After the Sword Assembly concluded, those who had taken part in the ritual were granted a day of rest.
They were permitted to spend the night in [Banaphen], the mansion of the Northern Sword Duke, where each was quietly assigned a private room.
"If you need anything, please let us know at any time."
To the servant bowing politely, Ruin merely returned the gesture with a silent nod.
Creak, thud!
The sound of the door closing followed.
Ruin then quietly turned his gaze to the hologram flickering faintly before his eyes.
You have passed the trial of the Sword Soul (劍魂), Black Shadow (黑影).
Achievement unlocked.
This achievement is categorized as 'Common.'
Title acquired: 'One Who Passed the Sword Soul's Trial.'
Effect: Increases potential with the sword. Grants immunity to the 'Curse of the Sword.' Amplifies all abilities related to the sword.
Your sword potential is already at the highest level. Further growth in potential is nearly impossible.
Some effects have been converted into special privileges.
Ding!
From now on, swords will hold greatly increased affection toward you.
Ding!
This title links with other achievements.
A locked achievement has been unlocked.
'Rare' Achievement discovered: 'One Recognized by the Sword Soul.'
This is a limited achievement.
Complete the objective before the time limit expires.
Upon completion, additional effects and rare privileges will be granted.
Time remaining: 999 days, 20 hours, 48 minutes.
"Oh, they're really showering me with rewards, aren't they?"
As Ruin stared blankly at the endless stream of notifications, a familiar voice rang in his ear.
[This is a scam. It's a total scam!]
Hearing the Sword Soul raging like a madman, Ruin only shrugged.
'What scam? I passed the trial fair and square.'
[Fair? Nonsense! I was tricked. How could someone carrying the 'Curse of the Sword' from the Linegrime bloodline show up there?!]
'I told you already—my mother's from the Kaphtalen family. That curse has been passed down through them. I was born with it, so what can I do?'
[Ugh, I don't care. Just send me back to the Assembly, you con artist brat!]
'Should I have set you on fire back there?'
[You're insane. You're actually insane!]
'Too bad. Because that insane person just became your master.'
Thud!
Ruin chuckled, patting the sword hanging at his waist.
[Aagh! Don't touch me.]
'What if I don't want to?'
Tap.
[I'll curse you! I'll curse you for life!]
'Huh? Didn't you just remove my curse yourself?'
[Graaaah!]
When it came to verbal sparring, the Sword Soul was no match for Ruin.
'That's street-trained wit for you. You've been locked in a grave for centuries—how could you possibly keep up with me?'
Grinning inwardly as he mocked the spirit, Ruin turned his attention to the room he had been given.
Compared to the tiny hut where he had lived for the past ten years, this chamber was magnificent, grand, and steeped in history.
"So this is the heart of Linegrime, huh?"
As he slowly took in his surroundings, the Sword Soul's grumbling voice echoed again from within the black blade.
[What are you gawking at like some country bumpkin?]
"Well, I am a bumpkin."
[What?]
"I've lived in a shabby hut all my life…"
Indeed, since his birth as Ruin, he had never once left the small house his father, Kabel, and mother, Daisy, had built.
Not until he was summoned to the Linegrime Sword Assembly.
[Then you're a branch family child?]
"Nope, I'm direct lineage."
[What? Then why live in the countryside?]
"Good question. I'd like to know that myself."
The union of a Linegrime and a Kaphtalen—just that alone would be enough to set the entire continent abuzz.
And yet, for the past ten years, there had been no rumors or movements whatsoever. It seemed that Kabel and Daisy's marriage had been kept hidden.
'I can more or less guess how things played out, though.'
[Seriously, what kind of brat are you?]
"Let's see… the one who passed the Sword Soul's trial?"
[Aaaagh!]
Ruin chuckled at the spirit's furious screams and turned his gaze out the darkened window.
'Nothing is certain yet.'
All he knew was this: his father Kabel had walked away from the Linegrime clan on his own.
And because of that, the clan viewed him with disdain.
"As long as they don't run their mouths in front of me, I'll let it slide."
That was the one principle Ruin had set for himself.
He didn't care what insults were whispered behind his back.
But if anyone dared to slander Kabel or Daisy within his hearing, then it would not end with just a scuffle in the Assembly hall.
'I'll make sure they regret it for life, unable to wag their tongues ever again.'
Such was the grim vow of Number 1872, once known as the Shadow of Legends.
"Well, I've had enough for today. Time to enjoy a good rest."
Just as he was about to throw himself onto the soft, inviting bed—
Knock, knock.
"…Hm?"
A sudden knock at the door made Ruin pause. Immediately, he activated Heavenly Seamlessness (천의무봉).
At once, he detected the presence outside the door.
