Chapter 375
Chapter 375
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 375
Chapter Title: God's Atlantis
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“This sword has too much malice built up in it. It's right on the verge of turning into a demon sword. It looks like it's made from dragon scales... Unless you've massacred humans in a short time, this kind of thing shouldn't happen... This blade is dangerous.”
“Dangerous? What do you mean... A sword is just a sword, isn't it?”
“Unless you're a master smith, it's hard to gauge a sword's condition. Don't you get headaches every time you swing it, or feel an inexplicable surge of murderous intent? You've probably even felt the urge to harm yourself.”
“No. I haven't felt anything like that...”
I wondered if Damons was lying. From what I could see, the Hwaranbi Sword looked perfectly fine. Even now, it still did. There was no ominous vibe that screamed 'demon sword'.
“But is it really at the point of becoming a demon sword? I've never heard of weapons turning into yokai just from killing a lot of monsters.”
“Looks like you don't get it. Let me explain in more detail. The 'malice' I mentioned is what we call deathly resentment. Things like fear, murderous intent, hatred, despair, rage—negative emotions like that. Monsters mostly act on instinct, so even if you kill hordes of them, resentment doesn't build up.”
“...So you're saying it clings easily when you kill people.”
“Exactly. In a case like this, you'd have to slaughter hundreds for it to reach this level...”
Damons eyed me warily. I played dumb.
“So how do you keep resentment from sticking to a sword?”
“Maintain it properly and consistently. But cases like this are rare. Usually, the blade shatters before it gets this far, or the resentment flakes off during repairs. This sword must have been an exceptional blade for it to turn into a demon sword like this.”
I thought it over quietly.
To me, the Hwaranbi Sword was still just a reliable weapon—one I had a lot of attachment to. Even if it became a demon sword, I had no intention of discarding it. And if it did transform, wouldn't that actually benefit me?
“Doesn't it get stronger when it becomes a demon sword? I could handle some minor side effects.”
“Minor side effects...? You're underestimating demon swords. Do you think they're called that for nothing? Driving the owner insane is just the cute part—they ultimately drag everything into ruin.”
“But it still makes the weapon stronger, right? I can handle the side effects. What do I need to do to turn this into a full demon sword?”
Damons shook his head at me like I was pathetic.
“Turning into a demon sword doesn't make the weapon stronger. It just corrupts it. For example, its elemental enhancement could twist into something undesirable.”
Elemental enhancement. From what Damons was saying, the Hwaranbi Sword didn't just boost lightning—it amplified other elements too. News to me.
“...If it changes, what would it turn into...?”
I felt uneasy.
“No idea. Probably something curse-related, I'd wager.”
“...”
I ran the numbers in my head. What were the odds of it gaining something better than elemental enhancement?
'...And I can't be sure the side effects won't affect me. It hasn't fully transformed yet, so maybe that's why...'.
More than anything, I really liked its elemental boost.
I made up my mind and looked Damons straight in the eye.
“How do I get rid of this resentment?”
Damons's face lit up.
“So you've realized the danger of a demon sword! The best way is to reforge it and purge the weapon. But... with this much resentment built up, simple reforging won't cut it. You'd need a priest's blessing... or a large quantity of holy water.”
“...”
Priest and holy water.
Acquiring them wasn't impossible. Money would cover it. But to get a priest, I'd have to leave the sector and come back—spatial transfer scrolls didn't work here or nearby, so it'd take at least five days.
For a priest, I'd need Elena's permission again to bring one here. Both money and time would cost more than expected.
As I racked my brain, something clicked.
“What about this? It's holy water, but a slightly different kind.”
“Hm? Let me see it.”
What I handed him was the Holy Water from the random gacha. Different from this world's, but still holy water.
It popped up occasionally in pulls, so I had about four bottles stockpiled, unused.
Damons examined the Holy Water closely from every angle.
“It's a bit different from what I know, but it's definitely holy water. We'll give it a shot. Should have some effect.”
“You'll do the reforging?”
“Aren't you Duke Elena's knight? This much is only natural.”
Damons grinned.
“Besides, rare jobs like this are fun. Don't you think?”
“You sneaky Damons! Keeping all the fun to yourself again?!”
“Wasn't planning to. These don't come around often, so we should all pitch in, right?”
“Right! Let's all do it! Hahaha!”
I glanced behind the dwarves. Dozens of empty beer bottles littered the floor. Somehow, each had downed two or three.
'They won't cause an accident working drunk, will they?'
I was anxious, but I had no right to interfere with the dwarves.
Life as a guest of the Ironroot Dwarf Clan was decently comfortable. The dwarves treated me like an honored visitor, sharing their unique cuisine and tales. Not really my taste, but I kept a straight face.
“Sung Yu-jin. Is His Grace the Duke well?”
“His Grace is in good health.”
The dwarves were very interested in Elena. Despite their racial differences and her rule over them, they harbored no hatred—only respect.
