NOVEL NEXT Chapter 128
Chapter 128: What Is This?
“What’s this?”
Si-hyun paused, trying to figure out what item he had just come across. He thought it better to sit somewhere outside where he could get some fresh air to sort out his thoughts.
He took the elevator down to the first floor and stepped out into a small resting area designated for patients and their guardians.
He grabbed a chilled soda from the vending machine, one that seemed more suited for summer, and plopped down on an empty bench.
After cracking open the can and letting the cold beverage refresh him, Si-hyun opened his inventory.
The heart of a Sword Master.
Did that mean Po-ahim really ate the heart of the Sword Master?
Looking at the list in his inventory, he was met with a grotesque sight: an item that appeared to be a human heart.
Just gazing at it sent a chill down his spine, and he couldn’t help but smirk in disbelief.
[Heart of the Sword Master] [Legendary] – A heart taken directly from the Sword Master’s corpse by Po-ahim, who shed tears as he consumed it. Strangely, it did not vanish but instead lodged itself into one side of Po-ahim’s body.
“Wow… he really did eat it.”
As Si-hyun read that far, his face went pale.
Eating a human heart was almost tantamount to cannibalism.
It was an act met with an overwhelming instinctual revulsion.
Yet, that such an act had been committed indicated that their relationship was anything but ordinary.
Perhaps that’s why the last will demanded the heart be consumed.
Shaking his head in disbelief, Si-hyun continued reading.
– The heart of the Sword Master is the sole link connecting Po-ahim and the Sword Master’s soul. – Using the heart, one can summon the Sword Master’s soul. (Life Force consumption)
“Summon the soul, huh?”
Si-hyun couldn’t help but raise his voice in surprise.
The effect of the item was completely unexpected.
Given its legendary status, he assumed it would have some ordinary effect.
But summoning the actual soul of the individual?
What was he, a medium? What exactly would he do with that?
Pausing in curious thought about summoning the soul, he suddenly hesitated.
There was one thing that bothered him.
The phrase about life force consumption.
Such a stat didn’t exist for Awakened Beings.
Strength, Agility, Wisdom, Endurance, Mental Power, Magic Power, Resistance—those were it.
So, what on earth was being consumed?
Could it possibly mean what it literally said?
If that were true, he’d be reluctant to use it.
As Si-hyun pondered that further, a notification popped up.
[Po-ahim advises you not to haphazardly summon the soul of your dear friend.]
While looking into it further, Si-hyun chuckled and muttered, “Alright, I get it.”
He was already feeling uneasy about many things.
Souls weren’t objects.
They were completely different from ordinary items.
And not just any soul, but that of Po-ahim’s dear friend—a man who had reached a transcendent state.
What help such a summon would bring, he still didn’t know, but he felt he should at least refrain from using it carelessly.
Si-hyun took another sip of his drink and gazed blankly at the night sky.
Suddenly, a thought struck him, prompting him to exclaim, “Wait, if so….”
Po-ahim had not only the heart of the Sword Master but also the ability to summon souls.
If there were an Awakened Being of the Sword Master, this situation wouldn’t be possible.
If he considered this, it implied there were no Awakened Beings of the Sword Master in this realm.
William, the Paladin he met on Daeijak Island, had said there were many rumors about the Sword Master, but in the end, they all turned out to be false.
If his thoughts were right, it couldn’t be any other way.
If Awakened Beings didn’t exist at all.
Though it was just speculation for now, he had the strong feeling that it was highly likely.
“Hmm….”
His thoughts began to change.
Maybe he should at least try summoning the soul once for a conversation.
First, Si-hyun looked around.
It was a chilly winter night; no one else was in sight.
There was little fear of being seen talking to a soul like a madman.
“But how do I use this thing?”
Si-hyun mumbled, tilting his head in confusion.
The Heart of the Sword Master wasn’t the type of item that could just be summoned like others.
It resided within Po-ahim’s body.
Thus, it appeared to be a hidden item.
He tried summoning the Sword Master’s soul in his mind.
Suddenly, something appeared right before his eyes.
“Whoa…”
The unexpected speed of the manifestation caught Si-hyun off guard.
Standing there was a good-looking man who looked exactly like the Sword Master he recognized from memory.
He had imagined something vague and shadowy for a soul, but this was far too clear.
Had he not known better, he might have mistaken him for a living person.
Feeling it would be rude to remain seated on the bench, Si-hyun awkwardly stood up.
Seeing this, the Sword Master’s soul smiled gently.
– Rest easy now, Awakened Being of Po-ahim.
The words seemed to resonate directly in his mind.
“Do you know me?”
– Of course.
“I see. It’s an honor to meet you, Sword Master.”
– Likewise. Don’t be silly; just sit down and talk.
Despite the Sword Master’s invitation, Si-hyun stood firm.
Though his body might find it comfortable, his heart wouldn’t feel at ease.
“It’s alright. This is more comfortable for me.”
The Sword Master simply smiled in silence.
That soft smile, coupled with his noble visage, felt both handsome and dignified.
With looks like that, there was no room for jealousy.
Even as a man, it felt oddly…
No, wait, that’s not the point!
