Chapter 269: Holy Relic (2)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 269: Holy Relic (2)
I’ve developed a habit recently.
A habit of gauging my chances of victory against whoever stands before me—friend or foe. It had been such an eventful and rough year that I had to keep my senses razor-sharp at all times. Even now, that habit was kicking in unconsciously.
Forgetting even to blink, I stared directly at "him." Cold sweat trickled down my spine in a straight line.
‘I can’t see it.’
I couldn't see a path to victory. No matter how many hundreds, thousands, or hundreds of millions of simulated battles I ran in my head, the ultimate loser was always me. I couldn't even guarantee I'd be able to leave a scratch the size of a fingernail on him.
Lately, I had met all the Corps Commanders except for Basmon. Agor of the 5th Corps, Permush of the 4th Corps, Vesna of the 3rd Corps, and Kuarne of the 2nd Corps. I had even etched the power of Lycan, the 1st Corps Commander, into my memory through a dream.
And yet, he—the God of Sword—was quite literally on another level. An overwhelming presence capable of reducing the Corps Commanders' magic to mere toddler tantrums. The reason the background remained hazy, even after my eyes had adjusted, was surely due to the sheer spirit he radiated.
Marvelling anew during our second meeting was proof that my own strength had reached a certain height.
Though, it was only enough to dimly fathom just how extraordinary a being he was. Exactly that much—nothing more, nothing less.
‘To think a guy like this was lending me his power...’
It was absurd. How strong did one have to be to blur and distort an entire space? Even seeing it clearly with my own eyes, this felt abstract. Beyond the realm of imagination. This was a place that proved physical laws could not restrain a god.
― Looks like you've been doing well. You've got a healthy glow.
Just as a dry laugh was about to spill out, the God of Sword spoke with a smile. His voice sounded layered, as if traveling through multiple mediums at once.
― I knew you'd make it here eventually, but I didn't expect you to reach this point so quickly.
The articulate words brushed against my ears without his lips even parting.
He seemed to have waited until I regained my composure before opening his mouth.
Matching his consideration, I calmed my pounding heart and asked him,
"Is there something even a god doesn't know?"
― People misunderstand gods, thinking we're omnipotent and omniscient. They think we know everything and can do anything. But in reality, that's not true. We just have a different domain of knowledge and capability. Shall we sit down and talk for now?
I gave a slight nod. The God of Sword curled his lips upward into a grin and plopped down where he stood.
― We don't have much time to talk, but I wanted us to at least assume a relaxed posture.
The Sword God pulled up his left knee and rested his left arm on it. It was a comfortable posture, like an old man lounging on a wooden porch.
He gestured with his chin toward the spot right in front of him, signaling me to sit closer. Hesitating briefly, I awkwardly sat down facing him, three or four steps back.
The Sword God smiled and said,
― I think I can answer about three questions. Ask whatever you're curious about.
Of course... That was the classic line transcendent beings like gods automatically spat out at humans.
― It's a pity our long-awaited reunion has turned into a Q&A session, but given the circumstances, it can't be helped.
However, his tone was friendly, like talking to an old pal. Because he wasn't high-and-mighty as one might expect, my hostility softened. Thanks to that, I was able to pick my questions in short order.
"God of Sword, are you the Demon King?"
― Straight down the middle for the first question, huh?
A subtle smile curved the Sword God's lips.
― I told you before. Names don't matter to me.
I recalled our first meeting. Right, I felt like he had said something like that back then.
― If you call me the God of Sword, I am the God of Sword; if you call me the Demon King, I am the Demon King. But to get back on track, the conclusion is yes. I am a being that can be called the Demon King. My track record says as much. I slaughtered those who were called gods, so depending on your perspective, I could be seen as 'absolute evil.'
"Are you not offended to be called the Demon King? You are an object of worship for the demons."
― Why would I be offended?
The God of Sword shrugged.
― I don't exist solely for humans. I merely exist for the role assigned to me. It doesn't matter to me who worships me.
"……."
― The true intent behind your question seems to be whether I'm the mastermind behind everything, but that's a no as well. Well, could that also depend on perspective? But don't worry, I'm not the kind of mastermind you're thinking of. Anyway, second question.
The Sword God prompted me. Just then, a sharp crack sound made me tilt my head back. The cloudy white sky was beginning to fracture, shedding white flakes. Just as he said, our allowed time wasn't long.
I snapped my gaze back down to face the god.
"Were you the one who pulled me into this world as well?"
― No.
He gently shook his head.
― Bringing you here wasn't my doing. Strictly speaking, you came to this world on your own two feet. Though, from your perspective, it probably feels like it was against your will.
What on earth was he talking about? Maybe because he was a god, he talked in such vague, abstract terms.
Having lived by the sword for over twenty years, I had never once been called slow on the uptake...
Yet every single word out of the Sword God's mouth was so ambiguous that it was hard to grasp.
― Is my phrasing too difficult? Sorry, it's been a while since I've had a proper conversation with anyone.
Reading my expression, he scratched his stark white forehead. Such sloppy words and actions. In that moment, the dignity of a god took a slight hit in my mind.
― Ah, let me put it this way then. The choice to come to this world was made by you. That is an undeniable fact. However, there were a couple of people who assisted in bringing you here. One of them, as you've likely guessed, is Balor Joaquin, the Hero of the Origin. As for the other... I can't tell you right now, sorry. But you'll find out before long.
"...Why did the Hero of the Origin—my master—cooperate in sending me here?"
― Hmm, well. I'm not them, so I wouldn't know.
Incredulity washed over my face.
"A god doesn't even know that?"
― How many times do I have to tell you? Being a god doesn't make one omniscient. A god cannot interfere with human will. At most, we can make slight adjustments. That is the unwritten law of worldlines. And...
