Episode 171: Heart of Witch
“Jung Yong! Are you listening, Jung Yong?”
I barely snapped out of my reverie at Seop Baek’s shout. Suddenly regaining my senses, I looked around.
Seop Baek was waving her hands frantically in front of my face.
“You’ve been incredibly spaced out since a while ago. Did something happen while I was gone?”
“No, nothing… I was just watching the matches. The matches.”
“Somehow, I don’t believe that…”
Hurriedly, I cleared my throat and tried to change the subject.
For no particular reason, I pretended to feign interest and directed my gaze towards the stadium.
“Whoa! Kill him! No, don’t kill him!”
“He’s doing well! Knight of the Gale!!”
“If you lose, the Cavalier name will lose its pride!!”
Today was the last day of the Martial Arts Festival.
I had come to the Martial Arts Festival accompanied by Seseona, Ruci, Carhalas, and Seop Baek, who had returned the previous day from the Blue Flame Cave.
It was partly to watch the matches, but mainly to see the Martial Arts Festival’s famous grand finale, the fireworks display.
“It’s impressive for sure. It’s hard to even follow with my eyes.”
Seop Baek scratched his head muttering.
“I kind of enjoyed it more during the prelims! I don’t really know what’s going on! Heehee.”
Seseona, sitting to my left, nodded in strong agreement and chimed in her thoughts. Carhalas sitting next to her also gave a sheepish smile of agreement.
Seop Baek smiled faintly, adding a word.
“I thought I had gotten stronger in the cave… haha, but I guess I’m still far behind.”
That’s what the tournament looks like through the eyes of the three Yamuchis.
By the way, I’m dying of boredom. Maybe because these guys are the ones who have been knocked out by me time and time again. Their squabbles with current Cavaliers seem like child’s play.
“There’s a high level of skill among the Cavalier candidates this year.”
Carhalas looked at me briefly after making that remark.
As I met his gaze calmly, he grinned slightly.
“They’ve already won 15 contests, seizing spots. It’s the first time so many victories have occurred on the contest day.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes. Usually, it takes four years for skills to develop, allowing for gradual generational changes. It’s also common for some to remain in the candidacy for a long time.”
“That’s how it goes.”
Carhalas looked at me with a smile, after explaining it to me and meeting my gaze again.
“You’re not really interested, are you? Well, considering your strength is on par with our father, it’s understandable you might find it boring.”
“No, that’s not it.”
“Do you want me to buy something to eat? I saw some tasty things being sold at the stalls earlier. What do you like? Huh?”
This kid has been extraordinarily friendly towards me ever since I revived Hector.
It’s still like that now. Since yesterday, every time our eyes have met, he’s blushed and smiled shyly or made conversation for no particular reason.
He didn’t use to be like this. In fact, he had a tendency to be somewhat averse to me.
‘How do you restart a honeymoon trip to Jeju on an airplane?’
I chuckled, lost in daydreams. It didn’t bother me anymore like it used to.
I turned my head from Carhalas and stared intently at Seop Baek. I did so to check her status window.
[Name: Seop Baek]
[Nickname: 154829771th Hero, Practitioner of Snow Qi]
[Level: 217]
[HP: 510/510 ?? MP: 2100/2100 ?? Condition: Normal]
[Strength: 23 ?? Agility: 40 ?? Intelligence: 412 ?? Hero Sense: 8]
I hadn’t seen her in a while, and her level had jumped over 100. It’s a glaring example of significant growth. Leveling up by 100 in a week? I didn’t even come close to that in Hal Sens Verk.
‘Even if the average level of Blue Flame Cave monsters is high…’
Of course, Seop Baek’s level was much lower than those monsters.
Moreover, under the Hero Support System, healers gain experience points simply by healing their companions once during monster battles. Similar to the assist concept in many AOS games.
‘… But it’s still far from easy.’
Despite the combination of factors, to level up at this speed means she really spent every moment helping others, even sacrificing her sleep.
So typical of her. Impressive. Without realizing it, a slightly exasperated smile crossed my face.
“Uh, Mr. Jung Yong. Why are you laughing all of a sudden…?”
Seop Baek averted her gaze, looking uncomfortable, and her face turned red.
Is she liking it or not? I’ve always found her reactions difficult to interpret.
I vaguely evaded the question and changed the topic.
“So, have you gotten closer to Seseona?”
“Huh? Oh… yes. We’re not as awkward around each other as we were in Kern.”
“…Awkward? Did you fight or something? Did Seseona pick on you?”
“No, it wasn’t like that… uh, it’s just something hard for me to tell you, Mr. Jung Yong.”
This is getting weird.
Did Hector feel like this when he didn’t know what would happen next?
“Well, alright. Got it. Let’s keep watching the game.”
“Yes, let’s.”
Because I’ve had no experience with women since middle school, high school, military service, and then odd jobs, I find her harder to understand than Seseona.
Maybe because Seseona is a robot, her reactions are easier to understand. For the most part, feeding her something tasty solves most problems.
‘… I really don’t understand…’
So it worries me.
How would she react if what I have decided to do actually happened?
I cannot fathom at all.
