“Didn’t you say this was a village with active trade? To me, it looks like a village where funerals are more active than trade. Hey, Yuna, what do you think?”
“…As I’ve always thought, can you at least show some respect to the deceased, even if nothing else?”
“Freeze in hell showing respect to weaklings who dropped dead. They should’ve been stronger. So, Hero, what will you do? Judging by the state of the village, it seems impossible to ride through comfortably.”
When viewed from afar, the buildings were shining strangely, but it turned out they were burning and emitting light. The fire didn’t seem to have started long ago, judging by the still fiercely burning flames.
“…Is there anyone… still alive? Alterra can’t detect anything right now… Nonetheless, let’s check if there’s anyone alive. Yuna, Akashi, and Mari, look around over there. Alterra, stay close to me. Something might suddenly appear.”
The fences had collapsed, food supplies and materials were burning, spreading a foul smell everywhere, but we couldn’t give up the search. There might still be survivors.
Alterra hesitated for a moment, then agreed and stuck close to me. Actually, it would’ve been better to keep her near Yuna. She has experience guarding others, after all.
But I wanted her near me. After seeing such a horrifying vision just now, it seemed natural to deceive myself and move ahead of Alterra while searching for survivors.
“…Why does this have to happen when I can’t use my powers? Ugh…”
“It’s fine. It’s physiological. There’s nothing you can do about it. No one will criticize you, Alterra.”
I drew the sword that binds souls and cautiously treaded through the burning streets. No matter how hard I strained my ears, I could only hear the sound of collapsing buildings, not any screams.
“Is anyone there?! If you can hear me, please respond! Is anyone there!”
There probably isn’t anyone alive. Though the attack happened not long ago, humans can die quickly even in short periods.
…It is strange, though, that no bodies are visible. But this is an unusual world, so it might not matter much. Alterra also seemed to be searching earnestly in her own way, but the results were unsatisfactory.
“…No one. Not a single person, not even a corpse…”
Given that Alterra said this, it seemed like there really wasn’t anyone. The alleyways were blocked by burning debris, and there was no way to know what had happened.
Walking aimlessly down the burning streets without finding anything, suddenly a burst of light shot up from the distance. It was the direction where Akashi and Yuna were.
Did they find something? When I brought Alterra over, there was a charred piece of wood—or maybe something else—on the ground. On closer inspection, it was faintly twitching.
“After searching everywhere, we finally found this one. We don’t know what happened, but somehow it’s still alive.”
A figure lay on the ground, severely damaged. Was it even human? Many non-humans live alongside humans, so it was hard to tell.
Because it was completely blackened.
This lump of charcoal lying here, unaware of our presence, struggling to breathe—it was disheartening that after searching the entire village, we found only this.
It’s probably futile to try and save it. Without a priest, and even if Mari is great, it seems unlikely she could revive someone so close to death.
Except for Alterra, who is a special case…
Just as I was thinking it was practically the same as finding nothing, a thought occurred to me. Could I do something with this sword?
“…Mari, do you think you can save this person?”
-Impossible. Beyond revival.
Akashi advised me to give up on trying to save this person. He argued that even if revived, it wouldn’t make sense given its current condition. I wasn’t planning to ask him anyway.
“…Myungho, what are you going to do…?”
Altera, sensing something ominous, asked what I intended to do. Instead of words, I showed her what I was about to do.
I raised the sword and pierced the lump of charcoal. Just like before, cracks appeared on the blade, and something purple flowed out and was sucked back into the sword.
Last time, it ended there because I couldn’t perceive what flowed in since I didn’t understand dark magic, which deals with souls and life force.
But things are different now. As I demonstrated to the shocked Alterra and Yuna, I placed my thumb on the side of the blade and ran it along while chanting:
“I command thee, come forth and obey. Unknown spirit.”
I didn’t just learn how to manipulate life force from Akashi; I also learned how to handle souls. Although I only studied the theory because I couldn’t sacrifice my own soul…
Seems like I learned well. A purple aura escaped from the blade as the cracks closed, and the hovering energy soon took the shape of a human.
-…What… is going on here…? I clearly remember… And yet, who are you people?!
“Let me ask the questions. What happened?”
So this was his original form. The bent old man looked confused as he stared at us. But first, I needed answers to my questions.
