Chapter 413 |
It was the moment my heart—no, EternalFire—began to speak.
Sizzle! Crackle! Pst?!
Amazingly, the demonic energy that had been raging just moments before suddenly subsided.
EternalFire's words continued.
"Oh, Sura, dear—. It's been so long. But what are you doing here?"
Pzzt! Pzzzt!
"Oh, dear—. Look at this one. What's wrong with him...? It's me, EternalFire. I won't hurt you. Hm? Just be still now."
Pzzt...? Pzzt...
"That's right. There, there. Good boy—. Goodness. He was such a pure soul when I first met him a thousand years ago. How did he become like this?"
I could understand it retreating, since their auras were natural opposites. But for EternalFire to speak to it so fondly... that was something else entirely.
"Mercenary Lord! Mercenary Lord!"
"!?"
A booming voice, loud enough to shatter my eardrums, struck my ears. I blankly raised my head to see Gong Chan-ho, huffing and puffing.
"Mercenary Lord! A-Are you all right?"
"Ah—. Y-Yes. I-I think I'm okay. No, I'm fine."
I stuttered, still unsure of what was happening myself.
Shaking my head to clear it, I looked at Gong Chan-ho again. But by then, his gaze had already dropped downward, his face a mask of astonishment.
Following his line of sight, I lowered my head, and a truly bizarre scene met my eyes.
Fwoosh! Fwoosh!
Pzzt! Pzzzt!
The crimson black demonic energy that had covered my right arm like a coat of thorns was now enveloped by EternalFire's pure aura. The sight... It looked as if EternalFire were soothing Sura.
It was then.
"Hey. Companion."
Right around the time I felt the Suramachang's rampage stop, EternalFire spoke to me.
I quickly glanced at Gong Chan-ho and Seong Ha-yun. Both seemed too stunned to notice much, but if I answered out loud, they would surely find it suspicious.
'Can EternalFire read minds?'
In that case... EternalFire?
"Why are you bullying our Sura?"
What?
What do you mean? Why would I bully him?
"He's really angry right now, you know? He said he didn't like it, but you kept touching him. And on top of that, you tried to forcefully 'occupy' him?"
Occupy?
I thought that was a rather... intense choice of words for a spear, but I was at a loss for a reply. I didn't know what the Suramachang meant by 'occupy', but it was true that I had used a bit of force in my attempt to gauge its power.
"Hmph... You want to know its power, you say... I see. Fine. Then wait a moment."
As expected, she seemed to have read my mind. EternalFire told me to wait and then rippled gently like a wave.
"Hey, hey. Sura. Listen..."
"M-Mercenary Lord. Is this... Are you really all right?"
"Are you okay?"
When I glanced up, I saw Gong Chan-ho and Seong Ha-yun had moved closer. The worry in their eyes had faded, replaced by a look of wonder as they stared at my arm.
I composed myself for a moment, then gave the spear a twirl.
"Yes. I'm fine. For a second, I thought I was in big trouble, but thankfully my magic resistance held up..."
"I see. Then..."
Gong Chan-ho's expression became complicated. He seemed unable to decide whether my withstanding the backlash was a good or bad thing for him.
I clicked my tongue inwardly and added more.
"Yes. I've confirmed the extent of the backlash. If this goes to an official trial, I will testify about this matter."
"Thank you!"
"Not at all. It's the least I can do... Ah. By the way, this spear doesn't seem like an ordinary weapon. If you don't mind, may I take a closer look at it?"
"Of course. Hahaha."
Finally seeming at ease, Gong Chan-ho let out a hearty laugh. Hearing his laughter, I raised the hand holding the spear high into the air.
Still, it was truly terrifying.
Even when I read it with the Third Eye, I thought its stats were incredible. But holding it among humans, it was on a whole other level. Its form was just a simple staff, but the crimson-black demonic energy flowing around it was chillingly destructive.
