00586 Everyone has a time when they shine.
The moment two messages appeared in midair, I felt my mind go blank.
It was inevitable. The Void Sword had been with me since I started my second run. I had read its description countless times and made relentless efforts to uncover its true nature.
Yet, it had never changed—until now. Suddenly, it was called the Sword of the Exterminator? What on earth was going on?
Then, the messages came through.
『The detailed information of the Void Sword is changing.』
『Sword of the Exterminator.』
(Description: The spirit realm is governed by nine elemental attributes, each with a designated role. These nine are Flame, Water, Wind, Void, Earth, Thunder, Light, Darkness, and Chaos. Among them, Chaos holds the role of ‘Extermination’—the enemy that threatens the spirit realm.
The ‘Exterminator’ refers to the Spirit King of Chaos. The characters 絶滅 (jeolmyeol) mean ‘to utterly destroy’ or ‘annihilation.’
The greatest power latent in this sword is that it counts the opponent’s lives as one, regardless of how many they possess. Even beings with infinite lives are reduced to a single life by the Sword of the Exterminator.
Those whose lives are taken by this sword are trapped in a certain Hole governed by the Spirit King of Chaos. Once trapped, they can never set foot in this world again—meaning no more reincarnation or resurrection blessings.
It is recommended not to use it unless absolutely necessary. Even if you believe you can wield it, please think twice or thrice and use it with utmost caution.)
As the lengthy explanation scrolled across the screen—
“Don’t just stand there, you idiot!”
Hwa-jeong’s shout echoed sharply in my mind.
I snapped back to reality and quickly scanned my surroundings, forcing myself to stay calm.
“…Where am I?”
Everything had changed.
Literally everything. No tentacles in sight, no Father either.
The space I stood in was no longer a plaza. It was just a pitch-black, suffocating void.
But—
“……”
At least one thing was clear: I was not alone in this darkness.
Nearby, I sensed an immense presence—vast and impossible to gauge. It was an energy that defied definition, a chaotic force that twisted and tangled beyond comprehension. If I had to name it, it would be Chaos itself.
“Ah.”
At that moment, a possibility dawned on me—why this was happening.
The sudden change in the Void Sword, the ominous description, and the kind of sword that held such information…
Right. I just needed to recall the warning in the message. This sword wasn’t equipment anyone could wield recklessly; it required a rite of ownership.
Boom.
As if confirming my thoughts, a massive sound reverberated somewhere nearby.
The direction was still shrouded in darkness, but a shape emerged. It blended with the shadows, a colossal form so immense I couldn’t take it all in at once.
—Eternal flame that never dies, primordial fire, this humble servant of Chaos humbly offers greetings to the Mother of all flames.
—It is truly an honor to meet you thus.
A rough, metallic voice whispered in my ear, yet it carried the solemn dignity only an absolute being could possess. Instinctively, I knew this was the Spirit King of Chaos.
“……”
Silence stretched between us. I had long since stopped worrying about the outside world. At this point, it was out of my hands. Having drawn the sword, my part was done. If this was Hwa-jeong’s plan, she surely accounted for the situation beyond.
—What does Lady Hwa-jeong say?
Chaos spoke again, its tone surprisingly cautious despite its grandeur. It didn’t seem to be addressing Hwa-jeong directly, so I quietly replied.
“She says nothing.”
—I see. Then it means you and I must settle this here.
Suddenly, the dark figure began to rise slowly. I tilted my head back as far as I could, but eventually gave up when my neck wouldn’t bend any further.
I had no clue how this rite of ownership would proceed, so I waited, bewildered. But the wait wasn’t long.
Soon, a long sword descended diagonally from the void, moving slowly. I fixed my gaze on it.
My first thought was that it was truly beautiful.
It really was. The sword’s sharp, precise edges made it look less like a weapon and more like an exquisite work of art. Its jet-black blade seemed to absorb even darkness itself, writhing and shifting as if alive within the shadows.
Truly, it was breathtaking.
I wanted to try wielding it, just once.
Compelled by some strange fascination, I slowly reached out my hand toward the sword.
—I don’t like it.
But just as my fingers were about to grasp the hilt, Chaos’s voice shook my eardrums again.
—I don’t, like it.
I froze and glanced upward, though I still couldn’t see it.
—I may have come here under her command, but whether I grant you the power of Extermination is another matter entirely.
“……”
—You look lost. Then let me be clear: you are not yet worthy to wield me.
“…Why?”
The words hit me like a slap, and I immediately questioned back.
Honestly, I was a bit taken aback. Until now, the sword had never rejected me. I didn’t know why—maybe it had something to do with my true name, I guessed. But why was it refusing me now?
“Is it because I lack ability?”
—Ability? If you mean user stats, that hardly matters. In fact, you have more than enough.
“…What are you saying? Isn’t ability the most important factor in the rite of ownership? So you’re saying I have the ability but not the qualification?”
