CHAPTER 34
The sword itself didn't change.

But it began to absorb the surrounding mana. It wasn’t a visible phenomenon, but Jinwoo, holding the sword, could feel the change.

It wasn't as overwhelming as the dragon's soul. The sight of the dragon absorbing mana had been like a star with its own gravity, pulling in any nearby mana without resistance.

In comparison, the mana being absorbed by Jinwoo's sword was only slightly more powerful than normal.

And yet, that slightly powerful absorption was enough to make the magic on Johann's chains waver.

‘Is the structure shaking?’

Jinwoo wasn't a mage, so he didn't know for sure. He had only read a few guides and tips written by mage Hunters on HunterNet Blind out of boredom.

According to those posts, magic was like architecture. One had to use the material called mana to build diverse and complex, yet stable, structures.

A well-constructed spell formula was said to be inherently solid and stable, able to withstand any external pressure.

By that logic, the magic Johann had cast should have a structure as sturdy as a bomb shelter. After all, he was an S-class warlock.

But the structure of that spell was shaking and crumbling under the pull of the Dragon Sword, like a building helplessly trembling in a strong earthquake.

‘If an S-class’s magic is shaking this much, a shoddy spell wouldn’t even stand a chance, would it?’

This was a considerable anti-magic ability. A B-class spell would probably collapse just from activating Dragon Sword, and an A-class spell would only hold out for a short while.

Only an S-class spell would be able to properly endure it and maintain its form.

‘In fact, Johann's magic is shaking, but it hasn't collapsed.’

The magic on the chains hadn't lost its effectiveness. In terms of buildings, it meant it had perfect earthquake-resistant design.

However, no matter how perfect the seismic design, if it was hit with an even greater shock from the outside, it was bound to collapse.

Slice—

Clang!

Jinwoo easily sliced through the chains with the Dragon Sword.

The magical chains, which would never have been cut by an ordinary sword, were severed without resistance.

Even though Jinwoo had only cut one spot, the resulting magical explosion shattered the entire length of the chains. The mana that constituted the spell poured out all at once, and every last bit was absorbed by the Dragon Sword.

The absorbed mana then flowed into Jinwoo, who was holding the sword.

Through the sword, up his arm, into his blood vessels, and finally, to his heart.

‘So this is mana…’

Feeling the sensation of mana so clearly for the first time, Jinwoo was slightly moved.

It wasn't that mana hadn't existed before. Every living being in the world possessed its own unique mana, and the abilities Hunters awakened were also fundamentally based on it.

But unless one was a magic-user who professionally handled mana, it was difficult to feel it directly.

Just because blood flows through a person's body doesn't mean everyone can feel the flow of their bloodstream.

But in this moment, Jinwoo could feel the bloodstream of mana, its flow.

‘Mana also centers around the heart.’

The heart was the center of the body, and mana was an energy that symbolized life. It didn't feel strange that it would flow from the heart.

‘Mana absorption… this seems like it will be more directly helpful than soul absorption.’

The ability to absorb the Blue Flame was absolute, that was true.

But the Blue Flames he absorbed didn't bring about any major changes in his body. It just made him feel less tired and more energetic.

In contrast, mana directly strengthened his body, sharpening his senses like sight, hearing, and touch.

If he put his mind to it, he could even learn magic and apply it in battle, making it a resource with exceptional versatility.

Of course, Jinwoo would rather swing his sword one more time in that time.

‘Excellent.’

That was Jinwoo's assessment after confirming the Dragon Sword's performance. It was superior to any other ability he had acquired so far, except for those related to the Blue Flame.

Faster feet, stable breathing, the Shadow Sword, or the Rock Sword—they all had their uses, but even combined, they couldn't match the performance of the Dragon Sword alone.

In the first place, the mana gained from the Dragon Sword could also be used to make his feet faster and increase his stamina, making it a clear upgrade.

‘Alright then.’

Having finished checking his new ability, Jinwoo turned his gaze to the Ego Sword.

"The chains that bound you have all been removed. Now, speak."

As he asked while holding the Ego Sword, it finally responded.

"Kiing."

"…Huh?"

