The Ego Weapon
Rune's answer made Perdikion nod and turn his body.
"Then let's head back. But how do you plan to explain this to the others?"
"...I'll handle it later. Keep it secret for now."
Even for Rune, figuring out how to tell Heungmi would take some thought.
"...Understood."
If circumstances allowed, Jed might pop up occasionally, but for now, this was enough.
"Uwoong. Rune-nim!"
"Piiik!"
Returning to the lair, Rune found Baekya and Heungmi awake.
Heungmi stretched her arms high overhead, yawning with an innocent face before smacking her lips.
Rune watched her fiddle with her black ears, grooming them.
"Feeling peckish?"
"Yeah! I'm hungry, Rune-nim."
Gurgle.
Right on cue, her stomach rumbled.
"Yeah. Let's grab something to eat. Big bro coming too?"
"Of course."
"Baekya, you too."
"Pii!"
Baekya gave a curt chirp and flew to perch on Rune's shoulder.
Dullahan returned to the Black Room, while Rune guided the others to the table and brought out food.
"Waaah! So pretty. Rose and seashell shapes? Amazing!"
'Seashell and flower macarons'—clearly Christina's handiwork.
Lemon, strawberry, vanilla flavors—decent-sized shells packed with buttercream, perfect for Perdikion and Heungmi.
"Dig in. You too, big bro."
Rune, who only enjoyed sweets in moderation, had just eyed these desserts made for Heungmi.
Perdikion picked up a yellow rose-shaped lemon macaron, took a bite, and nodded.
"As expected from Lady Christina. Better recovery than most potions."
"So good! Heungmi woke up to strawberry flavor!"
"Pweee!"
Heungmi's eyes sparkled; her cheeks flushed cat-like as she clutched one with her hand.
Baekya happily pecked at its bird-shaped cookie.
Rune sampled one, then grabbed plain nut bread and slathered it with butter.
One bite filled his mouth with nutty aroma and thick butter texture—like a festival.
"Hyaah. Heungmi is suuuper happy."
Her ears perked, cheeks rosy; she snatched a butter cookie beside the macaron.
"Don't just eat that. Have some dinner bread too."
"Okaay!"
Licking her lips at Rune's words, Heungmi swiftly spread cream cheese on sliced bread.
She topped it with ham and cheese, making a big open sandwich bite.
"Haaap!"
Heungmi chewed with a happy "Mmm~!" and excited snuffles.
She made two more—bread with butter, ham, cheese—and placed them on Perdikion's and Rune's plates.
"Heungmi made these! Try them! Super tasty!"
Her ears perked to the tips; she grinned with anticipation.
Perdikion and Rune exchanged glances.
"Thanks, I'll dig in."
"Hm. Let's eat well."
Rune and Perdikion replied in turn, picking up the sandwiches.
Rune expected richness, but it was fragrant and nutty instead.
The salty ham and cheese umami were spot-on.
'The butter really brings out the bread.'
Christina's skill, honed over a century of spare-time cooking, shone through.
At this point, it deserved "century-old tradition" status.
'Lucky Christina kept cooking steadily.'
The joy of eating breathed life into potentially dull routines.
Not just anyone could infuse magical effects into food.
"How is it? Super tasty, right?"
"Indeed. You won't find food like this anywhere else."
Perdikion chimed in; Heungmi's pink eyes sparkled as she looked to Rune.
Meeting her expectant gaze, Rune played along.
"Yeah. Delicious. Thanks to you."
Heungmi's mood soared; her two tails swished with a happy smile.
"Baekya, wanna try this?"
"Peep!"
Baekya flapped white wings and waddled over on tiny steps.
Heungmi tore bits of sliced bread and held them to its beak.
"Here!"
"Pii!"
Peck peck.
It grabbed them with its beak, placing them on the table to devour.
"Tasty for Baekya too, right? Let's share with Uncle Jed later!"
"... ."
Rune instinctively glanced at Perdikion, without Heungmi noticing.
The red-haired fire dragon boy silently stuffed his sandwich.
Rune's mood soured.
'Heungmi... she'll be sad if she learns she can't see Jed anymore.'
Besides, she'd notice something off soon, even without Rune saying.
Heungmi and Jed were oddly close; they messaged often via Mokoji Stone.
No quick replies from speedy Jed would raise flags.
