Chapter 98

# 98

Guide for the Regressor Chapter 98

Yuliena (3)

Kim Hyun-sung's disheveled appearance is visible. Although he has already been treated once with holy magic, there are still wounds all over his body.

It's only natural that he looks like this after such an absurd fight.

It seems he was hit by Yuliena's tentacles, as there are small holes all over his body, and more than half of his equipment is missing.

Even his arm, which was hit by the black cross falling from the sky, is still being treated.

Judging by his appearance alone, he looks a bit pitiful.

In contrast, my appearance is...

'Clean.'

I look very clean, without a single scratch. In fact, I don't even have a bruise.

Hyun-sung's face, as he looks at the sword approaching me, seems like he's sending off a lover.

It's only natural that he looks this way.

"I've heard that legendary items usually choose their own masters. I'm not sure, but it seems to be a similar situation."

"Yes, I've heard that too, Ji-yeon."

'Don't do this.'

I'm so flustered that I feel like my wits have left me.

Hyun-sung doesn't seem much different.

Thinking that his reckless actions are due to this legendary item makes my heart ache.

All the wounds are glorious scars for the sake of obtaining the item.

Unintentionally, I've ruined the big picture Hyun-sung was drawing.

'Damn... I don't even need it...'

"I don't really know why it's acting like this all of a sudden."

He averts his gaze, and the sword floating in the air follows his eyes.

Rumble...

It continues to hum.

"Is there a chance it could reject the owner's consciousness?"

"Generally, yes... but we don't have enough information about legendary items yet. It doesn't seem like it will back down easily."

"Then, how about Hyun-sung tries to pick it up? I'm not a swordsman, and I don't really need this item. It would be better if Hyun-sung used it."

"Yes, Hyun-sung, I think you should try."

"Ah... Yes."

It's only natural that everyone's gaze is on him.

Hyun-sung, looking very tense, slowly extends his hand.

He might have a lot of knowledge about legendary items.

He must also be well aware of this sword that casts curses.

Perhaps it was the sword Hyun-sung used in the previous cycle, or perhaps it was a sword he wanted.

His face shows tension.

It's clear that obtaining this sword won't be easy for him.

Hyun-sung is also uncertain.

The moment he slightly grips the hilt, dark energies start to pour out from the sword that casts curses.

The sudden situation causes the expedition members nearby to be pushed out.

Crack!

Seeing this, Hyun-sung sighs and lets go of the sword, which is a natural progression.

He turns his gaze with a regretful expression, a face I've never seen before.

My heart aches.

'Ah... damn...'

"It doesn't seem to work. It seems the master is already chosen."

"Ah... I don't really... need it."

"It must be a sword with a very strong will. It's a bit disappointing, but there's nothing we can do. In fact, Ki-yeong was the main contributor to clearing this dungeon, so he has every right to receive it. I also received a lot of help from Ki-yeong in the final battle. Honestly, if there hadn't been a momentary lapse, I wouldn't have known what would have happened to me."

"No, even if I can't use it, having it... wouldn't help."

"Ki-yeong can't refuse it. Especially this sword. I could feel it immediately after holding it. It seems to have made up its mind. Even if someone else tries to use it forcefully, it would be no different from a wooden sword. I think it's right for Ki-yeong, who can utilize its functions, to use it."

"What, an alchemist using a sword..."

Everyone shows a regretful expression.

In fact, me using this sword is like putting a pearl necklace on a pig.

Weak strength and weak stamina.

It's obvious that I would be panting after a few swings. I want to say, "Please don't do this," but the sword that casts curses completely ignores my opinion.

As if it can't wait any longer, the black aura from the sword starts to bind me.

"Ah... ah!"

My arm is raised against my will.

"Someone... help..."

I glance at the others, but the situation happened too quickly.

Before anyone could react, my hand reaches the hilt, and a familiar message appears.

[You have been recognized as the master of the legendary item, the Sword of Curses, Yuliena. Congratulations on becoming the wielder of a legendary weapon.]

'Shit... what recognition? What receiving? I didn't recognize it.'

[The Sword of Curses, Yuliena - Legendary]

[This was the beloved sword of the Cursed Saint, Yuliena. This sword, bestowed by the God of Curses, Aes, to Yuliena thousands of years ago, never fades with time. It immediately inflicts severe mental damage on wounded targets and casts the highest-level curse. It allows the use of Aes' energy through mana. Targets exposed to the energy for a long time also become cursed. It can cast a wide-area curse using a large amount of mana. It can be summoned and dismissed.

Before dying, Yuliena desperately sealed her soul within the sword.

Yuliena's self, which cares for Gedric, is dormant. The sword moves on its own to protect its master. Due to low growth, some functions are sealed. Mana increases by 15. - Gedric... My beloved Gedric]

'Shit... I recognize it.'

After cursing inwardly, I glance at the sword and realize something good has happened.

