Chapter 98: Juliana (3)

Kim Hyunsung looked like a mess. Though he had already received the divine healing spell, there were still many scars scattered all over his body. However, this was natural, seeing as he had just gone through an intense fight.

He had small welts where Juliana's tentacles had managed to hit him, and half of his equipment had flown off or were destroyed in their continuous clash. His appearance overall was very grim.

On the contrary, my appearance…

'It's clean.'

I suffered no torn clothes or wounds, let alone a single scratch.

As the sword approached me, Hyunsung's expression was similar to someone who had fought to meet their lover, only for them to get abandoned.

"I've heard stories that legendary-grade items usually choose their owners. This seems like the case now," Hwang Jeong-yeon remarked.

"Yeah. I've heard of such a story, too, Jeong-yeon," Kim Hyunsung commented glumly.

'No… Do not be like this.'

Embarrassment flew from all aspects of my body. Kim Hyunsung seemed to be feeling the same. I knew he had risked himself for the chance to gain this item, and knowing this hurt my heart.

I did not mean to do it, but I apparently had gotten in the way of his plans.

'Damn… I don't even know what to use it for.'

"I'm not sure why it so suddenly acted this way…" I muttered.

No matter how much I tried to sneak away, the sword kept following me.

"Is it possible to deny ownership?" I asked, trying to find a way out of this embarrassing situation.

"Generally, yes… However, information on legendary items has not yet been released. I don't think this one will back down so easily, however…" Jeong-yeon replied.

"In that case, how would you like Hyunsung to catch it? First of all, I am not the combat type, nor is it an item I need. It would be better for Hyunsung to use it than me," I remarked.

"Yeah. Hyunsung, I think it would be better to try that," Jeong-yeon agreed.

"Ah… Yeah," Kim Hyunsung responded.

No wonder everyone's eyes were on him.

At this, Kim Hyunsung began to reach out quietly, harboring an extremely nervous expression.

Perhaps he had already encountered a lot of information about legendary-grade items, hence his hesitation in approaching the sword. Maybe this was even the same sword he had used in the past!

However, we had no choice but to accept that handling this sword would not be easy. Even Kim Hyunsung looked unsure.

The moment he grabbed the sword, dark energy began to pour out of the artifact. The expedition members quickly scattered in alarm, afraid of what was to happen.

Kwajijijiji!

Upon seeing this, Kim Hyunsung sighed in resignation. I, too, looked away. My heart squeezed.

'Ah… Sh*t…'

"I don't think I can. It seems like the owner has already been decided," Hyunsung remarked in a somber tone.

"Ah… But I, really…" I trailed off, trying to find the right words to say.

"This is a very strong sword. It's a little regrettable, but I can't help it. In fact, Kiyoung has actually been the number one contributor in this expedition, so it's only natural that he gets chosen. I also got a lot of help from Kiyoung in the last fight. To be honest, I wouldn't have been able to guarantee what would have happened to me if he had not aided me," Hyunsung explained.

"But I would not even be able to use this…" I argued.

"Even so, Kiyoung, you cannot deny it. I could feel it right after I grabbed it. It has already decided its owner. Even if someone else tries to use it, it will not unlock its abilities for anyone other than you. Only you will be able to make use of its true functions…" he insisted.

"What alchemist has a sword?"

Everyone looked away at this. Everyone knew that me wielding a sword was like a pig wearing a pearl necklace.

I had weak physical stats. I wouldn't even be able to swing it for more than a few times before using up all my energy, but the sword didn't seem to care.

As if it couldn't wait any longer, the black energy from the sword began to trap me.

"Ahhh!"

My arm was raised regardless of my will.

"Someone…"

I tried to look around for help, but everything happened so fast.

A familiar message came to mind the moment my hand closed around the sword's handle.

[You have been recognized as the owner of the legendary-grade item, the cursing sword, Juliana. Congratulations on being a user of the legendary weapon.]

'Fuck, what is this recognition?! Take it back… I don't want it!'

[Cursing Sword Juliana - Legendary-Grade]

[A sword used by the cursed St. Juliana. This sword was created tens of thousands of years ago, when Ace, the god of the curse, descended for Juliana. It will not fade no matter how many years will pass. It inflicts a superlative curse that instantly inflicts mental damage to the injured target. You can use the energy of Ace by using magic power. Targets that have been exposed to this energy for a long time are also cursed. You can use a large amount of magical power to cast an area curse. Summons and reverse summons are also possible.]

[Before Juliana died, she desperately sealed her soul within this sword. Juliana's love for Gedric is asleep. The sword moves on its own, protecting its owner from threats. Due to the low growth level, several functions of the item are sealed. Magic power increases by 15.]

Gedric… My dear Gedric…

'Okay, fine, I admit defeat…'

I looked at the sword in my hand with renewed emotions after reading its status. I felt so embarrassed with the specs that my mouth had hung open.

The item's stats were incomparable to any other item I've encountered so far. In the first place, everyone had already witnessed just how powerful the curse had been in here.

