Chapter 10 - The Reapersword

My goblin hunt was perfect until I returned to the entrance of the Abyss.

Until the very last moment, I hadn't allowed a single attack, and instead of completely exhausting my mana, I was able to leave a little bit of a surplus.

Of course, it was too small an amount to use the word exhaustion in the first place.

Although I gave myself a satisfactory evaluation, it seemed Choi Ho-joong was very displeased with my performance today.

“No matter how I think about it, you were too reckless today, Young Master.”

“Ho-joong, you know this is the fifth time you’ve said that, right?”

“It’s because there were too many dizzying moments when I think back on it. It’s a good thing you were safe, Young Master, but I think I made a big mistake. I should have just ignored your words and handled it myself.”

“What? Ignored my words? Have you completely lost your mind?”

“Even if you say I’m crazy, my opinion won't change. For the sake of your safety in the future, Young Master, I think I will have to exercise my discretion.”

“Just hurry up and pick a sword. By exercising your discretion.”

The place we were at now was the Samhan Forge.

It was a place that directly crafted and sold various weapons for Hunters, but Choi Ho-joong was just nagging instead of thinking about choosing a sword.

“Well, it was still an amazing improvement. Because you really hunted goblins by yourself in a precarious state.”

“Are you evaluating me right now?”

Choi Ho-joong continued speaking without paying any mind.

“Still, you must not become complacent. Today, while hunting goblins, you faced a major crisis as many as seven times….”

The more I let this guy talk, the more absurd he became.

His nagging knew no end.

Until Shin Ah-yeon arrived.

“I’m sorry, Young Master. I’m a little late.”

“Late? What do you mean late. There are still 10 minutes left until the appointment time.”

“Ah, is that so? Then that’s a relief!”

Seeing her rough breathing and sweat-drenched hair, it seemed Shin Ah-yeon had run all the way here from the sword family.

I heard she was a work bug, and I liked that.

“Oh? Mr. Choi Ho-joong was here too?”

“Yes? Ah… yes!”

This guy Choi Ho-joong suddenly stuttered.

His face seemed a little flushed too.

“You two are from the same school, right?”

“Was I from the same school as Mr. Choi Ho-joong?”

“That’s what Ho-joong said. Isn’t that right, Ho-joong?”

“Pardon? Ah, well… I think that might have been the case.”

“What kind of answer is that?”

“M-my memory is a bit hazy!”

“Hazy my ass. Weren't you the one who knew everything from the name of the club Shin Ah-yeon joined to her record of being the class president for all three years of high school?”

“I did?”

“Then who else would have introduced Shin Ah-yeon to me? Whatever, you two, start picking out your swords in earnest now.”

For a moment, Choi Ho-joong’s face turned into a beet for no reason, and a strange light appeared on Shin Ah-yeon’s face.

“Young Master, but is it really okay to pick an expensive one?”

“I promised, didn't I? That I would reward you if I passed.”

“Then I will choose an expensive one without reservation.”

It didn't matter how much money it cost.

The money spent on these two was, after all, an investment.

Because both of them would become my limbs.

Both of them had a decent eye for swords.

If they had chosen something shabby, I was going to choose for them, but there was no need for that.

In the end, they chose something quite expensive.

It was much better to show this kind of confidence than to make a half-hearted choice out of a sense of propriety.

“Thank you, Young Master.”

“If you’re thankful, then get in line properly.”

“Pardon? What line?”

“I am also a successor of the Haewon Sword Family, you know.”

In fact, this was a point that everyone had forgotten.

Until now, it had been understandable.

Because the Seo Ji-han before I was possessed was destined to be terminally ill.

There was no reason for me, once the strongest on the continent, to cling to the position of a mere sword family head, but I had no intention of staying still like a scarecrow.

From now on, I intended to imprint it upon everyone.

That Seo Ji-han was no longer the powerless youngest son.

***

Originally, I had come to the forge with the intention of gifting a sword each to Choi Ho-joong and Shin Ah-yeon, but as I looked around myself, I also became greedy.

Since coming to Earth, I had yet to have what could be called my own personal sword.

‘I wonder what happened to my Holy Sword Bastian?’

It would have been nice if it had come with me when I was possessed into this world, but it would be too greedy to wish for that.

In any case, I had parted with Bastian, so I had to find a new sword.

I knew that I had to lower my standards significantly.

If I were to judge based on that sword, which was unparalleled even on the Kalia Continent, I would never be able to find one that satisfied me.

Still, among the numerous weapons, there was one sword that caught my eye.

Four stars were embedded in the hilt of the sword, and each of these stars was emitting an unusual aura.

“What is the name of this sword?”

“A few days ago, it was named the Reapersword.”

Before I knew it, the one attending to me was the owner of the forge.

Considering the price of the swords Choi Ho-joong and Shin Ah-yeon had chosen, it was only natural to receive VIP treatment.

“Reapersword….”

“It is a new product recently crafted in our forge. But may I ask why you have taken notice of this sword?”

“Because the four stars embedded in the sword are emitting an extraordinary aura.”

