Episode 553. A Promise

Gwicheol.

I don’t say that because it’s my sword, but because it’s not a normal weapon. Maybe it’s because it was born as a cold mineral and unlike Hiel and Diend, I’ve always been quite cold-hearted.

What is the wish of such Gwicheol?

The end of the Sword Path.

That is, to see the end of the sword.

In that sense, the master he served was not me, Lee Hoyeol, but the extremely talented Grandfell. Grandfell, you may not know it, but I could feel the difference from his point of view.

‘That’s nothing to be sorry about.

It’s more than just telling others to understand the subject.

I, Lee Hoyeol, am the one who knows what I’m talking about.

I wasn’t hurt by Gwicheol’s discrimination.

More than anything, I was the one to lose.

‘What good comes from bickering?’

I looked at the flashing messages about Gwicheol.

Memories came flooding back.

Let’s see, if it wasn’t for Gwicheol, I’d be in a lot of trouble.

‘It would be great if it weren’t for that guy’s naming sense.’

Imagine Breaker, Shadow Slayer.

Even as it continued to change form to resist the relic, it sighed as it remembered who it had seen and learned from.

Gwicheol’s voice sounded.

-You mean this is not good enough……!

Far from being discouraged, he seemed excited at the thought of pitting his body and sword body against a holy relic. So what name will you name this time, Grandfell?

I asked, trying to prepare myself.

“That’s enough.”

Grandfell opened his mouth.

At first, I thought Gwicheol had finally found the right form…….

No, something was different.

The reason I was sure was simple.

‘Gwicheol……?’

Gwicheol’s voice stopped.

As if to explain the situation.

Because it was blinking before my eyes.

[The Six Sight Brooch shines].

That’s right.

Gwicheol’s current form was not Gwicheol’s own decision to change. Nor was it my intention. It was only through Grandfell’s intention that Gwicheol changed into a form that absorbed the power of the [Six Sight Brooch].

A message pops up as if it’s the right answer.

[Demon Sword: Sword of Covenant]

[Rank: Mythic]

[Limit : Unknown]

[Effect : Gain six unique skills].

[Description : Unknown]

Demon Sword.

‘The Sword of Covenant……?’

The name that followed was too bland for its own good.

Same goes for the rank.

Gwicheol’s rank is [Legendary].

All of its previous forms had been [Legendary].

But this time, it was [Mythic].

Once again, I was convinced.

‘…… is not supposed to be used.’

Six Sight Brooch.

This item is beyond my comprehension.

It’s definitely an item I can’t handle right now.

But Grandfell moved regardless of my intentions.

It’s not the first time it’s done so, after all, you’ve always been the one to insist on your snout in everything, the way you walk your way, and the posture you always maintain upright were all done according to your insistence.

But you know what?

I was swayed by it.

Because I also had some of those thoughts.

‘No matter how much I think about it, this is not right, Grandfell.’

But I understand Grandfell to a 70% extent.

Grandfell’s personality has deepened.

Grandfell didn’t stop despite my pleas.

Dagdag.

The shape of a giant sword.

Toward the rushing Guyver.

He went forward holding a demon sword that was not a weapon or anything.

Swoosh.

He swung it lightly.

The moment when myth and myth collide.

For a moment, consciousness fades.

[The two myths clash].

[Consciousness, entering the ‘Vortex of Chaos’]

[Under the influence of Consciousness, space-time is disconnected.].

Look at the message and speculate on the situation.

‘……Space-time disconnect.’

I can’t see or hear myself and Guyver outside of the Consciousness. I was just trying to figure out the situation. I hear a voice exhaling harshly.

“Heoeog……”

A horrible scream followed.

“Aaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!”

It was Guyver’s voice.

*

Disconnected space and time.

God of War.

His influence has faded.

Only then did his influence fade.

“Ugh, Aghhhh……”

The memories, shrouded in madness, return.

What did I, what did I, what did I do……?

I’m covered in blood, but I don’t feel any pain.

“Ha, Hamedhhhhhhh!!!”

I killed Hamed with my hands.

That alone was horrible.

To think that it was in the name of the Inquisition.

And to brag about it.

I was disgusted.

“Wegh, uweegh.”

Nausea welled up in my throat.

Guyver crouched down.

He heard the sound of shoes in his ear.

It was Lee Hoyeol.

He was coming toward me.

Rattling.

I can feel the sensations that madness has made me forget.

My hands and feet trembled of their own accord.

My mind, barely recovered, is white again.

‘I, I am like that to Lee Hoyeol.’

Was he charging?

If I were alone, I wouldn’t be surprised.

From the moment I killed Hamed with my own hands.

I was not worthy of life.

What shocked me most was the realization that I had nearly led the entire Bohemian Guild

I almost led them all to their deaths.

‘……No, I don’t deserve to grieve.’

Guyver gritted his teeth.

‘I’m not going to beg for my life, Hamed.’

Lee Hoyeol.

‘I am well aware of that.’

He’s shown mercy to countless enemies over the time.

If this is the same Lee Hoyeol…….

He might show mercy again if I ask for forgiveness.

But.

‘I have no point in living anymore.’

I will die as I am.

It was at this moment that Guyver closed his eyes.

It wouldn’t disappear.

A message flashed.

……Wait.

●A catastrophe that will destroy the world.

An Infinitely Deep Darkness.

Kill Grandfell Claudi Arpheus Romeo. (Ongoing)

If you are not Lee Hoyeol……?