"Kiing! Kiing!"

Was this how this thing normally talked?

Was it a side effect of being trapped in a sword for so long? Or had its soul undergone some change by being contained in an inanimate object instead of a living body?

Either reason wouldn't be strange. The very fact that a soul was contained in an object was not a normal occurrence to begin with.

Staring at the Ego Sword with a dumbfounded expression, Jinwoo changed his approach. If it couldn't talk, there were other ways to deal with it.

"Your former master, Johann, is dead. What should I do with you? I heard it's the lifelong wish of Elves to return to the World Tree upon death. I can break you right now and set you free."

"Kiing! Ki-iingki-iing!"

The Ego Sword reacted violently, wailing. Even without words, anyone could understand its meaning.

Above all, it was a desperate desire for freedom.

Understanding its desperation completely, Jinwoo nodded and said.

"Oh, really? You want to wander the world a bit more? You've got big ambitions."

"Kiing!?"

"You'll only let yourself be broken on the battlefield? Wow, a born warrior. Alright, let's turn the world upside down together."

"Kii-iing-iing!"

The Ego Sword cried and cried, but Jinwoo paid it no mind and took some bandages out of his inventory.

Because it had a soul, the Ego Sword couldn't be stored in the inventory, and Jinwoo didn't carry a separate scabbard. He stored all his swords in his inventory anyway.

He carefully wrapped the chipped blade with the bandages and fastened it to his waist. The slight weight on his hip felt surprisingly reassuring.

He was surprised to realize that in all his time using swords, he had never once worn one at his waist. With an extremely convenient ability like the inventory, there had never been a need to carry a sword.

"Don't worry. When we get back, I'll buy you a leather scabbard that fits. I'll have it custom-made from the most expensive, highest-quality leather, so look forward to it."

"Kiing… Kii-iing…"

The Ego Sword cried in resignation. It felt like it was collapsing to the floor in a flood of tears.

The chains that had bound it had essentially just been replaced with bandages, so it was understandable that it would cry sorrowfully. Of course, that wasn't something Jinwoo would concern himself with.

His work done, he headed for the altar room where he had left Cheon Juhyeok. Just then.

"Kiing."

The Ego Sword let out a very small, single cry.

Even Jinwoo could understand the meaning contained in that cry.

—Thank you.

For saving me from the hands of that evil warlock.

In response to that cry, Jinwoo replied sincerely, without teasing.

"Don't mention it. I was just cleaning up a mess that splattered onto me."

Still, the Ego Sword was grateful to Jinwoo.

Though it wasn't grateful for being captured again right after being rescued.

He returned to the room where the altar was.

The area where he had fought Johann was completely destroyed, with no trace of the passages or the room remaining, but the area around the altar was perfectly intact.

The entrance, walls, and ceiling were all shattered, but the altar and the floor around it didn't have a single crack.

He had laid Cheon Juhyeok behind the altar and protected him with the power of the wind barrier, but now it seemed that hadn't even been necessary.

Still, when it came to safety, it was better to be overprepared.

"Ugh, ughh…"

While Jinwoo rested against the altar, chewed on some beef jerky, and briefly looked around, Cheon Juhyeok opened his eyes with a groan.

"Are you okay?"

"Hyung… Hyung-nim…?"

Cheon Juhyeok, who had been dazed for a moment, soon remembered everything and shot up.

"Johann! That warlock is after you, Hyung-nim!"

"I know. I already took care of it."

"That guy is from New York's… huh? You took care of it?"

"I killed him."

Cheon Juhyeok wore a dumbfounded expression. It was something that his common sense could not comprehend.

"Killed him, what? Johann? The Warlock of New York?"

"Yeah."

"An S-class?"

"The god took the body. I got a blessing on credit, using his corpse as collateral."

"…Excuse me?"

Receiving a blessing on credit was another thing he had never heard of. Cheon Juhyeok couldn't even begin to imagine what had transpired while he was unconscious.

"Come to think of it, the surroundings are…"

Cheon Juhyeok looked around, and the room was no longer a room.

