Weapon-Eating Bastard [EN]: Chapter 149

Weapon-Devouring Bastard – Chapter 149

When this spear first appeared, people didn’t even recognize it *as* a spear.

It was inevitable.

At first glance, it just looked like a rusty, old relic.

Even in my past life, when this relic was excavated, numerous scholars experimented with it.

The consensus was that it was simply an artifact from ancient times.

Even when measured using modern magical technology, no special properties were detected.

Infusing it with mana was like pouring water into a bottomless pit.

Even now, without prior knowledge of this spear’s true form, I’d dismiss it as a useless piece of old iron.

But when restored ‘correctly,’ it will shock everyone.

This spear defies simple categorization; it’s more than just a weapon.

A spear imbued with ancient mysteries and legendary divinity.

Dozens of stories and names have been passed down about it.

A materialized thunderbolt.

A living light.

The slayer of light.

It’s likened to Zeus’s thunderbolt, Astrape, in Greek mythology and Odin’s Gungnir in Norse mythology.

Ar-eadbair, Gae Assail, and others – each a different name for the same artifact.

In my past life, scholars meticulously analyzed the spear’s origin, traditions, and mysteries to determine its rank and true name.

A Celestial Divine Spear.

Lugh’s Spear.

This was the true identity of this rusty piece of iron.

‘Finally, I have obtained a Celestial-grade weapon.’

A tremor.

I can feel the black energy within my body wriggling.

It’s showing more interest in this weapon than ever before.

‘Not yet.’

This weapon will only reveal its true form after being primarily ‘restored’ and then ‘unleashed.’

I clenched the storage box containing the relic tightly, my eyes gleaming.

* * *

The awards ceremony ended.

I intended to go straight to my accommodation to rest, but somehow I couldn’t.

I stared at the boys and girls sitting in front of me with a disgruntled expression.

‘How did this happen?’

Ron, engrossed in a Bundesliga [German professional football league] game on TV, was unleashing a torrent of colorful British curses whenever his favorite player made a mistake.

To my right, Jang Han was drinking heavily with an uncomfortable expression, as if something was bothering him.

And to my left, Serena Cannata sat with a demure posture and a flushed face.

This gathering started entirely because of Ron.

“The Grand Melee is over! Shouldn’t we have a wrap-up party!”

Ron declared, dragging me to the bar.

The allure of German beer was strong, so I followed without much resistance.

“……Excuse me.”

Then Serena, who had wanted to discuss the Church’s affairs after the tournament, joined us by chance.

Ron, with his outgoing personality, pulled the hesitant Serena along to the bar.

When we arrived at a secluded bar, Jang Han was already there, as Ron had informed him beforehand.

“Hic.”

I turned my head slightly at the cute hiccup beside me.

It was Serena.

Next to her, a stack of empty glasses rivaled my own.

“Um, Serena. Are you okay?”

Paladins aren’t clergy in the strictest sense, so marriage and alcohol are permitted.

Of course, the Saintess, the leader of the Paladins, leads an ascetic life akin to a nun, but not all Paladins follow that path.

‘Still……’

Is it wise to drink so much?

Serena turned towards me, her face flushed, and smiled with slightly unfocused eyes.

“Yes, I’m fine. I’ve had wine before, but this is my first time with beer. It’s bitter and refreshing. I also like the subtle smell of oak barrels.”

“……Look me in the eye when you say that. You’re staring into space.”

“Hic!”

Serena seemed quite drunk, yet she continued to sip and drink.

I tried to stop her, but she teared up, so I relented after about ten glasses.

“Ugh! I lost! I lost!”

Ron approached, his face flushed, grinding his teeth.

“That idiot! To foul there! If it were me…….”

As expected, from the country of football, England.

To think that the upright knight would be reduced to this.

“Lee Cheol, don’t you like soccer?”

Ron asked, downing a glass of beer with a resentful expression.

At this point, I didn’t bother telling them to moderate their drinking.

They could all sober up instantly if they wanted to.

“No, not really. I don’t even know the players.”

“Hmm, I see. That’s too bad. Jang Han, what about you?”

“I don’t understand why people enjoy kicking balls around.”

“Then what about Serena…….”

Serena smiled awkwardly and shook her head.

Well, Jang Han, Serena, and I all live on the edge, constantly facing danger.

We lead somewhat bleak lives, making it difficult to enjoy ordinary sports.

Small talk flowed, and glasses of alcohol were exchanged.

Serena continued to drink silently, maintaining her upright posture.

Aside from her flushed face and slightly relaxed expression, she seemed unchanged.

In comparison, Ron’s voice was louder, and he talked more.

I simply enjoyed the long-awaited drink.

I had barely touched alcohol since returning, so I savored the bar’s atmosphere and the beer’s taste.

Then, Jang Han, who had been quietly eating snacks and drinking, spoke in a low voice.

“Let me ask you something.”

“Go ahead.”

“I have a question about the final moment of our match.”

Could that be why he was so quiet?

I gestured for him to continue, and Jang Han elaborated.

