Kumodesu

"Hey, try using [Soul Chain]."

You want to pull the soul of that tree?

"Yeah, I think it's a solid plan."

We'll just need to wait for the right moment.

While I was discussing strategy with Will, the boar on the other side was being relentlessly chased by the sword. It tried to block with its newly grown horn, but after just two strikes, the horn shattered. Meanwhile, the sword remained completely untouched.

"Let's go."

This time, my target wasn't the tree itself, but that bizarre creature inside it. I was sure the tree didn't have a soul of its own — the real threat came from the being controlling it.

When I got close enough, the creature reacted immediately, using vines to block my path and shield itself. But too bad for it — [Soul Chain] could bypass all physical barriers in close range.

The chain launched out in an instant, and I felt the soul of the creature being completely restrained.

Now let's see how you try to escape!

I gritted my fangs and pulled hard on the chain, but various interferences made it difficult. At the same time, it recalled the sword and sent it flying toward me, which only added to the chaos.

Fortunately, the [Soul Chain] remained firmly latched onto its soul. As long as I held on and kept stalling, it couldn't escape.

Now that the tree's full attention was on me, it gave the boar an opening to land a heavy blow. But since its horn was already broken, the attack didn't do much damage.

Still, if it keeps attacking like that, it'll help split the pressure.

Keep it up, buddy.

Probably pissed about losing its horn, the boar didn't even consider retreating — it just kept hammering away like mad.

After a while, the outer bark of the tree was in shambles, forcing the creature to redirect vines to deal with the boar. Thanks to that, my side suddenly felt a lot less pressured.

At this point, I was dodging while flinging threads to restrict the sword, and simultaneously trying to pull the soul.

But seriously… how tough is this thing!?

I'd been pulling forever and still couldn't budge it one bit.

"High chance it has some kind of soul resistance skill."

Then what now?

"If you can't deal with it directly, shift your focus to the sword. That's been the real threat all along."

She had a point. I retracted [Soul Chain] and changed my focus to the sword.

The thing was still razor sharp. I couldn't go head-to-head with it, so all I could do was dodge and try to restrain it from a distance. Besides, I didn't want to damage it — what if I could use it later?

"This sword... there's something off about it."

What do you mean?

"At first, the creature was just swinging it wildly. But now? Its attacks are calculated. The timing, the angles, even the way it avoids counters — all deliberate."

Hmm... you're right. I hadn't noticed before.

Could it be that the sword itself is moving on its own?

"You think it's sentient?"

It's not impossible. I've seen tons of shows where weapons gain consciousness after being nurtured long enough.

"You're watching too much fiction… but, well, there's no other explanation that fits better."

Then how about we try talking to it? Maybe we can coax it into joining us.

"Easier said than done. It's not like I know how to talk to a sword."

Isn't this kind of thing your specialty? What, giving up already?

Even in this critical situation, I couldn't resist poking fun at her — had to pay her back for all the times she'd messed with me.

"Hmph, typical spider behavior…"

I just huffed and ignored her.

While Will fumbled with a way to communicate, I had my hands full dodging the sword.

To make it worse, it was only getting faster and more relentless. I tried throwing rocks and clumps of dirt at it, but it sliced everything clean in half like butter.

This sword…

If I could wield something like that, wouldn't I look absolutely badass?

And so, the chase continued — me dodging, it slashing — until Will finally spoke up again.

"I'm not totally sure, but I think [Soul Chain] might work. Once you've got it, use [Soul Link] to connect with its consciousness."

Why use [Soul Chain] first?

"Because unlike the spirits from earlier, this one isn't in something. It's just out there on its own."

Got it.

I began timing my thread shots to restrain the sword just long enough to launch [Soul Chain], but damn it was fast. It kept circling erratically, making it almost impossible to land a clean shot.

This thing flying all over the place — how the heck am I supposed to hit it?

At a glance, it looked like the tree was wielding the sword. But I'd watched carefully enough to know: the sword was moving on its own.

The tree was just playing support.

"Maybe it's supplying energy to the sword?"

Makes sense.

So I shifted tactics again. Instead of targeting the sword, I started aiming at the vines that were transferring energy to it.

Eventually, I got the timing right and severed the connection. But almost immediately, another vine tried to reattach.

No you don't!