“Hah! Amazing. Did you really feel that?”

“I have a good sense for these things.”

Although I had lost my past power, I hadn't lost my discerning eye.

Reapersword.

It was undoubtedly the most outstanding sword in this forge.

“The four stars you mentioned are all enhancement stones mined from the Abyss.”

“All four of them?”

I learned about enhancement stones while preparing for the written test.

A mysterious stone that dramatically improves a sword’s performance.

“That’s right. And this Reapersword is also a masterpiece that our forge’s best blacksmith poured his heart and soul into creating.”

Then there was no need to look any further.

“How much is it? I’ll buy it.”

The good thing about being possessed as the son of the Haewon Sword Family was that I didn't have to worry about money.

And it was my creed not to be stingy with money when it came to swords.

However, contrary to my expectations, the forge owner momentarily showed a troubled expression.

“Customer, I apologize for saying this, but that Reapersword is actually a difficult item to sell.”

“Was it not for sale?”

“Of course, that’s not the case. All the swords made in the forge are for sale to the world.”

“Then why do you say it’s difficult?”

“It’s because of the unique restriction created by the four enhancement stones. In fact, this Reapersword has an ego that chooses its own master.”

“An interesting story.”

My beloved sword during my time as Johan Raven, the Holy Sword Bastian, was also an ego sword.

One that could even converse with me.

“If a person who is not acknowledged by the Reapersword wields it, at that moment, these four stars turn gray and the blade also becomes dull. We can't just sell something like this to anyone, can we?”

“I’m curious by what standard this fellow chooses its master.”

“Even we at the forge, its creators, do not know that for certain, but what this Reapersword desires seems to be ‘stature’.”

At the forge owner’s words, Choi Ho-joong flared up.

“Hey! Did you just say ‘stature’? Do you know who you’re talking to?”

“I know it’s rude, but I have roughly guessed from the customers’ conversation that you are from the Haewon Sword Family.”

“What! So you knew he was the young master of the Haewon Sword Family and still spoke of his ‘stature’ being low?”

Choi Ho-joong raised his voice further in excitement.

This guy really couldn't grasp the context at all.

“Ho-joong! That’s enough.”

“Young Master. Isn’t this forge owner being too rude?”

“I apologize if my expression was unpleasant. However, when I used the expression ‘stature’, I was of course not referring to origin or lineage.”

“I know. This guy is just the type to not think before he acts.”

The forge owner gave me a slight bow and continued speaking.

“In fact, a few days ago, a renowned Hunter also tried to purchase this sword, but in the end, he left in anger. That’s how picky this Reapersword is.”

Hearing this made me like it even more.

It felt like it had some integrity.

“Then I’ll give it a try too.”

“Very well. The opportunity is open to everyone.”

If I were Johan Raven, the Reapersword would have undoubtedly become mine.

But now, I was Seo Ji-han.

Nothing could be guaranteed.

I calmed my breathing and grabbed the hilt of the Reapersword placed on the display stand.

I could immediately tell that it was no ordinary sword, just as the forge owner had said.

It felt similar to when I held the Holy Sword Bastian.

Jiiing.

As I sent the mana from my body into the Reapersword, the sword immediately resonated.

And the four stars embedded in the hilt began to emit a red light.

I knew in that instant.

That this fellow had acknowledged me as its master.

“Huh? Huh-huh?”

The forge owner couldn't close his wide-open mouth.

“Young Master!”

Choi Ho-joong and Shin Ah-yeon were just as surprised.

In fact, I was surprised too.

What I had pushed into the sword was just a minuscule amount of mana. The Reapersword had judged me based on just that.

It seemed this thing was truly something special.

“Young Master, by any chance, that sword….”

“Why? Thinking it might react to just anyone?”

“W-well, that’s not it, but.”

Not it, my foot.

His expression said it all.

That he wanted to try holding it too.

“Here! Take it.”

“Young Master! Please don’t misunderstand. I just think that the words of this owner here haven’t been verified yet, so there’s a need to check.”

Honestly, I was curious too.

Just how much integrity this Reapersword had.

“I get it, so you try holding it.”

“Yes, Young Master.”

Choi Ho-joong took the Reapersword without hesitation.

And at that moment.

Sreureureu.

The stars that had been emitting a brilliant red light gradually lost their color and eventually turned gray.

Exactly as the forge owner had said.

“Huh? Why is it doing this?”

Choi Ho-joong poured a great deal of mana into the Reapersword, but the stars that had turned gray did not change their appearance anymore.

“What is this!”

“Ho-joong, stop it. Anyone would think you’re coveting the Reapersword.”

“Young Master. It’s not that….”

Choi Ho-joong tilted his head and continued to struggle.

“Shin Ah-yeon. You try it this time.”

“Yes, I understand.”

This time, Shin Ah-yeon received the sword and infused her mana.

But the result was the same.

In the end, the Reapersword came full circle and returned to me.

Jiiiiiing!

The fellow resonated with my mana once again, and the four stars regained their brilliant light.

With this, the verification was perfectly complete.

“Then I’ll ask again. How much is this sword?”