Make Dark Fantasy Great Again

Chapter 251 There was a figure sitting in front of a campfire, gazing intently at a single sacred sword. His companions asked him what he was staring at so intently. "Has something gone wrong with your magnificent sacred sword? That's perfect timing." "What do you mean by perfect timing?" "If something's not working properly, give it to me. Like I keep saying, it's greedy to hog seven of those things all by yourself." "You crazy bastard. Look at the way you talk. As if you'd be chosen by a sacred sword. Do you think they're like those weapons of yours that anyone can pick up if they're strong enough?" "Not just a bit. Fucking strong." "Ugh. So vulgar. Please, I'm begging you, could you watch your language? For the sake of the Saint's safety!" The companions each showed their own reactions as they watched the Hero. Someone's eyes gleamed with interest, someone else snorted dismissively as if uninterested, and yet another showed worry all over their face. The fairy Shuyen belonged to those who showed worry. She moved to the Hero's shoulder and examined his expression. "What's wrong?" The Hero, who had been lost in thought while gazing at the sacred sword, noticed the fairy and lightly lifted the corners of his mouth. At the same time, he explained the reason. The fairy and the other companions showed even more intense reactions than before, because the words that came from the Hero's mouth were quite shocking. "You still don't understand the sacred sword...? You?" The sacred sword's selection was something that even heroes praised by all would find difficult to experience once. He had received it multiple times and had become the owner of all sacred swords. For such a Hero to say he didn't understand the sacred sword well. "If you don't know, then who does?" To his companions' bewildered questions, the Hero simply created his characteristic smile. Looking at such a Hero, his companions thought that in some ways, the Hero's doubt might be quite reasonable. Sacred swords. Those mysterious treasured swords, whose creators and origin stories were unknown, already existed in perfect condition when they were first discovered. Such sacred swords generously gave their power to the masters they chose. However, could that power truly be said to be everything the sacred sword possessed? Even praised great mages and swordsmen often discovered their hidden talents very late. So, would sacred swords really be that different? Perhaps. He might not have discovered all of the sacred sword's hidden powers yet. The Hero's casual yet meaningful curiosity, passing like a fleeting thought, gave his companions a tickling sense of curiosity. Of course, they didn't place much weight on that curiosity. If it were ore that no one could mine and would ultimately remain buried in the ground, what value would it have? The Hero. Could there exist someone who could handle that power more skillfully than the owner of all sacred swords? If there existed a power of the sacred sword that such a Hero couldn't draw out, could that power truly be said to exist? They soon lost interest and moved away from the Hero. "..." Leaving behind the Hero who continued to gaze at the sacred sword. *** Eroded and unstably rampaging energy. Because of it, memories of the past suddenly surfaced in her gradually clouding consciousness. The fairy Shuyen thought, 'Is this what they call a revolving lantern?' "Urgh!" Shuyen shook her head violently to shake off those thoughts. 'What nonsense about a revolving lantern!' This wasn't the time to be having such luxurious thoughts. 'This voice, this energy... it's certain!' The fairy recalled that fierce battle fought alongside her companions. 'The Backflowing Swamp Astrog...!' Originally a guardian of the swamp, but fallen to corruption, devouring all the Superior Spirits of the forest and becoming a disaster. A being that could have claimed the name of night if it possessed intelligence beyond simply coveting desires. At the revival of that great evil, which the Hero and companions could only defeat with great difficulty by joining forces, the fairy Shuyen couldn't help but feel terrible despair. And for good reason. Neither the Hero nor her companions were here. What was here now was just one of the Hero's many legacies— And just a man who possessed only one of the many sacred swords. Compared to the Hero Party that had defeated the great evil at that time, it could be said to be literally nothing more than a fragment of power. Could this alone truly stop the reviving great evil? "Urgh...!" Eventually the fairy realizes. The fact that there's no leisure to leisurely discuss possibilities. The fairy couldn't keep her small body still, struggling against something. Her small body, filled with tension, stiffened, convulsed, and twisted. 