The walls and ceiling on all sides were shattered, and the floor was not intact. The only things undamaged in this room—no, in this entire area—were the altar and its immediate vicinity.

The view outside was so wide open that it made him forget this was the underground labyrinth of the 2nd Floor. The 2nd Floor was supposed to be a place where narrow passages intertwined like an ant colony, but this area was as open as an airstrip.

Of course, due to the collapsed debris, it wasn't as smooth as a real airstrip.

"You… fought a battle? With Johann?"

"Yep. I told you I killed him."

Cheon Juhyeok swallowed hard at the traces of what was clearly an extraordinary battle.

He knew Jinwoo was strong. The story that he had cleared the Tokyo Erosion in one or two hours had become quite well-known recently.

About ten A-class hunters from Tokyo's Shirata Guild had entered with him, but according to the Shirata guildmaster, Satomi Ayaka, Jinwoo had cleared the Erosion all by himself.

That alone was astonishing, but he had also overcome his own attacks while being controlled by Johann.

While under control, he had been surprisingly bold and aggressive, far stronger than his usual self, yet Jinwoo had been even stronger.

‘Even that was something unimaginable for an E-class, but…’

He killed an S-class? Just managing to escape would have been an achievement praised as a once-in-a-generation talent, but he fought back and killed him instead?

"The blessing helped a lot. The god must have really coveted the corpse of an S-class warlock, because it lent me a pretty incredible sword. It was a rental, though, so it took it back as soon as the fight was over."

"Still!"

Wasn't this an incredible feat? Wasn't this a first in the entire history of the world's Hunters?

He couldn't bring himself to say the rest. He was too shocked to even speak properly.

No matter how much help he had from a blessing, an E-class defeating an S-class…

If he posted this on HunterNet Blind, it wouldn't be strange to be sanctioned by the moderators for being an unbelievable piece of clickbait.

"More importantly, about what comes next."

No matter how surprised Cheon Juhyeok was, Jinwoo brought up what needed to be said.

"What comes next? Are you talking about finding the blue portal?"

"Oh, that? I've already found it. See that passage on the other side? I went out that way, took one turn, and there it was. It was easy to find once everything was opened up."

He had thought "what comes next" meant finding the portal, but he had apparently already found it.

In that case, what Jinwoo meant by "what comes next" was…

"You mean after we get outside."

"Yeah. A pretty big incident just happened, right?"

"Yes. Don't worry, Hyung-nim. I'll keep my mouth shut."

Cheon Juhyeok vowed with a grim expression. No matter what, he would take today's events to his grave.

That was the least he could do to repay the Hyung-nim who had saved his life.

"What are you talking about? Shut about what?"

But that vow was broken in less than three seconds.

"Huh? If this gets out, it will attract unnecessary attention, New York might take it badly, and you could make an enemy of Johann's acquaintances. Isn't that dangerous?"

"It was already dangerous to begin with. How many things in the world are more dangerous than being attacked by an S-class?"

"That's… true."

Jinwoo explained briefly. He was very close to an S-class Hunter named Chartia, and because she had naturalized from New York to Seoul, the political circles and the Hunter Bureau in New York considered her a thorn in their side.

He added that he himself was already on their radar, and Johann's attack was part of that.

"Ah, so that's why…"

"In that sense, I'm sorry. The fact that you got caught and controlled by Johann is, in a way, my fault."

"No, how is it your fault, Hyung-nim! Of course, the perpetrator is 100 percent to blame!"

Cheon Juhyeok vented his frustration at Jinwoo, who was apologizing for getting him involved. Hearing him say that made Jinwoo's heart feel lighter.

If things had ended badly, he would have continued to feel guilty, but for now, both he and Cheon Juhyeok were safe.

"Anyway, since we were attacked, we have to report it. I'll have to tell the Bureau and Mayor Ma Doo-sik. I'll ask them to lodge an official protest. We need to get something out of this, whether it's an apology or compensation."

"That's a good idea. I have quite a few connections myself. I will do everything I can in every possible way."

"That's great. You're a victim who was wronged too, so let's, as victims, stick together."

"Yes, sir!"

Cheon Juhyeok replied with a look of sharp military discipline. He looked like a soldier entrusted with a great mission.