Honestly, and objectively speaking, not a single one of the four swords I possessed was superior to the Suramachang. That's how powerful—or perhaps, how evil—a weapon it was.
"Companion. Get ready."
Just then, EternalFire's voice cut in again.
Get ready for what?
"You said you wanted to know its power, right? I asked it for you. So, just for a little while, the Suramachang will accept you as its master. That's why I'm telling you to get ready."
The Suramachang's master...?
"That's right. Ah. Looks like it's starting now. It seems eager to get away from you. Anyway, I'll help a little, but you'd better brace yourself."
Wait a minute. If I'm the master... Don't tell me!
Greatly alarmed, I immediately pulled up my user information window.
That very instant.
"It's starting."
With EternalFire's single phrase,
Kuduk! Kududuk!
The transformation began.
"Keuk!"
At the sudden sensation of my grip being torn apart, I let out a sharp groan. There had been no warning. It felt like a massive tidal wave crashing down without notice.
Kudududu, kudududu!
The demonic energy I thought had calmed down began to churn violently once more. From the left, an aura gushed out like a fountain, wrapping around the entire staff. From the right, an aura shot up like thorns, rising in powerful streams. It gradually thickened and began to form a single shape.
Gwooooh...! Gwoooooh...!
The storm of demonic energy, crashing like a tidal wave, soon overwhelmed the staff and swept through the surroundings. An immense pressure slammed into me, and my vision shook as if an earthquake had struck.
At the same time, a deafening noise erupted, and I felt as if I was drowning out someone's shouts.
"Kgh... I Keup...!"
I clutched my violently shaking right hand and squeezed my eyes shut. At the same time, I bit my tongue hard. My mind seemed to clear a little.
If I were to define the Suramachang's demonic energy from before as 'resistance,' what I felt now was different. It was as if it were saying, 'Take it if you can,' unleashing its power to the limit.
Fwoosh! Fwoosh!
If it weren't for EternalFire's help here and there, I would have lost my grip long ago. Enduring the suffocating pressure, I slowly opened my eyes.
Kiiieeeaaaah!
The Suramachang let out a ferocious roar that seemed to shake the very heavens, as if to declare this its true form. The long staff had completely transformed.
Its total length was about two meters. At the left end, demonic energy billowed madly, and a sharp, axe-like point jutted out. At the right end, a gently curving scythe blade glinted with an eerie light. The spike was about the length of a child's arm, and the scythe was large enough to wrap around a massive tree.
So this was the true form of the Suramachang.
Then, a message appeared in the air.
『The Suramachang acknowledges User Kim Soohyun as its true master!』
『Strength increases by 6 points!』
Simultaneously, a sense of fulfillment surged through my entire body. I trembled all over as I stared into the air.
Player Status
1. Name: Kim Soohyun (1-Year)
2. Class: Sword Expert (Master)
3. Nation: Free Mercenary (Free)
4. Clan: Mercenary (Clan Rank: Performance evaluation in progress.)
5. True Name - Nationality: Master of the Sword - Republic of Korea
6. Sex: Male (25)
7. Height - Weight: 181.5cm - 75.5kg
8. Disposition: Lawful - Chaos
[Strength 101(+8)] [Durability 92] [Agility 98] [Stamina 92(+2)] [Magic Power 96] [Luck 90(+2)]
My Strength stat... had become 102!
"Hah!"
Unable to contain this indescribable feeling, I let out an involuntary cry. How could I even begin to describe this emotion? Pleasure? Satiety? Liberation?
The feeling of chains that had bound my entire body being released at once was purely and utterly refreshing. My whole body felt invigorated. I no longer felt any pressure. Something inside me was changing dramatically. The magic power coursing through my circuits felt lighter than ever, and it was as if every single cell in my body had awakened to send me incredible strength.
This feeling, as if I could shatter anything that stood in my way!
It was then.
"Hey! Don't drag this out. The longer you do, the greater the backlash will be. You know what I mean, right?"