'No...!!!' It was a kind of resistance. With all her might, fierce— 'No!!!' And meaningless resistance. Drop. The fairy's dew-like clear eyes. From there, muddy liquid like muddy water overflowed. One drop. Two drops. And- Trickle. The great evil's curse that had been parasitic within the fairy's inner self for long years manifested, using her power as a host. Its appearance was like a backflowing swamp, true to its name. 'No!!!' The fairy closed her eyelids tightly with enough force to blind herself, but even so couldn't stop that fierce backflow. The filth that backflowed from her eyes had already formed a puddle on the floor. It was already several times the volume of her small body, yet the backflow showed no signs of stopping and rather increased in intensity. Pain. Disgust beyond that. The fairy's scream, which she couldn't endure and let out, was futilely swallowed. Splash. Splash. By the waves of filth backflowing through that small mouth— 'Ah...' At this very moment. What dominated the fairy was neither the extreme pain nor the disgust. Regret. And self-loathing. 'What on earth have I done...' Realizing the existence of the terrible curse and stopping the great evil's revival. The fairy had sufficient opportunity and power to do so. However, all those possibilities had lost their meaning, and what unfolded before her eyes now was the worst possible outcome. 'It's all my fault...' The fairy blamed everything entirely on herself. Because she couldn't accept the farewell with 'that person.' Because she was infatuated with herself for denying that farewell. If it weren't for that, why would she go against his will, hide the First Hero's Legacy so no one could take it— And lock herself away to guard it right beside it? Isolating herself while dominated by improper emotions and thoughts. It was like providing a cozy environment where the curse could safely grow. At the end of regret and despair, the fairy steeled her resolve. 'Now... there's only one way...' The fairy had created this place to block the visits of uninvited intruders. The space that should have been a pure place of trial had been corrupted and taken on the character of a fortress. The fairy thought. The result of her pathetic mistake—at least it had its own use, so that was fortunate. Could there be another place more suitable for isolating and imprisoning something? Yes. The fairy had decided to imprison herself and the great evil in this place. The backflow, which had lasted only a brief moment but felt like eternity, stopped. The fairy, who had suppressed the rampage of energy with all her remaining strength. She shouted without even wiping the filth from her face. "You! Come to think of it, I haven't heard your name yet! Would you tell me your name!?" The fairy opened her eyes with difficulty. She desperately etched the other person's image onto her retina clouded with filth. The image of the hero who had awakened her. The image of a man that 'that person' would surely have liked. To him, she could safely entrust 'that person's' legacy. Though all her senses were murky as if fallen into a swamp due to the remnants of filth, the fairy literally used all her strength to awaken her senses. With the single determination to remember his face and name. "No!" That was the voice that came in response. "Now doesn't seem like a good time for introductions! So let's postpone it for next time!" The sound reaching her dazed ears. The fairy couldn't understand the man's words. However, the sight that then reached her blurred vision. The fairy could finally understand the man's meaning. The fairy thought. If light were accompanied by sound, wouldn't that radiance make a sound like night lifting? The sacred sword in the man's hand emitted brilliant light. It was bright enough to illuminate even the fairy's vision, clouded and murky with filth. Thus, the man's appearance was clearly conveyed to the fairy. "Ah..." The fairy made a sound without realizing it. Because she felt a strange nostalgia in the man's expression. That irresponsible expression that gave himself confidence even when everything was uncertain. However, an altruistic expression that gave faith to those around him through that. The fairy recalled her companions. The image of her companions who, holding the source of faith called Hero, willingly threw themselves into any crisis and uncertainty. It was a moment that felt truly long. While the fairy was busily organizing her thoughts, the man was also organizing his thoughts. As their thoughts thus collided, the fairy's resolve that had assumed the worst lost its meaning and faded. "Ah—" Though there were still