Chapter 52

Chapter 52. Possibility (1)

What is possibility?

—Just train as I tell you, and you can become the strongest.

—Devour everything that despised you and rise to the summit.

—If you desire the world's salvation, then cast aside everything you are. Live solely for that.

—Iron and the hammer and the forge. Strike the world with your own body.

I had told every one of my swords.

<You have the talent for it.>

—I had said.

Emphasizing the 'possibility' they held.

It was the same for the still-unawakened [3rd Sword, Jun].

Excluding the [6th Sword, Bellatrice], who had been the first to witness the world's end, I had presented every sword with a milestone for their lives while discussing their possibilities.

In that world, possibility meant—

'The power to overcome annihilation.'

The qualification to witness one world's end, in whatever form that took.

That was possibility.

I had always been the one to announce and persuade them of it.

And yet…

<Sword Master Shin Si-woo — you who have gone beyond using given abilities to internalize them as your own.>

<Your sword now holds the possibility of surpassing the laws of this world.>

<The Tower sends you countless accolades and gifts you with possibility.>

Now, it was the [Tower] that spoke the word 'possibility' to me.

The Tower speaking was a phenomenon I had encountered for the first time.

What was the Tower trying to say?

'The possibility of overcoming Earth's annihilation.'

Viewed in the same context as my own words, that would be its meaning.

The Tower was the place that realized my trials, so that interpretation was probably correct.

In other words, the Tower also had to show me the 'path' toward possibility.

'Even if he never said so, Jesus may have experienced something similar.'

At any rate, this was something that could never occur unless one was at that level.

So in what way would the [Tower] present me with the path toward possibility?

The simplest method was a reward.

Paat!

[The possibility of surpassing the laws of the world, demonstrated by Sword Master Shin Si-woo.]

[The Tower delivers a gift.]

Sure enough — a Tower-like approach.

The voice from before was gone.

But the status-window message, displayed with vivid clarity, conveyed its will.

One might wonder how a mere message could convey will, but…

[■■-rank——. Calibrating.]

When a power this intense could be felt from mere text — how could I not sense it?

Before my eyes, letters appeared and vanished in real time.

[■X-rank——. Calibrating.]

[E■ ■——. Calibrating.]

They flickered and blurred, then suddenly flashed sharp — again and again.

Hundreds, dozens, thousands of times.

And so, the Tower completed a single sentence.

Paat!

[EX-rank Armor Selection Box]

According to common knowledge, the Tower gifted 'random boxes' classified from [F to SSS-rank].

I still had two unused SSS-rank boxes left.

But…

'EX-rank actually exists?'

This time, the reward was different from the name onward.

EX-rank, no less.

It went without saying, but designations like SSS-rank Transcendent were human-made.

The world had reflected the perception of the universal majority and formalized them into official 'names.'

The 'EX' title honoring the monotheistic god Jesus was the same.

Hadn't humans coined it out of reverence for the living Jesus?

Yet the Tower had realized that EX designation as a tangible reward.

'On top of that…'

EX-rank Armor Selection Box.

The grade in front was already nonsensical, and the modifier that followed was even more so.

Because—

'Selection.'

It was telling me to choose my reward.

And what I needed most was armor.

'I have Ego Swords for weapons.'

My primary armament, the 'Baby Sword,' was still fragile.

But the other 'Ego Swords' held absolute power.

I was the master of such swords.

And yet my body was not a Transcendent's body.

I was accumulating all manner of enlightenment and Authority, but compared to my truly Transcended swords, my body was endlessly frail.

'Unless I've summoned an Ego Sword, I can't withstand a Dark-God-tier attack.'

Exactly.

I had received precisely what I needed at precisely the right moment.

Of course, how this 'selection' would be applied was the most critical detail…

While I was thinking that.

⦗This maiden! This maiden has a wonderful opinion about the armor!⦘

A voice suddenly came from the sword.

Iris seemed to have a good idea — she appeared intent on embedding her own wishes into the 'selection' reward.

But it wasn't Iris's wish alone.

⦗Sword Master, please allow me! The design of a resplendent Holy Empress's vestments—.⦘

The speaker suddenly changed.

This time Yuria had stepped forward.

Then.

⦗Sword Master, I'll add demon hide and craft a magnificent suit of armor! Even a finicky little—.⦘

Muratan jumped in as well.

The words 'EX-rank armor' seemed to have struck a chord in all of them…

'Hm?'

