Chapter 197 – Appearance of a Legend

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Translated by Heavenly Cat

Read it only at Novelbyu.com & Utoon.net

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[?]

[Grade: Legend]

[Restriction: Unknown]

[Effect: Unknown]

[Description: An ego sword with a noble ego.]

The name is a question mark.

Its restrictions and effects are unknown…?

At the end of a long wait.

What kind of ego equipment was made.

I might have started with lamentation.

If the grade hadn’t floated up.

‘Legend…?’

As far as it is known.

The highest item grade in Arcana is [Epic].

As the highest grade items, [Epic] items were absolutely not common.

You had to acquire the spoils of a Demon King to be classified as [Epic] grade.

‘L-L-Legend?!’

But, [Legend].

As if to say I wasn’t seeing things.

A message floated before my eyes.

[Achievement: The One Writing a ‘Legend’]

[Effect: Affinity for all ‘Legend’ grade items slightly increases]

[Duration: Permanent]

Just by grasping the item in my hand.

To achieve an achievement.

I finally feel it’s real.

‘Gwicheol, you really…!’

After throwing a tantrum wanting to be a legend, you really became a legend.

Well, recalling Gwicheol’s course of action.

I almost nodded my head unknowingly.

Starting from its materials, wasn’t Gwicheol meant to be ego equipment?

On top of that, the best blacksmith of the dwarves, Worthwhile, took charge of refining it.

The finishing touch to its luxurious tempering was the magic tool coveted by the Sword Saint, the [Milky Way Whetstone].

Indeed, it couldn’t help but be a precious body.

But wait.

This isn’t a message to look at with satisfaction, is it?

‘….Affinity?’

The achievement’s effect was somewhat unusual.

Judging by the nuance roughly….

Could it mean that [Legend] grade items choose their users?

‘To the point that you can’t even use it if your affinity is low?’

However, there was nothing to worry about.

It might be different for other legend-grade items.

But it wouldn’t apply to Gwicheol.

[Affinity has already reached the maximum value.]

That’s right.

It wasn’t me who chose Gwicheol.

It was Gwicheol who chose me.

As if proving my confidence.

Gwicheol’s voice was heard.

-I have waited only for this moment. My master.

Indeed, the feeling from holding it is different.

‘Gwicheol’s voice is transmitted to my head.’

The resonance, pulsation, and resonance transmitted from my right hand grasping Gwicheol….

A feeling as if it is truly alive.

Why Shegwin kept talking to his sword.

I feel like I can understand.

‘….The sword I used before wasn’t lacking either.’

[Longsword-Posthumous Work of an Unknown Blacksmith].

It was an equipment with a level restriction of 280, but still a [Unique] grade equipment.

With the [Bleeding] effect attached, when I emitted sword aura, I didn’t feel any lack even when facing monsters in the level 500 range.

‘This is on a different level.’

If only I could handle it properly.

A certainty that I could really cut down anything.

As expected, it means a Sword Saint recognizes a sword.

“….!”

Agitation arose in Shegwin’s eyes.

Through Grandfell’s discerning eye, I also somewhat knew that your Atlas was a great sword. Looking at its performance and aesthetic point of view.

Doesn’t our Gwicheol look a few notches higher now?

“….Haha.”

A hollow laugh was heard.

“My thoughts were correct. You were not a common mage. Not only magic, but you were a monster with swordsmanship skills enough to be acknowledged by a sword of that caliber.”

Shegwin laughed, guck-guck.

“So that’s why you achieved such a ridiculous achievement and entered the space-time by unanimous vote. I was a damn frog in a well, Shegwin. What’s the only Grand Sword Master, and what’s the Sword Saint.”

….No, sorry to interrupt your pathetic lamentation.

But who is calling who a monster right now?

Shegwin, you are firmly misunderstanding.

Entering space-time by unanimous vote, I’m thankful for that, but.

That achievement wasn’t one I built on my own!

The suppression of the High-Ranking Demon King, Gamigin.

That was literally.

Thanks to heavenly luck.

The ‘Gates of Hell’ opened due to the Demon King scramble, we summoned the Akshan seniors from Hell, and it was possible thanks to their help.

However.

‘At least pretend to be embarrassed.’

Needless to say, Grandfell’s neck was as stiff as could be.

Still, it’s a relief he is keeping his mouth shut….

Why, let’s look around the spectator seats.

‘When there are this many eyes watching.’