EternalFire's warning snapped me back to my senses.
"Hah... Hah...!"
My heart was still pounding with excitement, but I forced myself to calm down. I recalled the warning from my Third Eye.
The moment you think you've overcome it, the Suramachang will devour you.
"Hoo... Hoo... Hump."
I wouldn't have been able to hold this on long without EternalFire. Just as she said, there was no point in dragging this out. After a few deep breaths, I held the spear at an angle. The black scythe, radiating an ominous light, aimed at the cloudless sky. I stared at the blue expanse for a moment.
And then.
"Hup!"
With a sharp cry, I wrung the spear toward the sky with all my might. The energy that flowed along its trajectory quickly darkened and shot upward powerfully.
Kwakwakwakwakwakwa!
A terrifying demonic energy, the likes of which I had never felt before, roared as it ascended. It swept through the air, instantly soaring into the sky and stretching out long and thin. It was as if a long line had been drawn across the heavens.
Ssshk.
At that moment, even though it had only passed through the empty air, a chilling sound of something being sliced echoed out. Wondering what it was, I focused my vision, only to find my jaw dropping.
Crack, craaack!
The demonic energy mercilessly split the sky.
And the scene revealed beyond the split sky was dark and empty...
...Yes. It was like looking into outer space.
7. Yoo Hyun-ah's Shadow.
Night had fallen. I lay in bed trying to sleep, but it wouldn't come. Feeling an inexplicable sense of emptiness, I let out a soft sigh.
Several days had passed since I returned from the Academy. But comparing the time I was at the Academy to the time after I returned... what should I call it? It felt like I couldn't adjust. I hadn't been there even for a full day, yet it felt like I had experienced so much.
"I met Gong Chan-ho... brought back Park Hyun-woo... and even held the Suramachang..."
Go Yeon-ju had ultimately made a provisional judgment of not guilty for Gong Chan-ho. However, Kim Min-hee's clan had requested a hold, so the official announcement was merely delayed. Everything was dramatically changing. The magic power coursing through my circuits felt lighter than ever, and it was as if every single cell in my body had awakened to send me incredible strength.
A moment later, as I was meaninglessly clenching and unclenching my right hand, I fumbled around my bedside. My fingers soon found the rustling texture of a report, and I picked up the paper and unfolded it before me.
[Exclusive] Chaos at the Academy. Following Instructor's Death, the Sky Itself Splits? Inexplicable Phenomenon Leads to Surge in Users Visiting Temples...
A surge in users visiting temples, huh. Come to think of it, I'd been summoned about three times myself. Seraph was probably tearing her hair out by now.
I'll have to visit the temple soon, I thought with a faint smile.
And then, the emptiness returned.
I knew the cause of this hollow feeling. It was because, a short while ago, my Strength stat had risen to 102 points. I just couldn't forget the infinite power I'd felt then, that incredible sense of liberation.
Perhaps because of that, now that I was back to normal, my body couldn't seem to adjust. In other words, I'd had a 'taste' of it.
"Maybe I shouldn't have given it back."
Of course, that wasn't an option. Gong Chan-ho's weapon was already widely known due to the death of the instructor, and the Suramachang disliked me as well. If it hadn't been for EternalFire, I wouldn't have been able to split the sky. I would have thrown it away, unable to bear it.
I let out another long sigh. After clenching and unclenching my right hand for a while, I thought suddenly occurred to me, and I spoke bluntly. The target was my own heart.
EternalFire.
"Hm? What is it?"
EternalFire replied as if she had been waiting. I was startled by her quick response but managed to calm myself. When I thought about it, EternalFire had always appeared suddenly.
"If you called, then speak. Don't just be surprised."
At EternalFire's chiding, I calmly collected my thoughts and began the conversation.
Right. You said that if I wanted to use you properly, I should raise my Stamina to 101.
"I did."
Then... what if, just hypothetically, I raised my Stamina to 102, or even higher? What would happen?
"Hmmmm..."
