Wish 22 : Mystery

We have finished buying necessities for Kugssa…

Even though she didn't want them.

Now it's time to buy what we came for.

"That stone... it looks beautiful. How much is it?"

Oh no, I mentioned it directly.

"Oh... sir, that's not for sale. No matter the price you offer, I cannot sell it."

What... does he know the truth about that stone?

Then why expose it openly in the shop window?

"Why, is there something special about it?"

"Well, somewhat. Sir, do you know about the God of Sword?"

The God of Sword…

I think Russel told me something or two about it.

The only human who reached divinity in this world.

Despite being human, he lived for more than three centuries…

He spends most of his time wandering the world, exploring the path of the sword and its mysteries.

And when he gains enlightenment, he enters isolation for decades…

In other words, he's the most powerful human in the world…

That's what Russel said, but I doubt he's the only human who has reached divinity.

The Virtues known by the Pride, half of them were humans…

That means they were gods before becoming Virtues.

Virtue of Greed is one of them.

"I guess you're familiar with such a powerful figure. As you know, he roams to the extent that I wouldn't be surprised if he appeared in Frost City today. This stone was something held by the God of Swords and used to sharpen one of his swords. When he saw a sword being sold by my ancestor in the past, he exchanged it for that stone.

Since that day, we consider it an ancient family heirloom, one that brings luck!"

An heirloom? Luck?

Luck isn't something you can bring with an ordinary stone.

"So, what about this... wait a moment."

I pulled out the separate space and drew out a sword.

This sword is a magical sword.

"What do you think of exchanging that stone for this magical sword? 

This sword is filled with enough mana to be used three times. It also has the property of increasing your healing ability when you carry it. Who knows, the God of Swords might like it if he comes to this city."

I feel like I'm talking too much…

I don't like this.

"Alright, for the merchant, it's like an emergency plan against danger. The deal is done. 

But sir, why would you exchange a rare magical weapon for an ordinary stone?"

Hmm... is he starting to suspect?

"I've told you before that I liked the stone. My liking for it increased when I learned about its connection to the God of Swords. Goodbye."

"Goodbye... What an eccentric."

I can hear you, you idiot…

…

After finishing our shopping, I found a fancy hotel for us to stay in for the night in Frost City.

I chose a fancy hotel mainly because of what happened with the ship's captain…

Because I think the false identity I fabricated might be useful later…

Even if it's not useful, I'm tired of hard beds…

And sleeping outside.

I have to enjoy my youth, don't I?

"But you're not young, Master. You're still a teenager; that's what you told me."

Can she read my thoughts or something?

"Yes, I can read them!"

I stared at her in silence…

And she stared at me in silence…

She can't read my thoughts, right?

"I told you I can, Master."

Damn it…

Did she have this skill all along?

"No, I just acquired this skill."

"Stop reading my thoughts, or I'll kill you here and now!"

Damn it!

…

After cleaning ourselves from the dirt of the long journey…

I found Kugssa had fallen asleep from exhaustion.

Well, I'd be lying if I said I wasn't tired at all…

Just a little fatigue from using mana so much throughout the past period.

Actually, I think I'm tired mentally…

I might lose my mind if this continues…

So I have to find a solution before something like that happens.

Oh, I remembered…

The stone, I think I should take a look at it now.

I took the stone out of the separate space…

And began to examine it closely…

Strange!

It's just an ordinary stone after all!

Could my feelings have been wrong the whole time?

The only thing special about this stone is that it's slightly hard…

Could I have traded a magical weapon for an ordinary hard stone?!

Damn it!!

It had broken by injecting it with only a small amount of mana…

In the end it's just an ordinary stone.

I will explode if I keep thinking about it.

It's better to get some sleep.

…

Hmm?

That dream again?

Like last time, there's no one here…

And this... black blood?

The table those people were sitting at…

I think there were seven or six of them?

Here it is, empty, with that black blood on it.

Also, the beautiful scenery filled with stars has disappeared…

Only a few remain, and most of those worlds have become desolate and uninhabitable due to the lack of stars…

The situation is very calm.

"I've finally come to you, ¿¿¿!"

What?

Since when has he been standing behind me?

When I turned, I didn't find anyone…

"Who are you?"

Even though I heard the voice behind me perfectly!

"What? Since when did you become this weak, ¿¿¿?"

I can't hear the name he's calling me.

"you bastard, is this your plan? To become this weak? I'm right in front of you!"

What... He scared me!!

Suddenly, he appeared and stared angrily at my face…

Terrifying... but…

Is he a god?

In all my life, I've never seen a man so handsome…

No, I don't think this beauty can be called handsomeness.

His hair, eyelashes, and eyebrows are extremely white, his eyes are red tending towards black, his face doesn't have a single hair.

If he had long hair, I would have thought he was a beautiful girl!

But that's not the problem here…

From the moment I looked into his eyes, I fell into an incredible fear…

I can't move, not even a single inch!