'Then she'll come looking for me, saying he won't respond.'
Watching Heungmi and Baekya innocently share food, Rune pondered.
No intention to lie.
But tough questions ahead—he needed to prepare mentally.
'Better read the will first.'
Rune stood.
"Bro, gonna sort my stuff. Watch them for me."
"Go ahead."
Perdikion grasped the intent and approved.
Rune nodded thanks and rose; Heungmi and Baekya watched with wide eyes.
"Heungmi'll help sort!"
"Peep!"
Sweet offer, but Rune shook his head.
"Nah. It's my stuff—personal. Besides, you got stronger while sleeping. Tell big bro how much."
"Hm. I'd like to hear."
Heungmi's eyes lit up.
"Yay! He'll be suuuper shocked at how strong Heungmi got!"
"Let's hear it."
Perdikion crossed arms, leaning back, tilting his head.
"Heungmi, last time in the water realm..."
'Good. Perdikion's got it.'
Hearing them fade, Rune cast teleport to the Black Room.
Dullahan polished his weapon, as always.
Sensing Rune, he rose, bowed in greeting.
Clank!
Born from death, soul fused with armor.
This steadfast knight guarding the Black Room inspired trust every time.
"Dullahan. Alert me if anyone comes."
Clank!
The silent knight nodded loyally, stepping aside.
Rune sat on plush blankets at the room's deepest end.
He tore open the sealed envelope; bold, elegant script appeared.
Aigoo. It's been so long since I held a quill—feels downright strange. Fresh, yet awkward. Well, I've gotten too used to tapping away on the Mokoji Stone. Haven't written a proper letter in ages.
First off, my deepest apologies. If this reaches your hands, my body's been cremated—gone from this world. What a shame. I had this brilliant idea when my body was still intact; should've told you then, but I didn't.
'Even his will's the same old Jed.'
A deathbed note, yet same tone—Jed's speech was unchangeable.
A bit regrettable, but since it's come to this, let me boast all I want on this paper and ink. Oh, before that—sorry for words unbecoming around Lady Heungmi. There are so many strict perverts out there; I just wanted to warn you to beware. That word popped into my head—perfect fit at the time. If we meet again, I'll mind it... but this letter says 'no chance now!' So, wrong on that count. Truly regrettable, all around.
"... ."
'He knew "obsessive pervert" was a slip-up. Still wouldn't dodge my deadpan stare.'
Anyway, my research focused on the authority of yours that's seeped into me. Hope you don't find it rude, but Lady Heungmi, as your familiar, has the Charm skill and affinity for other attributes. Dullahan embodies your core darkness and death, no?
Wouldn't it be great if I could wield a sliver of your authority too? That thought wouldn't leave my head!
Dwarves, naturally weak to magic.
Long handling fire as smiths gave fire spirit affinity or magic stone handling.
But no dwarf wielded magic.
Yet Jed declared researching a dragon's—magic race's—authority.
'Intriguing.'
Impressive, even. Greedy and crass at times, but his ideas and drive were unmatched.
Rune read on, curiosity piqued about the results.
This letter's from about 50 years after you slept, but time flies—might be over a century by now. Business steady, shop stable. Got the setup to try anything for research. But quitting there? Too wasteful! So I dug deep into your authority within me, and bam—a perfect topic hit!
Not my sole focus from the start, mind you...
The rest detailed his boasts, process to the topic.
Conclusion spanned three pages.
...So, I decided to challenge an Ego Weapon. Thus, even without my flesh, please take a look at my dear child, Paralium. Rune-nim.
'This guy... don't tell me?'
Rune hurriedly drew Paralium.
Tension gripped his hands unwrapping the cloth.
He'd sensed mana upon receiving it.
But chalked it to S-grade battle axe with fire magic.
'An Ego Weapon, though?'
Swish.
Cloth fully off.
Rune examined the weapon calmly, hefting it.
"Jed?"
Silence swelled instead of reply.
Calling again yielded nothing.
Eyes narrowing, he inspected closely.
Now he saw one difference.
'Brown pearl magic stone in the pommel.'
Paralium's end pommel.
For balance, but users tuned to taste.
Varied designs; gems not odd.
'Not for show, but pearl magic stone's excessive. Likely for attribute or enchantment. Then... one thing to try.'