Reinhardt was usually the first to step up in moments like this.

His silence felt strange.

"Reinhardt, you don't have an opinion?"

So I asked, and Reinhardt gave an answer very much like himself.

⦗This humble servant was never one with much interest in vestments or ceremonial attire…⦘

Come to think of it, that was true.

Reinhardt was a madman who'd survived on nothing but Starvation Pellets and holed up in caves for decades to train.

A true cultivation fanatic.

'That worn-out training robe was basically his main armor.'

Ahem.

A twinge of guilt.

Anyway, every sword was in an uproar, wasn't it?

Getting a good result while they were this excited would be difficult.

I spoke calmly.

"Let's open the SSS-ranks first, and save the EX for last."

The best should be savored at the end.

I opened the SSS-rank Random Boxes I'd been saving.

The word 'random' didn't worry me.

The Tower, as always, would 'randomly' give me exactly what I needed.

Paat!

[Skill: Area-Designation — Purification]

The first thing I obtained was a skill created by the [2nd Sword, Yuria Lanestia] — an ability that perfectly purified all impure and evil things within a designated range.

True to the name 'Purification,' it could cleanse contamination from designated humans or terrain.

A formidable power that could even revert a person halfway consumed by an Outer God back to their original state.

'Perfect.'

My swords' manifestation times were measured in 'seconds.'

I had no time to waste on minor healing and purification for others.

That was why versatility in the form of a 'skill' was necessary — to wield the Authority as a skill without manifesting the sword.

I opened the next box right away.

Paat!

[Skill: Single Slash, Sky Splitter.]

A Transcendent technique created by Reinhardt.

Similar to the 'Horizontal Cut' I'd been using.

But hadn't I already learned all 33 Forms with Reinhardt's help?

Among those 33 Forms, 'Sky Splitter' was included.

Even so, realizing it as a skill carried a different significance.

'I can use it with other swords.'

Previously, I'd used [Horizontal Cut] against the Red Sea.

The sword I'd been holding then was the [5th Sword, Iris Ruzbella].

In this way, skills served as lubricant — allowing my swords' powers to intermingle.

A fact I hadn't known at first, but having grown considerably, the scope of what I could perceive had widened.

And so, finally—

⦗This maiden! Strongly advocates!!!⦘

⦗He must wear noble vestments!⦘

⦗Sword Master, demon hide—.⦘

Letting the swords' clamoring wash over me, I opened the [EX-rank] box.

Saaaaaaa————.

Through a distant golden light, a breathtaking rainbow arose.

It was five-colored and resplendent, like gazing at a Mystery — yet within it, red and darkness coexisted, as though beholding Chaos itself.

From within that distant light—

__________________________

—Ep. 18. Possibility.

The world of swords.

Something called a quest had appeared here.

[Form the Sword Master's armor.]

The swords, who had been watching 'status windows' and the like through Shin Si-woo's eyes, clearly understood what it meant.

Every sword stepped forward and presented their opinion.

"Our will is the Emperor's Regalia."

The last Empress of the continent.

She had always been fixated on imperial garments.

Naturally, the Sword Master should also wear such vestments.

"Tch! Demon hide is the toughest iron there is. Where does a brat get off opening her mouth in front of a master craftsman?"

Muratan barked.

As the one among the swords most well-versed in armor, it was only right that he strengthen the [EX-rank armor] — that was his point.

Having forged swords from Outer Gods, what couldn't he make?

Into the squabble between Iris and Muratan, the Saintess Yuria joined the fray.

"Tsk tsk, none of you have the basics down."

Yuria pursued a vision of the Sword Master in noble vestments.

"As it was with me, only the highest-ranking Chaste Priest may ascend to the Papal Seat. The Sword Master surely possesses that qualification…"

Papal vestments.

The swords had each lived through different world-lines, yet their settings had all been roughly similar.

They therefore clearly understood the significance of papal vestments.

"Agelessness and automatic regeneration… hmm."

On top of that, the wearing conditions seemed to be met.

Just as Muratan was about to spout something about 'demon-hide vestments,' Yuria turned to the old man and asked.

"Reinhardt, what do you think?"

"Hmm, I have never worn anything besides training robes my entire life, so I'm afraid I don't know."

A life devoted solely to training — Reinhardt simply didn't understand the aesthetics of armor.

The same went for taste.

"Starvation Pellets and a training robe — the Sword Master would be satisfied with those."