Think of pretty ladies.
Think of pretty ladies.
As vivid faces of beauties like Eun-hye, Iseol, and Hyris crossed his mind, he regained his composure.
Moments ago, he had felt something dangerously close to temptation.
It seemed his prolonged absence from female companionship was starting to show its effects.
After all, it had been perplexing when he first started feeling comfortable around Po-ahim’s intimidating appearance.
He really needed a break. A proper break.
“…Are you invisible to others, Sword Master?”
Having chugged down a bit of the fizzy drink, Si-hyun opened his mouth again.
– You could say that.
“I see. Is there perhaps no Awakened Being of the Sword Master in this world?”
– None.
As expected.
It was a rational deduction.
“Is there a special reason why there are no Awakened Beings?”
– I can’t say for certain.
Despite the continuous questions, the Sword Master kept answering with a gentle expression, allowing Si-hyun to progressively feel more relaxed with each query.
“I understand that I can summon your soul using the heart. However, could you tell me what powers your soul possesses…?”
Si-hyun clearly recalled the moment when the Sword Master shattered hundreds of ice arrows created by Hyris with a single swing of his sword.
Given the caliber of man’s soul, there might be some power there.
But Si-hyun’s faint expectations quickly crumbled.
– The soul itself possesses no power.
With that statement, the Sword Master seemed to understand Si-hyun’s feelings, wearing a knowing smile.
“…Really?”
– However.
“Yes?”
– If there is a medium, that changes everything. For instance, your body.
“Are you implying…?”
Si-hyun began to grasp the implication.
He had heard about how shamans can channel a spirit’s soul through possession.
It seemed that was the kind of thing being suggested here.
– You’ve interpreted it correctly. But considering you, it would be wise to refrain from holding my soul within yourself.
That remark felt like a serious warning.
“Does that mean I would have some sort of problem if I did?”
– Aren’t you already feeling something?
“What do you mean…?”
Just as Si-hyun was about to reply with confusion, a sudden wave of intense dizziness hit him.
Everything around him seemed to spin, and he felt his head throbbing.
It became hard to sit up straight on the bench, and he ended up collapsing onto the ground.
In this cold, he was sweating profusely, as if rain were pouring down his back.
His entire body was drenched in sweat.
“Ugh… ugh….”
Breathing became a struggle.
His lungs felt like they had been pushed to their limits, leaving him gasping for air.
His muscles felt weak, as though all strength had drained from him.
– While I am always happy to converse with you, it would be best to keep our discussions brief for your sake.
“Ugh….”
Si-hyun recalled the earlier phrase about life force consumption.
So this was what that meant…
Even though Po-ahim had advised against disturbing the eternal rest of his friend, this scenario felt like something he’d certainly refuse.
– It will be harder the first time. I’ll need to disappear quickly for your sake. Until we meet again, Awakened Being of Po-ahim.
Just like that, the Sword Master’s soul vanished in an instant, just as it had appeared.
He didn’t even have the mental clarity to bid farewell.
Si-hyun was now writhing in agony.
At least with the soul gone, there was hope things might improve.
Yet, he remained on the ground, eyes shut, struggling to catch his breath.
“Deli!”
Suddenly, a woman’s voice rang out.
At first, he thought he was hearing things due to his dazed state.
But the voice called out again.
“Deli, are you still feeling a lot of pain?”
With great effort, Si-hyun lifted his eyelids to see who was calling him.
Even in his difficult condition, he jerked slightly in surprise.
…No, why on earth are you here?
It was Hyris.
Thanks to Po-ahim’s memories, he recognized her instantly.
This was truly the worst timing possible.
He hadn’t reached a decision in his mind yet, and he lacked the strength to form coherent sentences.
His mental state was far from normal.
There was no way he could think straight and deal with the situation as it was.
“Let’s get you back to your room quickly.”
Hyris moved to support Si-hyun, then lifted him as if he weighed nothing.
This was the second time she had done this.
‘No… don’t just pick me up like that…’
Feeling her thin clothing against his skin stirred something within him.
The gentle fragrance emanating from her was subtle yet enticing.
Her worried eyes met his half-open ones.
Even if he was out of sorts, the intensity of this moment was overwhelming.
Si-hyun squeezed his eyes shut again, exhaling heavily as he struggled to cope.
He felt trapped.
If they entered the hospital room together like this, his family might assume he was sneaking around with her at night.
‘No…’
He tried to muster the strength to tell her he was fine, but no words came out.
In the meantime, Hyris strode confidently toward the elevator.
How could such a woman be so strong and swift?
He felt curious glances from a few people in the lobby on the first floor, watching the strange sight of the couple.
The elevator doors opened, and Hyris carried Si-hyun inside.
She pressed the button for the tenth floor.
Considering she knew the location of his hospital room, it seemed indeed she was the ex-girlfriend Po-ahim had mentioned.
At any rate, there was no turning back now.
Si-hyun’s mind raced as he tried to figure out how to explain this situation to his family.
Ding.
The doors on the tenth floor slid open.
Without hesitation, Hyris walked toward the room.
She pushed the door wide open.