Sword Spirit Kaleon

As the pain from the Mana Reinforcement backlash finally started to subside, I tallied up the gains from this fight.

My level went up by one. I didn't pay much attention to levels, but 70 ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠was just one step away now. Stats rose evenly as always, and every skill from the achievement rewards was top-tier without exception.

The fourth spirit blessing after earth, wind, and lightning. At just level 1, the only unlocked effect was that one passive. But considering the performance of my other blessing skills, this one would surely deliver a solid active effect too. Spirit blessing skills were like reliable home-cooked meals—once acquired, they were always dependable. I liked that.

I also checked the Demon King's Horn and Shadow Stealth skill from the half-demon king kill reward.

"This is just crafting material."

The Demon King's Horn was for magic item creation. High rarity, but useless to me.

Shadow Stealth was a straightforward stealth skill—increased movement speed, higher stealth rate in darkness. I vaguely recalled thief classes like Shadow Dancer coming with this by default. My class was still basic Warrior, but ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠it felt like I was transcending it step by step. Well, other tower challengers joked about Warriors being "trash bins," anyway.

I tested the skill. It felt similar to the Stealth on my cloak. Couldn't verify it with my mana sense, so performance was unclear. Still, better than static item skills—this one could grow. I rarely needed stealth or ambushes, but not never.

"Now for the main course."

I finally pulled out Kaleon, demoted from demon sword to plain sword.

Base options were underwhelming now. Attack power dropped from 180 to 110. Crit damage from 3.5x to 3.0x, durability down to 720. Lost dark attribute, became plain thrust weapon, but gained 7 enhancements. Great for floor 14, but compared to Erwen's fairy-era sword, it fell short. Kaleon had higher base attack and crit, but fairy's better durability—and double the enhancements. Full upgrades? Original sword wins.

"Even the design sucks."

Unlike the fairy sword's perfect grip, Kaleon had excessive decorations on pommel and hilt. Cool-looking, but impractical. Couldn't I change it to look like a Steel Straight Sword? The unique effect seemed off too.

Why the hell did it have a summon option? A tool summoning minions?

After roughly finishing item checks, I wandered the Demon King's Castle, grabbing odds and ends. Maybe something to revive Elenoir—swept up every magic book I could. Doubtful they'd help, though. I'd figured it out watching the half-demon king: summoned soul in empty shell, possessed body, sword with mystery ego. Elenoir's soul in my inventory was fundamentally different. Couldn't pinpoint how, but a crucial difference. Gray Demon King's husk wouldn't do as her vessel. Same for ego sword. Besides, revive her in that ugly demon body? Dark elf chocolate body? No way.

"Ridiculous."

Problem was, I'd probably not understand these books anyway. Maybe time to learn magic? Too late for mage class, but pure study? With Mana Control and spells like Condensation, feasible. Theory might be tricky—few challengers knew it. School grades? Meh, never tried. But for reviving Elenoir and smashing this tower? I'd conquer any study. My mana flow, unshakeable, proved it.

"Which floor has lots of magic...?"

Needed a few more floors for magic learning chances. Floor 14 done—boss weaker than demon king, labyrinth nothing special. Clear before day ends. Wanted to test sword spirit too.

Labyrinth took under an hour. Tower beside castle handled it—no real challenge. Magic beasts sliced in one swing, traps shrugged off. Reached boss room, popped White Roll, tested Kaleon.

-Hummm!

Slot low-grade magic stone into pommel—mana flowed. Activated: Mana Reinforcement-like light swirled, forming human shape. Semi-transparent ghost, not fully solid. Sword spirit, right?

"Hahaha... no idea how many centuries since awakening! Feels refreshing!"

The spirit was a pale middle-aged man. Not intimidating—unkempt hair, beard, homeless vibe like Seoul Station bum. Voice familiar, though.

"What the— that's the demon sword voice. Joke's on you."

"Oh ho, you're the hero who woke me?"

I scowled; he grinned, recognizing me.

"Seven hundred years possessed as demon sword by evil curse— you shattered it, hero!"

"Pondered repaying the favor, but you're a swordsman too! Perfect!"

"The supreme ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠swordsman who unified demon realm with one blade—this Kaleon grants you the chance to learn from me!"

He thumped his chest. Same voice, different tone—boastful, archaic, third-person. Curse ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠controlled him before; my smash freed it.

While I thought, Kaleon rambled ahead.

"Normally, ten years servitude maybe earns it..."

"Luck to have a great swordsman like me as master..."

"Respect me—I beat legendary sword tigers, won countless tournaments..."

Left alone, he got fucking loud. Tool acting like master? Five minutes after "repay favor," already arrogant.

-Clang!

"Gahk!"

Mithril wand from inventory—cracked his crown.

"Y-You rude punk, daring touch your sky-high master's head!"

Self-appointed master clutched head, veins bulging.

"Shut it."

-Clang!

"Gahk!"

Another whack—he ground teeth, spewing curses. Like a subway Line 1 old man raging. No different.

"You punk—seven centuries as spirit! No parents?!"

Only age to brag, dragging parents—added to family drama?

-Clang! Clang! Clang!

Three-hit combo on line-crosser. Low-grade summon couldn't take more.

Sword Spirit Kaleon, deceased.