episode_0004

Sword.

It was the first time I had seen the actual object, although I had seen it numerous times through various media, it felt strangely unfamiliar.

In modern times, an item that requires a permit just to possess. That item, which can only be used as a murder weapon, or rather, a weapon is swinging towards me.

Swinging the sword. The determination contained in that act transformed the sword, originally just a weapon in the medium, into a real murder weapon.

Unlike the feeble attempt at killing that Penny showed earlier, my body shrank in the face of the intention to kill, and my mind was filled with thoughts of death.

A sword with a gloomy blue light draws dozens of trajectories and leaps into my embrace.

In my mind, I knew I had to avoid it immediately, that I had to make even a slight resistance by lowering my body, but my body didn’t follow my thoughts.

“Am I going to die?”

Death. It felt regretful that there wasn’t much time left in the ominous future that I didn’t want to accept, as if one second had stretched hundreds of times longer.

The sword touched my body. Thinking that I might die like this, I closed my eyes, but…

“Huh?”

What followed wasn’t the sound of flesh being torn apart or the sensation of my mind and body bidding a sad farewell.

“What?! (Experience Acquisition: 17 individuals)”

Just before the sword could touch my body, it was blocked by an incomparable white light.

How should I describe this light? It felt like gathering all the whiteness of this world, filtering out and condensing the purest white infinitely, emitting warmth akin to the sun.

When everyone, including myself, was taken aback and confused by the sudden appearance of the light, it began to gather in one place and took on a new form, and a name flashed through my mind.

“Seongsoon (Holy Shield) Uni.”

A gigantic pure white shield that no one except a virgin can surpass is grasped in my hand.

As if I had known this shield from the beginning, I couldn’t help but be amazed by the familiar sensation.

Yuni was a massive shield that covered my upper body, yet I didn’t feel any weight.

Without any time to be startled by the sudden wave of information, the sword came rushing at me again.

“..Mudada.”

However, the swords swung by the knights from all directions were blocked by an invisible barrier as if it had stopped on its own, without touching me.

This is the power of the pure Yuni. It only accepts what is pure and rejects anything impure.

To put it in a way that even foolish knights following a tyrant can understand, it only receives the first attack (virginity) and defends against all subsequent attacks (non-virginity).

“No attack can penetrate me!!”

Only the initial strike reaches Yuni; any attack that has been defended against will be blocked by Yuni unless it is destroyed or a new weapon is drawn.

In other words, unless I allow an attack to hit me, such as being hit by a fist instead of a weapon, I don’t bother mentioning the fact that the attack was successful.

Because I am not a stupid idiot who blabbers like a self-proclaimed martial arts master about their own abilities and weaknesses.

“Hey!! Come at me again!! You bastards, come at me!!”

Did they have the courage to aim their swords at a powerless cook but lacked the courage to point their swords at an invincible warrior?

Even I, who was unaware of the sudden change, saw most of the knights hesitate and step back.

“Aaargh!!! (Experience gained: 9 people)”

Occasionally, a few knights, praised as brave with good words or called idiots with bad words, swung their swords again, but no matter how many times it was repeated, the result was the same.

Unlike the automatic doors that are nothing more than rags, the pure white shield that only accepts the pure did not forgive anything impure that touched its body.

“I have to find a way to get out of here somehow….”

I had memorized the structure of the castle in my head as I came to this room. It was thanks to that anticipation that I thought this situation might occur.

“Get out of the way, you bastards!!”

Pushing aside the knights blocking the path with Yuni, I rushed towards the door.

“Huh?”

However, when the sudden sense of weightlessness came, it took away my freedom along with my physical strength, and my body slowly began to fall to the ground following gravity.

What on earth is happening? My eyelids are getting heavier. Overwhelmed by the rushing waves, I couldn’t resist any longer and closed my eyes.

*****

As if splitting my head with a headache that felt like it would last forever, my eyelids that seemed permanently shut began to open.

Once I regained consciousness, the inertia that had rushed through my entire body before I fainted still remained, stealing vitality from me.

“Damn it…”

Is it because having such powerful abilities consumes a lot of stamina?

