The Last-Seat Hero Has Returned

73. In Search of the Cursed Sword (5)

The blood-red mist had disappeared from the cave.

Standing in the center of the cave, which was so silent it felt lonely, I clicked my tongue in thought.

“Well… I’ll check how strong I’ve become later.”

For now, it was time to check the performance of the trophy I had obtained (though it was surprisingly easy to get).

“Let’s see.”

I lifted the cursed sword, which was glistening with a sinister blood-red hue.

The immense energy that had been felt when it was first unsealed was no longer there.

‘Looks like it needs blood.’

I lightly cut my palm with the cursed sword.

The blood that flowed down the blade was absorbed by the sword.

Rumble!

The cursed sword began to bubble and shake violently.

The energy emanating from the blood-soaked blade grew even stronger.

“That’s it.”

The consciousness of Beskal, which had been sealed within the demon sword, had completely vanished, but the power contained within it remained intact.

“Haah.”

As I grasped the demon sword with my blood-soaked hand, I felt a tingling power spread throughout my body.

The efficacy of the demon sword Beskal.

The effect of granting immense power in exchange for the user’s ‘blood’ invigorated my entire body.

‘It feels similar to when I received Iris’s blessing.’

I felt my basic strength, stamina, and agility increase significantly.

‘Well, maintaining this state continuously consumes blood, though.’

The demon sword wouldn’t be called a demon sword for nothing.

If one were to swing the sword thoughtlessly, intoxicated by the power it bestowed, they would find themselves drained of all their blood and dead in the blink of an eye.

‘Of course.’

It had nothing to do with me, though.

“At this level, I don’t need to worry about not being able to use the stigma amplifier anymore.”

The buff effect of the demon sword didn’t increase the amount of mana itself, but since my body was strengthened, I could save mana, which was practically like gaining free mana.

In other words.

It wasn’t an artifact that increased mana, but one that allowed me to use less of it.

‘It’s not just about saving mana, either.’

I raised my arm high, holding the demon sword horizontally.

With a swift motion, I brought the horizontally held demon sword down with all my might.

Berald’s martial arts.

Sword Breaking.

Crack!

As I struck the demon sword with full force, the blade split in two, scattering blood-red fragments on the ground.

“The durability is still mediocre.”

Its durability wasn’t much better than the standard iron swords issued to cadets.

It was far from deserving the fearsome name of ‘demon sword.’

Rumble.

Along with the sensation of blood draining from my entire body, the demon sword, which had been shattered into two pieces, regenerated perfectly.

“That’s right.”

Another advantage of the demon sword Beskal.

No matter how broken and shattered it becomes, as long as it is supplied with blood, it can be infinitely recreated.

‘In a way, it’s similar to me.’

Feeling a strange sense of kinship with the demon sword that had instantly regained its original form, I stifled a chuckle.

“Anyway, with this, I don’t have to worry about the sword breaking in the middle of a fight anymore.”

For a hero, the durability of a weapon was a more important factor than one might think.

In battles where mountains crumbled and the ground split, it was common for weapons to shatter under the impact.

‘When I fought the crocodile beast before, my sword broke in the middle of the fight too.’

It was fortunate that I had mastered martial arts; if it had been someone else, their combat power would have been halved the moment their weapon broke.

“It’s about time for the shift change, so I should head back.”

I grasped the demon sword in reverse and plunged it into my palm.

The demon sword did not pierce through my palm but instead melted into the blood and was absorbed into my body.

“As expected, it’s convenient.”

One of the minor strengths of the demon sword was that it could be stored in my ‘blood’ without needing to be carried separately.

“…….”

Before leaving the cave.

I looked around the devastated secret space, destroyed by the aftermath of the battle, and recalled memories of my past life.

Specifically, the memories of my comrades who died here during my mercenary days.

– Damn it! I’ll hold them off here, so everyone else run!

The captain, who had a foul temper but risked his life for his men.

– Hey! Rabbit b*stard! Stop dawdling and move quickly, you idiot!

The vice-captain, who had given me the disgraceful nickname ‘Rabbit Han’.

– I, I don’t want to die… Please… Ugh!

The squad leader, the only woman in our mercenary group, who had stolen the hearts of many members.

I lightly bowed my head in silent tribute, remembering those whose names I could barely recall now.

Even if it was something from a past life.

Even if it was a faded memory that only I held.

“Thank you.”

Because you were there.

I am here.

* * *

Day 2 of the Ruins Exploration.

Continuing from yesterday, the party members roamed inside the ruins (deliberately avoiding the area with the secret passage) and hunted the beasts.

Even though the ruins were not rated as highly dangerous, the party members were not tired at all despite the two-day continuous forced march with camping. Instead, they were more energetic than at the beginning.

‘They must have felt it too.’

The exhilaration of getting in sync with each other with every battle.

The thrill of communicating with just a glance and having every small movement mesh perfectly like cogs in a wheel.

This pleasure, which can only be felt when moving as a ‘party,’ is something that those who haven’t experienced it would never understand.

“Alright, let’s call it a day.”

“Hmm? Already stopping? I was just starting to get warmed up!”

Barreld clenched his fist, showing he could still go on.

“I can keep going too.”

“Me too. This is my first time syncing up with a party… It’s more fun than I thought.”

“Hmph. Well, it wasn’t a bad experience.”

Following Barreld, Yuren, Iris, and Camilla also showed their eagerness to continue.

I stifled a laugh and shook my head.

