The Spear of Surama
(General Description: The legendary divine spear, Surama, has been passed down through the ages for a thousand years. It is a sacred weapon recorded in the myths of the Great Celestial War on the ancient Hall Plain.
However.
Over the millennia, Surama has absorbed an immeasurable lineage of darkness. Steeped in the blood accumulated over countless years, Surama has become tainted with demonic energy.
The Surama of today is no longer a divine spear. It is a demonic spear that endlessly craves blood and calls for destruction from its wielder.
Thus, it is now known as the Spear of Surama.)
(Warning: The ominous potential within Surama imposes continuous trials and tribulations on its wielder. Be cautious. The moment you believe you’ve overcome its demonic nature, the spear will mercilessly consume you.)
(Detailed Description: 1. Increases the wielder’s strength by an unconditional 6 points. 2. The wielder…)
After moving to a secluded spot with Seong Hayan, Gong Chan-ho began to lament as soon as he sat down.
“I’m really being wronged here.”
His face was filled with anxiety, clearly troubled by the words, “Just wait and see.”
“…For now, it might be best to wait for the Shadow Queen’s judgment.”
“But! Still….”
Despite the reassurance, Gong Chan-ho looked at me and Seong Hayan with trembling lips, his unease palpable. Seong Hayan gently patted his back, her expression filled with concern.
‘This isn’t the attitude for a conversation.’
Before anything else, is this really the same Gong Chan-ho known as the peerless warrior?
The unfamiliar sight of the ‘peerless’ Gong Chan-ho made me sigh briefly. I needed to organize my thoughts about the incident before asking any questions. It seemed crucial to clarify the current situation first.
“The key issue is that this woman touched the spear.”
At my words, Gong Chan-ho’s head shot up, his eyes shining with a desperate hope, as if he had found a lifeline.
“User Kim Min-hee’s claim is simple. When she touched it, nothing happened, but when User Kang Seong-hoon did, it caused a fatal backlash. If we can provide a clear explanation for this, we can prove User Gong Chan-ho’s innocence.”
Gong Chan-ho seemed to understand to some extent, but his continued dejection suggested he was struggling to find a clear answer.
“Well, the truth is… I don’t really know why it happened.”
“Hmm.”
“Please, Mercenary Lord, hear me out. First of all… the woman beside me is not yet a user but a trainee named Seong Hayan.”
Though the introduction was sudden, I quickly turned my gaze. Seong Hayan looked at me and bowed her head.
“Hello, I’m Seong Hayan.”
“…Mercenary Clan Lord, Kim Su-hyeon.”
Her voice was clear and pure, as pristine as freshly fallen snow.
Anyway, when I raised an eyebrow as if to ask what this was about, Gong Chan-ho continued, somewhat embarrassed.
What followed was a rather mundane story.
Gong Chan-ho was an instructor for close combat. However, being new to the role, he made frequent mistakes and was often flustered.
One day, after an outdoor lecture, he forgot the Spear of Surama and hurried back to retrieve it, only to find Seong Hayan holding it.
“Just thinking about it still makes me shiver. If a backlash had occurred… Ah, though I don’t know why it didn’t… haha.”
Gong Chan-ho paused, looking at Seong Hayan with a shy smile, which she returned with a blush.
From their interaction, I could guess their relationship. They must have grown close after that incident.
A sudden, inexplicable irritation surged within me, prompting a sharper tone.
“…Does that make any sense?”
Gong Chan-ho quickly wiped the smile off his face, returning to a serious demeanor.
“Of course… it’s not enough, is it?”
“…Hmm.”
I rubbed my forehead for a moment before speaking quietly.
“In the end, we’ll have to rely on the Crystal of Truth.”
“But I don’t have the means to obtain one….”
“You don’t need to worry about that, User Gong Chan-ho. If they want to clarify the truth, the other party will have to procure it themselves.”
“But if, by any chance, I’m found guilty….”
Gong Chan-ho kept voicing hypothetical concerns, unable to quell his rising anxiety. I firmed my voice to signal him to stop.
“In this situation, you have the advantage, User Gong Chan-ho. Because User Kang Seong-hoon touched the weapon despite being warned not to. Considering that, it’s likely to be ruled as an accidental death due to negligence.”
“Really… do you think so?”
“Chief Instructor Go Yeon-ju is a member of the Mercenary Clan. I spoke with her briefly, and her thoughts weren’t much different from mine.”
Gong Chan-ho blinked up at me with a pitiful expression, causing me to frown involuntarily.
