The Price of Curiosity

"Status Window!"

‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠

The status window, appearing as a square frame, displayed the names of the two weapons I’d just acquired in bold, fresh text.

Azure Dragon... Sword, White Tiger... Sword?

This...

Could it be? If there’s a Black Tortoise Sword and a Vermilion Bird Sword... does that mean I’ll have the four swords of the Four Divine Beasts?

"Hey! What happened! Where’s my sword!?"

"...Hold on. I have a feeling this is a crazy-high-grade sword...? I might not be able to appraise it..."

"A... a crazy-high-grade... sword!? Ah, hurry up!!!!!!!!!!!! What do you mean you can't!? Do it now!!!!!!!!!!!!"

As I stared at the status window with a frown, the impatient Cheonma threw a noisy tantrum, urging me on.

Ugh! That ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠"do it for me, do it for me" attitude!

Since I pulled it out for them to see, it’s hard to claim it as my own property... so I couldn't even try to push back and refuse to interfere.

Let’s start by pulling the Azure Dragon Sword out of the inventory...

Seeing Cheonma, who was obsessed with swords to the point of madness, I knew I had to appraise it quickly.

I closed the status window with a wave of my hand, assumed a posture to support the weight, and imagined summoning the Azure Dragon Sword from the sub-space.

Squelch, squelch—

Something black and viscous slowly bubbled up, fully revealing the Azure Dragon Sword in my hands before vanishing instantly.

And... as soon as the black substance disappeared, the Azure Dragon Sword revealed itself.

It was a 150cm sword with a deep blue blade and a hilt intricately engraved with a dragon pattern. A small dragon, a miniature version of the one I saw when I first acquired it, was coiled around the blade.

The moment the small dragon locked eyes with me, it let out a roar so deafening it made my ears ring.

As if... to prove that it was a legendary blade.

KROOOOOOOOAAAAAAR!

Stunned by the roar from the small dragon on the sword, I stood frozen, unable to move a muscle while holding the blade.

Should I call it a "Dragon Fear," like they describe in fantasy novels?

While I was physically pinned down by terror, unable to do anything but breathe, the heroes who had been huddled around me to get a look at the sword had scattered the moment the roar erupted. They were now standing at a distance, eyes full of wariness, glaring not at me, but at the sword in my hands.

Hey, guys...

Are you really going to abandon me and keep your distance like that?

We’re... companions, aren't we?

I’m pretty disappointed.

I felt a bit hurt, but... ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠I still had a job to do.

Hiding my disappointment, I held the Azure Dragon Sword with both hands and used the Appraisal skill for the sake of Cheonma, who was desperate for the results.

"Item Appraisal!"

Whoosh—

Ding!

With a sensation like something soft opening in my eyes, a system notification chimed in my ears, and information appeared before me.

...Unknown...

And what?

Coins... 1000?

And it doesn't even guarantee success?

What kind of incredible item costs 1000 coins just to check its stats!

1000 coins isn't exactly pocket change...

Just how ridiculously good is this thing?

Is it... God-tier or something?

And why does appraising an item cause physical pain and bleeding?

This is just unfair... Ugh, this is filthy...

It’s really hard to make a living after being discharged from the military.

As a sigh escaped my lips, I suddenly remembered my platoon leader back in the army.

It was the day before my final leave... He called me over for a cup of coffee and said,

'Look, Sergeant Kim. The military is better than society, so don't go out there and suffer... just re-enlist instead of discharging.' ...Was he right?

Is it a life of suffering, bleeding, and sweating while surrounded by noisy beauties?

Or... is it the right path to become a career soldier in a barracks full of men?

Wait a minute...

Eodum, have you lost your mind?

What are you thinking right now?

Think about it carefully... Would I have had any contact with beauties like these in my previous life?

How can I even compare beauties to the military?

They’re in different leagues!!!!

It’s not even worth considering.

The former is the only choice!