The Sword God's lips flattened into a straight line. For the first time, all traces of amusement vanished from his face.
― The reason I slaughtered the bastards who called themselves gods in this world was because they tried to interfere with human will.
Though his tone had only grown slightly stern, the entire surrounding space shuddered violently. Perhaps as a result, the cracks in the sky widened noticeably. The sky, composed of fragmented shards, looked precarious at a glance.
My mouth went completely dry. All moisture seemed sucked out, leaving no saliva to swallow.
The Sword God reined in the brief flash of emotion. Then, he hung an easygoing smile on his face once more.
― If you get the chance, why don't you ask him directly?
"Boss and I live in different worlds now. How am I supposed to ask him? Are you telling me this whole world turns out to be an 'Ah, fuck, it was all a dream' kind of thing?"
― Hahaha, a dream. Coming from Earth, I suppose you might think that way. It'd be the icing on the cake if someone whispered in your ear, 'Boss, this bastard's smiling!'
The Sword God held his stomach and slapped his thighs, cackling wildly. Watching him burst out laughing like a cartoon character left me utterly speechless. What was so damn funny?
― It's not a dream. Nor is it an illusion. Geomma, everything you've done is real.
The Sword God said, wiping the corners of his eyes with his thumbs—or rather, rubbing roughly where his eye sockets should have been, since he had none.
― And as long as you seek the truth, you will definitely meet the Hero of the Origin again. This much I can tell you with certainty, in the name of a god. I say this also because Balor Joaquin was someone who used my power as well.
My heart thudded softly. A reunion with Boss. The God of Sword was confidently assuring me that I would encounter the only lingering regret I had left from my past life.
Meanwhile, the cracks in the sky grew even larger, extending their reach down to the ground.
Rumble...
The abyss visible through the fissures gradually gnawed away at the space's white haze. The broken cross-sections, jagged like the teeth of a giant beast, were sharp and menacing.
The world that had been blank white turned into a pitch-black void in an instant. It was like a pale rowboat floating on an oily sea. Amidst the vast emptiness, only the small patch where we sat remained narrowly isolated.
― This is why I told you to sit closer. Looks like my mistake earlier accelerated the collapse, but it can't be helped.
The Sword God spoke nonchalantly, as if it were no big deal.
― Now, for the last question. You should leave with all your doubts resolved.
He then spread his arms wide, as if opening his chest. At the same time, my heart, which had been startled by the sudden shift in terrain, settled down.
In the next instant, I reflected with calm eyes.
‘The last question.’
Before long, I spoke in a quiet voice.
"God of Sword, you said you had a duty assigned to you."
― Yeah. That's right.
"Did you succeed?"
― You already know the answer, why ask? I failed.
Though he spoke as if annoyed, a broad smile spread across his face.
I stared at his smooth face, which had nothing on it except a mouth. Then, I let out a dry smirk.
By now, I had no choice but to realize—the reason why the God of Sword was so endlessly favorable toward me and consistently tried to help me.
"Do you think an ordinary human like me can accomplish a duty that even a god failed at?"
― Geomma, it's because it's you that you can pull it off.
The Sword God pushed off his knees and stood up. He looked down at me, where I was still seated.
― I failed. Your master, who was human, also failed. But you will succeed. You, who possess the 'Weapon of a God,' hold the 'Mind of a Human,' and harbor the 'Body of a Demon.'
At his final words, one of my eyebrows twitched.
"...Body of a Demon?"
The Sword God bent down and extended a hand to me. Reluctantly taking his hand, he pulled me up.
― Up we go.
Our eyes met at the same level.
― Kang Geomma.
Just as the ground beneath us was reduced to barely enough space to stand, the Sword God continued.
― The power of mine that you use is solely about 'slashing and cutting.' But doesn't something seem strange? Your base technique revolves around lightning-fast speed to execute swift swordplay. That isn't my power.
"...Wh-What does that mean?"
― That is the innate power of your body. The rival who gave Balor Joaquin—who had borrowed my power—a hard fight. The mortal who wielded the sword better than any other mortal. Though he was defeated, I, the God of Sword, acknowledge that for a brief moment, he rivaled me.
Before concluding, the Sword God exhaled softly.
― The original owner of the body you took upon coming to this world was Lycan. In the truest sense, a Sword Demon.
"……!"
Rumble!
With a roaring sound, my body tilted. The ground beneath crumbled into dust, and my back foot slipped straight through.
I reached out with my right hand to grab the Sword God's shoulder. However, his form was already translucently faint, and my hand swung through thin air.
Eventually, the ground my front foot had been resting on disappeared as well. Even as I plummeted into the pitch-black abyss, I flailed my arm toward the Sword God standing firm above.
Damn it, I just found something I need to ask.
― Do not underestimate your potential. Because you are not a god, you can grow; because you are not a demon, you can distinguish between good and evil. Furthermore, because you are not human, you are unbound by human morals when enacting justice.
Looking down at my desperate figure, the Sword God waved his hand gently.
― If you cannot believe in yourself, look around you. You have friends who will help keep you from leaning too far to one side. That is why your master set the stage known as the Academy.
As the pitch-black swallowed me whole, a final telepathic message echoed inside my head.
― The next time we meet, you will have grown far stronger than any of us.
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[The 'True Name' of 【???】 has been unlocked.]
[※ This is a result merged with the sealed subject. Thus, be advised that these are not entirely memories belonging solely to 【???】.]
[Would you like to check the unlocked True Name? (Y/N)]
[Y/N]
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[Unlocking the True Name of 【???】 using 'Synchronization Rate' as a catalyst.]
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Flash!
【Demonic Sword Lycan】