Chapter 299: On a Weapon's Will
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 299: On a Weapon's Will
What should have been a quiet and peaceful morning had become quite noisy, but I didn’t have any major complaints. Except, that is, for the fact that Jang Ye Ri and I were currently wearing nothing but robes. Jang Ye Ri wasn’t embarrassed in the slightest, but I, on the other hand, found myself shrinking back a little thanks to Choi Seulgi. It might have just been my imagination, but I felt like her eyes were scanning every inch of my body.
It wasn’t an unpleasant feeling, but it was certainly pressuring. No, if it were just Choi Seulgi, I could probably handle it. In truth, it was Isaac’s gaze, clinging to Choi Seulgi’s side from who knows when, that was more burdensome.
I’d noticed it during the kissing incident, but the libido of someone who had suppressed it for ten thousand years was surprisingly powerful. Isaac was so sensitive that even the slightest stimulus could make his nose bleed, and right now, his eyes were bloodshot. He couldn't tear his gaze away from my lower body, which was faintly visible through the robe.
He probably couldn’t even see much. Yet, perhaps without even realizing it himself, he was craning his neck forward, a sight that was more than enough to fluster me.
When I glanced over, I saw him restlessly fidgeting with his thighs and toes, seemingly overcome by some strange, unidentifiable emotion. He was even pinching his own thigh. Seeing this, Jang Ye Ri spoke up.
“Hahaha. What a lecherous little brat.”
At the sound of her voice, Isaac flinched as if startled. He looked utterly panicked, as if she’d hit a nerve, but he shook his head from side to side and opened his mouth wide to protest.
-Wh-who are you calling a little brat? I am the great Archmage Isaac, who has lived for over ten thousand years.
“Hmm, so this child is the staff. You don’t deny being a lecher, I see.”
-I-I simply see no need to deny it!
Jang Ye Ri quite enjoyed flustering Mev. Perhaps sensing that Isaac had a similar disposition, she wore an amused smirk. As I shifted my body slightly, my robe slipped down a bit. Isaac’s eyes, witnessing this, became intensely bloodshot.
Even Choi Seulgi reacted with disbelief at Isaac’s behavior. It was about time to start our actual conversation, so I picked up some suitable clothes. Absurdly, a flicker of disappointment crossed Isaac’s face.
A shut-in and a pervert. This was, in fact, part of the reason I had put a stop to Mev’s card games.
‘If Mev goes down the wrong path, she could end up just like Isaac.’
That was a situation I wanted to avoid at all costs. For Laveua’s sake, I had to guide Mev down the right path. I couldn’t let Mev become friends with Wilson [a volleyball from the movie Cast Away]. The phrase “I want to raise two children” is usually something the woman says, but in our case, it seemed to fit me better.
In any case, the slightly chaotic atmosphere caused by Choi Seulgi’s sudden intrusion had finally settled down. Feeling like we could finally talk, I turned to her and spoke directly.
“So, you found a way?”
“That’s right. To be precise, it’s a method with a high probability of success.”
“Hmm…”
Isaac would handle the detailed explanation. I looked at him, demanding an answer, and saw him flinch. To my embarrassment, he had still been trying to sneak a peek at my bare skin.
“Isaac.”
-Ahem… ahem… Yes, what are you curious about?
He spoke as if nothing was wrong, but his face flushed red, clearly aware of his disgraceful behavior. However, as he began his explanation, he reverted to his more serious expression. If he hadn’t, the title of Archmage would have been a disgrace.
-Ahem… Yes, it would be best to first explain about the weapons. Specifically, the armaments that undergo a process of choosing their master. I see four such items here. Of course, that makes five including myself. There is the Reaper’s Scythe held by that pale-skinned, large-chested woman. Then there is the Levatain and Dainsleif that you, Blood Dagger, possess. And finally, the dagger that Choi Seulgi is holding.
“I see…”
I had never explained the items I possessed. He must have a skill or magic like Item Appraisal.
-I classify these types of items into three categories. The first is the case of items that were created a very long time ago, have been used for ages, and have evolved over and over by resonating with countless masters. Ah! Rather than ‘evolved,’ it would be more accurate to say they have ‘earned the right.’ They gain special abilities and earn the right to choose their own master.
“Hmm…”
-The dagger Choi Seulgi is holding is one such case. It’s a dagger that has been passed down since my era. And one more—Dainsleif, which you possess, Blood Dagger, is the same.
“Interesting.”
It was a rather fascinating story. Whether he had an eye for appraising items or if this was simply the result of his long life, listening to his explanation of the weapons was quite enjoyable.
“Do you know their origins?”
-It is a demonic sword of death, said to drive its wielder to ruin. It’s likely a case where the desires of its users became imbued in it through useless traditions and legends, causing it to change. Furthermore, the hammer you also use is showing signs of ascending in rank. Though it has already ascended one stage.