Rumor had it Elena had saved them from being plundered by a greedy demon.
'...Is that a dwarf woman? Hard to tell men from women.'
Even the women had beards and stocky builds. The only real difference was breasts, but in proper clothes, it was tough to spot.
I'd once peeked on dwarf women bathing. Definitely not my type.
Breasts protruded but weren't large. Waists were straight, no curves; hips didn't flare. Private areas were thick with hair like chin beards. Genitals were human-like.
'Ah, I want a woman. A real woman!'
I'd just returned from reality after sex with Han Ha-rin, but I craved holding a woman again. My real body and this one were entirely separate.
I couldn't bring myself to jump a dwarf woman. I wasn't that desperate, and just looking at their faces would wilt my dick.
“Sung Yu-jin. We have a problem.”
Damons showed up at my lodging with a grave expression.
“What happened? Is something wrong with the Hwaranbi Sword...?”
“No, not that. The reforging is going smoothly. The holy water's effect is better than expected.”
“Then what's the issue?”
“We're short on materials. A young dwarf messed up inventory sorting, causing a mix-up in the warehouse. We have enough for the sword, but... we're way short for the armor.”
“...Should I go to another sector and buy iron ore?”
“Iron ore? We use ironwood. And it's not iron we're short on.”
“Then what are we missing?”
“Sap from the white ironwood tree. Without white ironwood sap, ironwood is just ordinary iron.”
“Can't we just make it without the sap?”
“Is that really what you want? Without it, even A-rank armor drops to C-rank. That okay with you?”
“...”
Two whole ranks down? No way that was fine. This was a serious problem. Luxury goods turning into mass-produced junk?
“No solution?”
“Normally, we don't enter the ironwood forest this time of year. Monsters and ghosts are rampant... But with your help, it might be doable.”
I stood up. With no women or tasks around, my body was itching for action anyway.
“What do you need me to do?”
The ironwood forest behind the village was eerie.
Even in broad daylight, thick fog blocked the sun, with leafless iron trees sparsely embedded in the ground. The floor was black and hard. As we entered, the temperature plummeted—like a cool dawn.
I walked the ironwood forest with Damons.
“Aren't you afraid of the ironwood forest?”
“? Why would I be?”
“This gloomy atmosphere breeds fearful delusions, and those cold iron trees stir primal dread—that's the ironwood forest. Especially this thick fog. This time of year, even we dwarves avoid it.”
“Hm. It is spooky. But anything that comes out here is just monsters, right? Kill 'em and done.”
“As expected of the Duke's knight—brave. Let me tell you a fun story. Last time, a young dwarf entered, pissed himself like a kid, slipped in it, fell, and passed out. Then a banshee possessed his body and went berserk.”
“That's supposed to be fun?”
“That kid'll be teased forever now. Not funny?”
“Sure. Hilarious.”
I was indifferent. What did some young dwarf have to do with me?
Damons seemed awkward at my reaction, shut up briefly, then spoke again.
“The ironwood forest has three types of monsters. ...Did I mention that?”
“You said ghosts act up but didn't get specific.”
“Precisely: banshees, monster rats, and ironwood trees.”
“Ironwood trees are monsters too?”
From what I knew, ironwood was just a tree with iron properties—a mystical wood that became iron when properly smelted.
“Ironwood spirits. Banshee-possessed ones. Hard to distinguish from normal trees, so they're the most dangerous. Watch out.”
Strictly speaking, there seemed to be two monster types in the ironwood forest: monster rats and banshees.
“Monster rats aside... How do you take down banshees or ironwood spirits? From what I saw in the village, you don't have many warriors.”
“Well... Oh, here's a banshee.”
Wooooooh...
A banshee materialized in the air. A pale, gaunt female ghost with no eyeballs, her body fluttering like paper. Zero sex appeal.
Crackle.
As I summoned lightning, Damons charged ahead.
“You asked how we dwarves beat banshees? I'll show you.”
Damons rushed at the banshee with his hammer. Small stature, but fierce as a tiger and nimble.
Kieeeeeek!
The banshee unleashed a curse— one that dulled the mind and slowed the body. I resisted with mana, but Damons just barreled through. The curse couldn't stop his legs.
“Where you going! You filthy, repulsive, stinking skirt-flapper! Die! You ugly hag!”
Damons swung his hammer at the banshee.
I figured it wouldn't work. Ghost-types like banshees are immune to physical attacks unless mana-infused.
But what followed defied my expectations.
Gyaaaaaak!
The banshee screamed and plummeted to the ground.
“Rest now!”
Damons hammered away relentlessly. The banshee couldn't hold out, dissolving into smoke. A bit of blue powder remained.
“Whoops. Better collect it before the wind takes it.”
Damons crouched and swept up the powder.
“No mana signature... How'd you beat the banshee?”
“Forgot what us dwarves excel at?”
“...What does drinking beer have to do with it? Is beer the banshee's weakness?”