Chapter 260: Blessing (3)
tl3jCalamity Beast, Manticore.l9X
LcFJPVQA man-eating magical beast, considered one of the most dangerous among all S-rank creatures.cNYwB1
yokUnlike others that remain confined to dungeons, this one attacks humans without hesitation.q9Bhwjs
YZBWith its grotesque lion-like appearance and human face, one glance is enough to instill fear.oQxTr7
pE4A colossal carnivorous beast embodying humanity’s primal horrors since the dawn of civilization.6szyZB
4ZjeIts ferocity and bloodlust terrify even other magical beasts.eBuZTNm
dONiIt is the embodiment of terror, a beast of the evil god.xXaAi
sgoi19xAh, who could stop its hooves?e4n
WnNaOnly a beast’s heart with unwavering resolve that does not yield to adversity.IQyB
BKT4X2Only a strong mind capable of erasing the abyssal fear could put an end to it.dApV6o
kmFOVF.
.
.g46Z
6yfThat’s the general image that comes to mind about the manticore. I remember it in such detail because it made a pretty intense first impression. Also, after hunting down the Lich King Draug and the Serpent Basilisk, I started doing my own research.GwYOSa
lqp2SD1“Well, I guess it doesn’t matter now.”RcrnfAA
6wDqpZI never imagined it would come to me on its own. Finally, a ray of sunshine in my life of pure misfortune.NfoA
8yHfeAh, this feeling.JEh5w2
KDQBZ‘Yes.’9Lmji5
XuYVJwIt’s like when you activate auto-farm and suddenly get a rare drop. In gamer slang, this is what we call a “system gift.”FwL2m
LYopMIInterpretations may vary, but from a player’s perspective, it’s always a good thing. In gaming communities, situations like these are described as “the game blessed me.”MOzo
krJI wasn’t exactly a hardcore gamer, so I didn’t experience it often, but that unique euphoria—qvacSWK
u0mUn‘It’s addictive.’lMO6
LHLzyIt always feels like the first time.cVQ
MNVi“My hands are itching already.”a8C
IPCASLying in bed, I rolled from side to side while admiring my newly reforged Murasame.2y59U
XC5BsBvThe blade’s reflection revealed the dumb grin of its owner—just as wide as the blade itself.slVZ
QuD3a0G“An A+ grade weapon.”gXLZs
jPNtZyQThe reason I was mumbling like a lunatic in my room was simple.I2uJ1U
X36LjMy beloved Murasame, which began as an E-rank knife, had finally climbed to the coveted A+ rank.7SR
rSiY4uaSince inheriting the Seven Stars title, I could easily get good quality weapons anytime.2TP
HWFNot just B-grade—A-grade too. Even an S-grade if I wanted.7BW
n5hpEAnd yet, I stuck with Murasame. Some might say it’s foolish to take the long road when there’s a shortcut right in front of me. I won’t argue. I’m stubborn and inflexible—I admit it.soMj
ZPVEHRBut I clung to Murasame for its symbolic value. It’s been my partner since the days I couldn’t even afford a bottle of water.4gFthvr
qrhiUhQFrom those early battles against C-class buffalo monsters—it was always by my side.coHJWX
VfyMy story is etched into this blade barely 30 cm long. We’ve grown together, step by step. That’s why I see it as my other half.60R1U
2FkEven if the beginning is humble, the end will be glorious. That phrase—“the late fruit is the sweetest”—was written for the two of us.Xa5WZ6
hA51And not just Murasame, Eternal Frost has also played its role perfectly.OSJz
2NKer3o“My boys.”FbKBPq
JZrLZbThat’s how deep the bond between a swordsman and his weapons runs.X7g
MlWzuYoThey’re tools that have stayed with me on the line between life and death.kfc
ZjBrAnd besides that affection, there’s another reason I can’t let her go.vlA
cibfz“Status window.”t3c
96OOJ—Flash.36Pil
8h3O74S== ==YwSAO
07WKDA【Murasame】CKm
yyiType: Sashimiibn
GG4Description: A sword once bathed in dew. (……)dwv4l
LdxeSSpecs: Blade length – 38 cm, Width – 6 cmjWi6ac
JYuFeatures: Destructive power (B+ ▶ A+), Range – E (……)ejhnrps
u4u4PVGrade: A+fmZNP
mAMSpecial abilities:amJUcTW
dbrtJ1. Power of the Underworld KingCGBR
Puy6A2. Petrification PowerUG10IP7
ebOWd3. Power of the Cursed HornJprd1Ta
0BRThe beast feared as the embodiment of terror.Eb9
6baIt emits a sinister roar that chills the blood.rlyL
i4HWPd◈ Effects and Conditions:lEyvwEb
NfM6L: Incapacitates enemies below a certain level with “fear.”drtfMQh
IUn: Power activates only against beings with mana; no target limit.Fn3c
43Px: Activates when the blade is stabbed into the ground.Acy0
