Did she already know what I would ask her for?

If you want to support, you can do so at: https://www.patr eon.com/finlegost

There, you can find 18 chapters in advance.

Thanks to my patrons and to those who comment on the chapters. It means a lot to me and motivates me to continue this hobby of mine.

And, of course, thanks to everyone who reads this novel.

*************************************

'Damn stupid luck! You're supposed to help me, not make things harder for me,' I think, while dodging anyway the toxic breath vapor from the Lvl 99 Zombie dragon that we'll somehow have to defeat if we want to stay alive.

After I activate the Luck Profile, we continue walking for a few more minutes.

At first Alessia didn't quite agree with my decision, but when we started to see how the density of trees in the landscape was slowly decreasing, she quickly changed her mind.

After less than an hour of hiking since activating the Luck Profile, we finally emerged from the wooded area.

But, as we quickly discovered, it wasn't the trail we had come to.

After a bit more exploration, we realized that we were in a huge circular clearing within the wooded area of the no man's zone.

And we also realized that, unfortunately, I was still unable to use Space Travel to exit the Altamira labyrinth.

However, we temporarily set that worry aside when we discovered what was at the heart of the clearing.

We saw that, on a stone bathed in sunlight, was a glowing sword stuck.

The broad double-edged blade appeared to be made of immaculate steel, which almost seemed translucent as it was so clear, except for the hilt, which was made of brilliant gold.

Next to the sword, on the stone, was a scabbard of a black-colored metal.

The most absolute black I have ever seen.

The color was so intense that it seemed to absorb the light around it.

This puzzled me for a few moments because the style and color of the sword were completely out of keeping with that of its scabbard.

Then suddenly I had the irrepressible desire to draw the sword and sheathe it, to see if this would somehow change the appearance of the scabbard.

At the same time, I could hear the voices of Alessia and Delia speaking to me, but for some strange reason, I did not understand a word of what they were saying.

However, I didn't have much time to be distracted by all those thoughts, because, as I was about to take the sword, suddenly a huge shadow appeared behind us, blotting out the sunlight with its size.

The vaporous silhouette quickly gained solidity and consistency until it took on the appearance of an immense dragon in a state of decomposition.

Unfortunately for us, despite the decaying state of its body, the dragon has perfect control over its movements.

The nightmarish monster must be at least 10 meters tall, and the violaceous rotting flesh covering its body and limbs gives off a repulsive scent.

In the place where its eyes should be, there are two purple flames that somehow give the sensation of being focused on us.

Before we had the slightest time to react, the dragon lashed out with its tail at Alessia.

The attack sent my first girlfriend flying several meters until she crashed into a tree, at the foot of which she fell and lay motionless, with a large amount of blood gushing from the corners of her lips.

Delia ran off practically instantly to Alessia's aid.

Something that the Zombie dragon took advantage of to try to cut her into pieces with one of its claws.

But this time I was able to react in time and, activating Sword Breathing Style plus the Strength+Agility profile, I interposed myself between the attack and Delia, blocking the dragon's claw with my great sword.

And that brings me to the current situation.

I am currently dodging the dragon's attacks as best I can while swearing internally to never trust the Luck Profile again.

I can no longer block the monster's attacks with the beloved and useful great sword I obtained in the war zone, as it began to rust and crumble quickly after touching the body of the giant overgrown lizard.

So I equipped my great sword with Chain+, but only to be able to continue using Sword Breathing Style.

Besides, even though it's a weapon with a low attack potential, it's good for me to have something to block the dragon with in case of emergency.

I don't know what would happen if any of the monster's blows connected directly with my body, but I don't want to find out.

'If we can't use weapons to defeat it...

How the hell are we supposed to defeat this thing?...

Wait...

We've been in a similar situation before...

But that time the monster was already on the verge of death, and Blue Wind willingly took the risk...

No...

There has to be another way.'

At that moment my gaze is fixed for an instant on the gleaming sword stuck in the stone, almost as if my eyes had been drawn to the weapon.