—Yes. Ability is crucial, but it’s not everything.
Not everything? Then what else matters?
—…Do you really not know?
I thought I heard the Spirit King of Chaos sigh. Or maybe it was just my imagination.
—Tell me, what do you think a sword is?
“Huh? What do I think a sword is? What kind of question is that…?”
I wanted to snap back, thinking it was nonsense, but I swallowed my words. After all, this was no ordinary opponent.
—Right. You’ve never thought deeply about it. You’ve only ever used it as a tool for killing. So that’s all you think it is.
“Wait.”
—I expected as much, but hearing it confirmed makes me a little angry. A sword with its own consciousness sees its wielder as a companion in life. So why are you like this?
“So…”
—Why do you accept all the respect and love from your sword, yet never think to give love in return? That’s what I’m saying, wielder.
“……”
The Spirit King of Chaos spoke my true name precisely. I felt like a mute, unable to respond. No matter what else, I couldn’t deny that I had treated the sword merely as a tool. Whatever that meant in the grand scheme.
—…Tch. That’s all I have to say.
As I blinked, the sword floating in the void suddenly seemed pushed by an unseen force, landing forcibly into my hand. Then I sensed the Spirit King of Chaos turning away.
—Anyway, this time I will lend you my power. But don’t get the wrong idea. I do this only under her command. I still do not acknowledge you.
Crack! Crack!
At that moment, the darkness that had enveloped everything began to fracture with the sound of shattering glass. It was the signal that the rite of ownership was complete.
Watching the shards of darkness fall, I grumbled inwardly. If you’re going to lend me power, at least do it graciously. I came here for a simple rite and ended up hearing all sorts of complaints. It felt petty somehow.
—Oh, and just so you know—
Crack! Crack!
Suddenly, Chaos spoke again as the cracks deepened, threatening to break apart at any moment.
—It’s definitely not because you use that woman Victoria more often than me, so don’t take it personally.
…What?
Crash! Smash!
—Well then.
With those words, the entire world collapsed. Like shaking loose a carefully assembled puzzle, shards of darkness scattered everywhere, revealing the space beyond.
The sword was still firmly in my hand.
Blazing light flooded my vision. Suddenly, a fierce wind whipped around me, making my hair and robes flutter wildly.
Maybe it was because I had been in that dark void for so long.
I instinctively squinted and focused my mind, staring straight ahead.
Bzzzzzzzzzz!
At last, the square I returned to was engulfed by an overwhelming darkness unlike anything I had ever heard before, swirling wildly all around.
“…What’s going on?”
I brushed my hair away from my face with my left hand and quietly stared ahead.
The moment I took in the scene before me—
Only then did I truly grasp the meaning of annihilation.
Helena had fallen.
“Helenaaaaaa!”
The moment the restraints that had bound his entire body snapped free, Anhyeon let out a fierce shout and charged forward.
But the monster—more precisely, Baek Hyung-sik, who had become a monster—remained indifferent. He merely glanced toward the direction the users were coming from, then turned and assumed a battle stance. Then, with a powerful push off the ground, he charged straight at Anhyeon.
“Move aside!”
In that split second, Anhyeon dodged to the side as best he could. Immediately after, a man dashed into the space Anhyeon had vacated. When Anhyeon saw the large shield the man raised in front of him, he instantly understood the intent.
Moments later, the man’s shield collided with Baek Hyung-sik’s fist.
Bang!
A deafening roar echoed, making my eardrums sting.
The surprising outcome? The man was defeated.
The thick iron shield was not just dented—it was shattered in half. The force of the impact left the man’s mouth agape, saliva dripping down his pale face as he staggered weakly.
In contrast, Baek Hyung-sik was still as vigorous as ever, utterly unfazed.
As the man retreated step by step, Baek Hyung-sik grabbed his head with both hands. But was the man’s shield charge wasted? The moment Baek Hyung-sik seized him, Go Oh-hwan and Anhyeon were already flanking from the left and right.
“Urya!”
Go Oh-hwan swung his greatsword down as if to split the crown of Baek Hyung-sik’s head.
Shaaak!
Anhyeon’s spear tip pierced like a shooting star straight toward Baek Hyung-sik’s heart.
Both attacks landed squarely.
“…Kuh?”
…Well, they only landed.
Go Oh-hwan’s greatsword slid off without splitting the skull, and Anhyeon’s spear barely penetrated.
Baek Hyung-sik didn’t even flinch. He shook his head vigorously as if brushing off a mosquito bite, then clenched his grip on the man’s head.
Crack, crunch!
The man’s neck twisted a full 180 degrees, snapping in half to reveal the vertebrae.
Thud!
The severed head rolled mercilessly across the ground. Baek Hyung-sik casually shifted his gaze left and right, as if pondering which one to kill first—Go Oh-hwan or Anhyeon.