Would you change, like that Suramachang?
"Who knows? I don't think I'm obligated to tell you. And I shouldn't say yet, anyway. In any case, it's difficult to answer."
At EternalFire's direct refusal, I pursed my lips. She was right. EternalFire and I had a companion relationship. I was the one borrowing her power; it wasn't a one-sided arrangement.
"Hmph. That's right. At least you know your place. Anyway, is there anything else you're curious about?"
Something I'm curious about. I thought for a moment and soon recalled something.
Come to think of it, you came out when I held the Suramachang, right? And you came out on your own before, when I was facing the Dragon Flame.
"Yes."
Thinking back, you often appeared when fire was involved. Is that in any way related to your appearance?
"Not at all. With the Dragon Flame, I came out because I thought you were in a bit of danger, and also because I thought it was a little arrogant. And Sura was a child I looked after long ago."
Is that all?
"Yes. That's all. It's not like I always appeared whenever you faced fire, right? For example, that time you fought some woman in the forest, or during the war."
At EternalFire's straightforward answers, I nodded.
"There has to be a certain class to the company I keep."
Class, huh.
But, if you're talking about the forest, do you mean Baek Seo-yeon? She should have been of a high enough class for you.
"Don't be ridiculous."
Her Supreme Flame could be considered the best among flames wielded by humans...
"How absurd. Explain to me why I should have to deal with a flame that's merely the best among humans."
EternalFire's voice was brimming with pride. It occurred to me that if she had a face, she would be scoffing right now.
"And speaking of which, let me take this opportunity to tell you: you need to fix that habit of trying to rely on me for every little thing. Hm? Do you have any idea how annoying and pathetic that is to you idiot. And..."
Seizing the moment, EternalFire fired off her words nonstop, like a machine gun. I had nothing to say on that front, so I could only blink blankly.
......
She used to leave after just a few words, but today was different. On and on she went. All I did was ask about 102, and this is what I get.
As I endured EternalFire's nagging, a bitter taste in my mouth, a single thought suddenly flashed through my mind.
"Ah. Of course. I'm ah-soletely not saying this because I'm worried about your body..."
Then why are you in the body of a mere human like me?
It was then. EternalFire's voice, which had been chattering nonstop, abruptly cut off. Just as I was guessing she had left as she pleased, just like before, I suddenly felt a hot energy swirling inside my body.
Fwoosh! Fwoosh!
The energy flowing from my heart instantly took over my magic circuits. It then began to flow and move at a frantic pace I couldn't follow.
"Ugh. W-Wait a second."
As I raised a white flag, EternalFire's movements stopped.
"Hmph... Hmph..."
As the words escaped my lips, I could feel that EternalFire was incredibly angry about something.
"What's with you all of a sudden?"
"You listen here."
Fwoosh! Fwoosh!
A single stream of flame leaked out and pressed against my nose.
"The only reason I lend you my power is because I was taken with your desperate will at that time. Hmph? Did I say anything?"
"Hey. Did I say anything?"
"You idiot. Hmph! Just get ready to go out soon!"
Fwoosh!
When I retorted in disbelief, EternalFire shot out a large burst of flame and vanished. Watching the embers scatter, I shook my head vigorously. So this is what it feels like to watch your fire with fire.
Anyway.
"I have no idea."
I stretched wide and yawned. My body had become unexpectedly warm, and now I just felt drowsy. A moment ago, I couldn't sleep, but now I felt like I could drift off if I just closed my eyes.
I tossed the report aside and slowly closed my eyes. As I waited for the darkness to settle in my mind, I mulled over my conversation with EternalFire.
Come to think of it, her last words were... get ready to go out? What did she mean by that?
And, at that very moment.
Wooooong...!
A magical alarm blared, loud enough to shake the entire Mercenary House. I shot up in bed. This was...
It was the security magic I'd installed in the third-floor warehouse, activating.
Touching my hand to my earring, I shot into motion.