[Legendary sword: Extremely powerful. Unbreakable. Absorbs the life force of whatever the sword damages. Increased damage against dragons. Increased damage against undead]

Emir: !!!

'Why wouldn't I have thought of inspecting it before?...

It's just the weapon I need!'

I turn to my right and run off at full speed in the direction where the legendary sword stuck in the stone is.

The Zombie dragon is chasing me closely, but it can't match the speed at which I can move with the combination of the Agility profile and Sword Breathing Style.

When I reach the stone, I fix both my hands on the hilt of the sword and pull with all my might.

But the sword doesn't move a millimeter from where it is.

'Shit... It seems that the amount of Strength I have with my Agility profile isn't enough...

But I can't risk using my Strength profile because that would leave me with no chance of dodging the dragon...

I only have a few moments before the dragon gets to where I am...

That being the case...

Activate Strength+Agility profile!'

With renewed strength, I pull with all my might on the sword's hilt once more.

Fortunately, this time the sword does move from its place.

For a few agonizing milliseconds, the weapon moves very slowly, but then it comes completely out of the stone.

Instantly I point in the direction of the dragon with the gleaming double-edged great sword I now hold in my hands.

'Well...

I already have a weapon...

Now...

WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON?!'

Suddenly, the appearance of the sword in my hands changes dramatically.

It's still a great sword, but that's the only feature that hasn't changed.

The shiny metal that once made up the blade of the weapon has been replaced by a dark, opaque material, and the hilt seems to be made of the same material as the blade.

Overall, the sword gives the impression of having been fashioned from a single, gigantic old bone that has been given the shape of a weapon.

But the material from which the sword is made is not the only thing that has changed, as it now has a single, slightly curved edge.

At the same time as changing its appearance, tendrils of smoke begin to emerge from the hilt of the weapon, which climbs up my arms and curls around it.

[Zariche, the cursed demonic sword] [(Edge+) (Feather+) (Rock+) (Vampiric+) (Dementia+) (Lock+) (Bloodlust+)]

[This demonic sword is made from the remains of an ancient and cursed being. At the touch of blood, the sword will become tinged with the color of the blood of its victims. The blood of its enemies fuels and empowers it, benefiting the wielder and slowly driving it towards his doom]

[Active skill 'Dementia mist': alters the perception of people nearby, making them see horrible things].

[Passive skills: Zariche periodically drains the user's health. Cuts produced by the sword bleed excessively and do not heal easily. As it cuts the enemy flesh, the sword drains a small portion of the target's HP and MP to give it to the wielder. Wounds produced by the cursed sword can only be healed by a Saint or a very high-level heal].

[Zariche upgrade condition [2/3]: kill 9999 innocent people]

'Haa...

That's why I found the previous description so convenient...

It was simply a bait'

'Exactly, Master. Sorry about that, but I needed your help to get out of that nasty rock'

Emir: !!!

Suddenly I feel in my mind, almost as if it were my own thoughts, a very deep male voice thanking me for freeing him from his dilemma.

'A talking weapon...

That's nice...

But I don't like the look of those smoke tentacles...

And that name and runes'

'Don't worry about that, Master. Those are just appearances...

Don't you feel how balanced and light I am?...

Don't I fit perfectly in your hands?...

And more importantly...

Don't you have other things to worry about?' The reference version of this chapter is on M*V*LEMPYR.

'The sword definitely has a point,' I think, seeing how close the Zombie dragon is already to us.

I narrowly dodge the dragon's onslaught by rolling several meters to the right, after which I jump in the opposite direction.

I then prepare to strike with my new weapon for the first time at the Zombie dragon.

As I swing the sword, I can't help but marvel at how comfortable it is to use.

The weapon feels like a natural extension of my hands.

I make a wide slash across one of the dragon's flanks, from where a stinking, steaming violet fluid quickly begins to pour out.