Spitting out a thoughtless remark in front of a crowd?

It’s utterly terrifying just imagining it….

However, I overlooked it.

Following Hiel and The End, another alter ego of mine.

-What are you babbling about, greenhorn.

….What’s with the sudden sudden acceleration?!

‘Above all.’

Did you just call Shegwin a greenhorn, Gwicheol?

Even though he looks like that, how old is he!

Even Grandfell wouldn’t spit out words with such a provocative tone.

It would have been better if Shegwin hadn’t understood.

Just like a user of sword energy recognizes sword energy.

Just like Shegwin could also hear Atlas’ voice.

It seemed he could also understand Gwicheol’s words.

“….Calling me a greenhorn?”

In an instant, killing intent surged.

However, Gwicheol continued speaking without being intimidated in the slightest.

-Greenhorn, are you saying you cannot hear your sword’s scream?

“….!”

-To pity yourself while not even hearing that terrible scream. The years spent grasping and swinging the sword are meaningless. As expected, you walked the wrong path, greenhorn.

Sword versus sword.

With my pride.

I shall break Shegwin’s pride.

Making the resolution meaningless.

You see, Gwicheol already said everything I was going to say.

Really, you take after someone and speak so well.

Of course, the one who always has to deal with the aftermath is me.

“Shut up.”

Grind!

Shegwin charging in with the sound of grinding teeth.

As I emphasized several times.

[Natural Enemy Relationship] cannot be easily overcome.

Even the Seven Deadly Sins, Greed, who was born a Great Evil.

It’s a relationship that cannot be overcome without experience.

Ta-ta-tat!

However, at this moment, there was no fear in Shegwin’s movements.

The sword path he walked even giving up being human and making a contract with a demon. The anger at that path being insulted by Gwicheol must have swallowed even his fear of his natural enemy.

However, keep this in mind, Shegwin.

I chased the smell.

I raised my sword in the direction the smell was wafting from.

“Everything was your choice.”

They were humans who would have died anyway?

No, if it were you, Shegwin, you could have more than saved them.

You merely chose after weighing on the scale.

The worst path.

Gwicheol spoke to me as I was thinking.

-I have a request, my master.

Clang!

Gwicheol and Atlas clashing.

Gwicheol’s voice sank even deeper.

-Will you entrust this duel to me.

Truly, there are no words more reliable than that.

Why, just looking at right now.

I completely lost track of Shegwin’s movements.

Murmuring sounds were heard.

“Fast….!!”

“It’s the Sword Saint in his prime. I can’t even imagine how strong he is!”

“And yet, Ho-yeol-nim perfectly blocked such an attack!!”

Indeed, the eyes of the watching players were accurate.

Shegwin’s body, which would have become stronger than his prime in terms of explosive power alone.

Blocking those rapid movements solely by tracing the smell?

It’s impossible for me.

‘I’m saved thanks to you, Gwicheol.’

That’s right.

Everything was thanks to the ego sword, Gwicheol.

I didn’t raise my sword, Gwicheol led my arm.

So it’s music to my ears.

But.

“The purpose?”

I might not know.

Our Grandfell-nim wouldn’t easily give permission.

Still, thanks to that damn procedure, I could fathom Gwicheol’s thoughts.

-I wish to save the greenhorn’s sword.

Indeed, a purpose befitting Grandfell’s alter ego.

Just as Grandfell saves humanity and the Arcana Continent.

Gwicheol, you want to save a fellow sword.

Naturally, with such a purpose, Grandfell couldn’t object either.

“I permit it.”

A pulsation was transmitted from Gwicheol.

-I express gratitude for your generous mercy, master.

I looked around the Colosseum.

“Since it wouldn’t be bad for a debut stage.”

Then I emitted sword aura.

The silver spirit flowing down Gwicheol’s blade.

Soon, Gwicheol, clad in sword aura, led me.

“You may run wild as you please.”

I accelerated.

‘….But wait.’

I said you could run wild, but still.

‘This is way too fast?!’

How I am swinging my sword.

It’s a speed I can’t even recognize!

I knew it would be like this.

Gwicheol, you take it a step further than vivace….

.

.

.

Fast Sword.

Shegwin’s swordsmanship focused on speed.

The foundation from which such swordsmanship originates was the physical body.

Because it was the swordsman’s body that swings and withdraws the sword.

That was the reason Shegwin longed for youth.

