episode_0085

The Demon Sword, capable of granting its wielder absolute victory.

Simultaneously known as the cursed sword that leads its wielder to ruin.

Despite its formidable power, it comes with substantial penalties.

For instance, it may shorten the user’s lifespan or deteriorate their health—a penalty of such nature.

Of course, in the game, penalties were imposed differently.

It restricted usage by depleting stamina with each swing or heavily consuming mana, thus limiting its use.

While possessing it grants immense strength,

the losses incurred are significant, hence it was not commonly used as the primary weapon in the game.

It was more like drawing a Joker card occasionally for fun.

Therefore, using the Demon Sword as the main weapon came with many constraints, making it an underutilized weapon.

However, now is not the time to be selective.

To become even stronger than now, one must borrow the power of the Demon Sword.

As Balkan cautiously held the sword emitting ominous energy and gazed at it, he continued speaking.

“…This sword is named Gluttony, also known as Greed.”

“….”

I never expected to see this sword directly.

The Demon Sword Balkan wields is one of the swords I frequently used in the game.

The Greed Sword.

However, this Demon Sword is a hidden item that requires a special event to obtain.

To trigger this special event, one needs to have completed other prerequisite quests or have a good relationship with Balkan.

The Sword of Gluttony is not an item easily obtained.

‘Why is he showing me this?’

Could it be due to changes in the acquisition route because of an update?

But for now, there is no way to know.

Though it feels somewhat unsettling, being shown this sword now might…

actually be an opportunity.

“The Demon Sword isn’t something easily acquired. Why would you show me this sword?”

“….”

His eyebrows, usually raised in comfort, gradually furrowed downwards, resembling the expression of someone longing for a departed loved one.

“Someone who used to wield this entrusted it to me, and I’ve kept it until now. But now, I can’t return it to them anymore.”

“….”

Yet Balkan, concealing his sorrow, began speaking as if unaffected.

“So, what I mean is… this Demon Sword is currently ownerless.”

“….”

“This sword places minimal burden on the user compared to other Demon Swords. However, it has its own challenges…”

“What are you trying to say?”

“We lack the materials. Kid, to make the sword you mentioned, we need a special mineral with high heat resistance. While the materials we have are good, creating the sword you desire is beyond reach.”

“So, the reason for showing me this sword…”

“It’s a bit hard to explain verbally. Follow me for a moment.”

“Alright.”

…

Following Balkan, I stepped out to the training ground near the workshop.

With few people around and no nearby buildings, it was an ideal place to test magic or swords.

There, following Balkan, various tools and a scarecrow to test weapon performance were set up.

Balkan stood in front of the wooden scarecrow, grasping the hilt of his sword and adjusting his stance.

“Balkan, what are you suddenly doing?”

“Just wait, kid. You’ll see in a moment.”

-Swish

After saying so, he drew his blade from the scabbard.

With a somewhat clumsy motion, he horizontally struck the scarecrow.

-Thud

The scarecrow’s body fell to the ground.

The cutting was done very neatly. Balkan, who hadn’t properly learned swordsmanship, effortlessly sliced through the thick scarecrow made of wood as if cutting a piece of paper.

Moreover, he did so with a pure cut devoid of any magical energy.

Truly, it was an immense power.

A power befitting the name “magic sword.”

However, with strengths come weaknesses.

Approaching the fallen scarecrow on the ground, emitting a sinister aura, he brought forth the sword that exuded a menacing presence.

As he did so, the form of the sword, which had a blackish glow, began to distort.

Gradually, taking on a grotesque mouth-like shape, it started to gruesomely devour the scarecrow before it.

In this manner, the magic sword devoured the entire scarecrow and then howled in search of its next prey.

-Keiiiiik, kkagagak

Like the sound of nails scratching a chalkboard, the magic sword emitted an unpleasant noise.

In response, Balkan, tossing aside a nearby sword, began to feed the sword.

“….”