“… I’m really looking forward to the fireworks tonight.”
Seop Baek leaned her face slightly closer to me and said with bright, black eyes sparkling on her flushed cheeks.
She really seems to be looking forward to it.
“Uh, when the fireworks start… there’s something I really want to tell you.”
“Ah, is that so?”
“It’s something I’ve been putting off, but now I feel like I should say it.”
“Um… sure… yes, go ahead…”
I could only respond with an ambiguous answer.
Is this what it feels like to be a woman? I was already troubled with that, and now she brings it up at this moment. My heart felt like it was about to burst out.
‘Ah…’
I emitted a brief sigh. The scene from early morning the day before resurfaced in my mind.
The words exchanged with Hector when we carved out Astarth’s heart still echoed in my brain.
*
One day earlier, early morning, the Blue Flame Cave.
Stiff as a rock, we stood before the remains of Astarte, known as the witch’s heart.
“Do you know the method?”
Hector, for no apparent reason, asked me like a drill sergeant at a marine camp.
“… Yes, I think I have a rough idea.”
I replied like recruit 112, the owl, at a boot camp.
After hesitating for a moment, I reached for the two swords strapped to my back. When I gripped Murder Sword, my body instinctively froze, but I carefully drew both the Murder and Dragon Slaying Swords from their sheaths.
Kiinggg—!
Thankfully, unlike during the mansion battle, no luminescence occurred this time.
Instead, the two swords resonated endlessly in my hands and emitted a brilliant, chilly light.
Despite the lack of light besides the ominous blood-red glow emitted by Astarte’s remains, it was as if they were glowing on their own with a piercing light.
“Ah, the Dragon Slaying Sword is shining?”
Hector muttered, seemingly entranced by that brilliance. The expression on his face when he looked at me was filled with a bit of reverence and a good measure of satisfaction.
I was right. It seemed I’d hit the jackpot, just like with Jung Yong coins. That’s the look on his face.
“Please step back a bit. I don’t know what’s going to happen.”
I gave Hector a quick notice and approached the remains of Astarth.
Chelguk. I adjusted my grip on the twin swords and positioned myself just in front of the remains. Up close, it was much larger than me.
Through the translucent, egg-like cocoon, the form of Ruci…no, Astarth, became even clearer.
“Urkh!”
First of all, the overwhelming stench of blood and decaying protein filled the air.
I quickly covered my nose and stared straight at the remains.
“This is like…”
Looking closer now, it resembled the heart of a dead mummy.
Blackened capillaries, white mold and dust covering the muscular walls, all slowly twitching faintly.
‘No matter, it doesn’t change anything.’
I shook my head and aimed the twin swords at the heart.
Kiinggg! The sound of the swords resonated to its peak. The heartbeat of the remains also accelerated, growing more intense as if drawn to each other.
I took a deep breath and plunged the swords accurately toward Astarth’s neck and chest.
Thump!
There was no sound of a flesh-tearing thud. Instead, a shockwave-like, massive heartbeat erupted.
The sound of the heartbeat reverberated in my head. I furrowed my brow and kept my eyes on the remains.
―…Ah.
Then, the seemingly lifeless Astarth slowly opened her eyes.
Her gaze swept over us once. Having taken in Jung Yong and me, Astarth laughed softly.
The laugh sounded chillingly familiar, making me jump again.
―Now… we no longer have to be hungry… forever…
While laughing playfully, her body slowly began to disperse in all directions.
It was identical to when Ruci died. She turned into a gray pile of ash, flowing through the large blood vessels of the heart.
Kuddeukdeuk. The blood vessels absorbing the ash began to slowly harden. Then, hwarrlek, a pale blue flame began to burn on the surface.
―Poor… girl… kukuk. Try your best to endure…
Until the very last moment of her disappearance, Astarth spat out those words. Her gaze was directed at Ruci.
Ruci, though she turned her head as if she didn’t want to listen, looked extremely displeased, suggesting she’d heard it all.
“Kr… ukh…!”
No. It seemed this wasn’t just annoyance.
Ruci grabbed her head and staggered, then collapsed on the spot.
“What’s wrong? Why is this happening?!”
I quickly rushed to Ruci’s side to check on her condition.
“Uuuuh. Hero… saa…”
Muttering low moans, Ruci drifted off to sleep.
A gentle red light enveloped her body. It was astonishingly similar to the light emitted by Astarth’s remains.
‘For now, there’s no abnormality…’
Just as I began to relax, Tttiling! A familiar chime sounded.
The giant heart had completely burned into a lump of charcoal, and Astarth had vanished without a trace. Just then, a panel popped up.
[Quest Cleared!]
[Name: Kill the Witch – The First Ritual]
[Level: Legend]
[Details: The Guiding Raven extracted the witch’s heart. The pure white bowl is now filled with the witch’s fervent wishes. The rest sought by the witch has come one step closer.]
[Reward: Relic of Destruction – Destroyer’s Greatsword. All abilities +50. Hero Sense +10]
Whoosh! A kaleidoscope of light enveloped my body.
The sensation of stat enhancement was extraordinary. With all stats boosted by an incredible fifty, the difference was palpable on the spot.