“The Great Tribe Leader’s Hammer?”
-Correct. Depending on how you use it, it will be decided whether it ascends in rank or ends its life as an ordinary weapon.
It was just as I’d expect from the former Great Tribe Leader, Agar. The Great Tribe Leader’s Hammer was the weapon Agar had used his entire life. I had never heard of any items made and used by the Summoned here undergoing such a change. If I succeeded in awakening this hammer, things would get quite interesting.
“Then what about this greatsword?”
‘The Greatsword Too Large to be a Sword.’
It was the first item I ever purchased, and one I still favored. If the Great Tribe Leader’s Hammer had changed, I thought there was a chance this greatsword could change as well. It might sound a bit ridiculous, but perhaps an item bearing my name, like ‘Blood Dagger’s Greatsword’ or ‘Kim Taesung’s Greatsword,’ could come into existence. It was a dream-like possibility, so I naturally waited for his answer. However, the words that came from Isaac’s mouth betrayed my expectations.
-Hmm… The possibility isn’t zero. However, it will require a much longer time. I cannot judge with certainty, but it may not change within your current lifetime, Blood Dagger. Perhaps after you die, around the time the next user wields it, it might undergo a change.
To be honest, I was a little disappointed. Seeing me sigh, Isaac quickly spoke again.
-That’s not to say there’s no hope at all, so you need not be too distressed.
“…”
For some reason, his smirking face was slightly annoying. Seeing my expression, Isaac hastily cleared his throat and continued.
-And the second category is the case of intentionally created items. In this case, my Staff of Isaac is about the only example. This is when life is directly breathed into a weapon or item, making it choose its own master, or when it completes the master-selection process upon clearing certain conditions. It’s a bit much for me to say this myself, but in these cases, the probability of getting a dud is high. For instance, the functions might be poor despite it choosing a master, or it might fail to properly complete the process at all.
“I see.”
-I’d appreciate it if you didn’t look at me with that expression. This staff, which I have used as a vessel for my thought-form, is by no means a defective product.
“I get it, I get it. It has some strange aspects, but it’s definitely not defective.”
-Grrr…
“Continue your explanation.”
-I… I understand… Anyway, while there are many defective products in this category, when a proper one is made, it is incredibly efficient. It hasn’t been influenced by the passage of time, nor is it a product of chance, but rather it can be designed and created under a precise plan. Just like me. It’s also possible to implant a thought-form. The term ‘ego’ would be more fitting. In the case of Dainsleif, it at least underwent a positive change. In similar cases, there are demonic swords that drain your life force just by being drawn.
“Understood.”
I had used it without much thought, but this gave me a new perspective.
-The final case is when the origin is unknown.
“Hmm…”
-The weapons that fall into this category are the Levatain you possess and the Reaper’s Scythe held by that pale-skinned, large-chested woman over there.
Indeed, when I looked at the description for my Levatain, there was a distinct passage.
[An armament that the great desert warrior Dodrak discovered by chance underground.]
The Reaper’s Scythe probably had a similar description.
-In these cases, it is unknown who created them or for what purpose. No, in fact, it’s not even certain if they were ‘created’ at all. The most fitting expression would be a ‘gift from a god.’ They may have been slumbering in hard-to-find places for a long time, or they may suddenly appear and find a master on their own.
“Hmm… What about the Reaper’s Scythe?”
“It’s an armament I found myself in an ancient dungeon. It felt as if it was calling to me.”
Jang Ye Ri nodded and answered my question.
-It may be a bit bewildering, but they can even appear here out of thin air. I call such armaments divine gifts.
“A fine expression. You don’t know their origins either?”
-Correct. Think of it as being the same as asking why humans were born, or where they came from. Can you explain these things, Blood Dagger?
Of course, I couldn’t. On Earth, there was the theory that monkeys evolved into humans and the theory that a god created them. I personally trusted the former more, but you couldn’t find a single monkey anywhere on this continent. Of course, it’s possible they existed long before Isaac was born, but even without that, subjects like magic, summoning, and magical beasts still had unexplainable aspects. As I remained silent, Isaac spoke again, looking pleased.
-There are parts that cannot be explained. If a god truly exists, saying that a god bestowed them is likely the closest to the truth. In any case, all of these special weapons that have chosen a master select their wielder with their own purpose and thoughts.
“For example?”
-For example, in the case of Levatain, which chose you, Blood Dagger, it was zeal. For Dainsleif, it was blood. Those armaments judged that you met the conditions they sought and chose you as their master. As for the Reaper’s Scythe that Jang Ye Ri possesses… I believe it was the desire to kill someone.
Jang Ye Ri nodded.
“Then what about your case?”
-I-in my case, there are several things, but… ahem… I’ll explain next time… Th-that’s not what’s important right now.
He seemed to be stuttering and flustered, but I simply nodded. I felt like I could tease him if I pushed a little further, but the conversation we were having was more important.