Chapter 39
Chapter 39
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 39
Chapter Title: Bug Something
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"You don't have what it takes to be my master!"
The sword embedded in the rock declared firmly.
Its voice echoed through the dimly lit cave.
I let the sword's words go in one ear and out the other as I stepped toward it.
Splash, splash.
The sound of my feet stepping into puddles rang out.
"Master?"
"No one I haven't acknowledged as my master can pull me from this rock. You're not worthy of wielding me."
Did this thing set up a rule where only its chosen master can pull it from the rock?
What a pain in the ass.
"Can't I just smash the rock?"
"Ha! If you can, go ahead and try."
The sword scoffed mockingly.
Seems like the curt type of anomaly.
Before smashing the rock, I tossed out a question I'd been curious about.
"Why won't you acknowledge me as your master?"
"Because you're not evil enough. I only obey those more wicked than myself. You're too damn nice."
"Hmm, so you only listen to bad guys. You're a weird one."
"Blab all you want."
I've heard tales of swords that only heroes or good people could pull.
A sword that only the wicked can wield?
Strange tastes for an anomaly.
I slowly approached the sword until I was close enough to reach out and touch it.
I gently gripped the hilt.
"Persistent little bastard, aren't you? You can't pull me out— Huh? Ack, aaagh!"
Rumble—.
As I lifted the sword rock and all, the sound of the stone rising echoed through the cave.
True to its word, the blade wouldn't come free, staying buried in the rock just as it was.
It likes bad guys but doesn't lie, apparently.
I swung the rock-embedded sword around to test it.
Whoosh—.
The sound of it cutting through the air rang out.
"W-what the hell are you doing, you bastard! Who'd have thought you'd pick me up with the whole rock. No manners at all! Put me down right now!"
"Nope."
I'd originally planned to shatter the rock by force and take just the sword.
But seeing it suffer stuck in the rock changed my mind.
Guess I'll carry it around like this.
I swung the sword this way and that.
"Aaaagh! What the hell are you? I'm dizzy, stop it! P-please, make it stop!"
I kept swinging it through the air for a while.
The sword screamed at first, but its cries gradually grew quieter.
When it went completely silent no matter how I swung it, I stopped.
"Ugh. Finally stopped. I underestimated you because you look like a kid, and boy did I regret it. Hiding that ridiculous strength..."
"Will you acknowledge me as your master now?"
"No. I only recognize those more wicked than myself as masters. That's an unbreakable rule, no matter what."
"Fine, then I'll just carry you around like this."
I headed out of the cave carrying the rock-embedded sword.
The hazy sky had cleared, pouring down bright sunlight.
First tool acquired: the sword that severs souls.
"Hey, strong guy."
The sword's tone had softened considerably.
Manners training must've worked.
"What?"
"I can't stop you from carrying me like this, so I won't complain. But keep one thing in mind."
Suddenly, the sword adopted a serious tone.
Screaming its head off just moments ago, and now putting on airs.
"While I'm stuck in this rock, I can't use my true power. In other words, carrying me around won't do you any good."
"Got it."
A brief silence followed my reply.
Breaking the quiet, the sword asked slyly,
"That's all? No reaction to not being able to use my power if you can't pull me out?"
"So?"
Why does this sword keep yapping about useless crap?
I didn't come for it because I needed its power anyway.
"You saying you don't need my power?"
"I don't."
"What...? If you're not gonna use my power, why'd you take me?"
"Wanted it."
"Huh?"
"Just wanted to collect it. That a problem?"
"So you're treating me like some souvenir?"
"Oh, good analogy! Yeah, a travel souvenir."
For the first time since we met, instead of grumbling nonsense, it came up with a decent comparison.
It's kinda helpful, in its own way.
"I'm no souvenir! My name is Valerius Ghostblade! The demonic sword that cleaves the souls of all creation!"
The sword suddenly yelled in anger.
anomalies that state their names aren't common, so it felt a bit novel.
"Bug...? What? Swords have names?"
"Valerius Ghostblade! Not bug!"
The sword shouted loud enough to hurt my ears.
I never even asked its name, so why's it suddenly pissed?
Normally I'd just eat it, but right now I wanted to show off to Se-hwa.
I held back the urge to devour and headed back to where Se-hwa was.
Lee Se-hwa sat on a rock by the trail, catching her breath.
"You're back! Uh... what's that in your hand?"
Se-hwa spotted me, started to stand, then froze in an awkward pose.
She pointed at the rock-embedded sword in my hand with one hand.
"The sword we were looking for. It has a name too. Bug-something, right? That was it."
"Valerius Ghostblade. Not bug."
"Whoa! It talks?"
Se-hwa looked shocked that the Valer-whatever could speak.
Plenty of anomalies talk, so why the surprise?
"Surprised an anomaly talks? That's new."
"Well, the term 'three tools' made me assume they were anomaly objects. But now it seems they might just be anomalies that look like tools."
I set the sword down in front of Se-hwa, and the ground shook slightly with a thud.
Se-hwa examined the rock-stuck sword, then leaned in to whisper in my ear.
"Why's it stuck in the rock? Is that its true form?"
Why whisper this?
No reason to whisper back, so I answered loudly.
"It says only someone it acknowledges as master can pull it out. It didn't acknowledge me, so I brought the whole rock."
Since everyone could hear, Se-hwa looked flustered for a second but soon sighed softly.
Then she politely addressed the sword.
"Mr. Valerius Ghostblade? How do I become your master?"
"I only acknowledge those more wicked than myself."
"What about me? Do you acknowledge me?"
Se-hwa walked up to the sword and stopped in front of it.
The sword seemed to observe her slowly.
I have no idea how a sword without eyes observes someone, but that's the vibe.
"51 points. Fail. You're too ordinary."
"I-is that so? Ahaha. Not sure if I should be happy or sad about that."
Se-hwa smiled awkwardly and stepped back from the sword.
She then grinned at me.
"Anyway, looks like we found the item. Good job, Seo-hwa!"
"Heh. Piece of cake."
Yi Seo-hwa. The second nickname Se-hwa gave me.
"Still, carrying that sword down the mountain is gonna draw eyes..."
Se-hwa trailed off, glancing at me slyly.
"Can you store it for me?"
"Sure."
Show-off time's over, no reason to lug around this bulky thing.
I approached the sword slowly to store it.
"Hm? Store? I haven't been pulled out yet, where are you gonna—."
I opened my mouth to the perfect size.
"W-what are you doing?! Sorry, I'm sorry! I'll be good, just spare me!"
"Don't worry. You won't die."
"Gaaah!"
The sword let out a final scream and vanished.
I could've been tempted to digest it after tasting, so I swallowed it whole without a sample.
"Nice one, Seo-hwa. First objective cleared."
After that, we descended the mountain together.
Se-hwa was so exhausted she limped the whole way, making the hike down take forever.
Gotta make her exercise next time.
"Haa~. Finally done with the hike. Never went on one even while working a desk job, and now this."
At the mountain entrance, Se-hwa stretched.
We walked to her car together.
"Gonna rest up today. Seo-hwa, where's the next spot?"
When I hinted at the next destination, Se-hwa's steps halted.
"That's... overseas."
"Surprised the next one's overseas? You're so naive, Se-hwa. No way all three tools are in-country."