‘Grandfell Claudi Arpheus Romeo.’

That was definitely Lee Hoyeol’s voice.

ttogag.

As the sound gets closer.

The name on the system message, glowing with intensity.

It still wasn’t Lee Hoyeol.

Guyver guessed.

‘Maybe his username is different from his real name.’

Like [Gold Flash], for example.

There were players like that.

But at least among named players who could be called rankers.

There weren’t many of them.

Even back in the days when it was just a game, the fame of Arcana Continent Biography was the same as fame in real life, meaning that not many would give up their wealth for anonymity.

That wasn’t the only question.

‘……Claudi?’

Claudi, I’d heard it somewhere.

The memory is hazy.

I remember the Arcanians shuddering at the name…….

‘No, that doesn’t make sense.’

Back when Arcana was just a game.

Players couldn’t make a name for themselves.

The environment wasn’t set up for that.

Didn’t AAU announce this back then?

-The content we have now is already more than endgame content.

Because of Cataclysm and Rift.

Players have grown many times faster.

We can’t predict the future anymore.

Guyver, since you were a Ranker yourself.

-“You’re being too honest, AAU?”

I knew what he meant.

‘If so, no way.’

Are Lee Hoyeol and Grandfell two different persons?

If so, it all starts to make sense.

Why the system message didn’t lie.

“A catastrophe that will lead to the destruction of all worlds…….”

ttogag.

That’s how it evaluated Lee Hoyeol, who has shown himself to be no longer merciful. Yes. It was a system message that didn’t lie, so I saw through it.

‘It wasn’t Lee Hoyeol who was dangerous.’

It was Grandfell Claudi Arpheus Romeo.

……gulp.

Guyver reached for the sword on the ground.

[Relic: Heavenly Sword Excalibur]

[Rank : Mythic]

[Restriction : ???]

[Effect : Dominates all weapons of enemies and allies].

[Description : A holy relic that has been kept in the treasury of the Pantheon].

At last, the sword’s value is realized.

It’s a [Mythic] grade.

Is this an item that a player like me can acquire?

‘No, it can’t be.’

It was an apocalyptic weapon.

To deserve such a weapon.

There was nothing he had done to deserve it.

That left only one possibility.

‘Does that mean he’s dangerous.’

This Grandfell guy?

‘To the extent that we have to skip the intermediate process and treat it?’

For a moment, Guyver was in agony.

He was willing to die.

At the hands of Lee Hoyeol.

Lee Hoyeol, because the man deserved it.

But Grandfell Claudi Arpheus Romeo.

Even that name was not difficult to remember.

Therefore…….

Chireung.

Guyver opened his mouth, Excalibur in hand.

“Lee Hoyeol.”

The man in front of him, to recognize him.

“You……. do you think I can be forgiven?”

Guyver stuttered, unable to help himself.

‘……Shit.’

What kind of answer was I expecting?

Did I think that Lee Hoyeol would be able to forgive me?

What kind of answer did I expect?

Guyver kicked himself.

No, I don’t care if it’s Lee Hoyeol.

‘There would be no mercy for me.’

At this point, he couldn’t tell if the man was Lee Hoyeol.

He couldn’t tell if it was Grandfell.

Finally, Guyver shook his head.

“No, I was wrong. What I meant to say was…….”

I was about to ask the question again.

“Yes.”

“……What?”

The answer came back.

“You still have a chance to atone.”

“……!!!”

teong.

In that moment, the Mythic item and holy relic Excalibur dropped from his grasp. His grip had unwittingly loosened.

‘……I’m so sorry, Hamed.’

If I think about you, I’m a person who shouldn’t receive the slightest comfort or understanding. At this moment, Guyver shed tears without realizing it.

He choked back the overwhelming emotion and lifted his lips.

“Lee Hoyeol……?!”

Pug.

That was the moment.

The thing that pierced Guyver’s heart.

Guyver’s head slowly tilts to his chest.

“……Ha.”

It was the same sight.

“Hamed…….”

Just like when I stabbed you in the back.

Excalibur, the heavenly sword, flew out of itself and pierced Guyver’s heart. A whimper. Guyver fell still. A faint voice spoke.

” …… You must have felt like this, you.”

I’m glad I realized it now.

[※Warning: Health is too low].

A flashing message tells me that death is near.

My eyes slowly close.

I haven’t even thanked Lee Hoyeol yet.

I can’t close my eyes now.

And I shouldn’t close my eyes like this.

‘I don’t know.’

Bohemian, they were just swayed by me.

Please let them escape my disposal.

I had to take it all on myself.

It was at this moment that Guyver squeezed what strength he had left.

His vision flashed once more.

It was the same class quest message.

●A catastrophe that will destroy the world.

An Infinitely Deep Darkness.

Kill Grandfell Claudi Arpheus Romeo. (Ongoing)

It shone brightly, like a constellation of directions.

Paladin, do not be deceived.

It seemed to whisper incessantly.

……Grrtttt.

But Guyver gritted his teeth.

“……Hoyeol.”

Then I called his name.

“I’m listening.”

The answer came back.

“With all due respect, please, Bohemian…….”

It couldn’t have been more gracious.

“Of course.”

Couldn’t have been more gracious.

The reason was simple.

Lee Hoyeol.

No, Grandfell.

He answered a question that Guyver didn’t ask.

Even if it was.

“I promise their safety.”

Even if it was inaudible to the dead man.

“Until the day all worlds are destroyed.”