I mean... in ancient dynasties, there were kingdoms that fell because of beauties... and I’m comparing that to the military?

This is why the military is a dead end. You just end up looking for the easy way out!

Huh?!

A little bit of pain(?)... huh? Isn't this level of sacrifice worth it to be qualified to stay with these beauties?

I’m just whining while being blessed!

Get a grip, Kim Eodum!

While I was collecting my thoughts, the heroes slowly crept back toward me, keeping a wary distance as they examined the Azure Dragon Sword.

"Sword-sword-sword-sword-sword-sword-sword, a sword with a dragon inside-side-side-side-side!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! That’s mine!!!!!!!"

Kreeeee!

The moment an excited Cheonma reached for the blade, the small dragon let out a sharp, cat-like hiss, reacting defensively.

"Cheonma. Why do you insist that sword is yours? It looks to me like the sword is wary of you. It seems... like a sword without a master... I’m quite interested in it myself."

"Hey. Then you pull one out too. Why are you interested in my property? Get lost! And it’s not just any famous sword, so isn't it obvious? It’s our first meeting. I have to tame it gently. Ah~ I’m overflowing with happiness."

"Wow... look at this blade! The way the blade is crafted... wow... is it really... this precise? To think you obtained such an absurd sword... with your own abilities, young master...? Who exactly are you...?"

"Is this... called the Azure Dragon... Sword? Wow... there’s a dragon on the sword! I’ve never seen anything like this... How can such a sword exist? A dragon is dwelling inside the sword...? No famous sword in history has ever shown something like this...!!!"

"Haa, haa, haa... I don't know how many times I’ve been shocked today... I won't be able to sleep tonight... seriously... haa..."

"...Sword... dragon... cu, cute... me too..."

Guys...

I hate to rain on your parade, but... you can't use it. Better to rip the bandage off quickly... I decided to tell the heroes the truth, especially Cheonma, who would be the most disappointed.

"Uh... guys, I’m sorry, but..."

"...?"

"You can't use that right now..."

"What!? Why!? Why-why-why-why-why-why-why-why-why-why-why-why-why-why-why-why-why-why-why-why-why-why-why-why-why-why-why-why-why-why-why! It’s my sword! Why can't I use my own sword!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

Just as predicted, Cheonma rushed over and grabbed me by the collar.

Heh... that was all part of the calculation, Cheonma.

"Because... my current ability isn't enough to appraise this incredible sword... and if it’s not appraised, it can't unleash its proper power."

"........Do it."

"..Wh, what?"

What did she say?

Did she just... tell me to do it?

No, right?

Cheonma, please tell me I’m wrong...

Hurry!

Please, regain your senses!

But my voice couldn't reach Cheonma, who was already blinded by the Azure Dragon Sword.

"Appraise it now! Are you... are you harboring dark intentions toward my Azure Dragon Sword!?"

"..."

Cheonma...

I know nothing about swords... I only know how to swing them...

What would I even do if I ran off with that sword... huh?

Why have you become so greedy!

You’re so excited that your rational thinking is paralyzed!

Did the Gacha... have such a ripple effect that it made you, who reached the peak of the Murim, lose your mind like this!?

Unaware of my inner turmoil, Cheonma glared at the others, keeping them in check in case anyone dared to touch her Azure Dragon Sword.

"Cheonma..."

"...What. Hey! Hwaryeon! Take your hands off my sword! Huh!?"

"Look... it costs 1000 Gacha Coins just to check the info once, okay?"

"Take your hands off! Huh... checking the info... costs... 1, 1000 coins!?"

Cheonma, who had been busy keeping Hwaryeon away from the sword, opened her eyes wide in shock at the unexpected number of coins I mentioned.

Aha! If I push a little harder, she’ll suggest doing it later. Let’s drive the nail in!

"And even if you spend 1000 coins, it doesn't guarantee the info will be revealed."

"...Th, th, then...?"

