HBWnovel Chapter 442: 86th Floor, The World of Armaments (4)
Chapter 442: 86th Floor, The World of Armaments (4)
[...Even so, the idea of becoming a sword doesn’t sound all that appealing.]
“Of course, certain sensations and experiences would change. After all, you wouldn’t be reborn as a human but as a sword. But your sense of self and free will wouldn’t disappear.”
[How can I trust that you won’t mess with me in the process?]
“I, Kosrun the Dwarf, swear upon my desire and everything I’ve built in my life: I will place no restrictions upon you.”
Kosrun immediately declared, “If I violate this oath, I’ll suffer eternal torment, achieving none of the things I desire.”
It was a declaration tied to his name and pride. With that, the possibility of Kosrun betraying him was eliminated.
[...Well, damn.]
There was nothing more to say. All the obstacles had been addressed, leaving only the ghost’s decision.
[This is giving me a headache.]
The ghost was torn.
He couldn’t make the decision easily.
[Give me some time.]
“Take all the time you need,” Kosrun replied without pressure.
“Think it over at your own pace. I’ll be working on other things in the meantime. Let me know once you’ve made up your mind.”
The cave fell silent, leaving only Taesan and the ghost.
[What should I do?]
Just when he thought everything had concluded, a new option had presented itself.
The ghost worked to calm his turmoil and assess the conditions rationally.
[Becoming a sword, huh.]
To exist not as a living, breathing body, but as a sword.
It was an unsettling idea, but Kosrun’s explanation made it sound less horrifying than it initially seemed.
He would retain his freedom and act autonomously as a sword. Only the vessel housing his soul would change.
There were, of course, clear downsides. He would no longer feel the warmth of life. He wouldn’t be able to embrace others or experience deep emotional connections.
And there was no guarantee Kosrun would succeed. This was Kosrun’s first time attempting to turn a soul into a weapon, so problems were almost inevitable.
But on the other hand, he could live again.
He could talk with others, experience new things, and grow stronger.
Perhaps, as a sword, he might even achieve his own desires.
The advantages and disadvantages were clear, which only made the decision harder.
[What should I do?]
In the end, the ghost turned to Taesan.
“You shouldn’t leave this decision to me. It’s something you need to choose for yourself.”
The ghost’s future hinged on this choice. No one else had the right to intervene. The ghost nodded in agreement.
[You’re right. In the end, it’s my decision to make.]
“But...” Taesan trailed off.
The ghost waited for him to continue.@@@@
After a moment, Taesan spoke.
“I think it would be better if you lived on, even as a sword.”
[...I see.]
The ghost let out a small laugh, a smile forming on his face—a light, relieved expression, as if he had let go of a burden.
[I’ve made my decision. Someday, I might regret it... but it’s my choice, and I’ll bear the consequences.]
Taesan called for Kosrun.
Kosrun approached with a face full of expectation, eager for the ghost’s answer.
[I accept, dwarf.]
“Great! I promise you won’t regret it!”
***
"So, what exactly needs to be done?"
Turning a living soul into a sword—a feat unheard of. Even Kosrun, who was thrilled at the opportunity, couldn’t hide his uncertainty.
“I’ve figured out the basics, but this is my first time embedding a soul into a weapon. I’ll need to run some experiments. How much time do we have?”
[About... two weeks. After that, I’ll have to leave.]
“Two weeks, huh? That’s cutting it close.”
Kosrun furrowed his brows and quickly started calculating.
“To begin with, we’ll need a weapon tied to you. Since the sword will act as the vessel, compatibility is critical. Can you retrieve the sword you used during your lifetime?”
[That’s not a problem. Taesan.]
At the ghost’s request, Taesan pulled out Cavert’s Relic. It was the sword the ghost had used before entering the labyrinth, the very weapon he had wielded until his death. It had been his companion throughout his entire life. Kosrun’s eyes sparkled as he took hold of the relic.
“This sword holds a strong connection to you. It’s more than enough—perfect, in fact. I’ll hold onto it for now.”
Kosrun carefully set aside Cavert’s Relic and continued.
“I’ve wrapped up most of the preparation.”
Kosrun’s face was gaunt, but his determination remained.
“But there’s still one thing missing. The final material. The quest reward for this floor: Ego Soul. Bring it to me.”
Taesan agreed.
He moved swiftly toward the location of the King’s Sword, which he had already identified.
There, embedded in a rock, was a magnificent sword, dazzling like an ornate piece of decoration.
Clang!
The King’s Sword was pulled free.
Unlike the other weapons, it didn’t exude malice or a will to resist.
Instead, it radiated a strong determination to test Taesan.
The King’s Sword moved. The power within it coalesced into its blade, and it swung.
The energy turned into a blade of force, slashing toward Taesan.
Taesan raised his sword and countered.
Boom!
The battle began.
The King’s Sword, without a master, moved of its own accord, pressing Taesan with relentless attacks. The strength it displayed approached the pinnacle of mortality, on the verge of crossing into the realm of immortality.
For Taesan, however, it posed no real challenge. He had already surpassed mortality.
But for someone like I-Taeyeon, it would have been a different story.
For her, simply surviving against this sword would have been an achievement, let alone subduing it.
‘So, she managed to overcome this.’
The quest condition for the floor was to subdue the King’s Sword. Judging by the aura emanating from the sword, it was unlikely any shortcuts could have been used.
This meant she had cleared the 100th floor purely with her own ability.
She was undoubtedly remarkable.
‘I’ll have to ask her how she managed it once I return to Earth.’
Taesan put aside his thoughts and focused on the fight.
Clang!
He gripped his sword tightly and swung powerfully. The King’s Sword couldn’t withstand the force and slid backward.
Given the gap in their fundamental levels, there was no need for Taesan to employ advanced skills or finesse. He subdued the King’s Sword in an instant, grasping its hilt and driving it into the ground.
He then infused it with his aura.
The King’s Sword trembled violently for a moment, as if in defiance, but it soon calmed. The power it had been exuding dissipated. The King’s Sword rested quietly in Taesan’s hand.
[You have subdued the King’s Sword.]
[86th Floor Cleared.]
[Your level has increased.]
[Your level has increased.]
[You have obtained Ego Soul.]
[You have obtained ???.]
Ego Soul
An artificial vessel for souls. Empty and ready to be filled.
??? Used.
[You have obtained King’s Pommel.]
King’s Pommel
Strength +200
Agility +200
Attack Power +200
Defense +200
A pommel from the sword wielded by the King of the World. Can be attached to any sword, perfectly balancing its weight.
Taesan had cleared the 86th floor.
With the Ego Soul in hand, he returned to Kosrun, who greeted him with a grin.
“Just a little longer. Wait just a bit more while I finish up.”
Kosrun took the Ego Soul and retreated to his private workspace.
Two days later.
“It’s done.”
Kosrun returned.
Everything was ready to transform the ghost into a sword.
“Let’s get started. Are you ready?”
[I am,] the ghost answered calmly.