‘Where’s this Destroyer’s Greatsword?’
I checked around the heart and was suddenly startled.
Already, the Twin Dragon and the Twin Murder Swords had merged with the heart and hardened into rock. It was as if they were a part of the heart from the very beginning, looking completely natural.
“Is this…?”
Instead, blood trickled from the gap where the swords had pierced the heart, coagulating and solidifying in the shape of a large blade.
It was as tall as I was and looked crude and rugged. From the blade to the guard and hilt, it was entirely a massive red greatsword.
―Ah. Now this feels familiar. Why was it split apart before? How vexing. Tch.
As if entranced, I reached out for the greatsword. Suddenly, Sunho Hyung spoke.
I startled and stopped my hand mid-motion, locking my gaze onto Vestark. Sunho Hyung’s voice continued.
―That’s it. The sword that ignites the Flames of Destruction… the greatsword I used. It’s a bit worn, but isn’t it stylish?
“Is this the Destroyer’s Greatsword?”
―Destroyer’s Greatsword? Hmm, I’ve forgotten the name, but anyway, Jung Yong. Is this yours now?
Sunho Hyung asked.
The tone was filled with deep implications. I immediately gave him a questioning look.
―Choose well. Once you grab it, there’s no going back. At that moment, you’ll officially become the Raven who guides the witch to her death. If you want to run, this is your only chance.
The Raven who guides the witch to her death.
At those words, I stared intently at the greatsword and then turned my complex gaze toward Vestark.
“If I decide to kill the witch, Sunho Hyung, would you refuse to speak to me then?”
―No, nothing will change. I will still help you.
“Really?”
―From the start, I knew you’d become the Guiding Raven, yet I’ve continued to help you until now, haven’t I? Isn’t that right?
“… But, despite that…”
The attitude of Sunho Hyung confused me.
Although he claims he does everything for the witch Diana, now he says he’ll help me destroy her. What exactly is true with this man?
―Just do as you wish. Don’t overthink it. That’s how I’ve lived. Ha ha.
At least one thing was certain. His last words were untrue.
There was definitely a hidden intention, but I could not discern what it was. For the first time, I felt uneasy about the pitch-black sword at my waist.
And at that moment, Hactor approached with an enthusiastic look.
“Thereby, the first chapter of the prophecy is completed. Indeed, you were the Guiding Raven.”
His gaze was fixed on the Destroyer’s Greatsword that flowed from the witch’s heart. Hector’s eyes sparkled with interest as he reached out for it.
I blocked his path. Hector immediately frowned.
“…What are you doing?”
“Nothing much. I just thought I should claim the rewards we agreed upon.”
“Reward?”
“Yes. Didn’t you say you’d tell me? Secrets about witch hunts and such.”
Hector looked at me as if noticing me anew.
With his dark eyes fixed on mine, I asked clearly and firmly,
“Tell me now. Exactly what is the witch? What is the Demon King? And why are the heroes summoned in such chaos?”
Thinking about all the chaos and tumultuous times I’ve faced so far in this world, I asked him with seriousness.
However, Hector didn’t seem to ponder it deeply.
He looked at the greatsword once, then my eyes, then delivered his response matter-of-factly.
“Fine. I agreed to tell you since there was a promise. You asked about the secrets of witch hunting, did you not?”
With an emotionless face, Hector’s lips curved slowly upward.
“If you kill the witch, at that moment, the Paradiso Continent will fall.”
I clearly heard Hector’s words.
But, because I didn’t understand them, I asked again.
“…Huh?”
“Even if you don’t kill her, the world will certainly fall within several decades. This has been a prophecy foretold for the past 500 years.”
Ignoring my inability to comprehend, Hector pressed on with his words.
Jutk. He had already stepped forward, and forcibly taking my hand, he guided it toward the greatsword’s hilt.
My hand touched the sword. Uuuung, a low resonance accompanied a blood-red light emitted in all directions.
[Skill Acquired – Unique Skill: Flames of Destruction]
[Skill Information]
[Name: Flames of Destruction (Active)]
[Effect: Continuous consumption of Malevolent Magic. Cloaks weapons with the Flames of Destruction.]
[Details: A unique skill to the relic ‘Flames of Destruction Greatsword.’ It harnesses the power that rejects annihilation, Malevolent Magic, as fuel to wield the Flames of Destruction. The Flames of Hell, which suppress the wielder’s emotions, are fierce, unruly, and especially tenacious when consuming humans.]
A skill acquisition window popped up.
The Flames of Destruction. The power mentioned by Sunho Hyung, creating flames that never extinguish.
“From studying the prophecy, I uncovered many secrets. The Paradiso Continent originally had its life cycle ended before the first hero was summoned, destined to perish with all life.”
As the sword’s handle stuck firmly to my palm, Hector’s voice continued.
“The pillar that has been preventing the world’s collapse from far too long… that is the dreaded witch, Diana Espada.”
As my transfixed gaze alternated between the sword and Hector,
Hector nonchalantly divulged the secrets of the world.
“The history of this world from start to finish is a big, red lie.”