“This is enough. It seems like everyone is already in sync.”

Maybe it was because each individual’s skills were outstanding.

Even though it was only the second day since we started exploring the ruins, they had grown remarkably compared to the beginning.

‘This is what it feels like to teach.’

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Seeing them grasp ten things when taught one, and a hundred when taught ten, made me think, ‘Ah, this is the joy of teaching someone.’

I wanted to continue the forced march, enjoying this unprecedented fun.

“But right now, you might not feel tired because of the adrenaline, but once you rest, the fatigue will hit you hard.”

Barreld once told me when he was training me.

Exercise is not just about working hard but also about resting enough.

And he added one more thing.

But you, brother, recover quickly even if you push yourself hard, so you probably don’t need to rest.

‘Thinking about it now, that b*stard makes me a bit angry.’

No matter how much, is it something to say to someone after making them do 500 pull-ups, 1,000 push-ups, and 1,000 squats in a day?

‘Phew. Calm down, calm down.’

I continued, trying to erase the nightmare-like memories of those days from my mind.

“Let’s call it a day for this excavation and head back.”

“Hmm. If you insist, brother… Alright.”

“But didn’t you apply for leave until tomorrow? Are you planning to return to school today?”

“No, I’ll go to school tomorrow.”

I lifted the heavy pouch and grinned.

“Today, let’s stop by a decent inn on the way back and have a refreshing drink.”

The pouch, swollen like ripe fruit, contained the magic stones we had hunted over the past two days.

Most of them were low-grade magic stones that could be mass-produced, so they wouldn’t fetch a high price, but we had earned enough to celebrate our successful excavation.

“Ha ha ha! As expected of you, brother! You have a unique sense!”

“Well… It would be a bit much to return to school right after finishing the excavation.”

“Mr. Dale! For snacks, I want the ramen you cooked!”

Yuren, Berald, and Iris nodded eagerly at the suggestion of having a drink.

“Ha! What nonsense are you spouting!”

In the excited atmosphere, the candidate for the Sword of the Holy Kingdom poured cold water on us.

With her hands on her hips, she shouted confidently.

“Listen well! Cultivating the mind is cultivating the body! Celebrating with a drink right after a successful excavation will make your mind lax…”

“Ice-cold beer served in a frosted glass.”

“……”

“Freshly fried chicken and golden-brown sausages.”

“Ugh, ugh!”

“Dried squid and peanuts…”

“You, you scoundrel! Can’t you keep your mouth shut!”

Camilla shouted and turned her head sharply.

Avoiding our gaze, she cleared her throat.

“Well, I can’t help it. As the escort of the Holy Maiden, I can’t be the only one left out. I’ll join you.”

“Wipe the drool off your mouth before you speak.”

“Ugh!”

Anyway.

After getting Camilla’s agreement, we left the ‘Cave of Red Tears’ and returned to Valhalla City.

After securing a room at an inn in the city (Yuren got a private room again this time), we gathered at the pub on the first floor and raised our glasses.

“Cheers!”

“Ahhh! There’s nothing like a beer after a battle!”

“Ugh. I wanted to eat the ramen Mr. Dale cooked.”

“Come on, I can’t cook ramen in a pub.”

“But still!”

“Ugh…! I, I will never succumb to temptation…!”

“She’s at it again. Iris, put some chicken in Camilla’s mouth.”

“Hehe. Trust me, Mr. Dale.”

Iris shoved a chicken leg into Camilla’s mouth.

“Ugh…! That, that big thing won’t fit… ah!”

“No.”

“Ugh… It’s soft and salty… Ah. This, this heavenly taste….”

“Excuse me? Are you eating chicken?”

“Ugh… I clearly said I didn’t want it… Ah. No more… I… can’t resist anymore.”

“Hey, you idiot.”

Who makes that kind of noise while eating chicken?

* * *

After the noisy drinking session ended.

We stood up to return to our respective rooms.

At that moment.

Beryl snapped his fingers as if he had a good idea.

“Ah, brother! Come to think of it, there’s a bathhouse open 24 hours right next to this inn!”

“Oh, really?”

We had taken a light shower as soon as we unpacked at the inn.

But it couldn’t compare to soaking in a hot bath.

“Shall we go for a soak before bed?”

“Hehe. Sounds good! Ah, of course, Yuren, you’re coming too.”

“Of course, man.”

Beryl and I turned our gaze to Yuren.

“Uh… Uh? I, I am a bit… about the bathhouse….”

Yuren shook his head urgently with a flustered expression.

“No, you’re even skipping this?”

You use a personal tent, book a single room at the inn.

And now you’re skipping the bathhouse too?

‘No matter how much of a noble young master he is, there are limits!’

If I don’t straighten him out now, Yuren will continue to live as an ignorant young master!

“Hey, once you get into the hot water, you’ll change your mind completely!”

“S-Sorry! But the bathhouse is really…!”

“Huh! Brother Yuren! Have you never heard that the friendship of men blooms in the bathhouse?”

“That’s the first time I’ve heard that.”

Who the hell said that?

“I just made it up.”

“……”

“Well, anyway!”

Thud!

Berald grabbed Yuren’s arm and headed towards the bathhouse.

“Skipping this is unforgivable as a man!”

“Right!!!”

“W-Wait! Aah!”

I grabbed Yuren’s other arm and pulled him along with Berald.

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“What kind of strength do you both have…! No, stop! aaah!”

And so, Yuren was dragged into the bathhouse by Berald and me.