“How did you do that? Applying swordsmanship secrets to your fist, using aura skills separately… Could it be that you have already reached the realm of Myriad Streams Return to One [a high-level concept in martial arts where all techniques converge]?”

Jang Han’s eyes held a complicated expression.

That seemed to be what he had been pondering.

Myriad Streams Return to One. Isn’t that a top-level realm often discussed by Chinese martial artists?

“It’s not quite Myriad Streams Return to One.”

I replied.

Those were simply characteristics of my mana technique.

It’s not perfect yet, but it’s an ability that’s gradually developing.

“No. It’s just that my technique is naturally like this. There is no fixed form. I adapt to the situation.”

“What does that…….”

Jang Han frowned, seemingly unable to grasp the concept.

“I was also curious.”

Ron chimed in.

“How is your aura control so exceptional?”

“It’s the same, so it’s hard to explain.”

I couldn’t reveal that I was learning mana techniques to manage the mana core.

That was a secret between me and my aunt.

I said that and reflected on what I had gained from the tournament.

‘I learned aura skills and various weapon handling methods with the Magic Eye. Methods completely different from Eastern martial arts.’

Thanks to the Magic Eye, I learned so much.

I couldn’t fully master everything just by watching, but it was enough to know that such techniques existed.

4-star mana technique permeates everything like water.

I felt that my foundation for martial arts and mana techniques had broadened.

My Mujin [a martial arts technique] usage before and after the Grand Melee will be on a different level.

“What are you going to do now?”

Jang Han asked, dipping a sausage in sauce and eating it.

“I’ll continue to be a martial artist. What about you?”

“The Sect Leader told me to return immediately after the Grand Melee. I’ll probably receive formal training.”

As soon as Jang Han finished, Ron emptied his glass and answered.

“Actually, my family wants me back right away, but I’m thinking of going on a knight’s pilgrimage. I want to travel the world a bit.”

Then Serena looked at me with her still-moist eyes.

“Lee Cheol. To the Church…….”

“As I said before, I won’t go right now. I still have things to do. Has my request been approved?”

“Not yet. It seems the main branch needs time.”

“Then let’s set a date when the conditions are met.”

“……Yes.”

Serena looked slightly dejected, then regained her stoic expression and sipped her beer.

It must be quite bitter, but she ordered another bottle.

“Lee Cheol.”

Ron called me slyly.

“Now that the Grand Melee is over, do you have any plans?”

Ron asked me slyly.

“I’m thinking of visiting some unexplored areas in Northern Europe and England.”

“Oh? Even our country? May I ask why?”

“Just for training.”

It wasn’t a lie, but it wasn’t the whole truth.

Firstly, I needed time to process what I had gained from the Grand Melee.

Secondly, England and Northern Europe were where I needed to go to restore the Celestial-grade weapon I had obtained, excluding Black Night, so I could use it.

To be exact, not England, but Ireland.

“……Hmm, I see.”

Ron stroked his chin, contemplating, then tapped his beer glass.

“Then how about traveling with me?”

“……?”

I opened my eyes wide, and Ron looked at me intently.

“I’m more useful than I look. I speak several European languages, and I know a lot about Europe.”

Useful? Of course, he was.

Having someone who had earned the youngest knight qualification was welcome.

“Why are you doing this?”

“If I’m with Lee Cheol… I think I’ll learn a lot.”

Ron smiled brightly.

In any case, it wasn’t a bad offer.

“Okay, let’s do that.”

“Yahoo!”

Ron raised his arms and smiled.

Serena glanced at me as if she wanted to say something, but then blanked her face again.

After that, the drinking party continued.

I took a sip of alcohol and chuckled.

‘Not bad.’

Whether it was the alcohol or the strange feeling after the Grand Melee.

Being with these three was enjoyable.

In my past life, they were people I couldn’t even dream of interacting with.

Perhaps this strange friendship is one of the precious rewards I’ve gained.

The genius knight, Ron Russell.

The disciple of the Nine Dragons Sect Leader, Jang Han.

The prospective Paladin, Serena Cannata.

Figures representing each region.

And I was at the center of them.

“Come on! Let’s drink! I’ll pay this time! Golden Bell [a Korean drinking game]!”

Ron shouted loudly and raised his glass.

The Germans around us cheered.

I finished my beer in one gulp and smiled.

On the way back from the pleasant drinking party, I walked alone because my accommodation was in a different area.

The air was humid with the smell of the nearby river.

As I walked through the night streets, I sensed a strange presence near my hotel.

I stopped and slowly turned my head.

And there I saw a man waiting for me.

“It’s my first time seeing you.”

A low, heavy voice.

The man slowly stepped forward.

I stopped breathing as I looked at him.

I know that man.

I can’t *not* know him.

He was the one who killed me.

He slaughtered my family, including my eldest brother.

He was the one who ultimately claimed the throne of the Soongmoo Lee family.

“Nice to meet you. My youngest.”

The third of the Soongmoo Lee family, Lee Gun-sung.

He revealed himself.