When his eyes fixed on one side, Go Oh-hwan flinched and took a few steps back. Then—
Ping!
A streak of wind sliced through the air, striking Baek Hyung-sik’s eye dead-on. At the same time, a blazing fireball slammed directly into his chest.
Anhyeon, momentarily startled, felt a surge of hope and relief. No matter how strong a monster, if its vision is impaired, it must reveal a weakness.
“Krk, krrrk!”
But the relief was short-lived.
The flames clinging to Baek Hyung-sik’s chest fizzled out without causing much damage.
The arrow that had pierced his eye pulled out an eyeball, but a new one quickly regenerated.
Physical attack power, physical defense, magical defense—
All beyond imagination.
This mutant, reborn from high-level users, was a monster beyond Anhyeon’s wildest expectations.
Suddenly, Anhyeon noticed his hand trembling slightly on the black spear.
How on earth was he supposed to kill this thing?
How had his brother toyed with and killed such a monster so easily?
A dark shadow clouded Anhyeon’s face as he hesitated and stepped back.
Meanwhile, at the same time—
“Ughhh…”
A deep groan escaped from between dry lips. His eyes were still blurry, unfocused, as if the shock hadn’t worn off.
But one thing was clear: Joo Hyun-ho was still alive.
Some time passed.
After leaning against the wall like a corpse for a while, Joo Hyun-ho slowly lifted his head. He struggled to steady himself, then began to rise very slowly, using the wall for support.
“Huff, huff…”
Once fully upright, still leaning against the wall, he turned his head weakly. When he saw Helena collapsed on the floor, a low, bitter laugh escaped him.
“Huh, huh… damn… bitch…”
Joo Hyun-ho pulled away from the wall.
Thud.
Helena’s body, kicked, spun around to reveal her face. Joo Hyun-ho chuckled for a long moment, then raised his foot and stomped on her face, just as he had been treated.
“How does it feel? Huh?”
He rubbed his foot back and forth mockingly.
But Helena remained calm, eyes closed as if she didn’t care at all. Joo Hyun-ho’s face twisted grotesquely.
“You… damn it, huh? You can really look forward to this… You know… ah, damn, I’m out of breath… I really like girls like you. Strong, very strong females! Hehehehe!”
“……”
“Huff… huff… Go Eun-sol was supposed to die soon anyway, but now I’ve got a perfect replacement.”
“……”
“So please, don’t die. Just stay like this, okay? Once everything’s settled, I’ll treat you real nice…! Spit!”
Blood-tinged saliva dripped onto Helena’s face.
After another round of chuckling, Joo Hyun-ho staggered past her.
A moment later—
“…What a damn bastard.”
As soon as Joo Hyun-ho left, Helena’s tightly shut eyes slowly opened.
Her eyes still glowed with the fierce light of a dragon’s gaze.
“Hmm. I think so too.”
Helena frowned slightly.
One strange thing: now that Joo Hyun-ho was gone, Helena was essentially alone.
But who was she talking to?
“Heh heh. Who would have thought? After surviving the death of all things, even with a soul-sealing spell. I have to admire your mental strength.”
“Ah, I agree. The corruption has progressed significantly. No one else, but that one is beyond salvation.”
“What? You want me to take over now? Helena, do you not realize your own condition?”
“Hah… I failed, so now I have to follow your method… In other words, I have to do as I’m told.”
Helena’s muttering continued.
Then suddenly, she turned and looked to the side.
“…The shining era.”
“Are you really sure? If this goes wrong, everyone here could die.”
Baek Hyung-sik killing another wizard, the users steadily losing ground, Joo Hyun-ho trudging along, and the silver-haired woman growing cold beside him—
All of it came into Helena’s view at once.
“Human bonds…”
There’s no time.
With that thought, Helena suddenly smiled wryly.
“Well, it wouldn’t be so bad… if it’s your words, the one who once defeated me.”
“Good. Then let’s see what you’ve got.”
Suddenly, Helena’s hands slowly moved toward something.
Her left hand toward Baek Hyung-sik.
Her right hand toward Go Eun-sol.
“Convertimini, Et Fulgentibus Saeculum…”
And as Helena quietly whispered the spell—
---------------------------= Author’s Note ---------------------------=
Hmm…
Hello, this is Royujin.
I struggled a lot with how to start this note today…
First, I want to deeply bow and apologize. bows deeply (__)
Yesterday, I was not in my right mind. Reading each comment caused my mind to unravel.
Perhaps my declaration of writing BL and my warning to my lovely readers stemmed from that mental breakdown.
I deleted the note. Today, as I slowly sipped some sweet tea and reflected, my face suddenly flushed.
What more can I say?
In plain terms, I think I showed you something truly awful.
I am truly, sincerely sorry.
As a sign of my remorse, I will be silently posting only the “notes” until this Friday.
Once again, I ask for your generous understanding.
Sincerely,
Royujin