"It means the appraisal can fail. If it fails... that means 1000 coins just vanish into thin air."

"....That’s...."

"So, let’s do it next time..."

"No!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I hate it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Do it now!!!!!!!!!!"

"..."

Cheonma threw a tantrum like a child, demanding I do it right now.

Ha... do you really have to see me bleed (literally) to be satisfied?

You guys are always saying you’ll tie me up if I get hurt or bleed again.

Sigh... I guess it’s better to die in the arms of a beauty than anywhere else...

Sighing inwardly, I attempted the item appraisal again.

"Ha... fine. Item Appraisal!"

Ding!

A system notification chimed, and a screen appeared asking if I wanted to proceed with the appraisal.

I looked at Cheonma steadily and answered.

"Yes. Please proceed."

Ding!

I carefully held the sword upright and, like those antique appraisal shows I used to watch on TV, scanned every inch from the tip of the blade to the end of the hilt to fill the gauge.

Ding!

I was just turning the sword to scan the other side when—

Sting!

"Argh!"

A sharp sensation pierced my eye, and I couldn't help but let out a short scream as I covered my face.

"Wh-what! Why... why are you doing that! Are you okay?"

Cheonma, who was so serious about the item, was unexpectedly the first to rush over and check on me.

Following her lead, I could hear the footsteps of the other heroes approaching, clearly worried.

"Ow, what is it?"

The moment I lowered the hand covering my eyes, I felt something flowing down my cheek.

Drip, drip—

I touched my cheek and pulled my hand away to check; there was blood on my fingers.

Wow... is this... blood tears...?

Just like me, the heroes were flustered the moment they saw my face.

"Wh-what! Why is blood coming from your eyes!"

"Merlin! Try healing him. Hey! If it’s too much, do it later! Why are you doing that like an idiot!?"

"Honestly... why don't you ever think about your own body!"

"...I’m trying to heal him, but there’s no improvement! What is this?"

"..."

"Anyway... Cheonma, because of your greed, the young master is suffering again!"

Perhaps it was Judang’s final words that woke Cheonma from her obsession with the Azure Dragon Sword... she hung her head, looking ashamed.

Ah... I really hate seeing them like that.

"Hey... are you crying?"

"What...?"

"I did this because I wanted to. Don't say anything else to each other. Got it?"

"Bu-but!"

"I was prepared to get hurt, bleed, and all that from the start, because I need to try various things to understand my own abilities. So don't be like that."

After firmly shutting them down so they couldn't argue anymore, I turned my gaze back to the item and examined the sword to fill the remaining gauge.

Drip, drip...

Plop...

Plop...

Plop...

The blood flowing down my cheek fell to the floor and began to pool.

How much longer did I scan every nook and cranny...

Ding!

...Hmm.

"Cheonma."

I reached out and gestured for her to come closer.

"Huh?"

"Come here. It’s time to check the results."

"Uh... uh-huh! O-okay!"

Scamper, scamper, scamper!

Cheonma, who had used her movement technique to appear by my side in an instant, couldn't look me in the eye and spoke quietly.

"Th-that... I’m, sorry... I didn't know... it would be like this... blood tears... because of me... I’m really sorry..."

"...I told you it’s fine... are you still hung up on it? Then treat me well later."

"Treat... you well...?"

"Yeah. Next time."

"At night... ? ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠Treat you well... wh, wh, wh, wh... what...? Don't tell me... that!? Ack!!!!"

"..?"

?

What?

"Cheonma. What did you say?"

"N-nothing!"

"It doesn't sound like nothing... your face is red, though?"

"I said it’s nothing! Just do it quickly. You’re still bleeding from your eyes."

Cheonma, who answered sharply to my question, urged me to finish the appraisal quickly with a flushed face.

"A-alright... I will confirm the item appraisal!"

Dum-da-da-dum, dum-da-da-dum, dum-da-da-da-da-dum!

Now, confirming the item appraisal!!!

Ding!