-…Apparently, the village chief made a deal with a demon. He wanted to bring his daughter back to life, so he put the whole village on the other side of the scale. I don’t know what happened afterward! Who the hell are you to order me around?!
“Hmm, dark magic, huh? Looks like you got scammed. Tell me one thing. What happened to the village chief?”
-How would I know that?! I lost consciousness suddenly! Guess I’m lucky to be okay… or something…
The ghost, realizing his condition, kept saying it wasn’t right and collapsed. Though pitiful, I still had more to uncover.
“…Let me ask again. Where might the village chief have gone?”
The sobbing ghost stood up blankly upon hearing my question and pointed to one side. He mentioned a large hall where they held rituals, and that his ‘daughter’ would likely be there.
I sent the crying ghost to rest by drawing a line with my brush. Alterra and Yuna watched everything silently, seemingly shocked.
“…They mentioned a hall. We need to check what happened, even if we got dragged into this. We can’t just ignore this mess.”
“…Rather, Myungho, did you just control a spirit? How did you do that…?”
“It’s the power of the sword. I accidentally discovered it. Seems like I can manipulate the spirits I absorb at will. I don’t plan to use it often, but sometimes… it’s necessary. Does that explain it?”
Altera seemed ready to say something, but then accepted it muttering that if it was the sword’s ability, it must be fine. Yuna looked like she had something to say but didn’t voice it.
“Then let’s go.”
Ignoring the smirking Akashi, I took the lead.
—
Could Myungho really do that? Well, considering what that sword has done so far, having such a function isn’t surprising…
Still, it feels unsettling. Not exactly scary, but ominous. This kind of ability could be horribly misused if handled improperly.
…But he’s such a good guy, so I’m sure he’ll control it well. Still, I wonder what to do if he ever loses control and goes astray.
What can you do? Beat him up until he comes to his senses, I guess. It’s an unpleasant truth, but most things can be corrected with violence.
That’s what my father used to do when I was human. And I somewhat agree with him, even if I don’t fully understand why he disciplined me with beatings… Maybe I’ll understand if Myungho ever changes.
I hope that day never comes. Following Myungho, I noticed a particularly large ruin among the debris. Its entrance remained intact, unlike the others.
“…That must be it. Everyone, be careful. There’s probably a dark magician and… something else down there. Alterra, maybe it’d be better if you stayed behind. It seems safer than whatever’s below.”
Myungho asked if it’d be better for me to stay in a safe place. I shook my head, indicating I’d follow.
“I may be weaker, but I won’t slow you down. Besides, I’ve got this, so I’ll manage somehow. And we’re not alone anymore, right?”
Let me tag along with my friends. Surprised, Myungho briefly widened his eyes before smiling and agreeing, warning me not to run off on my own.
“Honestly, it’s getting sweet. Honey’s dripping everywhere. If either of them dies like this, it’ll be quite the spectacle.”
““Shut up.””
When Akashi mocked us, both of us simultaneously told him to shut up. With nothing left to say, he shrugged and excused himself, claiming he was just joking.
“Akashi, you’d be better received if you just kept your mouth shut. Why do you always open it to stir trouble? Is it so hard to stay quiet?”
Even Yuna joined in criticizing Akashi, but he ignored her and entered the building alone. Since we couldn’t leave him, we followed.
“The inside is cleaner than expected.”
Other buildings were destroyed beyond recognition, but this one was relatively intact, with only part of the ceiling collapsed and the furniture broken.
Absolutely speaking, it’s still a ruin.
“…Nothing here so far. They said a ritual was performed downstairs… Hey, do you see any stairs leading down?”
“Give me a moment.”
I sharpened my dulled senses as much as possible to search for any downward passage. Normally, I’d stomp loudly to create vibrations, but now, due to my weakened state, it only hurt my feet.
After awkwardly holding my foot for a bit, I struck the ground with my sturdy tail to generate vibrations and detected something beneath a bookshelf in the corner.
“Ouch… There’s something under there.”
“Are you alright…?”
“I’m fine.”
Calming Myungho, who worried about my condition again, I confidently pushed the bookshelf aside and found a trapdoor. Listening closely, I could hear faint sounds below.
A strange, horrifying laugh mixed with cries from a young girl…
“…Myungho. There’s something down there.”
Whatever it is, we’ll find out once we go down.
