a very short time.

Or rather, they could face the Demon Lord herself.

The end was in sight. The end of this interminable war.

‘…’

Doyun caressed the spear’s shaft, lost in thought.

+++

In the training grounds, Brudhild swung his sword.

Doyun and Vyuskr retreated to the edge to observe him. Vyuskr was watching Brudhild’s posture.

With his arms crossed, Doyun fixed his gaze on Brudhild and spoke:

“It’s no joke, huh?”

“…”

Vyuskr answered Doyun’s words with silence.

Doyun knew his friend was deeply moved inwardly.

Brudhild’s age was around 120 years old. And Vyuskr’s age when he had held the title of Sword Saint before his death was around 30 years old.

While Vyuskr and Hecleus possessed the greatest talents under heaven, Brudhild had accumulated over a hundred years of war experience and cultivation, something Vyuskr had never achieved. It could not be dismissed.

As a result, Brudhild had reached a realm where he ranked third among the current warriors, excluding Doyun, and could contend with a Vanguard Commander within the Holy Stones.

“Your dream doesn’t seem too far off.”

Vyuskr’s dream was the moment when the disciple surpassed the master, the “blue emerging from the indigo” (cheongchuloram).

Of course, it was impossible for Brudhild to surpass the current Vyuskr. However, Vyuskr and Doyun both thought:

‘The me from a hundred years ago, before my death…’

Brudhild might soon surpass that.

If that happened, Vyuskr would witness with his own eyes the sight he had so longed to see.

‘Am I… dreaming?’

Vyuskr felt his mind daze with happiness at the mere thought.

Soon, Brudhild’s sword demonstration came to an end.

“Whew…”

Drenched in sweat, Brudhild let out a breath. It was proof that he had shown his all with his full effort.

Clap, clap, clap, clap.

Doyun applauded Brudhild as he approached them. Vyuskr simply gazed at his son silently.

Doyun could sense it.

‘Ever since Vyuskr arrived, Brudhild’s pace of growth day by day has become extremely steep.’

Even taking into account Vyuskr’s direct guidance.

Doyun could discern the difference.

‘Willpower.’

Brudhild’s goal in life, the path of the sword he pursued, was to fulfill his father’s dream of surpassing the master. The “blue emerging from the indigo” (cheongchuloram).

Perhaps his reunion with his father had greatly fueled his desire to grow.

He was striving to surpass his father from a hundred years ago, before his death. He wanted to show that father his progress.

At this moment, Brudhild’s willpower burned more fiercely than ever before.

‘A good sign.’

Doyun smiled with satisfaction as he watched Brudhild receive guidance from Vyuskr.

After finishing instructing his son, Vyuskr approached Doyun and spoke.

“Enoch.”

Doyun looked at the approaching Vyuskr.

The Vyuskr standing before Doyun simply gazed at him with empty eye sockets, but Doyun quickly understood his intent and grinned.

“Sure.”

He nodded.

A while later, the two stood facing each other at opposite ends of the training grounds.

“But, will you be alright? Didn’t you say you haven’t gathered enough power?”

“A sparring match is no issue.”

Indeed, Vyuskr’s sword stance showed no problems.

Vyuskr’s posture was no different from a hundred years ago, maintaining his unique stability, honesty, and impenetrable form.

Seeing this, Doyun narrowed his eyes.

‘…Did I underestimate him too much?’

It was natural for one to become weaker after becoming undead. Moreover, he was a mere skeleton, the lowest rank among undead.

On top of that, he had said he barely had any death energy (sagi) to manifest his power. For that reason, Doyun had not held high expectations.

However, at this level, even if they fought seriously, Doyun could not guarantee a complete victory.

‘Come to think of it, did that guy also receive the system’s blessing?’

Suddenly, Doyun became curious about Vyuskr’s status window.

While Doyun was contemplating this, Vyuskr aimed his characteristically chilling sword’s tip towards him.

Unlike Doyun, Vyuskr did not utter any casual remarks about showing his skills after a long time or confirming how much stronger Doyun had become.

He spoke only with his sword.

“Come.”

As Doyun nodded,

Shing—

The sparring match between the two reunited heroes began.