‘This is… so unfamiliar…’
Honestly speaking, my first impression of Gong Chan-ho was one of immense disappointment.
Who was Gong Chan-ho? Wasn’t he the peerless hero who shook the entire Northern Continent?
So exceptional, so powerful, that all clans were wary of him—Gong Chan-ho, the ‘Peerless.’ I still remembered his reputation as a one-man army, who had bested the likes of ‘God of War’ Cha Seung-hyun and ‘Madwoman’ Ban Da-hee.
‘Yes, this is the kind of opponent worth facing. Hahaha!’
And when he was trapped, surrounded by thousands of users, he had calmly drawn the Spear of Surama with a low chuckle, a scene etched deeply in my mind.
Yet now, what was this pitiful sight before me?
After a moment of tasting bitterness, I nodded quietly.
Perhaps finally reassured, Gong Chan-ho sighed in relief and bowed his head to me, even adding a “Thank you.”
Watching Seong Hayan bow along with him, I slowly shook my head.
After a brief, awkward silence, I broke the stillness.
“By the way… I heard you performed admirably in the recent war.”
“Pardon, what?”
“I heard you were appointed as an instructor in recognition of your achievements.”
“Oh… it was just a small contribution. Nothing compared to the Mercenary Lord.”
Gong Chan-ho glanced at me, as if assessing me. It seemed he knew a bit about me.
I tilted my head slightly and continued.
“I heard you’re not affiliated with any clan yet. Are you working solo?”
“Oh, no. I have companions I work with, sometimes for months, sometimes for years.”
“So… you’re still a caravan, then.”
“Yes. But I do plan to establish a clan soon. I don’t think I’ll fall behind in performance evaluations after this war. Haha.”
As expected. I had anticipated this, but it still left a bitter taste.
Gong Chan-ho’s user information was astounding. With a strength stat of 101, he was easily among the top ten.
So why had such an incredible user remained unknown until now?
The answer was simple.
Gong Chan-ho had deliberately hidden his abilities all this time.
I suspect he had thoughts similar to mine in the early days of Hall Plain. To live quietly until he had a solid foundation. Or perhaps it was just his nature.
I don’t know when he acquired the Spear of Surama, but it’s unlikely he managed to keep it hidden alone. He probably had exceptional companions helping him.
‘Shin Hyo-chan… no, it’s more likely Hong Joo-hee. She’s been by his side the longest.’
The thought struck me, and I stared intently at Seong Hayan. It seemed they had already formed a bond, but if she hadn’t been scouted yet….
I spoke with a sense of desperation.
“User Seong Hayan, I heard you’ve been doing quite well at the academy.”
“What? Oh, no, not really.”
“Have any clans approached you with offers?”
“Well… I appreciate the thought, but….”
Seong Hayan trailed off cautiously. From her demeanor, I could gauge the situation. I sighed deeply once more.
The future had already changed, and Gong Chan-ho might no longer be my enemy.
But that was just a possibility. Having experienced the power of 101 firsthand, I couldn’t easily dismiss the variable that was ‘Peerless’ Gong Chan-ho.
Who could say whether that Spear of Surama would one day be aimed at me or my comrades?
“Ah… haha. Mercenary Lord, I’ve already scouted her. She’s agreed to join me after graduating from the academy.”
Was my silence unsettling? Gong Chan-ho’s cautious explanation cut off my last hope. At the same time, the future peerless warrior cast a suspicious glance my way.
Well, it was inevitable. I’d been asking questions that seemed investigative, and I’d even made a pass at Seong Hayan, who seemed to be in a deep relationship with him.
I thought it might be best to stop here, but I couldn’t shake the feeling of regret.
After mulling it over for a while, I decided to take a step back for now.
‘There’s no way forward at the moment.’
Just as I was about to change the subject, I noticed the Surama Spear hanging at Gong Chan-ho’s waist.
‘If only I could get a handle on the Surama Spear…’
The Surama Spear had mysteriously vanished after Gong Chan-ho’s death. Users had searched high and low for it, but it was never found. It was one of the most enigmatic pieces of equipment.
In that moment, I made up my mind. I needed to understand the Surama Spear, just in case. So, I moistened my lips and spoke.
“Well, I understand. If you’ve already scouted him, there’s nothing I can do.”
“Thank you for understanding.”
“Yes… Shall we get back to our conversation?”
“Conversation? What do you mean?”
“I mean that rod that looks like a spear.”
I gestured towards the Surama Spear, and Gong Chan-ho tilted his head in confusion.
“Honestly, it’s hard to believe, and I’m curious… User Gong Chan-ho, could I take a look at that weapon? I might be able to offer more help.”
