Chapter 391
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 391
Chapter Title: Holy Sword Arcias
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Holy Sword Arcias.
It was a sword said to have been wielded only by the hero Harnion in the past.
A tenant farmer living in the countryside, he received the Lord God's call and became a hero, devoting his life to subjugating the forces of evil and earning recognition for his deeds by ascending to godhood.
Even though it was official New World lore, not a single clue had ever been found, so it was dismissed as mere legend.
'It must be true.'
For the divine realm itself to place Arcias here, it was too much to pass off as myth.
That meant Harnion was likely a real historical figure as well.
'Owner! Over there!'
Mukho pointed ahead.
There, a massive sword was plunged into the ground, with streams of water rising from beneath it to form a small pond.
"Is that the holy water?"
As he approached, the pond began to glow, illuminating the surroundings.
Then, a spirit in the form of a human slowly descended from above.
NPC Information
-Nickname: Nameless Soul
-Level: X
-Job: X
Nameless Soul.
Jeong Hoon had a feeling he knew who it was.
"Harnion?"
Mentioning the name caused the spirit's information to change rapidly.
NPC Information
-Nickname: Harnion
-Level: 5,000
-Job: Legendary Hero
Correct.
The spirit trembled slightly before slowly opening his mouth.
"You know me."
The voice echoed in his mind.
Jeong Hoon shrugged.
"Just a guess."
"I see."
"Anyway, I just plan to take the holy water. So if you could step aside?"
"And the holy sword?"
"Pass."
Jeong Hoon already had the Overlord Titan.
He had no real greed for the holy sword.
"Why not show some ambition?"
"Why? Do you want to hand it over to me?"
"Ahem, if you have the qualifications, you could take it."
"Then hand it over. I'll take it."
Of course, if it was free, he'd grab it.
"Wait, if you're taking it, pass the trial first."
"Then no thanks. I'm short on time."
Jeong Hoon declared his refusal without hesitation and pulled out a glass vial.
To collect the holy water Roel had requested.
Harnion pounded his chest in frustration.
"I thought a decent guy had finally shown up but to think he'd undervalue the holy sword this much."
"It's not that I don't know its value. I just don't want to bear its weight."
The weight of the holy sword.
Grasping that blade meant living your life in service to the gods' will.
Even as a spirit, he couldn't leave itits burden must be beyond imagination.
"You're going to subjugate the demon realm bastards without it?"
"Asking me to fetch the holy water was just to lure me here, wasn't it?"
In a way, the request for holy waterand the purificationhad all been to draw him to the holy sword.
Otherwise, why would the holy sword be embedded in such a place, guarded by Harnion himself?
"You'll need the holy sword to cut them down."
"I'm good."
"No, you're not."
This guy.
He really wanted to pass it on.
Jeong Hoon sighed and added,
"Then just hand it over."
"No, just take the trial and claim it."
"I don't need it to begin with. Isn't handing over the holy sword your own wish, Hero? If you're forcing it on me, just give it already."
"Forcing? What kind of damn fool?"
"Fine. Let's pretend this conversation never happened."
Jeong Hoon approached the holy sword and uncorked the vial, filling it with holy water.
'Owner, let's head back quick.'
'It's best not to mess with stuff like that recklessly. With the Titan and us by your side, no need to worry.'
Mukho and Anima were on opposing sides.
"Wait, hold on!"
Harnion urgently grabbed at Jeong Hoon as he turned to leave.
"What now."
"Fine! I'll just hand it over!"
"Really?"
"Yeah! So please, just grab the hilt of that holy sword?"
"But it's too big for me."
"That's because the last guy who held it was a giant. Touch it, and it'll shrink to fit your size."
"No thanks."
"Huh?"
"I said no. I can tell grabbing the hilt starts the trial. Why would I bother?"
"How did you know?"
How did he know?
Simple.
When Harnion said he'd hand it over, a question mark had blinked above his head.
Rainbow-colored, no less.
Secret Quest: Holy Sword Arcias
-Restriction: One recognized by Harnion
-Reward: Holy Sword Arcias
-Description: Grasp the hilt of Holy Sword Arcias and undertake the trial.
Exactly.
The moment he touched the hilt, the trial would begin.
Even Harnion couldn't bypass that.
So he'd tried luring him with the promise of a free handout.
Of course, tricking Jeong Hoonwho could see the questwas impossible.
"So, to take that, I have to do the trial?"
"Ahem, yes. Being able to grip the hilt is proof you've earned my recognition."
"Ah, then I'll come back later."
"Huh?"
"I'm still recovering my strength. If I need it, I'll return for it."
"Wait, hold!"
Harnion tried to grab him again, but Jeong Hoon activated Supremacy of the Heavenly Demon and exited the cave.
Left alone, Harnion let out a hollow chuckle and muttered,
"What kind of guy is this? Why would the Lord God choose someone like him."
At that moment,
Roel was tending to an NPC visiting the chapel.