Certainly, it’s a bit different from what I knew.

In games, it was merely about draining health or mana.

Here in this world, is something else required?

Well, the penalties in games were relatively weak compared to the magic sword.

After consuming all the feed, Balkan, calming the now quieted magic sword, spoke up.

“You’re a student at the academy, so you should already know the law of equivalent exchange.”

“I know. Why are you asking me that?”

“The name of this sword is Gluttony. As you’ve wielded this sword, you must provide it with sustenance, just like you saw earlier.”

But if it devours anything…

Does it consume magical energy or even blood from people?

Curious, I asked him.

“What if I can’t provide sustenance or satisfy its hunger?”

“…You won’t see a pretty sight. That’s why it’s a bit demanding to wield this sword.”

Saying so, Balkan handed me the sword.

“Well then, give it a swing, kid.”

“….”

“Why are you hesitating? Are you afraid of wielding a magic sword?”

“No, I’m just pondering what to strike.”

In truth, there was only one thing I could strike here.

But it seemed a bit pricey, so I was contemplating whether to strike it or not.

With a chuckle, he pointed out a sturdy-looking armor nearby.

“It’s right there, a sturdy one.”

“….”

“Kid, this magic sword has good durability. You don’t need to worry about it breaking. Even if its durability drops significantly, feeding it will restore it.”

“Got it.”

Now that I’ve received confirmation.

It should be fine to break the armor.

Taking the sword from him, I drew the blade from its sheath.

-Shrrr

Making a chilling sound, the true form of the magic sword began to reveal itself once more.

A sharp blade exuding a deep black light, as if materialized darkness.

From the handle to the blade and even the sheath, the magic sword gleamed entirely in black.

As I gazed at the sword exuding a sinister aura as if possessed, a creepy sensation crept down my spine.

‘This is the magic sword.’

Gripping the sword, it felt like a thick darkness was creeping over my body.

A chilling sensation that seemed to gather at my fingertips, eventually culminating in this cold feeling.

I contained the eerie sensation at my fingertips, regulating my breathing.

“Hoo…”

Calming my mind, I closed my eyes.

Closing my eyes, I composed my body.

And then, I contemplated.

The reason why I must wield the sword.

“….”

As Balkan said, a sword is a tool designed to kill.

To slash, to stab, a weapon meant to inflict harm on others.

I am well aware of how contradictory my words are—claiming to protect using a weapon crafted for killing.

How absurd of a story.

But I can’t just stand still like this.

I’ve received help from so many people.

People who have become so, so precious to me.

I don’t want to see them die.

I don’t want to see them hurt, in pain.

To protect them, I might have to hurt someone and cause pain to someone as well.

But if that’s what it takes to protect my people.

I will move forward even through thorns.

“That is the path I must take.”

As I opened my eyes once again, I adjusted my stance.

And focusing my magic at the tip of the sword in my hand, I slowly infused my magic into the cursed sword.

Then, the voracious blade, once activated, began devouring all the magic flowing through my body.

Yet, undeterred, I conjured blue flames on the sword.

– Hwaaaaah!

The intense flames, burning fiercely as if revealing one’s anger to the world, continued to blaze vigorously.

However, it wasn’t long before those flames began to dwindle gradually.

Consumed by anger, the fierce and difficult-to-approach flames, much like the ones I first conjured, dwindled weakly.

Though warm, it was a feeble flame, slowly fading like a pitiful ember.

But that flame never went out.

Unlike usual, the flame burned even bluer and more intensely.

Enveloping the raging sword like a lost puppy, it sat there growling fiercely.

And I swung the sword as it was.

…

Watching the spectacle of the blue flames, Balkan started muttering with a disappointed laugh mixed with resignation.

“…What in the world is this? Is this really a student attending the academy?”

Unbelievable.

I merely told the kid to take off his armor.

That should have been it…

But the sword wielded by this black-haired kid… left no trace of anything that was once there, incinerating everything in its path.