mdF: With repeated use, enemies may develop resistance to the effect.poV
ptS[※ Upon fulfilling certain conditions, the special title 《Catastrophe》 has been obtained.]cV4Ei
zB7== ==zymi
g7h3“It’s basically like Conqueror’s Haki, huh?”riDsshX
ydVXxAmong the three special abilities, this one is by far the most versatile. Just thinking about it made me chuckle.Sw0zw9
3t4“What a cocky thing to say… claiming I’ve got three special abilities.”uaMk0O
9jJFTAs I mentioned before, weapons with special abilities are highly valuable regardless of their rank. It was a deliberate decision by the game developers—to prevent players from obsessing only over rarity tiers.DRx8EE
SzGnOAnd that decision hit the mark. Special abilities caused a massive craze.JD4
A0LMAny weapon with even one of these abilities would sell for a fortune. With two, they were valued at S-rank level. And with three? Most players wouldn’t believe such weapons even existed. Even I, holding it in my hands, sometimes can’t believe it.lT1I5
yLoTo put it into perspective even with just one special ability, if all stats are reinforced with S-rank magic crystals, that weapon would already surpass most legends.xH0Piq3
IZPfae“A myth-tier weapon!”DZpp
xf4hkWhile we’re at it, let’s take a look at these abilities.kOeA58j
KPJ30LThe “Power of the Underworld King,” which revives the dead.lZd3Uf
sM6The “Petrification Power,” which turns enemies to stone.5Ui
pXSMiAnd the “Power of the Cursed Horn,” which emits a fear effect similar to that of high‑rank beasts.dY7PL
zAvPosEach one of them alone is already astonishing.1lbyxK1
TQ0Combined, they’ve created an unstoppable monstrosity—something so colossal it feels like a broken cheat. The only thing that even comes close is Leon’s sword the full version of Balmung.rcffZ
y0RLD“It went from an E‑rank weapon to one that can rival Balmung.”3YJOvg
OBAGMLeon obtained Balmung by being the world’s chosen hero, but I—and my Murasame—climbed up from the very bottom.HFk
xDikThis little blade represents my physical and spiritual growth since I arrived in this world. A steel monument guiding my path. It was thanks to those moments of progress that I could leave behind the attachments of my former life.Jl5
UxM5qyThat’s why.qulZ2
xkxG55This moves me so deeply.uzOM5k
g6ysufeIf I were on Earth, I’d have taken screenshots and boasted about it all over the forums by now.B7C3i
lv42But since I’m not, I simply rolled around on my bed hugging Murasame.SI7
cA94BEKAfter so many misfortunes, I hadn’t smiled like that in ages. I felt happier than even when I inherited the title of Heavenly Sword.m7rJ
XUoI truly am Korean to the core. The desire for good gear runs stronger in my veins than any hunger for glory. What could be more authentic than that? My sword may be just a sashimi knife, but my bones are forged of onion, garlic, and pepper.jrLc
dad“Well, that sounded a bit odd.”QpJztiK
fF6aAnyway—after defeating Fermush, I obtained the sixth fragment, my blessings evolved, I reforged my weapon, and I received a million‑gold reward.VaI0r3I
BauIt was effort well spent. I didn’t do it for gain, but I won’t complain about how much I got. For a moment, it even made me forget the darkness hanging over humanity.8A22w
hhd“Now then…”prR
Oe3oV8cI set Murasame beside my pillow and sat on the edge of the bed. I closed my eyes. Volundr’s final words kept echoing in my head.BHy0S
TJ3—Don’t try to analyze people’s feelings with logic.Nrghk
35UeSSHe had said it with that stern look, clutching a dented rice‑wine jug. Maybe he lacked moral authority to lecture me—but it still hit home.nZGcYR8
uvZpcoI kept repeating it in my mind don’t reason, recognize the heart.88BA
q0i8ZI understood what he meant. My head got it. But in my chest, everything remained still, as if nothing affected me at all.ab3P
sl8n2kWhy did Ryozo and Abel fight over me? I can guess reasons but I can’t actually feel them. That’s why people call me insensitive.qa10
COsl‘What exactly do they feel for me?’QHtn
rf7S6sI ran a hand over my chest. Beneath the hard muscle, there was a hollow. And the closer I got to the source of the “Blessing of the Sword God,” the larger that hole became.xNVl
S3XOThe price of power is losing one’s humanity. Though my “human rank” has risen, only traces of emotion remain. The essential keeps disappearing.mp6