"My precious little brother died."
"Oh dear that must grieve you deeply."
"He was such a diligent boy. I let greed kill a child like that. How am I supposed to accept this?"
Ross's older sister.
Irene wept over her brother's death while unleashing her fury toward Raparo, the killer.
The fact that her brother's murderer was still walking free was unbearable.
"Those who commit murder will face punishment in time."
"And now? The crime happened now. Why punishment later?"
"Well."
"I want that bastard dead right now!"
At Irene's cry, the NPCs in the chapel nodded in agreement.
"Yeah, execute Raparo immediately!"
"No! Not executiontorture him so badly he'd beg for death!"
"Right! Yeah!"
The NPCs united in demanding Raparo's punishment.
But why bring that to the chapel?
This was exactly why giving them free will was a mistake.
They weren't acting rationally, causing unnecessary headaches.
'There must be a reason for it all.'
Roel wore a bitter expression as he comforted them.
"I understand your feelings. He will never be forgiven. And he will suffer cruel torture before dying."
"Really?"
"Yes, of course. And an outsider has gone to fetch holy water to pray for your brother's peaceful passing."
"Holy water?"
"Yes. With it, your brother can rest happily in a place free of pain."
And in the process of obtaining the holy water, he'd claim the holy sword.
Its placement there was arranged for Jeong Hoon.
He was probably struggling with the trial right about now.
"I brought the holy water."
Or not.
"Huh?"
Roel panicked at Jeong Hoon's sudden return.
The holy sword trial already over?
Impossible.
This was outside his calculations.
"What? Surprised the holy sword trial ended so quick?"
Roel forced himself to stay calm in response to Jeong Hoon's question.
"Ahem, as if."
"Good. I didn't take it."
"?"
Roel's words failed her at his brazen reply.
The holy sword right there in plain sightand he hadn't pulled it?
"More importantly, I got the holy water. When do I get the Fragment of the Origin?"
Even with the holy water, no completion notice appeared over Roel's head.
Meaning additional conditions were needed.
'That condition must be the holy sword.'
She wouldn't hand over the Fragment of the Origin that easily.
Of course, he could ignore such conditions.
The quest was about praying for Ross's peace to begin with.
Not obtaining the holy sword.
Yet Roel still couldn't relinquish the Fragment of the Origin.
'He needs the holy sword!'
When they entered the demon realm later, the holy sword was essential for Jeong Hoon to stand toe-to-toe with the Transcendents.
"Just a moment."
Roel couldn't continue.
"Could it be you fetched the holy water for our Ross?!"
Irene quickly interjected, addressing Jeong Hoon.
Jeong Hoon nodded with a somber expression.
"Yes. I heard he was so diligent I couldn't just let it go."
Irene burst into tears again at his words.
"Sob yes. Our Ross was truly diligent and kind."
"Raparo, that madman, must never be forgiven. Even alive, he'll live in torment, and after death, eternally so."
"I hope that's true."
"It will be. Right?"
Jeong Hoon turned to Roel.
Irene and the factory workerswho had been looking at her sympatheticallynow turned to Roel.
"Y-yes. But first, shouldn't we pray for his peace?"
Roel picked up the vial of holy water and approached the coffin.
She slowly opened the sealed lid.
Inside, Ross lay with preservation magic, eyes peacefully closed.
"Ross!"
Irene covered her mouth, sobbing uncontrollably.
Struggling, she approached and caressed her brother's face.
When she'd visited the chapel, she'd noticed the coffin in the corner.
Who'd have thought her brother was inside.
"I'm sorry I couldn't tell you."
Roel apologized sincerely, but her words fell on deaf ears.
"Ross I'm sorry. If I hadn't been sick, you wouldn't have ended up like this."
She embraced her brother, weeping for a long time.
No one, including Jeong Hoon, interrupted their time.
Roel waited patiently, vial in hand, for her to calm.
Once she stepped back, the ritual concluded in moments.
A simple task: uncork the vial and sprinkle the holy water over Ross's body.
"Thank you so much. I'll never forget this kindness."
Irene took the coffin to bury Ross and left.
The factory workers departed as well, leaving only Jeong Hoon and Roel in the chapel.
"You got the holy water, so why hasn't the quest completed?"
Roel smiled awkwardly at Jeong Hoon's question.
"Why didn't you pull the holy sword?"
"I'd get it if I needed to."
"If you need to?"
"Yes. I get why you're trying to give it to me, but it's not something I need right now."
"You're so strange. Even spoon-fed, you refuse."
Spoon-fed?
How ridiculous.
With only Jeong Hoon able to enter the demon realm, they wanted to use the holy sword to control him.
They were allies only because their goals aligned for nownot because he welcomed divine oversight.
Once objectives were met, they'd part ways without regret.
"The Fragment of the Origin?"
"Yes. A promise is a promise."
An exclamation mark appeared over Roel's head.