'Meirin?'
The energy was unmistakably that of the golden-haired girl he had saved from stumbling during the Assembly.
"What's she doing here?"
Knock, knock, knock.
As the knocking continued, accompanied by his own muttered complaint, Ruin frowned slightly.
"Haa, this is bothersome."
He had no intention of forming personal ties with anyone here in Linegrime.
This place was filled with people who despised his parents—why should he bother smiling and mingling?
And now his precious rest was being disturbed.
Still, with no choice left, he shook his head and opened the door.
Clack.
"There you are."
The blonde girl, Meirin, smiled faintly at the sight of him.
"What do you want?"
Ruin's sharp tone carried the wariness one would expect at such an unexpected visit.
A bit flustered, she quickly steadied herself and nodded.
"The Assembly's over, so I thought I'd stop by to say hello."
"Hello?"
"A thank-you, really. I don't think I ever properly thanked you earlier. And I didn't come empty-handed."
With an awkward smile, she lifted a neatly wrapped box.
But Ruin only shook his head.
"No need. That's more than enough."
His firm words caused Meirin's expression to stiffen for a moment.
But she took a deep breath, forced a smile, and spoke again.
"Come on, don't be like that. Since I'm already here, I'd like to express my gratitude properly. May I come in?"
"Is that necessary?"
"Well… it's better than talking in the hallway."
"I already told you—I didn't help you to receive thanks. This much is fine. Why not just head back?"
His voice was unwavering, his stance absolute. He had no intention of letting her in.
"That's enough. Good night."
He moved to shut the door—
Creak, thud!
—but Meirin's hand shot out, catching it before it could close.
"Hey, you."
"…?"
Her voice had completely changed.
"Who the hell do you think you are, being such a rude bastard?"
"…What?"
Though her head was lowered, hiding her eyes, Ruin could feel her gaze burning with fire.
How?
Because the heat of her spirit blazed so strongly it was palpable, like flames at her back.
"Haa…"
And when she finally lifted her head, her eyes indeed glowed fiercely.
"No matter the situation, I came here myself to speak to you. So why—!"
She bit back her words, struggling to rein in her emotions, then continued.
"The truth is, I really am grateful to you. But if you keep acting like this, I'm not sure how much longer I can hold myself back."
Her slightly brash tone drew a smirk from Ruin.
"So?"
"What?"
"To receive your oh-so-precious thanks, I'm forced to give up my rest? Don't you think I've already been more than patient with you?"
"No, that's not what I—"
"I already said I didn't want your gratitude. And yet here you are, barging in anyway. Now tell me—who's really being rude here?"
Meirin froze, staring blankly at him, unable to answer.
"And then you call me the one with no manners? Hah. I wonder which of us is truly lacking courtesy."
Shrugging, Ruin's words left her speechless with frustration—
"Y-you bastard…!"
She finally snapped, shouting.
"Keep yelling like that, and you'd better get back to your room before you disturb the whole place."
Creak, slam!
Ruin shut the door firmly.
"You son of a bitch!"
Thud! Thud! Thud!
Meirin pounded furiously on the closed door.
"What a powerful voice."
Ruin chuckled softly.
Thud! Thud!
But soon another voice intervened.
"Lady Meirin, you mustn't do this."
"Let go of me! Let go, I said! I've never met anyone with less manners than Seron, but this guy's even worse! Let me gooo!"
Her shouting grew distant as she was dragged away.
"Tsk. She should've left quietly when she had the chance."
Just then, the Sword Soul spoke again.
[Hah… even her temper's just like his.]
"Do I really resemble Lord Belion that much?"
[Shut up. Shut your mouth, you cheating bastard!]
Ruin merely shook his head at the spirit's tirade and let it go.
"..."
At last, after such a noisy interruption, Ruin returned to his training of Heavenly Seamlessness, making the most of his time.
And finally, he threw himself onto the soft bed, ready for sleep.
"Finally getting some rest, are you?"
Startled, Ruin shot upright.
"Wh-who's there?!"
Neither Heavenly Seamlessness nor his heightened senses had detected anyone.
Ever since mastering that technique, Ruin's awareness was ten times sharper than normal.
And in his past life as the Shadow, he had been a living legend.
For someone to slip past his perception and enter unnoticed—
'Damn it. If they're an enemy, I'm already dead.'
As dread flashed through him, the stranger's voice came again.
"No need to be so wary. I've not come to harm you."
And from the darkness, a figure emerged.
"You… you are—"
"Calling your grandfather 'you'? Hmph. You need some discipline."
Standing before him was none other than the patriarch of the Linegrime Sword Clan, master of the North, the Northern Sword Duke—Damon.
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T/N:
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