QPHBecause of that, I don’t hesitate to cut down my enemies. But I’m also on the brink of ceasing to be human. Volundr’s talk helped me realize how dire my situation is.gEL
uxWFX‘What am I becoming?’h28v
sR9UoIf I continue like this, how far will I drift from Ryozo, from Abel, from everyone? Will I still be able to call myself human when that time comes?kdoXKqj
OHQ15tVAnd worst of all, even now I watch myself as though I were a spectator.prpgTyp
gDBk6DGAfter a long moment, I opened my eyes and shivered. I sensed someone at the window.hOvRQ3N
4dt“Who is it?”Pe5Cour
qydlaThe window was ajar by barely a hand’s width. A figure in black had landed lightly on the sill, like a cat.6wi
ivzre5M“It’s me, Heavenly Sword.”uWi5
VESl“……”1BkHxsn
cwdHvI shot a sidelong glance at the window. The hooded figure began pulling down the mask covering their face.lMHzSS
VpYJ“Why are you climbing in through there? The door’s wide open.”p7Qj1P
VaZI sighed and murmured.43avLAT
gu7q“Knox.”LFuob
GCezQkYChloe’s brother, Knox Auditore, scratched his head as he finished removing the balaclava.kl7rL2
jcwY“Would you prefer I knock and come in through the door again?”o7TW
ch6xRI sighed again, then let out a small laugh. He was just like me.YDBs
sd8xT8M“It’s cold. Close the window and come inside.”1Tosk
3bOEMeJ“Yes, sir.”EBBJlA
rFWfAnyway, it’s comforting to know I’m not the only one with wounds on my soul.fALO
7eUn***bV4
Y0SZKnox braced himself by bending his right knee and resting his left fist on it. From that posture, he spoke quietly.0bl
kD5y“Reporting to the Heavenly Sword.”F6h5
zP8VsEver since I rose to Seven Stars, Knox has treated me with absolute respect. Though I’ve told him a thousand times that it’s unnecessary, he remains steadfast. In the end, I gave up arguing.OmXd
2kbiqe“We have obtained information that one of Lieutenant‑Generals under the Second Body Commander, Kuarne, is sending agents to secretly encourage the formation of new villains.”3Qm08z
Ep5GxkD“But Auditore already eradicated the Union completely. Are there still remnants?”YOJSWqq
IkSAQ5“The Union was dismantled without leaving a single member.”YvZ4h
g7YsKnox shook his head without looking up.Ghr2
jVJe“It seems Kuarne’s goal isn’t to rebuild an organization like the Union.”7cSh
VFA“So he’s forming a temporary force for a specific purpose.”iSc3
6Ctto“Yes. Though the exact objective is still unclear, we have managed to identify when and where they will act. The date is in two days, during the Seven Heroes festival. The likely location the ballroom.”cUn
gRbqPG7My expression tightened.yOkxy
q3F“Are you certain?”TNQv2Un
WAYTie“We are Auditore.”UqLohLM
nFSEKnox raised his head. A gleam of blood shone in his eyes.IkBKK
fEh“We would never dare present false intelligence to you, Heavenly Sword.”qDXh
S2jvp1Gradually I relaxed. Then I smiled faintly.ZzWqR
9cI“Sorry. It’s just that the idea of them infiltrating Academy Joaquin again bothers me. It wasn’t distrust of Auditore—don’t take it to heart.”bCzJ2
oKW“Even if the Heavenly Sword doubts us, erasing that doubt would be part of our duty.”X6GDn8
XyDGqKnox lowered his gaze again. The light in his eyes dimmed to a soft glow.62Ak
oksD0q“Besides, shadows have no hearts. Rest assured.”u3r6ji
8C9Rm“Shadows have no heart.” For someone who’s been reflecting on that very thought, it was a poignant line.I3e7mNJ
v2OK“We will handle it so that it causes you no trouble, Heavenly Sword.”4nkZ
nH4uf1I remained silent, then Knox spoke calmly.ZYSLeb
Afxe“Hmm.”Q9u2Awj
t45I muttered softly while casting my gaze toward the headboard.Mpe
zTRIcC7‘Even if we catch one, the others will scatter. Better to let them gather so we can trap them all at once.’6eGUrn
mkvSD3lAs I watched my peaceful Murasame resting there, I thought.jSEMS9G
LBhDM‘Power of the Horn of Terror, The power reacts to any mana‑bearing creature, with no limit on targets.’0ONl3s
QiNMoments later I turned back to Knox.t3szA
nefd“No. Let them act for now. Even if they’re intruders, expelling a guest isn’t polite.”rRT09
y5O5JThen I lifted one corner of my mouth in a grin.UavXG9
oUmY“I want to see their faces. Let’s see how big their guts really are.”VAgf
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Haimiya_cutie.
MahayanaThey are cooked.
Sergey Kononov
MortalBro just cant pass an opportunity to aurafarm 😭😭