“Uh, yes? Oh, of course.”
Gong Chan-ho was momentarily flustered but quickly handed the Surama Spear to me. It seemed too easy, and I almost lost my composure, but then I noticed him gripping both ends tightly.
“Please, just look with your eyes. It might be dangerous even up close, so keep a safe distance.”
I shook my head. Know your enemy and yourself, and you will not be imperiled in a hundred battles.
‘The Surama Spear, the Surama Spear. I don’t know its full potential, but I need to find out its latent power.’
I had already examined its stats with my third eye. However, there was bound to be a difference between seeing and actually wielding it, so I intended to touch it and feel its reactive effects.
I looked at him intently and spoke softly.
“May I touch the weapon directly?”
“What? No! Absolutely not!”
“It’s fine. I have high magic resistance. I’ll just touch it briefly and let go if it feels wrong.”
“No! Even if you are the Mercenary Lord, this is absolutely not allowed! Please, just look with your eyes.”
I tried to persuade him, but Gong Chan-ho vehemently refused, pulling the spear back. I quickly continued speaking.
“Don’t worry. It’s not like it’s anything special…”
The spear was already within reach. I acted nonchalant and swiftly moved my hand.
Gong Chan-ho tried to pull it away, but my agility was at 98 points. I managed to place my hand on the Surama Spear before he could retract it completely.
“No, don’t…!”
Crackle! Crackle!
『The Surama Spear’s magic causes a reactive effect!』
『The Glory of the Heavens and the Glory of the Sun activate in response! Judged as ‘partial defense’!』
『The Blessing of the Battlefield (Rank: EX) activates in response! ‘Partial defense’ is upgraded to ‘complete defense’!』
“Ugh!”
Perhaps startled by the intense discharge, his grip loosened momentarily, allowing me to gently pull the spear away. The man and woman stared at me in shock.
I had prepared to use my fire magic, but it wasn’t necessary. There was a slight friction, but that was all.
I twirled the spear, crackling with dark red electricity, and shrugged at the onlookers.
“See? It’s fine, right?”
“How…?”
Gong Chan-ho stammered, still in disbelief.
But I didn’t let my guard down. Holding it was one thing, but I hadn’t yet tapped into its true power.
I steadied my breathing and slowly channeled my magic into it.
And then, it happened.
Crackle! Crackle!
“Ahhh!!!!”
“Mercenary Lord! Let go of it immediately!”
『The Surama Spear’s magic is going berserk!』
Vroom! Vroooom!
『The Glory of Victoria responds to the magic, protecting the user!』
‘Ugh!’
I almost lost my grip, but thanks to ‘The Glory of Victoria,’ I managed to stifle my groan. Despite my preparations, the sudden backlash of magic was terrifying.
Was it because it was a divine weapon passed down for a thousand years? The concentrated power in my right hand was truly formidable. It felt more overwhelming than even facing Mavolo de Ailight.
Crackle! Crackle! Crackle!
Vroom! Vroooom! Vroooooom!
The weight in my hand was like being pierced by hundreds of needles. I barely managed to look down, and the Surama Spear seemed to demand I let go, its magic surging violently. The gentle glow enveloping me was resisting with all its might.
But the glow was fading fast. Beyond my basic resistance, there was nothing more I could do. The magic linked to the Surama Spear was my own. If I channeled more magic, the spear’s power would only amplify.
Crackle! Crackle! Crackle!
“Ugh, ugh!”
Clenching my teeth, I held onto the rampaging Surama Spear and thought.
‘In the end… do I have to use my fire magic?’
For now, ‘The Glory of Victoria’ was barely holding on, but once it faded, the burden would increase.
Crackle, boom! Boom! Boom!
Now it was even exploding.
‘Damn it. It really doesn’t like me. The swords never acted like this.’
With no time to think, I took a deep breath. Just as I was about to awaken the power dormant in my heart, it happened.
Fwoosh! Fwoosh!
Crackle! Crackle…! Crackle…?!
Before I could even awaken it, my heart spoke.
---------------------------= Author’s Note ---------------------------=
Haha, I’m sorry. I intended to move on to the next part this time, but I failed to manage the length. OTL.
This part was meant to establish a connection with User 101 and leave an impression of 102 on Suhyeon. It ties into the side story in episode 395, “The Angels’ Concerns.”
In the next episode, Suhyeon will face a certain event and seriously contemplate his future path.
The next part is titled “Yoo Hyun-ah’s Shadow.” Please look forward to it!