I kept blocking the incoming vines while slamming [Soul Chain] directly into the sword.

Gotcha!

With no energy source left, the sword dropped to the ground like a normal weapon. But I knew the truth — it wasn't powerless. It just ran out of fuel.

Our guess was spot-on.

Without wasting a second, I activated [Soul Link] to establish a connection.

"Hate this! I hate this so much!"

Suddenly, I heard a voice. But it wasn't Will's.

"You… are you the consciousness inside this sword?"

"Yes. So what?" A sharp, snappy reply.

So it really does have a mind of its own…

"What's so surprising?"

Nai wa…

This guy's got attitude. If it had a face, I'd probably want to punch it already.

"Let me try." Will stepped in.

"Ahem. Hello, Mr. Sword. Would you be interested in joining our team?"

Oh wow, straight to the point. Not bad!

"[Parallel Will], huh? That's pretty rare."

The sword didn't answer the question, just sidestepped it with another observation.

Nai wa…

It even knows about skills?

"You seem to know quite a bit about this kind of stuff," Will said politely.

Hearing that smug tone from the sword just made me want to hit something.

"Hahaha, of course I do. I am a consciousness created through [Parallel Will]."

Nai wa!!

Yet another surprise!?

[Parallel Will] can even be used like that!?

"Oi, me. Don't start getting crazy ideas!" Will cut in again, clearly sensing where my thoughts were headed.

She's onto me...

But it's fine. I'll just ask the sword how to split off a consciousness into another item later and get my revenge.

"Anyway, do you know where your original wielder is?" Will asked.

"I don't know. He said he had something important to do, left me here, and never came back… wait a second, why am I even telling you this!?"

"No need to get worked up. Like I said — would you consider joining us?"

The sword scoffed, "And what would I gain from that? I'm sick of nonstop fighting."

"You don't want to find your wielder?"

"Probably dead somewhere already. No point wasting time."

Cold and decisive words — but since I was connected via [Soul Link], I could feel the sorrow in those words.

Still a chance, huh…

"Leave it to me."

"Don't be so quick to give up. You see, my wielder here is none other than the Spirit Queen herself. If you join us, we'll help you find your original master."

Nai wa!!

Why drag me into this!?

"Hah! Who do you think you're fooling? I've seen the Spirit Queen. You expect me to believe this spider is her? Don't make me laugh."

Argh!

I mean... I do technically hold that title…

But even I have to admit, it sounds pretty unbelievable.

"Don't be so quick to judge. As unbelievable as it may sound, that title really does belong to my partner here."

The sword stopped laughing and stared at me intently, searching for something. I didn't bother hiding it — I showed the title right away.

"…It's real?! No way. That makes no sense!"

You're telling me.

"It's a long story, but all you need to know is that we're on very good terms with the Spirit Queen. That's why she entrusted the title to us. If you come with us, we'll do everything we can to fulfill your goal."

Will really knows how to work a negotiation.

It's just a job — but she made it sound like we're bonded for life.

Ah well. No one's fact-checking.

The sword dropped its haughty tone and went quiet.

It's working!

"…What do you want me to do?"

"Not much. Just help us fight when tough enemies show up," Will replied breezily.

But I knew better.

Once she finds out what else this sword can do… I'm doomed.

"Fighting's not a problem, but you'll need to provide energy for me constantly."

"What kind of energy?"

"SP."

Oof… now that's a pain.

My SP is barely enough for myself most of the time. Now I've gotta split it?

"No worries. We can handle that."

Handle it your ass!!

It's my SP, not yours!!

"In that case, I accept."

The sword agreed, but honestly… now I felt more exhausted than before.

"Can we form a contract?" Will asked.

"We can."

And so, the ritual began.

I never thought I'd be making a contract with a sword of all things.

<>

I took a deep breath when I saw the name.

Excalavon!?

How powerful does something have to be to earn the name "Holy Sword"!?

"So your name is Excalavon, huh? Mind if I call you 'Exc' for short?"

"Do as you like."

And just like that, I had a new ally.

"First things first, Exc — mind helping us take care of that tree?"

"I've given my word. I won't go back on it."

I sent some SP over to Exc, and the sword instantly floated up, slashing horizontally just once.

With that single strike…

Both the tree and the boar were sliced clean in half.

Insane.

This time for sure — I've hit the jackpot.