After the attack, I quickly move away from the dragon, jumping backwards to dodge the claw that the monster throws at me in retaliation for my aggression.

I then examine the sword's blade with concern, but I am relieved to see that there are no signs of deterioration.

On the contrary, it seems that the blade has absorbed some of the dragon's blood, for along the blade there have appeared numerous protuberances that simulate the appearance of very fine violet-colored veins.

These veins start from the edge of the blade and intertwine and combine with each other several times as they advance towards the hilt of the weapon, acquiring thickness in the process.

As soon as the veins reach the section of the hilt where my hands are, I suddenly feel a surge of energy and euphoria that leaves me momentarily dazed.

'Master, dodge to the left.'

Before I have time to reflect on what I'm doing, my body moves to obey Zariche's request.

It is only thanks to the sword's warning that I manage to dodge in time the blast of toxic breath that the Zombie dragon has launched in my direction.

'Thank you for that... What was that feeling just now?'

'That's simply another bonus of having me as your ally. You are simply sensing a small fraction of what I feel every time I am used by someone for the reason I was created for. Don't worry, you'll surely get used to the sensation quickly.'

'Hmm, I hope you're right...

I can't get stunned every time I perform an attack...

Still, we seem to inflict quite a bit of damage on the dragon just by performing a normal attack...

Let's see what happens when I use skills...

Sword Breathing Style! Justice weapon!'

As I think, I run in the direction of the enemy, but, noticing that neither of my two skills has activated, I stop for an instant.

Then I quickly start turning to the left to dodge the bite the dragon is trying to give me.

'Master, sorry about that...

But you can't use any skills while you have me in your hands.'

Emir: !!!!

'That's too much of a disadvantage...

But the sword is not to blame...

It's not like he can control which of his runes activate and which don't.'

'Exactly, Master...

I'm really very sorry...

But don't worry...

You'll soon realize that you don't need any skills as long as you have me as your weapon...

You just have to cut your enemies with all your strength. I'll take care of keeping you healthy and rested.'

'Ok...

That being the case...

I guess I should attack with the highest strength I can muster...

Activate Strength profile!'

Emir: !!!!

'Can't I activate the profiles either?...

Now that's annoying'

'I… don't know what you mean about the profiles, Master, but don't worry about it...

You just have to cut what's in front of you...

You don't need to worry about anything else'

For a moment I find it curious how genuinely concerned Zariche seems at my mention of my interface profiles, but I can't be too distracted as long as I remain in the current situation.

Rolling to the left again, I dodge a swipe from the dragon.

Then I quickly jump in and take the opportunity to inflict a wide vertical cut on its paw.

Emir: !!!

'This time the sensation came much more quickly than before...

But I think I can get used to it'

Emboldened by the rush of energy I feel, I run towards the dragon and start attacking non-stop while dodging as best as I can its attacks.

Some of the dragon's attacks do connect with my body, but that is no longer important to me.

The dragon's blows disintegrate my skin and clothes slowly, so surely I should be feeling indescribable pain, but what I feel at this very moment is just the complete opposite.

Every new slash I take with the sword heals me almost as fast as I take damage.

And I am hitting far more attacks than my enemy, as for some reason the dragon is moving slower and slower with each new attack I hit on its rotting skin.

So right now I am leading this race to see who is the last individual standing.

As I attack, a silly, maniacal laugh escapes my lips as I see how futile the dragon's attempts to harm me are.

'This sword is amazing...

Finding it is the best thing that ever happened to me.'

Fighting with the Zariche in my hands is the most mind-blowing thing I have ever felt.

To the point that at times I start to lose track of myself, confusing where the sword ends and where I begin.

'I don't know anymore if it's me guiding the sword or if it's the sword guiding my body...

But...

Does it really matter?...

I don't have to worry about anything anymore...

Everything is so simple and pleasant...

I am the sword and the sword is me...

We are one and the same entity that is only interested in cutting things...

That is the only thing that matters...

Keep cutting to keep the flow of euphoria going as long as possible.'