Hadn't all the swords conspired to hold this meeting in the fleeting instant the Sword Master opened the box?

An ultra-high-speed conference conducted through the swords' Transcended minds…

Yet at this rate, they'd never reach an answer.

"Our will is thus."

That was when Iris stepped forward.

She bore the form of the smallest child, yet she was the being most suited to the word 'rule.'

Grrrr—.

Iris mounted a demon, stood on tiptoe, and looked down upon all the swords before speaking.

"The exterior shall be the Emperor's Regalia. Beneath it, demon hide shall be layered, and the Papal Vestments shall be worn as the inner garment."

An answer that satisfied every sword's demands.

Of course, Reinhardt held up a shabby hemp cloth and shot a look of 'What about the training robe?' — but—

"The Sword Master's training robe IS all of that!"

Iris declared with a 'Haha!'

The swords nodded in spontaneous agreement at this exquisite harmony.

"The Sword Master's body has not yet Transcended, and as a noble cleric, I am deeply concerned."

At Yuria's request, one more function was added.

"Let us add the Authority of binding to the body. Dwarf, you can handle that much, can't you?"

Muratan tilted his head sideways and said,

"Hah, you're asking me about something that basic? That much and more is well within my means. I'll weave that function into the demon hide."

And so.

Through the fusion of the system's Authority and the swords' harmony.

The armor of the Sword Master, Shin Si-woo, was completed.

* * *

—I opened my eyes.

The countless clusters of light that had enveloped my body were gone.

And I was wearing a certain 'uniform.'

Its feel was…

Reminiscent of the Emperor's Regalia I'd seen when raising Iris in [Raise a Sword].

Paat!

[Armor — Sword Master's Training Robe.]

But the name was strange.

Something like 'Emperor's Regalia' or 'vestments befitting the Sword Master' would have fit better…

'This is a training robe?'

I tilted my head.

It was treated as an item, so I should check the options first.

Paat!

[The Emperor's Authority dwells within.]

[The demonic cannot trespass at will.]

[When projecting dignity, overwhelming pressure can be displayed to the surroundings.]

[Manifests the power to dominate the surrounding area and enforce 'will.']

'The Emperor's Authority?'

Paat!

[The Papal Rites dwell within.]

[All wounds are automatically healed, short of instant death.]

[Bearing divine authority, negative mental effects can be removed from the surrounding area.]

[A barrier of 'invincibility' can be deployed, centered on the wearer.]

'Papal…?'

The more I looked, the stranger the options became.

The name was 'training robe,' yet it bore the Emperor's Authority and the Papal Rites.

On top of that…

Paat!

[Demon-hide toughness negates attacks that surpass normal limits.]

[Auto-cleanse function, body-fit function, maintains the wearer's body in a 24-hour state of cleanliness, etc…]

All manner of miscellaneous functions had been attached.

And…

Paat!

[Permanently bound upon equipping.]

This garment had become one with my body.

Despite all its overwhelming powers, I couldn't help but feel bewildered.

'Good lord…'

The Patriot went around wearing a 'nationalist Taegukgi hoodie.'

Jesus went around wearing a pink crown of thorns and a purple robe.

But I was a Transcendent of sound mind.

"You want me to go out in this?"

It was strange.

The swords, who had been clamoring moments ago, were silent.

The Tower, which had been discussing rewards, had chosen silence.

And with that, a portal appeared before my eyes.

"What is that now—"

The scenery beyond the portal was [Gwanghwamun Square].

The very place where I'd entered.

Twenty-four hours would have passed outside, so there'd be some changes.

But wasn't this a bit much?

<Everyone, line up!!! There are plenty of Cubes. Let's get the Awakened classification done quickly!>

The Patriot was conducting Awakened classification at Gwanghwamun Square.

Countless Cubes — pseudo-Gates in architectural form used to assess Awakened — had been erected.

And blanketing the area were people beyond count.

Their number was a staggering—

'170,000.'

The possibility of humanity I had witnessed inside the Gate at Jeonju.

That hope…

'Including spectators, it's probably over a million.'

Meaning I had to face all of them in this new outfit.

Dressed like a pre-modern imperialist.

Sreuk—.

Was it the Tower's Authority?

I was naturally pushed through the portal.

Then the Patriot, flaunting his hoodie plastered with Taegukgi, approached me.

And asked,

"What the hell are you planning to do with this country?"

His expression was deeply complicated.