many words left unspoken, the fairy had to close her mouth. The backflow began again. The waves of filth easily broke through her tightly closed mouth and vomited themselves into the world. At that moment. The fairy's small body was swallowed by something. The puddle of filth that had pooled on the floor surged up and formed the shape of a giant. It looked down at the other person from a place higher than the original fairy. —Insignificant!!! Only a single sword!!! Do you think you can face me with just that!!! The Backflowing Swamp Astrog laughed madly. Despite being weakened by its unstable revival, it displayed leisure without reservation. It was the great evil that had faced the owner of seven sacred swords and his companions in the final battle. To its eyes, the young man holding only a single sacred sword was simply laughable. Slap. The arm that the filth giant raised easily reached the ceiling of the cavity. From Risir's perspective, it was a distant height swallowed by darkness that couldn't be fully seen. From such a height, the giant's arm fell. The man readied his stance. Then the sacred sword emitted even brighter light, and the cloak fluttered more strongly. Whoosh!!! A gale blew. That gale, which had originally only added to the man's speed, now lifted his body into the air. The First Hero's Legacy, the Wind Feather. It supported the man's body like the wings of a gliding hawk. Thus the man's charge drew an unrealistic diagonal trajectory— Slash! The light slash he created precisely cut the giant's neck. Splash! Splash splash!!! Thus created the waterfall of filth. The filth that formed the giant's body lost its shape and poured onto the floor. "...Urgh!" At the same time, Risir, who had landed on the opposite side, made a small groaning sound. Naturally, he wasn't accustomed to the act of flying. Unstable posture. Risir felt a greater recoil than usual. -Are you alright, my lord!? Fortunately, thanks to the Wind Feather's assistance, that burden was greatly reduced. "No, this is too comfortable!?" Risir shouted with the exhilaration of flight still remaining in him. At the same time, his gaze turned toward the giant's neck. He saw clearly. —Kraaaaaak!!! You insect!!! The giant was suffering from that sword strike. Not only that, but its energy was decreasing in proportion to the amount of filth flowing from its wounds. Was it thanks to the Power of Purification? Or thanks to the sacred sword's power? 'Probably the latter's contribution is greater.' Risir felt clear negative energy from the giant's existence. 'Under normal circumstances, it would have died long ago from the Power of Purification...' However. Right now that giant was manifesting by borrowing the fairy's energy. Because its foundation lay in the pure fairy's energy, the giant's existence didn't easily perish. —Risir!!! That thing is not some demon!!! It's a fallen spirit!!! Your Power of Purification might not have great effect!!! So don't rely on it too much!!! Jallak, who had read Risir's thoughts, said. "Then I can rely on you, right?" Aheeng. Jallak made a strange sound. —Jallak, your condition is...? The Hero's Legacy showed bewilderment at the sacred sword's changed appearance. "It's coming." Risir said as he watched the giant raising its arms again. *** Afterwards. A series of processes repeated. The giant repeated attacks that were too slow against its opponent. Risir counterattacked with actions too fast for his opponent. -Stop!!! You livestock of the Hero!!! You insignificant flying insect!!! Won't you give up!!! While suffering repeated wounds, the giant shouted. Risir intuitively realized that the 'insignificant flying insect' wasn't referring to him. The giant's actions were excessively slow. Even considering the instability of its just-revived state. 'Is that fairy interfering with the giant!?' Unexpected cooperation. Nevertheless, Risir rather frowned. At this very moment. His anxiety had become reality. The giant's energy was noticeably decreasing as it suffered repeated wounds. If this offense and defense continued, that giant would lose all its energy and completely perish. 'If that happens, the fairy will—' Judging by the giant's reaction. The likelihood was high that the giant and fairy were currently sharing each other's energy. For example. If the giant died, the fairy would also face death. -My lord! You must not hesitate! While Shuyen can still exert influence on that thing, you must completely eliminate it! "Wait! If that happens, that fairy will—" The Hero's Legacy didn't answer. Jallak also kept his mouth shut. The fairy hadn't made the resolve to burn her existence for nothing. The best way to stop the great evil's revival. That was to make the giant perish along with the fairy's energy. That was the common conclusion of the three. "..." Risir wasn't included in those three. He gritted his teeth. 