The stats are so absurd that my mouth hangs open in shock.

It's a level of power I've never seen in any item before.

I already know how powerful curses can be in this world.

Thinking about how a curse almost swallowed a competent clan like Blue, it's clear that the ability to cast curses alone is enough to make this a legendary item.

Of course, with my mana, I can't do what Yuliena did, but the potential for use is more than sufficient.

The sword's ability to increase my mana by 15 is also impressive.

Even though I'm still a mana hog, it feels like a ray of hope.

Another notable point is that it protects me on its own.

It seems to be a newly added function due to Yuliena's sealed self, but I think it's the most needed function.

The problem is...

'Yuliena.'

How to deal with her when she wakes up.

The thought of pretending to be Gedric, someone I don't even know, makes my head throb.

"The owner's consciousness is complete."

The expedition team's slightly disappointed voice is an added touch.

"This... I'm really sorry. I didn't expect this to happen..."

"No, considering what Ki-yeong has done, he has every right to receive it. Of course, it's a bit strange for an alchemist to use a sword, but... we can train together from now on, right?"

"Me?"

"Since it's come to this, it would be good to learn at least the basics of sword use. I'll make sure to teach you the fundamentals."

'There's something thorny in his words...'

I feel quite uneasy for some reason.

'Is he upset?'

It's hard to imagine Hyun-sung being upset.

But one side of his mouth is noticeably drooping.

Realizing that Hyun-sung is also human like us, I can't help but laugh.

Looking around, I see the faces of my party members.

Park Deok-gu and Seon-hee-young look proud, while Jeong Ha-yeon's expression is a bit subtle.

But it's not a bad feeling.

Members of other parties seem jealous, but since they all owe me something, they're clapping.

Their eyes seem to be asking for an explanation about Yuliena, so I have to speak.

"Well... I'm not sure about the quality of the sword, but the internal functions are quite good. It... has the ability to cast curses and even protects me."

"Really?"

Hyun-sung looks a bit surprised.

It's probably because this function didn't exist in the first cycle.

If there had been a madman pretending to be Gedric in the first cycle, the situation might have been different, but I'm confident it didn't exist.

"Ah, it seems others can't read it. It says Yuliena's self is sealed. The sword moves on its own when a threat appears. It uses my mana, which is a bit unsettling, but... it seems to think I'm Gedric."

"I see."

'I have to be Gedric.'

At the very least, to avoid having my neck pierced by the sword, I have to be Gedric.

If I'm found out, it could be a big problem.

For now, the good news is that Yuliena is asleep due to the aftermath of the battle.

I've gained a lot, but my head is starting to hurt.

One thing I'm relieved about is that Hyun-sung doesn't seem as disappointed as I thought.

He even nods slightly at the mention of the sword moving on its own.

'Does he think it will be useful?'

Probably.

He might have thought using it himself was best, but he seems to have accepted the situation.

He looks fine except for the drooping corner of his mouth.

Thinking about it, this greatsword of curses, Yuliena, was probably one of the many legendary items Hyun-sung knows.

But in my opinion, this sword and Hyun-sung's personality don't match well.

If I had to find another owner...

'Jung Jin-ho?'

It might suit the mad killer I met in the tutorial dungeon better.

"Congratulations, Ki-yeong."

"Ah... Yes... Thank you."

"Although things got a bit complicated, if Hyun-sung understands..."

"Yes, I understand. It's a regrettable but unavoidable situation, Eun-si-hee. I'll accept it."

"Even though we don't need your approval, since it's a legendary item, I'll recognize the ownership of the Sword of Curses. Since we're almost done here, we'll head to Lindel after completing the task I mentioned. Let's go home."

"Yes."

We've gained a lot from the dungeon.

Of course, Blue's strength has significantly decreased due to the expedition's failure.

Thinking cruelly, it's not a bad situation in the long run.

Eun-si-hee's influence has decreased, and Hyun-sung's and my internal evaluations have risen significantly.

I don't know what choices Eun-si-hee will make, but given that she feels the burden of being a deputy guild master, she might step down on her own.

The ability to shape Blue to suit Hyun-sung and me.

That alone makes this expedition worthwhile.

'Ha-yeon's condition has also improved...'

Everyone feels like they've climbed a step with this expedition.

Of course, there are still problems to solve.

The issues with Park Deok-gu, whose growth has stopped, and Lee Ji-hye.

It's clear that the cleanup isn't perfect yet.

But the weapon in my hand makes me smile without realizing it.

Putting it away would be a problem. I send a bit of mana and mutter to myself.

'Recall.'

[The Sword of Curses refuses to be recalled.]

"..."

'Recall.'

[The Sword of Curses refuses to be recalled.]

'Go back.'

[The Sword of Curses strongly refuses to be recalled. It wants to stay with you. It says it loves you. It wants to stay with you. It's angry.]

"Go back! Please!"

It was definitely a satisfying expedition.