Considering it almost swallowed an entire party with its skill, the ability to cast a curse was enough for it to be called a legendary item.

Of course, it would be impossible with my magic power to do as much damage as Juliana did, but the possibility of using it is enough.

'What about the sword's ability to increase magic power by 15?'

I knew I had weak stats, but this sword had just given me hope. Plus, it was made to ensure that my protection would be its first priority.

Since Juliana's ego was sealed within it, a new feature had been installed within the sword.

The only problem was…

'Juliana…'

What should I do if the crazy bitch woke up again?

My head hurt just trying to think about having to pretend to be Gedric the whole time I would have to use the sword.

"The owner ceremony is over."

"This… Hyunsung, I'm so sorry… I didn't mean for this to happen…" I said apologetically.

"No. If one were to think about what Kiyoung has done, you deserve it. Of course, as an alchemist, using a sword will be hard… In the future, we can train together, right?" Kyunsung remarked.

"Yeah?"

"I think it would be nice for you to learn how to use a sword. I will definitely teach you the basic level," he replied.

'It still doesn't seem right…'

Somehow, I became quite anxious.

'Is he mad?'

I couldn't imagine Kim Hyunsung ever harboring a toxic grudge. However, one of the corners of his mouth was clearly lowered. I knew it was because all his efforts had been for nothing.

As I looked around, I could see the expressions of Park Deokgu, Sun Hee-young, and Jung Hayan, all harboring a hint of pride.

Jealousy was written on everyone else's expressions, but they chose not to act on this and applauded me instead. I had no choice but to speak, seeing the curiosity on their faces.

"That… I'm not really sure about the sword's quality, but the internal features are pretty good. It can inflict curses, and it's designed to protect its owner."

"Really?"

Even Kim Hyunsung looked surprised. This was probably because it was a function that did not exist in the first case.

Did it change because I had pretended to be Gedric?

"Ah. Others seem to be unable to read it. It is written that Juliana's ego is sealed. When a threat comes, the sword will move by itself. Of course, I will still have to make use of my magic power. Anyway, I think it's because Juliana has identified me as Gedric," I explained.

"Oh, I see."

'I have to pretend to be Gedric…'

If the sword finds out that I wasn't Gedric, the consequences would be dire. For now, the good news was that Juliana was still asleep from the battle that had just been ensured.

However, the bigger benefit was that Kim Hyunsung didn't seem to be exhibiting any more negative feelings towards me. He even nodded at my explanation.

'Did he think it would be useful?'

Probably so.

He had probably accepted that I was the owner, although his expression was still set in a cold, firm line.

When I thought about it, this curse-making greatsword, Juliana, would have been one of the many legendary-grade items Kim Hyunsung might have acquired or known about in the past.

However, his disposition and this sword did not seem to match at all. In fact, this sword would have been a better match for someone like Jung Jinho, that maniac back in the tutorial dungeon.

"First of all, congratulations, Mr. Kiyoung," Lee Sang-hee greeted.

"Ah… Yeah… Thank you," I replied shyly.

"It's a little complicated, but if Mr. Hyunsung…"

"Yeah. I understand, Lee Sang-hee. Unfortunately, it seems to be an inevitable situation."

"Normally, ownership needs to be discussed, but this is a legendary item, and the cursing sword acknowledged Kiyoung. It also seems that our work here is also finished to some extent, so I will be able to head to Lindel right after I finish some other work. Let's go home."

"Alright."

We were able to gain more things upon the completion of the dungeon. However, due to our failure to bring back the previous party members, Blue's power had dropped significantly.

It might seem cruel, but this situation did not seem so bad at all.

Lee Sang-hee's position has declined, therefore Kim Hyun-sung's and my internal evaluation have risen as a result.

I don't know what choice Lee Sang-hee will make in the future, but seeing that she felt like a failure in leading the team in our expedition, she would probably step down from being the leader. In this way, Kim Hyunsung had a chance. We had proven ourselves enough on this expedition.

'Our condition has also improved a lot…'

In fact, it felt like everyone had progressed from the expedition. However, there were still some problems we needed to resolve.

Park Deokgu still lied about his job, and Lee Jihye's plan still needed to grow. I still had a lot of work to do once we got back.

However, because of my newly-acquired weapon, I did not feel the oncoming onslaught of stress at all.

Getting this sword out would be a problem. After slightly sending in some magical power, I began to mutter.

'Reverse summon.'

[The cursing sword refuses to reverse summon.]

'Huh?'

'Reverse summon.'

Only

[The cursing sword refuses to reverse summon.]

'Go back.'

[The cursing sword strongly rejects reverse summons.]

I began to panic at this point. Why does this have to happen?

'Fucking hell! Go back!'

[The cursing sword strongly rejects reverse summons. It has fallen in love with you. The cursing sword wants to be with you. The cursing sword feels angry.]

"Go back! Please!" I shrieked.

It was definitely a satisfying expedition.