Well, it doesn’t make sense logically that an ability created for some unknown reason would have even this level of limitation.

By the way, where am I? Although I seem to have somehow survived, I don’t feel completely unharmed.

The room was dark and damp. From various places, I could hear the sound of rats squeaking and water droplets falling. Is this an underground place?

Considering the wicked nature of that tyrant, it would be reasonable to think of it as an underground prison.

To be imprisoned here just because I defended myself against violence, damn it, is this Korea?

“Ugh…!!”

I wanted to immediately get up and beat the shit out of those bastards, but my body didn’t obey me.

Well, even if I manage to get up again, it’s useless with just a shield.

“What will become of me now?”

It’s not entirely unexpected. It’s just that the expectation leans towards something unfavorable.

Now that I’ve shown my usefulness, it’s not impossible to build a favorable relationship unlike in the past, but honestly, it’s unlikely.

If it’s this otherworldly Dongtak, it wouldn’t be strange at all if he realizes my danger and tries to kill me.

Damn it… That’s why you should be careful with your words in front of a tyrant. I should have realized it, not just with my wife but also when I slept with 78 other women.

“When I get out, I’ll give that bastard a punch and leave…”

“What?!”

“Huh?”

The response to my solitary complaint was probably the only good man in this world.

“Hero!! You’ve awakened!”

An old man in shabby attire holding a splashing basin. Priest Jarvis, who worships the goddess of purity, knelt before the window and continuously shouted my name.

Perhaps it was because of the resounding voice from underground that my eyebrows involuntarily furrowed. Sensing the subtle change in expression, Jarvis hurriedly covered his mouth with both hands.

“…Did you come to take care of me?”

“Oh, yes… Although there are no injuries, you have expended a great deal of energy. It’s natural to faint suddenly after wearing the Holy Garments.”

“Holy Garments?”

“Holy Garments refer to equipment made by blessings, such as the Holy Sword or the Holy Shield that you used, Hero. In moments of crisis, your potential awakens, turning them into excellent shields.”

“..Awakening. I never expected to hear that I awakened while still alive….”

Unintentionally, I chuckled to myself, and Jarvis, who didn’t understand English, tilted his head.

“…Anyway, for now, rest your body. You’ve been unconscious for two days.”

“Come to think of it, I’m feeling a bit hungry….”

“I will immediately inform His Majesty and prepare a meal for you.”

“Should I give proper food to the person I imprisoned?”

“Hahaha, Your Majesty was deeply impressed by the power you demonstrated, Hero. I’m sure you’ll be released soon.”

“Well, I hope so….”

Will that really happen? If it were me, I would probably kill him right now.

*****

“Hmm….”

Galleon closed his eyes, imagining a spectacle that could be called a reproduction of the myth that unfolded during the day.

The competition to subdue the Demon King, which repeats every hundred years, shaping the continent’s destiny. The Kingdom of Vergina has been preparing meticulously since ancient times for this moment.

They have made great efforts in nurturing talents to provide the necessary strength and receive the gods’ choice.

However, the century-long effort crumbled unexpectedly due to unforeseen variables.

“The Kingdom of Vergina has been chosen by the god of purity.”

The capriciousness of the goddess of purity, who has never bestowed a hero since her inception until now.

In addition, the chosen hero is not a young warrior who has accumulated years of training but rather a commoner who has never properly wielded a sword before.

When Galion realized that all the efforts passed down from his ancestors had been in vain, he gave up everything and awaited the next century.

However, the moment he witnessed the invincible ability displayed by the hero today, his thoughts changed.

Honestly, there is no change in the fact that he still lags behind other heroes. The possibility of the pure-hearted hero defeating the Demon King before the others is slim.

But it is not an impossibility. He could take advantage of the exhaustion from battles with other heroes.

Even if he cannot defeat the Demon King, his power alone could give him a significant advantage in negotiations after subduing the Demon King.

“Should we start by improving our relationship immediately?”

After a moment of contemplation, Galion raised his head. Just then, news arrived, uncertain whether it was a good or bad omen.

“Your Majesty, it is reported that the hero has awakened.”