-“This is a contract. A contract to seize youth.”

The demon said so.

At those words, Shegwin looked at his aged body.

His sword path.

To reach its end, he still had a long way to go.

The lifespan remaining for him was short.

-“Shut your mouth before I cut off that wicked tongue.”

Drawing the sword.

The speed of drawing Atlas from its scabbard as well.

It was so slow it could no longer be called a fast sword.

Therefore, he had no choice but to waver.

-“You know it too, don’t you? There is no food to distribute to the pitiful humans in this castle. They will either starve to death or die after having their human dignity trampled by demons. Sir Shegwin is merely bestowing mercy!”

Shegwin clenched his fist.

In the end, the silver-haired man’s words were right.

He had merely made the worst judgment as a human.

However, since he had chosen, he resolved not to regret it.

He swore to himself that he would do anything if he could reach the end of the sword path.

‘And yet, you are the one forsaking me. Atlas.’

Shegwin looked at the man’s sword.

The blade dyed black.

The silver sword aura.

The man’s sword aura he faced was excessively brilliant.

Shegwin could guess the reason.

Even looking like this, he was a Sword Saint.

At the crossroads of life and death, sword energy takes on a unique color.

The moment he saw the man’s sword aura, he could realize.

Just how many life-and-death crises he had gone through.

And why a man with such monstrous abilities.

Had been in numerous life-and-death crises.

Yes, he had thrown himself into crises.

The sword aura that was ‘sublime’ beyond brilliant was the evidence.

Shegwin thought to himself.

‘I’ll admit it. You had the right to babble to me.’

But to turn back at your words.

I have come too far.

And on a path of no return at that.

Shegwin kicked the ground and dashed.

‘So I will entrust everything to you.’

My disposition.

The title of Sword Saint.

And Atlas, you too.

However, I will not hand them over easily.

“Take them if you can.”

This is the petty pride of a vile swordsman.

Shegwin squeezed out his muscles to the point his nerves screamed.

Now that he couldn’t emit sword aura.

All he could utilize was his superior physical abilities.

However, the man reacted to the rapid speed.

Clang!

Clang!

Clang!

Not only that, he followed the rapid speed and matched the clash.

The more he looked, the more absurd a man he was.

His attire was also no different from when seen at the Sociality of Space-Time.

To be able to show such movements in uncomfortable attire akin to ceremonial dress.

However, what was more surprising was the man’s sword.

Clang!

Intense.

Enough that Atlas was pushed back in the clash.

‘Just what is it made of.’

The moment Shegwin repeated the question.

A voice burrowed into his head.

-Do not dare attempt to measure this body, greenhorn.

“….!”

He couldn’t help but flinch.

How could a mere sword pierce through my mind?

Shegwin widened the distance.

Then the voice continued.

-Are you saying you still cannot hear it?

Whatever was it talking about….

-The sound of your sword wailing.

“!”

-I did not read your mind.

“….Then.”

-I merely conversed with your sword.

“….!!”

The flinching Shegwin looked at Atlas.

Atlas’ voice still couldn’t be heard.

But the man’s sword conveyed the words instead.

-To not even hear the sound of your own sword wailing because it is vexed and resentful. The state of oneness of sword and body is meaningless. Greenhorn.

….Atlas is wailing because it’s vexed and resentful?

“!”

Only then did Shegwin realize.

That’s right, it was a sword path.

Because it was the path of the sword.

It was a path he had to walk together with the sword.

But I was arrogant.

Even though it was a sword path I couldn’t walk without you.

Atlas, I merely considered you a weapon to swing.

“….”

Shegwin finally raised his head.

The wrong path.

He realized it was a path he couldn’t return to even if he regretted it.

Lastly, he recalled the man’s words.

-“The vain pride you pierced through with even going as far as giving up being human. How does it feel to have that denied by the sword, Shegwin. But I too shall deny it. With my sword.”

‘There was no need for you to raise your sword.’

He finally understood the meaning of those words.

And why the man’s sword aura.

Bore such a sublime light.

Shegwin opened his mouth.

“I, in my foolishness, have understood your will.”

That’s right.

Everything was the man’s consideration.

Salvation for the Sword Saint, no, for an old man who has gone wrong.

“I will respond to that will with all my might.”

Then the man’s sword spoke.

-Come. Today I shall cut down a fast sword, and my master shall cut down a Sword Saint!

And the match was decided.

Slash