'What should I do?' Isn't there a better way? "Wait—" Then. A flash of thought struck Risir's mind. "The Sacred Sword of Sealing!" -Risir!? Suddenly another sacred sword in this situation!? "That's not it, Jallak! The Sacred Sword of Sealing—with that sealing power, couldn't we seal that giant's energy!" -...! -My lord!!! That's a meaningless assumption! Leroun isn't here right now!!! "No!" Risir said, looking at Jallak. "Jallak! Just like how you appeared here, couldn't we summon the Sacred Sword of Sealing here too!?" -Risir, what do you mean...! Jallak was speechless. Like how he appeared here? What did that mean? How do you do that? He still didn't know why he had been able to come here. "As it happens, I was recently connected with her—Leroun! That energy might still remain! Based on that energy, I'll summon that sacred sword here!" Risir didn't dare doubt the sacred sword's power. He was once again moving by entrusting himself to instinct. He grasped the air with his other hand and drew it out. But perhaps it was natural. There was no sword drawn out in his hand. "Damn...!" Risir gritted his teeth. As expected, things wouldn't go so conveniently!? Even during this, the battle continued. Risir had no choice but to cut the giant to stop its momentum. He contorted his expression as if he himself had been cut. As the giant's existence grew fainter, it began to be felt more clearly. The fairy's energy that was gradually fading. "Damn, what on earth should I do...!" Thump! Slash! Thump! And slash. He had somehow fallen into a state of selflessness. In his world that had become quiet as if submerged in water, only the throbbing heartbeat and fierce sword strike sounds alternated. Thump! But when did it start? Thump!!!! That heartbeat began to swallow all sounds. -Risir!!! -My lord!!! Risir, who had been moving his body without rest. He had somehow stopped blankly in place. -Kraaaaaak!!! The giant, as if believing without doubt that this was its last chance, raised both hands with all its might. The waves of filth rushed toward the motionless target without hesitation. Thump! Even during this, Risir's world was endlessly quiet. Despite using all his strength, a floating sensation as if drifting dominated his body. At this very moment, what moved him was a single will. Advancement. The will to leap beyond the immediate limitations. Risir completely entrusted himself to that will. Entrusted his sword to it. Trickle. Cracks appeared throughout Risir's body. Like the previous sacred sword. However, what leaked from there was not light but blood. And that was a manifestation of advancement greater than luminescence. Risir, who wished for advancement and unleashed the Power of Advancement. A sensation quite different from before enveloped his body. He was somehow standing still in place, holding the sacred sword high. It was too shabby a movement to counter the giant's strike. From a swordsmanship perspective, it certainly was. -Again, again!!! What on earth is about to happen again...!!! Jallak cried out desperately. Like the moment he was summoned here from Risir's room. His body began to emit light once again. -Kraaaaaak!!!! Jallak's cry intensified. Like the light bursting from his body. At that moment. The light all faded at once. Simultaneously, cracks appeared in that sword body. Like a hatching egg. Light leaked through those gaps. No. Burst out. That light instantly covered the cracked sword body. Thus, a light sword made purely of light was created. -You, you...!!!! The giant screamed. That massive arm falling toward Risir was slowly being pushed back by the radiance emanating from the light sword. Whoooosh!!! Then. The light exploded. And bloomed. -Kraaaaaak!!! -Kyaaaaaak!!! The fairy's scream flowed between the giant's roars. The giant's body was gradually crumbling. It happened the moment vines of light entangled the giant's body. Risir shouted in ecstasy. "Jallak!!! See, it works when we try!!!" The encouragement from the master he had so longed for. Jallak couldn't bring himself to respond. At this very moment. All he was doing was entrusting his body to his energy. *** [A new status is granted] [Status: Will of Advancement] [A new status is granted] [Status: Will of Advancement] [A new status is granted] [Status: Will of Advancement] (E/N: This is some of the most shameless filler content I've ever seen) ... ... ... [Target has acquired a new title] [Title: Chosen by Advancement] [Target: Sacred Sword of Advancement Jallak] [Target's abilities are temporarily greatly increased] *** Sacred Sword of Advancement. To advance.