It wasn't quite that serious, just a matter of exposing the truth, but… since he was taking it so seriously, Jinwoo had no reason to stop him.

"It might be dangerous to stay in the Gate, so let's get out of here for now. We can talk about the details outside."

"Sounds good. Where should we meet?"

"Hmm, let's see… I need to rest, report my survival to the Bureau, and go to the hospital. How about tomorrow for lunch… right, how about a meal at Jeongun?"

"Jeongun? That expensive restaurant?"

"I don't know if we can get a reservation, but lunch should be fine without one, unlike dinner, right?"

"Lunch will probably be fine. Are you a regular?"

Jinwoo shook his head.

"I promised to go with someone I know, but we were both so busy our schedules never lined up. I was really looking forward to it, but I've never been."

"Ah, I see. Is it a lady, by any chance?"

"No. A business partner."

He didn't bother to mention that the partner was Mayor Ma Doo-sik.

"I understand. Jeongun has a nice, calm atmosphere, and more importantly, the food is to die for. If it's your first time, you'll be amazed."

"You've been there before? With your girlfriend?"

"No, not like that. My grandfather used to take me there sometimes."

A grandfather taking you to an expensive restaurant was a story that had no connection to Jinwoo's life.

‘Is this guy born with a silver spoon?’

He hadn't realized it, but it seemed his family was quite well-off. Or perhaps his grandfather was a retired Hunter and had a lot of money saved up.

Either way, the fact that he was born with a silver spoon remained the same.

"Alright, that's enough talk. Let's go."

"Yes."

Together with Cheon Juhyeok, he headed for the blue portal Jinwoo had found.

Jinwoo wasn't badly hurt, but Cheon Juhyeok needed to go to the hospital. Although he had given him first aid with Chartia's potion, he didn't know what his internal condition was like.

With that in mind, the two of them made no detours and jumped straight into the blue portal.

His vision shifted, and when he opened his eyes, the familiar scenery of his home would…

‘Huh?’

…not appear. Something was a little strange.

Normally, when you enter a portal, you return home in an instant. Whether it was truly an instant, or if it just felt like an instant because you lost consciousness, was unknown, but sensorially, it was an instant.

But before returning home, inside the portal, Jinwoo regained consciousness.

‘What is this?’

He was bewildered. The feeling was the same kind of bewilderment as waking up in the middle of a sedated endoscopy.

Why on earth would he become conscious during the moment of portal travel?

His mind wasn't fully clear yet, and his eyes were half-closed. In that state, his body was suddenly pulled somewhere.

To be precise, the Ego Sword at his waist was being pulled. Jinwoo gripped the sword tighter so as not to lose it, and as a result, he too was pulled along.

A Gate that opens and closes on a cycle of about a month.

Jinwoo had taken the wrong exit.

When he opened his eyes, what he saw was the scenery of a somehow familiar forest.

The grass and trees were ones he had seen plenty of in Seoul's few remaining green mountains and primeval forests, but the forest here was somehow different.

Its appearance and the scent it gave off were slightly different. But Jinwoo had smelled a grassy scent like this before.

‘That time in the 0th Floor…’

In the past, when he entered the special gate, the 0th Floor, the forest at night had felt like this.

But this time, no special gate had opened, had it? No, in the first place, Jinwoo had come out of a blue portal. Isn't a blue portal for returning home, not a Gate?

Confused, Jinwoo soon realized something and lowered his gaze to his waist.

"Kiing!?"

The Ego Sword flinched, trembling in fear of being scolded.

"So you were the culprit…"

Jinwoo sighed deeply, clutching his aching head.

He didn't know the principle behind it, but it seemed he had drifted not into his own world, but into the world of the Ego Sword.

‘I should be able to go back when the next Gate opens, but…’

Seeing how Rona and the other Elves entered and exited the Gate, he just had to wait until the next one.

As long as this place didn't have an unusually different cycle, it would probably be about a month. Enduring for that long wasn't a difficult task. However.

"Looks like I won't be able to go to Jeongun again."

He had broken his promise to have a meal at the restaurant yet again.